A grandmother’s house destroyed

During the big storm on Monday night, 2 or three FH houses were struck by lightning. This one in the older part of Heritage Heights was destroyed when the roof caught fire! (Click on the photo for closer details)

Connie & Mitch’s home improvements

I thought y’all would enjoy seeing Mitch and Connie’s improvements they have added. There is a new concrete drive, complete with a turnaround, a new carport a lot like Daddy’s and a new smaller shed to match the big mama shed. Looks good doesn’t it? A new roof is next!

Biggest Loser Website!

I took a minute to set up a website for The Biggest Loser competition. I figured it was easier than posting on other blogs with the weekly updates, to keep it all in one place. Here's the address: http://fowkesbiggestloser.blogspot.com/

I've also included it in the links on this page and on mine so feel free to add it as you wish to your respective blogs!

In case you get your cell phone wet...

I read recently about what to do if you get your cell phone wet. This probably won’t work if you wash it in the washer but maybe for other problems. Immediately turn phone off, remove battery (or you will fry the phone) and place them separately to dry after drying all you can by hand. Possibly placing them on something dry and warm like the cable box, etc. is the best place.

And you thought the Cowboy Church was weird!

When I was at the printer last week, a very tall man was there making a newspaper - handwritten. That’s right, he was writing it out. He introduced himself as Edward, with a nickname of ZebraPeace! He told me he was looking to buy about 20 acres near Joshua so he could build a Circus Church. He wants to save the lost souls from 1 to 31 - the ones who are most susceptible to the ills of today and they can be reached through the circus ministry. We will watch out for this one!

The Biggest Loser 2.0

Yesterday Mom brought up the idea of resurrecting the Biggest Loser competition. I think maybe she was trying to tell me something, but I’ll pretend she wasn’t directing the idea at me. But honestly, I think it’s a great one! I’m not really sure what happed the last time. I’ll take the blame, but as far as I could see, no one was all that interested in weighing in!

So if we are all in agreement (or for those who would like to participate), send me an email letting me know you want to be included and The Biggest Loser 2.0 will officially start on Monday July 23. Mom will again play secret keeper so all weights will be emailed to her. You will have until Thanksgiving where we will actually do an official weigh-in at Mom’s house and anyone not in town can call in theirs that day or the day before. Winner will be chosen by having the most overall percentage of weight lost. I think we decided this would be the most fair.

Let me know who wants to play and I hope everyone has a great week!

Quick Tips

In my recent reading, etc., I have learned the following which may be of help to some of you:
1. I tried this and it works especially well on 100% cotton t-shirts and jeans. Take them from the dryer while warm, hang up and spray with Downy or other wrinkle releaser and smooth them out. They will be wearable without ironing.
2. Think about your 72-hour kits! Do you have shoes for everyone, even the kids? In case of tornado, hurricane or other disaster, think about the debris and other hazards. Substantial shoes, even boots could be needed. Flip-flops probably do not fit this job description and kids will need their feet protected.
3. There is a new identitiy theft going around where your medical info is stolen. Persons who are HIV positive are buying that info so they can receive treatment because they are insurable. Also, SS numbers, etc. of babies are being stolen for some of these same reasons. The thieves change the address on the statements that come from the insurance companies and you do not know that the info has been stolen. An additional problem is that if you ever get info on your records that you are HIV positive or one of the other deadly things, it is almost impossible to get removed. Guard all your numbers and avoid “free” things which will require these numbers. There have been some scams where they set these up especially to capture this personal info. Be careful!

Lost and Found Stone

Most of you remember that about 20 years ago I bought a headstone at a Forest Hill Police Auction for $2.50. We had it in our yard on Anmar Court but I got a lot of flack from the youngsters, so it has been stored out by the garden shed. I have talked about calling the Tarrant County Historical Society, but just never took the time. At a City Party on Tuesday, I ran into a friend I have known for over 40 years and she is now on the TC Historical Commission (one of 38 volunteer members). I told her about the tombstone and she said she could find where it belongs. Well, not to be outdone, since I have a lot of research experience, I went on-line and found it. At first, no luck but then there was a list of cemeteries, so I picked one nearby which would have had really old stones. Sure enough, there was Warren in Hudson Cemetery in south Arlington (Kennedale). Here is the listing:
WARREN, James Monroe
14 NOV 1853
22 FEB 1909
M(ale)
h/o (husband of) Emley Jane [unknown] WARREN; f/o (father of) Louisa Elizabeth [WARREN] NEWSOM THOMAS
He has been dead almost 100 years!
So I drove over there to the cemetery Wednesday afternoon and a funeral party was fixing to arrive, so I could not look around very long. However, I did discover that there has been a lot of damage to the cemetery with badly broken stones, etc. At least the parts are still there. I am sending this over to my friend, Jo Pirtle, and I think she can arrange for the stone to be picked up and to be installed at the cemetery, otherwise if it is just there loose, it will disappear again. If we need help on that issue, I will send up a flare. I will update later.

FREE Slurpies!!!

Yes, it's that time of year again, 7-11 is giving away free slurpies! They are only 7.11 ounces, so they're quite small, but most locations will let you get more than one! For those Simpsons fans, they have a special "Blue Squishie" flavor. Enjoy!