48 things you should know

Tomorrow I will be 49 half way to 98.  Im not sure if 50 is going to hurt worse or not.  Realizing im most likely past the half way mark sucks.  In honor of being 48 for one more day though I thought i’d share 48 things about me

1. I was born in Ft. Knox Kentucky
2. My favorite color is blue
3. I have always wanted to own a 69 Camaro
4. I learned to SCUBA dive in 1978
5. I graduated High School in 1978 (I almost didn’t graduate high school on time due to poor grades)
6. I went on to get a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Tech University and had a 4.0 in my Master’s classes.
7. I played HS Football for the Patrick Henry Patriots in 11th grade.  My number was 68.  Left offensive guard.  I played in one game and was injured on the third play.  Never played again.
8. I used to own a motorcycle – a 1979 Honda XL185 – wish I still had it. (Sold it to buy Dana’s Engagement Ring!)
9. My first car was a 1977 Toyota Corolla and cost $3077.00 (It didn’t have A/C either!)
10. In order I have lived in Washington DC, Norfolk VA, San Diego CA, Upton KY, Virginia Beach VA, San Diego CA, Chattanooga TN, Decatur, AL, Cookeville TN, Newport News VA, Cookeville TN, Chattanooga TN, Decatur AL, Austin TX, Decatur AL
11. Our first house cost $52,000!
12. My first “real” job was working at Kentucky Fried Chicken – no I cant tell you the secret recipe or I would have to kill you.
13. I had a paper route and worked on farms before that job.
14. I raised a pig.
15. My first Rock concert was Kansas in 1976.  The last one I was was the Eagles in 2009.  Best show I ever saw in my life!
16. I saw Star Wars (Ep IV) in the theater during first release 16 times.
17. I think clackers were perhaps the coolest toy EVER
18. My military career was ruined by a year in the NJROTC – Sometimes I regret not following my dad and going into the Navy
19. I have been to Africa, Romania, and Thailand on mission trips.
20. My favorite vacation spot is Cozumel, Mexico.  We have been 6 times.  I want to go there for a mission trip too!
21. I probably went to Disney Land 25 times as a kid.
22. I went to Disney World on my Honeymoon.
23. I only took my kids there once – regret that!
24. My grandfather (on my mom’s side) was a Baptist Preacher – I can remember sitting in “the big chair” or on “stage” while he preached and yelling “amen” when the old men in the church yelled “amen!”
25. I wanted to be a preacher like him.  Hmm….
26. My grandmother saw me preach for the first time two weeks ago.  She is 93!
27. I worked on hog farm for a summer and castrated pigs among other nasty tasks.
28. I have also worked on a dairy farm, raised tobacco, hauled hay and picked corn.
29. I always wanted to have two girls when I would think about having a family – I have two girls.
30. We chose Lara’s name (Lara Ashley) by creating a matrix of possible name choices and combining them in multiple ways eliminating dumb ones till we had it narrowed down to the best sounding name we both agreed on.
31. For Jordan Leigh we simplified the process considerably but I thought she was going to be a boy so I wasnt paying attention.  I was going to name her David Edward.  I like Jordan Leigh MUCH better.
32. I have TWO grandkids – both girls
33. I have driven a NASCAR 170+ MPH at Talledega
34. I played the String (Double) Bass in the Jr Symphony Orchestra when I was in Elementary School!
35. I took piano lessons for over 5 years.
36. I no longer play ANY instrument!  I regret this as well.
37. I LOVE saltwater aquariums.  Kept two of them at different times.  Wish I had one now!
38. I am afraid of horses.
39. I don’t like to drink from glass glasses – I prefer plastic and I put ice in my milk.
40. My first computer was a Timex Sinclair 1000 – it was pretty useless.  Came with 2K of RAM!
41. My next computer was a Commodore 64 – it was AMAZING and is why I am a computer nerd!
42. The first thing Dana and I bought together was a 19″ RCA Television.  It had 19 possible channels.  There were only 3 then!
43. She let me buy an Atari 2600 for my first birthday after we got married!
44. My favorite game on it was Missile Command
45. Owning the Atari kept me from spending so much money on TRON.  I spent a LOT of money on TRON in the summer of 1982.
46. I pretty much suck at all video games now but the Wii is pretty fun – especially when naked!
47. I tried to start a church in Austin TX (Round Rock actually) – it never got off the ground.
48. I pastor the church I started in Decatur, Alabama (Crosspoint) an even though it took 6 years to get it going, its the best thing I have ever done with my life outside of loving my family!