Montel Williams calling...

Actually, Montel didn't call, but one of his producers did. When Brett played the message from our answering machine, I couldn't WAIT to find out why that show was calling US! Why would the Montel Williams Show want to talk to little ol' us?

Seems we live in the same town as the teenagers who got their preschool-aged nephews to smoke pot. The producer is looking for someone--ANYONE--who is related to or connected with that family, and my maiden name just happens to be the same as one of the teenagers who was arrested for the despicable act.

I haven't had that last name for almost 13 years and never since we moved here, but that producer found me. Big Brother may not be watching, but the Montel Williams Show knows who you are and where you live!

Looney Saturday.

So the kids seemed to think the lunar eclipse was at 5:40 a.m. Oops. At least we got an early start to our Saturday. Twelve hours later, we finally got to see the partial eclipse:

Home again, home again, jiggity-jog.

I've seen some beautiful sights in my life, but this--THIS--is a thing of beauty:

We're home--minus one tree--but we have POWER! Actually, we moved back home Tuesday, but we've been crazy-busy since. Now that we're back, though, I can post a few pictures of that crazy-windy day.

Here's the tree that caused all the problems. One massive limb is resting on the powerlines leading to our house:

Gusts of wind eventually made the line spark, which brought our friendly neighborhood fire department to the scene. The fire truck stayed at the foot of our driveway for at least an hour.

At first, we kept vigil, too, since the FD had called TXU and someone was supposed to be on the way. Packed and ready to go in the van, the kids played video games to pass the time.

The kitties couldn't figure out what their crazy family was doing, but bringing them into the van did NOT make them happy:

Once we realized it could be hours before TXU made it to our emergency, we gave up waiting and went to dinner and then to Brett's parents' house. His folks made our three nights away from home feel like a vacation!

On Monday, the tree company removed most of the tree, our neighbor replaced a part of the wire housing, and TXU eventually got us back in business late in the day. WHEW!

Here's the side of our house on Saturday (notice the brown, dusty sky):

And here's the side yard now:

Throughout this whole experience, we were reminded of how very blessed we are. Our family, neighbors and friends all provided support we needed. Being away from home gave us a renewed appreciation for the old homestead, too. And electricity? It's pretty cool.

Lights out.

Some wind, huh? Funny thing, that wind. That wind split one of our two trees in half, and if not for the power lines leading to our house, half of that tree would've landed on our roof. So good news, bad news. Good news: Tree didn't hit roof. Bad news: Tree hit power lines. No power. Many sparks. Much wind. (Did I mention the wind?)

We'll be bunking with Brett's generous parents for a few days until TXU and a tree company can (a) clear limbs away from the lines, (b) remove both halves of our tree, and (c) repair the lines and restore power. Yippee.

We're stressed and just a little tired, but we know we're blessed to have a home-away-from-home to go to, and we're more than blessed that the sparks didn't catch our roof on fire. Amid the power surges, I made a few quick trips inside the house to get a few changes of clothes. Then I had the luxury of grabbing a few photo albums--just in case. There was no way I could get them all, so I put my "what if there's a fire" plan into action and grabbed the biggies: wedding album, wedding video, baby books and two special scrapbooks. I said a quick prayer that I was overreacting and that our house would not catch on fire, but wow, was I nervous!

Then at dinner Ryan asked if we were going to be OK. I counted the four of us around the table and said, "We're fine."

How fabulous it was this morning to see that yes, our house is still there. Even greater was to hear that TXU was finally getting around to our emergency (after dealing with many the wind had caused). Greater still is to know that we will get to go home--eventually.

It's in the mail!

As of this morning, all 724 pages of Brett's manuscript are on their way to the publishing house!

He ended up with 154,423 words and 41 photos. WHEW!

Why I'm a Vince Young fan.

Reason #783:

"Vince knows, in the back of his mind, the man structure in our family has fallen, and for him to take a stand as a man, that makes us proud," Felicia Young said. "We know, even if he wasn't a football player, he was going to be a great son and be a great man, and he would be successful whatever he decided to do. God is using football to put Vince in everybody's life."

