Monday, Monday

(Not So) Easy Like Sunday Morning

Cheryl left the house in the wee hours (appropriately named because that's what I have to do when I'm up at that time) of the morning for the Nashville airport. She sails from Miami this afternoon on her annual "I love you, but I need to go on a girl's only trip and not see your face for a week" cruise.

Since I was awakened by her alarm (2:00 AM) and was not able to go back to sleep, doing the music at church this morning was a challenge. Listening to the message was even more of a challenge. I was nodding so much, Greg thought that I agreed with every single thing he said. Maybe I did. Maybe I didn't.

I had lunch with one of our watchcare daughters, Sarah, at a local Mexican place. She has started a new job and it was good having some one on one time to get the scoop. She is a senior at Union and a real "go getter". I know she will do well at her new place of employment. 

I see a nap in my future and the future is NOW. 

Black & White Wedding in Black & White

Here are three photos (as promised) taken after today's wedding. Evan and Courtni were hitched without a hitch. Beautiful ceremony. Beautiful bride.

Actually, I've never seen an ugly bride. A few were cutting it a little close, but ...

All my love and best wishes to the happy couple in the days ahead.

What's in a Name?

Esch-Johnsey is much better. We have to be at FBC McKenzie for pictures at 2:30 today. The "main event" is at 4 o'clock. I'll try to post a photo of the happy couple afterwards. Cheers.

Take Sominex Tonight & Sleep...Sleep...Sleep

We had a good rehearsal and a great meal at Mallard's (Duck's to some of us). I believe everything is set on ready for tomorrow's 4 o'clock wedding. It all hinges on Paw getting his cue ("Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring") to seat Nana. There are only two problems with this scenario. Paw doesn't know what "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" sounds like and he can't hear anyway. It should be interesting.

Everyone needs to get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow is a busy day.

Going to the Chapel and We're Gonna Get Married

I haven't attended or performed a wedding in a couple of weeks and it just doesn't feel quite right. So ... tonight at 6:00 PM there will be a rehearsal at FBC McKenzie with the "real thing" taking place tomorrow at 4 o'clock. I will be marrying my sister's son, Evan and his fiancee, Courtni in her home church. They are sweet kids (I have underwear older then them) and they adore each other.

This will be the last of three ceremonies that I have done this summer. How I got on the "circuit", I'm not sure. However, it's been a good experience and I'm glad I was able to have a part in these important events. If only what I am doing was legal ...

The Apple of My Eye

I did make it to the Apple Store today and I was like a kid in a candy (fruit?) store. There were quite a few customers and a long check-out line. Keep up the good work, Steve.

The new 3G iPhone won't be available until July 9, but I have about decided to leave Verizon (reception is great in most places, but not my office at church) and join the AT&T network when it does. It simply beats any other cell phone that I have seen hands down. I am a complete Apple "snob", but this is "no brag, just fact". Since I have fulfilled the obligation of my 2 year contract (several times over), you will most likely see me with a new toy in a few weeks.

Long Distance Information Give Me Memphis TN

All the music is ready for Sunday and I am going to "WillieWorld" today. I plan to stop by the Apple Store (duh) and hang out there for a while. It is just a few stores down from Ann Taylor Loft which confirms God put Cheryl and me together.

We hope to have dinner (I used to say supper, but I'm more sophisticated now) with friends before returning to Humboldt.

Just Got Home from Choir

I felt much better today. No headache even after choir rehearsal. Actually, we had a pretty good practice. We are preparing patriotic music for July 6 which will include a beautiful arrangement of "America" by Mary McDonald (a personal friend ... impressed?), an anthem, "In God We Still Trust" with soloist, Frank Christie and "A Salute to the Armed Forces". A church-wide picnic will follow. It should be a great day.

Cheryl and I are driving to Memphis tomorrow. She will be going on her cruise (I'm not bitter) this weekend and I wanted to spend a little time with her before she heads out. She has had an exciting summer. I have had a busy summer (okay, a little bitter).

I Felt Like a Dog Today

I had great hopes of having a terrific Tuesday, but I woke up with a "doggone" headache. It stayed with me for most of the day and made it difficult to concentrate. Despite the adverse circumstances, I was able to be at work and very productive (my boss reads this blog).

