Inspiring Excellence

Happy 65th!!!!!!!!!

I'm not sure you were allowed to do this in public in 1942, but it was great to see yesterday.  My maternal grandparents celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with the family yesterday.

The story goes something like this:  The met in Southern California and had known each other for a couple of days before boarding a train toward New York for Office Training School.  The train stopped in Reno, they departed, found a justice of the peace, and were married within a week of knowing each other.

Here's to many more great days together Grandma and Grandpa!!

Saturday Morning Stroll

The boys and I participated in a 5K (3.1 miles) this morning in Murfreesboro.  This was Blake's second and Logan's first. 

Logan and I ran together at about a 12 minute pace.  I was a proud dad as we crossed the finish line.  Not bad for a guy that just graduated from crocs to running shoes in the past month!

Better Picture

Its one thing to show you a picture of the car like my grandpa bought, but I thought you would enjoy this one more...presenting my grandparents McCool and their new car.....

More B-day Stories

Two great stories that helped make me birthday special...

I think my grandpa is one of the coolest and funniest guys around.  He's 86 and getting ready to celebrate his 65th wedding anniversary.  We laughed a lot over birthday dinner the other night.  They got ready to leave and he joked about needing to get home before dark since he didn't know where the lights were in his new car.  He traded in his pick-up about a month ago for a year-old PT Cruiser about the same color as this one...p.s. Grandma called a little after 8:30.  They made it home safe.

The second story is for those of you with middle children (or at least ones that are quick-witted).  After everyone left the party, Blake-13, Logan-10, and I were sitting out on the patio.  I asked what they thought they would be doing on their 40th birthday.  Without hesitation Logan responds, "blowing my nose with $100 bills."  So I turn to Blake and ask him.  Once again Logan chimes in before Blake can begin to answer, "begging me for a box of tissue."  Not sure whether I have a big dreamer or a what....everyone thought Einstein was a little off.

Most of all, I'm thankful that Grandpa McCool is still around and I get to be Logan's dad.

The Big 40

My birthday fell on a Saturday and this is one of those that we tend to get caught up in a little bit.  In my case, the surprise came a few weeks ago with several friends and LeAnn in on a little surprise party that went great.  The biggest surprise to all is that is was a secret to me up to the very end.  The best part of the night was the Bud stories were kept to a minimum and the fellowship was fantastic.

So that left yesterday.  What's a guy to do on his 40th if there's no big party?  We ended up driving up to my hometown (about an hour north).  Nice for nostalgia.  Last night was a special night for just for family.  I had LeAnn, the kids, my parents, and my grandparents.  We grilled out and told stories and showed the dvd of Bud's life that LeAnn had put together for the other party.

Anti-climatic?  Not at all.  Quite special if you ask me.  I got to hang out with those closest to me without a lot of hoopla.  Happy B-day to me.

A Home for Every Family

The United States...the land of opportunity...private property rights.  We as real estate agents are proud of our heritage of wanting as many as possible to join the ranks of homeownership.

But, what happens when life throws you a curve?  Medical bills, loss of job, mismanagement of resources.  What happens when you have a family with kids?  In Nashville, there is only one shelter where you can keep your two parent family with kids together.  That shelter is Safe Haven.  They help put 80%+ of the families they serve back into their own homes and jobs....what a ministry!

I visited Safe Haven and happily represented a special group of agents at Bob Parks Realty in donating money toward a special A/C need they have as a result of having the copper stolen out of their units a few weeks ago.  This group of agents is committed to the idea of "paying it forward" to causes that our close to the heart of our industry.  I was humbled to make the presentation.

Over the Hills....

....and through the woods.  Today we went to grandmother's house a few hours west to celebrate an upcoming birthday this week (Happy B-day Jo!).

This usually means three important things will happen:

• I get at least one great meal of country cooking likely including brown beans and cornbread plus homemade dessert (all this and more for lunch....Pecan Pie if your wondering).
• I get a cat nap in the recliner.
• I get to play lots of "9 Ball" with the boys.

Since all three happened today, I would say it was a perfect day!

(If you weren't sure, the two cool guys in the picture are Logan and me.)