Houston Auto Show 2009

As per tradition, I rounded up a group of co-workers and we headed to the Houston Auto Show. No, I'm not looking for a new car right now...I just like to drool over the pretty cars. I was convinced of several cars that I thought I liked that I now know I will never purchase (like the 2009 Honda Accord- not a fan of the body style) or a Saab- I've decided it has a duckbill platypus-dinosaur beak type of front end. Not very pretty. Here are some pics:

1968 GT 500
Beautiful car. I am a HUGE classic car fan (my parents even got me the 2009 Classic Mustang calendar this year :) yeah, there's a '65 'Stang in the background :grin: )



2009 Dodge Challenger. I didn't like the Charger. I saw the Challenger as a concept car and I think they did a very good job of maintaining the lines from the classic style. Plus, it's orange :)


I was not impressed with the field of view however...sweet, just saved myself $45k!


Why won't they let you sit in the really cool cars? This is the 2009 Nissan GTR- it won Motor Trend Car of the Year. Awesome car.


Lisa, me, and Lynn checking out the Volkswagon sound system


Totally can't remember who designed this concept car, but the windows were boggling our minds


Lynn, Josh, and Mike, marveling over the price tag of Lisa's wish-car- BMW 500 series

Hope

This is an excerpt from my friend Shari's blog (you can see the whole post by clicking on the "The Schiels" in the list of blogs on the right hand side ->). The Schiel family is in Marlyland while Darrel (Shari's husband) attends Pastor's College and will come back to our church in May. Their 6 year old daughter Hope has been very sick and they are having a hard time figuring out what is going on. If you have a moment when you read this, please say a little prayer for Hope and her family- for continued strength and encouragement and wise doctors (and of course, HEALING). Thanks!

"I’ll try making this short. We took Hope to the pediatric endocrinologist today and after spending about 1/2 an hour examining Hope, discussing past history, blood test results, MRI, etc., she is leaning toward the feeling that there is some type of malignancy in Hope that has not been found. We went directly to the lab to have more blood drawn for more tests which include checking for all forms of Heptatitis along with re-checking some things we’ve already had tested, esp. the things that point to her thinking malignancy. We are also doing a 24 hour urinalysis over the next 2 days. I am going to have to bring Hope back to have more blood drawn in the morning because I got a call after we got home that they didn’t draw enough for a particular test. The lady said to tell Hope she’s very sorry but to a 6 year old I’m afraid that won’t go over well. I am continually trying to encourage Hope in the Lord, speaking of what He has done for her, praying for and with her, asking her questions about what she believes about God. It is surely a time of and for growth but at this very moment my heart is discouraged. I tend to get this way when I am tired, of which I am. Last night Hope was running a 103.4 temp and slept very poorly. I slept next to her in Danielle’s bed in order to make it easier to give her drinks through the night and more med’s when necssary. Her legs hurt so badly today she didn’t want to walk. We discovered another lump on her left leg today during the exam. A surprise to everyone in the room.

Ok, I said short and it isn’t. More information when it comes in…we will be scheduling an appointment asap with an oncologist, not a bone (orthopedic) one this time. She will also have an abdominal ultrasound next Monday due to stomach pain the last few months (she’s often saying her pants are too tight and pulling them away from her lower abdomen). Even through tired mind, eyes, body and heart I know God is in control and we are fully trusting in His goodness and love."

Hospitality Event #1

So one of our goals as a "household" is to have one hospitality event per month. Invite people over for a meal and get to know them better. Today was our first event. grilled for the FIRST TIME EVER! (Shish kebab (or shash-lik for you folks who speak Russian)). Besides a few over-grilled shrimp, I think it was a success!

Yum!



The Crews, Axelsons, and Bennetts- thanks for coming!

Christina's Tree Huggers- Round Two

Christina's Tree Huggers Team

For the second time, Christina convinced us to get up early on a Saturday morning and attempt to make Houston more green by planting trees for Arbor Day. The last time we went (two years ago) it was raining and muddy (really muddy- I had to be pulled out of the mud at one point because I was stuck). Today the weather was much better- a bit chilly, but dry. We figure we planted around 250 trees...not bad for 10 people and 2.5hrs...

Our fearless leader thinking "Melissa put the camera away and dig"


Once again, "Melissa put the camera away and dig" :) ( I won't point out that neither Paul nor Brandon is digging at this point...maybe Paul is thinking "you really want a picture of me blowing my nose?")


Moose ready for work


I really like my gloves...they were super grippy.


Yup, Brandon broke his shovel


Greg diggin' in


Sandy delivering water


Laura grinning, despite the fact she was having major sinus issues...

Random bits

1. I like having roommates. It means I actually get to have stuff for dinner. We decided that each of us would make a meal each week. And let me tell you, they can cook :). This week was homemade mac and cheese with ham (I think it is better than Tarik's!), this fabulous chicken curry soup that Pam just made up out of her head, and I made my quinoa and black bean enchiladas. Ahh, full belly=good times.

2. My roommates are neat freaks. This is bad. I am not. I am being guilted into cleaning by their tidy and efficient actions. Bummer. (;-) ).

3. I am a dork. I just bought something for a friend and put it on the dresser for safe keeping. Five minutes later, I knocked it off the dresser and broke it. Note to self: leave it in the box.

Finally, orange wall pictures!

Sorry it took so long to post these, but my room is finally looking presentable and I finished the dresser today. What do you think?

The room and dresser pre-paint


Dresser post paint and paper



See, orange and purple DO go together :)



Ahh...so colorful. It makes me smile.

My Pretend Half-Marathon Experience

So obviously with me just about to get off the injured list, I wasn't able to run the Houston Half-Marathon this morning as I had planned. My running buddy Lisa, who was supposed to run it too, was struck with the flu at the end of this week and wasn't able to run either :(. So we went downtown (at 5am!) to cheer on her husband and several of our friends who were running the 5K, Half-Marathon, and marathon distances. It was fun watching the race from the spectator perspective, although, admittedly, I much prefer being a participant. :D

This is as close as we got...sporting our bibs...

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Melissa, Josh, and Kevin- getting ready to run the 5K!