hey! This is Karen Denise, not Jose'. I'll be writing some on here now that my life is not consumed by my job. I know an elderly lady who was diagnosed as needing a heart transplant due to a genetic disorder. while pondering about her, I got these verses...

"I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people and I will be their God." Ezekiel 11:19-20

"Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!" Ezekiel 18:31-32

Now that's a heart transplant! And isn't it great that our God takes no pleasure in death? So much so that "...He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting LIFE..."

I know that death is real and painful but, yea!, it's TEMPORARY, as opposed to EVERLASTING and ETERNAL!

I could go on and on and on, but I won't. God is trying to teach me, a confirmed babbler, to be concise.

GETTIN' A NEW SKIN

Well....today I started the transformation of my Gibson Les Paul. I stripped off all of the hardware and electronics.......and some of the paint. My plans are to take it back to its original color ( white ) with a blue/silver pearl mix. I'll mix up the pearl myself ( so I'll have to see how it turns out ). I am excited about it . I've been researching humbuckers for a long time now and finally decided on some Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro pickups. They're a matched set.....like those used by Slash. I've always enjoyed his signature sounds.......and I know it takes more than a set of pickups to get a sound.....it's a beginning. Anyways......I'm looking forward to the process. Right now the guitar is pretty ugly. I'm also going to be adding a Jimmy Page Les Paul wiring set up. If you're not familiar with it....his Les Paul is set up with a push/pull knob that switches the humbucker to a single coil. Gets lots of cool sounds out of it.



I know it's looking pretty rough right now....but it's been a long time coming. I was never really happy with the sound of the factory pickups. They're standard Gibson issue humbuckers. The wiring will be an upgrade as well. It'll look nice back white. I'll put some pics up in a few weeks after it is done.

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!

We've all been so busy the last few weeks that blogging has been left out. In a nutshell here's what has been going on. Denise is now out of school. She has really needed this time to recover from the year and rest up. Carolina is enjoying her summer of freedom and relaxation. Last week she went to Florida. She also turned 7 last week as well. I've been working. I'm really looking forward to this summer (while Denise is out) to have time with her and Carolina. There are a lot of projects I'd like to do around the house...I know that Denise has a few of her own.

Things are happening! Rodriguez Home Builders LLC is bonafide!

After a lot of red tape and waiting......I've got a business license and am insured. I would also like to thank David Finlayson for all of his help and work he put into creating business cards and post cards for me. Take a look.........

I seriously recommend David for any design/layout work. He's a top notch professional! Check out his web page(s) at http://www.finlaysonconcept.com/ and http://www.dfinlayson.blogspot.com/

CASPIAN VS. DR. JONES

Last weekend we (Denise, Carolina and I) headed off to see the next installment of the Chronicles of Narnia. Overall Denise and I were a bit disappointed with the movie. Carolina loved it. Most of our disappointment centered around Peter and his attitude throughout the movie and changes in the order of events of the movie. I did enjoy Reepicheep. Also, Aslan didn't show up until the end of the movie. By far.....I think the first movie was better than this one. Oh yea......we loved the Phoenix (I assumed it was) carrying the children into battle. That was cool.
This weekend we saw the new installment of Indiana Jones. We were really impressed. Although the whole Area 51/Alien plot was a bit weird (for an Indiana Jones movie). Also, I was surprised to learn some new information about Dr. Jones....his military record...being a spy and a ranked officer. I didn't know that....others may have.....but I didn't. The atomic bomb explosion was cool.....love those old fridges. The ants were also really cool. The scene where Mutt did a Tarzan was excellent. Even though I thought the plot was a bit weird.....I really liked it. Personally.....I doubt there will ever be another Indiana Jones flick with Harrison Ford.......but I can see it branching off into a Stargate-ish series with Mutt (Henry Jones III) starring in the lead. That's just my thought.........good movie......go see it!

HAPPY B-DAY ROSIE!!!!

On May 21, 2007 Rosie was born.

These are her first photos.

She's all legs!

It took her a while to get a good grasp on walking.

At one month.....she's growing like a weed.

What a time I had training her to follow.

2 months

Looks like the rest of her is catching up with her legs.

3 months.

She's starting to develop her nickname: Nosey-Rosie

4 months

The lovely wife and Rosie

5 months

Still nosey!

6 months

Carolina and Rosie

7 months

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROSIE!

SUPER HEROES

Greetings!

