A Half Day at Home...

Today I'm at home until about Noon. We're supposed to have the air conditioner man come out again and do some follow up work. I've got racquets to string this morning and then I need to update my website, clean out my car, and work on my Thanksgiving Holiday Camp Programs... Then I have lessons all afternoon from 2 to 8 PM....! -A full day for Coach Sam...!

Hopefully when I get home I'll have enough energy left to do a little more around the house...! I told Monica that I'd try to help her with the house work since she's essentially working two jobs simultaneously right now with the college job and her personal artwork commissions....

That's about it. The weather's fantastic right now and everyone wants tennis lessons.

I posted a photo of our Sunday evening meal. We're trying to eat at home more to save money, and to eat healthier, too. This was my first attempt at salmon and scallops on the grill and it turned out great...! We've been eating lots of red meat lately and are trying to turn our diets to more seafood and chicken courses.

By the way, I weighed in this morning at: 219.5 Let's see how I do by the end of the day. As God is my witness I plan to eat healthy stuff all day...! No junk food, and no large quantities...! Monica's been losing weight every day. She's been working very hard on her fitness, conditioning, and diet. And I must say she's looking pretty good! Certainly, she's an inspiration to me in that regard.

I know that it's harder to lose weight this time of year, but I really, really want to start off the new year under 200 lbs...! That's about it for now...

Thanks for reading my journal. Now that I have got the hang of posting pictures better I'll try to make it more interesting with a photo or two each day...! I've got some great photos of our cats. I was thinking of starting a new blog: The secret life of Sam's cats... But for now I'll just tack it on to this blog... That's it. This is Coach Sam Signing off....

Starting a new week...

Hello Friends...

I took a few days off from coach sam's life blog... I've just been too busy. Normally I take Sunday to get caught up but I got involved in 'projects' around the house and never really got on line for too long yesterday.

Oh yeah, and Saturday I did get up early to write in my blog but our broadband link wasn't working properly. So here's a quick recap of the past 3 days...

Friday: I was late to absolutely every appointment. (Friday, the broadband link was down, too). I had lessons in Nassau Bay at 8 AM but bad traffic made me about 20 minutes late.

Next I had to get to Sugarland for an HPTA meeting. I was a little late for that. I had to meet someone back in Clear lake for a private lesson and I was a few minutes late for that. Then I had a few minutes to relax at Diedrich's, (a local coffee shop) before Monica and I had to go to small group bible study. And for no particular reason we were a little late for that, too. I guess just to make it a clean sweep for me...!

Saturday I got up early to write in my blogs but as I said, the broadband link wasn't working properly.... I had lessons in West Columbia, Then I drove to Clear Lake for a few more lessons. I met Monica for dinner. She had been working on murals at the church all day. After that we went home and went to bed early.

Sunday we stayed home from church in Clear Lake. I wanted one day with out having to drive a lot. We watched the Lakewood church service on TV. The rest of the day we caught up on projects at the house. I cleaned the gutters around our house that were full of leaves. I also installed a new lock on our garage door. And I grilled some delicious salmon and scallops for dinner. MMM..... It was very delicious. We're trying to eat more fish these days to be more healthy.

Monica's doing a great job getting back into shape. It seems that every day she's reporting losing a pound or half pound. It's really motivating me to do the same. I need to start the old familiar "Sam's Weight Column" again. Remember a few months ago I was down to 200.5 but I could never get under that 200 plateau. Well a few weeks ago I noticed my pants and shorts getting really tight again and I jumped on the scales and sure enough I was up to 224.5.

Well yesterday I was down to 219 and I'm not sure what I weigh this morning. I'll weigh in a little later. The scales are in the bathroom in our bedroom and I don't want to disturb Monica before 5 AM...

Today, I have lessons in West Columbia starting at 9 AM. I need to leave by 7 AM. I may leave a little earlier... But I've got a few hours to write this morning so I'm going to get caught up on all my journaling. That's it for now...

Thanks for reading my journal. I hope you have a great week...!

Coach Sam

Cooler Temps Prevail...!

