Thursday Tweets

Do you know what a tweet is? If not.. check out this earlier post for more information! What is a Tweet?

Please feel free to tweet away.

Tod: is going to the Sharks-Ducks NHL playoff game 1 tonight. Go Sharks!

Tod: 9 days left before the wedding! 7 days to Joel arriving! Getting excited!!

Bye Bye John... Sunday Will Never Be The Same

John Madden announced his retirement today. I am very happy for him.. but this is going to be a sad day and tough transition for Julie.

John Madden is the reason Julie watches football. She loves his voice.. his simple explanations of the game.. and those gynormous hands latched around the microphone ;)

Fall and winter Sunday afternoons at our house involve Julie grabbing some lunch and the newspaper, settling in on the living room floor to eat and read and putting John on in the background. The perfect afternoon.

I am happy for John. At 73, it's probably time for him to take a break and enjoy the fruits of his labor. But just know - you will be missed!

So - anyone got any fabulous ideas for how Julie can spend her Sunday afternoons now? What do you love to do on a lazy Sunday afternoon?

Stations of the Cross

Friday night the Highway Community hosted the stations of the cross at our campus in Mountain View. The creative team at Highway assists the worshiper in focusing in on the Passion of Christ by integrating Scripture with audio/visual displays and activities that parallel the last week of Christ's life.

I greatly appreciate their efforts and to have an opportunity to start Easter weekend by remembering the sacrifice that Christ made for you and me so many years ago. It is challenging, at times, to stay connected to God due to the distractions of life. This was a very meaningful way to reconnect in a deep way with God as we headed into the weekend. I am so thankful for that.

Happy Easter! He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

Question of the Day

So Hannah's offer to shave her head in exchange for Joel cutting his hair short brings up an interesting question.

Q: What would you accept in exchange for shaving your head bald? What would be enough for you to do it today?

I am particularly interested in hearing from you ladies out there!

Thursday Tweets - Barely!

Okay.. weird day today. Someone intentionally cut some important communication lines in San Jose and San Martin - near where I work. The result was that we had a) no cell phone coverage, b) no incoming or outgoing phone calls at work and c) no internet access at work. Can you believe a $90 Million a year business unit with no phones or internet?! Crazy! It's like 1972 all over again!

Anyways, props to me for making it through a day without browsing the web, talking to someone on the phone or sending a text message! Whew!! BTW... How did Tiger do at the Masters???

So - that explains why we're late getting started with Thursday Tweets. Feel free to slide right into Friday Tweets if you feel the urge!

Do you know what a tweet is? If not.. check out this earlier post for more information! What is a Tweet?

Please feel free to tweet away.

Tod: survived a day without cell phone or internet access. how'd I do it????

Tod: is looking forward to the stations of the cross and worshiping this Easter weekend!

Are You Ready for Some Basketball?

Making it into the final four was bittersweet for Julie. On the one hand - MSU defeated the defending national champions - Kansas! On the other hand - we watched the game at the Scott's house. Remember - the Scotts went to Kansas! So - we kept the celebration to a minimum.












Next, they went on to defeat #1 nationally rated Louisville.. so now it's time for the Final Four! And it's time for MSU to keep upsetting folks! Next victim #1 seeded Conneticut!


















She wishes that this was her at the stadium - getting drinks and heading to her seat. However, since we can't be there.. we'll just cheer from here!



















So - here's to the Spartans! Go MSU!

I Found It!

When Julie works on Saturday mornings (around once a month) I always try to bring the staff something yummy during the morning. That usually involves some still-warm donuts from their favorite - Stan's donuts.

When we were in Salem Joel introduced us to the Great Harvest Bread Company. As I recall, we just hung around the entrance, sampling all their goodies (they provide very generous samples in all their stores) and then bought some amazing muffins and bread.

Recently, thanks to Seri, we found out there was a store in Berkeley - just around the corner from where we drive to visit Hannah. Last night I decided to surprise Julie's staff with some of their treats. So just after Julie left.. I popped up, showered and was off to explore.

I wasn't disappointed. Here it is.. the wonderful Great Harvest Bread Co. Berkeley! For you locals.. it's on College Avenue! Well, I brought about a 7 lb box of muffins, scones and cinnamon rolls to Julie's office a few minutes ago.. then came home and attacked the 9 grain bread loaf I got. Oh.. and the pumpkin-walnut muffin didn't survive the ride home ;0

I am glad this place is 45 miles away. It would be dangerous if it were just around the corner!

Thursday Tweets

Do you know what a tweet is? If not.. check out this earlier post for more information! What is a Tweet?

Please feel free to tweet away.

Tod: getting excited about having a 3 day weekend off! Niiiccceee!

Tod: Jon and Rachel are like 3 weeks away from getting married!

Schoolcraft Fight Song!

Schoolcraft High School, which both Julie and I attended (I guess that would make us high school sweethearts!) made it to the Class C Michigan men's basketball finals last weekend! We were so excited to hear of their success and cheer them on in the tournament.

I played in the band throughout high school and must have played our fight song 10,000 times during that period. I can still remember the music to the song as if it were yesterday. So, then I tried to remember the words.

Ooops... my alzheimers addled brain just couldn't pull them all out. I nailed the beginning and end.. but flailed in the middle.

I googled and googled to no avail! Stymied. Finally, I sent an email to the current director of bands for Schoolcraft High School, Ms. Luegge.

Well, it took her all of 30 minutes to respond. Victory!

Joanne, here are the words to our beloved fight song thanks to Ms. Luegge!!

Schoolcraft, Schoolcraft hats off to thee

fight, fight, fight for our victory

Shout to the Skies

Our High School War Cries

The Bravest will defy

Rah, Rah, Rah

Come and Cheer for Purple and Gold

Fight, Fight, Fight like teams of old

To strive, to strive for honor and team and victory!

Better Late Than Never!

Last week Hannah returned from Spring Break in Cancun. With her she brought a whole bunch of fun memories along with 2 medical issues!

1) a severely sunburned left leg
2) a bad case of Giardia (you don't want to know)

The next day Jules took our crispy baked, Giardia plagued daughter to the doctor and came back with a veritable fistfull of medications, creams, ointments, gauze and bandages.

The first day home Hannah literally slept 20 hours on the couch. But finally the treatments kicked in.. and here she is: vertical, dressed, bandaged and ready to take on the day!

One funny story. We were walking at Santana Row between Pink Berry (frozen yogurt) and the movie theatre where we were about to watch a movie. Some people were staring at Hannah - obviously trying to figure out what was up with her leg. All of a sudden Hannah let's out a loud 'it's a SHARK BITE people... but I'm okay!'.

Welcome back Hannah! We love you!