From Incumbent to Outcumbent

What would you do if your family budget looked like this? Where are the decision makers when we really need them? Someone has to say, "Enough is enough."

26 Seconds! Really?

Am I the only one that fails to see the point of these commercials?  4g Wireless is touted as being up to ten times faster than 3g.  Okay, so what?  Given the fact that 99.99% of cellphone communications are non-critical and that most of that communication is accurately displayed in this ad (mindless web browsing and texting), do I really need that information 26 seconds faster than someone else?  Does it truly change my life for the better? 26 seconds! Really?

Wordless Wednesday

Quack, Quack...Waddle, Waddle

What Do We Do Now?

Christmas is over.  The Christmas Music Marathon is complete for another year.  All of the gifts have been unwrapped, and all of the food has been consumed.  What do we do now?
I'm on vacation the rest of this week, so, at some point the decorations will come down.  I have already started thinking about the 2012 edition of the Christmas Music Marathon and how I might make it better.  First of all, I need to go back and catalog every song that I have posted during the first two marathons, find the very best ones and make sure that they are included in the 2012 edition.  The very last post this year included a photo and scripture.  The photo came from our primary tree.  I think I will be adding more photos and scripture for the 2012 marathon.
Beginning January 2, I am officially semi-retired!  I will be working three days a week.  This will provide some more time for my wife and I to do a little traveling.  We would both like to take a cruise, but we're having some difficulty deciding where we want to go.  It will be either the Caribbean or Alaska.  Oh, we don't have a time frame for it either.
This week will be spent with family.  Christmas week is usually movie week at our house.  We don't see that many movies during the year, but when Christmas week rolls around we will go to the movies several times.  Sometime this week we're going to see Mission Impossible 4 with our daughter, son-in-law and the grandcrew.  New Years Eve we will see War Horse with my sister-in-law and her husband.  We've already seen Sherlock Holmes 2.  It was very good.
2012 will begin with a trip to Dallas, TX and the Cotton Bowl where the Arkansas Razorbacks will take on the Kansas State Wildcats.  We've never been to a major bowl game before, so this should be fun.  Yes, I will have my camera and yes there will be photos posted the following week.
I am actually looking forward to 2012 and my reduced work schedule.  I'm looking forward to spending more time with my wife and family.  I'm looking forward to more fishing and a little more traveling.  So, what does your new year look like?  What do we do now?

Christmas Music Marathon 2011-The Finale

May the gift that is Christmas live in your heart and your home this season.  May the new year bring peace, joy, and happiness your way.  Thank you for stopping by Driller's Place these past few weeks and watching the videos.  I hope you enjoyed viewing them as much as I enjoyed finding them.  I can't wait til' next year.  I leave you with these final two songs.  Enjoy.

Christmas Music Marathon 2011-Day 30

Skywatch Friday/Christmas Music Marathon 2011-Day 29

 

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Christmas Music Marathon 2011-Day 29

Not only is this my favorite Christmas song, but this is, by far, my favorite video of this song.  In an odd sort of way it reminds me of how the shepherds must have felt when the heavens were filled with angles praising the birth of the Savior.  There are 650 voices in this presentation and I would have LOVED to have been there.  I get chills every time I watch this video.  So, turn up the volume or put on your headphones and prepare to be thrilled.   Enjoy. 

 

So, what have been your favorite video offerings this season?  There are five other songs that are on my list from this year.  Here they are.







Let me know which ones you enjoyed the most and I will save them for next year.  I will post songs for tomorrow and Christmas day, so stop by if you're not too busy.  Otherwise, may the gift of Christmas live in your heart and home this season.  May the God of all Creation make His presence known to you and yours.  May the new year bring peace, joy, and the promise of better days for you and those you love.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
If you are new to Driller's Place, I post a gospel video every Friday, so if you're in need of or, in the mood for a little inspirational music by the end of each week, stop by and see what's up.

Christmas Music Marathon 2011-Day 28

Wordless Wednesday/Christmas Music Marathon 2011-Day 27

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Ready for Christmas 

There are only a few more days left in this years Christmas Music Marathon. Don't miss Friday. There are a couple of special things planned for that day. Merry Christmas to all and may your New Year be blessed.

Ruby Tuesday/Christmas Music Marathon 2011-Day 26

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Tis finally Christmas week!  So, I think it is about time that we wished all of you Season's Greetings.

Merry Christmas from our home to yours.

And may your New Year be Blessed...Papa, Nana and the Grandcrew.

Christmas Music Marathon 2011-Day 26

As we move through this final week before Christmas I encourage you to come back each day.  I will try to bring some special music for your enjoyment.  Don't miss Friday.  I have one of my all time favorite videos planned for that day.  I know most of you will be busy Saturday and Sunday, so I am planning something a little special for the end of the work week.

Christmas is a time of giving.  It is a time that we often pay special attention to our family and make an extra effort to be together.  As we gather with our loved ones and exchange gifts, let us be reminded of the one perfect gift that the creator has offered to us, eternal life through His Son.

