My Artistic Sister

Guest post written by my buddy Aldo Mays

My sister recently decided to open an art gallery in downtown Atlanta. She’s been a “starving artist” since she graduated from college and my parents were less than thrilled when she told them the profession she chose after studying social work for five years at UGA. It took her four years to channel her talent onto the canvas, and I have to admit, she is very talented. She decided to open the gallery after a friend of hers in real estate found her a great deal on a beautiful brick building. She spent months prepping the building and even had an alarm system installed for a decent price that she found on ALLHOMEsecurity.com. She had beautiful lighting and hardwood floors installed, and she’ll be displaying her canvases as well as some pottery made by another local artist. Her opening night for the gallery is on Friday, and our entire family will be there to support her. It took my parents a few years to admit it, but they couldn’t be prouder of my sister’s success.

Got Online

Guest post of the week by Deangelo Spencer

I logged onto www.texaselectricityproviders.com and switched our energy provider to a company where I would save more money each month. With the money that I am saving each month, I have decided that I will sign up for a pilates class. All of my friends have been raving about pilates and how strengthening it is. One of my friends is going to school to be a pilates instructor and has gotten so tone so quickly that it makes me think that I need to hope on this work out train. Now, that I have the extra money, I don’t see a reason why I shouldn’t. Afterall, my best friend is getting married next year and I don’t want to be the totally out of shape bridesmaid. I can just imagine myself looking lean and tone in the cute bridesmaid dresses that she picked out. Maybe I can meet a cute single guy at the wedding! That would be a great story, meeting your future husband at a wedding. I can just see myself telling my kids that now.

My Artistic Sister

Guest post written by my buddy Aldo Mays

My sister recently decided to open an art gallery in downtown Atlanta. She’s been a “starving artist” since she graduated from college and my parents were less than thrilled when she told them the profession she chose after studying social work for five years at UGA. It took her four years to channel her talent onto the canvas, and I have to admit, she is very talented. She decided to open the gallery after a friend of hers in real estate found her a great deal on a beautiful brick building. She spent months prepping the building and even had an alarm system installed for a decent price that she found on ALLHOMEsecurity.com. She had beautiful lighting and hardwood floors installed, and she’ll be displaying her canvases as well as some pottery made by another local artist. Her opening night for the gallery is on Friday, and our entire family will be there to support her. It took my parents a few years to admit it, but they couldn’t be prouder of my sister’s success.

Big Bang Theory is a Big Hit With Me

Guest written by our friend Clara Castro

The 'Big Bang Theory' is the funniest sitcom on television today, and I'm so glad I can watch it on my satellite TV. The picture and sound are excellent. The picture, in particular, is important because of the subtle expressions of some of the characters. In particular, Penny and Sheldon make great faces at the other characters. The actors who portray them are funny and fresh and just really fine actors.
Last night's show was a little edgy with some of the dialogue, but the plot was funny. The guys (Sheldon, Leonard, Raj, and Howard) were invited to a fundraising party for the university where they all work. Because they are considered the big brains in their department, it was important for them to meet and greet potential donors to the university. If you follow this show at all, you'll understand how 'off' these characters can be when mingling with 'normal' people. Sheldon is especially funny as he is such a genious that he simply can't understand people of normal intelligence levels. His misunderstandings are hilarious.
This is a show that I never miss. I always make sure I'm home in time to watch it on Thursday nights. It's the little show that could, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys sitcoms.(http://www.cannonsatellite.com!)

Seals and Crofts On The Water

Guest post written by my buddy Israel Fowler
The Hermitage is a mansion just outside Nashville, Tennessee in which President Andrew Jackson lived. Today it is a popular tourist stop as is the water park named after it which is located across the highway from the mansion. The Hermitage water park consists of four swimming pools, two of which are Olympic sized, tennis facilities, putt-putt golf and some of the greatest barbecue in Tennessee. By far one of the most wondrous attractions at the water park is its floating stage. This area of the state sits on Old Hickory Lake which provides water and beaches to the water park. On this lake sits a floating stage which has seen many performers over the years.
My best friend in school, Terry, took me to the water park f! or my birthday one year and we stayed for the show on the floating stage, which was Seals and Crofts. (securitychoice.com) They've always been favorites of mine but I had never seen them until Terry suggested it. We had been veterans of Donny Osmond concerts together, so this was going to be a treat for both of us.
They took the stage just at sunset and we settled onto our towels with pink noses and cheeks from the sun that day to hear favorites like "Diamond Girl," "Summer Breeze," and my all-time favorite, "Get Closer." It was beautiful.

