And no, I guess this man-made computer screen can't fully convey the amazing beauty.
Thank God for Beauty
This morning I awoke to a beautiful sight outside. Isn't God's creation wounderful?
And no, I guess this man-made computer screen can't fully convey the amazing beauty.
And no, I guess this man-made computer screen can't fully convey the amazing beauty.
Mini Update
Methinks a mini update would be a pleasant addition to my blog at this time.
Here's a quick succession of events starting last Wednesday, and going through next Monday.
Last Wednesday night one of my piano teacher's other students came over to our house so that we could practice a two-piano piece that we are going to be performing at a recital in May. We moved my Grand Piano into the middle of the room, and put the Digital Piano to the left of the Grand Piano, so that it'd be set up how we'll be set up on stage. The practice went well, especially considering that I'd only had my part since the Tuesday a week before. We're going to be playing No. 5 Valse from the Sleeping Beauty suite by Tchaikovsky.
Thursday night we had the monthly Musicianship Class that my piano teacher gives, in our living room. Typically this class is held at my piano teachers house, but it was at our house this month so that her students could get a chance to play on my piano before the Guild Auditions which will be held at our house this spring. This month each of her students got a chance to perform their two-piano pieces for the class.
Last night we went to Harvard Bible Church for a Concert given by Jacob Bernhardt, and Daniel Ziesemer. It was a benefit concert for a trip that Mr. Bendorf (pastor of Harvard Bible Church) will be taking to Russia.
Tonight Kenton and Anna Skarin, and Jeremy and Sara are coming over to make plans for Liberty Day 2007 - 2008.
Tomorrow we're having the Hirst family, and Jeremy and Sara over after Church.
And Monday we're having the Bernhardt family over for dinner, and some fun in the evening.
Well, there you go! Gotta run. Stay tuned for more later.
Here's a quick succession of events starting last Wednesday, and going through next Monday.
Last Wednesday night one of my piano teacher's other students came over to our house so that we could practice a two-piano piece that we are going to be performing at a recital in May. We moved my Grand Piano into the middle of the room, and put the Digital Piano to the left of the Grand Piano, so that it'd be set up how we'll be set up on stage. The practice went well, especially considering that I'd only had my part since the Tuesday a week before. We're going to be playing No. 5 Valse from the Sleeping Beauty suite by Tchaikovsky.
Thursday night we had the monthly Musicianship Class that my piano teacher gives, in our living room. Typically this class is held at my piano teachers house, but it was at our house this month so that her students could get a chance to play on my piano before the Guild Auditions which will be held at our house this spring. This month each of her students got a chance to perform their two-piano pieces for the class.
Last night we went to Harvard Bible Church for a Concert given by Jacob Bernhardt, and Daniel Ziesemer. It was a benefit concert for a trip that Mr. Bendorf (pastor of Harvard Bible Church) will be taking to Russia.
Tonight Kenton and Anna Skarin, and Jeremy and Sara are coming over to make plans for Liberty Day 2007 - 2008.
Tomorrow we're having the Hirst family, and Jeremy and Sara over after Church.
And Monday we're having the Bernhardt family over for dinner, and some fun in the evening.
Well, there you go! Gotta run. Stay tuned for more later.
Liberty Day Pictures!
Finally some Liberty Day Pictures. I don't feel like spending a lot of time describing the event, so if you want to know more about Liberty Day, click HERE to go to the Liberty Day Site.
Jacob Bernhardt and Daniel Ziesemer provided some excellent music during the program, as well as the Prelude and Postlude music.
We were delighted at the number of attendees who showed up in costumes.
The primary event of the evening was the re-enactment of the 2nd Virginia Convention.
In this picture, Col. William Riddick (Luke VonHolten) kneels in prayer at the opening of the convention.
Here Robert C. Nicholas (Mr. Strand) voices his opinion of opposition to the resolution presented my Mr. Henry.
Col. George Washington (myself): "I will raise at once a force of 1000 men, subsist them at my own expence, and march myself at their head, to the relief of Boston!"
Here Thomas Jefferson (Mr. Webb) declares that the acts of Parliament in closing up the port of Boston, are the acts of a foreign power, that should by all the means in our power, be resisted.
In this picture Edmund Pendleton (Aaron England) hopes that the country will proceed slowly, before rushing the country into war.
Patrick Henry (Joshua Erber): "are fleets and army's necessary to a work of Love, and Reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not I beseech you sirs' deceive ourselves longer! These are the implements or war and subjugation, the last arguments to which kings resort"!
This year we sang two songs, "The Faded Coat of Blue", and:
"Just Before the Battle Mother, I was Drinking Mountain Dew"
"I hear the bugle sounding mother,
My sould is eager for the fray,
I guess I'll hide behind some cover,
Then I hope I'll be Ok".
Closing the program, Dr. Paul Jehle gave an excellent dramatic presentation on the "Five Necessary Ingredients for The Transformation of a Culture".
After the program there were a series of Military Drills for some of the boys, and young men. Here Col. George Washington trains six fresh recruits.
In this picture the Merchant of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, explains a few details to his six recruits.
After that there was dancing, refreshments, and fellowship. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the dancing, but Mr. Wiese did an excellent job teaching the dances and keeping everyone together.
Altogether, it was a very enjoyable evening.
Hope to see you there next year!
Jacob Bernhardt and Daniel Ziesemer provided some excellent music during the program, as well as the Prelude and Postlude music.
We were delighted at the number of attendees who showed up in costumes.
The primary event of the evening was the re-enactment of the 2nd Virginia Convention.
In this picture, Col. William Riddick (Luke VonHolten) kneels in prayer at the opening of the convention.
Here Robert C. Nicholas (Mr. Strand) voices his opinion of opposition to the resolution presented my Mr. Henry.
Col. George Washington (myself): "I will raise at once a force of 1000 men, subsist them at my own expence, and march myself at their head, to the relief of Boston!"
Here Thomas Jefferson (Mr. Webb) declares that the acts of Parliament in closing up the port of Boston, are the acts of a foreign power, that should by all the means in our power, be resisted.
In this picture Edmund Pendleton (Aaron England) hopes that the country will proceed slowly, before rushing the country into war.
Patrick Henry (Joshua Erber): "are fleets and army's necessary to a work of Love, and Reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not I beseech you sirs' deceive ourselves longer! These are the implements or war and subjugation, the last arguments to which kings resort"!
This year we sang two songs, "The Faded Coat of Blue", and:
"Just Before the Battle Mother, I was Drinking Mountain Dew"
"I hear the bugle sounding mother,
My sould is eager for the fray,
I guess I'll hide behind some cover,
Then I hope I'll be Ok".
Closing the program, Dr. Paul Jehle gave an excellent dramatic presentation on the "Five Necessary Ingredients for The Transformation of a Culture".
After the program there were a series of Military Drills for some of the boys, and young men. Here Col. George Washington trains six fresh recruits.
In this picture the Merchant of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, explains a few details to his six recruits.
After that there was dancing, refreshments, and fellowship. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the dancing, but Mr. Wiese did an excellent job teaching the dances and keeping everyone together.
Altogether, it was a very enjoyable evening.
Hope to see you there next year!
Maybe Later.
Ok, I was going to post Liberty Day pictures, and I would have if I could have, but I keep getting a message "connection with the server has been reset" over and over again, so I'll have to try again later.
Untill then,
Jonathan
Untill then,
Jonathan
Liberty Day Pictures Coming Soon!
Hopefully I'll be able to get some of the Liberty Day Pictures up here soon.
Stay tuned!
Jonathan
Stay tuned!
Jonathan
Competition Recital Pictures
Here are a couple pictures from yesterday's competition recital.
Here are the winners in the senior piano division. The three people in the middle of the group are also students of my teacher Charlotte Bendorf. There is Travis Repke in back left center, I am standing just to the right of him, and Stacy Weidner in front center.
