Okay, I just had to take a break from the Callicott Vacation entries to let you all know about a miracle. Trust me, you will not believe this one.
Our house payment went down.
I know, you're in shock. Imagine my own shock when I went to our mortgage company web site and discovered that we will be saving about $6 each month on our house payment.
Let the vacation blogs continue.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Desperately seeking Academy Street
Well, with Limon behind us (and I use the word "behind" very loosely…), we now headed into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. I don't care if you haven't been there before, you haven't been in 20 years, or you haven't been in 50 years. God's wonder never ceases to amaze and leave you awestruck. So it was with the Rockies as we headed into Colorado Springs.
Shortly after leaving Limon, I told Tammy and the boys that they could start playing the "Find the Mountains" game, as it wouldn't be long before they could be seen on the far western horizon. Well, Tammy and the boys started to point to small little hills that might be big for Missouri, but t'weren't nothing for Colorado.
Finally, on the horizon, not only did the Rockies appear, but so did the hulk of a mountain called Pike's Peak. Amazing. Just breathtaking.
We arrived in town and were just amazed - 91 degrees and virtually no humidity. So cool.
Brandy has an amazing apartment complex. Guess that's where the uptown writers get to stay. We said our hellos to our esteemed hostess, and then after a quick trip down the street to the park to (hopefully) let the boys run off some energy, we headed downtown to Fargo's Pizza, a very cute 2-story pizza place made out to look like a real, true-to-life saloon. Awesome.
Well, here's where the fun comes in. And remember, for an alternative view, please go to Brandy's blog for more. However, we took some regular city streets (i.e., no interstate) down to the restaurant, getting to see some of the sights along the way - the Focus on the Family HQ, the U.S. Olympic Training Complex, etc. After supper, Brandy guided us home via a different direction - back on the Interstate. It'd be a little quicker and give us a different view of the city.
Uhm…or so we thought.
Shortly after we got to the Interstate, we saw it was backed up BIG TIME. Tammy suggested perhaps it was because of a Rockies' game. Once I told her that could be the case, except for the fact that they were out of town…and that they play their home games 75 miles north in Denver…she believed perhaps it might be construction work or an accident. Good call.
Well, I decided not to get on the Interstate - we'd still be there if we had gotten on the highway - and I asked Brandy how to get back to her apartment other than the Interstate. To which, I was met with…well, let's just say this is when I started calling our good, good friend names like "Magellan" and "Brandy McNally". I don't know how many twists & turns we took, but I believe I got gas in Pueblo later that evening, followed by a wash & wax in Glenwood Springs. Perhaps Vail, actually. ;)
To Cortez's defense, it could've been worse…but then came the next day…
Shortly after leaving Limon, I told Tammy and the boys that they could start playing the "Find the Mountains" game, as it wouldn't be long before they could be seen on the far western horizon. Well, Tammy and the boys started to point to small little hills that might be big for Missouri, but t'weren't nothing for Colorado.
Finally, on the horizon, not only did the Rockies appear, but so did the hulk of a mountain called Pike's Peak. Amazing. Just breathtaking.
We arrived in town and were just amazed - 91 degrees and virtually no humidity. So cool.
Brandy has an amazing apartment complex. Guess that's where the uptown writers get to stay. We said our hellos to our esteemed hostess, and then after a quick trip down the street to the park to (hopefully) let the boys run off some energy, we headed downtown to Fargo's Pizza, a very cute 2-story pizza place made out to look like a real, true-to-life saloon. Awesome.
Well, here's where the fun comes in. And remember, for an alternative view, please go to Brandy's blog for more. However, we took some regular city streets (i.e., no interstate) down to the restaurant, getting to see some of the sights along the way - the Focus on the Family HQ, the U.S. Olympic Training Complex, etc. After supper, Brandy guided us home via a different direction - back on the Interstate. It'd be a little quicker and give us a different view of the city.
Uhm…or so we thought.
Shortly after we got to the Interstate, we saw it was backed up BIG TIME. Tammy suggested perhaps it was because of a Rockies' game. Once I told her that could be the case, except for the fact that they were out of town…and that they play their home games 75 miles north in Denver…she believed perhaps it might be construction work or an accident. Good call.