I received a copy of Lifeway's new hymnal (it's not officially released until 8/8/08) and spent a good bit of time with it today. I have to say that I am impressed. There are old hymns and new choruses included that should make everyone happy. Let me take that back. Baptists are not happy. Only mildly amused.

Here is a list of the songs that were compiled. I hope your favorite was included.

End of a Long Day

The funeral service for Bro. Pat was a very fitting tribute to a great man and his glorious Savior. I was more than a little stressed about singing today, but it seemed like the Lord gave me the extra strength to do what I had to do.

I changed clothes (and "hats") after the service and made my way to Natchez Trace State Park to provide some light-hearted entertainment for a group of senior adults from FBC Bolivar. It was especially good to see my friend, Richard Dickerson from Woodmont Baptist Church in Nashville.

That is the ebb and flow of life: We cry. We laugh. I wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Mission Accomplished

"It's Cool in the Furnace" is now history and it went great. I never cease to be amazed at the mind of a child. To have that kind of ... to have that kind of ... to have that kind of ... memory (that's the word I was trying to think of) at this age would be a blessing.

Life moves on. Today I must sing at the funeral of Bro. Pat Kough. He was my pastor at FBC Bemis when I was a kid and he made quite an impact on my life. Pray for Miss Pauline and the family today and the days that follow.

Happy Saturday

Cool Whipped

The final day of camp was way COOL but I sure am WHIPPED. The children did a super job staying focused today as we pieced it all together.

Rehearsals have been in the mornings all week, but today we added our final run-through after lunch. The kids hung right in there and even had some time to spare in the gym before being picked up. If Sunday's program is anywhere close to today's practice, I'll be very pleased.

Thank you children, workers, parents and the princes and the governors and the ... You'll understand Sunday.

Practice and Pizza

Tomorrow is our last day of F.I.S.H. (as far as camp goes) and the children will be rewarded with a pizza party at lunch time. Everyone has worked so hard and I am proud of every child and worker.

We will have our dress rehearsal after freely consuming pizza and I'm sure our sound will be greatly enhanced because of it. Nothing helps you form those perfect vowel sounds quite like tomato paste and cheese.

"It's Cool in the Furnace" will be presented at 3:00 PM on Sunday at FBC Humboldt.

We Are Going Swimming

This afternoon (after rigorous morning rehearsals) the boys and girls are going swimming. Since the children have been divided into two groups, the stingrays and sharks, I thought they might enjoy being in the water with these beautiful creatures that God created.

If they children are strong enough swimmers, we will still present our musical on Sunday at 3:00 PM.

Skating Through Life

Our afternoon activity for F.I.S.H. was skating and I actually did pretty well for an old man. I was expecting to "wipe out" but I didn't. Speaking of "wiping out", just after this photo was made, a girl with a small dog took the skates off this poor soul's feet. She melted right there on the spot. 

Camp was great, but there's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's ...

F.I.S.H. Fotos

Peace Out, My Brotha'

Go F.I.S.H.

Today is the first day of Fun In the Son Hapnin' at FBC Humboldt. This is a music and activities camp where we will learn and perform a musical after a week of preparation. What were we thinking?

On Sunday, June 22 at 3:00 PM the boys and girls will present "It's Cool in the Furnace" (with a lot of hard work and some Divine Intervention). Don't miss it.

Nothing Says "I Love You, Dad" Like Taco Salad

My sister, Terri (not Terry) and her husband, Richard invited me over after church to celebrate Father's Day. We had taco salad (which has been a Father's Day tradition for centuries) and hot fudge cake. Dad and mom were there and we had a very nice time. Laid back and relaxed. That's the way I like it (uh huh, uh huh).

Dad made a little speech and told us he was proud of the way we turned out. There wasn't a dry seat in the house. Good times.

Happy Father's Day

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I'll Give You Something to Cry About

This guy was not as lucky as Jonathan. He was ALL smiles when Courtney said "I do" at today's installment of RevKev's Marathon of Marriages. It was a beautiful ceremony performed by the fathers of the bride and groom. That's right. His dad is a preacher and so is hers. Talking about an iron clad agreement!

This is one fine couple and they are going to have a wonderful life (every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings) together. 

Rainy Days and Mondays

It's raining outside, my wife is out of town and I'm feeling kind of down. What can I do to help me get out of this funk? I know...go to a wedding! That has to be it. I haven't been to a wedding in a couple of days and I am probably going through some type of withdrawal.

