Some weather and football action

Tomorrow is the first ever playoff game for the Texas State Bobcats in Division I-AA. We’re very excited and some friends and I are looking to go. It’s been quite warm lately (I’ve worn shorts, t-shirts & flip flops the last two days!) but I’ve heard rain’s a comin’. Here’s the weather forcast for the next few days. Looks like shorts, t-shirt and flip flops for the game again tomorrow. IT’S THE END OF NOVEMBER FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!! What’s going on with this damn weather???

Isolated showers, scattered clouds and temps in the mid 70’s are expected
for today, but rain chances increase through the evening. Thunderstorms are
expected for tomorrow morning and possibly could reach severe levels. Skies
will clear by Saturday afternoon, and sunshine will remain in place through
the week.

Seven Day Forecast

Today
Mostly Cloudy
Isolated Showers
High: 75

Tonight
AM Thunderstorms
Some Possibly Severe
Low: 57

Tomorrow (Saturday)
AM Storms
Afternoon Clearing Skies
High: 78

…

A True Thanksgiving Prayer

Thank you, Lord for this sink of dirty dishes; we have plenty to eat.
Thank you for this pile of dirty laundry; we have nice clothes to wear.
And thank you, Lord, for these unmade beds; they are so warm and comfortable. (I know that some people have no bed.)
Thank you, Lord for this bathroom, complete with splattered mirrors, soggy towels, and dirty lavatory; it is so convenient.
Thank you for our finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so badly; it has served us faithfully so many years.
Thank you for this oven that must be cleaned soon; it has baked so many precious family memories.
We are grateful for the tall grass that needs mowing and the leaves that need raking; we enjoy our yard.
Thank you Lord for our slamming screen door. It is a constant reminder that my kids are healthy and able to run and play.
Lord, the presence of these chores awaiting us affirms that You have richly blessed our family.
I shall do them cheerfully and gratefully, all the while, giving thanks to You.

A BLESSED THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE!

Pay HOW much???

As many of you that read my blog have degrees of some type from a higher learning facility, you may also be “victimed” to calls and emails asking for donations to some scholarship fund or whatever. Today, I received an interesting email.

A few weeks ago, I got a letter in the mail asking me to update my personal information via mail for the Texas State Alumni Association Directory. I’ve gone online a few times looking for old friends and have either experienced frustration or not in trying to find information so I decided that I would go ahead and update all the regular bits of information so people could find me if they were looking. Today, I got an email asking me to call and verify that they had all the correct information. The opening message basically told me the same thing as well as “You will also have the opportunity to reserve YOUR copy of the Texas State Alumni Association Directory at the end of the call!”. Okay, cool. I can deal with having this information right on hand.

So, the calls goes just as I imagined. The nice young lady on the other end of the line tells me what information she has and if it’s correct and if there’s anything else that’s been left off. “No, it all sounds right.” I say. So, she gets to “And would you like to go ahead and reserve your copy of the Alumni Directory now? The Directory includes Texas State University history and pictures and is a wonderful addition to anyone’s Texas State memorabilia collection. It’s available in either book form or on CD. The CD also includes pictures that can be emailed as well as the school song and fight song…”. I had to cut her off. I was in the band and played the fight song and school song so many times over 8 years that the soundtrack lulls me to sleep some nights.

So I ask, “How much?”. “Just two installments of $30.00….” I cut her off again. It cost me over $23,000.00 to go to school there. I am NOT paying $60+ for a CD of things I already have or can access online or by calling the Alumni House!!! I know what you’re thinking. “She’s cut this nice young lady off twice now. She must be getting irritated enough to be rude to this person, who’s just trying to do her job!” No worries. I was nice about saying no thank you. In fact, my $23,000 comment made her laugh.

At least they didn’t ask me to BUY a replacement diploma again since the name change….

Up late

I hate when I can’t seem to sleep. So many thoughts, so many emotions are just rushing through me tonight. I can’t seem to focus on one thing…or on nothing. Mostly, I think it is just anger. Another painful step in the healing process.

While My Guitar Gently Sleeps

You guys have to check this out. This is a Hawaiian ukulele player that is playing much more than the traditional Hawaiian ukulele music. In this clip, generously streamed for me by my buddy Tom, Jake Shimabukuro plays a wicked rendition of While My Guitar Gently Sleeps. Being a big Beatles fan, I was skeptical at first (I’ve never been a fan of remakes) but once I listened to it, I can really tell he appreciate what the Beatles were doing with their song and honors that in his arrangement. So, press play and enjoy!

http://www.bigbenford.com/images/JakeShimabukuro_WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps1.wmv

If you’d like to know more about this guy or his music, go to his website.

Thanks again Tom for sharing this with me. More music reviews to come!