These are the days when it's a pleasure to be a tennis pro. When I only wear one shirt all day long...! Ah... I can wear a sweater vest, and warm up pants...!

Yesterday was a yucky day for me emotionally. (see my prayer journal for details) But today will be a day of Absolute Victory...! The weather is absolutely gorgeous out there! I have a pretty full day of lessons. I have to leave here at 10 AM for an 11 AM lesson in Clear Lake then I have a complete afternoon in League City the rest of the day...!

I've got a lot of email correspondence to send out this morning and I wanted to spend a few minutes updating my website, too. Still, I'm trying to not be so busy and rushing around like I normally am...

I'll get home tonight around 8:30 PM or so and Monica and I have to really get to work on our Purpose Driven Life Study. We have a small group get together tomorrow evening and we are way behind...

Sorry, no anecdotes or words of wisdom this morning. I'm just reporting the facts. Take care and thanks for reading my journal. Bye for now.

Coach Sam

Ah... More Rain...!

Well, yesterday was certainly a wet one for the Houston area and south east Texas, in general. And this morning is picking up where yesterday left off. I spent the day being a 'house-husband'. Monica went in to work at College of Biblical Studies and I stayed home doing laundry and working on my websites. I've been experimenting with various color schemes and posting new pictures. Everyone likes pictures...! Check out chadwelltennis.com next time you get a chance...

Oh, and I slow smoked some chicken on my back patio all afternoon and when Monica got home from work yesterday afternoon it was ready. (It was yummy, too...) -For those of you who are new to my Blog I like to Bar B Que very much...!

Today even though the weather is still bad I do need to go to Clear Lake and take care of some business later... It doesn't look like I'll have tennis today. Sigh...

Some remarked yesterday that they don't know how I find time to keep up 4 journals... Well, it really just used to be 3 journals, the tennis tip journal really hasn't taken up a lot of my time. I need to spend more time on it... And the new photo journal doesn't take up much time.

Here's why I have 4 journals: Basically, I like to write. It helps me think and organize my thoughts. And it is time consuming, but consider that I spend virtually '0' hours watching television. That right there sets me apart from the average American. Secondly, I set specific time aside every day to write. I like to do most of my writing early in the morning. What ever I do, I have to write in my devotional first. That sets the tone for my entire day. I have to connect with the Lord God, My Creator. After that, everything else seems to fall into place. I get up anywhere between 4 and 5 AM everyday to start praying and writing. I've had that routine for years now. That's just me.

Now, I don't think that routine is for everyone, but it works for me. I'm definitely a 'morning person'...!

Any way... Thanks for reading my journal. That's going to have to be it for the day because I have to post a photo or two in my new photo gallery blog and I need to post a tennis tip, too. I haven't posted a new tip in over a month...!

Until next time, Bye for now... Coach Sam

New Month...!

Welcome To November...! First of All, Happy Birthday Sis...! Today is my sweet sister's b-day. I hope she has an awesome day today.

It's raining here. A lot. I'm not going to Columbia Lakes this morning, that's for sure.

I'm going to work on my journals this morning and if I'm rained out this afternoon too then I'll catch up on paperwork in my office.

It was a good weekend. Saturday was productive, full, and busy. I traveled to Bay City in the afternoon, gave a few lessons, and visited with my Grandmother and Aunt Jo... Sunday, Monica and I went to Home Depot and got some new yard equipment and I happily mowed, trimmed, and used my new 230 MPH leaf blower. The yard's looking good...!

We had our neighbors over for lunch... And I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening working on my website pages. I even started a new photo gallery blog. You can check out at http://tennisphotos.blogspot.com

Right now I'm listening to the teaching ministry of RC Sproul as I'm writing. RC is one of my favorite teachers.

Well, I've got lot's to work on this morning... I'm going to close here...

Thanks for reading my journal. Check back soon. Bye for now... Coach Sam

Todays Quik, Brief Entry

Today I have another full day. I'm about to head to Columbia Lakes for a full morning of lessons from 8-Noon then to Bay City for a full afternoon of lessons from 2-5 PM. I'm also going to stop by and visit my grand mother and help her with some chores...