Here are the eight winners of the senior division on stage, with one of the honorable mention winners walking up the stairs.
We are standing in order of placement from right to left.
Unfortunately I didn't get a picture with my teacher this year, but here is one from last year.
Here are the winners in the senior piano division. The three people in the middle of the group are also students of my teacher Charlotte Bendorf. There is Travis Repke in back left center, I am standing just to the right of him, and Stacy Weidner in front center.
Here are the eight winners of the senior division on stage, with one of the honorable mention winners walking up the stairs.
We are standing in order of placement from right to left.
Unfortunately I didn't get a picture with my teacher this year, but here is one from last year.
Chandler Starr Miller Scholarship Competition
Well, Well, Well... Another year, another competition.
Today was the Chandler Starr Miller Scholarship Competition in which I was a participant in the Senior Piano Division. This competition is an annual competition sponsored by the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center in Rockford, IL. This year I was scheduled to play the third movement of J.S. Bach's Italian Concerto, and Fantasie Impromptu by F. Chopin.
We arrived at the church around 4:25pm, and proceeded inside around 4:30pm (my performance time was 4:45pm). The Senior Piano Division was performing in the 2nd Congregational Church this year, instead of in the Emerson Auditorium where it has been hosted in the past. The Church is a beautiful place, and they do have a very nice piano there, for which I was very grateful. After registering just outside the Sanctuary, we headed up to the warm-up room, where I was very pleased with the warm, flexible, and relaxed state of my fingers at the time. We headed back downstairs and waited around for the monitor (who this year happened to be my piano teacher) to take us into the sanctuary.
When I got into the sanctuary, I was able to play a few chords, and a scale to warm up. The piano was very beautiful, except for a C# (the one an octave above middle C) that was terribly out of tune. Unfortunately, due to a number of things, I had a very hard time concentrating on the music.
The performance went very well, except for a couple things. At one point at the end of the Italian Concerto I made a mistake that just came out of the blue. I'm not sure why it happened, but it did, and I was able to make a quick recovery from it. Over all, I felt good about the performance of that piece.
The Fantasie Impromptu went well, except for a couple of rolling left hand chords that I didn't get right. These wouldn't have been too bad in my mind, except for that on the repeat, I did it again. That's the killer, especially since it wasn't a difficult part at all. Then, the last problem that I had was that as the piece was winding down, getting quieter and quieter, my hands got a little out of sync. In getting my left and right hand back in sync, I had to repeat a measure. Ouch!
When we were leaving the place, I had no clue where I was going to land placement wise. I knew that other than these few mistakes, my performance was rock solid. But I also know that bad music makes a stronger impression than good music. And I wasn't sure how strongly those mistakes had tipped the scales.
Needless to say, I was very surprised about an hour and a half later, when I found out that I had won second place! People always say that second place is the worst, and I'm here to say that I think it is. But it got even worse when I found out that I lost to a girl who won first place in the junior division last year!
Argh!
Oh well, there's always next year, and the College Division. (proof I'm from Chicago)
Today was the Chandler Starr Miller Scholarship Competition in which I was a participant in the Senior Piano Division. This competition is an annual competition sponsored by the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center in Rockford, IL. This year I was scheduled to play the third movement of J.S. Bach's Italian Concerto, and Fantasie Impromptu by F. Chopin.
We arrived at the church around 4:25pm, and proceeded inside around 4:30pm (my performance time was 4:45pm). The Senior Piano Division was performing in the 2nd Congregational Church this year, instead of in the Emerson Auditorium where it has been hosted in the past. The Church is a beautiful place, and they do have a very nice piano there, for which I was very grateful. After registering just outside the Sanctuary, we headed up to the warm-up room, where I was very pleased with the warm, flexible, and relaxed state of my fingers at the time. We headed back downstairs and waited around for the monitor (who this year happened to be my piano teacher) to take us into the sanctuary.
When I got into the sanctuary, I was able to play a few chords, and a scale to warm up. The piano was very beautiful, except for a C# (the one an octave above middle C) that was terribly out of tune. Unfortunately, due to a number of things, I had a very hard time concentrating on the music.
The performance went very well, except for a couple things. At one point at the end of the Italian Concerto I made a mistake that just came out of the blue. I'm not sure why it happened, but it did, and I was able to make a quick recovery from it. Over all, I felt good about the performance of that piece.
The Fantasie Impromptu went well, except for a couple of rolling left hand chords that I didn't get right. These wouldn't have been too bad in my mind, except for that on the repeat, I did it again. That's the killer, especially since it wasn't a difficult part at all. Then, the last problem that I had was that as the piece was winding down, getting quieter and quieter, my hands got a little out of sync. In getting my left and right hand back in sync, I had to repeat a measure. Ouch!
When we were leaving the place, I had no clue where I was going to land placement wise. I knew that other than these few mistakes, my performance was rock solid. But I also know that bad music makes a stronger impression than good music. And I wasn't sure how strongly those mistakes had tipped the scales.
Needless to say, I was very surprised about an hour and a half later, when I found out that I had won second place! People always say that second place is the worst, and I'm here to say that I think it is. But it got even worse when I found out that I lost to a girl who won first place in the junior division last year!
Argh!
Oh well, there's always next year, and the College Division. (proof I'm from Chicago)
A Dead Snowmobile
This week I almost traded my go-kart (that is literally almost in perfect shape) for a Polaris Indy 650 Snowmobile.
On Tuesday I drove my go-kart to Capron and looked at the snowmobile that the guy wanted to trade. I fired it up, and it ran great, and very powerfully. After looking it over, I thought it was definitely worth the trade. I told him that whenever he could get it to my house, he could take the go-kart.
Wednesday while I was helping pack Nathan and Jeanine's apartment into the trailer, we got a call from the guy asking if he could come by and drop off the snowmobile that night. I said that was fine, and that since Dad was at home, he could do it whenever he wanted. Well, when he found out that I was 17, he decided to wait until I got home, because he was afraid that Dad didn't want me to make the trade, and that Dad would be all mad at him. I assured him that it was fine, but he still didn't want to. I told him that I'd be home at 6:30 so anytime after that was fine.
When we got home, he was already there, and the snowmobile was unloaded. I walked over to where they were standing, and started asked a few basic things about the snowmobile. He answered the questions and then proceeded to show me where all the fluid filler caps are, emphasizing the point that I should check them often. This didn't sound good to me, and we asked if he had any leaks. "No" he said "but I always like to check my fluids, especially the coolant, since being water cooled, it overheats fast if it doesn't have any coolant". Something seemed a little fishy, so I asked if I could take it around the yard a few times before he took the go-kart. He said sure, and I fired it up. It ran so well, and was scary fast the first time around the yard. But when I was coming around the second time, I saw a dense fog ahead. When I got to it, the smell told me that it was without a doubt, two-stroke exhaust. This thing was smoking up a storm. I knew that this is somewhat normal for a two-stroke engine upon start-up, but this should have quit smoking by now. Anyway, after I stopped driving it, it kept smoking. I stood there and watched it for a while to see if it would stop smoking. The whole time it just kept idling slower and slower. I hopped back on it and gunned it, it slowly went up to 4000 RPMs and didn't budge, I let off the gas, and eventually it died.
Needless to say, I didn't make the trade. I'm not sure if it overheated, or what happened. But come to think of it, I never did check the coolant.
On Tuesday I drove my go-kart to Capron and looked at the snowmobile that the guy wanted to trade. I fired it up, and it ran great, and very powerfully. After looking it over, I thought it was definitely worth the trade. I told him that whenever he could get it to my house, he could take the go-kart.
