Allison and Emma went to Little Rock on Friday, and they'll return Wednesday. Now, I miss them something awful, but I wasn't going to lounge around and waste my free time.
Friday night, the first official meeting of The Letterbox Club met at my house to watch "This is Spinal Tap". It's been a long time since I'd seen it last, and I forgot just how darn funny that movie is!
On Saturday, 3 of my friends (Josh Ayres, Ben Elkins, and Todd England) drove to Tulsa to hang out and celebrate Ben's last weekend in Arkansas. Ben and Erica Elkins are moving to Nashville, TN so Ben can pursue a music career. We left my house around 7:45 AM, and got to McLure Park to play our first round of disc golf. At 10:00 AM when we got there, the temperature was already over 90 degrees. We trudged around the course and finished around 11:30. We headed back to our cars to go get some lunch and saw some dudes dressed like knights (not metal armour, but very thick, authentic-looking stuff). They were whackin' each other with wooden swords and carried thick aluminum shields. We started the cars to let them cool down and watched these guys pound away on each other. One of the girls called us over and told us they are part of the SCA, a group of people that re-inact midevil times...the whole kit-n-caboodle. They told us all about what they do and the equipment that they use. They even offered to let me hold a shield while someone wailed on me. I accepted (though utterly scared), and this guy whacked my shield about 3 times. I gotta say: it hurt.
After an amazing lunch at Arby's, we headed to Chandler Park to play another round. We started around 1:30, and the temp was pushing 112 on the heat index. It was painfully hot. I beat the guys pretty badly at this round, and we were beat by the heat at the end. We decided to see a movie to cool down and then play another round at McLure. We went to see "The Island" at the AMC on Yale. Great show!
When we went in to the movie, it was still in the 110+ temp range. So I rolled my windows down to keep it cooler than an oven. But when we came OUT of the movie, it was a torrential downpour! There were wind gusts up to 60 mph, and the street was flooded. My car was soaked on the inside. We decided to go eat some dinner and see if the storm would pass. Todd bailed on us and went to McCalister to see his mom and pick up his dog. So Ben, Josh and I went to Hideaway Pizza. The food was great, but the conversation was just as good. The entire time (almost 1 1/2 hours), we spoke in English accents! It was getting dark, so we couldn't play another round of disc, and we just headed home. The entire trip home, we continued to talk in English accents...and there were times where I had a hard time driving because I was laughing so hard!
We got to my house around 10:40 PM, and went to Hastings to pick up the movie Snatch. Great movie, all based in London, so we got some more English accents to finish the night. I crashed around 1:00 AM and slept in 'till 10:00 AM...it was lovely.
Unfortunately, I was planning on getting back from Tulsa around 4:00 PM then driving to Little Rock to surprise Allison, then go see my brother-in-law Sam speak at Grace Church and finally meet the infamous Grant English. Sorry, Grant, but I couldn't make it due to extreme fatigue and friends that don't like to get home early.
But what a fun weekend! I hope everyone else's weekend was fun!
2 Comments
Published by John Nelson
on July 24, 2005 at 5:08 PM.
Friday night, the first official meeting of The Letterbox Club met at my house to watch "This is Spinal Tap". It's been a long time since I'd seen it last, and I forgot just how darn funny that movie is!
On Saturday, 3 of my friends (Josh Ayres, Ben Elkins, and Todd England) drove to Tulsa to hang out and celebrate Ben's last weekend in Arkansas. Ben and Erica Elkins are moving to Nashville, TN so Ben can pursue a music career. We left my house around 7:45 AM, and got to McLure Park to play our first round of disc golf. At 10:00 AM when we got there, the temperature was already over 90 degrees. We trudged around the course and finished around 11:30. We headed back to our cars to go get some lunch and saw some dudes dressed like knights (not metal armour, but very thick, authentic-looking stuff). They were whackin' each other with wooden swords and carried thick aluminum shields. We started the cars to let them cool down and watched these guys pound away on each other. One of the girls called us over and told us they are part of the SCA, a group of people that re-inact midevil times...the whole kit-n-caboodle. They told us all about what they do and the equipment that they use. They even offered to let me hold a shield while someone wailed on me. I accepted (though utterly scared), and this guy whacked my shield about 3 times. I gotta say: it hurt.