I'm definitely looking forward to getting caught up on my journal and resting up tomorrow. That's it for now... I'm about to head out the door.

Coach Sam

A Slow Friday Afternoon...

Friday afternoon. I have a big gap in my schedule today. I need to try to get a busier routine or just start taking the afternoon off. My morning classes went well. But I was going to meet a friend for lunch and I can't get in touch with him, so it looks like I'll just have lunch by myself today. That in itself isn't a big problem, but I had a couple of lessons this afternoon and one of them canceled with a personal emergency. So now I just have one lesson at 5:30 PM then I have small group bible study this evening at 7 PM. That leaves a lot of hours this afternoon to work on 'stuff'...

Oh Well, overall, I'm finishing the month strong lessons wise after a dismal start. This was one of the wettest Octobers I can ever remember.

Tomorrow I'm teaching at Columbia Lakes in the morning and then Bay City in the afternoon. I'll be checking in on my Grandmother, too. That'll be a busy Saturday for me but I'll take it easy Sunday.

My Father in law sent me a gift card to home depot so I can replace my stolen power tools. I'll be shopping and working in the yard Sunday afternoon...!

That's the quick update... I'm going to take a lunch break and run some errands...

Thanks for reading my journal... Bye for now... Coach Sam

On The Road Today...

Check out this schedule today...

I'm leaving in a few minutes to go to Bay City to check on my Grandmother and do some work for her..

Then I have a private lesson in West Columbia at Columbia Lakes. Then I head to Clear Lake for my Afternoon Lessons. Then it's back home. All in all, it's a full day with lots of drive time. At Least I'll get to listen to some good bible teaching on the radio. I like to listen to 1070 AM... -The Word It's all teaching ministry and christian talk radio.

I'll try to stop back by and post an update this afternoon when I take my Diedrich's break.

I've gotta run... Bye for now...! Coach sam

Heavy Trash Day is Tommorrow!

Sunday Highlights

Monica and I stayed home today from Church. We slept in and used the day to relax and get caught up on things here at home. We're planning to do a bible study this evening after dinner and if we can stay up late tonight we'll try to watch Joel Osteen at Lakewood and Dr Ed Young of Second Baptist this evening.

I had to have Monica's Red Jeep put in the shop this weekend and get a new starter. I dropped it off Saturday afternoon at a Firestone Dealer near our house. They had it ready this afternoon at 1 PM today. That's pretty cool to have a garage near by that's open both Saturday and Sunday. We've been very happy with our service there.

This afternoon I worked in the yard a bit. Tomorrow is heavy trash day...! You know what that means... More Tree Trimming...! I have a big pile of branches out there now... It rained off and on this afternoon which annoyed me a little bit. But I got quite a bit done. Monica helped, too!

We're cooking dinner right now. I'm making a big pot of Red Beans. I've also got some Filet Mignons on the grill. (those were a B-Day present from my Sis...) -Thanks Becky...! We had some Friday night, too. They were delicious!

And, Speaking of the filets... I'd probably better close here and tend the grill. I'll be back and post a little more, later this evening.... Bye for now... (7:09 PM)

ok I've tried to post a picture... But I still have a little trouble with this new journal technology... Let me save my work and see if I was successful... (10:35 PM) -I was...!

Friday Afternoon Musings...

I'm in a strange mood right now... I guess I just feel the need to vent a little bit... Writing always refreshes me... It's just cleansing for the soul... I don't normally write negative stuff but I'm just going to unload right now and empty my recycle bin...!

I've been thinking a lot about who ever stole my gas powered trimmer and air blower from my garage last week... It gets me fired up and a little angry. It also scares me a little bit. Over the years I've been the victim of crime several times. My car has been broken into twice and both times I've had my stereo stolen. Now I just don't keep a nice stereo in it any more.

Something else that has always bothered me is that I've had more tennis racquets just walk off right out of my office than I'd care to remember... People just borrowed them and forgot to ever return them...? They figure, 'Oh, he's a tennis Pro and gets them free so what's the problem any way...' Well the problem is I don't get all of them free and what difference does it make if I did...? I'm so disappointed to see our culture slipping like it is.

