From The Front Lines of Life

The Emperor Has No Clothes...

2008-10-23T22:08:00.001-07:00

Ok, I'll start blogging again, there's much to tell, but I'll be brief tonight...

This article was amazing at the "Rock Star" candidate that close to half of America is supporting. I'd be the first to admit that we left some really good men out of the race. I'll chalk that up to the Media (CNNs of the world) endorsing the weakest, most liberal of the Conservative candidates.

A couple of teasers from the link above..

"The American people, not wanting to appear stupid, feel compelled to go along with the adoring ministers (mainstream media) and likewise admire the fabric. In droves they also overlook its obvious flaws and enthusiastically proclaim its greatness. When asked, however, few can explain why they like the fabric. Instead they loudly proclaim that we need the emperor because he talks so well and looks so good to the world. Besides, what he is wearing doesn’t matter."

randoms

2008-08-21T11:59:00.000-07:00

Sights around town...

2008-08-21T11:43:00.000-07:00

You never know what you might see if you keep your eyes open in this town...

Forth Weekend.

2008-07-06T20:10:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy weekend, and I've been crazy busy with this little one. I'm catching up, but you know, 7 or 8 months of a break is a lot to catch up in one day. I'm confident that good things are in store in life. As much pain and hard times are here, things are getting better, and things are not as they were. Greg preached a wonderful sermon this morning, and I tried to keep mom awake most of the time.

It was good to see all the SS class friends, and Kate was super excited after her Sunday School.

More soon, traveling tomorrow, but will be back after a quick trip to the coast tomorow for some more meetings, and life to happen. Kate loves the ride, and is the best travelling companion you could ask for. She's always ready to ride, and loves to point out "honka trucks" and "beetles."
Ok time for bed. I'm worn out, and all the outdoor activity of the weekend has taken it's toll... more rest for the weary.

Fallen off the face...

2008-07-03T12:10:00.000-07:00

I know some of you wondered if I've fallen off the face of the earth. Well, in a sense I have. I'm back, and in Good hands... The hands. Over the next day or so, I'll try and catch you up on where I've been the last 7 months, and what God has done.

It will be frank, and honest, and if you are just here to read about what I killed in hunting season, then now is the time to delete the bookmark and come back in a few months. I think I shot 3 doves last year, and went hunting one time.

If you do want to know, where I've been, and don't mind reading about some real pain and suffering and some awful times, and some sin, and how God redeems, then stick around. He is good and he does redeem.

I've written several huge posts, and I'm going to re-read them since many of them were journaled on my blackberry while riding or driving (is that illegal??). And I don't know, maybe no one reads these any more, but it's stuff that until recently has weighed me down, and it's all coming off my shoulder and the load is lighter. Stick around.

the old train

2007-11-19T17:09:00.000-08:00

I figure the siblings will like this one... remember the train we used to pull around... well Kate apparently had a run in with it at one point. Here she is at Mumsies.

She was a damn good dog.

2007-10-23T21:12:00.000-07:00

(note: If you've never loved an animal please don't read any further just go somewhere else -- for the rest of you, I'm pretty sad so just bear with me)
Rosie (bobo) was Cammie and my first purchase together. We got her before we even got married. She went missing on Saturday and our neighbor found her today. She died within 50 yards of our house, and we had called and called for her, and looked all around. We feel pretty sure that someone, (possibly the mean neighbors in the back) poisoned her. She had been fenced in, but when her underground fence wire was cut she didn't seem to notice, and when she did last week, I made an appointment with Cammie to fix it... I guess it wasn't soon enough.

I can't say enough about what a really good dog she was. She didn't beg for food, didn't chew everything in sight. She was great with Kate (who doesn't even know). I'd love to have another like her. I just don't ever see having enough time to spend with her to train her as well, and she'll never be replaced in my heart. We had lots of great memories, her getting "the bird" and hunting with me, playing with Kate. Even the times she got really sick and created gross memories seem fond now.

Rosie, we'll miss you. There won't ever be another like you. Maybe one day Kate will get a granddog of your 20 offspring and raise and train her. You were a faithful partner Bobo, you never let me down. You always admitted when you did wrong. Often before we knew what you did, we knew you did something by that guilty look. You ate Cammie's Nativity scene when we were in Starkville, I'll never forget the laugh we shared after that. I though it was funny, Cammie thought it was a one of a kind heirloom. I'd let you eat anything in the house if you could come back for another 6 years (well anything except Kate). Farewell Bobo, you'll be missed.

29

2007-10-17T05:56:00.000-07:00

I was watching a sitcom the other night, and the subject of age came up. One of the characters said "look age is just a number" the other retorted "yeah, a pretty important number!!!"
Important or not, my age is 365 days away from 30, and it does lend itself to some thinking about the past, and that my 20's are almost a thing of the past. I haven't made the million dollars that I was going to make by 30, so I guess I have a pretty busy year lined up too. ;) But I do have the sweetest child, and a great wife and lots to be thankful for. I was out of town (actually still am) last night and Cam sent me photo's of Kate who looked like she was dressed up like Tina Turner. That made my day. I got to have dinner with Cleatus (aka Christy) last night and that was really special. She's been a great little sis as long as I can remember. But since I'm getting so old, I guess my memory could be failing some. I also saw a few old friends while I was traveling around the countryside, and I'm amazed at how fast Starkville is changing. The downtown has really come alive, it was dead when I was there. Parking which every community complains about wasn't great, but it was closer than from the back of the wal-mart parking lot, to sporting goods on aisle 19.
I'm glad to see Starkville coming alive a little more. That's great. College kids seem so young these days, I don't remember them being that young looking in the past.
I also got to see my old Marketing Prof, Dr. Rob Moore, who gave me a pop quiz on his internet marketing class from the day. I was happy to know that I passed with flying colors. It was fun to get to share my success with him as he's encouraged me a ton over the years, and given me sound advice, and even tossed some good opportunities my way.

Enough reminiscing, even a birthday boy has to work to pay the bills!

Live in overdrive

2007-10-14T18:40:00.000-07:00

Things are really crazy sometimes, life comes at you pretty fast. It's a mess sometimes, but it's also fun. How is it, the same day my daughter vomits in the bed with me right there, that she also is the funniest and cutest she's ever been later in the same day. She's been hilarious recently, and she is so funny when music plays, she starts dancing, and insisting that mommy and daddy get in on the action too.

Work. Wow, I've never had more fun working in my life. Cammie has been so helpful working with me in the business, we've had some personnel issues and moving / changing bookkeepers, banks and more has made it a little more messy to do business. But it has been great. I've been doing business coaching, and we've been working on some great businesses, and great projects that will change businesses direction for the better. I'm excited about several projects that are underway, and I'll post something about some of that news when it gets finalized.

Life. This week has been one of the best weather weeks that I can remember. It has been incredible here on the coast. Perfect shorts / jeans whichever you choose wear. It has been beautiful at night, the moon tonight looked incredible as I took dinner off the grill. I haven't had enough time to spend with my friends, but I'm hoping as hunting season nears, to try and remedy that situation a little better. I talked to my friend Ryan last night, and he told me he killed a doe, it made me somewhat jealous. I can't wait to hunt, and maybe I'll get back out to Texas soon. I hope that several ducks meet their maker sometime this winter in a duck hole that I can visit. (any offers delta readers?)

It's been a good week to reflect, we have to take Kate to a ENT tomorrow, and along with that, taxes are due... Yuck. Not one of my favorite subjects, but we'll get it taken care of. Fun times on the coast. Come visit, it's beautiful.

Some Beach - Somewhere

2007-09-18T14:08:00.000-07:00

Thanks JBC for taking this great shot... Me in a day at the office!

Week in review

2007-09-14T21:10:00.001-07:00

So I haven't blogged much recently, some of you know I've been busy, others of you may just think I've been lazy, it's been a combination of both, so much to tell, but I'll try and hit the high points. I've been working a lot -- which might come as no surprise to many of you. I've taken a position as a Business Adviser / Marketing Coach / Analyst with Halo Business Advisors in Kosciusko, MS. No, I haven't moved, we just travel from time to time. (weekly often). I've been working on some exciting projects, including Taste Of Gourmet, in Indianola, MS and their re-branding and packaging project. My good friend Jonathan Shull from Propeller in Jackson, has been doing the design with Kyle, and I have to post this logo -- because it's so incredible. We've been working like crazy to get their marketing ramped up, and their new product line pricing and labeling ready to go, along with a new catalog and more...including the blog with the most personality on the internet. Evelyn's Blog. (www.evelynsblog.com)
She's Mississippi's own Paula Deen -- A woman that loves good food and well, I also found out last week that we share a similar taste in beverages.

We've also been cranking out some web site designs. One of my favorite designs ever is the Mockingbird Cafe in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. (oh we did the city site too this summer).
Kate just turned two, and she's still daddy's walkin' talkin' dream. She says so many words, and can say "hello" and "mommy" and "Dad" which is what i'll likely hear in the morning before our weekly pancake breakfast. Mumsy is in town tonight, and we'll get up and cook some breakfast and have a big time with KT in the morning. She loves her mornings, and we always laugh and play and sometimes I take her to "skool" where she loves playing with her friends. She is such a ham, she laughs and talks and tells even complete strangers "hello" and "goodbye." She's not afraid of anything, she loves "Elbow" her favorite Sesame street character (elmo). She loves to go to the beach, and she loves "bobo" her chocolate lab.
Cammie has had some bouts with medical stuff, but she's doing good. She's my new bookkeeper and husslah, at the company. She keeps me on track and has been a great helper. Her company stuff continues on. She's now doing "Dwell Well" and if you don't know how to do that, it's probably time you learn a little about organization and order in your life. Growing up the middle of 7 kids, I didn't ever have anything organized in my life, (except my baseball cards) but she's got me hanging up towels, and having my sock drawer organized (you can fit more in there that way). She's a great mom to Kate, and she's been doing a great job teaching her about life, I'm so proud of her, and all her hard work. She still is the Scheduling Coordinator at Lagniappe Church here in the Bay. She works very hard, and sometimes get a chance to come on work trips with me as well. I'm very proud of all that she's been able to do in the last few months. We've been working on this thing called 'marriage' and it's been a challenge. Two imperfect people living together, what could be easier right? We've learned a lot about communication, and I've learned about how little I know about communicating. (I guess I've gotten it honestly)

It's been a great few months of learning, and growing, and Kate has been a real trooper, been through some sickness recently, and I think she's getting better now. She had a hacking cough but she's been on some pretty strong meds, and she's doing great now.