Wednesday while I was helping pack Nathan and Jeanine's apartment into the trailer, we got a call from the guy asking if he could come by and drop off the snowmobile that night. I said that was fine, and that since Dad was at home, he could do it whenever he wanted. Well, when he found out that I was 17, he decided to wait until I got home, because he was afraid that Dad didn't want me to make the trade, and that Dad would be all mad at him. I assured him that it was fine, but he still didn't want to. I told him that I'd be home at 6:30 so anytime after that was fine.
When we got home, he was already there, and the snowmobile was unloaded. I walked over to where they were standing, and started asked a few basic things about the snowmobile. He answered the questions and then proceeded to show me where all the fluid filler caps are, emphasizing the point that I should check them often. This didn't sound good to me, and we asked if he had any leaks. "No" he said "but I always like to check my fluids, especially the coolant, since being water cooled, it overheats fast if it doesn't have any coolant". Something seemed a little fishy, so I asked if I could take it around the yard a few times before he took the go-kart. He said sure, and I fired it up. It ran so well, and was scary fast the first time around the yard. But when I was coming around the second time, I saw a dense fog ahead. When I got to it, the smell told me that it was without a doubt, two-stroke exhaust. This thing was smoking up a storm. I knew that this is somewhat normal for a two-stroke engine upon start-up, but this should have quit smoking by now. Anyway, after I stopped driving it, it kept smoking. I stood there and watched it for a while to see if it would stop smoking. The whole time it just kept idling slower and slower. I hopped back on it and gunned it, it slowly went up to 4000 RPMs and didn't budge, I let off the gas, and eventually it died.
Needless to say, I didn't make the trade. I'm not sure if it overheated, or what happened. But come to think of it, I never did check the coolant.
An Impromptu Prank Phone Call.
Tonight I got a phone call:
Me: Hello, this is Jonathan!
Unknown: Um, hello I have some engines I want to sell (I have a wanted ad out for small engines from 8 - 14HP).
Me: Oh, ok, (taken a little off guard) um, yea, so what... Ok, well, tell me about them!
Unknown: Um, do they need to run?
Me: Well, not really, but of course I'm not going to pay a whole lot for an engine that needs repair. So what size are they?
Unknown: Um, i-it's a twelve horse engine.
Me: Oh, ok what brand is it?
Unknown: Uh, K-Kohler
Me: Oh! What size was it again?
Unknown: F-Fourteen Horse.
Me: Ok, so how many cylinders does it have? (I'm beginning to tell that this guy isn't mentally with it)
Unknown: T-Two.
Me: Oh nice, um how old is it? (I don't think they make 14HP twin cyl. engines)
Unknown: It's fourteen years old.
Me: (surprised that this guy who appeared to be thinking so slowly even knew how old it was) Well, if it's ok, can I look around at other engines like this a little, and get back to you with a price?
Unknown: Sure.
Me: Ok, do you want me to call you back at the same number that you just called me on.
Unknown: Uh... No!
Me: Ok, then let me get a pen and pad and I'll take down your number.
Unknown: Juan!
Me: (thinking that he was now shouting off the numbers slowly starting with one). Just a second, I don't quite have a pen here yet.
Unknown: Juan, it's Dave.
Me: (thinking he wants me to know his name also) Just a second, I've just got to get a pad of paper.
Unknown: (more shouting into the phone, but I can't tell what he is saying at all now because of the amount of noise in our kitchen made primarily from Corrine yelling "Ma-Ma" "Ma... Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma", the CD player playing the Jonathan Park Audio Adventure Series, Josiah telling Corrine to be quiet so that he can hear what's happening, and Joanna washing dishes).
Me: (finally out of the kitchen with my pen and pad) Ok, sorry I couldn't quite tell what you were saying, can you start over with the number.
Unknown: Juan! It's me... Dave Inyart!
_____________________________
Well, I don't think I've ever been so fooled over the phone by anyone before. Good job Dave!
BTW: That voice you were using, hang on to it for our next film. That was really good.
Me: Hello, this is Jonathan!
Unknown: Um, hello I have some engines I want to sell (I have a wanted ad out for small engines from 8 - 14HP).
Me: Oh, ok, (taken a little off guard) um, yea, so what... Ok, well, tell me about them!
Unknown: Um, do they need to run?
Me: Well, not really, but of course I'm not going to pay a whole lot for an engine that needs repair. So what size are they?
Unknown: Um, i-it's a twelve horse engine.
Me: Oh, ok what brand is it?
Unknown: Uh, K-Kohler
Me: Oh! What size was it again?
Unknown: F-Fourteen Horse.
Me: Ok, so how many cylinders does it have? (I'm beginning to tell that this guy isn't mentally with it)
Unknown: T-Two.
Me: Oh nice, um how old is it? (I don't think they make 14HP twin cyl. engines)
Unknown: It's fourteen years old.
Me: (surprised that this guy who appeared to be thinking so slowly even knew how old it was) Well, if it's ok, can I look around at other engines like this a little, and get back to you with a price?
Unknown: Sure.
Me: Ok, do you want me to call you back at the same number that you just called me on.
Unknown: Uh... No!
Me: Ok, then let me get a pen and pad and I'll take down your number.
Unknown: Juan!
Me: (thinking that he was now shouting off the numbers slowly starting with one). Just a second, I don't quite have a pen here yet.
Unknown: Juan, it's Dave.
Me: (thinking he wants me to know his name also) Just a second, I've just got to get a pad of paper.
Unknown: (more shouting into the phone, but I can't tell what he is saying at all now because of the amount of noise in our kitchen made primarily from Corrine yelling "Ma-Ma" "Ma... Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma", the CD player playing the Jonathan Park Audio Adventure Series, Josiah telling Corrine to be quiet so that he can hear what's happening, and Joanna washing dishes).
Me: (finally out of the kitchen with my pen and pad) Ok, sorry I couldn't quite tell what you were saying, can you start over with the number.
Unknown: Juan! It's me... Dave Inyart!
_____________________________
Well, I don't think I've ever been so fooled over the phone by anyone before. Good job Dave!
BTW: That voice you were using, hang on to it for our next film. That was really good.
Anybody want to start a Museum?
Hey, if anybody out there want's to start a computer history Museum, check out this auction on Ebay.
Click HERE to see it.
Click HERE to see it.
Another tag...
Hi Everybody! This is Jessica. Since Jonathan's out of town I thought I'd hack into his site (which is fairly easy to do since I know his username and password).
Anyway, like nearly everyone else in Bloggerdom, I have finally been "tagged." I thought I'd make it through the epidemic without getting caught, but as I have now been tagged by both Ethan and Kristalyn over on Anthony's blog and also by Nikkae on the Huber blog, I guess I'll give in and do it! But I'm posting it here rather than on the family blog because... well, just because! :-) It might be good to have a salt shaker nearby as you read some of these answers. And don't hold me to them tomorrow morning, I may have changed my mind! (What good is a mind if you can't change it??)
Seven things I'd like to do before I die:
1. Visit the 11 states I haven't been to yet
2. Tour Europe - and maybe a few other places 'round the globe
3. Reduce the deer population without the aid of a vehicle
4. Create a home that is warm and welcoming for family, friends, and all who may seek rest or refuge within its doors
5. Be a better daughter/sister - and in general more purely reflect Christ's beauty and holiness
6. Write something that I actually enjoy reading afterwards and don't continually edit!
7. Attend the weddings of all my friends and siblings - which is already a vain hope as a friend that I have known for her whole life is getting married in southern Alabama on March 4, 2006! Obviously, I won't be able to be there.
Seven things I can't do well:
1. express myself verbally
2. make a pie crust look nice
3. anything remotely artistic
4. teach music theory
5. teach anything!
6. stay calm when in a hurry
7. storytelling
Seven things I say often:
(My family was even unable to help me fill in the last two...)
