Happy Halloween!

The nights are cool and damp. You can smell the wood burning in someone's fireplace. The leaves are changing colors and slowly dropping from the trees. It's Halloween in Kansas City once again. I love to see the little ones coming to my door looking for candy in the most adorable costumes. Their parents are standing back letting them recite the words they've practiced for days in preparation for this one night when it's encouraged to beg from house to house! ;o)

My brother Jeff has transformed his garage into a haunted house. He borrowed my chain saw last night (minus the blade, that is) to scare the kids that decide to walk through.

Last night, Shallen had her awards banquet for tennis...they had it at a bon-fire on one of the parents land! I missed it because I was home working on the rail around my front porch - we don't want any of those little ghosts or gobblins falling off the porch and getting hurt! Shallen received her athletic letter and a Most Valuable Player award - she deserved it...she really did a great job for the team this year!

On a sad note, a second cousin of mine (on my mom's side) died Monday in her sister's home. She had been having a lot of difficulties in her life and decided she didn't want to continue living her life as she had. The family is really grieving right now and I would ask that you lift up a prayer. Ask God to strenghten the family and draw them together in this tragedy.

Take the time today to hug your kids and those close to you and let them know how dear they are to you! :o) Have a great Friday!

First Frost!

Yesterday morning, we experienced the first frost of the season here in Kansas City! The temp was about 26 degrees - very brisk and windy. I love this time of the year! We get to wear sweatshirts, watch the leaves change colors and eventually drop from the trees as winter sets in!

Luckily, all my outdoor projects have been completed. This winter we plan to repaint a number of the inside walls and trim to get ready for new carpet in the summer. We've been looking for a house that we can call our own for a number of months. We want to stay up in the Northland - we like it up here!

I've decided to go up to Lincoln in 2009 for their marathon - I hope I make it this year. Last year, a couple of weeks before the marathon, I came down with some nasty flu and lost a couple of weeks of training. It forced me out of the run...I just wasn't prepared to run the race I had originally trained for. Keep me in your prayers as I begin training...once again...for this marathon in late March.

How About Those Tigers!!!

MU sure smacked around Colorado on Saturday. Chase Daniel was throwing at will against Colorado's defense and they had nothing to push back with. This was MU's homecoming and they played it in high fashion! It looks like Baylor's Bears are in line to get a spanking next Saturday!

The intent is...if the KC Chiefs continue to play as poorly as they have the first few games, during the draft, they will definately go high and need to select a quarterback. Chase should be available and the Chiefs can build a team around his arm. We'll just have to see how everything plays out!

Long Weekend...

This weekend went by in a quick breeze! It's already Sunday night and I still have so many things to do. Friday night we went to the football game at Platte County. It was Senior's night...and there wasn't a dry eye in the place. The band had a Senior's meal before the game and the parents made posters of their student from early childhood through their senior year - all in pictures. We proceeded to the game where they recognized Seniors who had participated in fall sports - Shallen played tennis. She gave Steph a rose and a big hug on the 50 yard line...here's where the crying started. At half time, before the band took the field, they recognized the Seniors...another rose for Steph and more crying (I think you're getting the picture). Luckily, it was a good game and the football team came away with a much needed win against Kansas City Central.

Saturday morning, Steph and I broke away and enjoyed a nice breakfast at Panera's. As we sat there thinking about the day that would unfold for us, Steph brough up the front porch railing. It was starting to get wobblie and paint wouldn't stick to the wood anymore because it was always soaked to the center of the posts. I just looked at her because I knew what was coming next. With a big smile she said, "let's check on the supplies for that at Lowe's." I though, no harm can come from finding out what it will cost to redo the front railing. After taking measurements back home and figuring what I would need in supplies, we headed to Lowe's. After writing down all the prices for what we wanted, I was ready to leave...we had done what we said we were going to do! Not so fast!!! Steph says, "well, let's go ahead and get it all...we can start today." The next thing I know, I was loading 2x6's into the back of the Xterra. When we got back to the house, Steph wanted a sledge hammer to start demolision. After rethinking the plan, I went back up to Lowe's for some exchange items. When I pulled back into the drive, the front porch was bare. It's still a work in progress as we got busy today as well.