I'm headed to Louisiana next week for the Destination Downtown conference in Nachodics (ok I can't spell it without googleing it). They are the oldest settlement in Louisiana and home of the movie "Steel Magnolias." Without going in to the whole story, we almost stayed in the house where it was filmed, but we'll be staying down the road. $200 bucks cheaper, speaks volumes. Thanks Cam, for putting up with me, and going on the trip. I'm looking forward to seeing all the folks from the Mississippi Main Street Association. It should be a good time to learn about some of the newest information about downtown revitalization, and more.

New Employee

2007-08-02T13:47:00.000-07:00

I got a new hire today. She gets paid in kisses which is nice. I always can afford to give out a couple extra of those. We colored invoices and sent them out today. Tomorrow sales training begins.

5 years

2007-07-21T12:38:00.000-07:00

It's been five years now, since the day I got married... and things have changed (see below) ;). We had a great dinner at the Sycamore House in BSL, and it was great. Thanks to Helen who babysat for us. Kate had a big day today, and we went downtown to the BSL depot Days. Be sure and check out the new BSL web site, it's gonna be a big hit. This is Kate with her MSU cheerleading outfit on, she loves it, it's her very fav. She'll be 2 pretty soon, and that's pretty amazing.

fun times

2007-06-27T15:36:00.000-07:00

Back in action.

2007-06-24T12:36:00.000-07:00

It's been over 5 years since I 've really played at the ol' watering holes. I think the last time I played at a bar was the day Carl and Shea got married. Wednesday night I played for about 50 folks here at a bar called Clyde's (www.clydesbar.com) coming soon ;).
We had a blast, I have always made up songs off the top of my head, and so I did about 3 numbers, making up stuff about some of the people in the crowd... They loved it, I had a blast. People always ask, "what do you play?" The answer is hard. Everything from Journey, to Willie and Waylon, Old Country, New Country, Queen, John Prine, CCR, Nanci Griffith... plus I've written so many songs that people are starting to ask for by name.
So I guess, what I play is whatever I want to play. I don't have the Steve Perry voice, or the Willie Nelson grinding silk voice, but I LOVE singing. I've always thought that I had to be able to sing like Eddie Vedder, or Randy Travis to be able to do something with music. I've realized I'm wrong. I can be me... And I'm going to start being me a lot more often. It's been requested by many of the folks there on Wednesday. Get ready, cause here I come.

Happy father's day

2007-06-17T19:54:00.000-07:00

I know, I am the luckiest dad ever.

2007-06-04T20:29:00.000-07:00

Life continues on and I haven't done much in a while on the guitar other than an occasional Sunday AM. But I've recently gotten back in the ol' saddle writing again. I've got a new song that I'm working on, it's going to be a top 5 hit on the country charts, it has to do with Fishing. You'll love it. Kate and I had a big weekend this past weekend. Cammie was out of town and we had the house to ourselves and spend time playing at the beach and going to visit the Coffee Shop called the Mockingbird Cafe' where Kate has made friends with all the servers. She gets a special milk with a squirt of chocolate...and of course some whipped cream.

Things are busy here in the Bay. Kate seems to be growing up and learning words so fast is scary. I've been getting busy with my company Fox Web Company and trying to keep it between the proverbial ditches. We've also started getting involved with more community stuff, and I've been playing "Cabbageball" which has been fun. It's like softball only without gloves and with a bigger softer ball. But you play it with grown men (and women) and it's a blast.

Oh to be there... and not here.

2007-04-12T12:39:00.000-07:00

Sinus infection, complete with deep chest cough, I'm actually feeling worse than terrible. You might know what thats like. One of the places I signed up with a while back sends me vacation locations ... This is where I'd like to be. But only if my troubles stayed back in MS. Can't you almost taste that cold beer looking at this spot. Wow... I can.So if you want to book this, and invite me, I'll post the link.
Link To Home

Porch of 310 Ohhh the memories

2007-04-01T20:27:00.000-07:00

Insurance - Free Market - Conglomerates

2007-03-17T11:41:00.000-07:00

Often while I'm around and about in the Bay, people mention in conversation how much their insurance has gone up. The general consensus is that we need to do something. I don't think the solution is to move somewhere else, because I'm not so sure that it's not just a coastal problem but a problem across the country. Even when we were in Louisville, I was hearing things like "if you call your homeowners insurance carrier too much to ask about claims or file a claim, your insurance will go up..." Insurance is now tied to credit scores, assuming (perhaps rightly so) that if you have credit problems, you are more likely to file a claim. So I started thinking about that. In a sense my company is like an insurance company. People pay us to take care of their web servers, email and web programs. They pay us monthly, and they are paying so that when they have a problem (ie. claim) they can have it handled. Even this morning at 9 AM on a Saturday, I helped a client with his email, by changing a password for him. But the point is, you pay a monthly fee (or yearly fee) and we handle it. Some clients don't ever have problems, some do have more problems, and thats usually the ones with more users to handle. But what if, someone called twice, and I said, "ok your bill is going to double!!! You are paying for my service, but if you actually use it -- I'm going to charge you more! " I'd be in business about 2 weeks before I'd have run off good customers and hurt my bottom line, and people would take their business somewhere else. There are literally probably hundreds of thousands of companies that do what I do across the world. So what if I wanted to leave my insurance company here, and go some where else, I've only got a couple of choices, and even fewer that actually do homeowners insurance. Lack of competition is a problem from the consumer (look at gas prices for instance). Fewer players, means higher prices. Markets where there are many people providing that same service, seems to drive prices down. They call that a free market.

So does it bother me that a huge percentage of "search" goes through one company? Sure it does. What about Cingular, and BellSouth, which is becoming the new AT&T? Does anyone think they'll get better service now? Better prices? I doubt it, I know the service side of it was horrible every time I've ever had to deal with Cingular and BellSouth. It just means we have fewer choices in yet another market. Which means, we have less cheap supply, and demand that is constant which will drive up prices. It's time to do something, and give people a chance to get in to some of these markets and compete -- for instance that Oil & Gas market, with record profits last year of BILLIONS, don't you think that some folks would be getting in to that market. If people are doing great at real estate, you might see that opportunity, and get in on it, and start brokering some deals, or buying land and you can be a player in that market. But oil, thats a different story. I'm not pretending to know all about the oil markets, but I know you don't hear about new people getting in to those markets, and new oil companies. You simply hear about them buying each other, and getting bigger, and prices getting higher, and profits being record breaking.

I'm a firm believer in de-regulating as many things as possible, and keeping the Feds out of as much of our business as we can. It seems like the FEDS can only screw up things when they get involved. Look at immigration and other things that good ol' uncle Sam is supposed to be watching. Our insurance companies need to have an opportunity for more competition, so that prices can come down. Otherwise, only the people who can self insure will build back this region, and prices will fall on everything... I'm sure the market will correct and compensate soon, home prices will surely come down as the supply of them goes up, and they won't have to be insured for as much if the price per sq foot goes down, which will help part of the problem.

I was going to rant about my health insurance going up by a third too, or I can keep my premium the same, but raise my deductible another 1200. I think I'm paying around $1200 a month in insurance right now. Maybe more than that counting my insurance for my company.
If I could simply self insure, and have no major problems, in 4 or 5 years, I could really be doing pretty well on my self-insurance account.
Oh well, not trying to be glum about the subject, but with everything going up higher and higher, it seems like there has to be a better way to offset this inflation.

Week in review

2007-03-11T14:13:00.000-07:00

It's the first day in a new week, a week in which the first couple of days will be extra fun because of the time change. I love the long summer days, when it's light until 8:30 at night, and if we have to go through the silly clock setting routine twice a year, I guess its ok. We just got back from Emily's wedding. We are all exhausted, everyone except Kate of course, who is fired up and ready. She's been playing with "bobo" Aka the dog, whom she apparently really missed. They've been playing on the floor, sharing carrots and cheerios. She's on antibiotics right now, so we let her eat off the floor even more than usual. Ok, I'm kidding about the floor, but she seems to be in very high spirits today, and was hamming it up with the family this morning at the hotel. She got a couple of her aunt's to hold her that hadn't seen her much, and we took a gazillion pictures.
Speaking of pictures.... I just added about 600 pictures to my computer. All from Emily's wedding. Since she didn't have a traditional photographer, she had several cousins who are very good, and my mother, who is very good take pictures. I ended up being the loading zone, and dumping all the photo's on my laptop. So now I guess I need to get them all put together for E & R.... Plus I have the 250 or 300 we took of kate in the past couple of days, that I need to pare down to 20 pictures.

Last week was a good week, thanks for the comments and the shout outs from the blog-0-sphere. We'll have more to say and I'll find more pictures to post soon.

May I always walk beside her

2007-03-05T23:51:00.000-08:00

Kate and I walked along the beach in Gulf Shores, AL. Cam took this photo. I hope I can always walk beside her. She doesn't hold my hand yet, but one day she will, and when she's ready to reach up, I'll be there, reaching down.

Since there are a couple readers out there

2007-03-05T23:09:00.000-08:00

I guess I should continue on... Life on the coast is different than anywhere I've lived before. It's a crazy mix of people, with crazy norms in life, and people are different here than many places I've lived. It's not just the Cajun influence, it's something else I'm pretty sure. I jokingly talked to my friend Dan the other day about it. He noted "down here the girls get pregnant at 17, have a couple of kids and get married, then at 24 or so, they get divorced and want to start their real marriage..."
After Katrina, the desperation of so many is obvious. Last week, I was in the office when my friend grabbed me and said she needed me to do her a favor. I could tell there was terror in her eyes and voice so I grabbed my keys and drove her to the house she needed to go to. It turns out that she had asked me to take her to a crime scene of a prestigious family from the Bay who were involved in a husband & wife, murder suicide. I'll never forget the faces of the family members huddled around, sobbing, saying "I knew it was hard, but I didn't know it had gotten this bad..." It was her husbands cousin, who was involved, and she was terribly upset. I was in shock at the scene, the apartment door covered with a sheet, so the news crew hovering nearby could be held at bay.

