Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it....D'oh!

Weather forecasters seem to be correct when their predictions involve weather I do not like (for example, 100 degrees and high humidity) and incorrect when they are predicting weather conditions I would very much enjoy (e.g., large accumulations of snow). As it so often happens (in my mind, the weather forecasters are all dead-set against me), the snow forcast was for the southern metro to get a small amount and for the northern metro to miss out altogether. Of course, their prediction was 100 percent correct! We didn't get any snow at home, while down here in E.P. there is about an inch of snow on the ground. Well, at least I get to look out the window at work and see a nice blanket of snow.

Winter Soon

For some reason I've had an aversion to posting anything on here lately. I went through the entire month of October with no posts at all, although I did manage to post on the holiday blog (http://bardenholidays.blogspot.com). Last week was a typical Minnesota fall week. It started with temps in the 70's and finished with about an inch of snow. Now that I've seen snow, I'm switching into my winter mode, which means I want more snow so I can get Zach out to the hill to try skiing. I talked to him about it and he said he didn't want to try. But I think I'll try to talk him into going at least once to make sure he doesn't have an interest. (I sure hope he does!) I'm pretty disappointed that Alec can't go. He seems to like sledding somewhat more than Zach and I'm sure he would like skiing if he could try it. Alec had an appointment with his hematologist, Dr. Messinger, last week. I had Angie ask him if it would be alright for Alec to try skiing. He said it was too dangerous. (I think it's no more dangerous than riding a bike, but whatever...) If I get Zach into it, I'll probably get helmets for both of us.

On Saturday morning, I took the two older boys to Lowe's to the kids craft time. They give the kids a craft kit (this week it was a wooden semi truck w/ a race car) that they assemble using a hammer and tacks. The kids also get an apron and goggles to wear while they are building their "project." The best part about it is it doesn't cost a dime! I think we'll probably do it on a fairly regular basis, especially now that the cold weather is setting in and it's a good way to get out of the house. Overall, they had a good first time experience. I gets somewhat loud because of all of the little hammers pounding on the tacks. Alec started getting bugged out at one point because of the noise. I think I might bring some earplugs for him next time.

Unofficial End of Summer

It's amazing how fast this summer went by. The pool is down and packed away for the year and the yard has a scattering of dead leaves. Before long, the leaves will start to turn.

Today was the first day of school. Unfortunately, I didn't plan well so I didn't get a chance to film anything for another first-day-of-school video. However, I'm looking forward to getting home this afternoon to see how the first day of school went. I talked to Angie and she said it feels strange not having the older two boys there. I'm sure she'll adjust to it after a few outings with only Sam. And of course, the alone time she'll have when he's down for his afternoon nap.

With the rain we're getting today, I'm sure I'll be mowing the lawn this week. Also in my I.P.I.T. for the next couple of weeks are replacing my passenger-side axle, checking the noise in my driver-side front wheel, and checking the brakes on the van. And as always, I've got a mile-long list of things to do around the house.

Wide Eyed Wonder

While I was heading out the door for work this morning, I had an old Choir song in my head so I grabbed my old Wide Eyed Wonder CD by The Choir and listened to it on my way to work. Like so much of the Choir's music, it is moody and haunting at times, but also very thought-provoking.

Wide Eyed Wonder is the first Choir album I ever owned. I first bought the tape, but I now have the CD (although I don't remember where I got it). It was released almost 20 years ago now (1989), which makes me feel pretty old! In terms of the music, it's some of the best alternative ("Christian" or not) you can get from that era. I am definitely biased since it's what I grew up on. Still, I would reccommend it to anyone. There is a copy available on eBay right now.

Busy Week

This week has been not a little bit out of the ordinary. Angie was out of town from Friday, August 1st until last Friday. She went up to Sup. for her cousin Kelly's baby shower, and then ended up staying because her Mom had major surgery. The van also broke down so she would have had a hard time coming back w/o a car.

I was here with Alec and Zach until Wednesday, when they went up with their Grandma to visit with Phil and Eva and baby Avery. Thursday I managed to get the lawn mowed and tried vacuuming out the scum from the pool because of my previous neglect of it.

Unfortunately, it looks like we might have to drain it out for the year. I'm going to have one more shot at cleaning it out tonight.

Angie's Mom is in ICU from her colon surgery. We're hoping and praying she will be though the worst by later this week.

The van is working now that the head gasket has been replaced (to the tune of $1500!!! - that would have been a nice flat screen TV...)

Alec is off his Seraquel and doing great!!! This is a huge relief for both Angie and I. We were really not keen on having him on anti-psychotic meds since he's just a kid. We're thanking God and continuing to pray for him in this regard.

Angie's Grandma Shoe and Aunt Wendy are down for a buying show. They stayed over last night and might stay again tonight.

First Day of School 2007 - Video

I made this video last year and I figured I should post it since it would otherwise not see the light of day. This was Zach's first day of kindergarten and Alec's first day of second grade.

Amp

I was out at American Guitar and Band a few weeks ago with my friend Tom and got a chance to play an Orange Tiny Terror. When these came out, I was very interested in getting one because of their size (very small) and because they are all tube and made by Orange. Up until playing the Tiny Terror at AGB, I had never played an Orange (tube or otherwise) and like any guitar player would tell you, you should never buy an amp (or guitar for that matter) without playing it first.

Well, I'm hooked! The thing sounds great! I plugged in a standard American Telecaster, which is what I have, and tried the clean and gain on it and they both sounded amazing. The TT was hooked up to a Mesa Boogie cabinet. I think it was probably a 1x12", so the entire set up was very compact. But it really rocks - even on the 7 watt setting it can get really loud - so I'm sure it would do fine in a church setting.

Now I just need to sell my Classic 30 and raise some funds to make the purchase. The TT sells for around $500. The Mesa cab they had it set up with was another $400, I believe. So...yeah...that's getting up into the difficult-to-explain-to-Angie-why-I-need-to-buy-it price range :0)

What can I say? If you want tone, you have to pay for it.


Orange Amps