Canstruction...

What do you do when your tasked with designing something out of 3000 cans of various sizes...gathered together for the Ozarks Food Harvest? Christmas Tree...with a small child, dog, and train...

Over the River and Thru the Woods...

To Grandmothers house we went...Well, actually to Hillengrands house we went last eve. As the HillenVan made it's way out to my boyhood home in the country, a rather surprising set of events started to unfold. First, as we went east out chestnut, past Hwy 65 and turned on to LeCompte Rd...we spotted six dear standing near the edge of the road, how pretty they were. This was quickly eclipsed by the realization that the van has taken a wrong turn, as if it was going to work...(But none the less, I can get there this way) and we forged on unabashed...As we drove past the house setting at the corner of Division and LeCompte Road, I thought I caught sight of a man breaking into the house, Cindy and Barrett saw it too, so we turned around and went back to investigate. He was gone...not a trace of him to be seen, weird!...As we came down LeCompte road, near the area where James River gives their Fourth of July fireworks display...(you will understand the irony of this later...but this must be a heightened area for holiday activity)
As we continued down the lane toward our family Christmas, I looked off to the west to enjoy the setting of the sun, the end of another blissful day in the life of Hillenblog.
As I was enjoying the sunset, I noticed there were some deer frolicking along the far ridge. Perfectly silouhetted by the setting sun. As we stopped the van, and I started snapping pictures. As we enthusiasticaly watched the deer eat there Christmas Eve, Eve dinner...I noticed that one of these deer was especially large for this area, a rare speciminin indeed, a 10 pointer with at very nice rack!
As we stopped and enjoyed these marvelous animals...I was snapping pictures and discussing how far away these animals were, etc. We probably sat there for at least five, maybe ten minutes...watching these three deer graze in the evening setting sun. It was then that it happened, something so shocking, and surprising that the conversation in the van immediately stopped. Silence! We all sat there aghast...absolutely stunned at what we were seeing. As I sit here and think back on it now, it's as if it were not real at all. Could it have actually happened? Could it have been, could it be? Is it possible? Do all these events tie up neatly to a single explanable event? If I had not captured it on one of my last frames I was shooting, I scarce say that I would not believe it myself.
Well, We had to quickly head on out to our family Christmas meal as not to be late(er)...But I dare say, that although we did not speak of the events that we witness that night, not a single one of us will ever be the same. This single inexplicable event may be the single most amazing photo that I have ever had the good fortune to blog here on Hillenblog. I hope that you and yours find it equally as exciting, and awe inspring as we did last eve, as were were on our way the Hillenblog family home. I leave you with this simple wish...Merry Christmas to all...and to all...a good night!

You youngins better hang your stocking and say your prayers cause Santa Clause comes TONIGHT!

Skyler-Mary Did you know

Great Job Sky!

Celebrity Look-a-like...

Discuss amungst yourselves...

Seeking Ideas...

I am about to roll over 100,000 hits. I know that is not really a big number...in Google terms...but it is more than any of the rest of y'all...:-) and well...I think it is pretty cool.

So...I am having a hard time coming up with a great idea on what to do to celebrate...or give to the 100,000 click thru. SO...If you have an idea...leave it below.

All things Considered. (it's not just a radio show on NPR)

Out...Hillenblog

I can Read Jen Cleavers mind...

Step One. Think of a number from 1 up to 10.

Step 2: take that number and multiply by 9.

Step 3: Take the result and add the number together (i.e. 72 = 7+2, 9 = 0+9).

Step 4: take that number and subtract 5.

Step 5: take that result and equate it to a letter of the alphabet (i.e., 4 = D).

Step 6: think of a country beginning with that letter.

Step 7: Think of an animal that begins with the second letter of the country name.

"Jen...are you thinking of elephants in Denmark?"

I predict that you are....Now...think about what you are getting me for Christmas...

PS...Why does your Elephant have a Swastika on it? that is weird!