1. Children!
2. Must we! (usually said in conjunction with the previous statement)
3. Gravy boats...
4. Hey, hey, hey!
5. I'm still using that! (generally in reference to the computer)
6.
7.
Seven things I'd like in a husband:
1. Rich
2. Charming
3. Intelligent
4. Handsome
5. Talented
6. Interesting
7. Someone who has *won his spurs* and, of course, wears the radiant attire associated to his rank
Seven books/authors I've enjoyed(aside from the Scriptures, of course):
1. Worthy is the Lamb
2. Woman: Her Mission & Her Life
3. Dictionary
4. Thesaurus
5. Encyclopedia
6. O. Henry
7. Carry On, Mr. Bowditch! or maybe By the Great Horn Spoon...
Seven movies... (a general disclaimer regarding this list is appropriate, if redundant):
1. Home movies can be excessively boring but we've got some real gems, too!
2. Henry V (love quoting it!)
3. Ironwill (we just watched it for the first time, so it had to make this list)
4. A variety of musicals and parts of musicals
5. Secondhand Lions was fun
6. Do Roy Rogers, the Lone Ranger and other such 'movies' count? How about the Popeye cartoon that we wore out the tape on???
7. I enjoyed the A&E Pride & Prejudice, too (it's the only version I've seen)
(Can you tell I'm not much of a movie person??)
Phew! There it is. Done. Taggers, I hope you are pleased!
Anyway, like nearly everyone else in Bloggerdom, I have finally been "tagged." I thought I'd make it through the epidemic without getting caught, but as I have now been tagged by both Ethan and Kristalyn over on Anthony's blog and also by Nikkae on the Huber blog, I guess I'll give in and do it! But I'm posting it here rather than on the family blog because... well, just because! :-) It might be good to have a salt shaker nearby as you read some of these answers. And don't hold me to them tomorrow morning, I may have changed my mind! (What good is a mind if you can't change it??)
Seven things I'd like to do before I die:
1. Visit the 11 states I haven't been to yet
2. Tour Europe - and maybe a few other places 'round the globe
3. Reduce the deer population without the aid of a vehicle
4. Create a home that is warm and welcoming for family, friends, and all who may seek rest or refuge within its doors
5. Be a better daughter/sister - and in general more purely reflect Christ's beauty and holiness
6. Write something that I actually enjoy reading afterwards and don't continually edit!
7. Attend the weddings of all my friends and siblings - which is already a vain hope as a friend that I have known for her whole life is getting married in southern Alabama on March 4, 2006! Obviously, I won't be able to be there.
Seven things I can't do well:
1. express myself verbally
2. make a pie crust look nice
3. anything remotely artistic
4. teach music theory
5. teach anything!
6. stay calm when in a hurry
7. storytelling
Seven things I say often:
(My family was even unable to help me fill in the last two...)
1. Children!
2. Must we! (usually said in conjunction with the previous statement)
3. Gravy boats...
4. Hey, hey, hey!
5. I'm still using that! (generally in reference to the computer)
6.
7.
Seven things I'd like in a husband:
1. Rich
2. Charming
3. Intelligent
4. Handsome
5. Talented
6. Interesting
7. Someone who has *won his spurs* and, of course, wears the radiant attire associated to his rank
Seven books/authors I've enjoyed(aside from the Scriptures, of course):
1. Worthy is the Lamb
2. Woman: Her Mission & Her Life
3. Dictionary
4. Thesaurus
5. Encyclopedia
6. O. Henry
7. Carry On, Mr. Bowditch! or maybe By the Great Horn Spoon...
Seven movies... (a general disclaimer regarding this list is appropriate, if redundant):
1. Home movies can be excessively boring but we've got some real gems, too!
2. Henry V (love quoting it!)
3. Ironwill (we just watched it for the first time, so it had to make this list)
4. A variety of musicals and parts of musicals
5. Secondhand Lions was fun
6. Do Roy Rogers, the Lone Ranger and other such 'movies' count? How about the Popeye cartoon that we wore out the tape on???
7. I enjoyed the A&E Pride & Prejudice, too (it's the only version I've seen)
(Can you tell I'm not much of a movie person??)
Phew! There it is. Done. Taggers, I hope you are pleased!
Brandon Huber's Birthday
I would like to wish a very Happy Birthday, and 16th year to my friend Brandon Huber.
Happy Birthday Brandon!
If you'd like to wish Brandon a Happy Birthday, please do so in the Comments section of this post.
Happy Birthday Brandon!
If you'd like to wish Brandon a Happy Birthday, please do so in the Comments section of this post.
Random Photo Series of the Random Moment: Do I have to eat this?
Caroline, you eat what you are served always with a cheerful attitude.
That's better, now open wide!
(under her breath) Why do we always have to come here to eat, can't we just eat our own food?
I've been tagged (again).
I've been tagged (again). Only this time I was tagged before I got to get over being tagged the first time!
I was first tagged by Ryan Kelly, and I was supposed to give five things that are weird about me.
Then I was tagged by Brandon Huber, and I'm supposed to give seven things about me, from seven specific categories. However, I have run up against a problem. This is that Brandon only supplied me with six categories! Therefore I will take matters into my own hands, and mix Ryan's tag into Brandon's tag, so that they'll both be happy, and Brandon won't feel tyrannical.
BTW: The items listed in each category are not necessarily the biggest or most important seven things in each category. They are only, and should only be considered, seven of the many things in each category.
Here they are:
Seven things I hope to do before I die:
1) Get Married.
2) Rapidly shoot pop cans from the hip at a distance of 30' away without missing.
3) Take a ski trip into the Mountains somewhere.
4) Achieve some sort of gracefulness.
5) Build a race track on my property for off-road racing.
6) Build an engine that runs primarily on water.
7) See one other currently confidential, highly impossible, but altogether practical and original idea in production.
Seven things I cannot do well:
1) Play Basket Ball
2) Sight-read music
3) Fit into small places
4) Smell roses without making a face
5) Listen to music with lyrics while studying
6) Relate with Telemarketers
7) Survive in above 80 degree weather
Top seven favorite movies:
1) National Treasure
2) The Mask of Zorro
3) Second Hand Lions
4) The Court Jester
5) The Patriot
6) Sergeant York
7) The Miracle (incredible scenes at the end, but I can't stand most of it)
Seven things I say often:
1) What are you talking about?!
2) What on earth!
3) Oh my word!
4) Hey, how's it going.
5) Ga-Mownien!
6) Hello, this is Jonathan.
7) Yee-Haw!
Seven things that I'd like in a wife:
1) She must meet all my requirements.
2) She needs to enjoy, and be capable of doing things other than sewing and tea-parties.
3) A sense of Humor.
4) Two arms would be nice.
5) Two eyes would also be nice.
6) A couple legs would be helpful.
7) Oh, don't forget the brain.
And...
...Oh BTW, I need to like her.
And...
...Oh BTW, I need to like her.
Seven favorite authors and books:
1) The Bible (obviously that is the book that I am most grateful for).
2) Swamp Fox of the Revolution (The Patriot was based on this)
3) Sergeant York and the Great War
4) God King
5) The Raft
6) The Endurance
7) WE WERE THERE at the Normandy Invasion
Seven things that are weird about me:
1) I have no attachment to most of my assets (ok, technically liabilities).
2) I require lots of pressure to get me to practice the piano (competitions, recitals etc...).
3) I don't understand people who get offended/embarrassed easily, and consequently offend/embarrass people without knowing it.
4) I have an unquenchable thirst for speed.
5) When I'm under pressure, or needing to do something that I don't want to do, the Refrigerator becomes a very attractive appliance (well, I guess it's the stuff inside that really gets me).
6) I really can't stand heat.
7) I can't stand the feel of ankle socks.
