In 1993, March came in like a lion!!
This weekend our little girl turns Sweet 16. She has been counting down the years, months, then the weeks, and now the days.
Out of our six kids, not only is she the only girl but the youngest so, as much as I don't want to admit it, I'm a little sad. But she is continuing to become a wonderful person and we couldn't be more proud, as most everyone already knows =)
She might be disappointed though - she thinks she is getting MY car for a present. Ummmmmm......no.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
exCUSE me
When you walk into a Sam's club or Costco, they want to see your membership card - why so adamant? I don't know.
Today I entered Costco in Mason (that's Loveland for Christine =)) for the first time and was looking around for the service desk. Right in through the doorway marked "Entrance" there was a counter and I headed towards it. It was a little loud and crowded but I heard this voice exclaiming "ExCUSE me!" so rudely that I had to turn around. There were two ladies, dressed in all the latest styles, staring at me. One then said "I need to see your membership card before you go in" I said to her, "Wow, that was really rude." She said "No I'm not. You have to show your membership card." Hello? Is this their customer service representative?
This is how the rest of it went:
ME: "Well, I'm a new member and I don't have one yet. I was looking for the service desk but now I think I will just cancel my membership." (I walk on toward the counter)
2nd LADY AT THE DOOR follows me to the counter: (speaking rudely, shaking her head at me) "She wasn't rude, we are required to ask."
ME: (amazed that this woman just followed me to tell me I was wrong) "That is my opinion and that was rude."
2nd LADY: "No, she wasn't"
ME: (still looking with amazement) "I really don't care."
To the lady behind the counter: "I'm here to cancel my membership."
2nd LADY: "Well, she wasn't"
ME: (simply stare at her with a look of what part of "I don't care" don't you understand?!)
There was more but just know that we are loyal to Sam's now.
Sam's Club and Wal Mart may have elderly people greeting you, but I have never had any of them speak rudely to me or for goodness sake, chase after me to tell how I was wrong and they were right. Maybe Costco should put elderly people at the door - that way they probably can't chase you down. =)
Today I entered Costco in Mason (that's Loveland for Christine =)) for the first time and was looking around for the service desk. Right in through the doorway marked "Entrance" there was a counter and I headed towards it. It was a little loud and crowded but I heard this voice exclaiming "ExCUSE me!" so rudely that I had to turn around. There were two ladies, dressed in all the latest styles, staring at me. One then said "I need to see your membership card before you go in" I said to her, "Wow, that was really rude." She said "No I'm not. You have to show your membership card." Hello? Is this their customer service representative?
This is how the rest of it went:
ME: "Well, I'm a new member and I don't have one yet. I was looking for the service desk but now I think I will just cancel my membership." (I walk on toward the counter)
2nd LADY AT THE DOOR follows me to the counter: (speaking rudely, shaking her head at me) "She wasn't rude, we are required to ask."
ME: (amazed that this woman just followed me to tell me I was wrong) "That is my opinion and that was rude."
2nd LADY: "No, she wasn't"
ME: (still looking with amazement) "I really don't care."
To the lady behind the counter: "I'm here to cancel my membership."
2nd LADY: "Well, she wasn't"
ME: (simply stare at her with a look of what part of "I don't care" don't you understand?!)
There was more but just know that we are loyal to Sam's now.
Sam's Club and Wal Mart may have elderly people greeting you, but I have never had any of them speak rudely to me or for goodness sake, chase after me to tell how I was wrong and they were right. Maybe Costco should put elderly people at the door - that way they probably can't chase you down. =)
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Attacks where you love
I am preoccupied this morning - I’ve been thinking about my family and how precious they are to me.
Yesterday I was reading an online news article and my heart fell when I read the headline stating a Georgetown family of three was found dead in their home. I first thought it was going to be about a kerosene heater tragedy. I was stunned to read that it was a murder-suicide and then even more stunned to read that it was someone I grew up with and lives less than a mile from my father’s home.
I knew the Planck family from school and being in 4-H and FFA. All three kids and their parents were at the meetings and camp, and we all spent time together at the county fair. Normal family, kids, and circumstances. They were farmers just like us.
The father shot his wife and their 11 year old son and then himself. The article said they were going through a divorce. Okay, that is bad but to push someone to take the life of someone he loves, his own child, and then himself? Well, there really is no guessing-game there, we all know satan attacks where we love.
My thoughts have been - what could have prevented this from happening? We have talked about reaching the lost and how to be more effective in doing so. Was this guy one of the lost looking desperately to be found?
If he had had someone to confide in, someone to question, someone with a shoulder to cry on or someone who was just there to listen, who knows what the outcome would have been. This just shoots home that we need to be more aggressive in reaching out to others.
