Happy Halloween

Halloween. One of my favorite days. I will never forget as my boys were growing up sitting down and watching a good scary black/white movie classic. Tonight we participate in the Columbus Safe Walk activities. Happy Halloween!

District Football Champions/Trunk or Treat

Congratulations to the Columbus Titans 2009 District Football Champions. They defeated Girard last night. The Titans play Tuesday in round 1 of the State Playoffs.

Tonight we help celebrate Trunk or Treat at Scammon. Several USD 493 staff donated candy.

New York City Trip Day 2

We were very fortunate to get dry weather on Saturday morning as we headed to Penn Station to get our train tickets.

The trip 60 miles north was beautiful. We went right by Craig's high rise apartment (first pics) as we left NYC. The fall colors were unbelievable. We all enjoyed the shopping trip to Woodbury Commons. 200 outlet stores. I enjoyed the New York hills and all the trees with a slight mist and 50 degree weather. The fog coming in over the hills made it a beautiful picture.

Taking the train ride home we decided to eat at Times Square. We had a great meal at Chevy's. After dinner we went to a movie and called it a day.

New York City Trip Day 1 Continued

After Coney Island, we headed to Manhattan, to help Craig get some groceries as well as plan for Saturday.  With rain in the forecast for Saturday we decided to head north and take a train ride to Woodbury Commons.  Its about 70 miles north of NYC.  We went to Grand Central Station to check on tickets.  We visited Craig's apartment unloaded the groceries and enjoyed pizza at a neighborhood deli.  The Empire State at night what a sight.  We will go to the top on Sunday evening.

New York Trip Day 1

What a trip!  Where do I start?  We had a great weekend in New York City visiting Craig.  We enjoyed staying with Jeff and Santhi and their two little girls (dogs).

Well, I have many pictures to share the next few days so I will start with the most important.  The food.  I ate hotdogs, pizza and soft pretzels all weekend.  Can't get much better than that.

The pictures above came from Friday.  After stopping by the Fashion Institute where Craig attends we took the subway to Coney Island.  I had always wanted to visit the Cyclone Roller Coaster and Nathan's.  It was great.  

Happy Birthday Mike

Happy Birthday to my little brother Mike.  Have a special day!

New York City

Debbie and I are headed to New York City today to visit Craig. We are looking forward to to a fun filled weekend with Craig in the Big Apple.

Happy Birthday Brian

Our little boy turns 24 years old today.  I remember that special day in York, Nebraska when that little baby changed our lives forever.  God has been good to him throughout the years.

OU-TEXAS

OU gave it a fight, but Texas came out on top. Congratulations to my Daughter-in-law Allison and my good friend Evan Burdan. All I can say is................Wait til next year!

Thought for the Day

Listen to Him!

On Sunday in our Bible class Troy was teaching on the Transfiguration. One of the most powerful events in the life of Christ.

Listen to Jesus. As the cloud descended upon the mountain and enveloped Peter, James, and John, God spoke that Jesus is His beloved Son. But then the Lord gave a command: “Listen to Him!” With our eyes fixed upon Jesus we must go forward by listening to His words. This does not mean that we have simply heard His message. Transformation will only come when we put His words into our hearts. The words are the power unto salvation and can transform any person. We must allow these words to sink into our minds so we can be new creatures. Have you heard Jesus today? Are His words transforming you? Or will we go home the same person that we were yesterday. The word of God is about transforming yourself. Stop applying it to everyone else. It was written to you as well so that it will change you. Listen to Him.

A Fall Psalm

I love the fall. I enjoy the changing colors. I would love to take a trip this week along the Mississippi River north of St. Louis or southwest Missouri to see the beautiful leaves. As much as I love the fall I hate the winter!

I'm reminded of God's handiwork..............

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!" Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them! Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:31-34

Weekend Fun

We had a great Columbus Day Weekend. Brian and Allison came down for the festival, we won a wild football game at Independence, we enjoyed an Oklahoma Sooner football victory and enjoyed a great day of worship on Sunday.

Deb's parents come this Friday then we make a quick weekend trip to New York City to visit Craig. Busy, Busy, Busy!

Thanksgiving is coming up quick.................

Columbus Celebration in Columbus

This weekend Columbus celebrates Columbus Day. A big weekend festival.

Memories

This is a pic of where I watched several movies in the early 70's. The Palm Theatre in Imperial Beach, California. Just steps away from the Silver Strand.

Guess What Kansas Did?

October 1, 2009
Some States Substitute Stimulus Dollars for Their Own Education Aid, Inspector General Says
By Kelly Field

A provision in this year's economic-stimulus law aimed at preventing states from cutting their education budgets may be having the opposite effect, according to a new memorandum by the Education Department's Office of Inspector General.

Under the law's "maintenance of effort" requirement, states that receive a share of the law's $54-billion in education aid must provide as much money for education in each fiscal year through 2011 as they did in the 2006 budget year. Struggling states that can show they are spending the same percentage of revenue on education as they did in the previous year can apply for a waiver from the requirement.

But according to the memorandum, some states—including Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania—are cutting spending on education to fiscal-year 2006 levels, then using stimulus dollars to fill in the gaps. In Massachusetts, lawmakers made midyear cuts to their fiscal-year 2009 budget, plugged the hole with stimulus dollars, and then applied for a waiver for fiscal years 2010 and 2011, saying the state would be unable to finance its public colleges at 2006 levels.

The memorandum urges the Education Department to track state spending on public education to determine whether the "maintenance of effort" requirement is backfiring and encouraging states to cut education spending.

Always Dance!

"Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain"

Keeping up with Craig

It's hard to believe that Craig has been in school for five weeks. He has enjoyed his junior year at FIT. Here is his daily blog.............

http://www.craigcarriger.com/

Why A New Football Stadium

In May Columbus was hit by a wind storm that devastated many school facilities. We have repaired several roofs and buildings the past three months.

The football stadium also took a direct hit. We lost the lights, press box, and the stadium itself was structurally damaged enough to give it a year before it has to be replaced. We have started the process to visit with the community and get their input on possible replacement options.

The timing could not be any worse for a community that is hurting economically to look at a bond issue to build a new facility. I know it will be difficult but we need to look at what it will be for our kids and for the generations to come.

Homecoming

Homecoming 2009
Columbus vs. Fort Scott
Parade
Fall Weather
Cheerleaders
Band
Cheering Fans
Excitement
Titans
Victory