Jonathan Moore and Courtney Nute, I'll see you today at 3 PM. 

I Lean to the Right/Eileen to the Left

This is Cheryl's brother, Steve (or Larry as he is called in Texas...some type of run in with the authorities, I think) and his lovely wife, Eileen. They were here for Jon's wedding last weekend. I failed to post a photo earlier because I didn't want to break any contract agreement that Eileen might have with her modeling agency. She is my favorite sister-in-law. 

YY Why? Why?

The YYs (Youth of Yesterday...pay attention) met tonight for our regular monthly meeting. I know, I know. We just got back from a trip. How much more can we possibly do?

Well, we had a quartet scheduled to sing and the lead singer didn't show up. That's right. I got to "sight read" seven songs in front of eighty of my closest friends. What I lacked in accuracy, I made up in volume. It really wasn't that bad. No one left the room (I had locked all the exits).

Just another day in my hectic life. By the way, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world...except maybe an iPhone.

Home Alone

Cheryl and I are like two ships passing in the night (make that the day). She left this morning to go back to Florida on a girls trip as I was leaving Louisville to return to Humboldt. She won't be back until Monday night which means peanut butter and jelly will be the food of choice for a few days.

YYs meet tomorrow night, so I will get at least one good meal.

On the Road Again

Since yesterday was so busy, we are not leaving for home until 9 o'clock. However, Louisville is on Eastern Standard Time, so that's really eight. Not what I would call "sleeping in".

If everything goes as planned, we should be back in Humboldt by 3 PM. This gives me time to go home, freshen up, and get back to church for choir rehearsal.

There's never a dull moment.

I'm One Tired Puppy

What a loooonnnggg day! We just got back to the hotel after a very FULL day of activities. We started it all with breakfast at Churchill Downs. Then there was:

• Tour of the Derby Museum
• Tour of the Louisville Slugger Factory & Museum
• Tour of the Frazier International History Museum
• Tour of Glassworks
• Tour of the Schimpff's Confectionery
• The Derby Dinner Playhouse

I tried to think of somewhere else to go so the group would feel like they got their money's worth, but my brain has fallen out of my head. I will be touring my bed at the LaQuinta Inn for the remainder of the evening.

A Horse is a Horse, of Course

We start the day with a "Backstretch Breakfast Tour" at Churchill Downs. Next we go to the Kentucky Derby Museum where they have a 360-degree high-def video called "The Greatest Race".

The Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory is next for a tribute to baseball's greatest hitters. News at 11.

Rollin' on the River

Well tonight we went on a dinner cruise on the Ohio River. The food was quite tasty (courtesy of Chef Charles Sallee) and the trip on the river was very relaxing. The Ohio River ain't exactly the beautiful waters of Destin, but there was a nice breeze "up top" (yes, I really know my nautical terms).

Tomorrow morning we leave the hotel at 8:15 for breakfast at Churchill Downs. 

YYs Arrive in Louisville

Big Bad Bill from Louisville

Tomorrow morning I will be traveling with the YYs (Youth of Yesterday) from First Baptist Church to Louisville, KY. We have quite a few activities planned which include: Belle of Louisville Dinner Cruise, a tour of Churchill Downs, the Derby Museum, a tour of the Louisville Slugger Museum and the Derby Dinner Playhouse. There are no weddings scheduled...yet.

I always have a wonderful time with this group and the next few days should be no exception. I will try to log on and keep a running update of our activities. Pray that I will be able to keep up with these "live wires".

Jon and Holly: A Few Photos

Lord, send me a sign

Cheryl and Me

Cheryl with her brother (Jon) and Holly

Parting is such sweet sorrow...not

This is for the birds!

Jon and Holly Sittin' in a Tree

Another day, another wedding. Jon and Holly (not the same Holly who married Justin on Thursday...this is getting too confusing) will marry today at 2 o'clock. Cheryl is a bridesmaid (Jon is her brother) and we have to be there by noon. I may have more photos. I may not.

Turn Out the Lights the Party's Over

Here are  few photos from the ceremony tonight. It was a beautiful wedding and I am pleased that I was able to participate.

We leave at 6:00 in the morning for home. This blogger is outa' here!