Blog Feed: Family First

Give a kid a camera and they'll take a thousand silly photos. Give them encouragement and they'll set up an office, build a web-site, crank out audio-visual material and have you delivering dinner to them while they work. At the age of two, we stuck a computer in front of our son and said, "Here, you can't tear it up. Try every button and have fun." He first met "Reader Rabbit", a Disney software character, who led him down the proverbial rabbit hole where he discovered his love of all things [..]

Making Time Stand Still

Published on 2012-03-05 18:50:00

I love the smell of airports. They are inviting and give promise to fun filled journeys ahead. My early days of travel were at the hands of my grandparents who were constantly putting my brother and me on airplanes across the country. They wanted us to experience everything and made sure we had met the pilots, pinned on wings, and read the emergency cards so we would always be prepared. By the age of five, I had a drawer full of wings and memories to go with them. Once, after leav [..]

The Giant Red Umbrella

Published on 2012-02-28 19:49:00

Umbrellas are something that I’ve never really given much thought to. If it rains, I grab whatever umbrella I can find. Usually, there is a small one located under the passenger seat in my car, so I've never had to do a lot of planning for rain events I purchase umbrellas as last minute thoughts in drug stores or airports. The smaller and cheaper, the better the value to me. One rainy Tuesday in January, our local fitness center seized a moment of opportunity and advertised the sa [..]

The Colored Pencil Challenge

Published on 2012-02-07 20:12:00

My son, Joey, is involved in BETA, a national organization that promotes the ideals of academic achievement, character, service and leadership among high school students. The state convention was coming up and students could select from a variety of contests to compete in. Joey is a talented performing artist and has sung for large audiences all over the south. I naturally assumed that he would sign up for the talent competition and would once again be up there on the stage belting o [..]

Looking for Greatness

Published on 2012-01-08 12:21:00

I have pointed out on prior occasions, that I always seem to miss the Kodak moments of life with my head turned the wrong way looking for some missing item or lost treasure when great things happen around me. This weekend, I realized that I have been so close to many great things and yet, I really must go back and revisit these things to fully appreciate them. Case in point... I was in a hotel this past weekend, blowing my son's hair dry with the tiny hotel hair dryer. He was spinning a [..]

Snickerdoodles and Headless Ducks

Published on 2011-12-30 13:10:00

Christmas cookies have a special meaning for my family. My mother begins preparations for the holiday season by stocking up on enough baking goods to make about 4000 cookies. She whips up batches of Snickerdoodles, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Mexican Wedding Cakes (note - As I type this, I realize that might be a politically incorrect term), and many more. Great care goes into making sure each cookie is perfectly shaped, packaged and safely delivered to loves ones around town. We laugh that th [..]

Aren't I A Fun Driver

Published on 2011-12-27 20:32:00

Of all the Christmas presents under our tree, this one was the most difficult to wrap. While Allie was thrilled with her new Christmas ride, I don't think anyone expected her dog Jodi to be quite as excited as she was. All day long we could hear a continuous whirrrr outside the window as Allie and Jodi traveled up and down the street. Jodi was the envy of every dog. This Barbie style golf cart comes with street glow lighting, cell phone holder and a series of mirrors, none of whic [..]

When You Call Me Big Papa

Published on 2011-12-15 21:47:00

My son has the new iPhone 4s that comes with a personal assistant named Siri. I was unaware that Siri learns about the phone owner and uses that information at later times. When issuing commands or requests to this new apple product, Siri will respond by calling you by name. While driving through the city tonight, I heard my son, who was sitting in the passenger seat, inform Siri that he liked it when she called him Big Papa. I instantly found this both odd and creepy, but even more peculiar [..]

Chips, Salsa and An Ice-Pack

Published on 2011-11-27 10:42:00

I make it a practice to try to return all of my children's friends home safely to their mothers without a trip to the Emergency Room or an intrarcranial hematoma. This particular day, my daughter brought along a new friend whose mother trusted me with her daughter's safety. We stopped in Chili's for lunch and I walked into the restroom at the exact moment that my two girls discovered that one should not use their head as a door stop and that the other had the power of a freight train. [..]