A Jen Cleaver Christmas

1. Helter Shelter making time with Roywife... before he killed the platter of Shrimp.
2. Jen & LauraD...discussing Ananamas's & Wife...on a nude beach.
3. Hillenblogs Beautiful Wife!
4. I've got a Notion...we need a keypad like Jen's
5. Jen Cleaver in action
6. Old habits die hard...Looks like somebody voted "Always"
7. If only Betty had a blog.
8. The Princess and the Pea...
9. Look at these young pups...

DMP Winter Summitt 2006

A good time was had by all!!!

Wake Up Video from Skylers Friends...

Skyasaurus Rex Episode Six

Urgnet Need! Please tell 5999 of your friends...we need their Help!

I ask you to prayerfully read the brochure I have enclosed. I am praying that the Lord will speak to you to be one of 6,000 partners who will give $1,000 now or in the next ninety days to cover the remainder of the $6 million down payment for this powerful ministry tool for evangelism.

Your seed of $1,000 or more toward Dove One will reap a harvest for years. The G4SP is built to fly for decades. Imagine the harvest during all those years, and you will be a vital part of that long-term harvest!

Open your heart to what God would have you do. For your gift of $1,000 or more, you will receive these thank-you gifts to show my appreciation:

• You will receive a beautiful art-quality model of Dove One for your desk or mantle as a constant reminder that you are a vital part of this last-days harvest for souls.
• Your name will be placed prominently in a special area of Dove One where I study and pray during my travels, where I will also pray for you and your family as I go around the world preaching the Gospel. Everywhere I fly, your name will travel with me, millions of miles and for years to come, reminding me that you have made it possible for me to go and preach as God has called me to do.

In Isaiah 6:8 the Lord asks, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Long ago I said, "I will go, Lord. Send me!" But I cannot do it without you, nor can I do all our wonderful Lord has called me to do without Dove One!

Dear Partner, I am counting on you. Will you help me take the Gospel to the nations with your Dove One gift of $1,000 or more?

For souls,

Benny Hinn

View the photo and fact-filled brochure about our new Dove One ministry aircraft.

So...Matt & Rachel came over tonight...

and I thought it was odd that they both excused themselves to go to the bathroom at the same time...sure enough...This is what I found when I burst into the Hillenblog's & HillenblogsHappyWife's Bedroom....Snoopers!

The Hillenblog Tree is up...& it's silver!

The looks on the faces...pretty much sums up the Hillenblog Thanksgiving...

A little Trip to Downtown Springburg!

Contest...Who is the Woman in "Peach"

From Special Guest Blogger Joe Reynolds

(Hillenblog would like to wish congratulations to Shannon...and Joe for this accomplishment...Way to go!...and thanks for letting me use you as my first ever "Guest Blog"...I see this like the way Jay used to fill in for Johnny occasionally)

5:12.52

She did it! Shannon finished 26.2 miles in 5 hours, 12 minutes and 52 seconds. Attached are a few pictures. Through out the morning we (Kids & I) moved from the starting line to the 11 mile marker, the 18 mile marker and then the finish line to cheer for Shannon as she passed. What was interesting about the marathon were runners called “Pace Setters”. They each wore red shirts with the estimated completion time on their back. As I watched them come across the finish line they were within seconds of their scheduled arrival time. Obviously, if you followed these folks you could guarantee your finish time.

After watching several of these “Pace Setters” cross the finish line I could not help but think of the verse in 1 Corinthians were Paul says “Be followers of me, even as I am of Christ”. What he was literally saying was imitate me as I imitate Christ. So…look behind you, are there any followers? Oh, I’m sure you will see many but ask yourself – are they imitating Christ or something else you’re chasing?

Thank You!

Thanks to everyone who has prayed for and encouraged Shannon over the last several weeks. She told me at dinner tonight that one of the things that kept her going was the fact that so many people had encouraged her and that she couldn’t let them down. Again, Thanks for all you support, calls & cards!

Have a great week! Set the Pace!

Joe Reynolds

Verbose is not an insult...

Jen...Congratulations...You won the first Hillenblog Micro Poll.
Verbose is not an Insult...please forgive me if I offended you. I would never do that...Your my favorite Blogger (anyone to displace Rachel)...

