Not Very Manly --I know....

We have been working out in the yard and making it look good --you know mulch and plants and stuff---Well I got these and I am gonna attempt not to kill them...

These pictures are how they look right now---maybe they will live...

You might want to say a little prayer for em

My Greek side . . .

This is 2 of my 3 nephews. Joseph Samuel Forakis and Demetrius Kostas Forakis. They are boys--all boy...Its pretty cool. My 3 nephews spend the night with Oneal and I almost every Saturday Night...I wouldnt trade it for nothing---Great kids---Its always a big night---playing and working in the yard---Grilling hot dogs and burgers---and then they all lay down on quilts and watch a movie as they go to sleep...Joseph--the youngest sleeps on a quilt beside my bed---Its very cool to have family. Now it is a lot of trouble sometimes...But you know what --these boys and my son will be off to college in no time flat---Then I can take all the time I want for myself...Some people would say --"You need to take more time for yourself, what if you dont live that long"---You know what --It dont matter---If thats the way I spent my time while I was alive---I will die a very happy man----a family man...

Seasons . . .

It has pretty much gone from Winter to Summer. It seems spring was here for only a couple of days. Sometimes in life situations we also dont get the nice transition from one extreme to the other. Spring is natures way of leading us into the Summer. I like Spring, But just because I didnt get as much as I wanted, doesnt mean Summer is any less Beautiful. Summer is my favorite time of year and I am glad it is here. Baseball, Swimming, Grilling, Backyards full of kids, Vacations, Great Relationships and the sun on my shoulders. I am loving it.

Definition . . .

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."

Billy - age 4

The Core . . .

I was thinking today, after having one of the best weekends I can remember, how everyone should have a core group. I have been fortunate in my life to have a small core group of people who are there--no matter what, and they all bring something different and great to the table. They all have valuable experience and wisdom. They have my best interests in mind---even when I dont. That, to most people today, is nonexistent...people dont keep friends, they use them for a time --then move on...What makes my core so great--is their core....they are solid as a rock inside--and they want me to do well, just as much as I want them to do well and succeed. With all the changes in the world, it is very rare to have that. All of my core group have been running this road with me for a very long time...some even back to the 6th grade...the kind that really want the best for me----without any thoughts of "whats in it for me".

It is a blessing---and I am extremely blessed...

My Bestest Kind of Saturday . . .

If you read regularly--You might get tired of me talking about good days--But I have been blessed with a bunch of 'em---Today was the kind I love.

Joel's Best Day Schedule...
I slept til about 7, got up had some coffee, watched Fox and Friends,and ate a chicken biscuit from Hardees.
9 am we went to Ball practice---( Im coaching my sons team and we had a special thing for the kids...We had gotten a pro ball player to come to spend a couple of hours with the boys...Stubby Clapp. Read more about him here...Stubby Clapp

Then We went and ate at Subway. Headed back to the house--Mowed the yard, worked on the the pool, bought plants for the yard from Wal-Mart---Made it look like Martha Stewart had come for a visit, Washed the vehicles, Then I fired up the Grill ----Hamburgers for the boys--2 Ribeyes for me....


All Good...All Day....

Spring . . .

This week has been one of the most absolutely gorgeous weeks I can ever remember---The weather combined with a lot of other things, Makes it one of my top.

Ask me any other week if I believe in God and I would say "Yes"---

Ask me this week and I might even preach a sermon about it---

A simple "Yes" wouldn't do...

Congratulations . . .

Congrats to Kenny and Melissa-2 very good friends, wonderful people and great parents---

They are expecting their second child in October----We are very happy for you guys---

2 Great Quotes...

“Whatever I have tried to do in life, I have tried with all my heart to do it well; whatever I have devoted myself to, I have devoted myself to completely.”
Charles Dickens


“He who is most slow in making a promise is the most faithful in performance of it.”
Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Another One From Dad----

Great one by Dad---Probably cause it is about my Son....


Reach Partner
One of my most precious memories is about grandson O’Neal as a baby. It was when he officially chose me as Grandpa. He had not yet come to me voluntarily. Then one day I held out my arms. After looking me over thoroughly, He reached out his arms and came to me. He accepted me! A great feeling indeed!
(You know what’s next): I remember when I reached out to the Lord. He took me the first time! I shall always remember that wonderful feeling with O’Neal. But it’s as great as the feeling God has when we reach out to Him. He cranks up the angel band and Heaven rejoices.
I hope all yall are saved or seriously considering it. I’m sure glad I reached up and He reached down.
Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Here . . .

I love to travel and see new places...Mexico, Florida, and more...But sometimes I forget how beautiful it is right here...the sunrise at Pickwick Lake is beautiful...the water, the trees, the homes with the incredible views...sometimes we get so interested in what someplace else looks like---we need to be reminded what we are blessed with already...

New Music . . .

Shinedown has a sound I really like--The CD is great---Good Rock and Roll...

Best song so far--

"I Dare You"


Also on one of their other cd's is a great cut of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man"...

Great One...

Language . . .

"The eyes have one language everywhere."
George Herbert

New Blog

Check Out my good friend Micheal Russell's blog...Michael is one the most talented people I have ever known---and always has something good to say...

http://michealrussell.blogspot.com

Few more weeks . . .

Only a few more weeks and me, my son and my entire family will be residing at this location for 7 full days----I am ready to go---2006 has been good to me...and continues to get better...

We are gonna hit water parks, ride sea-doo's, Im going deep sea fishing for 2 days--and lots of good food and laughs...Man--Im blessed---And the very top room is mine---Great view...

Paris . . .

Can you believe I spent the weekend in Paris....I know --it sounds good--But it was actually Paris, Tennessee. My son was invited to play on a team that played a ball tournament there. The boys went undefeated --and won the title---They played great and we all had a lot of fun...
Sunday morning we had a little free time and drove up to Land Between The Lakes -We saw Elk, Bison, and lots of other cool stuff and had a blast.

Great friends, Great Weekend...