tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87998164210069655632024-02-19T21:52:39.235-08:00The Guilbot FamilyNews, photos, video, and audio from Curtis, Mary, Danielle, Madeleine, and Niesha.Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-72493228148593494292014-06-15T21:18:00.003-07:002014-06-15T21:18:48.447-07:00Go Spurs Go!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I almost titled this post "Suck It, Miami!" But I decided that was not befitting of the Spurs.<br />
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Tonight the San Antonio Spurs redeemed themselves for last year's gut-wrenching loss to the Miami Heat. I've always admired and respected the team- it's ownership, management, coaching, and players, who all exemplify leadership at every level. So many life and business lessons to be learned from classy, successful organizations like this one. I'm particularly struck by the relationship between Tim Duncan and Head Coach Gregg Popovich. They love and respect they have for each other is palpable (for a wonderful and rare insight, dig up <a href="http://nba.si.com/2013/04/25/gregg-popovich-spurs-sports-illustrated/">Jack McCallum's 2013 Sports Illustrated profile</a> on Popovich).<br />
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<a href="http://www.napps.org/conferences/06conference/images/banquet/6_163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.napps.org/conferences/06conference/images/banquet/6_163.jpg" /></a></div>
My Dad loved the Spurs for the same reason I do- they're a classy, blue-collar organization. They don't buy championships or dream teams, they make them, from raw recruits and role players on the tail end of their careers. If you can be successful in that bootstrapping approach to life and work, then you need never want, and can focus instead on living your dreams, and living up to your potential.<br />
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That's what my own personal Coach Pop taught me. I scored four victories: my amazing wife Mary, and our three beautiful, healthy, and joyful daughters (I decided to quit before winning 'one for the thumb'). I hope you can see them now, Dad... you'd be so proud.<br />
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Much love on Father's Day. I miss you, "Coach Pop."<br />
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Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-35443168259066032282013-08-21T21:49:00.002-07:002013-08-21T21:49:44.268-07:00Play time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4ebO_aQ-jc4FqKKlPnghyDHZvtps6zbeI_SE7gZwWHiVrun9rYZbff5id_SDBZmBIuQhGvqApQM6FkhAfA9LIp_kYJz22LrWCHzHi4IS_oO_LjUwK_vaNmbFUuQuvHyNqxG7D0Fidgk/s1600/tinkerbell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4ebO_aQ-jc4FqKKlPnghyDHZvtps6zbeI_SE7gZwWHiVrun9rYZbff5id_SDBZmBIuQhGvqApQM6FkhAfA9LIp_kYJz22LrWCHzHi4IS_oO_LjUwK_vaNmbFUuQuvHyNqxG7D0Fidgk/s320/tinkerbell.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danielle as Tinkerbell at Hyde Park Theatre</td></tr>
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Today dark rain clouds teased us here in Austin. 102' and overcast, with a cool breeze <i>and</i> 80% humidity. Surprisingly pleasant for summer in Texas. Even more so because Mary and I took the girls out to one of the Mueller community parks late this afternoon.<br />
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As Mary and I watched from a bench, I was struck by the conveyor belt pattern of the girls cavorting on the playscape: run, run, run to the entrance ramp, traverse shaky bridge, dash across a long catwalk, through a tunnel obstacle, climb up a ladder to the crow's nest, stop to survey the landscape, call for everyone in earshot to "Watch me! Look at me!", then hesitate for a moment at the top of the slide, a few tears, some screaming, "I can't do it! It's too high!" Then shoot down the slide, the sound of skin screeching on the hot plastic of the chute, pop off the end, giggle wildly- "That was FUN!!" Then run, run, run back to the ramp to do it all over again.<br />
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They never seemed to tire of it. Until they did, of course. But up to that point, it was a laugh-a-minute. To Mary and I, it's almost like watching dogs chase their tails. Same pattern, over and over and over again. But of course, it wasn't the same.<br />
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Every trip up the playscape was subtly different. This time, Niesha has to climb over her sisters. The next time, Madeleine gets stuck in the tube. Another time, Danielle tries climbing <i>up </i>the tall slide, falls on her face, and slithers down on her belly, giggling the whole way.<br />
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It was the Circle of Life we were watching. <br />
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I know, pretty heady stuff for a day at the park. But even the clouds were playing- huge stormy clouds, a stiff breeze, lighting, and then, just when it looked like we might get rained out... the sun peaked through again.<br />