Well, I decided not to get on the Interstate - we'd still be there if we had gotten on the highway - and I asked Brandy how to get back to her apartment other than the Interstate. To which, I was met with…well, let's just say this is when I started calling our good, good friend names like "Magellan" and "Brandy McNally". I don't know how many twists & turns we took, but I believe I got gas in Pueblo later that evening, followed by a wash & wax in Glenwood Springs. Perhaps Vail, actually. ;)
To Cortez's defense, it could've been worse…but then came the next day…
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Limon
OK, for those with a squeamish stomach, just skip over this entry. Wait for my next one on first getting into the Colorado Springs area and meeting back up with the walking roadmap that is Brandy Campbell.
On day 3 - Monday the 16th, for those who are at home plotting our trip along a calendar and map...and you know who you are - we headed west from Hays into Colorado. Wow. There are deserts, and then there are places that should be deserts. Western Kansas and Eastern Colorado fit into the latter description.
As we got into Limon, Colorado, nature called, and as we pulled off onto Highway 24 for the final 70+ miles into Colorado Springs, I ran us all into a gas station/quick stop for a final stop before the Rockies.
Oh wow.
You know you're in for a story when you walk into what appears to be a very, very clean gas station and quick shop...and there's a long line formed outside of the men's room. Tammy and David took a quick trip into the women's bathroom, but only after hearing a mom (there either wasn't a dad or he wasn't along for the trip) absolutely tear into her kids for apparently misbehaving, not going fast enough, etc - you get the drill.
Well, she and her kids left the women's restroom - "It's been a really long trip," the mom said (we later found out she had a Colorado license...try MY trip, honey - try KANSAS on for size!) - but sonny boy - probably about 6 years old, if our eyes didn't deceive us - was still in the men's room.
Then, when he finally heard her and her small traveling troupe of children emerge from their circus in the women's restroom, we heard eight words that really should've just made us turn around and leave. In a whimpered tone from the men's room, we heard:
"Mom, I need some help with my poop."
Two men in front of us immediately turned on a dime and left.
Jonathan and I, however...not so much.
But, Jonathan did poke my hand and summon me to his level. "Something really stinks," he said. "Oh, it's nothing," I said, unable to smell the horror that my eyes would soon see and nose would soon smell.
Finally, junior left the men's room while walking sheepishly toward his mother. She grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and out they went.
A gentlemen in front of us went into the men's room, and he was in there for, oh, maybe 12 seconds. "Finally," I thought. "Relief is soon in sight."
As soon as he left, in went Jonathan and me, headed for sweet relief just before hitting the Rockies. And then...
Oh my sweet lord...
I immediately and instinctively reached for my BlackBerry to call FEMA. However, having left it in Hannibal to completely get away from my job for a few days, I had no recourse. Face it alone - what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
Or nauseated.
Jonathan and I walked in and were hit with a landfill stench almost immediately. On the floor, on the wall, on the toilet, in the trash can...virtually everywhere but in the toilet, was...well, use your imagination. What do you think was everywhere - cranberry juice?
Wow. It was as though a diaper disposal service wrecked their truck on the interstate.
Jonathan couldn't wait. So, I led him on a serpentine approach to the toilet, and when he was done, I pretty much carried him to the door and walked out. We bought a soda or two from the otherwise spic and span store, and on the way out, we told the two attendants - two very sweet ladies who unfortunately looked as though they were local chairs of the Foster Grandparent recruitment program - that the men's room was, well, the apparent victim of a bowel exorcism.
"Well, great," the cashier said. "We just cleaned that. Norma!" Norma dejectedly started her long walk to her punishment.
Now, I had two problems. Of course, the first was to head across the street to Wendy's before I personally was the victim of a diaper disposal crash. The second - and more challenging - problem was to get past Poop-Boy's mom, who was having an absolute meltdown outside of her minivan parked NEXT to our CRV.
She apparently had found out little junior's secret - he had a "poop problem," as he so accurately and succinctly described it - and the problem had now apparently spread to clothes, etc. All righty, then.
