If you look, comment!!!

I am still a blogger but not extremely active. My wife tells me that people ask but never a comment so I assume you don't care. weep weep, sniff sniff. Actually I have been overly busy and haven't talked to you (y'all) for quite a while, as Tina has told you we went on a tremendous vacation and had the time of our lives and that is true. I just got back from a great weekend with my buds golfing and playing a little poker and just enjoying each other's company. It was a very unusual weekend for October as we all had 85 degree weather and bone dry so my worm burner drives were rolling an extra 70 to 100 yards to give me a great chip shot opportunities. I actually golfed decent. Tribe is in the ALCS so that makes me happy too. Ever notice that you don't think in complete thoughts, just little tidbits that you have to concentrate on to get a complete thought out of? Or is it just me? Attached are a couple of pictures I like from the trip to Hatteras (by the way if you are from Hatteras and need a real good worker and have a place on the beach as partial compensation leave me a comment) to share with you. It is time for me to make my rounds teaching CPR to the oilfiled guys, talk about a fun time 5 manakins and 10 to 12 guys who don't hold a single thought to themselves so you can imagine the time I spend realing them back in. I promise I will write back soon.

Love Ted

THE PUNKIN'!!!

Well, she has come for a visit. My Punkin'!!! I love that little girl. She smiles and my heart just melts just like her mom used to do. My greatest joy in life are my wife, my kids and my grand baby. Tina and I drove up to Williamstown last night to meet her and her mom half way and we get to keep her until Friday when I go up for my 25 year class reunion. (my next blog) What a joy she is. Grandma and her are heading to Walmart today (yippee) and I get to play with her tonight. Thursday night we get to take her to her first baseball game and I am sure she will love it. I know I will. Anyway, any of you who don't have grandbabies yet, just wait it is more fun than you can imagine. Some say that we relate so well because we are on the same maturity level. Whatever the case she makes me enjoy life at a higher level.

Love, Ted

Where is my mind going?

OK, here is the question I have.....Am I the only one who can't keep a solid thought stream for more than 10 seconds? I mean here I am logging into my blog to write this really cool thing that I am thinking and by the time I log in and get set to write, I can't remember what the heck I was going to write!?!?!?!? This is a very common thing lately, I had to look something up on the internet yesterday and by the time I walked upstairs and logged on I had to yell, "Hey Tina what was it I was looking up?" She tells me and we have a 30 second conversation about something else and BAM!! I forget again, then I have to ask her again. Do I have a problem or am I just getting early onset of Alzhiemers? I am not picking on Alzheimers patients, I am seriously wondering what is wrong with me. I would take Ghenko Beloba but would forget to take it every day or forget why I went to the store.

Well still can't remember what I was going to Ramble about so see ya next time.

Love, Ted

There are many things in my life that make me smile, my wife bragging on me is one. She went and told the world how wonderful she thinks I am and I sat here and read it and realized that I have held up my end of the deal when I asked her to marry me. I said, "You won't be bored" I am a wacky guy who says whatever comes to his mind most days. Sometimes my boss will look at me and shake his head after I say something not in the normal realm. I will share with you why I do such silly stuff. I like for people to be themselves so if I am expecting that from others then I have to be that myself ........ and like it or not this is who I am.

Now I have to tell you something about Tina, she is darn easy to love. She is caring and spends a lot of her waking hours thinking about other people and how she can help them just by being a good friend. Now how can ya not want to bless someone like that?!?!? She is also a real good looker and I want her to want to stay around so I have to keep her smiling and happy. :-) And God gave her to me and she loved me through some really unloveable times in my life. She is my best friend.

OK another thing that is populating my gourd....when is this heat going to let up so I can stand to go golfing? People have asked me how I golf I say "I golf in the 80's...gets any hotter and I can't stand to go." Old joke but true. Come on weather get in the 80's again. OK rambling over.

Love, Ted

I have been tagged

The Rules:
1.Players start with 8 random facts about themselves.
2. Those who are tagged should post these rules and their 8 random facts.
3. Players should tag 2-8 other people and notify them they have been tagged.

First of all I am not liking being forced to Blog, one should blog because one feels that the Blog is needed and that the person in question has a view of the world to share with the rest of the world and ...... OK I'll play along.

1. I love football, love it love it love it!!! I will watch anything from a peewee football game to high school and up to the pinacle , yes Arena football!

2. I truly enjoy working out but very seldom have time to do it when I have the energy to do it.

3. I would live in the mountains or on a secluded carribean island and not talk to anyone outside of my family for months if I had the money and the means. (this one will be a surprise to all who know me)

4. Not consistent with #3. I love people, I love watching them and I love talking to them. I am an Enigma.

5. I am fascinated with the old west and Scotland.

6. I collect walking sticks and canes.

7. I have no middle name, just the initial J (and my first name is just Ted)

8. I was born with 6 fingers on my left hand. It was a functional pinky that was removed when I was 6 months old.

That is about the gist of it. Thanks Tina for tagging me.

