Monday

I woke up not feeling well this morning. I have a headache and feel nauseated. I was trying to cut up jalapenos to make candied jalapenos when I felt really nauseated. Mollie is finishing cutting them up for me. I then need to make bread, we are out. Cut soap and make 4 more batches. Make some pink monkey hand cleaner and get the garage ready to make stone.
I don't know how much will actually happen the way I feel right now.
We leave Thursday to go see Joy and Kaleena and Justin and for me to teach a class on soap making. I am looking forward to seeing them.
I also need to make some yogurt and then some cream cheese.

Excellent sunday school lesson today

Today's Sunday school lesson wasn't exactly what we may think of when we talk of Sunday school, but it was good none the less. Kirby read part of a writing his dad made about WWII and being in a bomber which got shot down. He then became a prisoner of war. Kirby said his dad doesn't like to talk about it so finally one day he just sat down and wrote it all out. Kirby is going to read the rest next Sunday but unfortunately we will be gone. He said we could take it and read it. I am anxious to find out what all happens to his dad and how he fares through it all.

With veteran's Day approaching it is a timely reminder of why we have freedoms, religious included.

This is an early salute to our vetrans.

More trip to Alvin pictures

We made it home

We got home this evening at about 6:30. As we were unloading Christina text'd us to say a young man we had met while there had been hit by a car while riding his bike. No other details yet.
Jeff had a job interview today. He talked with 4 interviewers and is really excited about this opportunity. We are praying that this is the one God has for him. He is quite ready to work again.
We had so much fun and fellowship with Bill and Christina and the kidos.
It was hard to leave. Christina said us coming helped her with being there.
Next weekend we will go to Baxter and then Branson. Joy had her 17th the other day and Kaleena will be having a birthday on the 10th.

Perspective is everything

For a larger view go here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelpaukner/4052849920/sizes/o/

This poster shows causes of deaths in the last 300 days and how the swine flu has been made into something it is not.

Happy Birthday Joy

Today is Joy's 17th birthday. It's hard not being with her on her big day. We talked to her a time or two today though. Happy Birthday Joy.

Galveston

Yesterday we loaded up and drove to Galveston. Its only about 45 miles from here. We rode the ferry to a peninsula and back. It was the kind where you get on with your car. We climbed to the top of the ferry and enjoyed the view.
We then went to the beach and played in the sand and surf. It was cool playing in the surf on November 1st.
We then went to a Goodwill and Jeff found two brand new pairs of wrangler jeans. Bill found two new shirts.
Then we decided we wanted to eat at a restaurant with a balcony overlooking the beach. We found a place where we had the whole balcony eating area to ourselves and we were able to enjoy ourselves and the view and the sea breeze. It was a most enjoyable day. Even Jeff said he would go back.
We all enjoyed it tremendously. Next time we would like to tour a ship and a submarine that is there for that.

Bill and Christina are homeschooling the girls here. They are doing a good job of it. I hope I helped reassure them with their choice of curriculum. I myself always do a sort of eclectic type. Some of this and some of that. That way we can learn many different things. I think that is what they are going to do too. I should say that is what they are doing. I have enjoyed participating in their family devotions each day.

Incredible

Yesterday at Walmart I saw a sign in the window of a car that said "Jesus is coming Look busy" I was incredulous. Do they think its a joke? I have heard things like the boss is coming look busy as kind of a joke but this is no joking manner. I wondered how many people see that sign and laugh. I stood there for a minute in absolute disbelief. I told Bill and Christina about it and we then exchanged vehicles so they could go visit a lady from church and we could take the kids and go to Wendy's. Anyway Christina wanted to ask the lady what that meant but Bill said maybe it wasn't a good idea.

Sweet Sunday

Today we get to listen to Bill preach here in Alvin. It is his third Sunday. I have met several of the people here. There are several young couples with children. As well as older kids and teens. The people seem to think church and being together is important, which is good. There are a few young couples who seem to have a good friendship with each other and serve together. They act like serving the Lord is a natural part of life. Not an obligation.
The people are varied in their jobs just like we are in Hardesty. I met a tug boat captain, a chiropractor and a rancher. Three friends.
Jeff has an interview in Oklahoma city this Friday at 9:30am. I don't know if we will go home and turn around and go back or just stay here and catch it on the way back, that seems to make more sense.

Visit

We are sure enjoying visiting with the Derixsons. Sammy and the girls want us to stay here forever. It has been cloudy here everyday since we came. Its warm and raining now and again as well.
We still haven't made it to Galveston, I think we may wait and go Monday. Sammy is having a hard time understanding he doesn't have to wear a jacket. He sure is growing up.

Houston/Alvin

We made it to Alvin at about 2:30 this morning. It was a long, long drive. We are so glad to be here. Bill and Christina sure know how to roll out the red carpet. I think we need to work on our hospitality at home. We just say there's the bed see you in the morning. Here we had everything except a mint on the pillow. We will be enjoying our time here.

Hurry up and wait

Isn't life all about hurry up and wait? We are still at home and its 10:06am. We had planned to leave at 5am. The pickup is still getting worked on and we have yet to pick up the 5th wheel. I think we are mostly packed except what Jeff may need to add.

I ordered packaging for our hand cleaner this morning. I'm sure my mind will be busy while we are gone.

I am so pleased with our meeting yesterday. I was worried about packaging and being able to keep up with production, but I feel like it will work out.

I also got a phone call about a fairly large order for stone. When we get back next week hopefully we can get that order and get supplies ordered for it and get started on it as well. Then we have one more order that I know about.

Hand cleaner

It turns out I don't have to name my hand cleaner as I will be making it and selling it to distributors who will label it their own selves. That makes it easier. I can then have my own labels made to sell it for myself. This also makes it possible to sell to other distributors who can label it and sell it too. The opportunity is really exciting.

The reason my hand cleaner is desirable is because- it works for one thing, its all natural, no chemicals, it will not dry out your hands, it can be used with or without water and it wont cause cancer in 20 years from absorbing harmful chemicals into your system because there are no harmful chemicals in there to begin with. Apparently the other brands dry out your hands and can only be used without water. They are also petroleum based products and are hard on your body. They have grit or pumice in them to make them work, mine doesn't need that to work. Mine works because it just works.

My hand cleaner is kind to the earth and your hands. It doesn't harm plant life or marine life. Best of all it doesn't harm human life.

Meeting

We may be having a meeting today with the Pink n Purdy guy. We should be able to settle things and figure out when we start production. Pray for us.

Other news: The Obama's have decided not to have their daughters vaccinated with the H1N1 vaccine. Hummmmm. Me either. It must be so very serious.

Pink n purdy

I am debating the name for my hand cleaner.

Do you like Pink and Pretty?

or

Pink n Purdy?

Maybe I will do a poll.

I am doing experiments now on reactions to freezing and thawing.

In other news:

We may take Bill and Christina's 5th wheel down to Houston for them. Jeff is hoping to find some job opportunities and places to interview and of course we will get to see all of them. We are hoping to make it a working trip and pleasure all in one.

When we mentioned it to Christina you can imagine how excited she was. Sometimes I think she gets more excited about things than kids do but that's ok, she sure makes ya feel loved.