She was slapping clothes on the floor, throwing bags & suitcases around, yelling words that really didn't exist in the English language - it wasn't any kind of cursing, just unintelligible words - and then throwing around even more suitcases, bags, and other items throughout the van. For any number of different reasons, I'd have hated to have been junior in that car.
We ran across the street, and I set land speed records running into Wendy's. Finally, on my slow walk back to the CRV, I looked across the street to the gas station where we'd first stopped.
As we drove past the station and toward Colorado Springs, I saw that mom STILL slamming things around, slamming the door, and finally getting into the van's driver's seat to drive home. For that kid's sake, I hoped it would be a short trip.
Stay tuned. Our arrival into Colorado Springs and our reunion with Brandy "Mapquest" Campbell is coming up next...
On day 3 - Monday the 16th, for those who are at home plotting our trip along a calendar and map...and you know who you are - we headed west from Hays into Colorado. Wow. There are deserts, and then there are places that should be deserts. Western Kansas and Eastern Colorado fit into the latter description.
As we got into Limon, Colorado, nature called, and as we pulled off onto Highway 24 for the final 70+ miles into Colorado Springs, I ran us all into a gas station/quick stop for a final stop before the Rockies.
Oh wow.
You know you're in for a story when you walk into what appears to be a very, very clean gas station and quick shop...and there's a long line formed outside of the men's room. Tammy and David took a quick trip into the women's bathroom, but only after hearing a mom (there either wasn't a dad or he wasn't along for the trip) absolutely tear into her kids for apparently misbehaving, not going fast enough, etc - you get the drill.
Well, she and her kids left the women's restroom - "It's been a really long trip," the mom said (we later found out she had a Colorado license...try MY trip, honey - try KANSAS on for size!) - but sonny boy - probably about 6 years old, if our eyes didn't deceive us - was still in the men's room.
Then, when he finally heard her and her small traveling troupe of children emerge from their circus in the women's restroom, we heard eight words that really should've just made us turn around and leave. In a whimpered tone from the men's room, we heard:
"Mom, I need some help with my poop."
Two men in front of us immediately turned on a dime and left.
Jonathan and I, however...not so much.
But, Jonathan did poke my hand and summon me to his level. "Something really stinks," he said. "Oh, it's nothing," I said, unable to smell the horror that my eyes would soon see and nose would soon smell.
Finally, junior left the men's room while walking sheepishly toward his mother. She grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and out they went.
A gentlemen in front of us went into the men's room, and he was in there for, oh, maybe 12 seconds. "Finally," I thought. "Relief is soon in sight."
As soon as he left, in went Jonathan and me, headed for sweet relief just before hitting the Rockies. And then...
Oh my sweet lord...
I immediately and instinctively reached for my BlackBerry to call FEMA. However, having left it in Hannibal to completely get away from my job for a few days, I had no recourse. Face it alone - what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
Or nauseated.
Jonathan and I walked in and were hit with a landfill stench almost immediately. On the floor, on the wall, on the toilet, in the trash can...virtually everywhere but in the toilet, was...well, use your imagination. What do you think was everywhere - cranberry juice?
Wow. It was as though a diaper disposal service wrecked their truck on the interstate.
Jonathan couldn't wait. So, I led him on a serpentine approach to the toilet, and when he was done, I pretty much carried him to the door and walked out. We bought a soda or two from the otherwise spic and span store, and on the way out, we told the two attendants - two very sweet ladies who unfortunately looked as though they were local chairs of the Foster Grandparent recruitment program - that the men's room was, well, the apparent victim of a bowel exorcism.
"Well, great," the cashier said. "We just cleaned that. Norma!" Norma dejectedly started her long walk to her punishment.
Now, I had two problems. Of course, the first was to head across the street to Wendy's before I personally was the victim of a diaper disposal crash. The second - and more challenging - problem was to get past Poop-Boy's mom, who was having an absolute meltdown outside of her minivan parked NEXT to our CRV.
She apparently had found out little junior's secret - he had a "poop problem," as he so accurately and succinctly described it - and the problem had now apparently spread to clothes, etc. All righty, then.
She was slapping clothes on the floor, throwing bags & suitcases around, yelling words that really didn't exist in the English language - it wasn't any kind of cursing, just unintelligible words - and then throwing around even more suitcases, bags, and other items throughout the van. For any number of different reasons, I'd have hated to have been junior in that car.