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Every time I step off the work treadmill to really enjoy playing with my kids, I can't believe how much and how fast they've grown. I can't believe how blessed we are that they are healthy and happy, and have such a good Mommy, and are so loving towards each other. But they're siblings, and they compete, so round and round they go, sometimes laughing, sometimes crying, sometimes helping, sometimes racing for the top spot. <br />
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Dad raised (or helped raise) three kids, too. Dad and India met later in life, so the kids were a bit older, but I'll be the same age when Niesha graduates college as Dad was when my sister Lizzy graduated! My step-brother and sister have grown into fine adults, of whom Dad would be very, very proud. But between the three of us, he certainly would recognize the running around in circles, the helping, the competition, and the race for the top. He's been there. Hopefully, he was giggling all the way, too.<br />
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The girls and I send our love, Dad. Miss you.</div>
Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-31823613024120806732010-08-21T13:01:00.000-07:002010-08-21T23:05:45.515-07:00New day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoR7lnpcLuyj9z0FVuFa-cDUenz1tEm8rLGdy_YZFNlI3Sb376OYHmG4h4bZ-rxIuOYg26s30dpxbDEF2acBIgmL4m5BwOwJODdvTI4rwrl-dN1sX5oH4FKSamvmA3SzO4NrvNeTuDIM/s1600/balcony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoR7lnpcLuyj9z0FVuFa-cDUenz1tEm8rLGdy_YZFNlI3Sb376OYHmG4h4bZ-rxIuOYg26s30dpxbDEF2acBIgmL4m5BwOwJODdvTI4rwrl-dN1sX5oH4FKSamvmA3SzO4NrvNeTuDIM/s200/balcony.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Beautiful day in Austin, Texas. A mild 95' F right now, which is pleasant, considering it's the middle of August. Kids are playing, squirrels are frolicking. I'm sitting at my Command and Control Center of World Domination, looking out the window of our modest but happy home trying to get some work done. <br />
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I'm not doing so well.<br />
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Mainly, it's because my 3 year old, Danielle, keeps zooming through the room on her rolling pink car, holding a cardboard paper towel tube to her eye as a telescope, squealing for joy at the top of her lungs. She is trailed by her sister, 1 year old Madeleine (who just yesterday took her very first steps). Madeleine, who has a VO2 max lung capacity that would put Lance Armstrong to shame, cuts loose with her patented Banshee Scream(TM) that rattles windows, mirrors, and my brain stem. I could go somewhere else and get a lot more done, but despite the chaos, I really do enjoy being around them, especially while they are so little. I missed Danielle's first steps while I was at work, so it was nice to witness Madeleine's.<br />
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There's another reason, too. Today is the anniversary of my Dad's passing, in 2007.<br />
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One of my friends, Eduardo, who is the father of four, told me when Danielle was born that I would "get to relive my childhood" by raising kids. He's right. Even though this month is rough for me, it's wonderful being around all this new life and new discoveries. My step-brother William and his fiance Catherine are getting married next month- another new beginning. My step-sister Lizzy is returning to UT after a summer in Macedonia(!), starting her new semester, and possibly a new major. I'm starting some fun new business ventures, including an acting class that I've been toying with for years- more new beginnings. And, of course, our third and final baby is due in late October- the ultimate in new beginnings.<br />
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On the anniversary of Dad's birth, and his death, I'll sometimes drive to his gravesite alone; sometimes I take Mary and the kids. But it's harder to do now, since he's buried in San Antonio, and it's an hour-plus drive there, and another hour back, for what is usually an awkward and teary 20-minute solitary communion at his gravestone. It feels... conspicuous. Honestly, so does blogging about it.<br />
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Neither Dad nor I, nor the rest of my family growing up were very good about that whole visit-the-grave-of-your-ancestors thing. And that was even when the cemetery was just a two-block walk from our house! So I guess I never got the habit. Like church. We weren't great at that, either.<br />
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So, when I get to his gravesite, I'm never quite sure what I'm supposed to <i>do</i>, exactly. Except remember. Which I do. Every day.<br />