Christmas Music Marathon 2011-Day 25

Christmas Music Marathon 2011-Day 24

Christmas Music Marathon 2011-Day 23

Skywatch Friday/Christmas Music Marathon 2011-Day 22

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I took this photo last December one morning, on my way to work.  I was a few minutes late getting into the office, but it was worth the effort.

Christmas Music Marathon 2011-Day 22

 Dad

April 10, 1920 - December 16, 2009

Today is the second anniversary of the passing of my Father.  I loved him and I miss him deeply.  He was my hero in more ways than he could have ever known or I was ever able to express.  I have good days, when I don't think about him at all.  I have good days when I remember him with love.  Then, I have those days when I just hurt, because he's not here.  Every child who loses their last parent knows what I'm talking about.  You have made the transition from child to patriarch.  You have become the oldest generation in the family.
No one truly knows how long dad had that lump in his abdomen that would be diagnosed as cancer in September of 2009.  By the time treatment started the outcome was already known.  On December 16, 2009, dad lost his battle with cancer, but won the victory over death's sting.  Even though dad stepped into the eternity and the arms of Christ, deep down inside I would have loved One Last Christmas.




   I rejoice in the fact that dad's chains are gone, and I look forward to that day when my chains will be broken as well.  The chains of disease, sorrow, and death.  As a Christian, when our days are finished here, our chains will be gone and we will rest in arms of our Savior.  This next video is not a Christmas song.  It is one of the songs from dad's memorial service.  It is one of my favorite arrangements of a classic Hymn.  Here is Chris Tomlin singing "Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone".

Christmas Music Marathon 2011 - Day 21

Wordless Wednesday/Christmas Music Marathon 2011 - Day 20

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Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Christmas Music Marathon - Day 20

Ruby Tuesday/Christmas Music Marathon 2011- Day 19

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Santa on vacation.

Christmas Music Marathon 2011 - Day 19

In the midst of the Holiday shopping rush we can lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas.  It's not about the presents.  It's not about the parties or the food, or even the music of the season.  It's about the birth of the Savior.  God, in His marvelous wisdom and grace, provided us with a means to have an eternal relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.  In the midst of all of the hustle and bustle, we could all use a silent night.  Merry Christmas.

Christmas Music Marathon 2011 - Day 18

Christmas Music Marathon 2011 - Day 17

Christmas Music Marathon 2011 - Day 16

Skywatch Friday/Christmas Music Marathon 2011-Day 15

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This photo was taken back in February.  I have four or five locations that are favorite places to capture sunrises and sunsets.  They give me great views, without the trappings of civilization.  These areas are free of power lines, traffic lights, buildings etc.  I know that it will not always be like this, so I value these locations and visit them when I know there will be a special opportunity to capture a beautiful moment in nature.

Christmas Music Marathon 2011 - Day 15

The Old Testament prophet Isaiah told us that Christ would come.  His exact words were, "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  On a cold winter night, the city of Bethlehem, Christ is come.

With the birth of a Savior, God made the Glorious Impossible, possible.

Christmas Music Marathon 2011 - Day 14

Wordless Wednesday/Christmas Music Marathon 2011 - Day 13

 

The Spirit of Christmas Past

Christmas Music Marathon 2011 - Day 13

 Everyone has a favorite Christmas song and everyone has a favorite artist associated with that song. There are several songs that I count among my favorites and numerous artists that I enjoy listening to.  I have shared several of them with you over the past thirteen days.  Almost everyone counts "O Holy Night" among their Christmas favorites and many artists do outstanding arrangements of this musical icon.  If you have never heard David Phelps do this song, then I encourage you to turn up the volume a little or put on your head phones, brace yourself and listen to perhaps the most powerful arrangement available.  Enjoy.

Ruby Tuesday/ Christmas Music Marathon Day12

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This little ceramic ornament was created by my wife quite a few years ago. It is still one of my favorites.

Christmas Music Marathon 2011 - Day 12

Christmas Music Marathon 2011 - Day 11

Christmas Music Marathon 2011 - Day 10

Rose of Bethlehem

Christmas Music Marathon 2011 - Day 9

What Child is this?
"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."  Luke 2:11

Skywatch Friday/Christmas Music Marathon 2011 - Day 8

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Christmas Music Marathon 2011 - Day 8

Have you ever wondered what happens while you are sleeping?  Well the world around you goes on.  Half a world away it is mid-day and people are going about their business.  Where you live, the night shift is at work.  You get up in the morning and turn on the radio or the television to see or hear what happened in the world, while you were sleeping.  There was a time without radio, television, or any form of mass communication.  On a cold winter night, in Bethlehem, while the city slept, a Savior was born and the world has never been the same.  May the Joy that is this season live in your home.

Christmas Music Marathon 2011 - Day 7

Christ was born in order that we might have life and have life everlasting.  You can read his story in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  Merry Christmas all.  May the Joy that is this season dwell in your home.