We ran across the street, and I set land speed records running into Wendy's. Finally, on my slow walk back to the CRV, I looked across the street to the gas station where we'd first stopped.
As we drove past the station and toward Colorado Springs, I saw that mom STILL slamming things around, slamming the door, and finally getting into the van's driver's seat to drive home. For that kid's sake, I hoped it would be a short trip.
Stay tuned. Our arrival into Colorado Springs and our reunion with Brandy "Mapquest" Campbell is coming up next...
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Kansas = Hades
OK, this is Tammy...
As we left on Sunday morning, the eastern part of Kansas wasn't too bad. And then you head west...
And now I know why people KEPT going west. They didn't stop. They kept going.
While Scott was driving through Kansas, I was able to read 10 magazines. TEN. The boys watched 4 - FOUR - movies. And we were begging for tornadoes. Anything to break the monotony.
The only breaks to our day were the Eisenhower Museum in Abilene - which was really nice - and the Sternberg Museum in Hays. I was frustrated with Sternberg because I felt like I had just made a $20 donation to the evolutionists' fund.
The Sternberg Museum was in Hays, which - little known fact - was the site of the final casting call for the movie "Deliverance". True - absolutely true.
Once we left Hays on Monday morning, we went to Oakley to "Prairie Dog Town". How do I describe PDT? If you're curious what 20 rattlesnakes sound like or what a 6-legged cow looks like, or even how goats can live with turkeys, you've come to the right place. Very nice people, though.
After leaving PDT, we found a place in Colby (KS) called the "Travel Oasis" with fake palm trees and everything. We let the kids play there a while, and then we made the rest of the trip to Colorado. Perhaps Scott will share in the future his thoughts about Limon, Colorado.
Unfortunately, the eastern part of Colorado looks like the western part of Kansas. I was sure God was playing a cruel, cruel joke. Or that Scott was lost. Neither was true. We eventually made it to scenic Colorado, where we played the, "OK, is THAT a mountain?" game. I learned real quick that what I thought were mountains was nothing compared to the real thing.
Stay tuned for more about our vacation...
As we left on Sunday morning, the eastern part of Kansas wasn't too bad. And then you head west...
And now I know why people KEPT going west. They didn't stop. They kept going.
While Scott was driving through Kansas, I was able to read 10 magazines. TEN. The boys watched 4 - FOUR - movies. And we were begging for tornadoes. Anything to break the monotony.
The only breaks to our day were the Eisenhower Museum in Abilene - which was really nice - and the Sternberg Museum in Hays. I was frustrated with Sternberg because I felt like I had just made a $20 donation to the evolutionists' fund.
The Sternberg Museum was in Hays, which - little known fact - was the site of the final casting call for the movie "Deliverance". True - absolutely true.
Once we left Hays on Monday morning, we went to Oakley to "Prairie Dog Town". How do I describe PDT? If you're curious what 20 rattlesnakes sound like or what a 6-legged cow looks like, or even how goats can live with turkeys, you've come to the right place. Very nice people, though.
After leaving PDT, we found a place in Colby (KS) called the "Travel Oasis" with fake palm trees and everything. We let the kids play there a while, and then we made the rest of the trip to Colorado. Perhaps Scott will share in the future his thoughts about Limon, Colorado.
Unfortunately, the eastern part of Colorado looks like the western part of Kansas. I was sure God was playing a cruel, cruel joke. Or that Scott was lost. Neither was true. We eventually made it to scenic Colorado, where we played the, "OK, is THAT a mountain?" game. I learned real quick that what I thought were mountains was nothing compared to the real thing.
Stay tuned for more about our vacation...
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Rock on!
It's official - we're back from the great western wilderness known as the Colorado Rocky Mountains. 2000-plus miles later, we're back in hot & humid Hannibal. But what a week.