Gary & Lisa's Bed

If you are in the picture you are not eligible to guess...Which of the above people were not here for this photo.

Cin, Sky & Halrena...So Much Grace

Wonder whats going on at the Wilson's...While their out of the country?

Shall we go drop in...and make a surprise visit? OK...lets do it...




1. Huh?... Weird...What in the world?...
2. Oh...It's just 'Drew taking another soak.
3. Morgan on the COmputer
4. Cindy Reading a Magazine (imagine)
5. Morgan & Ashlel on the computer (imagine)
6. Tiff...Thats a 100 year old Chair...
7. Man..This is a Huge Bed...there must be room for like...57...people on there...
8. Skyer is Pontificating a new hair do...
9. "Mom...Mom...no..Mom Listen...Seriously...We were not in the Tub...It was all I set up...I had on all my clothes...and so did 'Drew...OK..yes your right...He did have his shirt off....He just took his shirt off for the shot...and we were playing around...Cindy was in the room the whole time...ans Skyler and Barrett...and Tiffany. Our Pastors Daughter...Mom...You know I am a good girl...Mom...You know you can trust me to stay at Gary and Lisa's...while they are out of the country. Mom...Yes...I do like him, but I wouldn't...But it was Hillen's fault...He set up the whole thing. Mom...Mom...really Mom. He likes the Jayhawks...and the Royals too...Yes...Yes...He LOVES the Chiefs...See...I know that would make you feel better. OK...Ill see you later to....I'm not going to take another soak...Mom...I never got in the tub...It was a joke...OK Mom...Mom, Don't tell Basil and Ginger about this...OK...I love you. Bye..."

Happy Birthday Baby!

I have loved you as long as you have loved Donnie. You were my First Puppy love...and still are today. Thanks for growing old(er) with me...M

Do I just see the weird things...

Or is there weird stuff out there all the time? 

Faith Hill at the CMA's...WHAT?!

Here you go Rog...aROG called this one...

www.nocloning.org

Elect Bob Lawson Jr. Circuit Judge, Cir. 31, Div. 5

Vote Against Judge Calvin Holden!

Manslaughter case ends with stunning verdict

Springfield News-Leader
April 19, 2006

It was with great dismay and utter incredulity that I read of the verdict Judge Calvin Holden handed down in the involuntary manslaughter trial of Grant Marsh. ("Motorist acquitted of manslaughter," April 8 News-Leader) Marsh was charged with manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident in the Nov. 20, 2003 death of Rita M. Clark. My family and Rita's family have been friends for many years and by a horrific twist of fate, the tragedy that took Rita's life happened right beside my home. I will never forget the events of that night.

I attended the bench trial in its entirety and heard all the testimony. The evidence the two experts offered on accident re-construction was complicated and involved the use of two different formulas to calculate the rate of speed that Marsh's vehicle had been traveling. But both prosecution and defense witnesses estimated that Marsh was traveling around 40 mph in a 25 mph zone.

The News-Leader article stated that Judge Holden based his ruling of acquittal on his interpretation "that falling asleep at the wheel does not rise to the level of manslaughter." Marsh was the only witness to testify that he fell asleep at the wheel. Since I live several yards from where Marsh claimed to have fallen asleep, it never made sense to me that he could negotiate a 90-degree turn with his van, turning from one street to another while dozing. But that was his claim. If falling asleep at the wheel doesn't rise to the level of manslaughter, then reckless driving on the wrong side of the road while speeding should have raised
that level considerably.

As I sat through the two-day trial, I was confounded by the fact that Grant Marsh's three young daughters were in constant attendance. His defense attorney repeatedly referenced Marsh's loving regard in caring for his family. As I listened to testimony given by police officers about the blood, hair and brain matter they found embedded in Marsh's windshield after the accident, it seemed to me that a caring father would not want his young girls to hear such grisly details. I wondered if the girls' presence was meant to impress upon the judge how much Marsh was needed at home. Now that Marsh has been acquitted of manslaughter
and will not be held accountable for his actions, his daughters can continue to have the benefit of their father's presence. But for Bill Clark, family and friends, there will be no just resolution for the absence of Rita's presence.