Random Photo of the Random Moment: Double-Chess Master
Random Photo of the Random Moment: Double-Chess Master
The Double-Chess Master David Inyart competes against Dustin Webb and Jonathan Erber alongside his teammate Jordan Knottnerus.
The Perfect Car For Women
For many years I've never thought that girls were very big on cars.
Secondly, I never thought I'd find a car that I'd like, and girls would also.
But today, things changed...
Today I found the coolest car that I have ever seen, with a unique feature that girls would like also!
Check it out by downloading the video HERE.
Secondly, I never thought I'd find a car that I'd like, and girls would also.
But today, things changed...
Today I found the coolest car that I have ever seen, with a unique feature that girls would like also!
Check it out by downloading the video HERE.
History Has Been Made Tonight!
Tonight, for the first time in over 2779 days, I won a game of ping-pong against my brother Joshua.
Ok, I know this doesn't say much for me, but this marks a much anticipated day of my life, and I thought I'd share it with you all.
Thank you for being my audience!
Ok, I know this doesn't say much for me, but this marks a much anticipated day of my life, and I thought I'd share it with you all.
Thank you for being my audience!
Making the most of the snow while we have it.
Dashing through the snow
In a five horse open sled
Through the woods we go
Screaming all the way...!
Josiah seems to prefer the front seat, which really helps turning in the snow.
Of course the back seat (Joseph) is a very necessary position, as that helps provide traction for forward motion.
All combined, there is just enough weight provided to pull one person on the sled in the back.
Snow, Snow, Snow!
Outside the Snow is falling...
Yesterday we got 6" of long awaited snow! This winter started out icy cold, but since then has toned down to a more mild winter. Yesterday however, was beautiful!
Grateful to be out in the winter wonderland (which came in after dark yesterday), a few of the younger ones were allowed, prior to jumping into bed last night, to go outside for a little while to satisfy their starving winter appetite.
Enjoying the Snow
Ultimate Relaxation
Nathan & Brenton Huber, up from Texas.
Last week Nathan & Brenton came back to Illinois for their cousins wedding. We were glad to be able to host them for a couple days, and had a lot of fun doing so.
Brenton and Joseph having fun on the Go-Kart. Joseph was doing the Gas and Break since Brenton couldn't reach the pedals, while Brenton navigated them both around the yard.
Brenton and Joseph having fun on the Go-Kart. Joseph was doing the Gas and Break since Brenton couldn't reach the pedals, while Brenton navigated them both around the yard.
The Final Ford Mustang Episode.
Yesterday found Nathan Huber, Joshua and I in my Mustang, heading down to Morton Grove (right near O’Hare Airport) to meet a guy that was interested in buying my Mustang.
We showed up, and he walked around the car commenting that it looked really good for a 1990. I popped the hood expecting that he wanted to see the engine, and he proceeded to look at the bottom of the hood at the back of a dent that was on the front. He said that he didn’t think the dent was much of a problem, so he closed the hood (which didn’t latch again for some reason). Then he walked to the passenger side door and asked if I’d take him out for a drive! He said that I knew what the car had to offer, so it’d be best if I drove it. We got in the car and headed out. While we were out driving, he got a phone call from someone whom he proceded to tell that he was going to buy the car!
Needless to say, I have never had an easier time selling anything, which was a welcome reprieve from my previous history with this car.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
We showed up, and he walked around the car commenting that it looked really good for a 1990. I popped the hood expecting that he wanted to see the engine, and he proceeded to look at the bottom of the hood at the back of a dent that was on the front. He said that he didn’t think the dent was much of a problem, so he closed the hood (which didn’t latch again for some reason). Then he walked to the passenger side door and asked if I’d take him out for a drive! He said that I knew what the car had to offer, so it’d be best if I drove it. We got in the car and headed out. While we were out driving, he got a phone call from someone whom he proceded to tell that he was going to buy the car!
Needless to say, I have never had an easier time selling anything, which was a welcome reprieve from my previous history with this car.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
My Car, for sale once again.
My car just got back from the shop, and it was only a fried Fuse Link Wire, so the repair was about a third of the cost of having the fuel pump replaced! On top of that, they ran some tests to see if there were any other problems that might have caused the circuit to short out, and there were none that they found. But most importantly, it's back out for sale, and there are a couple people interested in it via a web ad that I put up!
Praise the Lord!
Random Photo of the Random Moment: Back Yard Friends
Random Photo of the Random Moment: Back Yard Friends
This is not a Jonathan Erber Original, but I saw it, and thought ya'll would like to see it.
My car goes to the doctor tomorrow.
Hey everybody,
My car is going into the shop tomorrow, please pray that it's a minor electrical problem, not the fuel pump itself.
I really can't afford to put any more money into this car, so your prayers would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Jonathan
My car is going into the shop tomorrow, please pray that it's a minor electrical problem, not the fuel pump itself.
I really can't afford to put any more money into this car, so your prayers would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Jonathan
News Flash!
My car still won't run, but it appears that the Fuel Pump is shot.
More news as it comes.
More news as it comes.
Faithful Ford? I don't think so...
Whoever thought Ford's were Faithful certainly didn't own a Ford Mustang.
The latest on my car is that a guy was very interested in buying it on Thursday for his 16y.o. son (who just got his license), until he took it out for a test drive. No nothing went wrong, he's just a little afraid of letting his son loose in a car like this. He was origionally looking for something like a Dodge Neon (much less power).
So today we went over to Jeremy's house (where I have parked the car on route 173) to put it back out in the yard for sale. We got there, I got in and turned the key, and it won't start. It doesn't even sputter, all it did was drain the battery cranking, and plain refuses to go.
So what is the problem? I don't know, but a while back we owned a Ford Escort that would get tempermental in wet or high humidity situations. Needless to say, we will probably be trying the same trick that worked on the Escort, on my Mustang. Here's how it works, pop the hood, and dry the distributor with a hairdryer for about a minute, then, fire it up!
Wierd? Yes, but hey! What else is new, it's a Ford.
The latest on my car is that a guy was very interested in buying it on Thursday for his 16y.o. son (who just got his license), until he took it out for a test drive. No nothing went wrong, he's just a little afraid of letting his son loose in a car like this. He was origionally looking for something like a Dodge Neon (much less power).
So today we went over to Jeremy's house (where I have parked the car on route 173) to put it back out in the yard for sale. We got there, I got in and turned the key, and it won't start. It doesn't even sputter, all it did was drain the battery cranking, and plain refuses to go.
So what is the problem? I don't know, but a while back we owned a Ford Escort that would get tempermental in wet or high humidity situations. Needless to say, we will probably be trying the same trick that worked on the Escort, on my Mustang. Here's how it works, pop the hood, and dry the distributor with a hairdryer for about a minute, then, fire it up!
Wierd? Yes, but hey! What else is new, it's a Ford.
Hmm... Something Wierd?
Hey everybody,
I just found something very strange about my blog. I'm not sure how long it was like this, but have any of you noticed it?
It's not up now, I fixed it, but if you did notice something strange recently, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments section.
Jonathan
I just found something very strange about my blog. I'm not sure how long it was like this, but have any of you noticed it?
It's not up now, I fixed it, but if you did notice something strange recently, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments section.
Jonathan
A New Go-Kart!
Last Friday I traded one of my computers for a Manco Dingo Go-Kart. Today I got it tuned up (it hadn't been used for a while), and we had a lot of fun sliding around on the driveway.
Here's a few pictures:
If anybody is interested in buying it, let me know.
It's a 98-99 model, but it is in unbelievably good shape.
I'm asking $650, but I'm willing to sell it for only $550 O.B.O. to any of my blog readers.
Here's a few pictures:
If anybody is interested in buying it, let me know.
It's a 98-99 model, but it is in unbelievably good shape.
I'm asking $650, but I'm willing to sell it for only $550 O.B.O. to any of my blog readers.