After an amazing lunch at Arby's, we headed to Chandler Park to play another round. We started around 1:30, and the temp was pushing 112 on the heat index. It was painfully hot. I beat the guys pretty badly at this round, and we were beat by the heat at the end. We decided to see a movie to cool down and then play another round at McLure. We went to see "The Island" at the AMC on Yale. Great show!
When we went in to the movie, it was still in the 110+ temp range. So I rolled my windows down to keep it cooler than an oven. But when we came OUT of the movie, it was a torrential downpour! There were wind gusts up to 60 mph, and the street was flooded. My car was soaked on the inside. We decided to go eat some dinner and see if the storm would pass. Todd bailed on us and went to McCalister to see his mom and pick up his dog. So Ben, Josh and I went to Hideaway Pizza. The food was great, but the conversation was just as good. The entire time (almost 1 1/2 hours), we spoke in English accents! It was getting dark, so we couldn't play another round of disc, and we just headed home. The entire trip home, we continued to talk in English accents...and there were times where I had a hard time driving because I was laughing so hard!
We got to my house around 10:40 PM, and went to Hastings to pick up the movie Snatch. Great movie, all based in London, so we got some more English accents to finish the night. I crashed around 1:00 AM and slept in 'till 10:00 AM...it was lovely.
Unfortunately, I was planning on getting back from Tulsa around 4:00 PM then driving to Little Rock to surprise Allison, then go see my brother-in-law Sam speak at Grace Church and finally meet the infamous Grant English. Sorry, Grant, but I couldn't make it due to extreme fatigue and friends that don't like to get home early.
But what a fun weekend! I hope everyone else's weekend was fun!
Wanted to shout out a happy day to my sister-in-law, Cathy! I'm not just limiting it to "happy birthday", since this day will also become her engagement anniversary!
Way to go, Terell! It's about freaking time.
0 Comments
Published by John Nelson
on July 21, 2005 at 8:21 PM.
Way to go, Terell! It's about freaking time.
Steak n Shake is now open for business in NWA!!! Holla!!
0 Comments
Published by John Nelson
on at 8:19 PM.
Tonight, I got to have a "date night" with my daughter. Allison went to a party for one of her cell group girls, so that left me and Emma to chill and enjoy each other's company! Now, I'm usually pretty apprehensive about these nights (and at the same time really excited). The apprehension comes from not knowing exactly what to do on our date night. I'm not one who can just sit around at the house and play with toys for longer than 15 minutes, so Emma and I usually go do something around town.
Tonight, we ate dinner at home (turkey & cheese sandwich for her, Frosted Flakes with blueberries for me), then loaded up the car for a night on the town! First, we made our way to Johnson's Sno Cone place. I got a large Tiger's Blood (strawberry, coconut, splash of cinnamon) and crawled into the back seet with Emma (she was in her car seat still). The driver's side passenger seat was down (because Belle usually travels in Al's car), so I propped my back up against the driver's seat. We listened to some music and shared a sno cone. After every bite, she would go "AHHHHH" and show me her tongue, hoping that it would change colors like mine. After about 10 minutes of eating, laughing, and "AHHH"-ing, we headed over to PetsSmart to browse the pets.
Emma loves the big fish section and the hamsters (one is ALWAYS on the wheel, just churning and burning). Tonight was extra fun, as the store in Fayetteville was having obedience training for puppies. We got to watch the puppies socialize for a bit and they all came by to be pet and lick Emma's sno-cone-flavored hands. I let her just roam around the store for about 30 minutes before getting back in the car to head home (it's almost her bedtime at this point).
On the way back, we have to pass Johnson Park, quite possibly Emma's favorite place to go. So being the loving father that I am (read: sucker), we stop at the park for about 20 minutes. She got on the swing for a bit, then wanted to to the BIG slide...which I gladly did with her...4 times.
We got in the car and headed home, where she got into her PJs and got her blanket. We read 2 books (the second book was read about 3 times...so that's like 4 books). I asked for a hug & kiss, and got a super long hug and a sweet pacifer-kiss (she didn't bother to take it out for the kiss).
The best part of this is that tomorrow, I get to have a date night with Allison! So fun!
4 Comments
Published by John Nelson
on July 20, 2005 at 6:45 PM.
