On Second Thought...Put Those Back On!!

Just a little tumble "in the night," 7 stitches, a bit of a shinner and a BIG smile! Grandpa Williams spent the evening last night with the boys watching the Rose Bowl football game. On January 4th he will be 87 years young. Happy Birthday Daddy!

My Thoughts As I Watch....

I sit here watching the casket of President Ford being moved from the House of Representatives to the Washington Cathedral for his funeral. As I watch I reflect on the days of Gerald Ford's life and presidency and listen to the words said about him....
"A great example of how to live a life" was one comment made.
Funeral time is a good time for me to think about my life activities and what words I am putting into the mouths of the ones who will eventually be standing around my casket.
It's good periodically to reflect on "What stuff really matters, anyway."
In Gerald's case his daughter Susan read a scripture..."be doers of the word and not hearers only"
I too want to be a doer.
Former President George Bush told a story about how he kept his word....kept his promises..."Jerry Ford's word was always good... he rekindled our national faith."
I want to rekindle people's faith.
He had a great sense of humor. He told president Bush once, "I know I'm playing better golf, I'm hitting fewer spectators!"
I want people around me to be laughing...
Tom Brokaw spoke of how "The man he was in public was the man he was in private... He left the office of president far better off than when he found it. "
I too want to leave the planet better than I found it.
President Bush pointed out how more than proud of the title of President he was proud of the title of Father, Husband, Grandfather.
He had four children and so do I. I want to be good husband, father and grandfather.
Another friend stated, "Gerold Ford was a Christian, a man of prayer. He was quick to listen and slow to anger."
I have work to do.
There is life left to be better than what I am by God's help.

Bringing In The New Year

This gathering was a combination of two of life's great blessings...laughter and great friends taken at midnight. A time to enjoy some of the people dear to us. We love the current state of our lives!

Some Things Are More Valuable Than What Money Can Buy...

FRIENDS!

Is It In Our Genes????

From the time I was very young I can remember my Dad, my Brother and my uncles shown here laughing and cutting up at every gathering. A bunch of wisenheimers we were! And so I pose the same question that Sam's 4th grde teacher asked him when she was teaching the concept of genetic predisposition. "Sam," she said, "You are bound to be tall...your mother and Dad are tall your grandpa is tall....It's in your genes." to which Sam replied, "I know....I wear size 12's!"

And So It Follows......

.......that the sense of humor be passed down from my father......
.......that the Santa suit that he wore....I should be priviledged to wear once a year....

When he was a guard at the Holophane Company Dad would greet all the employees as they came through the gate. I remember once, posted on a bulletin board at the entrance for all to see was a sign....written in Dad's handwriting....which said, "Henway For Sale." When passers by would ask Carl the inevitable question, "Weaver, what's a henway?" he would answer.......

"Oh, about 3 pounds!"

And so it goes.....

Please Allow Me To Reminisce a Bit....

In the spring of my first year of teaching at Licking Valley High School, the call went out for an assistant varsity track coach. I answered that call (needing the money to pay back my college debt!) having never had one minute experience around track. I was willing to learn. Sure enough the second year I found myself as Head Coach! By my third year this was "my team!" I am proud of the fact we finished higher than any other LV team in the County Track Meet and 3 of these "speedsters" went on to compete in the State Track Meet. I learned a lot about building youngsters as a teacher and coach in these early formative "skinny" years. And they continue to inspire me.
One of those competitors (below) was hurdler and high jumper, Tommy Miles. Recently I have reconnected with the "three amigos" and talked about those "good ol' days." Tommy recently wrote, "I HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED BY THE U.S. NAVIES MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS AS AN ABLE BODIED SEAMAN. I'VE BEEN AROUND THE WORLD ABOUT 15 TIMES. IT SEEMS THAT THE WORLD HAS ACTUALLY BECAME SMALL IN MANY RESPECTS. I SORT OF WENT TO VIETNAM ON MY SENIOR CLASS TRIP AFTER GRADUATION. I WENT INTO THE ARMY LIKE YOUR BROTHER BOB. IVE BEEN A RAILROADER, BUS DRIVER, OILFIELD WORKER, COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN. I ONCE WORKED ON A CATTLE RANCH IN LOWER ALABAMA, AND WORKED ON SHRIMP BOATS GOING TO CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA. IF YOU ARE WONDERING IF MY LIFE HAS BEEN EXCITING AND ADVENTUROUS, YES IT HAS! IF YOU ARE WONDERING IF I'M STILL A WILD AND CRAZY GUY... YES I AM. IM JUST NOT AS FAST AS I USED TO BE. "

Dave Cunningham was the half miler on the team. Although he wasn't built like a long lean runner he consistently beat other competitors and ended up being one of the 3 who went to the State track meet. He went to a special meet that combined athletes from all divisons from all over the state in an octathalon event and placed high. He later followed me to Marietta College majoring in Petroleum Engineering. He continued through his life to use the training program instituted in high school. He currently is a glider pilot trainer in California.
Jim Vogel was the team miler. His work ethic was contagious and he was a real team leader. He too went to the State meet. Jim has continued his leadership as a Sergeant Major in the Army National Guard. At 54 years of age he just returned from a 16 month deployment to Bagdad Iraq. Over there he took the time to run a 5 K run in which he beat much younger competitors.
.....Jim continues to inspire me....!!!

The First Day Of The Rest Of Our Lives.....

In light of:
- the reconnection with my former track team members who continue their healthy workout techniques
- being overweight and under exercised
- the upcoming family trip to Destin Florida in July
Pat and I have dedicated ourselves to eating less, exercising more and losing 25 pounds each by July 14th. Here we begin our commitment to daily exercise. We have lots of support, advice, and role models in our children, particularly Heather who has taken on the role of our Personal Trainer!

....and we will continue to take time to stop and savor the beauty around us....

Christmas Parting Shots!

You have seen some lovely pictures of Zoe...but this is also Zoe...


Zoe isn't the only character in our family.....Here is a wonderful Christmas Moment caught on the highspeed digital camera as Uncle Bob opens a beautiful Peacock Christmas ornament.

It is in fact my favorite Christmas Pick.....