What could make someone become this desperate, to loose hope, to let the rage and frustration of life come out in such a way? I know the answer, we all hold it in when we are frustrated, but when you've been through something like this, the wind and the waves of Katrina wash away some of life's inhibitions. We all have, as Jean so keenly puts it "our own personal Katrina" in our lives. Whether it is family problems, drugs or alcoholism, anger issues, or so many other things, we all live in our own little Katrina. We don't all deal with it the same way. Two weekends ago, we drove over to Gulf Shores for a quick get-a-way at Martinique on The Gulf, our favorite place to go. Even though GS had been hit by Ivan not long ago, the place was looking much better, and lives were back to normal it seemed. But it's different here. Things are better, but not normal. I heard the statistic, that over 80% of Waveland residents are still in FEMA trailers. I can believe it. We've seen 4 on our street removed since we moved here in June, but still there are many within eyesight of our house. It's been 18 months since Katrina hit the coast. We have a constant calendar of that timeframe because Kate was born 10 days afterwards. However long she lives, her age will simply be a landmark for how long ago Katrina hit this area. I've heard more news people talk about weather forecasts for the next "hurricane season" and frankly I don't care. It's not in their hands.

In other news I've had a big awakening with my Company and our goals. Our new employee has been doing a great job, and she's making my life much easier, and the company more profitable. Two much needed things for us to be able to get to what I like to call "the next level." I've often heard that it takes 4 or 5 years for a business to become profitable, and that most businesses fail in the first 18 months of their operation. I certainly am aware of many, many mistakes I've made with my company. Some of them in hiring people, some mistakes, in charging too much, and missing an opportunity to get in with a company, some not keeping up with customers enough, and losing that contact which allowed them to go to another vendor. I came to a decision today to rename my company, and re-brand it with a stronger marketing presence and name. We are going to be "Fox Web Company." For those of you who might think of a guy named Carl from Memphis, don't. ') A fox is a cunning and crafty animal, who is smarter than his competition. This is the new Big River Systems. The problem with Big River Systems, was that we weren't really spending the marketing money, letting people know that BRS meant "Web" and "Web site development." No longer the case. I'm hoping to get our new site and branding launched by the end of the month. We'll see if we can get it done. I'm also hoping to have a FWC blog, that talks about business stuff, weekly, to let our clients and potential clients know what we are up to. A footnote to the fox name, is that Cammie's family in Jackson is Fox. We also knew that being in a new location, with virtually no market awareness of who we were, this would be a great time to change names, and market the "fox." I haven't finished the final look of the logo, and branding, but the look above is what we are working with. Any comments you might have would be welcome.

One of my favorite days in recent history

2007-02-27T07:28:00.000-08:00

Happened here. Kate was a bit under the weather, but had a great time playing on the beach and in the pool. She loves Martinique and will surely want to come back and visit her cousins over and over... Here she sits, perched on her daddys shoulders. Having a good time in the good life...
Leave a comment if you still read this thing. I'll try and do better about keeping it up.

Happy Birthday C!

2006-12-17T08:43:00.000-08:00

So I've been slacking, but mainly from blogging.

2006-12-12T07:22:00.000-08:00

This is how I keep occupied otherwise. This little bear keeps me running when I get home at night 'till she goes to bed. We recently put her in day care for a couple of mornings a week. I'm torn about it, I know C. needs a break, but I hate to see her in there with all the germ infested kids from the Bay. (no offense to any parents out there, but my kid hasn't been sick but twice in 15 months.)

bit o' politics

2006-11-10T18:26:00.000-08:00

I've been way behind on posting. Things are going well for the most part in my life. I heard something on the radio, and read about it again tonight on some news sites. It seems AL QUAEDA (our friends from the middle-east) seem to be mocking GWB and also encouraging the Democrats that won control of Congress. Why is that troubling? Well one might ask, "if I were to run for president, and Ted Bundy were my biggest supporter how would I feel?" There's your proof America. I'm not so sure the republicans have all the answers, and they are often corrupt as well, but lets just think about it. If you country is at war with someone, and they are FOR a political party, (oh, and they have killed 3000 American civilians in one day...) does this make you a bit uneasy? People who are vowing to blow up the white house are publicly endorsing the democrats... Lets make sure and save these tapes for the elections 2 years from now, and lets hope that we don't have any other tapes, like the ones of 9/11 to make us wish we had done something different. I can't say that I am fully behind either political party any more. But lets hope we don't

AL QAEDA IN IRAQ MOCKS 'LAME DUCK' BUSH...

Daddy, why haven't you blogged?

2006-10-24T05:29:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a month since I've blogged, and it's been that long becuase I've been really busy. I know everyone has the same number of hours in the day, and that one can only be so busy, and that I have made the choices that made me this busy... but anyhow. There you have it, I have so much work to do that I seldom have time to sit down and do my own stuff. I need a good employee here in the Bay, who can really work hard, and learn quickly. Then I might have time to blog again. Until that point, enjoy this puzzled look from daddys little cheese cake.

Statements Of Fact & Deeper Truth

2006-09-24T17:09:00.000-07:00

I was surprised today to receive an email that looked like a simple email, but the cryptic message was troubling. It was sent to several individuals, and it said "I haven't heard from many of you in a while..." Whilst that might indeed be true, (that the sender hasn't heard from the recipients), the more interesting thing could be that the sender hasn't made the effort to call them. How often do we like to say "she never calls" or "he never writes" and while that might be true, the underlying truth is that the person saying that, must not call or write as well.

This week was a particularly tough assignment, we had many plans that were made that didn't happen. Trips to NOLA, dinner parties, and more that were planned, and somehow things didn't work out, over and over again. C and I debated over these things, what the cause was, and "whos fault" it was that the plans fell through. Ultimately most things came down to some measure of selfishness and wanting to do our own things more than wanting to do what someone else wanted. So while the facts may have been that "it just didn't work our" or that "person X never calls" the deeper truth is just that -- deeper and truth. I'm not trying to be a philosopher but I do want to have some truth that I can leave with the world after I am gone. So like Confucius, I'll say "Chapman says 'people who complain about phone calls shouldn't write emails'".

Birthday Girl

2006-09-06T12:28:00.000-07:00

Life on the boat

2006-08-27T10:07:00.000-07:00

Summer is almost over and I just caught one crab

2006-08-20T18:04:00.000-07:00

It seems hard to believe that the summer is over, school is starting back and it seems like it was just yesterday that I was on spring break, realizing I wanted to come to the coast and work. I guess the thing that has changed the most is that Kate is a little person now. No longer a crying, eating, sleeping, diaper-messing baby, she's almost one, and she's loads of fun. Today we played for several hours, "tusseling" and generally wrecking the house. Cammie took a quick break and headed to the beach alone. Trying to get some solitude in isn't easy now. Kate seems to take up all the extra time and energy in the day. Last year I was going fishing a lot, and heading out to the Neshoba County Fair etc.... but this year, when I get home I play with Kate. She's more fun than fishing, although I still want to go fishing soon. I have a friend that has a boat that will take us, we just have to pay for the fuel.

Cammie has been for the past two nights catching up with some of the women down here. She went to one of the local places that has bands last night and had a good time with her friend Kim. She sang a rendition of "brick house" apparently, I wasn't there, was babysitting Kate, T-Jean, Cody and Jordy.
Things are good right now in the Bay. I know that the heat of the summer will be over soon, and it will be the "fun" part of year to live on the coast. I can't wait to go out on some boats, and meet more local people. I've been working so much with LPC that I haven't had the time to develop more relationships in the community like I would have liked. So I'm working on that -- the going to Rotary, and meeting folks etc. New businesses are popping up here every day. There is a new coffee shop called the Mocking Bird Cafe that is very simlilar to the Mud Jug back in Louisville.

Another one down

2006-07-30T08:50:00.000-07:00

Always the fun time, another houge wedding is in the books. Benjamin Hogue got married this past saturday in Columbus MS.
It was great to see the family and by that I mean the 9 brothers, 1 of the two sisters and all the over 25 (that I could think of) grandkids.
I stayed with Tim and Christa, and it was great to see them and their boys. I'm leaving to head back via Louisville to make a couple of quick visits.

Sent from my wireless device.

Ben Hogue is Hitched

2006-07-29T19:25:00.000-07:00

Rainy day in the bay

2006-07-11T05:51:00.000-07:00

This morning after a delightful bowl of raisin bran we started hearing the pitter patter of a nice BSL rain storm. Instantly the teams on-site transformed in to ponchoed workers. Many fret about the rain messing up our schedule, I simply see God giving us a chance to spend some time inside with families. This work is not simply about nails and roofing and sheetrock, but about sitting and listening to people over a cup of coffee...

Sent from my wireless device.

Its a monday

2006-07-10T07:23:00.000-07:00

6:45 am comes early down here. The constant stream of fires that must me put out and endless...both from church and big river. Copiers that won't copy...bills to pay, clients that need something done, checks to deposit, people that need to pay me that need a phone call...etc. It never stops. I feel like I'm in the midst of something really special happening, but sometimes I miss it from all the stuff going on. If you are reading this and want to pray for something, start with us on the coast. I love what i'm doing down here, but sometime miss the big picture for the details. Jeans sermon was particularly good yesterday.
The gospel never gets old. I never cease to be reminded that its ok that it isn't ok and that Jesus moves toward things that are broken. Its nice to be able to be real enough to say, "i'm not ok" and not worry about being kicked out of the church. Down here the church in a sense is no different...with the exception of that the people are so broken we can't put a smile and an extra coat of paint on and try to hide it. I can live like this. I can thrive like this.

Sent from my wireless device.

Tgif

2006-07-07T07:57:00.000-07:00

wow. This week has screamed by. Meeting, doing, meetings, phone calls, kate, camm, and so much more. We are having the terns over tonight to watch the wizard of oz...and listen to floyd. What a great way to do a friday night. I still haven't been on a shrimp boat... I need to go, but missed the boat last weekend, (literaly). Oh well, there will be other trips.