Tonight, we ate dinner at home (turkey & cheese sandwich for her, Frosted Flakes with blueberries for me), then loaded up the car for a night on the town! First, we made our way to Johnson's Sno Cone place. I got a large Tiger's Blood (strawberry, coconut, splash of cinnamon) and crawled into the back seet with Emma (she was in her car seat still). The driver's side passenger seat was down (because Belle usually travels in Al's car), so I propped my back up against the driver's seat. We listened to some music and shared a sno cone. After every bite, she would go "AHHHHH" and show me her tongue, hoping that it would change colors like mine. After about 10 minutes of eating, laughing, and "AHHH"-ing, we headed over to PetsSmart to browse the pets.
Emma loves the big fish section and the hamsters (one is ALWAYS on the wheel, just churning and burning). Tonight was extra fun, as the store in Fayetteville was having obedience training for puppies. We got to watch the puppies socialize for a bit and they all came by to be pet and lick Emma's sno-cone-flavored hands. I let her just roam around the store for about 30 minutes before getting back in the car to head home (it's almost her bedtime at this point).
On the way back, we have to pass Johnson Park, quite possibly Emma's favorite place to go. So being the loving father that I am (read: sucker), we stop at the park for about 20 minutes. She got on the swing for a bit, then wanted to to the BIG slide...which I gladly did with her...4 times.
We got in the car and headed home, where she got into her PJs and got her blanket. We read 2 books (the second book was read about 3 times...so that's like 4 books). I asked for a hug & kiss, and got a super long hug and a sweet pacifer-kiss (she didn't bother to take it out for the kiss).
The best part of this is that tomorrow, I get to have a date night with Allison! So fun!
What's up with women? Specifically, why the heck do they get super crazy grumpy when they get the slightest tinge of hunger???
I know my wife gets pretty...um...grumpy when she gets hungry, and I just read Shauna's post where she mentions getting irritable due to hunger (among other things). What's the deal with that? I don't know any guys that get this way when they get hungry.
Maybe Moses wrote it down wrong. Here's what I bet Eve's temptation's conversation with Satan was like:
Satan: "So, you've been working in the garden all day?"
Eve: "Yeah...and I've only eaten a few berries since breakfast!"
Satan: "See this tree I'm in?"
Eve: "Yeah, but..."
Satan: "C'mon! You haven't eaten in 3 hours! Feel that tinge of hunger in your tummy?"
Eve: "You know...I didn't know what that feeling was. I've only been alive for like 5 verses!"
Satan: "And that emotion you're feeling is called 'irritability'"
Eve: "Oh! What's my reaction supposed to be like to this 'irritability' due to this hunger?"
Satan: "You have to gripe and complain a lot, snap at Adam some, and stay like that unti you eat the nearest piece of food."
Eve: "Well, we ARE standing under and apple tree...."
Satan: "Why...yes we are!"
7 Comments
Published by John Nelson
on July 19, 2005 at 6:22 PM.
I know my wife gets pretty...um...grumpy when she gets hungry, and I just read Shauna's post where she mentions getting irritable due to hunger (among other things). What's the deal with that? I don't know any guys that get this way when they get hungry.
Maybe Moses wrote it down wrong. Here's what I bet Eve's temptation's conversation with Satan was like:
Satan: "So, you've been working in the garden all day?"
Eve: "Yeah...and I've only eaten a few berries since breakfast!"
Satan: "See this tree I'm in?"
Eve: "Yeah, but..."
Satan: "C'mon! You haven't eaten in 3 hours! Feel that tinge of hunger in your tummy?"
Eve: "You know...I didn't know what that feeling was. I've only been alive for like 5 verses!"
Satan: "And that emotion you're feeling is called 'irritability'"
Eve: "Oh! What's my reaction supposed to be like to this 'irritability' due to this hunger?"
Satan: "You have to gripe and complain a lot, snap at Adam some, and stay like that unti you eat the nearest piece of food."
Eve: "Well, we ARE standing under and apple tree...."
Satan: "Why...yes we are!"
The whole fam did a photo shoot with the famous and wonderful photographer Brooke Robinson a few weeks ago. We went to the Shiloh Museum in Springdale for the shoot, and it's a really great place for pictures!
