Last Tuesday, Dawn and I went to our daughter's choral concert at her school. We were both excited to watch her sing, but not all that excited about sitting through the entire program. This was our 4th time going to the "Spring Sing", and although it has always been fun, it's also always been muggy and hard to find a seat. Another issue is dinner. We get home from work fairly late and unless we grab something fast, there just isn't time. This year was no exception. We walked into the tiny, packed, not quite sweltering auditorium right at the time the program was to start. Anyone who knows us well will realize that being right on time for something means we were early. Punctuality has never been our strongest asset to put it mildly, although we are getting better.
Anyway, we said hello to a couple of people and found a nice place to lean since there were no seats available. My feet were already killing me from standing all day at work; my body tired since the day after a holiday is always very busy and because we have an air conditioner that is going on the fritz, and to be truthful, I was not all that interested in being there. But I had to be there. The Christmas concert was canceled this school year due to snow, and this was the only chance we would have to see Rachel sing. She is one of 12 kids in the entire school to make it to Choralaires, which is the top singing group in the school. Truly, even though I was not excited to be there at that moment, I wouldn't have missed it for the world.
The kids were wonderful. Of the 4 times we have seen them perform, this was easily the best. It obviously helped that Rachel was in the top group for the first time, but they did an amazing job. The Choralaires did an acapella version of Bohemian Rhapsody that was so good it actually choked us up. It also cracked us up on a couple of occasions when the kids were doing guitar solos with their voices; you had to hear it to believe it. There were a few other songs that were excellent as well, but this was easily the highlight of the evening as far as Dawn and I were concerned. Another good thing, although not quite as good, was that after the middle school kids performed their 3 songs, several chairs opened up and we got to sit in the 2nd row. My feet found this to be THE highlight.
But that's not what I wanted to tell you about. What kept popping into my head while I was sitting there was the multiple times my parents came to things like this for me, how nervous and uncomfortable I was singing in front of everyone, and how much nicer it was from my standpoint to just observe and be proud of our child. When my father was the age I am now, I was around 8 years old and he was an old man in my eyes. I expect that he just felt like a young guy in a middle-aged body like I do now. I still don't feel like it's possible that I am a grandfather and that my kids are all nearly full grown. I wonder where the time has gone. But at the concert, I put on his shoes for a couple of hours and I kind of liked it. My dad recently turned 80 years old. Now, when I think of him as an old man, I'm actually right. But if I think back to all the wonderful and awful and mundane things that I've been through since I was that 8 year old boy... and if I think of what can happen in my life between now and my 80th birthday if I'm lucky enough to stick around that long, then I'm not an old man at all. I'm a young man who is very excited about what the next 36 years of his life could bring.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
A Goal Reached!
We've certainly fallen off the wagon from our goal reaching over the past month or so! Why is it that we can get so worked up over plans and goals for about 15 minutes, and then they just fall by the roadside? For me it's because I'm so used to my usual routine, and it's difficult to break out of it. Even if it means life will not only be better, but allow me more time to do those things I love. The comfort zone is easily slipped back in to. That is why we call it "comfort". Who wants to be in the "DIScomfort zone"? Certainly not I. Making changes, whether big or small can illicit a certain amount of discomfort, at least in my life.
The GOOD news is, even though we have been too busy with our regular routine to workout, follow a budget, make multiple trips to the dump, spend more time together, eat right and in general just better ourselves, we DID make time to get our website up and running. Well, as best we could for now.
Our ultimate goal is to have a REAL website that isn't just a blog. Something that gives us the freedom to create pages exactly the way we want them. Something more interactive that allows a forum. But for now, we have at least taken the first step to that ultimate goal.
Because we have both been drawn in to Mafia Wars on facebook, the next logical step for us was to create a website that offers ideas and tips for people like us. TADA!!!! Behold http://mafiamaniac.blogspot.com. Our infant. Since posting the site last night, we've received around 100 hits. That is pretty amazing and encouraging! We are on the right track. It's a start and a general push in the right direction. Hopefully it's the push we need to get us back on the wagon with our goal reaching.
Thanks for reading! ~ Dawn
The GOOD news is, even though we have been too busy with our regular routine to workout, follow a budget, make multiple trips to the dump, spend more time together, eat right and in general just better ourselves, we DID make time to get our website up and running. Well, as best we could for now.
Our ultimate goal is to have a REAL website that isn't just a blog. Something that gives us the freedom to create pages exactly the way we want them. Something more interactive that allows a forum. But for now, we have at least taken the first step to that ultimate goal.
Because we have both been drawn in to Mafia Wars on facebook, the next logical step for us was to create a website that offers ideas and tips for people like us. TADA!!!! Behold http://mafiamaniac.blogspot.com. Our infant. Since posting the site last night, we've received around 100 hits. That is pretty amazing and encouraging! We are on the right track. It's a start and a general push in the right direction. Hopefully it's the push we need to get us back on the wagon with our goal reaching.