Sent from my wireless device.

Fourth of july

2006-07-05T07:51:00.000-07:00

when I woke up this morning several things were on my mind...weighing like a cross between an albatross and an anvil on me. I needed to get one problem fixed before 8 am so the client would arrive at work and see completed portions of the project. Much of my life right now is not planned, but more a reaction to things that are happening. I've never had such a big workload, but I've never had such rewarding work. I love my Lagniappe job. I love my big river systems job as well. It is hard to keep everyone happy. But I'm trying, after moving our house, and then the office, things were shaky for a week. I'm hoping this weel will be a good one. Its already shorter because of the fourth. Which brings me to my story. Last night we had 32 people at the new house. Even the cops came. We cooked for the LPC staff and 'terns and short termers... Even conrad came. We had a great time, the weather was perfect.

Sent from my wireless device.
Cc: all replies to EMAILADDRESSDELETED

Get off my back

2006-07-01T17:39:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry for not posting any more than I have, but I really have been busy. Cammie and I have been in our new home for a couple of weeks, and I spent the first full week after our move in Atlanta. We had a great trip with the church and we gave out hundreds and hundreds of Lagniappe carpenter pencils, and DVD's about the work going on down here. We are going to the Bay St. Louis crab fest this evening, and will be heading to a place called Daniels to hear a band later. Come visit, come work, or come hang out. The Mississippi Gulf Coast is really a neat place. We've met some really great people, and look forward to great things down here. The Church had a shrimp boil last night, and had around 150 people there eating and having some of the best boiled shrimp that I've ever had.

I'm going to start posting more regularly, things are starting to stabilize. My office is framed out, and we'll be ready to paint by Wednesday. I can't wait.

WE ARE MOVED IN!

2006-06-15T19:37:00.000-07:00

and the cable is on.... praise god.
more news later. i'm working on catching up, unpacking etc.

Ok...so i'm way behind

2006-06-07T05:58:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't blogged in a while. That is due to the fact that i've been working 15 hour days and running several companies at once. We have moved to the bay, but not in to our new house yet. Maybe this weekend... We hope so. Church is going well... 150 volunteers staying a night right now. There are many challenges. But we are trying to keep the big things the big things and the little things little.
Thanks for your prayers and thanks to both of my friends for helping cam while I was out of town.

Sent from my wireless device.

Several updates

2006-05-23T14:39:00.000-07:00

Ok. Well the house we thought we were getting below... was a LEMON. Terrible home inspection, and upon closer review, there were too many things poorly done to get a house like that. Unless we could get it for a bargin. Good news is, that within an hour, we found and made an offer on another house, and it is under contract with us now. It's a much better house and we feel great about it. Cammie has kept things rolling here at the home front. She's already got the house mostly packed up, except for the stuff you need for everyday living. Kate has been growning up, learning how to pull up, laughing, crying a little, and generally having a big time.
We aren't sure when we move yet, we have to get the house here closed (we have a contract on it) and we have to get the one on the coast ready to move. Should be in mid-june at the latest, but hopefully more like EARLY june.

Ok, I have to go do some chores (yep, I'm in Louisville).

Miss this little monkey (and her mom of course.)

2006-05-07T21:01:00.000-07:00

Waveland it is.

2006-04-29T18:32:00.000-07:00

We got a contract for our new home in Waveland. I'm thrilled to have it done. Not thrilled thinking about packing up a house... I always hate the moving process. It's just soo much work. I'd rather be drug out and shot than have to pack up everything we own. I just don't like that part of it.

We are really excited, and should close in 30 days. Please pray for your humble abode here in Louisville to sell. Or to rent, either one is really ok with me. I hope everything is going well for your folks out there, I haven't gotten many comments in a while but I hope all of you guys out there are doing well.

Offer Made on House # 2

2006-04-26T19:43:00.000-07:00

Pray for us to get this house. It's really one of a few that are move in ready in the bay-waveland area. We've got an offer in to them, and have a 4pm (CST) response time set up.

Daddy got a new toy

2006-04-24T19:31:00.000-07:00

Rotary International helped raise money for this skid steer. WhenI talked to the folks about it 3 months ago I had no idea that I'd get to drive the thing. We are working on the "demo" stage of getting our new property ready. Conrad taught me how to drive tonight... Wow... I'm in the wrong line of work. This was incredible. I'm going back tomorrow afternoon when I get done with my meetings and going to give Jordan a break... I'm sure he'll need it by then.

that guy is my new pastor

2006-04-24T19:17:00.000-07:00

oh to be this content...

2006-04-18T14:15:00.000-07:00

(note the drool coming down the chin)
The house in the background is for sale.
www.518eastmain.com it went on the market today.

overwhelmed

2006-04-18T05:35:00.000-07:00

With everything going on I'm just a tad bit overwhelmed. It's a good thing to not be lazy, and I'm glad that I have so much to do. Yesterday I wrote out a to-do-list that was a full page typed.
The good thing about that was that much of it was business that I need to invoice... ;) but I need a couple more hours in the day. Or something...
Yesterday was a painful day in more ways than one. It was pay taxes, then pay taxes, then pay taxes. Yep,it was too much. Painful at best.
Kate has been fussy this week, I'm not sure whats been making her fuss, but I have a feeling its her teeth. She's got a couple of new ones coming in and I'm pretty sure they have something to do with it. It's like she's almost content, but not quite... She's on the edge...must not be hurting her too bad, but it's just enough to make her mad.

Oh well, the other things we are working on are:

Paint this house
Sell this house
Find another house in BSL (the bay)
Send invoices
Pay invoices that I owe
Get ready for the Senior Crawfish boil
Get ready for Isaac's
Plus all the details....

note the wedding planner front and center

2006-04-16T17:48:00.000-07:00

Trent wedding... Note my wife in the middle telling them what to do..

Life in Natchez

2006-04-15T12:35:00.000-07:00

I'm here on the back patio on the wireless conection. Roseavelt is taking care of my beverage needs. I'm happy to not have much on my mind other than taxes on monday. I've got to go buy a shirt for the wedding. my other one got stained in an unfortunate accident with some gravy.

We are staying here and if you want to come see it... you should www.monmouthplantation.com

TAXES and the IMPORTANT stuff

2006-04-07T19:33:00.000-07:00

TAXES and the IMPORTANT stuff…

Yeah, I worked on them till 12 last night, then most of the day today. I know that important as taxes are, I think I just had my most important 15 minutes of the day…at least in the big scheme of things. Kate was cranky, and fussing on the blanket with toys all around it. Cammie gave me one of those “it’s your turn buddy” looks. I did as asked, and got down on my back and played with that little tater. She has these little plastic balls and blocks that go with this toy. They are the size of limes; we played with that one ball for the entire time. I finished the game, by fitting the ball in my mouth, and pretending to launch it out my mouth by hitting my stomach…I know, crazy, but she loved it…Don’t miss the real important stuff. So far the most rewarding part of my day…That and the walk with my wife…

my girls, my work, my fun...

2006-04-07T06:25:00.000-07:00

C. and KT are on board with the move. I'm on board with trying to get my taxes finshed. And get some web sites sold that are oh, so close to finalized. I just need another week and we should have more business than we can do in 3 months.

I also have a meeting with the Hancock County EOC folks next week. I'm hoping to do some work for them. I have 2 proposals to get out, and a couple of more price quotes to get started with...
These girls help keep me happy and motivated. Kate is in the room with me playing on a blanket on the floor with some toys her mom left with her. I'm "watching" her while i work on some stuff....I've really got to get up to the office where I won't be so distracted by things. I need more sleep but I am DYING to go put a big turkey on the ground. C's dad killed one with an 11 1/2 inch beard that he'd been hunting for 3 years.

Honey I'm home....

2006-04-06T07:04:00.000-07:00

We made an offer on this pile of junk... ok not really this pile, but the house behind the pile.
As you can see it's almost like new construction, but it's in a neighborhood in Waveland that didn't get too much damage. Only water. Do you think we can get ziplock to come out with a "house sized" ziplock??? I'll email the CEO and get started on that.

When we take possession you are all invited down to help. There are plenty of places to stay, and plenty of great places to eat and drink... (well more than there are here anyway).

Stuart, I don't know if you remember offering to help with the move... I might need your help with the carpentry... I can get some high schoolers to unload a u-haul, but measure twice cut once, and have a good sense of humor... that's hard to find.

As you can see i'm going to need all new kitchen cabinents. If you know anywhere we can find some let me know. we like the white ones with the little piece of trim on the doors. With the polished silver looking hardware.... If I just had some home depot connections.

It's funny to be excited about buying a gutted house. It is something that I've always wanted to do. So I'm ready for it.

call daddy

2006-04-06T06:53:00.000-07:00

2006-04-01T09:40:00.000-08:00

"Beware that you are not swallowed up in books! An ounce of love is worth a pound of knowledge." John Wesley (1703-1791) as seen on this blog.

I see the truth of this so clearly in the work of Lagniappe Pres. When you show people love and kindness, they want to know the knowledge.

Letter to be published in the Winston County Journal

2006-03-27T22:29:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,
It is with much excitement and with sadness as well that I write this letter about recent events. Cammie and I have put much work and effort in to Louisville for the past 3+ years and we have now been called to move to Bay Saint Louis to help with work there. On Thursday of last week, we met with Jean Larroux who is a pastor at a Presbyterian Church plant in the Bay Saint Louis area. He has asked for my help in assisting him with that work in the role of Business Manager and Administrator. As you probably know the Bay area was heavily damaged by Katrina and Winston County has sent much aid and help to the area, I would ask of you know to continue that work by sending me with Cammie and Kate Taylor, to help in the work that needs to be done there.

We have no reason to leave Louisville, other than that God has placed this need and desire to help on our hearts. We will be heavily involved in helping get supplies, financial funding, people and more attention to the Bay area. We would ask for your assistance and your prayers as we take on this daunting task. There are many lives here that are being rebuilt, and many more that are in temporary housing and many who lost everything. I am going to the area to help, but your help in Louisville will be just as important. Winston Relief and other organizations have been sending help to the area, and we will need much more support in the future.