When I was growing up I really enjoyed watching shows/movies about super heroes. I'll throw in the martial arts movies and the 'James Bond' genre as well. Basically in one way or another they are all about the same thing......righting a wrong. From Indiana Jones to Bruce Lee. I saw a pretty good movie this weekend.....Iron Man. While watching the news this morning I heard that Iron Man grossed over 100 million dollars this weekend.....second place grossed almost 15 million. What a difference! A lot of people are like me.....they love a good hero! I loved the story line (by the way I'm not a comic book fanatic who knows the history of Iron Man) of the movie. There was a real transformation of the character that I think we can all relate to. That's why I liked him so much. As he became a hero.....he became more human. Anyways......

We're all doing well. I've been enjoying the nice weather. Been planting in the yard. Working on the house. It's been ideal. The family is doing well. I know Denise can't wait for school to be out. I can't say that I blame her.

Until next time.....

NEW DISCOVERIES

So...we've been back from the beach over a week now (old news).....and this is the first time that I've had to update this blog. Before we headed down to Florida I was sitting in my living room and noticed a small spot on the ceiling (about the size of a half dollar). I thought...'it will be alright until I get back....' So I got back and decided to check it out. I got up in my attic....nothing. Then I got up on my roof.....

There were no holes in my roof. Just several places where it seemed that the underlayment had buckled. I began to walk around.....and quickly returned to a more sound surface. It seemed that every where I step.....I heard a crack!

As it ended up I had to replace the decking on most of my roof and re-shingle it to boot. That's what I did last week. I had help.....I wasn't at it alone. I'm glad to have it done......and so far no leaks!

We're back into the swing of things. Denise is looking forward to school being out......Carolina is too. I'm really enjoying the nice weather we're having. Until next time.....

A - DAY

Today is our anniversary! 2 years it has been!

Well today on our trip we decided to go visit the lighthouse that we saw the first morning we got into town. It was worth trip and the time to climb to the top.After 203 step up to the top....this is what we saw. Look at how small the school bus is.

This is the Port where the Halifax river empties into the ocean.

It was such a beautiful day. The weather was nice. It was a bit windy...especially up atop of the light house.
My two girls.......

A MUCH BRIGHTER DAY

Today is a much brighter day here in Daytona. It's in the low 70's. A huge contrast to yesterday.

I have really been enjoying the ocean. I love the sounds and sights of the waves coming in. Earlier today we went to an old plantation that has been turned into a botanical garden. Dunlawton Sugar Mill Botanical Gardens

I don't think they tell you this on the web site....but during the Civil War

the Confederacy bought their sugar from this mill.

Here is Denise and her father Aaron.

SUNRISE ON THE BEACH

Around sunrise this morning we arrived in Daytona Florida. To our surprise it was a bit chilly and overcast. But the air smelled wonderful and the view......well these photos don't do it justice.We have a nice view outside of our room of the beach. The waves are coming in strong. It's supposed to nicer over the next few days. I'm looking forward to some nice R&R.

This is a photo of a light house near by. It's really huge......I tried to zoom in a close as I could. It's the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse. I hope to get to explore it. Here's a photo of one of the many sand dunes along the beach. Also......you can drive on the beach....how cool is that!

As the days go by I'll post more photos.

LOOK AT THAT TRACTOR!

You'll have to use your imagination. One day this tractor will be restored to its former glory. It was originally manufactured in 1959 by Massey Ferguson. Now, almost 50 years later, it is going to run again. Why? Because we can.......

It's going to need some work done to it (obviously). I just ordered a repair manual. What I'm hoping to be able to do is get it wired back up (after the fire that burnt off all of the wiring) and running. Then if that goes well......repaint it and sell it. Of course....I won't be going at it alone. The tractor belongs to my father-in-law. About the fire......I'll have to find out how a fire got started on the tractor......or why (might be a better question). I'll let you know. Today we got the tractor off the trailer and into the barn. I was suprised.....there are plenty of parts available online for this tractor. They're not that expensive.

Anyways..............

Life is going well for us. I'm still recovering from a bout with something ( the doctor didn't tell me what I had ). Denise is feeling under the weather. Carolina is doing well. I'm so looking forward to the weekend. It's supposed to rain........I'd love to go fishing.......we'll see.

WHERE DID SPRING GO?

I would blame it on the groundhog if I believed in that sorta stuff. We were really enjoying some nice warms days there for a while. I about froze yesterday and this morning. My wife reminds me that's how this month is.....so deceiving.......you never know what to expect.

I've been sick the last couple of days. I did go to the doctor yesterday. I got a shot. It seemed to have worked. I woke up this morning feeling pretty good. It was hard to get up this morning. Denise had a couple of days off in addition to the normal weekend. I guess we got used to sleeping in. It was nice. I console myself with thoughts of spring break and summer vacation coming up soon. I know it seems a way off now.....but with the way time is flying.....it'll be here in no time.