Divine Appointments

I kind of feel like Andy Rooney tonight (the younger somewhat better looking Andy Rooney)
You know?!?! I wonder how God does this divine appointment thing. Like yesterday I went golfing with two co-workers and this guy, the normal kind of guy you see on a golf course, asks if he can tag along on our threesome. We all say ok and he just jumps in and starts conversing with us as we golf about his new clubs and how he is just trying them out and how nice it is on the course we were playing. He was very upbeat and struck up conversations with all three of us at different points along the way. We were all having a good time and of course it being golf one of the guys had a few expletives as his ball flew into the river, but our companion didn't blink an eye. 7 holes in I ask him what he does for a living and he says, "I have been a pastor for 27 years", (a hush falls over the crowd) I see nervous looks from my colorful co-worker but I know a good follower of Christ when I see one and I know that Pastor Mark isn't looking down on Tim just silently praying for him. He was the very image of Christ, not condemning and even after the awkward point that the other two guys felt he was engaging and very nice asking us about ourselves and what we do. I must admit at this point that I was wondering if I had been off color in his presence but figured that I generally don't speak in too many curse words. I have let fly the occasional bad word especially on the golf course, but my point, if I have one is that Mark was a divine appointment for me because he showed me what I should be at all times (even on the golf course). God just works that way, he doesn't beat you over the head he just reminds you of how you should be. AND He loves us even in our weak moments. By the way I golfed fairly good. (I know you were wondering)

Love, Ted

Mushroom Mania

So it is Morel season and my wife tells me I am obsessed with mushrooms. OK it is true but she won't turn down a plate full of the most tasty mushrooms know to man when I offer them to her. Other than people who have eaten too many at one sitting and got sick, I can't think of anyone who doesn't love the succulent taste of a morel mushroom dredged in flour and fried in olive oil or butter. My mouth is literally watering as I type these words. I need my morel fix for the year!!!! Other than that I am thrilled to let you all know that I went golfing this week and evben though I stunk up the course I had a very good time with Levi (my co worker) we didn't set the course on fire but we enjoyed ourselves and got to know each other better. I will enjoy getting Tina on the course and helping her perfect her game. So there you go. I am back and rambling......feels good.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!!!

Quick post because it is just about 9 pm and that is call home time!!! God is good and he will see our family throuhg this time of turmoil (our close friends know of what I speak) On the other side of all this we will say "OHHHHH I get it!!!" So that keeps me going and I hope it will keep anyone who reads this going when the going is soooooo tough. (hint: God knows what He is doing)

Love Ted

Easter

Ok so I tend to just Ramble about whatever comes to my head and this weekend the thing that comes to mind is family and when that comes to mind I think in bigger terms than the people here on earth that I am related to. My family is my relatives AND the family of Christians that I have. This weekend we recognize that our namesake and saviour gave his life for us and tomorrow we celebrate the fact that he AROSE and we don't have to worry about death. Cross that one off you list of worries and if He took care of that then he most likely took care of the little things to worry about. I used to tell my wife to not worry about the little things and .....are you ready for this bit of insight?......they are all little things. Remember through the easter candy and the bunnies and the chocolate and ..... well you get it, that Christ is the reason we are together today in spirit.

Love Ted

Walking is fun and painful

I went for a nice long walk tonight in Coonskin State Park. It is a nice place with all the necessary things including a pool and walking trails and YES an 18 hole golf course. I should have known that in West Virginia that a walking trail actually means you are mountain climbing. I set my jaw and started up this trail and where, in Ohio, you reach the top of the hill in WV you are just getting started. I got to the top of the trail and had a real cool view of the airport and of the surrounding countryside. It was cool but my calves were screaming by the time I reached the car an hour later. Not to worry, I am fine and dandy and ready to give it another whirl later. Tina called after I got in the car and found THE GOLF COURSE!!!! and told me that Rhonda was attacked by a rogue stick attached to a twin and got a pretty bad injury to her eye. R, I am praying for your eye. Next time go to the doctor!!!!! Anywho, I am rambling....where was I...... oh yeah looks like tomorrow the 80 degree weather is taking a break so the global cooling can take over for a while. Walks will have to wait (I am not a hard core walker) So there you go walking is good clean fun that hurts but helps.

Love Ted

Life is Good

Someone is coming to look at our house on Saturday and I pray that they will buy it. I am looking forward to the day that we will have the house sold and Tina can join me here in Charleston. I know that there are so many opportunities here for exploring and making a fun life for ourselves. This is a transitional period for us and I know that it will be a good one. For every valley there is a mountaintop and for every dark night there is a new dawn. Hope comes in the morning according to my friend Mike. I know tha there is a dawn a comin'. So hang in there T and we will be together soon. Things are looking up at work and I am getting new and challenging tasks which, if you know me, get me jazzed. I like a new challenge and love to learn new stuff. I feel like my brain has been jump started and I feel like I have a good future at work. Now BUY MY HOUSE PEOPLE so the personal side can get rolling along too.