The other day we called a plumber to schedule some work. He had to decline the job we needed him for because his tools for that particular type of work had been recently stolen.

A couple of months ago there was no soap in the men's room at the country club where I work and I bought a small individual dispenser and put it out one morning. It had disappeared by lunch time... I never even got to use it...!

What's up with people stealing so much....? People will steal anything.... Even bathroom soap and toilet paper...! What a sad state of affairs...

I'm nervous to think what I might do if I ever caught someone in the act of stealing something... I think I'd go from a sane, calm person into some kind of crazed berserker. I pray I'd respond appropriately. But what is appropriate response to personal violation...? I know we're just talking about some hand soap, yard tools, and relatively inexpensive stereos. But is stealing anything a lesser evil...? Man, I'm getting pretty fired up, now...

In the Muslim Culture of 'Jihad Justice' don't they cut off your hand if you are caught stealing...? Now there's an idea...!

And while I'm a little keyed up... What if I got my hands on someone who makes and distributes computer viruses...? Oh man... That would really be a test of my Forgiving Nature, Grace, and Mercy. And as long as I'm venting... Let me just say that sometimes I wish I could exact revenge on all the discourteous drivers out there. But that's really my wife's pet peeve. I can see my sweet little Monica morphing into some kind of Mel Gibson's Mad Max Vigil Ante Type and vaporizing rude drivers...!

Bad Television really fires me up, too. At least I can just turn that off...

Let's see, what else...? How about bad cell phone service...? I don't know how Verizon Wireless stays in business....!

I guess just poor customer service in general ticks me off. Probably because I'm in the service industry and I take pride in my work...! Sadly, good customer service seems to be the exception instead of the norm.

Hmmm... I guess that's it. I've let off enough steam for now...! Please, I welcome your comments. I'm sure I must have struck a nerve with some one out there...!

I do feel a little better now... I guess I'll close here... Bye for now. Thanks for reading my journal...!

Coach Sam

Today: A Big Day for Everybody

The Astros need to have a big Day Today. So does Sam Chadwell. I need to go out and earn a living for my family...! Whew...!

I've had a much worse month so far than anticipated... 4 or 5 rain days takes a big chunk out of our living expenses... Then we've had several unexpected home repair bills, too...

But, The good news is that Monica is happily working at the college now and things should keep rolling for me so I know we'll work through the 'crises'...

Last night the church service went very well...! So that's a good thing. It's still early this morning, I've already completed my devotional and after this journal entry I'll press on to the rest of my day.

I've got to spend the rest of this morning making contacts for lessons the rest of the week (and month).

My day stacks up pretty full. I have lessons from 1 to 7 PM tonight at Rustic Oaks. Then it's back home to watch the Astros qualify for the World Series...!

Sorry I don't have any humorous stories or reflections for you today but I've got to keep my nose to the grind stone as they say...

Have you ever heard that phrase...? 'Keeping your nose to the grindstone...' It implys working long and hard, but I wonder what it's origin was...?

Oh well... Thanks for tuning in to Coach Sam's Daily Journal... See You next Time...!

Look Coach Sam's up Late...!

11:32 PM... Not bad for an old guy like me... I'm usually fast asleep long before now. But I had a long day today. Lots of lessons this afternoon and then music rehearsal at church tonight from 8:30 to 10 PM... I just got home at 11 PM and have been checking email and Instant Messaging Space Cowboy in Ft Worth.

I usually can't sleep after music rehearsal. It gets me pumped up to play in a band and the adrenalin keeps me awake. I need to practice a bunch tomorrow morning. I'm playing in the Wednesday night service and I have to learn a new song and practice some older ones. The horn section is playing 4 songs total. That's the most we've ever done in a performance.

I'm taking off from work Wednesday afternoon and evening to play in the church worship band. They normally utilize my skills only on Sundays but this is a special occasion. I'm taking the whole day off from tennis and I'm going to get caught up on a bunch of stuff here at the house, too.

