[Pops]

Big Day

Yesterday the pops turned 65, so this morning he enjoyed finishing p.1 of the new popspix.org issue. You can see him, his daugter and son-in-law, and his 3 grandkids (the 4th is due around Jan.30). The Mrs. still continues to help with the twins out in AZ. She was home for 6 days for Harvey's funeral, etc., and now she's completing the 6th month of her tour of duty out there. Where it still can be a hot 105 compared to a balmy 80 back here in MI.

[Pops]

BTW

Some of you followed Harvey thru his illness. A nice photo of him also appears on popspix.org. He was 6'8" tall and a star basketball player at the U. of M.. For much of his work life he also was simultaneously a US postal service employee and an adjunct professor of philosophy at Western Michigan Univ.!

[Pops]

Update

Yes, the Mrs. is still out in Twinsland, where it's never dullsville; and it will be mid-Oct. at the very earliest before her return to MI. Fortunately, we get to talk by phone for an extended time daily, but as the time continues to extend it's sure not like being together in person. Nevertheless, we both continue to be completely committed to our original goal of 6 1/2 months ago: the stability of the situation such that the boys can be cared for just by our daughter and husband. The overall progress is for boys & mom is good, but her back must be in truly stable condition as there is no other family for them out in AZ that can be called upon. But it WILL happen!!! [Just learned early this morning that now my uncle is in hospice care.]

[Pops]

See DNDesktop/Missing records...

How grateful the pops is that he's never experienced this exasperating problem! The sicle (that's short for popsicle) really likes the simple life. But just don't ever call him a simpleton!

[Pops]

The pops learned today that he's headed out to TwinsLand again for 2 wks. (Oct. 4 - Oct. 25). So he's beginning to "wrap things up" here at the homestead, because it will be almost like winter when he returns (especially in contrast to the nicer weather that has already begun to occur out there in AZ). Besides seeing his sweetie and everybody else there, it will be a nice change from the projects of the past 4 months!

[Pops]

Some of you may have wondered why I continue writing in these 3 topics in General Chat. Besides hopefully being of interest and/or of help to others, it also affords me the discipline of reviewing some of what I'm doing. I'm reminded of the description for Natara's new product Quanto as I write this (even though I haven't, yet at least, checked it out further).

[Pops]

Even tho my AZ departure is 2 wks. away, I'm beginning to prepare people in different areas of my life for much less writing from me for awhile (esp. after I am out there). Even between now & then, many projects & people ply for attention, and there's just not enough time to do it all! Wrapping things up for winter here in MI is no small task in itself!! Especially if the "higher-ups" decide to keep me out there thru Thanksgiving. For her part, the Mrs. is praying for her return to MI well before Christmas!!! Fortunately, things are continuing to go better & better out in TwinsLand; where it's never dullsville, especially as the boys are getting closer to crawling, and eventually asserting their intention to have the run of the place.
So it's hoped that users and staff will continue to be kind to one another. The pops will still be reading when he can, just not writing for now. There, you've been forewarned that it won't be for lack of interest!

[Pops]

The "final countdown" began yesterday (Th) for AZ departure next Wed., Oct. 11. These six days are earmarked for less activity and more preparation of "self" for the big change of scene to come. Although one thing that apparently will be the same is going from sunshine here to sunshine there. Even though a houseful of people present their own challenge, the pops is glad to be done with physical projects for awhile. Strictly as a btw, you can see one of them depicted by photo at the bottom of p.1 in the new issue at popspix.org; the Mrs. said she really liked it, which is the main thing after all i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif !

[Pops]

Our daughter and son-in-law just invited my wife and I to stay out here in AZ with them thru Thanksgiving. Maybe even early December if he works the World Rodeo championship in Las Vegaa. So that is a no-brainer decision on our part i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif !!!

