Sad Day

This was one of those days you hope that will never come.

We just came from a funeral for my cousin Donnie Wilson. He was only 30 years old. He was killed in a automobile accident on January 23.

Everyone kept telling me that they were sorry about my cousin but there was more to it than that. Up till about 10 years ago Donnie was my cousin, I would see him maybe once a year at family events and just did the customary Hello how are you greeting and that was our entire relationship. Then 10 years ago we started to attend the same Church as Donnie and his wife Shawn. We were in the same Sunday School Class and a small group of us all the same ages with kids became pretty close friends. Donnie was much more than a cousin to me he was a very close friend. He will be missed.

Our prayers are with Shawn, Trey, and Taylor.

Damron Party of 2

10 - 15 years ago I decided to take Chandra out on Valentines Day for dinner. The plan was we were going to eat at the Holiday Inn at the airport and stay all night and go swimming. When we got there the pool was closed so we decided not to stay at the Holiday Inn but we were still going to eat there because we really liked the restaurant's prime rib. When we went to order guess what no prime rib. We were kind of bummed out with how the evening was going so we decided to try Longhorn and see if we had any better luck. I forgot it was a Friday evening and Valentines day, when we arrived at Longhorn there were people every where. There was no way we were going to get eat for at least an hour or two. As we went up to put our names in the Hostess was shouting this is the last call for Damron party of two. Me and Chandra looked at each other and about the same time said we are Damron. The hostess just looked at us like we were crazy but she went ahead and sat us at the table. The rest of the meal I just sat there worrying about a 300 pound muscle builder showing up and saying he was Damron. I decided if Damrons showed up we were just going to offer to buy their meal, but as far as we know Damrons never did show up. I know, I know it is not the most ethical or Christian thing to do but you just can't mess with a man and his Prime Rib!!!

P90X

P90X

P90X is a new work out program that has been on TV lately. Chandra's brother Paul purchased the program and has been working out. He said it really wore him out after the first couple of days. Well we know what he means me and Chandra bought it also and have been working out since last Thursday. After a week of doing the program all we can say is OUCH!!!! It is definitely intense. The hardest part for me is still trying to shoe after working out. We have done more push ups, pull ups, sit ups, and stretching in the last week then we have in the last 10 years put together. Chandra couldn't wait until we did the Yoga DVD because it would easy she said. Yeah Right!! There is nothing easy about any of the DVDs. I have really enjoyed the stretching aspect of the program it has helped out my back already. You can not believe how buff we are already. HA HA HA HA. I would just like to lose a chin or two and a couple of love handles.

My right wrist is killing me. I was trying to figure out what exercise was aggravating it the worst. Well I have finally figured it out. It is me playing too much Decoder and Sudoku on the computer. Who would guess that just rolling around and clicking on a mouse would make you so sore.

Swimming Suits

Well I wasn't far off, the other day I was in Target shopping and guess what... they have swim suits on sale. It is hard to think about buying a swim suit on a day like today. I am going to have to buy a pair or two since my other ones are from the 80's and are looking a little rough. I have to get there before all the speedos are purchased...I hope they still have some pink ones in stock. :) That's not a pretty visual!!!

Blogging

I have been neglecting my blog lately. Part of the reason is I got hooked on this game Decoder. It starts out pretty easy but gets a little harder as you go. I used to play this during study halls with a friend of mine. We never had more than 4 colors though. Tonight I have been fussing around with a puzzle that Kristen sent to Chandra.

The object is to figure out how the bolt got put into the wood. The wood is not cut and the bolt is not cut. This is one I made tonight but I am not sure I did it right. The original puzzle said it could have a bolt, nail or pencil through the wood. I can do a bolt or nail but I do not believe I could get a pencil in there. I am sure there is another solution but I can not figure it out yet. The puzzle is called the Mole Creek Wood Puzzle. I searched for it online and found all kinds of neat illusions.

Jaguar

Jaguar is a very sensitive boy. When it gets late at night he starts to think about things. Before you know it he is upset because he misses Grandpa Maya. Next thing you know he is missing Uncle Seth, Uncle Paul, Clayton, and the entire Pape family.

When he prays he often prays for me to feel better with my gall bladder. If anyone is sick he prays for them to feel better. He asks God to let Uncle Paul and Clayton to have save trips home.

I am always amazed at the prayers that come out of his mouth. They are definitely from his heart and I know that God hears and answers his prayers.

Horseshoes

I usually buy around $10,000 worth of horse shoes and supplies(rasp,nails,etc..) a year. The company I buy them from has never sent me the wrong item. About a month and a half ago I ordered a bunch of shoes and when they arrived they were not what I ordered. They were a make of shoe that I don't use very often. Now I had enough of them to last for 3-4 years. I went back and forth on if I should send them back or just keep them in stock and use them up over the next few years. I decided to keep them.

One of the Farriers that shoe around this area died on Christmas Day this year. My phone started to ring off the hook on December 26th. He had been sick since October and these horses were now behind on their shoeing. I took a few of these barns on as new clients and started shoeing for them. The first horse I shod was wearing that make of shoe that had been sent to me. I didn't think too much about it until the next horse came out and sure enough it was wearing the same kind of shoes. By the time I got done shoeing at the first new barn and then another new farm a few days later, I had used up almost all of those shoes that had been sent to me.

All these people had been using this farrier for 27 -33 years. Needless to say they were not real thrilled with having to change and get used to a new guy. Having the same shoe in stock that this other farrier had been using on their horse made the transition a lot easier. Now I have a hard time believing that it was a coincidence that I received a shipment of shoes that I didn't order that was exactly what I needed.

Funny Email

I got this funny email today.

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a Well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the Well needed to be covered up anyway; It just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbors to come over and Help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the Donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up. Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.

Free your mind from worries - Most never happen.

Live simply and appreciate what you have.

Give more.

Expect less