Day Twenty-eight – Sunday, 10/26/08

I weigh 184. Woke up pretty early this morning, but didn’t really have to. Guess I’m still adjusting to the time change, having a little jet lag or what not. Didn’t really sleep well all night. That makes 2 really early mornings in a row. Could have used the sleep too, as we weren’t leaving for church until about noon.

Fixed French Toast for the family while Kathy fixed everything else – kind of fun. Then it was off to The Grove for church. They were celebrating their 125th anniversary and I was invited to take part in an ordained/commissioned ministers choir. It was real nice and always so good to see those people. They’ve always been so very good to me and my family, even though I wasn’t there all that long and even after being gone all these years. They’re very dear.

Was a real nice service. Being there took up most the day. Got back home around 6:00, had dinner, watched World Series.

Mom and dad leave tomorrow. They had originally said they wouldn’t go until Tuesday, but we talked and I told them if they’re kind of itching to get back, please feel free to do so. They thought it was a good idea, packed up, and we said our good-byes. It was so great to have them take care of the kids. Never once did we have to worry about anything and it allowed the kids to stay at their own home. What a blessing. It was a quiet, good day. kdl

Day Twenty-nine – Monday, 10/27/08

Up really early again, about 3:15, but there was no going back to sleep. I read; it didn’t work. So I decided to stay awake so I could say good-bye to my folks one more time. They left at about 5:20. Went off to church to check e-mail and leave before anyone got there, and wouldn’t you know it, Al went in early today. It was good to see him and visit for a second. Ernest was also there by the time I left. Good to see him too.

It was a rather unmotivated day. I was tired all day, but not really tired enough to take a nap (finally fell asleep even though I didn’t want to at about 5:00 in the afternoon). Played it real lazy, but that’s what I wanted to do. No agenda today. No rushing around today. No commitments today. Kind of liked it.

Took some lunch to school which Kathy and I shared. Always like doing that. Then it was an afternoon of TV and dog walking. Told you I didn’t do a lot. Can’t get past the tired. Need to sleep well tonight as I’m driving to DFW tomorrow.

Went to dance practice with Rebekah; we dance Thursday – can’t wait. I’m starting to get comfortable with the dance, but still want to get it down better so I do well for her. I’m very excited about doing this. Been looking forward to it since the day she made Silver Stars.

Then home, some football and World Series on TV and off to bed. Tomorrow will be a more eventful day, but I don’t regret one bit having a day of nothingness. kdl

Day Thirty – Tuesday, 10/28/08

Up early again today, but on purpose – made it to the alarm. Hopefully the tired is wearing off. Got up, got dressed, got on the road to DFW about 7:00. Headed off to the King Tut exhibit in Dallas. Enjoyed it very much – was there about 2.5 hours. I don’t know why we modern-dayers think we’re so much more intelligent than those who lived in the past. This pretty much set that record straight.

The beauty, the opulence, the attention to detail, the precision, the recorded history; all I could leave there thinking was how advanced with their art, craftsmanship, and foresight they were back in about 1,300 BC when he died. It was good to also see some of the history of the discovery. It was amazing to see this beautiful exhibit. But the “day of the museum” was not yet over.

From there, headed to Fort Worth, the Kimbell Art Museum, to see the Impressionists. It was incredible: Monet’s, Manet’s, Renoir’s, Degas’, Van Gogh’s, Cezanne’s, Gauguin’s; it wouldn’t have been hard at all to have spent many hours there, going through it again and again. Some of the paintings rather bored me and I passed by them without giving them much time. But others - not hard at all to stare at endlessly.

Hit the road, getting home about 6:30. One silly highlight of the trip was stopping in West to get Kolache’s and chocolate milk on the way up, stopping again, getting more Kolache’s (for the family and for me to eat right then) on the way back. Always fun to stop there and stare adoringly at the food.

Went over the dance again with Rebekah. At about 9:25 was feeling like I always do, but by about 9:30, was tired beyond belief; hit me like a ton of bricks. When was the last time I went to bed before 10:00? I now know the answer to that question. A wonderful day; saw some incredible things. kdl

Day Thirty – one – Wednesday, 10/29/08

Didn’t do a whole lot today. Got to admit it, and it kind of surprises me, but I’m still tired. Biggest accomplishment of the day was getting the yard mowed. After that, it was just TV, watching movies and other stuff; feeling rather unmotivated. It was a lot like Monday, which is okay, but it sure does seem like time is moving fast and the sabbatical will be over really soon. Doesn’t bother me though, will be nice to have the days filled again with work.