[Pops]

Just learned yesterday that it appears my wife and I will fly home to MI together sometime during the week of Dec. 10. Our daughter and son-in-law are scheduled to leave with their fraternal twin sons for a family Christmas in Kansas on Dec. 17. The boys are both doing well, and our daughter's pelvis is remaining in place much more of the time. Therapy will likely continue until their departure.

[Pops]

Our daughter and son-in-law use dial-up out here in AZ, although they will soon be switching to some form of broadband it appears. Every time that I'm out here, I'm reminded of how much I appreciate broadband back in MI, even at the greater cost. (I use cable at 3 meg speed.) And I'm also really grateful for the wireless access that my laptop has back home as well!!! I look forward to the time when I'll also have a pda with wireless access (it will most likely be the already outdated Tungsten e2 in excellent condition that I'll find on Ebay for about $100 incl. shipping).

[Pops]

For any of you who may be interested in a visual update of what's been happening out here in TwinsLand at the Rich Ranch (Gilbert, AZ), there are 24 new photos and captions at popspix.org. Btw looks like pops and the Mrs. will return to MI about Dec. 19.

[Pops]

Returned home to MI on Dec. 19. Great Christmas/New Year's holidays. Good not to have any snow here, but not having sunshine every day is missed! Also, temp highs of 41 here versus 61 there!! But it's all good. The twins in AZ continue to do well, although both just getting thru the flu (after a flu shot & booster has both been given ahead of time!).

[Pops]

Some of you may recall my fascination with the Phoenix Suns NBA team a year ago, while out in AZ helping with the twins. It continues this season as they have just compiled their 2nd 15-game winning streak so far this season. I continue to be impressed with their unselfish playing, their speed, and the possibility that Steve Nash may earn his third straight MVP award! Maybe they'll even win the Championship this time around!!

[Pops]

Finally came across an article in today's USA Today about Steve Nash that does him justice. Even if you're not a basketball fan, you might find it interesting. An way to find the article is to go to usatoday.com and locate it in the Sports section of the Feb. 8 editiion. Also, usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/suns/2007-02-07-nash-cover_x.htm is the link to the article, and you can "copy" it and then "paste" it in the blank address line of your browser to access the article directly.

[Pops]

Happy Valentine's Day! The Super Bowl is long over, but I'm reminded not only of what a good game it was, but also of the outstanding way that the two coaches conducted themselves, and for their relationship with each othe, and for their unashamedness in confessing their belief in God and His role in each of their lives.. A nice extra valentine for the pops.

[Pops]

Here in the gray winter days of Michigan, this past week even with the cold it seems like it's finally getting closer to Spring. Since returning from Arizona I've been reminded of how helpful "daylight" florescent tubes can be in simulating "sunshine." Different brands available at about $3 per tube, but long life; the pops uses General Electric's "Chroma 50."

[Pops]

Well, here we are at March 2 & it's still a full-fledged winter here in Michigan i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif . But the pops just continues to be grateful that even when it's cloudy outside, the sunshine can still come from within i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif . But it must be confessed, too, that the prospect of another trip to AZ from Apr. 3-18 does make it easier to come by!!! Btw, the twins will be 1 yr. old on Mar. 17 (St. Patrick's Day).

[Pops]

After a hard rain last night, lots of sunshine here today with a forecasted high of 48, and more sun and yet warmer temps in the days to come (although next Fri.'s high supposed to be back in the low 30's again i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif ). It makes the pops even more grateful just to be alive! Although he is also grateful to be in health as far as his recent physical, and as far as the health of his wife, 3 children & spouses, and 4 grandchildren are concerned. And even to be continuing (thanks to God) financially debt-free without interruption for the past 13+ years (1994 is when the house mortgage was paid off).

[Pops]

Well, it finally happened: the Phoenix Suns beat the Dallas Mavericks last night 129-127 in 2 OT's at Dallas. A superlative article on the game can be found at sports.yahoo.com/nba/news. Their next game with one another will be in Phoenix on Sun., Apr. 1, and it likely will be telecast by ABC as one of its "Sunday NBA Game" of the day.