Linda Green, of Battlefield, is the retired director of the Springfield-Greene County History Museum.

Copyright (c) Springfield News-Leader. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Gannett Co., Inc. by NewsBank, inc.

This story was about my Aunt Rita, My mothers sister.

Man gets probation in fatal crash

By Melissa DeLoach
News-Leader May 17, 2006

Bill Clark didn't show up in court Tuesday for the sentencing of the man who struck and killed his wife and dog while they were on an evening stroll in 2003. He didn't show up, his sister-in-law said, because he disagreed with the decision by a Greene County judge last month to acquit Grant Marsh of involuntary manslaughter, finding him guilty only of leaving the scene of the accident. Clark's sister-in-law, Linda Hillenburg, said the news was devastating but nothing can bring back her sister, Rita.

Judge Calvin Holden sentenced Marsh to five years' probation and ordered him among other things to pay the family 10 percent of his wages during the length of his punishment. Holden last month acquitted Marsh of involuntary manslaughter following a December bench trial, ruling that falling asleep at the wheel does not rise to the level of manslaughter.

"We don't hate Mr. Marsh," Hillenburg said during a victim impact statement. "I just hope he realizes he has to live with this for the rest of his life. "He took a life." Rita M. Clark, 56, was walking with her husband and their dog in their Battlefield neighborhood on Nov. 20, 2003, when she was hit from behind by a Chevrolet van traveling on the wrong side of the road. The driver, later identified as Marsh, had just made a turn onto Prairie View Road, where the accident occurred. Marsh returned to the scene a short time later and spoke to authorities. Bill Clark was not injured. The dog, also hit, was later euthanized.

Marsh, who said he thought he at first had hit a mailbox, apologized to the family. Not a day goes by when he doesn't recount the night's events, he said. "I never knew I hit her," he said. "I've heard nothing but sweet things about her. I wish I could replace her." Under terms of a plea agreement, Holden also ordered Marsh to attend a victim impact panel and limited his driving privileges to emergencies and work.
If he violates terms of his probation, Marsh would be sent to the Missouri Department of Corrections for four years, the maximum for the class D felony of leaving the scene of an accident.

Copyright (c) Springfield News-Leader. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Gannett Co., Inc. by NewsBank, inc.

I realize that I am biased in this case...since I am family. But I would respectfully ask that you seriously consider voting agianst Judge Calvin Holden. He is an example of what is wrong with many democratic oriented "soft" judges. If you go here you can see where this judgement has come under national scrutiny for leanient sentencing. If you go here (and type in Grant, first name & Marsh, last name) you can see where the defendant in this case (Grant Marsh) despite what he may say in the above newspaper articles, and despite what Judge Holden told him in the courtroom, you can see where he has since again been ticketed for Driving Under the Influence involving an accident and you may also notice that one of those cases was even BEFORE he went on trial for killing my aunt. But the Judge would not allow that information into the courtroom. Judges are free to make their own judgements, and we are free to vote them out of office for it.

Vote FOR Bob Lawson Jr. on Tuesday Nov. 7th

...and alway remember this when choosing elected officials.

The Party turns the individual...the individual NEVER turns the party.

Memo: Quiet Hours

Quiet hours are working pretty well. I've not had any interruptions from people who don't work on this floor.

However, I still get 4-5 interruptions a day from people up here, usually on items that could be sent via e-mail or could wait until later.

Please respect quiet hours for all engineers. It is the time we all count on to get our projects done without interruption.

Thanks, Name Changed to Protect the Innocent

Hickory Over Pipkin 40-0

After time change...it is a little harder to take a picture...so..here is to the Fans in the Stands at this the last...and coldest night of football this season. If these pictures were at all legible...you would see Barrett making a sack...Scoring a 30 yard touchdown on a QB option keeper, Scoring the two point conversion by throwing his first complete pass of the season...and then running in another Two point conversion...by reversing field...and doing a total Vince Youngesque race to the corner of the endzone.