The Link

Acting out Acts.

As part of the Power Zone class, Ryan got to help act out scenes from Acts on Wednesday night. Power Zone, made up of fifth and sixth graders, created digital photos that were used to teach the younger kids.

Jamba, our incredibly creative children's minister, has started posting still and video images from different activities to help keep parents aware of what happens on Sundays and Wednesdays: Jamba's site

It's been fun to get a glimpse into some of the stuff that happens while I'm holed up in the A/V booth!

From pooty to party.

I was in a pitiful mood headed back to work Thursday. Our final yearbook deadline is fast approaching, and the anxiety from that, TAKS, required online training, etc., etc., were weighing on me. But when I got to school, I found a yearbook staffer already there, decorating our computer lab for my birthday! My job may be too stressful this time of year, but I'm so blessed to get to know these students!And what fantastic taste they have when it comes to cupcakes:

My birthday just kept going--it was great! When I got home, I found a pizza and this waiting for me on our kitchen table:

I think we and the fire marshal can be thankful Brett put only four candles on the cake (one for each Dub)!

Battlin' birthday.

A few months ago, when Katie told me about her Battle of the Books competition, I knew I couldn't miss it. I requested my personal leave way in advance so I could attend this event. I couldn't get off work for the school spelling bee; I have yet to attend a character kid assembly. I didn't dare miss this one, though. Besides, today's my birthday, so taking a personal day was my present to myself.

For months Katie and her team members have been reading, studying and practicing for this event, and today, they matched wits with teams from each of the elementary schools in our district. A gym full of kids answered questions as a team, questions like, "In which book does a character claim that certain creatures can live without a head?" After 20 seconds, the librarian/judge raised a card to indicate if the team at her table got the point or not.

It was interesting to see the different kids respond to their results. On some of the easier questions that just about every team knew, the answer's revelation resulted in a chorus of "YESSSSSSSSSS!" across the room. Katie was especially fun to watch. Even between questions she would dance and move while standing at her school's table. Pretty fun!

Our team didn't place in the top three, but rumor has it that they may have placed as high as fourth. Regardless, Katie and her teammates worked hard, learned a lot and had a fun day at the competition.


Where's Katie? Can you find her?


OK, OK. How 'bout in this picture?


Our team!


Later that night we celebrated at No Frills Grill.

Of course, we had to play trivia. Guess who won?

Brave new world.

Tonight I walked into Ryan's new school for the first time. Middle school. Oh. My.

We were there for the band instrument fair, and Ryan and all the other fifth graders were trying out different horns that they might end up playing. Kids could pick three instruments to try, so they drifted from station to station for a quick lesson and a test run with each instrument.

As was the case with Ryan, many of the kids were too cool to outwardly acknowledge their parents' presence, and only a few dared to hold a mom's hand here or there. The boys especially, with their Zack and Cody haircuts, played it cool and kept their distance. I couldn't help but remember Ryan's first Meet the Teacher night when he wouldn't leave our sides.

Just being there, seeing where Ryan will be spending his days come August, made me flash back to my own time in middle school. I can still picture the old cafeteria and smell that eau de mop bucket that only school cafeterias have. I can feel the cool of the concrete ledges in the breezeways, the ledges where we'd hang out before first period. The sixth grade science teacher with the impossible tests, the Texas history teacher with super-long hair that she kept in a tidy bun, the art teacher who could barely hide her disdain for my pitiful attempts at drawing: I can see them so clearly. And I can see our little band hall and our band director, the guy who missed several weeks of school after he was hit by a shopping cart(!).

As Ryan tried out the clarinet, trombone and trumpet, I remembered when I first tried to play my flute. I have so many good band memories, from the flute-trumpet duets my best friend and I composed at sleepovers to the unforgettable bus rides to high school football games. Marching in parades, getting nauseously nervous at region tryouts, performing at the Aloha Bowl... Band provided many of my highlights of middle school and high school. As a band geek, I hope that band is his thing, too--but if not, I pray that he'll find some other way to connect to his school and make his own memories.

And the winner is... the trumpet!

"Look, Mom! It's movie snow!"

