Getting Chunks Checked

One of the things that I am always reluctant to do is go to a specialist doctor. First, getting the appointment is a bit of a pain since I have to go through my PPO, paying that co-pay, and basically saying to him, "I have to go to a specialist, can you get me a referral?" He says, "yes" and then calls and makes the appointment, which is usually 6 months away.

In this case, thankfully, it was only 3 months. I am going to see my dermatologist this afternoon. The last time I went I had three "areas of concern". He took pictures and then we were scheduled to cut those babies out. My previous insurance sucked. It had a ridiculous deductible. When I went back to get the moles removed I asked how much it would cost to get the three done and the doc said "$700.00".

I left with the growths still intact. Then when I went to Charleston to start the doctors office. I had the docs there remove and get pathology on two of three - negative for baddies (cancer and such).

I still have one left that was on the hit list and am in need of a check up. AND I have GREAT insurance and will be glad to get him to cut away. I may even get some microderm abrasion:)

Off I go...

WH

Proudest Dad Award Goes to ME!

This past Saturday the South Aiken girls cross country team won an unprecedented 6th straight regional championship. The girls showed an amazing amount of heart and courage. This course was a bitch. The first picture is the uphill that they had to climb twice. This was the middle stage of the uphill. It was probably 1/4 mile or longer and went up 1000' feet.




Uphill




Giving Your All

Above are some of the girls after finishing. They were spent. Having pushed through pain and the demons in their heads. Jessie was disheartened since she finished 16th. The top 15 finishers get All-Region, and that was one of her goals this year. Poo.

But as the things in life work out she was the one who actually won the district crown for the team by finishing in that spot. One place less and there would have been a different outcome. So in complete contrast to the entire concept that running distance is all about running for yourself, Jessie's race actually garnered the team trophy. The picture below shows the reward...




Reward

Do your best. The rest will come.

WH

This Is The Reason I Love My Kids

Jessie had Tacky Day at school today. Below is a picture of her all decked out in "fashion" for her appearance.




(click for a larger image)

I'll just let you soak in the glory of the image.

Jessie, you are freakin' hilarious!! I love your creativity and expression.

Dad

Hanging Around The House

Yeah! Incredibly Jen, Jessie, and I all have an easy Saturday today. No big plans that require us to BE anywhere. I cannot remember the last time that this was the case. I think that we are all looking forward to hang out time.

I plan on doing some basic yard work and puttering around the house in the morning and watching some sports in the afternoon. We may go and see a friend play tonight a R. Gabriels in Augusta, GA and have dinner beforehand.

Jen and Jessie are going to D.C. Sunday - Tuesday for The Peace Within Reach lobby for the Invisible Children of Uganda. I will be staying here doing the UPS thing, real estate and taking care of the doggies.

Final note. The display of forgiveness and mercy shown by the Amish community in the past days has been confounding to both the media and those looking on. Yet...it proves the point that the Amish are demonstrating. If you live a life of forgiving and being forgiven you can have peace. This disturbed man killed these girls and himself because he could not forgive himself or receive forgiveness for something that he had done 20 years before. The only way to take the power to destroy out of his actions is to forgive him. The redemptive act of going to his family and forgiving them and letting them know that the Amish families affected by this tragedy hold no grudges is THE MOST powerful thing that can happen and is really the only hope that they have in moving on with their lives.

Stunning. Bewildering. Lifegiving.

WH

Ok Already

It's pretty bad when my sister has to email me and ask why I haven't posted to this blog since September 18th. So, sis, thanks for the prod.

Here goes...

I'm busy as shit. I am still at UPS (working from 4 am - 9:30 am) weekdays. I get home, shower, read the papers and head off to the realty office. I am learning, researching, showing properties, etc. We are pretty busy these days in spite of the "slump" in housing. My client base grows each week and it will be a few more months before I feel comfortable. I start classes on October 14th for more real estate. I am going to get my final sales class so I can get my full license.

Additionally, Jessie is running cross country and we attend her meets - she ran her new personal record yesterday 21:46 for a 5k. She is improving each meet.

The Evening of Miracles Gala is coming up on October 20th so we are ramping up for that. I am chairing the committee and Jen is in charge of the auction items - silent and live auction. We drive to Columbia for each meeting and have two meetings in 3 days next weekend.

Candace, Jason's wife has been with us for a few days as she is on the way to Alabama so she can stay with her family while Jason is in Iraq. It's always great to have her here and we are glad to have her in the family.

Anyway, I will try and post more often. I really have no excuse since I have time for other things.

Peace.

WH