Hot in the City...

 Boy is it ever!  We've been cycling through some weird weather here.  Super-hot, then cool.  Tomorrow starts another cool cycle, yea!

Old Business:

• Still need to put pictures away, and more homework.  Oof!
• Book reading is good, started new one, Essential Spirituality.  Almost done.
• Trail Guide, lately 2-3 days a week!
• Magazines, lately 1-2 days a week!
• Neck stretches - not as good, but we're gonna do it!
• It's been 9 months since hiring S and moving to Hoosier Chiropractic, it's been good! I absolutely love it. Challenging to have an employee and being responsible for and to someone, but it is a good thing!
• Still working at church, been tweaking schedule to make it easier.  Not sure why I don't want to let go. And yet, sometimes do!
• Did some spring planting, but not as much as I've done in year's past.
• 017 graduated high school, and we were able to have a small family party.
• Everyone in the family is vaccinated! YEA!
• 017's closet is finished, and he really loved it!
• Started shelf/closet work for 020 and me. About 3/4 done.  Have some trim on both sides, rods on my side, shelves on his side, and both doors yet to go.
• DRIVEWAY and DRAINAGE are done!  OMG it is so much better!
• 017 quit at Wendy's. Over June he's been doing a bilingual kid camp at the school in town.
• Brother, sister, and nephew came up for a visit. We hung the TV, and replaced the ceiling fan in the living room.  So.Much.Better.  And you can see the fireplace now!
• 020 also came for a visit, loved it!
• Ran my first 5K, it was trail run. 017 kept pace for me, B&T ran the 10K segment, and 020 did the 5K. It was so sweet of them to do it with me!

New Business

• Keep running (that's been hard with the weather)
• Get closets put back together so I can (keep) going through stuff and get it moving
• Get back to scrapping
• Enjoy my backyard - actually been doing a lot of that, so don't want to stop!

Fatherly Advice

Well, I know it's not Father's Day yet, but I did stumble over this in my inbox and didn't want to hold onto it any longer.  I think it is good, no matter what the day.  And good for both boys & girls.

So many times we lose sight of how powerful our words and actions are.  We lose sight of how important people are in our lives.  We lose sight that life is not just about what we can cross off the list at the end of the day.  We lose sight that it should be more about what we ADD to the day.

ADD a smile
ADD a laugh
ADD a touch
ADD a kind word
ADD a minute with your children/loved one
ADD something beautiful

Fatherly advice as we celebrate dads by Harvey Mackay 

There was a little boy with a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, to hammer a nail in the back fence. The first week the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. It gradually dwindled down as he discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. His father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper until all the nails were gone.

Then the father led him to the fence and said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one."

With Father's Day coming up Sunday, June 16, I'd like to share some of the fatherly advice I received while growing up and especially getting my start in business.

Jack Mackay taught me about time management. I still remember him telling me if you want to go fishing tomorrow, be on the dock at 2 p.m. sharp. There I was at 2:05 p.m., waving bon voyage to my dad who was driving away in the boat without his fishing buddy. Tough love, lesson learned.

My dad insisted that 25 percent of my time should be spent on volunteering, advice I've continued to follow. In addition to the benefit to the organization, you have an unusual opportunity to hone your selling skills, learn how to run meetings, prepare reports, serve on committees, supervise others, handle rejection and many other skills that can help you in your career, all while serving your community.

One of the most powerful things you can do to influence others is to smile at them, my dad said. Not to be outdone, my mother used to tell me that a smile is an inexpensive way to improve my looks, "If you're happy, tell your face."

About reputation, my dad quoted the adage, "You spend your whole lifetime building a good name and reputation, and one foolish act can destroy it." Dad was a big believer in aphorisms, which is why I end every column with a Mackay's Moral.

Most importantly, Jack Mackay taught me about networking. When I was 18, he told me that everyone I meet should go in a Rolodex file along with a little information about that person and then creatively keep in touch. You never know when your paths might cross again.

Greg Hague, an Arizona attorney and businessman, has come up with a website which he calls Savvy Dad (savvydad.com). Every day, he features a new story from a son or daughter on some special experience with their dad and how it positively impacted their life.  His readership is nearing 40,000. His book, "How Fathers Change Lives," is now available at HowFathersChangeLives.com.

