Thanksgiving 2009 -Chronicles of Coach Sam

Last Update: 9:45 PM, Thursday, November 26...

5:30 AM... Up and out of bed... Covering the day in prayer...! -Most Important!!!

6:00 AM... Facebook time... -It's going to be a full day of family time, cooking, eating, and Starleet Commander Missions

7:00 AM... One of our family traditions is to make Rice Crispy Treat Squares for breakfast on holidays... (I think we've been doing this since 2003 and it's a good tradition...)

8:00 AM... Family is still asleep. I'm making deviled eggs just for Connor...-One of His Favorite Holiday favorites... Waiting for Monica to awaken so i can go to the store for last minute grocery shopping... Coffee is made... YUM...!

9:00 AM... Deviled Eggs -Done...! On my second cup of Coffee... Playing Starfleet Commander on Facebook. I know it's a colossal waste of time, but I'm indulging myself today. Prayed over my family and the day again this morning. -More than anything else, I REALLY want Connor and Elijah to have a Happy Thanksgiving memory of this year. Guess I'll get the smoker started for the Turkey... How late is everyone going to sleep today...? Oh well, it IS a holiday... More later...

10:00 AM... Monica and Elijah got up around 9:30 AM... I just got the smoker started for the Turkey and am heading to the grocery store for last minute things for our day of feasting and relaxation. Oh.. Connor is up... Yay...!

11:50 AM.... Put the turkey in the smoker at 11:30 AM... Ran a few Starfleet Commander Missions... Spoke to my grandmother, sister, older brother Stan, and left a message for my younger brother, John. Just a relaxing, peaceful day...! I'm about to start working on some snacks for the afternoon grazing before dinner this evening....!

3:00 PM... The day is going well... The turkey is on schedule to be ready around 6 PM... I also made a couple of stuffed pork loin rolls. They should be ready very soon.... Monica and I just went on a very enjoyable walk around the golf course. Let the records show that it's a beautiful day outside today...! I'm about to play a card game with Elijah, then do some more cooking...

5:00 PM... The turkey will be ready a little ahead of schedule... The pork loins are probably ready now... I need to go check my smoker... I'm working on giblet gravy... Everything else is up to Monica.... Mmmmm.... The house smells like fresh baked apple pie... We're planning to eat around 6 PM...

6:16 PM... Pretty much everything is ready except the Turkey: It needs a few more minutes... But here's where my backup plan kicks in: The Stuffed Pork Loin is ready for action right now so we are still on schedule... Sadly, there was one 'casualty'. The platter that we've used every year since we've been married broke. It was my mother's and she got it from her mother...! Oh well, that's one family heirloom that won't get passed down... (Sorry Elijah and Connor...)

9:45 PM... Dinner was excellent... Everyone enjoyed the pork loin roll. All the sides were good. Dessert was good... No, dessert was EXCELLENT...! Monica's apple pie can't be beat...! We're all enjoying to watch movies with Elijah... 'Cars' was first, now we're watching 'Peter Pan'. All in all, it was a family triumph for the Chadwell's today!
Wlll try to update this site every hour or so throughout the day...! Please check back...

Cool Tennis Picture...

I like this photo that was taken of me during a tennis class a few weeks ago. I am demonstrating a two handed backhand technique, but you can see a player a few courts away in the background and it looks like a little miniature player standing on the rim of my racquet. Hey: Don't fall off, Jennifer...!

Special thanks to Sharon McReynolds who has been taking photos during my weekend classes the past month...!

I am gearing up for a big week of Thanksgiving camp activities next week. Go to my website: http://chadwelltennis.com or email me at coachsam@chadwelltennis.com for more information...! Pre-registration is requested so that I can plan good programs...!

Back to Blogging...

Wow... I can't believe how long it's been since I've blogged. Of course, this is due chiefly to my new fascination with facebook...

Well, I'm trying to kick the facebook habit as my ONLY means of expression. I think Blogging is a good thing. Honestly, It's a GREAT Thing for looking back and seeing what matters concerned you from season to season of your life.

One of my last entries on this blog was a letter to President Obama committing to pray for him, his family, and his administration every single day he is in office.

Wow, I sure failed the President on that committment. Honestly, I am ashamed of the fact that I haven't lifted him or his family up in prayer in some time.

Sure, I disagree with some of the President's ideas and the direction he's taking our country on some issues, but when I am bitter and angry about it, that doesn't do one single thing to improve the situation, does it....?

TODAY, I am renewing my commitment to praying earnestly for Barack Obama...! I think I am going to start a weekly letter of encouragement and constructive criticism to the President. SERIOUSLY. I am going to do that. I'm not being sarcastic.

My attitude towards the President and Congress has been very negative lately. I can stand up for what I believe in without being so overly attacking to individuals on a personal level. In hindsight, I think I have really damaged my Christian witness by being overly negative and critical at times. I'd like to take this opportunity in this public forum to apologize to the President, and anyone else whom I may have offended with callous remarks.

Sorry Guys. That was the 'old' Sam Chadwell... The 'new' Sam is working on expressing himself with a little more tact and grace than I have in the past...!

Anyway... It's good to be back in the blogging saddle...! See you next time...

Coach Sam