We will be partly funded by the church here, but I will continue on 100% running and managing Big River Systems our web development company. We need your business more now than ever, and will be able to move our business down and provide the same level of service albeit less face to face interaction. Over half of our clients are not from the Louisville area, so we are used to supporting customers that we can’t see every day. Our servers will continue to be out of harms way, in mid-America so your sites and service will go on uninterrupted through our transition.

We will move as soon as we can sell our house and find a suitable dwelling, and we ask for your prayers and your help as we make this move and transition.

If I had room to thank everyone who has helped us over the last few years here in Louisville we would have to add extra pages to the paper, but specifically I’d like to thank Joseph McCain and the staff at the Journal for allowing me space to let you know of these developments. Please know that I would much rather have been able to tell each one of you face-to-face of our news.

If you would like to help with financial support, or material support of the work down here, please visit www.lagniappechurch.com. There are lists of supplies that are in great need here.

We will miss you all very much, but will be back often. We would also like to extend an invitation to any and all who would like to help in the work that is happening here. They need everything from cooks, to people that are electricians, roofers and other skilled labor.

Thank you for all you have done, and keep up the good work in Louisville. We will miss you all dearly.

Andy Chapman
For Cammie and Kate

P.S. When you come bring a hammer.

EDITORS NOTE: The Big River Systems web site is www.bigriversystems.com

The Big News

2006-03-25T18:48:00.000-08:00

Cammie and I have been praying for God to use us mightily for a while now. We thought that prayer would mean here, in Louisville, but that apparently is not the case.

Last week, I was taking the youth from church to the gulf, to do some work. I met with Jean Larroux, to talk to him about Work Order Software that we build to help with the data management from the people in Bay Saint Louis that need help with work on their property. After meeting with him, I began to feel like God was possibly calling me to do something more with him. I wasn't sure what, so I began to pray. A day later, I told Cammie of the things on my heart, and she began to pray about it as well. That weekend, we decided that we definitely were being called to do something, but we didn't know what that thing was. I called Jean, and he told me that his biggest need was someone to help him with the business administration of the relief work down there. Since that is what I've been doing for the last 4 years, I felt like God was indeed matching up my gifts, to needs in the church down there. We traveled down the very next night, and spent two days there in Bay Saint Louis. It's a terrible mess. There is much work to be done. But the Lord is working down there in the hearts and minds of people.

Since this has taken place, I've been asked a million questions, I'll summarize the main ones and answer them for you.

What about Louisville?
What a gem this town has been. Cammie and I have enjoyed so much of Louisville, the people here, the friendships we've made over the last few years, the ways that we've been able to get involved from everything to the Chamber of Commerce to the Relay for Life, we have been right in the middle of Louisville. We will miss it dearly, and will be taking a piece of Louisvilles, hospitality and planting it in the sands of the Gulf Coast.

When will we move?
As they say, this is the million dollar question. We don't know for sure, but it will be when we have a house to move in to down there. Housing market down there is more expensive than the market up here. We'll probably rent, then find a house that needs to be fixed-up and take it on.
In the mean time, we have a great house for sale on main street, so make me an offer on it.

Is it dangerous?
Being the father of a 6 month-old and husband to a sweet woman, I have had to ask my self "can I take them to a place like this?" A pastor friend told me this when I asked him that question: "there is nothing more dangerous than not doing the thing that God has called you to do!" I'm not taking that lightly, but the crime reports etc, are not things that we noticed when we were down there. There are also hundreds and thousands of Christians flocking to the area, to help put it back together. As David Skinner once told me "God didn't promise safety, but promised to be sovereign."

Big River Systems?
My other baby. BRS will move with me, with no interruption of service. One of the great things about BRS is that with an internet connection and a phone I can do my work from anywhere. I'll be taking it down there, and not slowing down any on that aspect, we need business more than ever now. I'll keep some staff, some of whom have expressed interest in relocating to the coast as well. I can't do this financially with what the church can afford to pay. BRS provides me the income and support that I'll need to make ends meet. We will be able to provide the same service as we do here, the phone will simply ring in another county. Also please note that our data centers are located in the central part of the country, so we won't run the risk of having active servers on the coast.

THE PHOTOS ABOVE WERE TAKEN IN BAY SAINT LOUIS, TUESDAY OF THIS WEEK.

2006-03-20T22:31:00.000-08:00

Big things are in store for the Chapman's. Lots of things have happened in the last two weeks. God moves and directs in crazy mysterious ways.

Cammie and I are very excited about the work that God is leading us to. We'll post when something is official.

Be in prayer for us as we seek His will and guidance.

Andy for c and KT
Sent from my wireless handheld.

2006-03-19T18:06:00.000-08:00

Good times, lots to think about

2006-03-19T18:01:00.000-08:00

Spring Break was quite a week. I took 7 jr high and high school students to Biloxi to help with Katrina cleanup. What a mess... Sheetrock mud, hammers and nails and oh so much more was done. Even tonight at church, parents spoke to me about their children growning up over the past 3 days. I know I grew up a little as well. We did so much, yet it was so little. They need literally hundreds of people to come down, especially skilled people, who can do electrical work, and those that can do roofing. While the PCA as a whole may not have been the most organized, the churches of Biloxi and (the plant) in Bay Saint Louis are getting people and materials together to get things done. Our church has a blogspot for the trip, you might want to take a look...

2006-03-17T11:34:00.000-08:00

Ahh the joy's of home ownership...

2006-03-10T09:02:00.000-08:00

The lovely line of straight line winds that came through town yesterday was loads of fun to watch for about 15 minutes. When a tree stuck through the roof of the house next door, it was more exciting, but then we saw that it ripped our power line off the side of the house. Mucho funo. So I spent several hours with a stihl. And ill be helping the local economy by the end of the day.

theres my girl on her 6 month b day.

2006-03-06T16:05:00.000-08:00

What in the world? Sleep?

2006-03-03T03:35:00.000-08:00

We are in Atlanta, on our way to Highlands, NC headed to a place called "Panther Point." Since my Grandmother and brother live here, we stopped for a night here. I don't recall being as tired as I was yesterday since the first 2 nights in the hospital. At least when I was there I had some adrenaline or something. I was soo tired last night that I went to bed at like 8:30 or something.
Well wouldn't you know it, we both wake up this morning at 4 am (local time). Feels like 3 am. I'm pretty sure my body was saying -- "hey bud, look that's 8 hours -- go get up!"
So, here I am. I started thinking about things that I needed to do. Invoicing was one major one. So I got on my grandmothers computer and quickbooks-onlined several folks.
Don't you love a good computer with high speed internet. You can do anything. So, now I'm done my work, I'm getting tired again which only could mean one thing. Kate is about to wake up. It's only fair.

I can't wait to be in NC in this awesome cabin.

Since they only rent to professing Christians they charge a small amount compared to what the going rate is in the area. Beware their website is in flux right now and is supposed to be corrected by the end of next week with everything updated pricewise.

Since it sleeps 12, and I'm a "giver", I've invited my brother and his wife and baby, and some of her family. They are always fun to be around and since Kate and their baby are 2 days apart, its fun to see how they act. I hope we can get them to move to MS someday so they can be close to their cousins.

Two more things you won't want to miss...
Kate is a super star -- click here to watch the "Chub" Olympics.
I guess this just about clears my head. Anything else will have to wait.

it can't be true

2006-02-09T19:49:00.000-08:00

I went to an art opening in Starkville tonight with C. and KT. It was really wild, the kids there (and I do mean kids), seemed like they were 12. I'm sure they were freshmen and sophomores but they seemed so young.
I remember feeling young and free the first couple of years of college, (and high school when I hung out with all the college folks). I guess I got a couple of extra college years in via my high school days, when I had more friends at MSU than at SHS.

So, tell me about you... Do you feel older? Does being on campus make you feel young again? Or does it make you feel 100 years old because you aren't a freshman any more???

Some folks talked a while back about Shane McRae being in the show Four Kings on NBC. Cammie and I watched a couple of episodes, but don't find a whole lot of redeeming quality in it. I'm very impressed with Shane's acting. He acts just like he did in high school. Perfect 10 on the casting call. I'd really love to see him cast as a sophisticated white collar stock day trader or something on the opposite of the spectrum. I guess that would be like Leslie Nielson being cast as a serious spy like James bond. No one would believe it. So, what do you think of Four Kings? The characters are really funny in and of themselves, but too much crude humor for me to sit and watch with the family.

Other fun stuff. C. just got a job writing a column in the local paper the "Winston County Journal". She's doing a "ask the wedding planner" thing like dear abby. Lets hope she can make more sense than dear abby. The only thing I liked about that column was the john prine song that came out of it.

What a time

2006-01-25T19:03:00.000-08:00

Charlie and I did it up right Tuesday morning. We killed 10 teal, 2 mallards and a big bull pintail. The teal really liked the decoys and were swarming in all morning. I love shoothing them, it's like a good dove hunt only better. Here's a photo of the morning spoils.

North Delta Duck Spread

2006-01-18T19:05:00.000-08:00

Big spead of decoys on our MO. hunt more pics to follow.

Coulda Woulda Shoulda

2006-01-18T18:33:00.000-08:00

Charlie sent me these, this was a hunt from this morning, that I was invited to. I hate that he did this well. But I had a good time with the tater that night. I'm going to try and go one more time before its all over with.

Congrats Charlie, good hunt buddy!

Yuck... Accounting

2006-01-15T15:41:00.000-08:00

After a meeting with my CPA Friday, I realized something that I've know for a while, but that has made itself crystal clear. I stink at doing my books, and someone else needs to do it. She asked me "when have you reconciled from" I kind of squirmed, and grunted "uhm, reconciled?? ".
2006 will be different, partly because she is going to do all my book work (except for invoices and receivables). I can't wait to get that monkey of my back and get back to knowing to-the-penny how much money I spent on what items.

I used to have so much time that quickbooks was like a daily musing, now I'm so busy actually doing the work, that it has taken a back seat to finishing web sites. I guess it's not that different from folks who "know how to do a web site" but that pay me handsomely to do a good professional job...

