Evacuate or Go To The Ball Game?

I have tickets to the games scheduled for Minute Maid Park tonight and tomorrow night. But Hurricane Ike is heading toward us and I live in Galveston County. The community next to us has been issued an evacuation order because it is in danger from a storm surge. I will go to the game tonight, but I wonder if the game Friday will be postponed. If not, take me out to the ball game...

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Farmhouse Sinks

One of the new trends in fashionable homes is farmhouse sinks. These vessels are most often made of marble, onyx, travertine, or copper. The installation of one of these rustic into a kitchen or bathroom gives the home a distinctive look that is very appealing. Of course, the durability of the sinks adds to the appeal to homeowners, and raise the value of the home.

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Apnea and Weight

My recent diagnosis of sleep apnea came with a strong recommendation from my doctor to lose a substantial weight. That should help control the damage the disease can deliver. As I take some medications for hypertension, I am not eligible to take most diet pills, so I will have to use the old fashioned method of weight loss, lower intake of calories and lots of exercise

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Brand Names and Me!

There are a very few things in which the brand of a product makes a difference to me. I love Peter Pan peanut butter, extra crunchy style, and I very much prefer Kraft macaroni and cheese to other brands.
But when it comes to clothes, I don’t care if the tag says Oscar de la Renta or Oscar, the Grouch. I want it to look decent, but most of all I want to be comfortable!

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The Making of a Legend

I just read an article in the Houston Chronicle called, "The Making of a Legend". It is part of a week long series of articles about Hakeem Olajuwan that has run in the paper in honor of the basketball star's induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame tonight. I have know some of the story of the career of Olajuwan at the University of Houston and the Houston Rockets, but this account by sportswriter Fran Blinebury is a tribute as well as an account of an hightly unlikely story.

Hakeem grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. He was a soccer and team handball player. At age seventeen a basketball caoch took notice of the seven foot tall youngster and persuaded him to give basketball a try. He had only played for three months when he was encouraged to got to the United States to play basketball in college. His arrival in Houston and his mentoring by UH Coach Guy Lewis is now mythical in proportions. If you want to get a good look at the story, read the article on the front page of the sports section of today's Houston Chronicle. You can find it at chron.com.

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Uncomfortable Shopper!

Have you ever been embarrassed to take a purchase to the check out counter in the store you are frequenting. I remember when I was a boy my mom would send me to some items that caused me to be uneasy as I approached the sales clerk with feminine hygiene products, blackhead remover, hemorrhoid cream or such! And it was worse if I happened to know the clerk on duty!

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Air Conditioned Cars

I remember the days when I was a boy that auto air conditioning was hardly available, especially for families with small incomes. My dad used to say we could air condition the car by rolling down the windows. I was graduated from high school and away from home when Dad bought his first air-conditioned car. That was many years ago, and I know he will never buy another without air conditioning.

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Losing Sleep Over The Olympics

I have really been enjoying the Olympics. And that is a bit surprising to me because in the days leading up to the games, I was indifferent. I don't know if it was the Opening Ceremonies or the compelling feats of Michael Phelps that hooked me, but I have been watching a wide range of events late into the night almost every night!

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Long Trip Home

Our friends are coming home today, after having spent the summer in Singapore. Greg is a coach and teacher, with the summers off, so they are able to go to Nyuk Fong’s homeland each year. The trip is always long and hard, but this year may be especially difficult because they now have two little ones. Getting all the carry on luggage and two strollers and two tired boys home will be a tiring challenge. But we are looking forward to their return!

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Big Dog Buccaneer!

For many years our schedules were so busy and there were so many times that we were away from home that we decided that having pets was not a good idea. But when our daughter became unable to care for her two boys, four and five at the time, they came to live with us. I have always believed that boys need dogs, and I was already thinking of getting a dog for our grandsons. When Hurricane Rita left so many pets homeless, we rescued a yellow lab, whom we named Buccaneer.

Recently we found the Zootoo website, as we were looking for information about the aging process for yellow labs. We found the site to be a fun place to look for information and meet other people that care about their pets. The site has photo galleries, and videos to entertain and inspire you. There are journals to read and product updates. And on top of all that, your participation helps provide animal food for shelters and rescue centers!

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Video Games in Dominica

I began going to the island of Dominica in the Caribbean about twenty five years ago. In those days there were hardly any cars on the island, very few people had televisions and computers were scarce as hen’s teeth. On my recent trip there were many cars, even in the outlying villages. And I found an internet café that had a room full of video games. I never thought PS3 would be on Dominica!

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Shipping Song Books Overseas

While I was in Dominica a few days ago, I found out that the little church we were helping has only a few song books and all of them are in very poor condition. I have been trying to locate some here from congregations that have extras or that have replaced older editions with new. I want to get them donated so I can save my funds for shipping boxes overseas, which is not cheap to do!

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Starbucks in the Airport

The new international terminal at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas is very nice and seems to be more efficient than the previous set up. Traffic flows smoothly and there is a Starbucks coffee shop at which families can sit and refresh while waiting for departure times. Our daughter who lives in Singapore and travels all over the world really likes the new facility.

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How Do They Know?

I wonder sometimes how the internet advertisers determine their marketing programs. I know that my age is a public record so I understand when I get emails offering age related products or services. But I wonder how they know that I need to loose weight. I do not believe I have ever announced that fact. But I get many offers for Anoretix and other such products!

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Not For Me!

Having been overweight for a long time, I have looked into several diet supplements to see if there is any way I can get some of the weight off a bit faster than with just limiting calories and increasing exercise. I have checked on the Phentermine 37.5 mg pills that are supposed to be one of the most effective on the market. Unfortunately, with my blood pressure situation, I am not eligible to use the product.

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Allergies & Asthma

Our eight year old grandson that lives with us has developed asthma, which seems to be triggered in the seasons when pollens are high. We have taken several steps to help him. He has seen a doctor, who made a prescription for him. But we have also installed special filters in the air conditioning system. We have been advised to look into the Miele vacuums that are designed to assist those with allergies!

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Hard to Buy For

My wife is pretty hard to by special gifts because she is not one who likes diamond rings or fancy clothes or new gadgets. She is happier with some practical and useful item. She does not want to go to a spa or some expensive resort. She does like to travel, so sometimes we celebrate anniversaries or holidays visiting friends of seeing some place of interest. She is hard to buy for, but easy to please.

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