Family Visit

They arrived here on 3 Feb 2011 and just left yesterday on 3 Mar 2011. Oscar was only here for one week at the beginning and at the end. We had alot of fun while they were here. We started out the vacation with a trip to Las Vegas for the weekend. We did alot of walking and picture taking while we were there. We tried to go to as many different casinos as we could. I think one weekend is never enough to do everything we would like to do there.
Then Oscar had to go back to work as did I. We did some shopping and site seeing after I got of work almost everyday. The pictures can say more than words. We went to the pier down at Imperial Beach and saw alot of people fishing. The girls wanted to go fishing after we saw that but we did not go.
Then it was time for party, party, party. We went to parties on the weekends and made some new friends. It was fun to be around so many great people. Then it was time to get ready for my retirement and Angel's Baptismal. Her baptism was so nice. The ceremony was beautiful. Then it was time for the after party. Which was a great success also. I am thankful for the friends and family that made the whole thing so very special for us. The next day we had a simple retirement for me and then it was off to wine tasting in  Temecula Valley. We tried so many good wines and even bought a few. We had a great lunch at one of the wineries. Then it was off to Snow Drift Tubing park. That was the first time that Oscar and his family had done something like that. It was a long drive but well worth it. The last day they were here we went to a friends house for a going away party for them. We were sad to see them go but got to work to pay for the vacation.

                                           Wine Tasting

                                          John's Retirement

                                          Snow Drifting

My Great 2010

I usually get sad when a year comes to a close, but this year, I just don't feel that. I can say honestly for the first time that I'm truly happy with all that I accomplished this year. For starters, I finally made partner at the law firm, which is a huge accomplishment. I've put in a ton of hours, but the payoff has been great, too. Since I got the promotion, Jenn and I have finally started talking about starting our own little family, too.
And I can't even believe the year is ending in a matter of days. It seems so surreal! I think I'm on a good roll, though, so that next year will continue this great lucky streak. I can hopefully take on even more responsibility at work and maybe look into internet domains for the company, to show initiative. One of these days, though, I would like to move out of Los Angeles, which is where I had to move the family for my job. It'd be nice to get back to my roots out in Oklahoma...so here's hoping! Bring it on, 2011!

Guest post written by Andrew Miller

Photography

We finally bought a new camera. It is a Canon Rebel XS. We love this camera. The pictures are so amazing. I never thought it was that much of a difference from a standard point and shoot camera and a DSLR. Boy was I mistaken. There are so many different features on it that it might take me forever to figure them all out. I am so happy we got it. The next thing to buy are more lenses. We want to get a macro lens first. Then maybe some different types of filters. After that we will buy the telephoto lens so we can take pictures that are farther away. I have been reading the book to see what other great things we can do with this camera. We will be posting pictures from this camera from now on. I hope that you keep following our story and God Bless you all.

Baptismal Preparation

We Just finished our Baptismal Class for Angel's baptismal in February. The class and the teachers were great. The man teaching was so funny. He kept the attention of the whole class by telling funny scenarios of baptisms he has attended. One example: A baby started to cry when the father opened and continued to cry until the father closed the ceremony. Another example was when a guy got knocked out by another person using an SLR camera while the photographer was trying to get the perfect shot. Hahaha... I would recommend this class to anyone getting ready for a baptismal.
Today we went shopping for items for Angel's baptismal. We found some great items at a small catholic store. We got some small give a ways and the set for for her ceremony. It includes the cloth, candle, a small prayer book, a rosary, a guardian angel for her crib and a shell for the holy water during the ceremony.
Tomorrow we will go shopping for her dress and other give a ways. I can't wait to see how pretty she will be. Then we need to find clothes for Comz and myself. Stay tuned for more updates to our story....

Busy Bee!

Well, Monday was our trip home from the New Years weekend. It was a good long weekend filled with many activities keeping us busy. From the traffic of downtown LA to the traffic coming down off the mountain after playing in the snow for the day. Everybody had fun and it was well worth the trip there. The drive was cold and wet. So the driving after dark was a lot of fun with the way others drive in the rain. Once we got home it was time to relax. The next day we did some running around trying to take care of stuff in preparation for my retirement and setting up life after the Navy.
The next day we went to the Social Security office to file for Comz SSN. After two hours of waiting it was finally our turn. We went to the window and the lady said this was an interview. She did not really look at us as she was typing on the computer. We were done and should have her new SSN in the days to come. Then it was off to shopping again. We had to buy groceries and things for around the house. We stopped by Burlington and picked up Angel a new high chair. She loves to sit in it and watch us eat as mommy feeds her.
Today I went to the VA to file my claim for after I retire. I had to make so many copies for them to keep. I hope my claim will go through ok so I can find out how much I can claim for my veteran's preference for my job after the Navy.

Happy 2011

                                                     Universal Studios Hollywood

                                                         Bubba Gump

It is the beginning of the new year. But first we get to celebrate the coming of the new year. So we packed into the car and went to Universal Studios Hollywood spending the afternoon shopping. After we finished the shopping we ate at Bubba Gump's Shrimp Company. This was our first time eating there and I am happy to say the food was excellent. Then it was back to the car to drive through downtown L.A. traffic.

After we got home it was time to prepare for the coming of the new year. I cooked a German Chocolate cake. The cake was so yummy. We had so much food to eat that night. We finished the night by drinking a couple of glasses of wine. The New Year was finally here. Time to sleep and get ready for our trip to the snow.

New Years day and a trip to the mountains for a day it the cold and tubing at the snow park. A brief stop at Jack in the box for breakfast. The road was clear and winding up the mountain. We climbed in elevation by more than 1 mile in less than one hour. The afternoon was spent tubing at Snow Drift Tubing Park. It was a lot of fun going down the hills then climbing back up the ladder to slide again. It was back to the car for the ride home in some more traffic.