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There's not much point of attending church and doing the rituals if you don't walk the walk every day. But there's plenty of point to being a good person, even if you don't go to church. Similarly, I'm not big on the gravesite ritual, I'm afraid. But I think about Dad every day. Every time my little girls smile, and I see the Guilbot crinkle in the corners of their eyes. Every time they read a new book, make up a new song, or take their first steps. Every time I have to tell them "no" (either for their safety, or my sanity). And every night when Danielle takes Ronnie Dog, the stuffed animal that Dad and India gave to her just a month after she was born, to sleep with her. Ronnie's been #1 with a bullet on the Favorite Stuffed Animal Chart for the past month.<br />
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Several times, I almost lost my parents, either physically or metaphorically. Those are long stories. But in the end, Dad and I hung in together, and became very close. One thing I never doubted was that he loved me, and wanted the best for me. And for Lizzy and William.<br />
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I picture Dad when I see my stepmom, India, and I'm so grateful to him for bringing her into our lives, as well as Lizzy and William, whom have both grown to be wonderful, accomplished adults. And sometimes when I'm alone, jogging, flipping through an old photo album, or just lying in bed at night, I think about him, too. <br />
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Even though it makes me a bit uneasy, writing these posts is also meditative, and a nice way to recollect life with my father.<br />
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I remember, Dad.<br />
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But, no, I don't get out to the cemetery much. I hope that's OK.<br />
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<a href="http://obit.porterloring.com/obitdisplay.html?id=451650&listing=Current">Ron Guilbot, loving father, 1946-2007</a>.Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-9302952893993216172009-12-11T00:44:00.000-08:002009-12-11T14:44:51.792-08:00Happy Birthday, DadMiss you.Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-4394891982825510202009-12-10T15:50:00.000-08:002009-12-11T14:44:16.184-08:00Family photos<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZkS8tlGPo_kVWZ5OylGa_dHz-DY5gkDGTzkDNgwjfA53a9wHByEGF_vgRlRACix59bnSeGVZ21m-NswYTAlFk2gEVbwXz2F3M_0mlSEgF60DicYNRJHovaYC9tzkgfFCObUfvk8vCq8/s1600-h/image+%230783.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZkS8tlGPo_kVWZ5OylGa_dHz-DY5gkDGTzkDNgwjfA53a9wHByEGF_vgRlRACix59bnSeGVZ21m-NswYTAlFk2gEVbwXz2F3M_0mlSEgF60DicYNRJHovaYC9tzkgfFCObUfvk8vCq8/s400/image+%230783.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414113083853703010" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4sfc5rltX0/SyLK84dQ6eI/AAAAAAAAGIA/fmNlRiOF79E/s1600-h/image+%230742.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4sfc5rltX0/SyLK84dQ6eI/AAAAAAAAGIA/fmNlRiOF79E/s400/image+%230742.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414112849348848098" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4sfc5rltX0/SyLKhrEAPwI/AAAAAAAAGH4/qNGOjVX08e8/s1600-h/image+%230810.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4sfc5rltX0/SyLKhrEAPwI/AAAAAAAAGH4/qNGOjVX08e8/s400/image+%230810.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414112381896769282" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQh2T2NcO_ODCr6yPdIJZ-NRSFmcFEASFb5lsOiVVL5Y8-6OagYPsppHw0CsQ42x87rRnhd7Lxrt_V4R2ZxU2bdo_Kos31-eEiZRUWxIb1q6N-DMdtzRAKsQacxbUM5ZxzETglb9m_f-I/s1600-h/image+%230631.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQh2T2NcO_ODCr6yPdIJZ-NRSFmcFEASFb5lsOiVVL5Y8-6OagYPsppHw0CsQ42x87rRnhd7Lxrt_V4R2ZxU2bdo_Kos31-eEiZRUWxIb1q6N-DMdtzRAKsQacxbUM5ZxzETglb9m_f-I/s400/image+%230631.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414111266459709970" /></a><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></div>Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-70220288366761511572009-10-16T10:18:00.000-07:002009-10-16T10:20:03.384-07:00Sisters<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4sfc5rltX0/StirCuWHzII/AAAAAAAAGFA/XZTyxnqHHRk/s1600-h/sisters_photo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4sfc5rltX0/StirCuWHzII/AAAAAAAAGFA/XZTyxnqHHRk/s400/sisters_photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393248617065073794" /></a><div>Danielle hugging on Madeleine in the media room.</div>Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-14683549485699379522009-10-15T07:58:00.001-07:002009-10-15T07:59:05.402-07:00Stuff my Dad saysIf my Dad had made it to 73, I'll bet he would have sounded <a href="http://twitter.com/shitmydadsays">a lot like this</a>.Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-62278117629181275282009-10-14T17:34:00.000-07:002009-10-14T17:35:52.744-07:00Zeo Sleep Thingy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4sfc5rltX0/StZuWDym1VI/AAAAAAAAGEc/c8sRRpn3Hcw/s1600-h/zeo_image.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 193px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4sfc5rltX0/StZuWDym1VI/AAAAAAAAGEc/c8sRRpn3Hcw/s400/zeo_image.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392618929076491602" /></a><br /><div><br /></div>I don't know what <a href="http://www.myzeo.com/">this is</a>, exactly, but I'm pretty sure that I need one.Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-20375913634555041682009-10-13T21:48:00.001-07:002009-10-13T21:48:52.945-07:00First meeting of AFSDC!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; color: rgb(70, 70, 70); font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; "><label for="myStatusForm" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; display: inline; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); background-position: initial initial; ">Curtis Wayne</label> <span class="text" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">Preparing for the first meeting of the Appetite for Success Dinner Club tomorrow (</span> <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fappetiteforsuccess%2Ening%2Ecom%2F&urlhash=0o1g&trk=NUS_STAT-link_text" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: initial; outline-style: none; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 51, 153); ">http://appetiteforsuccess.ning.com/</a><span class="text" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; ">) at Chuck's Deli in south Austin. Should be a lot of fun!</span></span>Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-6388231689153647832009-08-30T22:50:00.000-07:002009-08-31T22:23:10.565-07:00Mondays<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It's Birthday Monday for Curtis. Born in 1967, the Summer of Love (all of you under 35, look it up). </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Middle-aged now. Wow. In my seemingly endless pursuit of career nirvana, it's easy to miss the moments in between. But in between may be the most important moments of all. Ph</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ilosopher/theologian </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Buber" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(0, 102, 204); text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Martin Buber</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> suggested that God is found </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">between people.</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> In other words, “When people relate to each other authentically and humanly, God is the electricity that surges between them.” </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Loving, understanding, patient wife, two healthy gorgeous kids, nice house, strong career(s), good friends. Life is good. Heck, life is great! </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Gotta take time to remember that. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div></div>Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-20775011036953934372009-08-21T22:19:00.000-07:002009-08-31T22:21:28.429-07:00Two yearsThis August was the two year anniversary of Dad's passing. Still hard to believe.<div><br /></div><div>I miss him so much.</div>Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-42788853037117082902009-08-11T21:10:00.000-07:002009-08-12T09:14:42.182-07:00Milestone!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9eP6bGB5IsGxnndffswtsQY1Ri3qRyF3d1bqJEy-TcLR6XE-GZt9ysshzOcftmoZtxCiS-siKvxw-LtfeJ046Jkj7Uuovp80TAnI-0z0RP31TI460HWOdeUViDdLdOZARSC1qAOlFuE/s1600-h/Danielle_sophisticate.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9eP6bGB5IsGxnndffswtsQY1Ri3qRyF3d1bqJEy-TcLR6XE-GZt9ysshzOcftmoZtxCiS-siKvxw-LtfeJ046Jkj7Uuovp80TAnI-0z0RP31TI460HWOdeUViDdLdOZARSC1qAOlFuE/s400/Danielle_sophisticate.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369111242302599922" /></a><br />Danielle made her first deposit into her potty tonight. Well, actually, she peed into it two nights ago, so that was probably the first milestone; this is the second. And it was just an ink drop-sized pooplet. Whatever. I like the trendline.<div><br /></div><div>As you can see, Danielle is a sophisticated young lady now.</div>Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-80397627447250977322009-08-06T14:35:00.000-07:002009-08-06T14:50:48.131-07:00Now how smart do you feel?<b>Smart Car before:</b><div><b><br /></b><div><b><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAr1VYoqfAEbFAqPJxbm6wh8HLZ9nu_-gDMKPxOxUcSWXHeSJOppDGPoYyfhrR3ZHkrv6UTJBqx6UuKuOyiJSlJriOvTjwbs7U9n0QQN9u-WzXISzHUtg8GmWM8gjiO0Liij9zXDAn90/s400/smartcar_before.png" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px; " border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366970532535947058" /></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Smart Car after:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHltNaQsPtfOC2guU4muCPW-1-YaYCVde6a_h7LewUe1UKD0MOdMiw9n5HWDQTD5ZIHsZY_iOvQhJ_6ps4TAqYaID5AopjfHILRLclIeXGL9JOxk2H-SlUjuzji-NKVzeT49auyb5f6l0/s1600-h/smartcar_after.