Love Ted

I'mmmm Baaaack

Ok so I blogged about how my computer kept putting me through pains and as a point the computer didn't let me post it. The computer decided that it would only post the title HAHAHAHA funny you stinking computer!!!! So I took it to my bestest buddies in Charleston, the IT guys where I work (yea Nathan and Jeremy) And they set me up with the best I can have with what computer I got. Now I need to get some more memory and that will most likely enable me to click on something and have it actually come up while I remember what it is I clicked on!! Anywho, I am back and expressing myself in print again and able to read your thoughts again Tina and Rhonda and Scott (if he ever blogs again) and Tommie. So I won't bore you but will say that it was 80 degrees today and I loved it. Yea God!!!

Love, Ted

Computers AAArrrgggghhhhh!!!!

Here I am in Charleston and my wife is in Ohio dealing with life while I am 3 hours away. It irritates me that I can't just come riding in on my white horse (code for Black Cherry Super Glide) and save the day. I want so much to be her saviour and God keeps reminding me and her that HE IS. He said it thousands of years ago and if I open my big dumb ears I will hear it some day. For now I have to keep learning these lessons. Enough about me, my true prayer and focus lately is on Zach. My son is a good guy with more potential than anyone I know. When he was young people would say that he has too much energy for his own good. I learned in high school that energy has two forms (give me some grace here those of you who are science geeks) Potential energy which is stored and waiting to be released and kinetic energy which is energy in motion. When Zach was young he was pure kinetic energy, nothing short of sleep or a very strong rope stopped him. He is now Potential energy. If and when he figures out that he has a greater purpose he will again be that kinetic energy that sets the world on fire. I know that he can change the world because he is just that smart and has that rare quality of leadership. His mom and I want so desperately for him to see that he is precious and valued in our eyes and the eyes of those who have taken time to get to know him AND in the eyes of God who treasures him above all else. Actually I have two children and they are both very amazing people. Kristina is as sweet as the day is long and she has scads of potential too. I see her picking up her camera some day and capturing images of life that only she can see. God show yourself to my kids as you have showed yourself to me. OK some of my blogs will be goofy and some like this one may be a touch deeper. Bear with me as my wife says I am in process.

Love Ted

Golf is good because it gets me close to nature and God is in nature and .......ok I like to golf so that is just how it is. God is good and allows me a few indulgences. Golf is one of them. I can't tie it all together just to make you all happy. God loves me in spite of my addictions. Golf is a major addiction and it takes me away from my family but (listen family) if they would all learn to golf maybe we could be the first missionaries to Pebble Beach. Anyway, I like golf and Love God. So yesterday i said I would tie it all together but some things just can't be tied together. (Help Danny or John or Blake or Scott, I need to feel good about golfing) Let me tell you the best time I had on the course last year was the SFMC golf outing where we golfed and then ate Steak ON THE GRILL. Two great things that go great together. If you think none of this makes sense look at the name of my blog.

Love Ted

Wow what a BE A UTIFUL DAY!!! I love this weather, it lifts the spirits and makes we wanna kill and grill somethin'. A little Sweaty Teddy Nugent lingo. Really though, don't you just want to light up a grill and smell that smoke and cook over it. I ain't talkin no gas grill (although we should use as much gas as possible to keep me in business) but an old fashioned charcoal grill or even better yet an open fire. Throw some corn in aluminum foil and stick it right in the coals and then roast some fish or chicken over the fire and ....... yumm yumm Oh sorry, I had to stop a minute and compose myself. Eat it up. This is a time of year I love although fall is the best because football season is in full swing but I digress. Let's just all get together and light up some charcoal and get the whole midwest smelling like springtime. God gives us spring to show us through nature that rebirth is possible and He is the author of rebirth. Tomorrow I will try and find a spiritual tie in to golf. (this may take some doing)
Love, Ted

Today is the first day

Weeeeelllllllll I have been rambling for years and now I get to do it in print. So here is the first thought, "why do people go on line to express their deepest thoughts?" I have a theory, wanna hear it? of course you do. I think that this keyboard doesn't look you in the eye like it is listening and secretly it is forming it's next sentence. We know that the keyboard is just going to sit and take all you have to give it without interupting, looking bored or faking that it cares. I am not as jaded as I appear at first. I just know how I am, and figure if you look deep into your soul you will see the same thing in you. It is ok we can change. I have made a concerted effort to listen when other people talk and try not to think of my next retort ........and trust me that is not easy for a smart aleck like me. Also, I have failed miserably maybe once or twice (he says tongue in cheek). I have been married to a wonderful woman for almost 24 years and I have learned the hard way, that you must make eye contact and listen (honestly listen) without thinking of a comeback or a (You guys will understand this) solution to the problem being discussed. People just want to be heard and understood. I know I do... but you may need a serious degree in psychology to understand this noggin. The idea that I am rambling about tonight is just this. Let's try and communicate one on one and face to face and not lay it all out on this flat screen. God says we need each other and I tend to agree with Him......cause he is ALWAYS right. So I see it like this, we can have fun posting , but we need to talk to one another too. BUT I sure do like just Ramblin' Cause "I'm a Ramblin' guy" R A M BLIN Guyyyyyy. OK I am a bit silly. Tina likes me that way.

Ted