I've (Scott) been to Colorado before, though it's been nearly 20 years since my last trip west. Tammy and the boys, however, haven't ever been any further west than Kansas City, sans a plane trip Tammy took 14 years ago to her friend's wedding in Phoenix. What an amazing trip. Like Tammy said, we'll be wall-to-wall over the next few days on coverage of our little journey, but for now, I'll start the first day…
We left early on the afternoon of Saturday the 21st and stopped for lunch in Kingdom City at the visitor's center/firefighters' memorial at the intersection of Highway 54 & I-70. My little budget nazi (Tammy) packed lunch food in a cooler for us to use all the way out & back again (we loaded up on food again for the return trip when we left Colorado Springs) so we could save a little coin wherever possible. Plus, it was quick and gave us a little chance to see some things we might not ordinarily have seen - like the firefighters' memorial and the visitor's center at Kingdom City.
If you've never been in that place, drop in next time you're headed to Columbia or Jeff City. They've got huge Lego renditions of Faurot Field and Mizzou Arena that are just phenomenal to view. Amazing.
From there, we headed west thru Columbia and to Kansas City, Kansas. If you've never been to the Legends shopping & lodging area - adjacent to the Kansas Speedway area - you've got to go. We didn't stay at the Great Wolf Lodge because, well, we'd like to eat for the next few years, and we hope our kids go to something other than a correspondence college. But, we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, and after checking in, we went to the Dino restaurant and watched as Jonathan & David each built their own Dinosaurs: Jonathan built Tom Rex, and David built David Tops. Fantastic.
That's day one. Day two - which I'll leave to Tammy, as she'll express her thoughts of her initial visit through the land known as Kansas - is on the way soon.
BTW, at some point in the relatively near future, we'll start giving our point of view on our actual time in Colorado (Day 3 - Day 5). For an opposing view, please don't hesitate to visit Brandy's blog.
You'll understand why soon, won't they, Brandy McNally :)
I've (Scott) been to Colorado before, though it's been nearly 20 years since my last trip west. Tammy and the boys, however, haven't ever been any further west than Kansas City, sans a plane trip Tammy took 14 years ago to her friend's wedding in Phoenix. What an amazing trip. Like Tammy said, we'll be wall-to-wall over the next few days on coverage of our little journey, but for now, I'll start the first day…
We left early on the afternoon of Saturday the 21st and stopped for lunch in Kingdom City at the visitor's center/firefighters' memorial at the intersection of Highway 54 & I-70. My little budget nazi (Tammy) packed lunch food in a cooler for us to use all the way out & back again (we loaded up on food again for the return trip when we left Colorado Springs) so we could save a little coin wherever possible. Plus, it was quick and gave us a little chance to see some things we might not ordinarily have seen - like the firefighters' memorial and the visitor's center at Kingdom City.
If you've never been in that place, drop in next time you're headed to Columbia or Jeff City. They've got huge Lego renditions of Faurot Field and Mizzou Arena that are just phenomenal to view. Amazing.
From there, we headed west thru Columbia and to Kansas City, Kansas. If you've never been to the Legends shopping & lodging area - adjacent to the Kansas Speedway area - you've got to go. We didn't stay at the Great Wolf Lodge because, well, we'd like to eat for the next few years, and we hope our kids go to something other than a correspondence college. But, we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, and after checking in, we went to the Dino restaurant and watched as Jonathan & David each built their own Dinosaurs: Jonathan built Tom Rex, and David built David Tops. Fantastic.
That's day one. Day two - which I'll leave to Tammy, as she'll express her thoughts of her initial visit through the land known as Kansas - is on the way soon.
BTW, at some point in the relatively near future, we'll start giving our point of view on our actual time in Colorado (Day 3 - Day 5). For an opposing view, please don't hesitate to visit Brandy's blog.
You'll understand why soon, won't they, Brandy McNally :)
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Vacation
We just returned from our vacation and it was so wonderful! We drove to Colorado and stayed with a good friend of ours, who was gracious enough to let us invade her home.
There's nothing like doing your Bible study in the morning while having Pike's Peak as your scenery.
We'll post more about our vacation in later days, but just wanted to let our reader(s) know that we had a wonderful time and Tammy is ready to move there!!
There's nothing like doing your Bible study in the morning while having Pike's Peak as your scenery.
We'll post more about our vacation in later days, but just wanted to let our reader(s) know that we had a wonderful time and Tammy is ready to move there!!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
And a child shall lead ...