In other news: Monica had a much better day at her new job today. (Yesterday, her first day, did not go so well...) I didn't get to visit with her because she was asleep when I got home tonight but she relayed the good news to me on the phone. So that's Good. Very Good!

Well... I think I'll close here... I guess a little of that adrenalin is wearing off...!

Thanks for reading my journal. Talk to you later... Coach Sam

Ton's to Do Today!

Whew...! I don't know where to start exactly...! All I know is I've got a full plate today...!

And I need to leave here by Noon at the latest. I have lessons from 2 to 4:30 PM in Nassau Bay and then from 6 to 8 PM in Seabrook. After that I have music rehersal at church! So I won't be home until late tonight.

OK, going backwards, here's what I need to do before I leave for Clear Lake: Since I have Music rehersal tonight it would be smart for me to practice through my parts a little this morning... And I also need to pick up some tennis supplies on the way in to town... So I need to place an order for that... I have emails to respond to, and phone calls to make... All in all, my day is 100% accounted for...!

Monica has work today at the college from 1 to 6 PM but she's hoping to get a meeting with her supervisor before that...

My camp went fairly well yesterday... And over all, lessons are good... Oh, that reminds me... I need to make a deposit this morning before I head out for the day, too...

Sorry, but I'd better close here... Perhaps I'll write a little more on my afternoon break in between lessons at Nassau Bay and Seabrook!

Bye for now... -Coach Sam

My Awesome Wife...!

I have such an awesome wife...! I'm very proud of her. She is so talented. She can make beautiful art portraits. She has a kind, gentle spirit. She is one of the nicest people I know!

And no, I didn't do any thing wrong that I have to 'butter ' her up for... I just Love my wife. We spent a good deal of time last night just talking about 'stuff'. Life details... The meaning of life... Why we are the way we are... Stuff like that. It's so cool to be able to communicate. Of course we don't always communicate perfectly. But I don't think anyone does, really.

How ever, last night was pretty cool. We're doing a special bible study together for the next forty days and last night was the first night. Any way... That's the Sam and Monica Update!

Monica starts a new job today in the accounting department at College of Biblical Studies. She's going to be working that job in addition to her private commissioned art work.

I have a full day ahead of me... I need to leave for West Columbia soon. I have lessons pretty much all day. I have a ladies drill at 9 AM then a camp from 10:30 AM to 3 PM. Then more lessons after that. All in all, I'll be on the court until 8 PM tonight!

I'd better close here and get ready to head out. More tonight or early in the morning. Bye for now... -Coach Sam

The Spyware Has Been Eliminated

I've spent the last 3 and a half days trying to get rid of a computer virus and finally did it...!

Well, with Monica's help I did it... Ok, Honestly... It was pretty much all Monica. She bought some high powered software that detects and eliminates Spyware and Adware. I'd only been vaguely familiar with those terms a week ago... One wrong click and I was in internet pop up ad hell!

I was so frustrated.... And I tried everything... I was determined to not have to buy software to fix it but that was the only way. I'm happy now...

And Monica saved the day...! She's a modern day hero...! Yea...!

Ok, It's after midnite. That pretty much makes it tomorrow... (lol)

I'll close here and will probably post a few wise remarks in a few hours... Right now Coach Sam Needs Sleep!

Have a Nice Weekend...!

I'm up at 5:27 AM... I meant to get up a little earlier. I had the alarm set for 4:10 AM but couldn't drag myself out of bed so here I am an hour later. I should still be able to get everything done that I needed to get done, but I'll be a little more rushed than I hoped to be.

Today I'm teaching at Columbia Lakes. I have lessons from 10 AM to 2 PM. That's a short day for me. Monica's going to join me. I'm excited about that. We've both been so busy with our own individual businesses that we really haven't been able to spend that much quality time together lately.