I need to get back to a "whats new in 2006" for BRS. I'll post some links to new sites that we've completed, and some that we are working on in the new year. You never know what type of site we might be working on these days. Publicly traded companies, brand new companies, radio stations etc... we are doing it all. We are running ads on 104.5 out of starkville, and star92 and rock 101 out of grenada, in hopes of expanding our market more outside of the louisville area. Don't get me wrong, we already work with companies all over the country, but there's plenty of room for more growth right here in MS. Watch for some new product offerings in the next few months. You might be suprised at what we can do.

It's easy to get behind

2006-01-13T07:40:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that it's this far in to January. Seems like yesterday was Christmas. I've been pretty busy with things work related, and some "fun" related. After a somewhat slow December, things have picked up this month. We have several new sites to work on at big river, and have had lots of new kate things to do. She got her 4 mo. shots on Tuesday. She was pretty well behaved, it took to nurses to hold her little chubby legs down so they could give her shots. I helped hold her still, I hate doing that, I feel like I'm being so mean to her. But the truth is, that its better than catching measels, mumps and rubella, (or whatever they were for).

We had a big trip, chandler ross and I took to MO. We hunted at the North Delta Duck Club. We had a great time. The first morning we were covered up with ducks and snow geese. I have some incredible photos on the camera that I need to get off and post here. The second day, wasn't quite as busy, we missed out on several groups of mallards because we were taking a leak, or fixing the decoys... I guess thats how it goes. We stayed at the New Orleans Inn in Portageville, MO and it was pretty nice accomodations. They have a bar and grill that was pretty good food. Reasonalbly priced, and good service. There will definately be a return trip.

Things here at the home front are continuing on. I have a meeting with my accoutnant today, to recocile several months of of bank statements and checks, and get my W2's and 1099's ready for this coming up year. This is my first year to have the w2's and I'm not really looking forward to all of this, i really want to hand over the whole bookkeeping thing. It's not my cup of tea. I'm good at sales, marketing and management (making sure others are doing what they are supposed to do). I've got to let go of the books and let someone else do it. 100% of it would be nice.

Have to do more later.

Christmas time is here (and now its gone)

2005-12-26T19:13:00.000-08:00

So some musings and ramblings on the past year, Chritmas time, and other things of note.

We had Christmas in Starkville, with Kate and all the brothers and sisters except betsy and jereme. But before we left we had Kate's first Christmas and it was really fun. She had a fun time watching her gifts get opened.

I got several cool things, I'll name some of them here so you can know what not to get me.

John Grisham Books
Palm Treo (from Big River)
Journal
Socks (lots of them)
Stationary (with my name on them)
Polo Shirt
MSU Polo Shirt
Makers Mark
Lots of stuff that I already owned from mom (she's cleaning out some space)

The list goes on, but you get the idea, not too shabby. Kate had the most presents of anyone I've ever seen.

The Starkville festivities were pretty interesting. Everyone was much more tolerable after a couple of drinks. I guess thats the way it goes with families.

We (me and charlie) went back to belzoni for another Duck Hunt. This time we didn't do jack. The weather was not cooperating. We were there and heard some thunder off in the distance, it was crazy, the ducks never even came over our decoys much, then we moved off to another spot, and a huge group flew down in to our decoys.
Right when we were leaving it started pouring. Add another week to my cold duration from that. My jacket is "water absorbent" which means that it soaked up about 40 lbs of water and was soo heavy.

I'll get back in the swing of things on here better soon. Had an unsuccessful deer hunt with robert today.

Killin' Mallards

2005-12-11T11:37:00.000-08:00

Out of all the duck hunts i've been on, I've never qute had a day quite like friday. Went with delta pheasants.com down in Belzoni MS. We had quite a hunt. I hadn't shot that well at ducks in a long time. I also killed 2 with one shot, which I hadn't done in a duck hunt before. Done it with turkeys and doves but never ducks.
Below is Charlie and me with a limit of mallards.

What a morning.

2005-12-09T19:08:00.000-08:00

When I'm no so tired, I'll tell the whole story. This is worth reading about.

This was a tough one

2005-12-04T21:46:00.000-08:00

Tonight at youth we hit our second of 3 talks about relationships. Last week was on parents / children. Pretty simple, obey them in the Lord. Do what they say with a good attitude. (unless its something that is against the Lords will). And part B, fathers don't exasperate your children (did my parents ever get that memo????) .
Well tonight we jumped off the deep end. We talked about "boy-girl" relationships, which I entitled the "marriage talk" because the bible doesn't ever really talk about dating. People were pretty much having sex, either married or not married in the bible. Not a whole lot of dating referenced. You like one, you pick her out and get married. In SOS they wooing is actually done after they are married it seems.

So anyhow, I had the distinct priveledge of telling 20 kids that they needed to not commit adultery, or fornication, and explain what that was. I've always heard all these RUF folks talk about what's acceptable during dating, and they've never really said a whole lot, that would convict someone making out a good bit.... The thing is, I don't think that MT 5:28 leaves much room there:

"But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

I've never kissed a girl with out looking at her lustfully in my heart. So I'm pretty sure that folks that aren't married have no business doing that. Is that being legalistic? I dunno, is not shooting someone being legalistic about the commandment "thou shalt not kill"? I know it's got to be pretty un-popular with all the cool kids, and I know I'm guilty of doing that very thing... but I'm pretty sure that we take things way to lightly these days. "oh God didn't really mean you can't (______________) fill in your own blank he just wants you to know to be careful about that.

I'm pretty sure I regurgitated a good bit of what Jeffrey Lancaster (former Ole Miss Ruf and church planter in Memphis now) said at either an RYM or RUF summer conference. I'm glad I learned something in college. I just feel like such a hypocrite teaching about being pure. I'm such a liar... But the fact that I'm not perfect doesn't make the truth not the truth.
Thankfully...

I got a palm treo, and wrote a post from the deer stand. I'll put it up tomorrow if i get a chance. The problem that I'm having is that now I have a good way of tracking my to do list better, and it's really overwhelming. But at least i know what all i need to do and what i need to get done in a day. If I can get monday behind me, i'm planning on hunting tuesday. It's supposed to be 24 deg tuesday am. Good day to kill some ducks, or maybe just a deer, i wouldn't mind killing either.

Wow this is incredible

2005-11-28T13:51:00.000-08:00

If you need a great stocking stuffer idea, I'm telling you, this web site has you coverd. www.wileyoutdoorproducts.com

Don't you think amanda did a good job on this?

It's finally here

2005-11-21T05:30:00.000-08:00

We've been working with Wiley Outdoor Products, LLC for a good 6 months on this project. Now they have a great web site, that is fully e-commerce ready.
Wiley Outdoor Site

Be sure and make your purchases online... And Please get one of these "flexblind systems". They are only 400 bucks. You'll love it.

Catching up

2005-11-13T15:12:00.000-08:00

I know I've been lax posting on here. The important stuff in my life has seemed less important recently actually. We are still very much here. Chugging along... Kate is beautiful, and such a little treat of humanity, she has stolen her dad's heart. Why was I wishing for a boy? I have no idea... Well, actually there are stilll things that I'd like to have a boy for, and hopefully that will happen some day in the near -- but not right away -- future.

BRS has been an amazing learning challenge, I've had tons of great ideas, we have new sites to do all the time, and yet I feel very much broke. I think it has to do with the money that I'm owed by people that we are working for. Typically this group is called "AR". This brings me to my next fin thing. I've started a new company called "Big River Consulting Group (PLLC)." We will be doing book keeping, managing AR, financial reporting, and basically taking companies that are not on a computer based accounting system, and getting them in the computer, so that people can run reports and print invoices instead of hand writing them. Yes, get ready Louisville, you are about get get in to the 21st century. I'm working with a former auditor, and a CPA from starkville who is on my board of advisors. I have a feeling that this is REALLY going to help folks around here get up to speed and help them collect outstanding AR and keep that number low. I'm excited about getting my number lowered as well.

We did some work in the office, and re-arranged some thigns in there. Now it looks much more like an office and less like a war zone. We have gotten TONS of stuff listing on eBay (no the tractors didn't work our but i'm not finished yet).

One of the great things about this town is the people here. I had a friend of mine come over the other day and he took the old honda (all 217K of it) and took it to his house and did some work on it. New plugs, new muffler etc... thing runs like a top now. He did it for a very good price and considering that he picked it up from my house etc... that was pretty good.

Christmas is coming, it finally felt cold here the other day. Now it's just rainy and warmish, not enough to catch us up after the drought we have had since the hurricanes, but definately much needed rainfall. The dogs really seemed to like it.

Back on!

2005-10-24T19:09:00.000-07:00

Well, we got things straightened out with eBay. Those folks.... We had our phone number (the same number as is listed in our account info) on one listing and they pulled the listing because they apparently thought that we were going to try and sell the tractor off of ebay (costing them 200+ bucks in fees).

Well we aren't that dumb... anyhow we are back in business. I've got a great photo of the tractor that i'm going to post as soon as I find that dadgum cable that links the camera to the computer.

Stupid Newscasters

2005-10-24T05:28:00.000-07:00

I've just been doing my morning bottle feed, and like almost always I cut on the TV and change it to fox news.

It amazes me how these guys will sit there with sheet metal blowing by, and they act like they HAVE to be out there or we wouldn't get good news.

I can't wait till one gets hit with a stop sign. Maybe that would stop the ridiculous stuff.

Theiving B#%#@ (thats the "B" in eBay)

2005-10-22T20:31:00.000-07:00

So all the excitement of selling something BIG on eBay ended today. But the listing was supposed to end on monday you say? How did this happen? Well eBay screwed up. They send me a message saying that they were worried that a third party had accessed my account and done something to it.
I ask you, -- why would someone break in to my account and SELL something. That makes about as much sense as tits on a boar hog. I couldn't believe that happend. They couldn't just re-activate the listing. I have to re-list the thing again. From scratch. All over again.

I even had a closing party lined up for Monday night. Thanks eBay. You guys rock... Oh yeah, and I probably lost over a thousand bucks in commissions from this. Way to go guys. I don't want to pay my bills anyhow.

I'm so mad right now I could spit. I've heard that expression before, never used it. But I really could. I can't fathom that they just pulled them, and couldn't tell me what made them pull the listings to begin with. They didn't pull ANY other listings that we had. (and we have 15 or so other things going). Just pulled the ones that I gave a crud about.