Anyway, here are some of the pictures that were taken of the family. The site will only be up for a limited amount of time, so GO NOW!!! I'll also have a permanent link on the
Shameless plug: I would highly recommend using Brooke for any type of photography! She has incredible charisma with everyone, kids and dogs included. She does weddings, senior pictures, and regular photo shoots. Check out her website for some sample pictures and contact information. She's also reasonably priced!
2 Comments
Published by John Nelson
on July 16, 2005 at 8:40 PM.
Anyway, here are some of the pictures that were taken of the family. The site will only be up for a limited amount of time, so GO NOW!!! I'll also have a permanent link on the
Shameless plug: I would highly recommend using Brooke for any type of photography! She has incredible charisma with everyone, kids and dogs included. She does weddings, senior pictures, and regular photo shoots. Check out her website for some sample pictures and contact information. She's also reasonably priced!
Just wanted to say Happy Anniversary to Kurt & Georgia Meredith. I hope your day is full of fun, romance, food, and cuddling (with Grandpa, of course!)
2 Comments
Published by John Nelson
on July 12, 2005 at 1:35 PM.
I stumbled across an album on my mp3 player today that I forgot I had: Tim McGraw. I queued up the song "It's Your Love" off his 'Everywhere' CD, sat back, and relived some great memories and emotions.
"It's Your Love" is Allison and I's song. We went on a date to Lake Wedington and danced to this song on a fishing pier during sunset. No one around...just us, the lake, and this song. What a great moment to relive during a busy day!
And in cheesy high school-eque beauty, here are the wonderful words to "It's Your Love", dedicated to my wonderful wife, Allison.
Allison: thanks for so many amazing memories over these past 6 1/2 years. I love you.
1 Comments
Published by John Nelson
on at 11:50 AM.
"It's Your Love" is Allison and I's song. We went on a date to Lake Wedington and danced to this song on a fishing pier during sunset. No one around...just us, the lake, and this song. What a great moment to relive during a busy day!
And in cheesy high school-eque beauty, here are the wonderful words to "It's Your Love", dedicated to my wonderful wife, Allison.
Dancin' in the dark middle of the night
Takin' your heart and holdin' it tight
Emotional touch touchin' my skin
And asking you to do what you've been doin' all over again
Oh it's a beautiful thing don't think I can keep it all in
I just gotta let you know what it is that won't let me go
It's your love
It just does something to me
It sends a shock right through me
I can't get enough
And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under
Oh it's your love
Better than I was, more than I am
And all of this happened by taking your hand
And who I am now is who I wanted to be
And now that we're together,
I'm stronger than ever
I'm happy and free
Oh it's a beautiful thing,
Don't think I can keep it all in
If you asked me why I've changed,
All I gotta do is say your sweet name
It's your love
It just does something to me
It sends a shock right through me
I can't get enough
And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under
Oh, it's your love
Oh it's a beautiful thing,
Don't think I can keep it all in
I just gotta let you konw what it is that won't let me go
It's your love
It just does something to me
It sends a shock right through me
I can't get enough
And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under,
Oh it's your love
It's your love, it's your love, it's your love
Allison: thanks for so many amazing memories over these past 6 1/2 years. I love you.
This was taken on the 4th of July at my parent's condo in Branson. This is Granddad and Nana (my parents), with Emma and my sister's 3 kids. From left to right: Isaac, Grace, Nana / Mom, Granddad / Dad, Emma, and Luke.
I went to clean my car tonight, because it was not suitable to get into for more than 3 seconds. Especially after travelling with Emma in the car all weekend (more on that in a later post).
I go through the automatic car wash (it's a company car, so the company picks up the tab, else I'd do it by hand for $2.00) in downtown Johnson (next to Curt's Place). As I'm sitting there organizing the junk in my console, I think to myself, "What do other people do while they're waiting for the automatic car wash to finish?
So, what do you do??
5 Comments
Published by John Nelson
on July 05, 2005 at 9:29 PM.
I go through the automatic car wash (it's a company car, so the company picks up the tab, else I'd do it by hand for $2.00) in downtown Johnson (next to Curt's Place). As I'm sitting there organizing the junk in my console, I think to myself, "What do other people do while they're waiting for the automatic car wash to finish?
So, what do you do??
