INTEGRITY

We knew during our busy summer that our carpets would again need cleaning after the crowds left. Debra found a coupon in the mail and called Integrity Carpet Care and Restoration to do the job. They arrived at 11:00 a.m. this morning, Saturday, and were done in less than an hour.

As I handed the check to one of the two brothers who owns the business, he asked, "Are you Ashley's dad?" I thought that was an interesting question since Ashley never left her room while they were here.

"Yes," I answered. "Do you know Ashley?"

"Yes," he replied. "I work with the youth group at church and Ashley helped with camp last summer. I saw her picture on your wall."

So, we now have clean carpets and they were cleaned by someone from our own church whom I had never met before, until today.

Our dining room, without the table and chairs, but with a clean carpet.

Our family room, without the love seat and recliner, but with a clean carpet.

Our living room, with living room furniture, dining room furniture, family room furniture, and with me enjoying an afternoon cup of coffee and a new John Grisham novel. This guy really knows how to get his hooks fully embedded into your mind in only about two pages.

THANKSGIVING SIMPLICITY

For the past few years, Thanksgiving has always included a full house. Sometimes the house has been ours and sometimes it has been someone else's. But it has always been full, usually more than 20 guests.

This year nobody, including us, seemed to have the energy to host a big turkey bash at their house. So, we kept it simple. Debra, Ashley and I picked up Dee, Debra's mom, and the four of us went out to eat at Hometown Buffet.

The 2009 Thanksgiving gang.

The place.

The line outside the place. Ashley at the end of the line.

Debra and Dee in line.



The female part of the 2009 Thanksgiving gang in line.

Ashley eating.

Me eating.

Debra waiting for me to turn off my camera so she can start eating.

Debra eating.

Dee looking at Ashley eating.

Dee ready to start eating.

Dee eating.

I CAN FLY

Our three grandchildren - Silas, Devon and Naomi - just left with their parents after an enjoyable weekend visit. Part of the enjoyment included reading stories. Usually Papa and Nana read stories to the grandchildren. And we did that.

But we also enjoyed the privilege of having five-year-old grandson Devon read a book called "I Can Fly" to us.

Click the "play" tab below for a pleasant story time featuring Devon.

This clip can also be viewed FULL SCREEN on YouTube by clicking here.

A QUIET FRIDAY NIGHT AT HOME WITH THE WEATHERSBYS

Well, sort of quiet.

Aside from the three grandchildren who had spent a major part of the day couped up in a van for about five hours while traveling along Interstate-5, and who also had energy to burn once exiting the van and entering the house on Hybiscus, the rest of us remained relatively quiet.

Silas discovers a book of optical illusions.

Silas ponders some of these optical illusions with Nana and Devon.

Silas and Devon check out one of the optical illusions: The Floating Finger.

Three siblings.

Devon displays his acrobatic skills while Naomi watches.

Naomi displays her acrobatic skills as well.

Papa holds a digital voice recorder while Silas and Devon sing "You're a Grand Old Flag".

The evening ends with story time on Nana and Papa's double-recliner. Girls on one side, boys on the other side.

BROTHERLY DUET

The Weathersbys arrived from Beaverton today for a weekend visit. Shortly after their arrival, I showed the grandkids my digital voice recorder and let them record and listen to their voices.

Silas and Devon decided to sing. I held the recorder for them and Bethany took a photo of the boys singing together. They did an excellent job performing the patriotic tune, "You're a Grand Old Flag".

Click the "play" tab below for 36 seconds of pure entertainment.

This clip can also be viewed FULL SCREEN on YouTube by clicking here.

AUTUMN POETRY

Autumn comes.

Leaves on lawn.

Rake in hand.

Leaves all gone.

Autumn comes.

Leaves on lawn.

Rake in hand.

Leaves all gone.

BIRTHDAY GIRLS

Ashley and Baylee were both born on November 9th. Ashley is the aunt and was celebrating her eleventh birthday when her niece, Baylee, took up residence on this planet.

This evening we celebrated both of their birthdays at Gordon and Josie's home.

Ashley opens a gift with Baylee by her side.

Ashley and Baylee simultaneously blow out their birthday candles, which were strategically placed in a pumpkin dessert that Rylie had made for the occasion.

ON A ROLL

On a movie making roll, that is.

Over the weekend I put together my third movie in less than two weeks, this time a movie based on a simple Bible lesson from Romans chapter 7. The lesson is presented as a song to the tune of the old Beach Boys hit, "Help Me, Rhonda".

This movie is called "Help Me, Jesus", and is about three minutes long.

To view it, click here.