Greg shared a lesson from his father, "People focus on role models, but it's more effective to find anti-models - people you don't want to resemble when you grow up."

Lise Johnson told the story of her father's devotion to her mom who became terminally ill. When she was moved to hospice, he stayed with her around the clock. He helped feed and bathe her. One nurse told Lise that she was engaged when she started her mom's care, but no longer. "I didn't know devotion like that existed in this world. I will find a man like your dad."

Our mutual friend Randy Garn, a Utah businessman, remembered how as a 16-year-old he asked his dad if he could borrow the car on a Friday night. His dad said yes, but be home by 11 p.m., or the upcoming prom was at stake. Well, Randy lost track of the time and got home after 1 a.m. He tiptoed upstairs to his room and thought he was safe until he slid into bed and discovered be wasn't alone! His dad was lying there waiting for him.

"I'm not mad, but the prom is now gone," he said without anger. "Randy, I love you so much, but unlike what you did tonight, I do what I say.

Mackay's Moral: It's funny about fatherly advice: The better it is, the harder it is to take.

What a Wonderful World

I think I got this from Arlin Sorenson's blog, he sends out a daily read 6 times a week and I usually get it at work. It always makes me think about how I am living my life & what I am leaving behind for when I am no longer living it. I didn't snip out the beginning, so this starts a bit out of context, but the list is too good to be ignored.

The next question is almost always "what can I do?". I have been thinking about it for a couple of days. This is what you can do for me:
• Treat your children, parents, siblings, cousins and friends like it could be the last time you get to speak to them.
• Love them for who they are … not for what you want them to be.
• Treat them in the way you want them to treat you … and then go little further.
• Don’t sweat the little things.
• Never leave an argument feeling bad or having others feeling bad.
• Live your life the way you want to and let your loved ones live their lives the way they want to.
• Always support your kids and always let them know you love them.
• Tell the people you love ... that you love them. Then make it a habit of telling them you love them on a regular basis.

Do you do these things? They sound simple, but sometimes that humanly flesh rears it's ugly head. The last one is hard for me with Gadget. I know he does, he knows I do, but I don't think we say it frequently enough. We haven't made it a habit. I think it is the best habit. I'm trying to make it more of a habit. But I am afraid. What if it is too much? What if it drives him away? What if he thinks I'm too clingy. But then I look back at #1 and say, "It doesn't matter, I need to. I have to. I'm compelled to". So I've been saying it more.

Last Wednesday I went up to Marshall, MI for an interview (shhhhh! That is top secret!!!). I decided to stop by his house to see him before I came back. It was wonderful to touch him & kiss him & see him, even if it was just for an hour. He made me a cup of coffee for the ride home. We talked a bit (this would be like waking up at 1 AM for us first shifters so don't think it's a small thing). Then he kissed me goodbye. And we both said "I love you" and he giggled & said "I beat you to it!" and I giggled and said "Yes you did!" and I was on cloud 9 the rest of the day.

So yea, I'm going to keep stretching myself to say it. Even at the end of phone calls. Maybe even get to every day. What a wonderful world it would be.

And no, I didn't get the offer. But that is OK, the timing just isn't right yet. But it taught me a lot about myself, and the logistics I have to iron out and the impact I have on others. So for the time being, he's dodged the bullet.

This post comes from Max Lucado.  If you've read his stuff, you know how powerful his word imagery can be.  If you are not familiar with his writing, then please take a minute, you will not be sorry.

How amazing would the world be if everyone tried to do this?

Today I Will Make a Difference

Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.
I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.
I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It’s OK to stumble… . I will get up. It’s OK to fail… . I will rise again. Today I will make a difference.
I will spend time with those I love. My spouse, my children, my family. A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships. Today I will spend at least five minutes with the significant people in my world. Five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening. Five undiluted minutes with my mate, children, and friends.
Today I will make a difference.
 
From Shaped by God (original title: On the Anvil)
Copyright (Tyndale House, 1985, 2002) Max Lucado

Life is a highway...