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHltNaQsPtfOC2guU4muCPW-1-YaYCVde6a_h7LewUe1UKD0MOdMiw9n5HWDQTD5ZIHsZY_iOvQhJ_6ps4TAqYaID5AopjfHILRLclIeXGL9JOxk2H-SlUjuzji-NKVzeT49auyb5f6l0/s400/smartcar_after.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366970729399144066" /></a><br /><div><div style="text-align: left;">This is tragic and scary. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's the trade-off that American car buyers face: safety versus economy. The short-sighted strategy of Amercian auto makers to focus on SUVs has had another side-effect, besides running an inconic U.S. industry into the ground. Flooding the market with monsterously large vehicles in suburban areas (what was wrong with station wagons?) has made car buyers feel that they need to go equally big to be safe.</div></div><div><div><br /></div><div>I know this was a strong concern when my folks bought a car for Lizzy, my 16-year old sister. "Just wait until you have a kid, and you'll understand," said my Mom India. She was right! Now, with two girls, I totally understand wanting them to be safe, which is why we used <a href="http://www.informedforlife.org/">Informed for Life</a> to check the safety of several models, and settled on a 2005 Honda Odyssey to transport by girls around.</div><div><br /></div><div>Until the current crop of SUVs ages into the junkyard and Detroit starts producing, and Americans start buying, smaller vehicles, early adopters of light, "smart" cars will continue to feel very vulnerable in urban traffic. If they're lucky enough to feel anything at all.</div></div></div></div>Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-64264919515122757022009-08-04T00:01:00.000-07:002009-08-04T09:16:39.364-07:00Welcome, Madeleine!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrd3yEwFr9HcJMUCjO4kyj-ebfizC1dLIhj7NwKY8i7ovclBZLgBwIob8vKOP1YV-ftCymk5BI2cymN2Bod_VQB6zRoUEcpYNCSGLo7AIonJVjG-RliHaBOxBqw3eKJlmEB9m2uvMsnQ/s1600-h/Madeleine+and+Mary+-+2+weeks+old.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrd3yEwFr9HcJMUCjO4kyj-ebfizC1dLIhj7NwKY8i7ovclBZLgBwIob8vKOP1YV-ftCymk5BI2cymN2Bod_VQB6zRoUEcpYNCSGLo7AIonJVjG-RliHaBOxBqw3eKJlmEB9m2uvMsnQ/s400/Madeleine+and+Mary+-+2+weeks+old.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366140465460399058" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">Mostly we post family news and updates over on Facebook, because, well... it's the law. Actually, FB kind of annoys me, but it's also kind of handy, so whatcha gonna do?</div><div><br /></div><div>For those of you who are not yet on Facebook (Nancy, I'm looking at you!), here are a couple of photos of our new baby Madeleine Marie, born Sunday, July 19, 2009, at 4:30 p.m. Both her and Mom are doing great!</div><div><br /></div><div>Mary and I are truly blessed with two beautiful, and above all, healthy girls, and with the wonderful help and support we've had from family, friends, and neighbors. Stepmom India (Grandma Cita) came to our house on a moment's notice (after a 5:30 a.m. wakeup call from us!) to babysit Danielle when Mary went into labor. Mary's mother, Grandma Janie drove up from Wharton, and took over later that day, then stayed with us for two weeks (!), to help with the baby, and let Daddy get some rest and go back to work. Grandma Baba (as Danielle calls her) and her friend Peggy, plus my sister Lizzy, came to visit the grils. Aunt Diana (Nonny) came over lots of times, bearing gifts, and to play with Danielle, and help out Mary. Our neighbors the Serios have pitched in, even bringing Danielle some toys from Cassidy's old stash (which she loved!). And the kind folks at the TWIA office (like Eduaro and Gloria Mena) bought some lovely baby gifts for both Madeleine and Danielle, as did our friends Joe and Tracy (and, of course, all the Grandmas!). We and the girls are so blessed to have so many people who love and care about us. Life is good.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4sfc5rltX0/SnhcQ7Y3osI/AAAAAAAAGAY/ec5UAV0Gx20/s400/Madeleine+in+hospital+-+1+day+old.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366140401901609666" /></div><div>Gotta go get some sleep. Y'all come back now, y'hear?</div><div> </div>Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-58390034414178207152009-06-10T15:50:00.001-07:002009-06-10T15:51:43.343-07:00Cute bunny<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4sfc5rltX0/SjA47WtTebI/AAAAAAAAFSE/qdYZ-JhGZyo/s1600-h/cute+bunny+Danielle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4sfc5rltX0/SjA47WtTebI/AAAAAAAAFSE/qdYZ-JhGZyo/s400/cute+bunny+Danielle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345835350047816114" border="0" /></a>Mary snapped a great photo of Danielle in our front yard.Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-2413367072677698712009-05-15T07:11:00.001-07:002009-05-15T07:34:14.152-07:00Mother of mauled toddler indicted<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29HJy-9v1waxEowMeWQ3d-10mc0uqJHI6sZp8yzqPoz57kZxSct6l9mgRwv9-_L3PI0auevgPcg285pHa5CuOErswbj6-IoFmrN49k9aXqXslrymAhru568N4bg-VhRE8yFODHzS-fMg/s1600-h/pitbull.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 103px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29HJy-9v1waxEowMeWQ3d-10mc0uqJHI6sZp8yzqPoz57kZxSct6l9mgRwv9-_L3PI0auevgPcg285pHa5CuOErswbj6-IoFmrN49k9aXqXslrymAhru568N4bg-VhRE8yFODHzS-fMg/s200/pitbull.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336058972543168114" border="0" /></a>I really don't know how many more times we need to see <a href="http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/05/15/0515pitbull.html">stories like this</a> before people understand.<br /><br />I do not know what the stats are on how many maulings are pit bulls versus Rottweilers, Dobermans, Collies, or other breeds. But it is shocking how much anecdotal evidence I find that pit bulls are the worst offenders.<br /><br />We used to have a pit bull mutt, when I was six years old, waaaaaaay before they got the type of publicity they get now. Tiger (his name) was playful, and never hurt us; but I did see him turn on a dime once. The neighbors brought over a 4-foot tall Great Dane with an attitude. Tiger was happy to meet him, wanted to play. The Dane barked and tried to back Tiger down. Tiger immediately went nuts, and would have ripped the other dog's throat out, had there not been a chain link fence separating them. Not too long after that, we left the gate open, and Tiger ran away, never to be heard from again. In retrospect, much as I liked Tiger, I consider us lucky never to have been a victim of Pit Bull Schizophrenia (PBS), where they go from trusted companion to <a href="http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/face_transplant_recipients_new_face_came_from_suicide_/">chewing your face off</a>.<br /><br />To be fair, the number of fatal dog attacks in the U.S. is <a href="http://www.la-spca.org/dedication/talk/t_judge.htm">pretty low</a>. But even non-fatal attacks can be traumatic and life-altering. Children, especially, can suffer both physical and emotional scarring from facial wounds inflicted in such attacks. I'm not saying that having a dog guarantees an attack; I'm just saying that it's a risk you have to consider, like driving without a seat belt.<br /><br />I wonder if the "security" of having an attack dog to ward off burglars offers any comfort when your <span style="font-style: italic;">best friend</span> swallows your nose? Personally, I'd rather the crooks steal my TV, and keep my face, and my child.<br /><br />There are common-sense things that parents and dog owners can do to help prevent such incidents, but the most important one is to recognize that certain breeds, and pit bulls in particular, are not suited for domestic life.Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-58644121994796382482009-04-14T21:22:00.000-07:002009-04-15T06:10:55.713-07:00Danielle's Easter 2009<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dznH0Hj20g5BQSV6xrzeVqeZ0aOsezklaOyZQICL07GVQy4-nUfe91jzETFDJlXLCmVwRx96pV64DffhygemQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Danielle had a wonderful time with the Chumney clan, India's family. Her cousins Josie and Aubrey took great care of her, and helped her color Easter eggs the old fashioned way, then bury them in Jeff and Elizabeth's yard. Danielle missed her nap both days we were there, but she didn't get fussy at all- she just powered right through, then dropped like a brick when she hit the pillow.<br /><br />We stopped by Dad's grave site on the way out of town, so Danielle could wish him a Happy Easter, too (which she did, on the video). I always miss him most at times like this. But he brought India, Lizzy, William, and all of the Chumney folks into our lives, so that's one more gift Dad has given us, that will live on as long as we do- more great family.<br /><br />Happy Easter, Papa Ron.Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-18055856984782649532009-04-02T21:26:00.000-07:002009-04-02T21:33:33.345-07:00Where did we go?Facebook.<br /><br />It's not really my first choice, but it's just easier. Facebook has a lot of useful tools, and lots of storage space, and it's fairly easy to search and connect with folks. <br /><br />Of course, the new iLife '09 (a program for Apple Macs) has lots of great features, and easy integration with Apple's Mobile Me service, so maybe we'll end up there, later on. If you're jonesin' for some Danielle pics, I'm slowly migrating our whole family catalog there. <a href="http://gallery.me.com/curtiswayne">Check it out</a>. <br /><br />So, if you want to catch up with us, friend me up on Facebook. I'll have photos posted there, and they should sync with our Mobile Me collection. <br /><br />I will leave this blog up, though... just in case.Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-26326238401730622942009-01-19T08:42:00.001-08:002009-01-19T08:46:46.217-08:00More Danielle pics!OK, I've got some really cute Danielle pictures coming up(which is the only reason you read this blog, I know), but I'm waiting for Aunt Lizzie to get me a CD of the shots.<br /><br />ZZ babysat last night, so that Mary and I, <a href="http://guilbots.blogspot.com/2008/04/just-chillin.html">Diana</a>, and <a href="http://guilbots.blogspot.com/search?q=matt">Matt</a> could all go to the One World Theater last night, courtesy of a radio contest that Mary won. Great venue, good (free) food, and "limo" ride.<br /><br />And upon our return, Daddy got to watch the Steeler game on DVR. Love that <a href="http://easytechzealot.blogspot.com/">modern technology</a>.Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-83565866879222563492009-01-19T08:36:00.000-08:002009-01-19T08:40:07.251-08:00Car carsh<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AlMbBxavmGY&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AlMbBxavmGY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />And this is why I play tennis.<br /><br />Poor Willis McGahee's spinal column looks like one of the crash test dummies in <a href="http://guilbots.blogspot.com/search?q=mass+v">this video</a>. I hope the guy is okay. I'm glad the Steelers won, but you hate to see anybody get seriously damaged while playing a game.Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-22689204167541305522009-01-10T10:21:00.000-08:002009-01-10T10:27:17.956-08:00Nacho's back!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VPbITsWdn1bYAY0FIJgTYoWox-6bUpOEC0aOSCtSDqwcrus0bcoXgSeIxx43gha-n7tsmxAwquSsLRXL84Z_HyonAKOPz3DxxunQGe7ouZx_qyp7U-x3bs4ZUutMdwhmAFY7cosLYQI/s1600-h/IMG_0063.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VPbITsWdn1bYAY0FIJgTYoWox-6bUpOEC0aOSCtSDqwcrus0bcoXgSeIxx43gha-n7tsmxAwquSsLRXL84Z_HyonAKOPz3DxxunQGe7ouZx_qyp7U-x3bs4ZUutMdwhmAFY7cosLYQI/s320/IMG_0063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289733354603444018" border="0" /></a><br />My good friend Michael Godeck (aka "Nacho"), has returned from an amazing family adventure in South America. Read about it, and see some great photos on his <a href="http://veryfarsouth.blogspot.com/">travel blog</a>.<br /><br />Now that you've seen the world, Nacho, please return to your gray, fabric-covered box (aka, "the code hole").<br /><br />:-)Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-7838530113348505232009-01-01T21:17:00.000-08:002009-01-02T05:55:58.650-08:00Bountiful harvest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTiKXFM9MuM3buty4s2avxPlH7hg46iIELDNy3XTwFn3EEDD8jpzzgBF55N-Vag-5H8IBbMxHtsmJYgSfFZoVfM6REpnI9jLDK_4bl6HADgKJYZGpwcoJP009aboZ9JCuvHFbCYpsCvY/s1600-h/IMG_0038.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTiKXFM9MuM3buty4s2avxPlH7hg46iIELDNy3XTwFn3EEDD8jpzzgBF55N-Vag-5H8IBbMxHtsmJYgSfFZoVfM6REpnI9jLDK_4bl6HADgKJYZGpwcoJP009aboZ9JCuvHFbCYpsCvY/s400/IMG_0038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286564155986773954" border="0" /></a><br />Danielle had a Christmas blast at Cita's house. Watching her surrounded by gifts and wrapping paper reminded us just how much our cups runneth over: we are all together (save one), healthy, happy, and, obviously, not suffering financially, due to the economy.<br /><br />Willie joined us a bit after these photos were taken. We were grateful to be spending the holiday as a family. Cita's house is always cozy and welcoming for us, and Big D really enjoyed herself. She spent the most time playing with the small stocking-stuffer gifts that Cita bought, which TOTALLY justifies my philosophy that our kids get just two presents: an empty box for Christmas, and a stick for their birthdays. Hasbro, Mattel, and Playskool combined are no match for a child's imagination. :-)<br /><br />Willie and his girlfriend Katherine found a perfect memorial for Dad: an inscribed paver stone that will be part of the Dallas Cowboy's new football stadium. Perfect!<br /><br />Cita's sister Elizabeth and her kids Aubrey and Josie took Danielle under their wing, and even babysat her (along with Lizzie) for a morning, giving Mommy and me a much-welcomed little break.<br /><br />Lizze promises to send us a CD of the photos and videos that we shot on her cool digital camera, so I'll post more of those when they come in. Here's a few in the meantime.<br /><br />Happy Holidays!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZXW7bgznX3E2z7lu32sQ87UgZ91rBlPsKVZtHKuxS7d2PMzNgQUVlUZXlOKgjcxZXz1i0iukpch486YDQjB2uz3Rxq9GCm1NsAVMUZzAPCfCjDO1SG9yCFt1ty3dEEIqDja2IE5Hjgs/s1600-h/IMG_0050.