Well I hope Steve understands that we didn't do anything bad. I can't understand it... It's not my fault.

Well in other great news we made it up to Stk to see the Dawgs play. Except for we had no intention of going "to" the game. We just took the Tater and tail-gated. Mister Mark, and his Maker were kind to me, as were all the kind folks who gave me ice and coke. Oh yeah, there was a football game and we could trip and fall and be 2 and 8 for the season if we don't watch it.
How does someone run for 257 yards and we have ONE stinking touchdown. Something is messed up.
We can't beat our little sissy homecoming team. Good job guys.

In good news, we got to see Brooke and Katie from back in the day. It's been 2 years since we've seen Katie. We miss her... She's got her a new man, seems like a pretty cool guy. Saw Cleatus and Harvey's had us up there for supper. Harvey can really cook. Love their honey mustard on that club salad. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Ok. I'm tired and grumpy. I'm about to wrap it up for the night. The Tater did have a good day. More on her blog later. (http://katetaylor.blogspot.com)

Reminds me of an old Pearl Jam song

2005-10-20T22:13:00.000-07:00

hey - Iiiiiiiiiii ohooo I'm still alive yeah Iiiiiiii ohooo I'm still alive.

Well you guessed it. The server migration didn't kill me. Although I did BREAK a stress toy the day after the actual migration working with a client. They called on the phone and were bugging me about something and BLAM it broke.
Lots of new stuff going on. Our eBay stuff is starting to get kicked in to high gear. We have two tractors listed and more going on this weekend. It's been lots of fun learning about John Deer Tractors. If you need one, check these out. One has a loader and it's been WELL taken care of. I can't wait to see how they turn out. It's a 20K tractor and it's at 15,850 right now.

I got some signs made like election signs with the flimsy metal stakes. It will help the folks that are driving by to see that these things are going on there, and we can get some good press by this as well.
Above is what the signs look like. Not exactly trademark infringement, but way cheaper than the 4 color...

Kate is looking so different.
She's a sweetie, her mom has been taking lots of photos for the family and her blog is off to a great start. She loves her swing.

I have a new business project that I'm working on, more details later. But it is REALLY exciting and will be a fun new endeavor. (I do have time to do more... Honestly)

another funny note, Google (blogger) noticed that I used the word "blog" in the spell check and said it was mis-spelled... what the crud?

All in all, i'm alive, i'm tired, i'm cranky, i'm ready for the weekend.

It's going to be one or the other

2005-10-11T22:14:00.000-07:00

Big River Systems servers have been updated and are on a more stable and secure platform now where we can serve you better. Thank you for your continued support and patience while we seek to better serve you with your hosting needs!

Configuration Changes to Note:
If you used our web mail interface, you will now need to go to Http://webmail.yourdomain.com to check your web mail. For instance, if your email is joe@joeswebsites.com you would you to http://webmail.joeswebsite.com to check your web mail. We are confident this will better serve your web mail needs and provide a better environment for your web mail. If you have any questions please call our office and we will explain the change to you.

OR.

We are still experiencing some network problems from our server migration. Please understand that we are aware of the problem and are working hard on the problem. We will have your site up as soon as possible. If you have another problem, please click here, to start a support ticket.
Thank you for choosing Big River Systems, LLC.

Server Migration is a ^%$#@@$$

2005-10-11T20:14:00.000-07:00

I'm moving all my clients accounts to a faster better more secure server. I've never been as up tight as I have been the last couple of nights. It's just a crazy feeling, knowing that somewhere, there are two servers, that are copying 1's and 0's and if they all work, I'll be ok, but that if something happens, i'll be on the phone all day tomorrow talking to clients, working out problems and explaining that this is going to be ok.

I am using www.RackSpace.com for my managed server. They are an INCREDIBLE company, support that really is good. I like to think that I'm like their support, when people call and need something, I really do take care of them and WANT to help them.

So how much faster is it you ask? Well it's like i went from a KIA sophia, to a FORD F250 superduty powerstroke, (quad cab of course).
It's a pretty big difference. I hope to have good things to report. Otherwise, I might just run off to the Bahamas, and hide from all the angry customers.

Ok, well I'm going to yawn a couple more times, and call it a night (meaning that I'll be back awake in about 2 hours when Kate wakes up).

Did I mention how cute my little girl is??

2005-10-09T13:22:00.000-07:00

In the face of one of the most stressfull days I have had since starting my company (dang hackers and poor tech support combined to bring on some good stress), I got to play with Kate today. She's such a joy, and a blessing we are so amazed by her each day. They say you never know what it's like until you have one. They are soo right.

did i mention how lucky i am

2005-10-03T22:46:00.000-07:00

Having a cute, sweet, adorable little girl, is such a miracle. It's really unbelievable. What a blessing she is. How incredibly hard it is to fathom, wanting to get up at 12:51 am to change a diaper, or settle her down. It raises a million mental questions about my childhood. How did I act? who changed my diapers most? Who got up with me? Did you sing to me?.....
and oh so many more. It also raises questions about my parents divorce. How does something this great but seven times over, come to an end?

It makes me even more committed to raise this little girl, as best as I can. Admitting my imperfections, trying to be patient with her mother, and doing everything I can to give her a good home.

She's crying again so I've got to go.

Fatherhood...is like programming

2005-10-03T22:36:00.000-07:00

I'm up, fully awake -- trying to do some problem solving. It's just like college a logic problem, only with more serious consequenses.
IF crying then check diaper {
If diaper = stinky {
diaper1 = dirty
fresh diaper = diaper
}
else
If tummy = not_full {
take to mommy
if mommy is too tired then give formula
}
else tummy = ok
check other comfort levels

Ok. Thats a rough draft, I need to check my syntax but you get the idea. Pardon me for spelling or syntax errors, this was typed with one hand while administering a bottle with the other hand. I'm glad I had those progamming classes.

This is my first post

2005-09-27T16:36:00.000-07:00

This is my first post from word. I’ve tried the blogger tool for word. We’ll see if this works. We are doing well. But still need some more sleep, and probably more business now too. It’s been tough trying to keep up with everything with a new baby, and plenty of stuff to do with work as well. I have so much to do, but I’m learning that I might need to find a very small web niche, that is highly profitable and just seek and deal with those clients. I’m spending a lot of time changing gears. I guess it’s like a manufacturer where you make money as long as the line is up, but when it goes down, or you have to make repairs, you start to lose money. That’s a lot like programming and web design. I’ve started doing some programming again. Doing some coding reminded me what I like about it, it’s similar to cutting a pasture for hay, you can see what you’ve done when it works. It’s always nice. Sometimes you can’t see what you’ve accomplished in this business. Maybe sometimes it’s because I didn’t accomplish enough.

I'm thinking of a five letter word

2005-09-14T20:46:00.000-07:00

SLEEP

Yep, you guessed it. I have gotten some, but not enough. I've put a couple of self imposed deadlines on myself for some projects that I've been meaning to get done. It's much easier to blog than to put together a huge proposal for a data management system. It's more fun to hold Kate than to write code. But I know I have to do those things so that I can do what I'm doing.

It's been great to have the flexibility to work at home and get stuff done and still be here for Cam and Kate. I'm so lucky to have a job like this. I know the phone rings off the hook sometimes and I can't keep up. But who wouldn't want to be able to be a the house and do some stuff on the computer at a time like this.
Well I need to get after it. No more deep thoughts for the day. Just need to get after it! Ya'll can pray that the next 3 days of work goes well. They could have a HUGE financial impact on our little company.

The things you miss, that you don't miss

2005-09-12T19:54:00.000-07:00

I've often wondered what I'd do if I had to miss the opening day of Dove season like my buddy Ed did when get not only got married then but had / has his anniversary on opening weekend every year for ever. (Ed, I'm not mad about that -- If you recall I did get to hunt over in La. before your wedding.)

In the past 2 weeks I've missed a couple of things, and not even noticed. First of all, Mississippi State played a football game and -- whoa, they actually won the game. (no, not the Auburn one the other one). There was a hurricane, and there was work that had to be done and I was stopping at nothing to get it done. Didn't hear a play of the game. Not one, couldn't tell you anything about it except that the dogs did win.

Secondly, there is the issue of dove hunting. Traditionally, I try to sniff out a good dove hunt with some friends (even if I have to invite my self) and I look forward to it as the inaugral weekend to football season and more importantly hunting season. Some of my best college memories are of me, ed chandler and lucas cooking up some of the doves that we killed.

Oh, and some of them weren't cooked all the way, but thats another story. So anyhow, I'm realizing now, that I didn't even notice the start of dove season. It never crossed my mind. This summer I've shot skeet no less than 6 times. I've got my timing down, I've got half a case of shells, I have a shotgun ready to rock and roll... But no hunts.... I don't miss it yet. I haven't written it off yet. Maybe I'll take Kate with me. Maybe when she's five she can go pick up birds with her daddy. I can't explain how different it feels to have someone so little be so dependant on you. So needy and so happy when they get cuddled up.

Do I miss dove season? A little, but I wouldn't miss these past 6 days for the world.

(Don't talk about duck season, thats a whole 'nother issue! Just kidding honey!)

This was a new one on me.

2005-09-10T18:40:00.000-07:00

Changing the 100th diaper of the last couple of days, I suddenly realized that she wasn't finished with her very dirty business. She grunted and then -- I heard a poot, the kind made by a 4-day-old. Next thing I know, there is poop flying through the air in small pieces headed toward me. I screamed out of suprise. C. Didn't think it was funny but I was laughing for 5 minutes. Then I took off every thing I had on and put it straight in the wash.
Kate 1 - Dad 0.

We made it home from the hospital today. I can't tell you how glad I am to be back in my king sized bed. That little tiny broke down thing they call a "pull out" bed is NOT comfortable. I've been more comfortable sleeping on the lawn.

The other thing that I learned from the hosptital was that I don't matter. They had a team of Docs and Nurses checking on C and a team for Kate. But me, I don't matter. I don't count. I'm not important.

Please pray for Cam's blood pressure to settle down. She's still having trouble with it getting up a bit. It doesn't help when I yell when I'm being pooped opon. But please pray that we can get good rest. That I can get caught up on work. And that Kate is healthy and strong.

