By Erik France on 1/29/2008 12:47 PM

When I woke up this morning, it was 54 degrees outside. The weathermen on various television and radio stations warned me about a day with drastic changes coming. Currently, it is 12 degrees outside with blowing snow so thick, it is hard to see the trees just 50 feet away.

Yeah, you have to love the Midwest!

By Erik France on 1/18/2008 10:39 AM

I received the following information from my friend, Brian Coulter (a.k.a. Cousin Eddie). There are too many stories about Cousin Eddie for me to go into here, but let it be know that Brian is one of the all time "Good Guys".



It's once again time for what has become an annual tradition. You are all cordially invited to participate in this invigorating winter activity. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this, it's quite simple. It's exactly like lawn croquet with a few minor variations. First off, we got rid of those wimpy little wooden balls and upsized them to bowling balls. Then since the balls are much heavier, we've discarded the tiny little mallets that were really only good for whacking your kid brother in favor of something a smidge bigger, sledge hammers. We've also replaced the flimsy wire loops with re-bar. And to really make it interesting, we play it on a frozen pond.

The Man Croquet Championship of the Free World will be held on Saturday, the 19th of January commencing...

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By Erik France on 1/18/2008 9:08 AM

For Christmas I received The Princess Bride and I can not tell you how much fun I have had in only one day of reading it!  Everyone is there: Westley, Buttercup, Fezzik, Inigo, Humperdink.

It has been fun to relive the story I remember from the movie.  But it has been even more fun to learn what the true story from William Goldman is.  Well, then, to be honest, learning that the tale goes even farther back to S. Morgenstern.

I recommend the book, if for no other reason than to read to your children.  Go get it!  In the meantime, take a look at these quotes.  Some of my favorites are:

Inigo: Fezzik, are there rocks ahead? Fezzik: If there are, we all be dead. Vizzini: No more rhymes now, I mean it. Fezzik: Anybody want a peanut?

Fezzini: Inconceivable! Inigo: You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

And, of course, my favorite line:

Vizzini: You fell victim to one of the classic blunders! The first is never get involved...

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By Erik France on 1/14/2008 11:02 AM

Today Jusytn said it right.  We walked outside, on our way to school, and he said, "It's cold out here, Dad.  It is a good birthday for you."

Yep!

In some ways, I can not believe another year has passed.  I look at my children and wonder how they grew so much, learned to do so many things, and accomplished so much this year.  My list is so much shorter than theirs.  Perhaps that is how it should be.

I thank God that He has blessed me in this past year.  I have had a chance to see many friends, spend time with my extended family, watch my brother get married, and so much more.  I continue to learn how wonderful my wife and children are, and that brings me more happiness than I can express in typewritten words.

So, yeah, I guess today is very special.  It is a good day to reflect on what I have been given.  It is a good day to think about the road ahead.  And it is a great day to tell all of you how much you mean to me.

...

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By Erik France on 12/31/2007 6:51 AM

We have had a very good Christmas this year.  We had a chance to see family, received gifts, and had a time to celebrate baby Jesus; the true meaning of the season.

Here are some of the things I will remember from this Christmas season.

Time in Omaha My brother and his wife were able to come back to Omaha, NE, late on Thursday, December 20th.  Julie and I took the kids up to Omaha on Friday morning and the kids had a chance to hang out with Steven and Rachel for the rest of Friday.  I am not sure who had more fun, but I think it was the adults.

One of the highlights was when the boys learned Rachel plays the piano and all three of them went to my parents' piano to sing songs.  The look on the boys' faces was priceless!  They totally enjoyed singing with Rachel.

All of the kids had a chance to play with their aunt and uncle, and this was the most precious gift for me because I had the chance to watch them.  They do not get to see each other often, so it was wonderful to see all of them...

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By Erik France on 12/18/2007 4:55 PM

We had Carter's party this past weekend and, even though both sets of grandparents could not come, we did have a good time.  Carter was really excited about becoming three on Saturday, even though his true birthday was Friday.  I guess that goes to show you really do not become "older" until you think you are "older".  Hmmm ... does that still work at my age?

The kids were able to play outside in the snow Saturday afternoon.  Yes!  Snow!  Julie says the "big kid" had the most fun and I am sure she is right.  I was able to use my snow blower twice on Saturday.  It is so much fun being outside on a cold, snowy, winter morning.  There is a calm and stillness in the air like no other time of the year.  It is magical.

Then again, people always have said I am crazy.  But back to the party.

After a bit of supper, Carter was able to unwrap gifts.  We learned Hailey is going to love Christmas because she played with wrapping paper for most of the evening.  Carter, like most little kids, would open one gift and say, "Wow! Cool!  What next?"  Then he ran to get the next present.  Little kids are so honest.

...

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By Erik France on 12/18/2007 4:48 PM

I went over to Shawnee Mission Park during my lunch break yesterday.  I had never been to the park, but I found a reason to totally enjoy this park -- they have a DISC GOLF COURSE!  In doing some research, I found out the new course has only been around since about September 2007.

Since the park is less than five minutes from the office, guess what I will be doing over my lunch break more often?

By Erik France on 12/14/2007 6:28 AM

Julie and I try to plan Carter's birthday party to happen at least one week prior to his birthday for multiple reasons.  Living in the mid-west, we figure the weather can be bad around mid-December, so having a party earlier in the month is good; plus you tend to avoid the Christmas parties and other activities which happen later in the month.

We had planned to have Carter's party on December 8th but postponed it until this weekend because the weather was going to be bad.  Ice, cold, and bad road conditions did not sound like a good combination to us.

Last night, while watching the news, I learned this weekend is supposed to bring three to eight inches of snow between Friday and Saturday.  While this is great for people who love snow -- like me -- it is not good for party planners -- like Julie.

We are having Carter's party, no matter what; because he deserves to celebrate his birthday.  Sure hope you can make it.

By Erik France on 12/6/2007 10:04 AM

Ahh ... what a wonderful time of year.  It is, afterall, almost Christmas!  What is there not to like about this season?  Weill, there is one thing: all of the junk mail telling me of "Holiday Sales".  Can they not say "Christmas Sales"?  I guess not.

I usually try to ignore these sales ads and other avenues which try to take Christ out of Christmas or try to water down the miracle of Christmas.  That is, until this year.  Now, when I get the mail, flyer, e-mail message, catalog, etc. I simply say, "Merry Tossmas!".  Learn more about Tossmas and may you too enjoy this festive season.

By Erik France on 12/6/2007 10:02 AM

I looked out my office window (I know, I know.  It is good to have a window!) and I saw a wonderful sight.  There are great big snowflakes coming down.  And lots of them!

The forecast for the metro area is to get up to four inches of snow by the end of the day.  In one way I hope we break that goal.  But, since Carter's birthday party is this weekend, it would be nice for his relatives from Nebraska to be able to travel.

Then again, it's Thursday and that leaves plenty of time for the road crews to do their work.  So COME ON SNOW!!!