Yesterday I was reading an online news article and my heart fell when I read the headline stating a Georgetown family of three was found dead in their home. I first thought it was going to be about a kerosene heater tragedy. I was stunned to read that it was a murder-suicide and then even more stunned to read that it was someone I grew up with and lives less than a mile from my father’s home.
I knew the Planck family from school and being in 4-H and FFA. All three kids and their parents were at the meetings and camp, and we all spent time together at the county fair. Normal family, kids, and circumstances. They were farmers just like us.
The father shot his wife and their 11 year old son and then himself. The article said they were going through a divorce. Okay, that is bad but to push someone to take the life of someone he loves, his own child, and then himself? Well, there really is no guessing-game there, we all know satan attacks where we love.
My thoughts have been - what could have prevented this from happening? We have talked about reaching the lost and how to be more effective in doing so. Was this guy one of the lost looking desperately to be found?
If he had had someone to confide in, someone to question, someone with a shoulder to cry on or someone who was just there to listen, who knows what the outcome would have been. This just shoots home that we need to be more aggressive in reaching out to others.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Just when you think nobody notices...
Something happens to remind you that your efforts are not in vain.
I have mentioned that I am part of a new team at work and have been taking time to get to know everyone and have found that most everyone on the team is a Christian and has a church family. This week, taking the time to get to know them made a difference.
Someone came to me this week who needed to talk - she felt she was being attacked spiritually -- in her home, her work, everywhere. She said she came to me because she knew I was a Christian and would understand and maybe give her some peace of mind by listening. I was so happy to be available to listen and share my faith with her. She said she felt better - I know I definitely did!
I have mentioned that I am part of a new team at work and have been taking time to get to know everyone and have found that most everyone on the team is a Christian and has a church family. This week, taking the time to get to know them made a difference.
Someone came to me this week who needed to talk - she felt she was being attacked spiritually -- in her home, her work, everywhere. She said she came to me because she knew I was a Christian and would understand and maybe give her some peace of mind by listening. I was so happy to be available to listen and share my faith with her. She said she felt better - I know I definitely did!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
"I noticed you took a break"
Wow, it's just like a real personal trainer standing there watching you! We purchased a Wii Fit and hooked it all up last night. Erin and I tried it out while Dave laughed at us. Well, we laughed at ourselves too because it was just too funny.
All the stretches and motions you try to do with your so out-of-shape self can really be difficult! Erin was trying to cheat on parts of it--on the push-ups part, she stopped to rest and the game yelled out "HEY!" At the end the "trainer" tells you how you did. For this set, the trainer said "I noticed you took a break." If nothing else, we burnt calories from laughing so hard.
All the stretches and motions you try to do with your so out-of-shape self can really be difficult! Erin was trying to cheat on parts of it--on the push-ups part, she stopped to rest and the game yelled out "HEY!" At the end the "trainer" tells you how you did. For this set, the trainer said "I noticed you took a break." If nothing else, we burnt calories from laughing so hard.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
New club, new year - new friends!
We had our first 4-H meeting last night and we had a great time. Erin is in a new club this year, the Young Riders. Aside from one mother/daughter, I knew no one at the meeting personally. I had seen most of them at shows or the fair but had never spoke to them on a personal level. And last night I didn't get to meet everyone but it was such a different atmosphere from the last club. The kids are kids but it was the parents who made the difference.
I like talking to people (most of the time...) but in the last club, the parents were all in sort of a "click" so in order to be part of that, you almost had to infiltrate the outer layer by some spectacular feat. Apparently, I didn't have enough spectacular-rificness to offer. At shows and the fair, they would all sit together and even though Erin and I were there, we were never included. Now, Erin was friends with the kids but you know what happens - the parents' influence over the kids eventually shows and then - ka-blooie.
I was in 4-H and I was an advisor and even started my own club - someone else took it over when I moved out of state for awhile. It is difficult to bond with parents, but that comes with the territory when you are in a leadership position. You have to stay objective and encouraging to everyone!
With Erin's previous club, what bothered me the most was that when other members of the group were showing, the parents and the kids clapped for the rider, including me. I love to cheer them on! But, when Erin was showing, they really did ignore her. Maybe it was because she was the new kid and frequently placed higher in the class then the veteran kids? (doing the ol' chicken-neck motion here) Probably, but that is so petty. When Erin placed lower than another member, you better believe I was clapping for them and if Erin wasn't, she was reminded that she needed to be. And she did. Erin has a natural "seat," as its called, when it comes to riding horses. It really is something that she was meant to do. I know its hard for some when they work hard and don't place well - but its just the way things are. I am surprised they didn't try to test Erin for steroids! hehe
Right away at the new club I felt welcome. I even got a hug from the mother and daughter I had met before and an encouraging "we're so happy to have Erin with us." Then, after the meeting (very well done as well), another mother spoke to me without any heavy feeling of "have to since you are new" to it.