Ok. I'm going to bed, (and going to watch LSU).

I'm this excited.

2005-09-09T13:02:00.000-07:00

Kate Is Here

Left: Sophie loves a good hurricane. (notice all the broken limbs from the storm)

She's finally here

2005-09-06T22:10:00.000-07:00

Today was unlike any other. Normal untill about 1:30 pm. I have been working on databases and having meetings and running around doing a million things. My phone I had put on silent while I had an particularly important meeting around 12:00pm. I noticed a couple of calls from C. who was at her regular weekly Dr's visit in Jackson. I was checking my voice mail and finally got down to hers. It was a "call me now" urgent message. I did as I was beckoned. It turns out that a bit of high blood pressure and the baby being plenty large made for a nice day for a C section.

I finally talked to C. around 2:50 pm. She was giving me instructions on what to grab, what to pack and telling me to get down here and that the C section was planned for 4 pm. We live 90 miles from the hospital, and our car was in the shop. I didn't even realize what time it was. I finally got the car from the repair place, and threw all our luggage in the car, it was 3:45. They said that we would be pushed back till 5 pm. At 4:45 I made it to Jackson. Where as usual, we had to hurry up and wait. We waited till about 7:00 to actually have the section done. It was a bit bloody and way too much like cleaning a deer for my liking. Before long they had her out and were cleaning her up and letting me touch her and hold her.

What a feeling. I've never held anything so precious. Kate, we love you and we are glad you are finally here. At 7:54 PM. Kate Taylor was born, 7 lbs, 13 oz. 20 inches long.

Am I proud? You betcha. She's a special part of this family. I know Rosie and Sophie are going to be jealous (my two labs) because they can't hold a candle to my new "girl".

I'm about to get ready to try and sleep on this excuse for a bed. C. is fine, she's tired. I've got a world of things on my mind. And oh so much to think about.

More later. And of course photos as soon as they are ready to go.
Proud Poppa -- signing off!

Sleep is for sissies

2005-09-05T20:42:00.001-07:00

Over the past 5 days I've stayed up pretty late working on projects trying to get databases built for people on the ground who are deploying disaster response teams for those who have been affected by the storm. See the results here

Our city is working on housing some refugees and trying to figure out what the needs are. We are a community of about 8000 and having even a 300 new people in town is a pretty big change for us. At any given time we only have 3... yes I said 3 Police officers on duty. (That isn't counting Sherriff / County / MHP officers)

We have already heard reports of people coming here and buying houses. This could be the economic boom we've been hoping for. Winston County has several buildings ready to be occupied by manufacturers that may have been shut down by the storm. Ya'll come up here and we'll show you what we can do. We also have some downtown property that is vacant. We need a good restraunt that can cook and has atmosphere down town for lunch. I've got a building in mind for that one too. It's not officially on the market but could be bought.

In other news, ya'll be sure an check out Batch's blog. He's got some good stuff... Oh and a link to him on the news.

Sleep is for sissies

2005-09-05T20:42:00.000-07:00

Did we forget something?

2005-09-01T19:29:00.000-07:00

Did anyone mention to the newscasters that there are a couple of people (maybe one or two) that aren't in New Orleans that are in dire need of help too...

See letter below from Ginger (Blacklidge) Hyatt:

For those of you who don't know, my family is in Gulfport, MS where the hurricane hit. Mom my somehow made it home yesterday and even though I haven't talked to her directly, she left a message on Wade's cell (calling from someone's cell that worked) saying.... if you know ANYONE coming down there, please bring extra Water AND Gas - enough to last 6
weeks! It is their biggest need right now. I'm sure generators would
help also.

Please forward this to anyone you know who may be able to help.

Also, if you have family down there, please let me know their updates.
We don't have a lot of info since communications are down. I know my
family is safe. My grandmother's home is flattened (she lived on the
beach), and my dad and brother had 9 ft. of water in each of their
homes. That's as much as we know for now. Please pray for everyone down
there. Tough weeks ahead!!

Thanks!
Ginger

Date: Sep 1, 2005 6:44 PM
Subject: Re: GNO help

Yes, this is all so sad. I just can't believe it and almost can't watch
TV. I just talked to my brother in Gpt. and he said there is no sign
of FEMA, and The Red Cross got there yesterday but noone knows where
they are. He is so mad. There is NO HELP. And, I feel so helpless. If
you know of ANY churches delivering supplies, PLEASE encourage them to
go to Gpt.

Wow... We need to be getting down there with some help. New Orleans isn't the only place that has MAJOR needs and issues.

What in the world...

2005-09-01T17:44:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it. This is the most incredible thing I've ever seen. I feel sick looking at the photos and the news. We are working on getting a team together to take some stuff down there. No one has heard much at all from Gulfport. Looking at Batch's blog I see that he might need a new house down there. I can't imagine what you do to start over like that. Where do you go?

I would invite anyone to come up to louisville. We have an extra room. We also have a church with lots of folks with extra rooms and even a cabin on the lake that isn't being used.

I would love to see folks come up here and just start to do something in Louisville. We have plenty of warehouse space, near the coal mine, and great quality of life.
If we could get 30 or 40 new folks to move up here it would really impact our town.
We need some good new blood here. We had lots of folks coming by the office today checking for some news online. I hated to see that people had no idea if their brothers and sisters were still alive.

C. and I went to Jackson today and went to the doctor for a visit. I have never seen lines like that for gasoline. People waiting 4 hours to get gas. They have now limited the gas consumption to 10 bucks in clinton, and 40 bucks in Jackson.

I won't even talk about the damage here in louisville, it's a joke compared to the rest of these places.

From The Front Lines of Life

2005-08-23T19:41:00.000-07:00

I've noticed some new blogs out there recently that you state folks will probably like.
I'll be posting them shortly.

Musings and rambles

2005-08-21T12:19:00.000-07:00

I've gotten in to a couple of more on-line partnerships this past week. I've got a couple of online gigs that basically make me a commission only sales person for them, my territory being the web and my products vary from t-shirts, to duck & deer calls to corporate gifts.

I sometimes worry about the future of the internet (web desing / hosting) as a business. Software could take the place of web design, but commerce and information dispensing is the driving force behind many web sites. I've even got a sports related venture on the table. I have to be careful, there are some people that think they can get a web site and that automatically the world is going to show up and need what they have and they will do hundreds of dollars in sales every day. That's just not the case, people don't just show up at web sites. It takes "buzz" that marketing excitement to get people talking about and using the products and then, guess what -- you really have to have a good product, and more than that -- you have to have a better product in order to really succeed.
I hope some of my new ventures are this way, I'm sure some will do well, some will flounder, but I know some of these ideas are bound to make their way to the winners circle. I just want to get about 5 G's in recurring monthly income (profit) so that I can do some of the other things that I'd really like to do. I'm not terribly far from that, and I've wondered what will be the thing to push me over the top.

Another fun thing that we've been doing is eBay. Big River Sells is our eBay branch of the Big River Companies. We have had pretty good success selling things on eBay. We are doing school fundraisers, church fundraisers, selling cars, travel-trailers, baseball cards, books, fishing lures (old ones) and a bunch of other stuff. I'm trying to keep 400 bucks a day on there of inventory, and I think we can do that. It has a real potential, but most of the sales we've gotten have been through networking with existing customers and friends. Those of you who know me know that that's about all I'm good at. Ideas, networking and sales, those are my strengths.

We have some other news about Big River coming soon. Probably Tuesday we will have an official announcement on our latest endeavor. We'll make a big announcement.

Speaking of announcements, Kate had us thinking for a while that she might be coming last week. She was having contractions and we were wondering what was going on. It turned out to be Braxton Hicks or something like that but anyhow, not real contractions, but it was exciting none the less. I felt her move soo much last night. I could feel her hard foot poked against C's tummy. I poked back and she'd move, and then put her foot up, and I'd poke back... Unbelievable stuff really. I can't believe she's in there... I can't wait for her to come. We have to go to the Dr's office every week now. That car ride to Jackson and back is REALLY fun for C. She's so miserable in the car... It's hot as fire here... but not inside, inside it's a frigid 55 degrees. Well more like 65. Our AC bill is going to be more than our house note this month. I'm hoping we can sell some good web sites!

Ok... Remember what J. Lake says. "Reading a blog and not commenting is like going to someones home -- and not speaking to them!"

Crackin' heads

2005-08-12T06:33:00.000-07:00

Did ya'll see those guy's almost kill each other last night??? There were two outfielders diving for the same ball, that apparently hit each other in the head, and knocked each other out.

I can't tell you how awful that looked on TV. I wanted to see it slow motion, but somehow, they didn't play it. I think I only saw the clip during the Packers game. Wow. Pain like you would never imagine.

So, C. hasn't been making purses, but she's still got her design flare, look at this beauty that she dreamed up. She took it to a lady to make it with her design in mind and viola! It's a baby bag. (How many baby bags do you have?) We have a Kate Spade, this one, another cloth one, a polkadot plasticy one (which is cute), a black and white one with flowers on it and I think that is it. But I could be wrong. Sometimes they appear later on without warning.

How much would you pay for a bag like this one? Wide straps for comfort, hand made, comes with BABYswanky label on it... They'd have to sell for at least $60 to make it worth our while, but I'm slowly learning from owning my own business, that it's good to make a good profit on things. That's what people do. It's a healthy activity. People don't need to price gouge, but a healthy profit is a good thing for the economy.

Speaking of the economy, who wants a flat tax? A sales tax, get rid of income tax... I've talked to some people who say it would kill our economy, I've talked to others who say that it would kill charitable organizations. I've talked to some who say taxing isn't about anything other than a social agenda, of making people equal. I think that if you don't pay taxes you shouldn't get to vote. Man, I'm radical. Doesn't that make more sense, if you are on the dole, (sp?) you shouldn't be able to vote your self more money? If you are paying taxes, shouldn't you have a pretty good say in how your money is spent?

Mississippi got $2.51 Billion dollars in this highway (pork) bill... Does anyone think that those contracts for doing those roads could be done cheaper and faster if they were done with private contractors? I think the state has moved somewhat to that, but there is plenty of MDOT pork barrel money getting filtered out, out of the pockets of citizens.