Tuesday, May 22, 2007

A Snake Tail

Yep, the other day we had a little excitement at the Landes house. As I was walking out the front door with Julia in my arms, I noticed an unusual item down low to the right. As I started to walk out through the screen door I realized it was a snake. Not just any little grass snake. Not just a glimpse of the tail of a snake from a distance. This was a close encounter with a large snake stuck to the side of the house inside the front doorway area ... right where I was walking. Before we go any further, I want it on the record that, although I did scream, it was a manly scream and it bore no resemblance to the scream of a little girl! I also jumped back inside - post haste!

Rather humorously, my first reaction was to get a camera! (We do have some video, too!). Isaac came running and thought the whole thing was cool. I did, too, except for the walking up on it part!

If you don't know this about me yet, I don't like to kill things for no good reason. (Hunting is a good reason, and so is my disdain for coachroaches, mosquitos and ants - no qualms killing those on sight!) So, I called for animal control. The police showed up instead because Animal Control doesn't work on the weekends. What did they do. Kill it. Well, heck! I could've done that. And, I dare say I wouldn't have broken my hoe doing it (yes, they een asked to borrow my tools to do it ... and broke the hoe.) Ah, well. Enough fun for one day!

Ahhh...

Wow, almost a month since my last blog. I'm just too busy right now! I can't believe how much I need to get caught up on! That thing that Isaac said the other day ... so funny. Julia started doing another thing, and then ... oh ... that other thing! Yeah. Gah, so much! I'll Be back soon... back to work!

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Snails for Dinner!

Have I mentioned that my wife is sooo creative! I came home today and was informed that we were having 'snails' for dinner. At first I thought we were breaking the bank and having escargot - so much for Dave Ramsey. Actually dinner was merely shaped like snails. Yeah - she's fun like that.

By the way, the snails were actually tender - Mmmm ... Tastes like chicken!

Julia is One Year Old


Julia is 1 year old today! Our little girl is growing up! Cheryl is busy getting the house ready for the big event this weekend but today was the actual event. It is amazing how fast the year has gone by. Cheryl pointed out something today that was very true - at this age birthdays are really as much for the parents to celebrate and remember the year as anything. Julia doesn't know any difference in the day, but WE have had a blast remembering all the things that came with our daughters birth. I hope that she enjoys it anyway!

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Hand-Me-Down Toys

The other day I was going through my things. I was in a junk box that has followed me since high school. As I rummaged about looking for something I ran across a couple of toy cars that I had played with as a kid. One was a Porsche and the other a slick, futuristic thing that turned into a robot! Isaac was close at hand and I realized the ultimate purpose for keeping those cars. I called him over and told him that I had something for him. His eyes got big and I think the little motors turned over once again.

Isaac immediately knew what to do with the Porsche. It came to life and was back to top speed as if it hadn't been over 25 years since it had last seen the open roads. I had to explain the robot transformation to him, but he was content just to have another car to race around.

If you know me, you know I'm quite the pack-rat, especially when it comes to sentimental things. But, these cars don't need to be keep-sakes they need to run the open roads of Isaac's mind. They'll risk again the inherent dangers of being a toy in active duty, but hey, that's what they were born to do!