Thanks for reading! ~ Dawn
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Lawns
I said I'd post at least twice a week. I guess I lied. The thing is, when you start a blog, it's easy. You have all these stories inside just ready to tell and you blast them out day after day. And then, nothing. You sit in front of the keyboard and have nothing to say. I'm going to do my best to be slow and steady for a while. To my friends who read this, feel free to remind me if I'm not posting. Please. It will help. Thanks.
I will never have the nicest lawn on the block. Not even close, especially if we stay here and the guy who lives next door doesn't move. I swear, the dude mows his lawn a minimum of twice a week, even if we are in a rainy stretch. I don't understand. When I get home from work, the absolute last thing I want to do is push a mower around the yard. What's so great about having a nice lawn anyway?
Last year was much better. Dawn's son Matt (the one who had the baby almost two months ago) lived with us, had a nice mower, and was eager to help. The lawn looked decent all summer long. He has since moved out. We had no mower as it broke down two summers ago. I mowed the lawn for the first time all year on Saturday. Those of you who live near me know it was a rainy weekend. Saturday morning was nice, so I called Dawn's ex husband to see if I could borrow their mower. This might sound a little weird to those of you who don't know us, but we have a really good relationship with her ex and his wife. So there I was, attempting to push the mower through knee high, somewhat wet grass when the rain started up again. Mower dies, pull the cord, try to go a little slower, rain comes down a little harder, mower dies... you get the picture. The best part was when this grungy guy on a bike (I'm not sure if he's homeless, but he looks like he might be) comes pedaling up and kind of laughs at me and says, "it don't work too well in the wet grass you know." I mumbled that it was my only chance to get it done, but I really wanted to say "No !@# Sherlock."
Anyway, I get the front and the side done, and the back looks WAY too tall. I decided we'd need a weed eater and then hit it with the mower, and I'm not getting it done today. The rain had stopped at this point and the sun was shining, so I wasn't too concerned about getting the mower put away. Big mistake. After sitting in the bedroom playing on the computer for around 1/2 an hour, it started pouring. Not your typical Oregon drizzle, but a good old-fashioned downpour. I run outside and push the mower out of the rain as fast as I can to get it under our little shelter thingie out in the back and ran into a post. They don't make mower's wheels like they used to. The rim on this one was made out of plastic, probably in China or Taiwan. Now, it's bound for the landfill, and I have to get it fixed. So I have decided that it's time to pave the entire yard. I can paint it green. Won't that look nice?
John
I will never have the nicest lawn on the block. Not even close, especially if we stay here and the guy who lives next door doesn't move. I swear, the dude mows his lawn a minimum of twice a week, even if we are in a rainy stretch. I don't understand. When I get home from work, the absolute last thing I want to do is push a mower around the yard. What's so great about having a nice lawn anyway?
Last year was much better. Dawn's son Matt (the one who had the baby almost two months ago) lived with us, had a nice mower, and was eager to help. The lawn looked decent all summer long. He has since moved out. We had no mower as it broke down two summers ago. I mowed the lawn for the first time all year on Saturday. Those of you who live near me know it was a rainy weekend. Saturday morning was nice, so I called Dawn's ex husband to see if I could borrow their mower. This might sound a little weird to those of you who don't know us, but we have a really good relationship with her ex and his wife. So there I was, attempting to push the mower through knee high, somewhat wet grass when the rain started up again. Mower dies, pull the cord, try to go a little slower, rain comes down a little harder, mower dies... you get the picture. The best part was when this grungy guy on a bike (I'm not sure if he's homeless, but he looks like he might be) comes pedaling up and kind of laughs at me and says, "it don't work too well in the wet grass you know." I mumbled that it was my only chance to get it done, but I really wanted to say "No !@# Sherlock."
Anyway, I get the front and the side done, and the back looks WAY too tall. I decided we'd need a weed eater and then hit it with the mower, and I'm not getting it done today. The rain had stopped at this point and the sun was shining, so I wasn't too concerned about getting the mower put away. Big mistake. After sitting in the bedroom playing on the computer for around 1/2 an hour, it started pouring. Not your typical Oregon drizzle, but a good old-fashioned downpour. I run outside and push the mower out of the rain as fast as I can to get it under our little shelter thingie out in the back and ran into a post. They don't make mower's wheels like they used to. The rim on this one was made out of plastic, probably in China or Taiwan. Now, it's bound for the landfill, and I have to get it fixed. So I have decided that it's time to pave the entire yard. I can paint it green. Won't that look nice?
John
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Finally. A new post!
Sorry it's been so long. Easter came and went, and I got sick... again... so the blog wasn't exactly a priority for a little while. I'll put it in writing though, for those of you who have been asking me about this... and you can bring it up to me if I fall behind again... but unless there are extreme circumstances, I will post twice a week minimum from here on out.