A Cool Thing: Toilet Bowl Cleaner, and Aluminum
Yesterday we made a toilet bowl cleaner and aluminum foil fire-cracker for the first time. It's pretty simple to make, and somewhat cool. Here's what you do. Take a bottle and fill it with Aluminum Foil (the more aluminum surface space, the faster this works). Then spray a bunch of "The Works" brand, toilet bowl cleaner into the bottle, cap and shake the bottle, and throw.
If it doesn't appear to work, DO NOT APPROACH BOTTLE. It took ours about 3-4 minutes to finally explode. The explosion resulted in an invisible flash (that I'm assuming was there :-) and a plume of smoke about 12' high! The first one that we made we thought was a dud, so we started working on a second one, when all of a sudden there was a bang behind us as the one in the yard finally exploded.
It appears that the reaction between the aluminum foil and the toilet bowl cleaner builds up flammable gasses and heat. Once the temperature reaches the flash point, all the gasses in the bottle explode. Resulting in a somewhat satisfactory pop.
Please note that this should only be tried under close adult supervision, and I will not be held liable for any injury, loss, inconvenience, annoyance, or anything else that may result from this experiment.
If it doesn't appear to work, DO NOT APPROACH BOTTLE. It took ours about 3-4 minutes to finally explode. The explosion resulted in an invisible flash (that I'm assuming was there :-) and a plume of smoke about 12' high! The first one that we made we thought was a dud, so we started working on a second one, when all of a sudden there was a bang behind us as the one in the yard finally exploded.
It appears that the reaction between the aluminum foil and the toilet bowl cleaner builds up flammable gasses and heat. Once the temperature reaches the flash point, all the gasses in the bottle explode. Resulting in a somewhat satisfactory pop.
Please note that this should only be tried under close adult supervision, and I will not be held liable for any injury, loss, inconvenience, annoyance, or anything else that may result from this experiment.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Yesterday, we started off the day by getting together with our Church family in worship, as we do every Sunday morning. After the worship service we came home, and spent the day with Nathan and Jeanine, and Jeremy and Sara. We enjoyed feasting, bible trivia, quoting scripture memory, exchanging gifts, and lots of felowship.
I hope your day was filled with the celebration of our dear Saviors birth.
Yesterday, we started off the day by getting together with our Church family in worship, as we do every Sunday morning. After the worship service we came home, and spent the day with Nathan and Jeanine, and Jeremy and Sara. We enjoyed feasting, bible trivia, quoting scripture memory, exchanging gifts, and lots of felowship.
I hope your day was filled with the celebration of our dear Saviors birth.
Random Photo of the Random Moment: Laser Tag
Random Photo of the Random Moment: Laser Tag in the basement.
It's only too bad that we didn't have Airsoft at the time. Also, this photo is not staged. It is an action shot that was taken during a 2 on 2 game in total darkness (aside from the camera flash). I was sitting out this round since there were five people, and only four guns/receiver sets.
Car Update.
Ok, if you have been reading my blog, you know that I recently bought a bomb of a Ford Mustang, that has been one headache after the next.
The last update was that my car was out of the shop again, however that isn't doing me any good right now because it's stuck in our driveway with a flat tire! Normally this is not a problem for me, but this time it is because it has lock nuts on the wheels, and I don't have the drivers for it!
Now I'm really stuck.
If anyone has any good ideas of how to get around this, please let me know.
The last update was that my car was out of the shop again, however that isn't doing me any good right now because it's stuck in our driveway with a flat tire! Normally this is not a problem for me, but this time it is because it has lock nuts on the wheels, and I don't have the drivers for it!
Now I'm really stuck.
If anyone has any good ideas of how to get around this, please let me know.
My car is back from the shop!
Hey everyone, yesterday I got my car back from the shop and guess what the problem was...
A security system that I didn't know about! Yep, flashing lights and no responce when you turn the key. That does sound like a security system to me.
Well, I must say that I'm a little embarrased for sending my car into the shop just to get the security system turned off. That's like sending your car in because you lost the keys!
I'm just grateful it wasn't anything worse.
A security system that I didn't know about! Yep, flashing lights and no responce when you turn the key. That does sound like a security system to me.
Well, I must say that I'm a little embarrased for sending my car into the shop just to get the security system turned off. That's like sending your car in because you lost the keys!
I'm just grateful it wasn't anything worse.
The Desaulniers Visit
Last night we had some friends from Iowa, the Desaulniers, stop by for the night. They were in Michigan last weekend, and called us to ask if they could stop for the night at our house on their way home. Of course we are always delighted to have guests, so last night around 6:15 they showed up.
We enjoyed a meal together and great conversation, however I can't speak to this much, because I had to leave for a piano lesson at 7:15, consequently missing most of the meal (fortunately my piano teacher teaches about a mile down the road, so I didn't have to go far). When I got home around 8:50 we talked for a while and then played "Four-On-A-Couch". The goal of this game is to get everyone from the opposing team off the couch, and four people from your team on. This is basically accomplished by one empty seat, a lot of thinking, and continual systematic rearranging of the group, until the final goal is accomplished. Here is a picture of the four couch representatives from the boys team!
Winners!
_________________________
Also, I just got some hilarious pictures from the conference that we met the Desaulniers at (the national home school leadership conference in Philadelphia, PA). These pictures are from one night that a few of the state leaders children got together to play some games. In the pictures are the Backs (OH), Clarks (OH), Desaulniers (IA), Hekis (IA), and of course the Erbers (IL).
The game that we are playing is "I've Never Done It". Rarely were there such wild stampedes as I am about to show you, but the few that did happen were captured courtesy of Mr. Heki.
Make sure you get a seat, or you will be stuck in the middle having to say something that you've never done.
Now this is something I've never done, :-) but it does look like the boys made it to the seats first. BTW: Notice the expressions of everyone seated - quite hilarious.
No, Joseph and I are not clapping hands, just trying to protect ourselves from a collision.
All right boys, I know you don't want to be in the middle, but honestly I don't think it was worth all this. :-)
On a more normal note - Ryan Heki, stuck in the middle once again.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy belated Thanksgiving everyone!
One of the things that I am VERY thankful for is this...
I had this picture as the background on my computer for quite some time, and thankfully at the beginning of this summer the Lord provided, and I got my very own beautiful Kawai grand piano!
PRAISE THE LORD!! He is always faithful!
One of the things that I am VERY thankful for is this...
I had this picture as the background on my computer for quite some time, and thankfully at the beginning of this summer the Lord provided, and I got my very own beautiful Kawai grand piano!
PRAISE THE LORD!! He is always faithful!
I've been tagged!
Thanks to Jessica MacDonald, I have been tagged. This means that I am supposed to share five random things about me. And then I am supposed to tag five other people. Well, here's my five random things.
1) I startle Really Easily,
2) I have an un-diagnosed need for speed,
3) I can't stand having dusty/dry/or gritty-dirty hands, however I love working with greasy things (not in a food sense).
4) I can't stand disorganization or people working inefficiently,
5) I love cold weather, and hardly function in heat.
Now for the continuation of this thing I am supposed to tag five others. I was actually going to refrain from doing this due to the fact that most people I know don't use their blogs for things like this, however there are two out there that I really want to hear from. These two people would be Luke VonHolten, and Caleb MacDonald. Not only would I like you two to post five unique things about yourself on your blog, but you're supposed to tag five others. Seeing as most people in my circles have already been tagged, I'll forgive you if you decide to opt-out of that, seeing as I'm in the same boat.
1) I startle Really Easily,
2) I have an un-diagnosed need for speed,
3) I can't stand having dusty/dry/or gritty-dirty hands, however I love working with greasy things (not in a food sense).
4) I can't stand disorganization or people working inefficiently,
5) I love cold weather, and hardly function in heat.