For once, I did NOT want a snow day. Today was supposed to be Group Picture Day for the yearbook. Months ago I had booked the school auditorium and a photographer so we could get group pictures of most campus organizations today. I woke up earlier than usual to get to school, thinking I was prepared but wanting to be sure. The schedule was made, my helper students were excused, my sub plans were ready, I was ready. But before I could even get to the shower, Brett said, "I think I heard sleet."

Oh, no. Not today.

I looked out the front door, checked the news, got the word, and yes, I grumbled about the terrible timing. But then I got to wake up Ryan and Katie, raise their blinds and watch both of them react to the snow. Wheeeee!!!!!!!!!

A little bit later, Katie saw the huge flakes falling and compared the flurry to what she's seen in movies. I was SO thankful to be home!

Time to take a deep breath, slow down, grab a book and enjoy.

Of course, the kitties enjoyed getting to come inside for a bit, too. KitKat outstayed her welcome when she helped herself to Ryan's breakfast!

EWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!

Just one more.

Our crazy KitKat scared the life out of me when she pounced onto our computer desk as I was in the middle of a sentence. Her goal: To stalk her prey, the wild creature making the rounds on our clock.
Alas, the second hand escaped unharmed.

Cozy Monday.

Everybody accomplished something at our house on this Monday.

The kitties shared some good sister time.

Katie dressed for our lunch date at Brett's Diner (complete with menu).

I accomplished a few chores I'd put off way too long.

Brett got lots of work done in spite of plenty of distractions.

Ryan, after spending his "inside time" on his Lego Star Wars game, declared himself a Jedi Master.

Now THAT'S what I call a great Monday!

Icy Sunday.

After church we stocked up on "winter food" (Fritos, chili, cocoa mix) and headed home to get cozy. The roads were fine; in fact, we were delighted to see how the ice could transform our "ordinary" surroundings.

Ryan and Katie ventured out to go icicle hunting. Armed with light sabers, they attacked the vicious beasts. It was hilarious to see them swing those sabers around!

.

We had just eaten the best Frito pie ever when Nana called with a plan: She just happened to have this German chocolate birthday cake, and no small group members to help them eat it (since their meeting was called off). Would we like to come over to celebrate Papa's birthday a little early? His birthday's not until later this week, but the cake couldn't go to waste. Voila! Impromptu family gathering!

Nana and Papa's backyard was an icy wonder:

And inside, Brett's family gathered to honor his dad:

At home later that evening, Brett built our first fire of the winter and we watched Cars.

Getting to spend plenty of time together was delightful, and it was wonderful to go to bed knowing we didn't have to worry about driving to school the next day.

Onward and Upward.

We're in our second week of the Upward Basketball season, and already we've seen some exciting games! Both the Lady Tarheels and the Knicks won Saturday, and both of our star players had excellent games.

Baby, it's cold outside.

After Katie's basketball game this afternoon, we hurried from the van to the house. We knew the kitties would be cold, but we didn't know we'd find them huddled on our front porch with a guest:Princess is our neighbor's cat, and apparently, three was not a crowd. It was cozy!

Scary Monsters.

During breaks between his day job and working on his book, Brett has been cranking out magazine articles and reviews. This week we received this in the mail: On page 43 is Brett's article, "My Scary Week with Uncle Forry," his account of meeting Forrest J Ackerman at his home in Hollywood and again at the San Diego Comic-Con. Forry is the former editor of Famous Monsters of Filmland, an influential horror magazine. We toured his memento-filled home while we were in L.A., and Brett met up with him again at the big convention later that week. Several photos from our trip illustrate his article, including this one with Forry, Brett and the kids:

The magazine's on sale at Barnes and Noble and Border's, so if you find yourself in one of those bookstores, you might want to take a peek.

Also at some B&N stores is Comics Buyer's Guide, the world's longest running publication about comics. Brett has been part of that magazine's "Review Crew" for five years now, and every month his reviews appear in print.

We love to see his byline, but this is all just a prelude to his book, which is VERY close to completion. His manuscript will be in the mail in a few short weeks, and we're all so excited!