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZXW7bgznX3E2z7lu32sQ87UgZ91rBlPsKVZtHKuxS7d2PMzNgQUVlUZXlOKgjcxZXz1i0iukpch486YDQjB2uz3Rxq9GCm1NsAVMUZzAPCfCjDO1SG9yCFt1ty3dEEIqDja2IE5Hjgs/s320/IMG_0050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286565251112730802" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRD0pZiFE9hLaIBh_fKtKGhjWmSsMxJIYDChj3s8AsQ79Hv8Yy04A_HcqQBesK_yisnllJ9M7W5cHyaHXU1GL60qhDne63axGICdk6QNNkTI2fax1qhadae7yDfZAm0sGiBp1vNfwzsI/s1600-h/IMG_0042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRD0pZiFE9hLaIBh_fKtKGhjWmSsMxJIYDChj3s8AsQ79Hv8Yy04A_HcqQBesK_yisnllJ9M7W5cHyaHXU1GL60qhDne63axGICdk6QNNkTI2fax1qhadae7yDfZAm0sGiBp1vNfwzsI/s320/IMG_0042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286564549107235602" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4sfc5rltX0/SV2mzJ8g1_I/AAAAAAAAEyw/81SjEAF0FNA/s1600-h/IMG_0051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4sfc5rltX0/SV2mzJ8g1_I/AAAAAAAAEyw/81SjEAF0FNA/s320/IMG_0051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286564935376099314" border="0" /></a>Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-9932878482740695892008-12-22T18:52:00.000-08:002008-12-22T18:56:48.827-08:00Danielle Christmas shopping at Macy's<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRzto02GFfPw20JUXyVriLIkczi-qq-uCQwlnlCOGWLY2pH2s9mIlrSFdifAPcfJN4HPo3o4_wSsrJ5iHer-bM6J98KRhX5CJBkktsTrJTz2hkOw-pJaBgUxQULeEubWqVydtYUJLcVA/s1600-h/IMG_0027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRzto02GFfPw20JUXyVriLIkczi-qq-uCQwlnlCOGWLY2pH2s9mIlrSFdifAPcfJN4HPo3o4_wSsrJ5iHer-bM6J98KRhX5CJBkktsTrJTz2hkOw-pJaBgUxQULeEubWqVydtYUJLcVA/s400/IMG_0027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282814053057230946" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We fought the madness that was The Mall on Saturday night. Danielle insisted on carrying our bag of shoes. Well, not so much carrying as dragging. But it's the thought that counts.<br /></div>Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-52919895877564080482008-12-20T20:57:00.000-08:002008-12-22T19:00:24.985-08:00Danielle discovers Dandelions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztCOwhrZW-GQInuSFD_o0bPalTrLfbXwxZG2n42ULduexf6_43golcCH3oz0VA3lJutKOyhKSXFLb-2ObrcU9UEzfus3s7PpYp2mMSZmfADquukNNOMkj50YAWY4iX9N9XMkWr43zpVU/s1600-h/IMG_0004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztCOwhrZW-GQInuSFD_o0bPalTrLfbXwxZG2n42ULduexf6_43golcCH3oz0VA3lJutKOyhKSXFLb-2ObrcU9UEzfus3s7PpYp2mMSZmfADquukNNOMkj50YAWY4iX9N9XMkWr43zpVU/s400/IMG_0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282106216323393986" border="0" /></a>We made a quick day trip today to visit my Mom and stepfather, who live between College Station and Huntsville. It wasn't a long visit, but we took Mom to lunch, and we all ran around the fields outside the Navasota football stadium, where Danielle had fun picking dandelion seed heads and watching them blow out of her hand as she ran around. Alas, my crappy iPhone camera shutter was too slow to catch any of those action shots.<br /><br />Mom loaded Big D up with presents, including a new purse and cute musical reindeer (life expectancy: 30 days). She also sent us back with a homemade cherry pie, baked by one of the local town ladies. Yummmmmm.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4sfc5rltX0/SU3Oz-mgplI/AAAAAAAAExE/n0gS28dQ9VI/s1600-h/IMG_0015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4sfc5rltX0/SU3Oz-mgplI/AAAAAAAAExE/n0gS28dQ9VI/s200/IMG_0015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282105330348631634" border="0" /></a>On the way back, we stopped at a Dairy Queen, where Danielle chomped down a Dilly Bar, then decided to "share" with Mommy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTy5Y2WHx_55S7AGA38wtRgltgwi9sE9U78AGeO40b3CUA0KIsceF2x2XbNc3S4Bn0lpq4vXljsEX-z8mvejb0hQRsa40dTmjQEyITsqt2RmAxB_0tQnWT9SXTU2ClZJg90dFgo7uuIDY/s1600-h/IMG_0018.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTy5Y2WHx_55S7AGA38wtRgltgwi9sE9U78AGeO40b3CUA0KIsceF2x2XbNc3S4Bn0lpq4vXljsEX-z8mvejb0hQRsa40dTmjQEyITsqt2RmAxB_0tQnWT9SXTU2ClZJg90dFgo7uuIDY/s200/IMG_0018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282105729561551106" border="0" /></a><br />Oh yeah- during dinner, Mary helped me figure out my "special purpose" (apologies to Steve Martin).<br /><br />Long day, but lots of fun.Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799816421006965563.post-43823072693471925262008-12-11T00:00:00.000-08:002008-12-11T07:38:59.715-08:00Happy Birthday, Dad!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZUVVYtLaNr8ctrK4enm04BPtRt4Y6bCFhWEEvRU5cf0xsNIwktwjuvaOdI2J3K2K4mvD4CxJuZZxvVwKVKut2MWRi7diuKIvR_C8ZxWCYm3t8PvjENovp602W-9FDO1YOEldiMAC618/s1600-h/Ron_Curtis_Danielle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZUVVYtLaNr8ctrK4enm04BPtRt4Y6bCFhWEEvRU5cf0xsNIwktwjuvaOdI2J3K2K4mvD4CxJuZZxvVwKVKut2MWRi7diuKIvR_C8ZxWCYm3t8PvjENovp602W-9FDO1YOEldiMAC618/s320/Ron_Curtis_Danielle.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278557287106407378" /></a><br /><div>We all miss you.</div><br /><br><br /><br>Curtis Waynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05238731061566691433noreply@blogger.com2