This morning we got up early and went to church. I wanted to get back home early enough to mow the lawn before we went down to Steph's brother's house (Craig and Nedra) who live in Lee's Summit. On the way to LS, we stopped by my mom's in Independence and dropped off to Stephan (he was there mowing grandma's lawn) his new insurance paperwork for his truck.

Stephan gave me this picture. Last weekend, he went hunting on the family property up north and got a hen (turkey). He's always proud to show off his skills with a gun. Honestly, he's a pretty good shot and shouldn't have too much trouble qualifying for the S.E.A.L.s following graduation next year.

While in Lee's Summit, my brother Jeff calls and asks me for some help in turning his garage into the neighborhood haunted house. He has a particular item in the haunted house he needs help with. After finishing the Chiefs game (they actually showed signs of progress with their 3rd string quarterback) and lunch, I went over to Jeff's for about an hour. We got the mirror operational and he had his garage transformed into a haunted maze - the kids are going to love it! We made it back home right at dusk. The temperature has dropped about 20 degrees since this morning. We should be expecting our first frost tonight.

It was a good weekend...I need another one to finish all the projects that were started this weekend. I guess I'll get to them after work throughout the week. Have a great week everybody!

A New Road

After leaving Sprint back in April, I was determined to break into the Construction Project Management field. I had a couple of interviews with a few local construction companies, but nothing panned out. Knowing my background was in project management, I started applying on-line to numerous companies around the metro area. It just seemed like no one was hiring. I started getting very nervous when the end of August started to roll around and I still didn't have anything.
I was sitting at home one day when I received a call from a recruiter at H&R Block. About the only thing I knew about them was, they had recently built a new World Headquarters in the downtown district of Kansas City and my brother Jeff had returned to them and was working in the IT dept. They saw my resume on-line and wanted to do a phone interview. It wasn't long before I was meeting my current boss and fellow PMs for interviews. All the glory goes back to God for this opportunity. There was nothing I could do at that time but keep going!
I started September 8th and was given the largest project they had the first week - Tax Season Readiness for FY-09'. Talk about a learning curve. I'm actually glad I got this project...I know so much more about this industry now and in such a short time I'm actually quite proficient with the requirements to prepare a call center and corporate for the tax season.
Now to shift gears...tonight is recognition of Seniors who play in the band at Platte County High School. We will meet Shallen on the football field and Stephanie will get a rose and I will get a hug for the support over the years! Steph better not be wearing eye liner tonight...could get messy!
Steph, Shallen & I visited MU on Monday. Since we live in Missouri, MU will be about half the price of KU because of in-state tuition. Shallen really liked MU and as soon as her application is accepted, I'm sure she will commit to the school.
Stephan went hunting last weekend on his mom's property and got a hen (turkey). He was pretty excited about it when I talked to him on Sunday. He can't wait until deer season is here!
Things are very busy right now for all of us. Thanks for staying up with the Elkins family on my blog! Leave me a comment once in a while - I love to hear from everyone!

More family pictures...

Stephan spent a great deal of time with his ol' dad this summer as I was building a new deck for the back of the house and building shutters and completing the painting of the house.

Stephan is a junior this year at Oak Grove High School and plans to wrestle again this year. Plan to see some action pictures as I attend the meets.

My sister Caron ran with Steph and I in the Run for the Frogs at the KC Zoo in September. This was a 4 mile run and the first time I've run with Caron. My brother-in-law Jeff came out to cheer us on and help us eat donuts after the race!

I just finished the Kansas City Marathon this last weekend. I was blessed to run with an old, dear friend, Paul Turner. We grew up together. He lives in Nashville now, but came in to try to qualify for Boston.

I ran the half marathon and finished in 1:42...a good run for me that day. Paul needed a 3:30 to qualify for Boston. He ended up running in 3:28! Way to go Paul! Hopefully, I'll be right there with you next year. Thanks for reading the blog everyone...I'll do my best to stay on top of it from now on!

It's Been a Long Time...

Wow! Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to my blog. I think the best way to tell you what's been going on since April, is to do it in pictures.

Shallen was a homecoming queen candidate for this year...and I had the priviledge of escorting her across the football field.

Addison came to visit grandma & grandpa a few times over the summer. This is Colby's little girl and definately grandpa's girl!

Shallen played tennis this year for Platte County. She was seeded #1 on her team. This was the first year Platte County had a tennis team. She played very well up through Districts.