I'm off this morning to take a couple of dogs to the vet. Nothing serious....just a little prevention. Don't want anymore puppies. I'm going to leave it here with a photo of Carolina and the Easter basket my mother sent to her. You should have seen her face when she saw it. She knew it was for her.....but the suspense of us telling her (it was hers) was a bit too much for her to handle.

FEELS LIKE SPRING!

Indeed it does....chilly mornings....winds....rain.....warm sunshine....birds singing....nice! I've been enjoying the longer days. It seems like I can get more done in a day. Of course.....I'm waking up to darkness. But that's OK......after a few cups of coffee the sun comes up.

Yesterday Denise and I started talking about how things change. Her grandmother lived almost 97 years. Can you imaging all of the changes she saw in her life. I've lived 33 years.....things really haven't changed that much. From what I can tell.....only styles have changed. Hair styles......car styles......music styles.....politics (new faces with the same old story). No one has invented anything or had some sort of innovation that changed society since I've been alive. Well I take that back.......the INTERNET has changed this world. Can you think of anything else? I mean....if Al Gore hadn't invented the Internet.....where would we be? (hahahaha-joke!). Seriously.....the Internet is the only thing I can think of that's new in the 33 years. People still eat the same foods..... styles come and go....then come back again.

I've heard people say that the church should be the most creative bunch of people in the world. I can see that........we do have a God who created all that is......and is to come. He is the source of all creativity. But I can't imagine anything new......that hasn't already been invented. A cure for AIDS would change the world. Cars that fly would be cool....although I doubt it would be affordable. I liked the 'Back To The Future' movies...where the car ran on garbage (that would be nice).

Are there any new life changing inventions out there? I'd like to see them. I know I have to be careful what I wish for.....sometimes changes are not always good. Let's just see what happens!

I just wanted to add one comment to this blog. My mother called and gave me another invention........THE CELL PHONE! How could I have missed that! I mean.....HELLO!......I'll turn my car back around and go back home if I ever leave my cell phone at home. Our lives are definitely different because of them. I could throw in the personal computer as well. Back in the day.....the PC was the size of a house......now they fit in the palm of your hand. How about them apples!

AHHHH YES....LIFE IS GOOD!

Life is good. I know crappie stuff happens.....but overall...life is good. I love puppies. Puppies are just so happy....all of the time. Elvis (my puppy - see previous posts to see pics) is always up and full of energy. I could totally see him doing this same thing. Speaking of Elvis.....my wife noticed that he had pooped in the dust pan in the kitchen. Then she saw him do it. I don't know about you....but to me that's GREAT! I know that he should wait to go outside, but if you gotta go inside the house......the dust pan sounds good to me.
This has been a week to remember. My wife's Nannie died a week ago. She was almost 97 years old.......imagine living that long.......the things she must have seen! She's really missed a lot.
Work has been good this week. I'm looking forward to new ventures in my business. My wife is looking forward to summer vacation. I can't say that I blame her. She needs a good long rest. Her job (teaching) demands so much of her time and energy. She does love the children. You'd have to.......
Rosie is finally weaned! I put her and Champagne (mare) together earlier this week(the day of my wife's Nannie's funeral). So far they have adjusted well to one another. Every now and then I catch a glimpse of Rosie nosing around her mother....but she quickly moves on. I'd hate to have to separate them for another 3 months.
You know.....I've seen more snow this year than the last 10 combined. I just doesn't seem to lay. I don't really know that I would want it to lay. I love seeing it fall......I love seeing it on the cars and in the grass.....but I don't like it on the road. It's funny......when snow comes up in the conversation nowadays.....it's usually followed by 'the snow of 93'. That was quite an event. Where were you?
I remember sitting at home (my parent's house at the time) on the couch looking out the window into the back yard. I spent most of the time looking up into the light on the power pole.....watching the snow fall past the light. I remember thinking....'oh well...I guess I'd better get off to bed.....got school in the morning'. What a shocker the next morning gave! I grew up in north Georgia (Dalton)......I don't remember the numbers....but snow was up past the tires on my parent's cars. We (like many others) didn't have electricity for many days....but we did have a kerosene heater. We had plenty of food.....our plumbing worked......lots of blankets.......we made it OK. I do remember how much I enjoyed a long hot bath after the electricity came back on. That's one of the main reasons I don't mind having natural gas now......you just never know.

A FINE LADY GOES HOME

Yesterday we had a funeral. Denise's grandmother Naomi Birchfield passed away early Sunday morning. She was almost 97 years old (would have been in a couple of months). Can you image the things that she had witnessed in her lifetime? I sat and listened to stories of her as told by her family and I was amazed. She remembered troops heading off to fight in WWI. She was in a field (she came from a farming family) and would see troops on trains waving at her as they left home to go fight in the war. Someone mentioned that the train tracks went through their property. Others told about her ability to pick up any stringed instrument and play it. That's really cool. I never got to know her. As long as I have known her....she had always been in the nursing home. Just a shadow of her self. This lady lived a rich life. Experienced wondering things. Even able to experience great-great grandchildren (carolina).

