Riding with the window down…

Logan’s team, the HCRA Wimberley Texans varsity team took on the Dripping Springs Tigers this morning in a scrimmage and they looked great.  Sure, there were a few miscues but overall I am very impressed with his team.  The defense played stellar, allowing only one play for over 10 yards and shutting down the Tigers whether they tried running or passing.

Logan played cornerback and did a fine job.  He certainly didn’t look like a kid who had never played organized football before.

I couldn’t be prouder and can’t wait for the next one!

Okay, so I am about a year into this “change of life” that culminated in my marriage and the addition of three amazing kids to my household - so what’s the verdict?  Duh - you KNOW I think it rocks.

A lot has changed in the last year.  Again - duh.  I am writing this post sitting in our new chocolate shop - Sweet Wimberley, located right off the square in Wimberley, Texas… who saw THAT coming?  Dawn, the kids, and I own five acres in the beautiful hill country that surrounds Wimberley.  I drive kids to school in the mornings, take them to scouts and Young Women’s at the church and barbecue in the backyard.  My long-time friends ask, “Who are you and what did you do with Chris?”  He just grew up is all.

I spend each day more thankful than the one before.  I am thankful that I was born in the United States, thankful that I grew up and live in Texas, thankful for my beautiful, intelligent wife, thankful for the blessings that are Kenzie, Logan and Dallin, thankful that I have the best Mom ever, thankful for life lessons taught by my father, thankful to have intelligent and fun siblings that wouldn’t hesitate to give me the shirt off their backs, thankful for the opportunities I have had to learn and to grow along the way, thankful to be surrounded by great friends, thankful for my health and thankful most of all that, despite a lifetime of stubbornness and pride, I have learned to stop and be grateful - to acknowledge just how lucky I am.

When something goes right for a person, you have heard them exclaim, “must be good living.”  I hope where I find myself now is a reward for trying to do the right thing, but even if it isn’t - I’ll take it.

That’s right, it is time for football in Central Texas and both of the boys are about to starting playing in the HCRA football league.  We went to pick up equipment today and the first practice will be on Monday.

I am SO stoked about this that I can’t stop smiling.  The other way cool thing is that both of them were able to get one of the numbers I wore when I played football.  I really couldn’t be prouder and can’t wait to cheer them on.

That’s what I’M talking about!!! Good times.

Just thought I would post this here to see if we could get a few more fans for Sweet Wimberley on facebook.

Thank you to everyone that has joined the group, visited the shop and helped make this a reality.

It’s been quite some time since I did a movie review. As you can imagine, with a new wife, new kids, a new house, new company and yes - even a new dog, things have been a bit busy, (Yes, Lou is still with us as well.) Things are going amazing and during all these changes, I have actually managed to take in a movie or two.

Let’s start with Alice in Wonderland - the Tim Burton version. Long time readers will know that I am NOT a fan of Tim Burton. His art style is creepy and I find it distasteful. That said, I found AiW enjoyable. Sure, it was probably closer to the vision of Lewis Carroll that any of the previous incarnations. Sure, Burton’s style grows on you throughout the movie. Sure, the acting was good. Sure, the special effects were impressive… I don’t know, it’s probably just pure stubbornness that makes me want to not like the film.

What the heck, it was decent.

RATING 7 out of 10

Okay, now on to Sherlock Holmes. Okay, I know it should have been reviewed long ago - what kind of Holmesian scholar drags out his review this long? Did I say I have been busy? First and foremost, I LOVE the character of Holmes regardless of what any actor or director does to him. That said, while I was not at all “down” with the twisted hard-ass portrayed by Robert Downey Jr., there was enough of the original Holmes to keep me interested. I liked the liberties taken with Dr. Watson as he is a character that is not at all fleshed out in the literature.

I felt the storyline was a bit too over-the-top and while it could pass for paying homage to some of the more supernatural stories by Conan Doyle, it missed the mark a bit.

Was it entertaining? Yes. Was it fun? Yes. Was it exciting? At times. Was it Sherlock Homes? Barely.
RATING 7 out of 10

“You don’t stop playing because you grow old you grow old because you stop playing.”

– seen attributed to George Bernard Shaw and Benjamin Franklin

It has been a boatload of work, but come July 2nd, it will begin to pay off.  The entire crew has worked and sacrificed to make Sweet Wimberley’s new shop a reality.  We have been blessed with some great friends here in Wimberley that have opened their hearts to help make this happen.

Maddie, Kenzie and Dallin survey the shop before we start

Kenzie and Maddie prime the ceiling (and themselves)

Momma joins in the fun after a shift up at the hospital

Daddy gets to use the power tools

Starting to take shape

YES! Finally got all these electrical outlets working!

A coat of chocolate paint is the final stage before decorating

I just finished the second coat of Polycrylic clear coating on the floor and it is looking downright amazing in the shop.  The butter yellow and chocolate perfectly match our logo colors and do a great job of making customers feel warm and welcome.

We have picked the 4th of July weekend to open a) because the crowds in Wimberley are huge with the parade, fireworks, Market Days AND the VFW rodeo all scheduled and b) because we see it as an independence day of sorts in our goal of moving Dawn out of the day-to-day stress of working as a RN in the emergency room.

Make sure you come by and see us - and of course, try out some of her amazing creations.

“Many things in life will catch your eye. A very few things will catch your heart. Grab those and don’t let go!”

– Chris Doelle

Dawn has been away and we felt it was appropriate to create a show welcoming her home. Included in this episode:

Travelin’ Prayer - Billy Joel
A special message from the kids to “the momma.”

(Time: 7:54)

Call in and leave a voicemail for the show! 713-568-6361

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I walked Lou this morning and was reminded to give myself quiet time.

Have a great day and remember to schedule some downtime.