October's images

Any Guesses?

By Popular Demand...

 

It only took 1 hour and 17 minutes...Congrats Jen...Your Tops.

Happy (it's Not My) Birthday! Laura!

Pumpkin Carving Gone Wild!

On my way to work at 8:15am Saturday Morning...(Peebs)

A little Team Building...and Gunfire!

Hickory over PV 26-6...and

a Glendale Chamber Choir Concert...a Very good night for the Hillenblog Children...
Your mother and I love you both very much...and we are very proud of you!

Upgrade! to Blogger Beta!

If you haven't done it...Do It!

It's the bomb. Easy...and Powerful...

Stop having to Flog your blog...to get it the way you like...now it's just a drag and a drop away.

Plus It's faster, Better, Cheaper (well Free)

Upgrade today!

Chili Cook-off & Bonfire...

Thanks for inviting the Hillens to the Joe Reynolds Sunday School Class Activity. We had a great time!

1. Good to see Sam and Nat re-appear on the blogs...
2. Singing around a bonfire...
3. Cin and B...Sky was in Wichita with Steph, visiting her....family
4. The Meeting AFTER the meeting...
5. The Chili Supper Judges...Congratulations to Natalie Blaine...winning Chili Recipee
6. Emma...that fire is hot on your face...
7. Can Greg start a fire or what...I thought I was at Shepard of the Hills for a second.
8. is it me...or do these two remind you of Marty & Bobbi Mohan-Culp...
9. I can't say this often enough...I want to get one of these...

I've said it before...and I'll say it again... Teri is so beautiful...

...In her own way.... 

Turkey Buzzard/Vulture Migration Flight (Golden Eagle Post Redacted)

Ok...I know that this looks like a lot of blue Sky...but you have to look closely. As I was coming home from work Friday evening...(about 6:00...if Rick is reading this...ha ha)...I noticed a column of these large birds generally flying from the north to the south. I tried to take some pictures of them...and I could see that they were VERY high in the sky...and Very large. I came home and Cindy asked me why I was (home so early...ha ha) ...why I had my camera in my hand...I said...you have to come see these birds. So we all got into the car.....and started "chasing them if you will....like a tornado chaser... The column of birds went on for about as far as you could see to the north...came right over hwy 65 and Chestnut Expwy...and went south, south east almost like they were headed to Rogersville...or more like Highland Springs.

I tried to take as many pictures as I could...but only a few turned out. I estimate that there were between 700 and 1000 birds in the 30 minutes or so that we watched them.

As I started doing research...I first thought they were golden eagles... However...When I contacted my great Aunt Becky...she has some friends that identified these pictures as Turkey Buzzards...Then I found this article about the Great Turkey Buzzard Migration to Branson.

Also this conversation about them...

...It was very incredible to watch...Did anyone else see them?

Volleyball was had by all...

1. Jen...Takes Doug's ball...
2. Jonny Spikes from the behind the front line
3. That Crystal...sure does have retty babies...
4. So does that Rachel? How do you explain Matt?
5. Rose is a PLAYER...and she took COX...OTM (and Cystal has a mean serve)
6. Guess Who's Shoes...
7. There Jen...I picture of me...are you happy now?
8. Jen wanted to complain about the length and complexity of the rules...one last time, apparently in Arkansas..if the ball hits the ground...I'ts OK.
9. Matt & Rachel discuss Strategy...Here is some strategy for you...Get the ball over the net. 

Undefeated Reed falls 34-0 to Hickory...

 

It looks like it works...A good time was had by all.

 

Sleep Over....Hillenblog's "happy" wife Style...

Everybody Loves hangin at Ninny's house...

Higher Grounds Coffee Shop is now open for business...

 

Happy Birfday Crystal...Tommy D sends his regards...

Blue Persuasions...see how the "Stepping out" look helps...now if we can only get you to smile at the same time...:-) 

A relaxing night around the ole' Fire pit...