The other day we're sitting at Sonic, enjoying lunch and waiting for our car to be serviced next door, when Scott and I start talking about a particular political figure. Scott was saying that this particular person probably wouldn't be welcome at many political events for the next election cycle because he's viewed as mean and unapproachable.
Our astute 7 1/2-year-old looks at Scott and says, "People haven't even met him and they don't like him? Why?"
Scott responded that people sometimes judge others based on what they hear from other people.
To that Jonathan responded, "How can you judge someone until you've met them?"
Good question, Jonathan.
Our astute 7 1/2-year-old looks at Scott and says, "People haven't even met him and they don't like him? Why?"
Scott responded that people sometimes judge others based on what they hear from other people.
To that Jonathan responded, "How can you judge someone until you've met them?"
Good question, Jonathan.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Peace, please
I have had the wonderful joy of being involved in a Bible study the last few weeks on the fruits of the Spirit. It's a Beth Moore study and if you know anything about Beth, you know that this study is very thought provoking.
Now, over the last several months I've had this nagging feeling that I'm doing too much in my life right now. I feel constantly tired, frazzled, burned out and sometimes just want to pull the covers over my head and call it a day. I'm sometimes a little more testy with the kids than I want to be and if I check the calendar, it's because there's a big project coming up that needs my attention.
The Lord has been quietly, gently leading me for some time to give up some things in my life, I just haven't known what they are. I thought at first it was my job. I was ready to totally give it up in August of this year. Right around the time I had made this decision, I got a raise. No joke. And instead of being happy I had a raise I was mad. Why did I get a raise now when I am planning on quitting my job?
Well other things have happened around the homestead that lead me to the distinct impression quitting is not in the cards for the moment. I won't bore you with the details, just trust me on this one.
So I start this study really wanting to feel God's leading in all areas of my life. I do the totally Christian thing and turn it all over - whatever your will, Lord, I'll do it.
So the first week of the study goes by and I feel a prodding to give up this ministry I'm a part of at church. I must have crossed my righteous wires, God doesn't want me to give up a ministry. It's my job, right Lord? You want me to quit my job, right?
A few weeks go by and we're talking about joy. You know one of the things that can rob joy? According to Beth, it's "when our outpour exceeds our intake." And she flat out asks the question, "Are you serving more than you're seeking?" Ouch.
Like all churches, I'm sure, we have a hard time finding people to fill spots at our church. So my hesitation here is on a number of levels. I'm worried that they won't be able to find someone to fill this spot. And I have a hard time giving up things when I'm in the middle of it because I've been taught to see things through to the end. But what if the thing that you're doing has no end? What if it keeps going and going?
And my biggest problem lies in this: What if they come back and ask me to do it after they've exhausted all their resources? I don't want to let them down. I don't want to be the last, best hope and then say no.
As you can see, I have a Martha complex. People probably view me as someone who's kind of say-it-like-it-is and you'll get over it. But I'm desperately afraid of doing less than perfect. And I'm desperately concerned if I give up something it will be done less than perfect.
This week we're studying peace, the third fruit, and it's the first day of this week's study and the Lord has moved from gentle, quiet prodding to the proverbial hammer on the head - my head - approach.
This weekend my mom and aunt were discussing how I do too much. Mom said that I'm taking away someone else's opportunity to serve by hoarding it all for myself. I honestly hope that's not how it's viewed by others, but she really made me think. And Scott has also suggested in the past that I give something up.
So, this week I need to pick up the phone and resign from this position. I pray I have no guilt over this decision and I can study the third fruit without this restlessness.
Please pass the peace, I'd like a double helping!
Now, over the last several months I've had this nagging feeling that I'm doing too much in my life right now. I feel constantly tired, frazzled, burned out and sometimes just want to pull the covers over my head and call it a day. I'm sometimes a little more testy with the kids than I want to be and if I check the calendar, it's because there's a big project coming up that needs my attention.
The Lord has been quietly, gently leading me for some time to give up some things in my life, I just haven't known what they are. I thought at first it was my job. I was ready to totally give it up in August of this year. Right around the time I had made this decision, I got a raise. No joke. And instead of being happy I had a raise I was mad. Why did I get a raise now when I am planning on quitting my job?