Now for the continuation of this thing I am supposed to tag five others. I was actually going to refrain from doing this due to the fact that most people I know don't use their blogs for things like this, however there are two out there that I really want to hear from. These two people would be Luke VonHolten, and Caleb MacDonald. Not only would I like you two to post five unique things about yourself on your blog, but you're supposed to tag five others. Seeing as most people in my circles have already been tagged, I'll forgive you if you decide to opt-out of that, seeing as I'm in the same boat.
Sweet Ride? Sweet Glide? Or...
Maybe more like Not-So-Sweet Bump, Wobble-Wobble-Wobble, Flash, Wobble-Wobble, Flash, Wobble, Flash, Wobble, Flash, Flash, Wobble, Flash, Flash, Flash, Flash...
Yep, you guessed it, I'm talking about my very own F.O.R.D., Found On Road Dead, Driver Returns On Foot, or in this case Flat On Racing Day. What is going on with my F.O.R.D.? Let us go back to 7:45pm Saturday night on the 19th of November 2005...
I am sitting in my Mustang in a dark parking lot, with three people, unable to go anywhere.
How did I get here? Let us back up again, to Friday morning...
It all started on Friday morning when Jeremy parked the car in their front yard with a "For Sale" sign on it. He had just picked me up for a day of work at his house. Around lunch time I went out to move the car over so that it would be more visible to drivers coming from the west. I opened the door, and something didn't seem right. I got in anyway, inserted the key and... nothing. The lights were left on, and my battery was dead. Jeremy went and got his truck which we then used to try to jump my car. Immediately the hazard lights started flashing, which was very odd because everything was supposed to be off, and the keys weren't even in the car! Anyway, the car still wouldn't start, and the lights were not controllable (although they would stop and start every so often), so we disconnected the battery and went back to work.
Now fast-forward to Saturday morning when I am back working at Jeremy's house, and Sara calls to us to let us know that there is someone looking at my car! I ran around front and tried to explain to the two customers (who were already all over my car, checking the oil, etc...) that the thing wasn't starting, but it seemed to be a minor problem that I'd look into, and let them know when it was fixed. After about 10 minutes they left, and Jeremy and I started diagnosing the problem. Finally we found that if we bypassed the starter relay it fired up fine! Great (I think) a $13 repair and we're fixed. I called Mom who was on her way into Harvard, and asked her to pick up a relay for me (which she did).
Now let us fast-forward to 7:21pm Saturday night. Jeremy, Sara and Caroline were at our house eating dinner, when a lady called saying that she was about one block from the car and wanted to take it out for a drive! I told her to give us 10 minutes and we'd be over there to replace the relay so that she could take the car out for a drive. We got over to Jeremy's house and replaced the relay (with her husband and daughter watching) but we got no results. I might add that the flashing lights were still not fixed, so the marker lights (along with the headlights occasionally) were flashing sporadically throughout the entire repair. Being really bummed out about this, we bypassed the relay and started it up. I asked them if they wanted to take it out for a drive since it was really fun to drive and they had been waiting long enough. They said that they would, so I shut the hood... oops it didn't latch, so I shut it again. This time, when the hood came slamming down, the Ford emblem popped off the grill. Fortunately they were in a good mood, and had a good laugh about it while getting in the car. I went with them so that in case they killed the engine, I'd be there to pop the hood and start it up again. He put the car in reverse, and (partly due to the performance clutch) killed the engine. I popped the hood got it started up, and off we went.
Once we started going forward there was a soft scraping sound coming from the bottom of the car ( a shh, shh, shh sound). The wife mentioned that she thought the back passenger tire was low, but I said that I didn't think so, after all I would have noticed that. We were driving very slowly and I was trying to subtly encourage him to give the guts a test. Once we left Capron I was pushed back into my seat as we accelerated to 80MPH. This was great (I was thinking). The car handled beautifully as we glided along, but as he started slowing down, I was starting to notice quite a bit of wobble! The wife (who was in the back) said that she thought the tire was flat. I didn't think so, but he stopped, so I got out to check. Sure enough the tire was flat, and both he and I had forgotten our cell phones.
At this point, we pulled into a driving range and noticed that a pick-up was there. I ran over to the club house (or whatever they call it), and noticed that the lights in the new indoor range were on! I knocked on the window, and a couple puny dogs, and a grumpy guy came to the window and told me to go around to the front door. While I was standing at the front door, I realized that I probably didn't look to good, because I was wearing my black leather jacket, and the cable that we used to jump the car was still in my hands. :-/ He came to the door and I explained our situation by yelling through the glass. After a while he let me in to use the phone. I called Dad, and he came over to pick us all up.
Surprisingly the guy is still very interested in the car, and wants me to let him know when the car is out of the shop. I told him I'd let him know, but I really didn't think that God wanted him to buy the car. He insisted, so I took down his number and we'll see what happens.
Thus ends act three of the Fast and Faulty Ford episodes. Hopefully I'll reach the last act soon, but the way things are going...
Well, all I can do is trust God and know that He's in control and had this planned from the beginning of the universe. After all, if God didn't want this to happen, he wouldn't have made me get a Ford. :-)
Yep, you guessed it, I'm talking about my very own F.O.R.D., Found On Road Dead, Driver Returns On Foot, or in this case Flat On Racing Day. What is going on with my F.O.R.D.? Let us go back to 7:45pm Saturday night on the 19th of November 2005...
I am sitting in my Mustang in a dark parking lot, with three people, unable to go anywhere.
How did I get here? Let us back up again, to Friday morning...
It all started on Friday morning when Jeremy parked the car in their front yard with a "For Sale" sign on it. He had just picked me up for a day of work at his house. Around lunch time I went out to move the car over so that it would be more visible to drivers coming from the west. I opened the door, and something didn't seem right. I got in anyway, inserted the key and... nothing. The lights were left on, and my battery was dead. Jeremy went and got his truck which we then used to try to jump my car. Immediately the hazard lights started flashing, which was very odd because everything was supposed to be off, and the keys weren't even in the car! Anyway, the car still wouldn't start, and the lights were not controllable (although they would stop and start every so often), so we disconnected the battery and went back to work.
Now fast-forward to Saturday morning when I am back working at Jeremy's house, and Sara calls to us to let us know that there is someone looking at my car! I ran around front and tried to explain to the two customers (who were already all over my car, checking the oil, etc...) that the thing wasn't starting, but it seemed to be a minor problem that I'd look into, and let them know when it was fixed. After about 10 minutes they left, and Jeremy and I started diagnosing the problem. Finally we found that if we bypassed the starter relay it fired up fine! Great (I think) a $13 repair and we're fixed. I called Mom who was on her way into Harvard, and asked her to pick up a relay for me (which she did).
Now let us fast-forward to 7:21pm Saturday night. Jeremy, Sara and Caroline were at our house eating dinner, when a lady called saying that she was about one block from the car and wanted to take it out for a drive! I told her to give us 10 minutes and we'd be over there to replace the relay so that she could take the car out for a drive. We got over to Jeremy's house and replaced the relay (with her husband and daughter watching) but we got no results. I might add that the flashing lights were still not fixed, so the marker lights (along with the headlights occasionally) were flashing sporadically throughout the entire repair. Being really bummed out about this, we bypassed the relay and started it up. I asked them if they wanted to take it out for a drive since it was really fun to drive and they had been waiting long enough. They said that they would, so I shut the hood... oops it didn't latch, so I shut it again. This time, when the hood came slamming down, the Ford emblem popped off the grill. Fortunately they were in a good mood, and had a good laugh about it while getting in the car. I went with them so that in case they killed the engine, I'd be there to pop the hood and start it up again. He put the car in reverse, and (partly due to the performance clutch) killed the engine. I popped the hood got it started up, and off we went.