I love watching Erin show but it has been a solo trip for me because she is busy with the horse and the other parents in our club gathered in their tight little circle.
I have a good feeling about this year though. Heck, I will admit it, I am verging on the edge of excitement =)
I like talking to people (most of the time...) but in the last club, the parents were all in sort of a "click" so in order to be part of that, you almost had to infiltrate the outer layer by some spectacular feat. Apparently, I didn't have enough spectacular-rificness to offer. At shows and the fair, they would all sit together and even though Erin and I were there, we were never included. Now, Erin was friends with the kids but you know what happens - the parents' influence over the kids eventually shows and then - ka-blooie.
I was in 4-H and I was an advisor and even started my own club - someone else took it over when I moved out of state for awhile. It is difficult to bond with parents, but that comes with the territory when you are in a leadership position. You have to stay objective and encouraging to everyone!
With Erin's previous club, what bothered me the most was that when other members of the group were showing, the parents and the kids clapped for the rider, including me. I love to cheer them on! But, when Erin was showing, they really did ignore her. Maybe it was because she was the new kid and frequently placed higher in the class then the veteran kids? (doing the ol' chicken-neck motion here) Probably, but that is so petty. When Erin placed lower than another member, you better believe I was clapping for them and if Erin wasn't, she was reminded that she needed to be. And she did. Erin has a natural "seat," as its called, when it comes to riding horses. It really is something that she was meant to do. I know its hard for some when they work hard and don't place well - but its just the way things are. I am surprised they didn't try to test Erin for steroids! hehe
Right away at the new club I felt welcome. I even got a hug from the mother and daughter I had met before and an encouraging "we're so happy to have Erin with us." Then, after the meeting (very well done as well), another mother spoke to me without any heavy feeling of "have to since you are new" to it.
I love watching Erin show but it has been a solo trip for me because she is busy with the horse and the other parents in our club gathered in their tight little circle.
I have a good feeling about this year though. Heck, I will admit it, I am verging on the edge of excitement =)
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Grooving to the Oldies
This past Sunday in the children's worship, we were grooving to the oldies.
A new dvd appeared (not sure how it got there - I only know that it was there) that had motion songs on it, songs that were played 15 or more years ago for children but now have a more modern look.
After assigning instruments (we were cranking some mean air drums and guitars), we chose the song "Father Abraham." This song is one of those new classics as I found out from Dan and Jeremy - they still remember it from their Sunday School days and sang some of it for us during our Small Group.
When the song started playing, I thought, "yeah, these kids are going to get bored with this fast." All boys romping around and talking about their Star Wars figures, you can imagine.
But, they loved it. We played it at least three times. Then there were requests from the audience for another oldie but goodie, "Noah's Arky Arky" and then, "Zacchaeus (Was a Wee Little Man)."
It was really a lot of fun. We did have the videos playing on the television so that helped with keeping focus but the enthusiasm was all in the music.
A new dvd appeared (not sure how it got there - I only know that it was there) that had motion songs on it, songs that were played 15 or more years ago for children but now have a more modern look.
After assigning instruments (we were cranking some mean air drums and guitars), we chose the song "Father Abraham." This song is one of those new classics as I found out from Dan and Jeremy - they still remember it from their Sunday School days and sang some of it for us during our Small Group.
When the song started playing, I thought, "yeah, these kids are going to get bored with this fast." All boys romping around and talking about their Star Wars figures, you can imagine.
But, they loved it. We played it at least three times. Then there were requests from the audience for another oldie but goodie, "Noah's Arky Arky" and then, "Zacchaeus (Was a Wee Little Man)."
It was really a lot of fun. We did have the videos playing on the television so that helped with keeping focus but the enthusiasm was all in the music.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
The long and winding road
No, I am not a huge Beatle's fan, just makes me think of the path we walk on daily. I am hopeful that life will be long and the winding just makes it more interesting. I guess as long as we stay on the path, we'll be okay. =)
The trip home the other night was definitely winding and interesting! I left work at 4:15 and finally arrived at Dave's office @ 9:00. (Usually a 20 minute ride.) We arrived home at 9:45 - just in time to get ready for bed!
The trip home the other night was definitely winding and interesting! I left work at 4:15 and finally arrived at Dave's office @ 9:00. (Usually a 20 minute ride.) We arrived home at 9:45 - just in time to get ready for bed!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Here I sit...
at Panera. I first stopped at another Belcan office and hung out there for about an hour. The Jeep was groaning (beginning to overheat) so so had to be get off the road. Tried it again and it took me 30 minutes to go 2 miles. Needless to say, the Jeep was unhappy again so now I am at Panera while Dave waits patiently for me. But he had a fantastic day though! Be sure to ask him about it! It willgive him something to do while he waits for me =)
Traffic stinks
Traffic stinks...been sitting forever! If evryone else would only stay at work or home. I wouldn't have any trouble =)
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