My Stepdad's Birthday Today

Above: My stepfather, Stephen Herald, on a cruise in 2004.

Today is my stepfather, Stephen Herald's 45th birthday. He was born July 25th, 1964. I managed to run out on Wednesday and get him the Ghostbusters game I knew he wanted...and gave it to him just a bit ago. He was very happy about it... so now, I wait to see what everyone ELSE did. We're getting ready to go out to eat so I can't stay and talk... be back later...

Courage + Belief = LIFE

Friday Freestyle the Eighth

Here we go again

Another weekly freestyle for y'all

We don't need to do memorial this week

For once, that I'm happy bout

Just watched the WWE

And saw a decent show

I just hope this weekend's big pay-per-view

Is better than what TNA put on

Saturday gonna be real good

I celebrate my stepdad's b-day

I just hope the rain holds off

Because who wants a wet party?

Alright y'all we're about done here

We'll be back next week

Til then, courage plus belief equals life

And I love y'all for real

Courage + Belief = LIFE

Needing More Prayer Again

I am once again dealing with the syncopal episodes that hit me for the first time in December, 2008.

Tonight I had a dizzy spell of about 5 minutes duration at Florence Mall around 7 PM, which, if I hadn't moved quickly to hang onto something sturdy, I would have certainly collapsed. I made it home, but I honestly haven't a clue how. I'm also having issues stumbling over my own words - I couldn't form the words in a couple of cases to talk to my family or friends.

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers in the coming few days, as I will need to watch it closely.

Courage + Belief = LIFE

Spending Time In The Pokey

The above is another way to say "I spent time at the local detention facility".

And no, I was NOT the one in trouble.

I had to go to Kenton County Detention Center twice in the past week. Both times it was for my sister's fiancee.

I won't state his name on the blog (those who know, know who they are) but I will tell you that most of the offenses he was charged with last week were just minor traffic things. However in one situation he was charged with non-support, meaning not paying child support. Consequently there are further proceedings going on in that case.

When I went on Saturday, it was so my sister could see him for the first time in six days. Tonight, it was to get him out.

And let me just say this: Both trips have solidified my dislike of that particular part of our justice system.

Not that these people aren't getting what they had coming. They are.

My dislike stems purely from the facts that a) in the visitation room, there was only a sheet of bulletproof glass separating me and these inmates and b) It just felt like a place I didn't want to be.

I could only stand being in there for 10 minutes at most - and then I split.

Tonight wasn't quite as bad...but I still didn't want to be there, and for that reason I was glad when we split out of there after 90 seconds.

So, in summary: If you can avoid the local hoosegow...do it. Seriously. It ain't a good place...

Courage + Belief = LIFE

Friday Freestyle the Seventh

We're back yet again tonight

And we're gonna be freestylin'

But first I gotta pay tribute

To a man, a myth and a legend

Walter Crokite just died tonight

He's a newsman and most trusted

We as a nation loved his style

And the way he told it "the way it is"

The week was really good otherwise

Didn't have to worry about much

Next week looks crazy for me

But ya know, that's how I like it

So with that written, I'm gonna end this

It's been fun, but y'all, I'm outta words

And I'm gonna catch you next week

With another big time freestyle

Courage + Belief = LIFE

Thursday 13: 13 Favorite TV Channels

For my second Thursday Thirteen, I decided to pick my 13 favorite TV channels to watch!

1) WLWT-TV: Their chief meteorologist Derek Beasley is a good man, and a really good forecaster as well. They wouldn't do a "Derek Said it Would" campaign if he wasn't.

2) WKRC-TV: My favorite local TV station for all things news.

3) WXIX-TV: Shows such as "The Simpsons" headline my viewing here.

4) Discovery: Mythbusters AND Pitchmen! Nuff said!

5) A&E: Dog, Exterminators, and First 48. There ya are.

6) WSTR-TV: Mainly due to my love of WWE. I watch a couple other shows occasionally as well.

7) USA: Again, WWE. Nuff said.

8) Weather Channel: A few things about this channel that I like. It was one of the first stations I started watching when I began watching TV.

9) Nickelodeon: I have been a fan of different shows on that station.

10) Cartoon Network: I have begun watching "Destroy Build Destroy". Fun show! If I were young enough, I'd compete there!

11) TrueTV: I like "Hot Pursuit" among others.

12) TNT: Occasionally, a movie I like will come on. When it does - I watch.

13) Food Network: Yep - I'm a foodie! LOL...I do like to watch some things here.

There ya are!

Courage + Belief = LIFE

I Like Natalie Simpson Because...

AUTHOR'S NOTE: After some time with no "I Like...Because..." posts - they're returning, and with a vengeance! Expect 3 in the next week and a half. Today: Natalie Simpson.

Like many of my Facebook friends, Natalie and I met in 2000 when I became a member of Florence Baptist Church. Natalie actually finished high school at that time, being a senior at the time we met.

As time went on, I initially only saw Natalie on Sundays. That was pretty much the first four years of our friendship. When I moved into the college/singles ministry in 2004, and started going to Northern Kentucky University, Natalie was there. (We're still in the singles/college ministry to this day.)

As the time passed, Natalie and I talked about a lot of things. We discussed life. We discussed our relationships with God. In some cases, we discussed our respective relationships with the opposite sex. I knew I could look up to this young lady to show me how to live. Heck, we even discussed politics at times! Specifically, when Natalie wrote a post about Obama's election back in November, and then I wrote my own post, we both agreed on our reasons for voting the way we did (both of us voted for now-President Obama).

Natalie, like everybody else on my list, is a sweetheart of a friend. She'll tell you what she thinks of things, and doesn't hold back. She'll make you laugh when you need it.

Natalie also cares a LOT about her family. When her dad was fighting cancer...she made it a point to do her best to help him, and keep us informed of what happened, all the way until his passing in June of 2008. Sadly, the cancer wasn't treatable - but her spirit was unbelievable through it all. This gives me hope that I can handle any future deaths in my family that same way.

She is also a loving girlfriend to a man named Chad...and of course a sister to all of us who know Christ the way she does.

As always - if you know Natalie, drop her a note and let her know you appreciate her friendship.

Courage + Belief = LIFE