Yesterday we spent the entire day together. That was pretty fun. She helped me with my tennis classes in the morning, then it was such a beautiful day we decided to spend the afternoon hanging out in Galveston. We had lunch at the Mosquito Cafe. It's my favorite restaurant in Galveston. Then we strolled around the Strand for a couple of hours. After that we went to see a movie at the Texas City Mall because it's only $2 a person during their matinee times... We saw The Forgotten. And, in our humble opinion it is 'Forgettable'. The only redeeming factor was that one of the actors was Anthony Edwards who is one of my favorite actors from the old TV show 'ER'.. Edwards used to play the Character 'Dr Green'.

Anyway, it was a nice afternoon spent with Monica. After the movie we went to church for a town hall meeting. And then after that we went to dinner with a few other couples. All in all it was a long day. We left the house at 6:30 AM and didn't get home until 11:30 PM... Wow... That's 17 hours away from the house! No wonder I had difficulty getting up at 4:30 AM...!

Oh well, I'm not complaining. It was a good day. -And today will be a good day, too...!

Thanks for reading my journal. I may not post again until Sunday night or Monday morning... Bye for now and have an awesome weekend!

Coach Sam

Back to Work...

My Toshiba laptop is still plagued with pop up ads that I can't seem to eradicate. I'll have to take it in for some professional help some where this weekend...

My Birthday was a good one... I'll post a more lengthy report later. But one of the coolest things I got was a portrait my wife did of Rich Mullins. Rich was one of my all time favorite Christian Musicians. He died tragically in a car accident a few years back.

Monica produced a great likeness of him and even penned her own original poem underneath. This gift will be one of my all-time priceless treasures.

I got lessons this morning in Nassau Bay and then I'm taking the afternoon off to get caught up on projects here at home. Then we have to come back to church tonight for a town hall meeting...

I'll be back again soon....

Bye for now...

Coach Sam

Whoohoo....PARTY...!

I'm 39 today... I tried to sleep in... I didn't set my alarm last night and guess what...? I awakened at 4:30 AM just like I'm conditioned to. But I got up and put the coffee on and went back to bed. Unfortunately our kitties had other plans. I forgot to tell them today was a national holiday so they all got up early too and would not allow me to get back to sleep. Somehow Monica is sleeping extra soundly this morning...

Because of all the rain we've had lately I'm way behind in lessons income for the month so I'm teaching a full schedule today. I'll be on the court from 1 to 7 PM... Six solid hours of group lessons in Rustic Oaks...

Monica and I will go out to dinner tonight, of course. But we'll probably really celebrate this weekend when things slow down a little for me.

So... In other news... The Astros got Killed last night. And I listened to most of the presidential debate on the radio last night on my way home from church and thought that both candidates did poorly.

Monica and I had made nachos for dinner last night. And I had a couple of Dr Peppers.

I don't even want to step on the scales right now. I know I'm way over my weight goal. Too many Dr Peppers and desserts are to blame! And certainly, today being my birthday I'm not worrying about what I eat or drink today. But starting tomorrow I get back on the wagon.

I'm entering my 40th year and there's no way I'm going to be Fat and Forty!

So... That's it for now... I'll report all my birthday goodies this evening or tomorrow morning. I haven't opened any cards, letters, or packages yet. Well, except a package form Omaha Steaks that my sweet sister sent. I had to unpack it because it needed to be refrigerated. It was some delicious filet mignon steaks, au gratin potatoes, and a chocolate ecstasy cake....! Mmmmm.....

Well, Thanks for reading my journal. I hope everyone enjoys this nice cool weather we're having!

Bye for now... -Coach Sam

Big Day Tomorrow...!

Thursday is my Birthday. The big 39...! And I know I'm getting old and my mind's fading because a few posts ago I mentioned that I ws about to celebrate my 40th B-Day. You know you're getting old when you can't remember exactly how old you are...!

I have planned to follow my regular routine and teach my normal schedule in League City. In fact, it's a little longer schedule than normal because I have a new private lesson time slot I'm adding in...

Monica is going to meet me halfway home after my lessons. We're having dinner at one of my favorite Thai restaurants....! I'm very much looking forward to it.

Well, I need to head out the door to get to Columbia Lakes. I have lessons this evening from 4 to 8:30 PM...!

Bye for now...

Coach Sam