At the start of the month, I went up to Battle Creek on Friday night after my massage and dropping the boys off at Gas City.  We met at Stagecoach with D to grab some burgers and fries and a couple of beers.  It was a good time!  They have the best fries ever!  It is hard to stop eating them.  After we went back to the house and watched Yellow Beard which is fairly interesting movie. It puts the Monty Python cast with a bunch of Mel Brooks actors.
 

We went to bed pretty late, around 4am, so we got up even later on Saturday morning. It was noon before we were out of bed. I think that is the first time I've done that since college!

We had some coffee & conversation, trying to work on getting him integrated back into the house. so we checked out the pantry and tried to figure out what different things he needed to make it be more organized and get his food in there.   We brought a  few boxes of pantry items into the house and cooked some yummy breakfast - eggs & bacon my favorite! 

We made a stop at Menard's to look at shelving materials, rope lights and other improvements for the panty and then went to see Star Trek Into Darkness. I just really like the new series reboot, Chris Pine is so super cute but I really wish they would stop beating up his pretty face.  I just love how they have been true to a lot of the old set but it's been improved by today's technology that just wasn't there in the 60s.  I love seeing & hearing the references to the TV show and the original movies.  Very fun to look for and find!  However, I hope they come up with some of their own stories too & not just remake them to fit the new timeline.

After the movie we to BW3s to get wings and beer.  I think we found Gadget's match in hot sauce, I'm not sure he'll get the mango habeñero again but it was pretty tasty.  When we got home, I wanted to watch The Life of Brian but NetFlix did not have it for Instant Play.  So we got The Meaning of Life instead, but it is not really my favorite.  We both ended up falling asleep during it!  

Sunday we got up a bit early about 930 and have some coffee went to the Country Kitchen in Marshall to get some food.  We decided to get my brakes replaced (they've needed it for a LONG time)wo we went to the auto store to get some parts.  Ended up also changing the oil & putting on new wiper blades too.  I feel better knowing the car is more safe now.  There wasn't a millimeter left on those pads. 

I'm hoping to take care of it & keep it for a bit longer, now that I have it paid off I'd like to save some money toward buying the next one and not having a loan, or at least as big of one.  

Next weekend we are doing the fly-in clinic at Harold Cannon's hangar down in Owensboro, KY, I think that is going to be a ton of fun.  We'll fly down in the Cessna and then get to spend some time with the Hooligans.  I'm just so tickled that he asked me to go!  

When we get back, he's going to get to see S for her birthday, and then come down to take care of me after my surgery.  I can't believe he was willing to take a week off of work to do that for me.  We'll also do some work around the house, trying to make it more attractive to sell.  

He's got so much he wants to get down around his house, there is so much that I want to get down around mine.  Sometimes I just wonder if we are being silly by trying to maintain 2 places.  We each help the other.  I feel terrible when he's up there by himself trying to get so much done and I'm 130 miles away & can't help.  I know he feels the same way about me.

I just miss seeing him every day, kissing him, touching him, talking to him face to face.  I miss waking up next to him & falling asleep with him beside me.   I know there are plenty of other people in similar situations, and I don't mean to sound like a whiney baby, but it is how I feel.  I just wonder if it will always be this way or if there is ever any hope that it will change.  

Something that I really don't understand is how he can be so committed in that aspect (taking time off from work, helping with house, and I know his heart is committed too) but yet he can't quite get to where it is "official".  And I know it is not my struggle to understand, but that is just me.  I like understanding things.  

So i have been praying a lot for patience, peace and understanding.  I am really just trying to be supportive, and understanding, to not be in the way or demanding.  To just allow the whole thing to unfold the way he needs it to.  To put him first.

So I just stopped at Auburn to get gas & coffee.  I'm anxious to see the boys & I hope they've had a good weekend with their Dad.

We've just acquired a new company and I am on the integration team.  So I have to figure out how to integrate their services, tickets, clients, etc. into our system.  It has been stressful, but we've uncovered a lot of work & change that need to occur.  Hopefully it will be a good time to bring some of those about.  

I've been doing this management position unofficially for the past couple of years, it will be interesting to see how the "official" announcement goes and what changes that brings.  I will have to be working out of the Warsaw office indefinitely now.  To start, it will be 2 days a week.  Not sure if or when that will ever change.  So that is another 120 miles every week I will be driving.

Well, this has been very long, but it did feel good to get it out.  Thanks for hanging in there with me.