The Making of Nerds and Other School Projects

Published on 2011-11-09 20:33:00

It is normally close to bedtime when we discover that our kids have forgotten to make that scaled model of DNA or an interactive mobile of the planets aligning in preparation for some magnetic shift certain to change the world as we know it. Because of this, I keep a supply of poster board, hot glue and assorted candy that I can quickly craft into chromosomes, solar systems and working models of pulley and lever systems should I need to do so in a moment’s notice. I also keep an assor [..]

Spinning Reindeer and Mountainous Treks

Published on 2011-11-07 21:00:00

It was 1975 and as I walked out of elementary school for the last time, my grandparents were waiting for me in the parking lot in a Midnight Blue Lincoln Continental with a full size Airstream trailer hitched to the back. It was summer and we were off to see America. My cousin Ramonna, who is several years younger than I, sat in the oversized back seat with me, as our feet stuck straight out in front of us and we headed West. The car smelled of new leather, Old Spice and expensive perf [..]

Apocalyptic Skies of Doom or Just Silly Rain Clouds

Published on 2011-10-16 10:21:00

The year 2012 quickly approaches and with it comes more and more television shows about the proverbial end of the world. Forced to the couch, while fighting a round of strep throat, I watched my share of documentaries and have gained new skills to help plan for this event. With lessons learned from "Extreme Couponing" I know how I can easily get eleven years worth of fabric softener, fourteen dozen bottles of body wash and 212 containers of Tic Tacs for around $20. These items would certainl [..]

Homey and His Internet Gal Pal

Published on 2011-09-30 14:34:00

This brings new meaning to Skyping! Nothing more really needs to be said.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie - Unless They Have Deep Sleep Disorder

Published on 2011-06-26 18:23:00

You should not let sleeping dogs lie when they choose inappropriate places to do their napping. Our latest edition, Riley, a small puppy, turned out by its mother, has come to know the comforts and security of being cared for

Shark Boy

Published on 2011-06-08 08:20:00

If something amazing and truly worthy of a photo opportunity occurs, I am usually the one who has just turned their head for a split second, missing everything, only to hear the "oohs" and "aaahhhs" of my family reveling in what they just witnessed.

Leaves Falling

Published on 2011-05-28 23:51:00

Recording Artist: Joey BrodnaxSongwriters: Julie Poss and Jana KlemkePianist: Dr. Rex BellProducer: Eric CheshereRecorded at Infrared Studios

Pre-Driving Protocol for Busy Moms

Published on 2011-05-23 21:35:00

If there was a survey that could be done and ever was... I would like to know just how many people have been sailing down the highway oblivious to the bag of meat that was on top of their car. I'm certain I am one of those elite few. You

Smiling Eggs are Harder To Eat

Published on 2011-04-29 17:29:00

It's hard to make egg salad when your eggs are staring at you with warm smiles and all have names. These are the post Easter eggs that fill my fridge. I always have plenty of them because half of the neighborhood kids arrive about the time I dr

Laughter Is Good Medicine

Published on 2011-04-17 09:45:00

They say that laughter is the best medicine. While laying in the Emergency Room of the local hospital getting updrafts and steroids to open my lungs, my son is somewhere else in the hospital shooting me bizarre photos of my family members

Are Four Cans of Tuna Enough When Packing for The End of Days

Published on 2011-04-09 09:54:00

Yesterday, while in a meeting preparing for the possible shutdown of the government, I received a text message from my son wanting to know if I still had a job. I also received a message from my daughter telling me how cute her sho

Are Four Cans of Tuna Enough When Packing for The End of Days

Published on 2011-04-09 09:54:00

Fishing, Fun and Family Vacations

Published on 2011-03-29 20:58:00

With the price of gas now closely creeping up on the price of a gallon of milk, our vacation plans have changed greatly. We will drink less milk products and drive fewer miles. Spring Break was spent in-state, this year, sipping on

Fishing, Fun and Family Vacations

Published on 2011-03-29 20:58:00

Let's Play A Fun Game of Touch the Sink

Published on 2011-03-11 17:28:00

A curious game that my children enjoy is one known as "Touch the Sink." This game only works if one child has an unhealthy fear of germs and in my family, that fear is alive and well. My daughter is a true germaphobe and has developed ver