Jacob had a football game today; always fun to watch. The team played well and won. He had a good game too. Then it was home for the evening, watched the Phillies win the World Series, and quiet after that. In all honesty, I could probably use more days like this, it’s just hard to let days slip by when not much gets done. A good day. kdl

Day Thirty – two – Thursday, 10/30/08

After getting a few things done around the house, I went off to Hancock to get in a round of golf. I don’t usually like going out on my own, but for some reason I don’t mind it there. It’s relaxed and never busy. It was great; during the afternoon I didn’t see a soul on the course. Played at my own pace, putted around for a while on a few holes. I really enjoyed it. It was like having my own private course. Finished it with the traditional lunch – Amy’s ice cream.

After getting the kids from school, we went off to the Bowie / Pflugerville game. Great game, real exciting, Bowie scored 2 touchdowns in the last three minutes to win by a point. Lots of fun / lots of yelling.

But there’s no doubt about the fact that the best part of the game, best part of the day, one of the highlights I’ve had in a long time was dancing with Rebekah at halftime. We danced to “Mission Impossible,” and it was a lot of fun. I was nervous before we began, because I wasn’t sure I had all the moves memorized in order. But Rebekah coached me through it and we did great. It went really fast. We both enjoyed it and Kathy taped it.

Then I got to sit with Rebekah during the 3rd quarter of the game. That was fun too, since we don’t get to do that anymore as she sits with the Stars. We got to talk football and we did some of the hand motions to some of the band songs. It was really a very special football game for me. I’m already looking forward to next year’s dance. One of the best evenings if not one of the best days I’ve had so far. kdl

Day Thirty – three – Friday, 10/31/08

After not doing much this morning, based on Kathy’s good recommendation (and my asking what I should do today) I went to the Bullock museum. Was really good – what I enjoyed most was the “Cowboys and Presidents” exhibit. I spent about 3 hours there. What I liked most were all the little theaters that showed 5 minute movies. It wasn’t just about Austin and Houston and Crockett, but also oil, cotton, US Presidents, and other things. I’m glad I went.

After that I went to Katz’ deli for a lunch – wanted to have a sandwich like I had at Carnegie Deli last year. It was okay, but paled in comparison, (pickles paled too). Based on that, I decided I wouldn’t try the cheesecake. Even brought half the sandwich home so Kathy and the kids could try it – didn’t love it enough to finish it.

Then it was just finishing out the afternoon and getting ready for trick-or-treaters. Hardly had any this year, which is okay, since I was charged with buying the candy and bought only the good stuff. We’ve got lots left over, but it’ll go away soon enough. Jacob went out with friends and Rebekah stayed home. We just kind of killed the rest of the night channel surfing, not doing a whole lot. Once Jacob got home, we headed off to bed. Not the most exciting Friday I’ve ever had, but the sabbatical is almost 5 weeks over and I’m yet to have a bad/wasted day. Same holds true for today. kdl

Day Thirty – four – Saturday, 11/1/08

The day started with a basketball game for Jacob. 5 fairly small guys on his team / he was the biggest, versus 9 boys, some pretty big, for the other team. The boys played real good, lost by a fair bit but only got outscored by 2 in the entire 2nd half. Jacob had a good game. The 6th boy came with about 10 minutes left – that helped quite a bit.

Then it was just home, eating, college football, having fun i.m.-ing Rebekah, and taking it easy. Didn’t feel like doing a whole lot, so I didn’t. I know I keep writing this, but I’m surprised that I’m still tired. I wear out mid-day, but don’t want to take a nap for fear of messing up my sleep patterns even more. Went shopping with Kathy and the kids and was yawning every 5 seconds. Thankfully I get an extra hour of sleep tonight as we set our clocks back (but have to get up early to go walk with Rebekah – a Silver Star function).

Watched the UT / Tech football game. Very exciting game, but found myself dozing off. Forced myself to wake up, watch the rest of the game, make it to bedtime without napping anymore, and finally get to bed. No problem getting to sleep. Tomorrow will be a little busier, which will be good. I find if I can occupy my time, I don’t get tired. kdl

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