I believe this photo to be from last summer (07) around the time of her birthday. Of course you know Carolina......and the other is Aaron.....Denise's father. Aaron really cared for Naomi as if she were his own mother.

POLITICS ARE CONFUSING!

In case you're wondering about the photo....I 'Google'd' it. I was looking for something funny, but this seemed a bit more appropriate for what I'm thinking about. My thoughts are on politics. I've been watching Fox News at night here lately and I'm a bit worried and confused. I use the words 'Democrat' and 'Republican' loosely. I don't claim to be deep into politics in any way what so ever.....but I do like to follow along. After hearing the candidate's platforms and plan for their election.......it's got me thinking: how do I see the role of government?

I believe government should be no more than a stable structure. It seems as if they are becoming more and more apart of our lives. Like I said...I'm not a student of political science......but isn't the government supposed to just be an umbrella.....a covering? But now it seems they are wanting to tell us that we have to have this or do that or be this way or that. I'm not talking about laws that govern and protect people....I'm talking about moral issues. It's almost like they want to create a utopia... have a saviour. It's really confusing to me. I'm no genius.....but I can see that it doesn't work. Government can't fix every social or moral issue. Individuals can. I believe that to be true. The church has the power and ability to fix a lot of stuff.......but for some reason it's acting very limited in it's capabilities. I include myself in this.

Government can only make things worse (in a sense). By that I mean......creating standards that allow immorality. The two biggest (for me) are abortion and same-sex marriages. These are moral issues. Morality can't be legislated. It just can't. Morality comes (in my opinion) from God. Realizing the need for God.......getting our sense of right or wrong from Him. It almost seems to me that our elected officials are trying to make use more and more dependent on themselves (the government). To look to them as an end to all of our troubles. To fix all of our problems. Make us happy. Put food on our tables. Take away all of my pain. It doesn't work!

I hear the presidential candidates talk about health care.....(which seems to be the most talked about issue right now)....more recently the security of our nation (abroad and at home).....comparing this country to others around the world......as if those other countries are a beacon of light....of perfection. Crazy! They are worse off than we are. Who would want to leave this country and move to France.....England......for their health care......socialist systems of government. We have freedoms in this country that no other country in the world has. We have blessings and opportunities unrivaled by anyone else. I don't want to lose them! Especially over politics and agendas. Not worth it.

Countless men and women have devoted themselves to freedom (to the point of death) for us to have what we have now.......shame on us if we squander it! Shame on the church (me included) if nothing is done about it!

Again....I say.....I'm no student of politics......but here are a few quotes from centuries ago. They make sense to me today. I believe that the men and women who had their hand in forming this country were appointed to that time by God. Whether they knew Him or not.... they were appointed to be there at that time and pour their lives into what we have today. Take a moment and read these quotes......think about them.

All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. Thomas Jefferson

Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves are its only safe depositories. Thomas Jefferson

Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny. Thomas Jefferson

It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself. Thomas Jefferson

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government. Thomas Jefferson

One man with courage is a majority. Thomas Jefferson

Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual. Thomas Jefferson

Taste cannot be controlled by law. Thomas Jefferson

That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves. Thomas Jefferson

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson

When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. Thomas Jefferson

A RESTFUL WEEKEND

That's what we've been needing. Although there's so much to be done......it's so nice to be free to do nothing. Much of this last week was taken up by taxes and work. I had to drive to Georgia yesterday to meet with a tax prep. guy. After all that was done.....I got to see my two nephews. This was their gift to me (my birthday was last month).

They call me Jo-Jo. They both love to fish. I do too. Last year we had a wonderful time at a cabin in Blue Ridge Georgia.....we spent time fishing. The boys caught a lot. You may be wondering about the name Joey. Growing up my family called me Joey. It was a nickname. I was only ever called Jose' at school. The rest of the time I was Joey. My sister has a friend who works with ceramics. She does incredible work. I absolutely love my coffee cup.

Elvis is doing well. He's not grown that much over the last 2 weeks. He's still for sale......but I'll have to be honest.....I'll be sad to see him go. He has a wonderful personality and is fully of energy. We love him to death!!!!
One thing about Elvis......he's good company for Peppers. He's made more like his father. His father is a Yorkie name JR (belongs to Denise's sister Vicki). His hair is a lot longer than Peppers. Later........