Let's Play A Fun Game of Touch the Sink

Published on 2011-03-11 17:28:00

Homey the Autocrat

Published on 2011-03-06 10:30:00

Many a stray animal has sought refuge at our home and while some are simply passing through, others tend to stay for a while. The latest addition to the clan is Bella, the lab that nobody noticed was pregnant until suddenly there were eight dog

Homey the Autocrat

Published on 2011-03-06 10:30:00

Look Mom.... No Cavities

Published on 2011-02-20 21:02:00

While shopping for linens and boring my children to tears, they managed to find creative things to occupy their time. Who knew of the fun that was to be had at the 90% off clearance table. I was happy going about my business of comparing threa

Look Mom.... No Cavities

Published on 2011-02-20 21:02:00

Busting Right Through the Language Barrier

Published on 2011-02-07 19:54:00

A recent opportunity surfaced that allowed me to use the Rosetta Stonelanguage series for free. Dozens of languages were only a click awayfrom my attempts at mastery and perhaps I could use them if I ever traveled the world. While I had already

Busting Right Through the Language Barrier

Published on 2011-02-07 19:54:00

Southern Boys and Their Toys

Published on 2011-02-03 19:25:00

Recipe for Disaster... or maybe not....Ingredients.... Southern boys, too much time on their hands, a dark summer night, and a bag of fireworks.Mix well and get the following video. Watch closely in the dark for the faint glow of two ligh

Southern Boys and Their Toys

Published on 2011-02-03 19:25:00

Nocturnal Stirrings of Mice and Men

Published on 2011-02-01 20:16:00

It's unusually cold in the South and terribly dreary out. I haven't seen the sun in days and it's feeling a bit medieval out there. I find myself wrapping in cloaks and scarves and layers of clothes to fight off the cold. W

Nocturnal Stirrings of Mice and Men

Published on 2011-02-01 20:16:00

I May Have Left A Lung On the Mountain

Published on 2011-01-16 22:20:00

I've been to the mountain and back and all future vacations will be at sea level where oxygen is plentiful and nothing more then shorts and a t-shirt are needed. I had grandiose plans of taking the family to the Rocky Mountains for a little fun

I May Have Left A Lung On the Mountain

Published on 2011-01-16 22:20:00

Unexpected Friends

Published on 2011-01-15 19:33:00

Wolf!!!! No.... This is my backyard where Randi Hope and Jaci are checking out the new snowfall. In an earlier post, "Hope Comes in Many Forms" I told the story of how Randi Hope came to be. This is simply a quick updat

Lions and Lambs.....Deer and Dogs

Published on 2011-01-15 19:33:00

Tiny Snowflakes and Quilted Goodness

Published on 2011-01-11 18:30:00

Southern Snow! Nothing is more exciting than the possibility of snow in the southern Delta. Moms race to the grocery store to stock up on bread and milk so they are prepared should the seventh seal be opened or we are snowed in for more

Tiny Snowflakes and Quilted Goodness

Published on 2011-01-11 18:30:00

Broken and Beat in Kyiv

Published on 2011-01-03 20:35:00

The classic game of Monopoly comes in many different versions. My daughter has the "Pink Boutique" version that comes in a fashionable pink suede box and offers trips to wonderful shopping spots around the globe with a simple roll of the dice.

It's Official... "Facebook" is Now an Action Verb

Published on 2010-12-30 22:57:00

According to Time Life Magazine, Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, is now the man of the year. While he gave us a magic platform to reach back into our past and locate friends and lovers not seen in thirty years, he also gave busy moms a re

The After Christmas Effect

Published on 2010-12-26 07:27:00

I would like to introduce Turtle. He is nameless. He floats around in a tank of hazy water with a facial expression that epitomizes the exhaustion and inability to continue that comes with preparations for the holiday season. I plan to h

The Model Consumer

Published on 2010-12-11 07:16:00

I am the model consumer. A product label promising new and improved qualities to my life is certain to gain my attention. These products are strategically placed in retail stores to speak in coded tongue to shoppers like me. Just th

The Secret Order of the Big Haired Beauties

Published on 2010-12-05 10:16:00

My child learned, at a young age, the power of big hair. It is something I have always wanted, but have never had the luxury of having. In the 80's, when big hair defined who you were, I was cursed with short wispy blonde locks. Th

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Blog Feed: Family First

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