Once we started going forward there was a soft scraping sound coming from the bottom of the car ( a shh, shh, shh sound). The wife mentioned that she thought the back passenger tire was low, but I said that I didn't think so, after all I would have noticed that. We were driving very slowly and I was trying to subtly encourage him to give the guts a test. Once we left Capron I was pushed back into my seat as we accelerated to 80MPH. This was great (I was thinking). The car handled beautifully as we glided along, but as he started slowing down, I was starting to notice quite a bit of wobble! The wife (who was in the back) said that she thought the tire was flat. I didn't think so, but he stopped, so I got out to check. Sure enough the tire was flat, and both he and I had forgotten our cell phones.
At this point, we pulled into a driving range and noticed that a pick-up was there. I ran over to the club house (or whatever they call it), and noticed that the lights in the new indoor range were on! I knocked on the window, and a couple puny dogs, and a grumpy guy came to the window and told me to go around to the front door. While I was standing at the front door, I realized that I probably didn't look to good, because I was wearing my black leather jacket, and the cable that we used to jump the car was still in my hands. :-/ He came to the door and I explained our situation by yelling through the glass. After a while he let me in to use the phone. I called Dad, and he came over to pick us all up.
Surprisingly the guy is still very interested in the car, and wants me to let him know when the car is out of the shop. I told him I'd let him know, but I really didn't think that God wanted him to buy the car. He insisted, so I took down his number and we'll see what happens.
Thus ends act three of the Fast and Faulty Ford episodes. Hopefully I'll reach the last act soon, but the way things are going...
Well, all I can do is trust God and know that He's in control and had this planned from the beginning of the universe. After all, if God didn't want this to happen, he wouldn't have made me get a Ford. :-)
My first road-worthy car.
Today I got a 1990 5.0L Ford Mustang as a trade for the Dell laptop that I had for sale on my blog before (it wasn't an entirely even trade, so don't expect me to sell it for the same price as the laptop) .
The person that I bought it from was supposed to show up today around 11:30am-12:00 to make the trade. He had said that he'd give me a call as he was leaving Chicago around 10:00am. Well, 10:00am came and left, and so did 11:30am-12:00. Still no word from him. Finally around 1:30 I get a call apologizing for not making the appointment, and saying that he had over slept and consequently hadn't left yet (he works a night job). He decided to leave right away to make the two hour trip out to our house, planning on taking the 4:35 train back into Chicago. At around 3:15pm I received a call saying that he thought he was lost, I confirmed his location as about 15 minutes from our house (right where he was supposed to be), and gave him further directions for the rest of the trip. 3:30pm came and went... At about 4:00 we got another call from him... yup, he was majorly lost. And again, at about 4:30pm we got a call from him asking "if I hit Crystal Lake on Rte. 14, have I gone to far?". Well, Crystal Lake isn't too far, it's about 30 minutes the wrong direction. Now it is quite clear that not only is he going to miss his train, but we're going to get to see it in the dark, and in the rain (which was just beginning to fall). So he turned around, and we decided to meet him at Wal-Mart, (which is closer to the train station, thus enabling him to make the 5:35 train). At about 4:55pm he pulled into the Wal-Mart parking lot and we were finally able to take it out for a test drive.
Let me tell you something, a car this small, with a 5.0L High Output engine, with high speed cams, dual exhaust,, and a performance clutch, has a LOT of power! Anyway, if you are looking for a early 1990's Mustang in pretty good shape, let me know because this one is for sale.
Front
Side
Back
Yep, sweet sounding dual exhaust :-)
Now we're down to the heart of the matter. Ha, Ha, Haaa...
The person that I bought it from was supposed to show up today around 11:30am-12:00 to make the trade. He had said that he'd give me a call as he was leaving Chicago around 10:00am. Well, 10:00am came and left, and so did 11:30am-12:00. Still no word from him. Finally around 1:30 I get a call apologizing for not making the appointment, and saying that he had over slept and consequently hadn't left yet (he works a night job). He decided to leave right away to make the two hour trip out to our house, planning on taking the 4:35 train back into Chicago. At around 3:15pm I received a call saying that he thought he was lost, I confirmed his location as about 15 minutes from our house (right where he was supposed to be), and gave him further directions for the rest of the trip. 3:30pm came and went... At about 4:00 we got another call from him... yup, he was majorly lost. And again, at about 4:30pm we got a call from him asking "if I hit Crystal Lake on Rte. 14, have I gone to far?". Well, Crystal Lake isn't too far, it's about 30 minutes the wrong direction. Now it is quite clear that not only is he going to miss his train, but we're going to get to see it in the dark, and in the rain (which was just beginning to fall). So he turned around, and we decided to meet him at Wal-Mart, (which is closer to the train station, thus enabling him to make the 5:35 train). At about 4:55pm he pulled into the Wal-Mart parking lot and we were finally able to take it out for a test drive.
Let me tell you something, a car this small, with a 5.0L High Output engine, with high speed cams, dual exhaust,, and a performance clutch, has a LOT of power! Anyway, if you are looking for a early 1990's Mustang in pretty good shape, let me know because this one is for sale.
Front
Side
Back
Yep, sweet sounding dual exhaust :-)
Now we're down to the heart of the matter. Ha, Ha, Haaa...
Random Photo of the Random Moment - Uncle Don's Harley
This is a photo from a few days ago when Uncle Don stopped in for a surprise visit with his new Harley Davidson motorcycle. While he was here he took a few of us out for some rides. I was told that it was really neat. Josh even said that he thought having a motorcycle would be a lot of fun.
Unfortunately I was gone working on a job site with Jeremy when he came, so I didn't get a ride.
New Bio Picture
Due to the fact that my previous bio picture could have been misleading to those who don't know me (I do not wear glasses), I have removed it.
Although the new bio picture may not be currently accurate, at least it won't be (or shouldn't be) misleading.
Although the new bio picture may not be currently accurate, at least it won't be (or shouldn't be) misleading.
Insanity Test: Am I insane? Or... ARE YOU???
You just read the title of this blog post, and your mind is running as fast as can be. You are thinking...
Am I insane? Oh definitely not! I mean... Of course not actually! Like, I can flat-out tell that I'm not insane! Wait, if I was insane, my family would tell me, and I'd probably be locked up somewhere. Oh, but wait... what if my whole family is insane! No, that certainly couldn't be. If we all were, we'd all be locked up in some sort of insane asylum with a whole bunch of others who were crazy like us, but no, because... And your thoughts run on...
Now, please step out of your thoughts for a second and read what I am about to tell you. One of the symptoms of being insane, is that you think you're perfectly normal! This is really scary because now there's no method of self diagnosis!
But be not dismayed! Thanks to an ingenious person on the web somewhere, there is now a way that you can find out for yourself if you are insane or not! Isn't this the best news you've heard today!
Just click here now to find out for yourself just how insane you are!
_____________________
Also, if you'd like to see pictures from our recent trip to SanAntonio, please check out my family's blog by clicking here.
Am I insane? Oh definitely not! I mean... Of course not actually! Like, I can flat-out tell that I'm not insane! Wait, if I was insane, my family would tell me, and I'd probably be locked up somewhere. Oh, but wait... what if my whole family is insane! No, that certainly couldn't be. If we all were, we'd all be locked up in some sort of insane asylum with a whole bunch of others who were crazy like us, but no, because... And your thoughts run on...
Now, please step out of your thoughts for a second and read what I am about to tell you. One of the symptoms of being insane, is that you think you're perfectly normal! This is really scary because now there's no method of self diagnosis!
But be not dismayed! Thanks to an ingenious person on the web somewhere, there is now a way that you can find out for yourself if you are insane or not! Isn't this the best news you've heard today!
Just click here now to find out for yourself just how insane you are!
_____________________
Also, if you'd like to see pictures from our recent trip to SanAntonio, please check out my family's blog by clicking here.
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