Well other things have happened around the homestead that lead me to the distinct impression quitting is not in the cards for the moment. I won't bore you with the details, just trust me on this one.
So I start this study really wanting to feel God's leading in all areas of my life. I do the totally Christian thing and turn it all over - whatever your will, Lord, I'll do it.
So the first week of the study goes by and I feel a prodding to give up this ministry I'm a part of at church. I must have crossed my righteous wires, God doesn't want me to give up a ministry. It's my job, right Lord? You want me to quit my job, right?
A few weeks go by and we're talking about joy. You know one of the things that can rob joy? According to Beth, it's "when our outpour exceeds our intake." And she flat out asks the question, "Are you serving more than you're seeking?" Ouch.
Like all churches, I'm sure, we have a hard time finding people to fill spots at our church. So my hesitation here is on a number of levels. I'm worried that they won't be able to find someone to fill this spot. And I have a hard time giving up things when I'm in the middle of it because I've been taught to see things through to the end. But what if the thing that you're doing has no end? What if it keeps going and going?
And my biggest problem lies in this: What if they come back and ask me to do it after they've exhausted all their resources? I don't want to let them down. I don't want to be the last, best hope and then say no.
As you can see, I have a Martha complex. People probably view me as someone who's kind of say-it-like-it-is and you'll get over it. But I'm desperately afraid of doing less than perfect. And I'm desperately concerned if I give up something it will be done less than perfect.
This week we're studying peace, the third fruit, and it's the first day of this week's study and the Lord has moved from gentle, quiet prodding to the proverbial hammer on the head - my head - approach.
This weekend my mom and aunt were discussing how I do too much. Mom said that I'm taking away someone else's opportunity to serve by hoarding it all for myself. I honestly hope that's not how it's viewed by others, but she really made me think. And Scott has also suggested in the past that I give something up.
So, this week I need to pick up the phone and resign from this position. I pray I have no guilt over this decision and I can study the third fruit without this restlessness.
Please pass the peace, I'd like a double helping!
Friday, June 29, 2007
When TV was a family event
OK, I admit, I've sort of been cheating recently on blogging. Tammy writes, and I just paste embedded links to You Tube...several over the last few hours, actually. But, man they're cool.
I'll try to blog something substantive over the weekend, but for now:
WOW did ABC ever have the coolest promos - for the early 80s, that is. Look at the shows in this clip - Happy Days, Benson, Hart to Hart, Fantasy Island, Too Close for Comfort, Three's Company, Laverne & Shirley - MAN did they ever have some kick-tube programming back then.
Now, we're left with Age of Love & My Name is Earl.
Holy crap.
I'll try to blog something substantive over the weekend, but for now:
WOW did ABC ever have the coolest promos - for the early 80s, that is. Look at the shows in this clip - Happy Days, Benson, Hart to Hart, Fantasy Island, Too Close for Comfort, Three's Company, Laverne & Shirley - MAN did they ever have some kick-tube programming back then.
Now, we're left with Age of Love & My Name is Earl.
Holy crap.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Before housewives were desperate...
...there was the Sunday night movie.
As you can see, I'm a big proponent of You-Tube. I pretty much turn it into Me-Tube trying to find old clips, etc. I found this, and MAN does this bring back memories.
I love the baritone of Ernie Anderson..."Raiders...of the Lost Ark..." I love it. Back in junior high & high school all over again.
As you can see, I'm a big proponent of You-Tube. I pretty much turn it into Me-Tube trying to find old clips, etc. I found this, and MAN does this bring back memories.
I love the baritone of Ernie Anderson..."Raiders...of the Lost Ark..." I love it. Back in junior high & high school all over again.
Murder in the Chimney of 1600
You know, I realize that politics is a dirty business these days, but for crying out loud - to what lengths will people go to in order to win public office? Now it's murder???
This guy will stop at NOTHING!
And yes, you have no idea how pained I was to reference Leno at all in this clip...;)
This guy will stop at NOTHING!
And yes, you have no idea how pained I was to reference Leno at all in this clip...;)
Thursday, June 21, 2007
A day in the life...
Over the last 10 1/2 years, I've had a lot of people ask me what I do for Kenny. In addition to keeping a very aggressive outreach and public speaking schedule, I get to meet with a lot of constituent groups. People then ask what the meetings are like. Let me share with you a snippet from one of my favorite shows, "The West Wing".
This should give you a pretty good idea. My general personality falls somewhere between C.J. and Josh, though I tip more toward Josh...
This should give you a pretty good idea. My general personality falls somewhere between C.J. and Josh, though I tip more toward Josh...
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Wacko Woman
Resident psycho Britney Spears announced today that she is allowing members of her fan club to vote online and suggest titles for the name of her new album.
Now, since I'm not a member, I'm hoping one of her members comes along to this page, because I have a suggestion.
Why not just call it "AAAAAAIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE: The Voices in My Head Won't Stop!"
Or, how about "Crazy White Woman".
Here's one. "Looney Tunes". That's my personal favorite, though she'll probably have to get a waiver from Warner Brothers.
Now, since I'm not a member, I'm hoping one of her members comes along to this page, because I have a suggestion.
Why not just call it "AAAAAAIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE: The Voices in My Head Won't Stop!"
Or, how about "Crazy White Woman".
Here's one. "Looney Tunes". That's my personal favorite, though she'll probably have to get a waiver from Warner Brothers.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Can you name them all?
When Tammy & I were kids, we absolutely loved Schoolhouse Rock. From "Conjunction Junction" to "I'm Just a Bill" to "Interjections", they were just some of the best and most fun educational moments I can remember - learning without trying (or even knowing you WERE learning!). But, they're just memories from the past.
A few years ago, the WB network (which isn't even around anymore), had a show called "Animaniacs". Here's a great modern-day attempt at a Schoolhouse Rock moment.
Oh, for the simple days...
A few years ago, the WB network (which isn't even around anymore), had a show called "Animaniacs". Here's a great modern-day attempt at a Schoolhouse Rock moment.
Oh, for the simple days...
Monday, June 04, 2007
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Remember, I never liked her
This is the clip where Paula Abdul, former Laker girl, bubble-gum pop star from the 80s, and now American Idol judge, swears she wasn't intoxicated or under the influence of anything, period.
Wow. I saw this and didn't really know how to react. I went from out & out hysterical laughter to the feeling of watching an accident during a televised car race - nothing you can do to stop it, but you're not gonna miss a minute of it, either.
Now remember - she was NOT intoxicated in any way during this infamous interview.
Wow. I saw this and didn't really know how to react. I went from out & out hysterical laughter to the feeling of watching an accident during a televised car race - nothing you can do to stop it, but you're not gonna miss a minute of it, either.
Now remember - she was NOT intoxicated in any way during this infamous interview.
BOOM!
Albert Belle's forearm shiver and the pigeon murdered by Randy Johnson are both among my favorites...
I love summers in Chicago...
OK...I, quite obviously, am a huge Cardinals' fan. This year's not been great, but wow. We may be losin'...but we ain't fightin!
What a professional outfit that bunch is. Awesome.
What a professional outfit that bunch is. Awesome.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
That just burns my butt!
Time for a new feature on our little corner of the blogosphere. Time for you to answer the question, "What burns your butt?"
Gas prices, frivilous lawsuits against restaurants owned by baseball announcers, whatever the case, it's your turn.
Just click the "comment" link below this entry and let us know your thoughts.
This should be good...
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Heeeeeere's Johnny!
I have always - ALWAYS - been a huge fan of Johnny Carson & David Letterman...the rightful heir to Johnny's late-night throne, by the way. Carson was just magical and Letterman had and still has much of that magic and respect for the medium and for those who came before him - most of all, Johnny himself.
With this week marking the 15th anniversary since Johnny went off the air and chin-boy (Leno) being given the keys to a car way, way outta his league, here's a rare glimpse of Johnny & Dave together in Johnny's last tv appearance just over 13 years ago...Friday, May 13, 1994:
Priceless.
With this week marking the 15th anniversary since Johnny went off the air and chin-boy (Leno) being given the keys to a car way, way outta his league, here's a rare glimpse of Johnny & Dave together in Johnny's last tv appearance just over 13 years ago...Friday, May 13, 1994:
Priceless.
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