We have been busy working on our project that we hinted at in earlier posts. Tomorrow night, we are taking some steps to further this project, so don't expect to see us hanging around on facebook. We are allowing ourselves half an hour to read our email etc. and then we shall be hard at work trying to launch our new business.
Part of the reason for the lack of posts here, I must admit, was a slight feeling of discouragement. We ran into some snags. With some help from a friend, and a few ideas of our own, I believe we have worked out a temporary solution to the issues. Here's the thing though. This "business" has an extremely low start-up cost, so it's very low risk, and has a pretty good potential to bring in some money. My original thoughts on it were that it would be highly profitable right away, but I've toned down my expectations a little. The thing is, if we net a profit of more than a few dollars, then everything else beyond that will be gravy. I'm hoping for lots of gravy, but will accept whatever comes from this. Then, if it doesn't turn into a money maker, I won't be crushed and afraid to try the next idea I get. Dawn and I will simply learn from it, and move forward.
Last point. The other night I had a few beers. I never drink enough to get drunk anymore, but a few beers will loosen my tongue. I was a little whiny at first I think. But then I said to Dawn, "We are two extremely capable people. At work, we are always the people who get things done. We are going to get things done for ourselves." We came to a decision about money. It's just a game. The paper it's printed on is not worth much more than the fancy stationery she keeps in her drawer. The number that the bank has in their computer that shows what we're worth is just a number. 1,234,567.89 It's just a number. That one over there is a whole lot bigger than the number that our bank has for us, but we know it's just a number; not the end-all/be-all of human existence. Money is just a game, like monopoly or Risk. I'm good at those. My attitude is changing. Maybe that's what I've needed for years.
John
We have been busy working on our project that we hinted at in earlier posts. Tomorrow night, we are taking some steps to further this project, so don't expect to see us hanging around on facebook. We are allowing ourselves half an hour to read our email etc. and then we shall be hard at work trying to launch our new business.
Part of the reason for the lack of posts here, I must admit, was a slight feeling of discouragement. We ran into some snags. With some help from a friend, and a few ideas of our own, I believe we have worked out a temporary solution to the issues. Here's the thing though. This "business" has an extremely low start-up cost, so it's very low risk, and has a pretty good potential to bring in some money. My original thoughts on it were that it would be highly profitable right away, but I've toned down my expectations a little. The thing is, if we net a profit of more than a few dollars, then everything else beyond that will be gravy. I'm hoping for lots of gravy, but will accept whatever comes from this. Then, if it doesn't turn into a money maker, I won't be crushed and afraid to try the next idea I get. Dawn and I will simply learn from it, and move forward.
Last point. The other night I had a few beers. I never drink enough to get drunk anymore, but a few beers will loosen my tongue. I was a little whiny at first I think. But then I said to Dawn, "We are two extremely capable people. At work, we are always the people who get things done. We are going to get things done for ourselves." We came to a decision about money. It's just a game. The paper it's printed on is not worth much more than the fancy stationery she keeps in her drawer. The number that the bank has in their computer that shows what we're worth is just a number. 1,234,567.89 It's just a number. That one over there is a whole lot bigger than the number that our bank has for us, but we know it's just a number; not the end-all/be-all of human existence. Money is just a game, like monopoly or Risk. I'm good at those. My attitude is changing. Maybe that's what I've needed for years.
John
Friday, April 10, 2009
8 things to do when you've had a bad day
8 things to do when you've had a bad day
It seems like everyone I've talked to today had one of those days. Nothing tragically bad or anything... just a garden variety crappy day. Just so you know... I'm no therapist, so if things are really awful for you, then go see someone. But, if you're just crabby, or work sucked, or your spouse is giving you a headache, or the car broke down... here are my 8 things to do when you've had a bad day... in no particular order of course.
1. Stare at stuff. Some people choose the TV, some the computer... me, I just stare at whatever for as long as I can stand it. Does it help? Heck no, but after a while, I get really bored and go to sleep. Which is a good thing as long as I don't dream about my crappy day.
2. Make fun of other people. Nothing makes me feel more special than making fun of someone who can't spell or mispronounces things. You might be spelling impaired... that's okay. Just make fun of the bald guy (that would be me) or the lady who loves Coldplay (Dawn). Whatever it is that makes you feel like you're better than someone, laugh at them for it. Maybe not in their face unless you're a close friend (my friends can make fun of my lack of hair all they want because it won't bother me) and you know it won't make them sad.
3. Do the Safety Dance. You can dance if you wannoo, you can leave your friends behind. Cuz yer friends don't dance and if they don't dance well they're no friends of mine. Youtube it. Great fun.
4. Look at your high school yearbook. This is especially good if you went to high school in the 80's. Oh my gosh were we a bunch of dorks. Look at that hair. What was she thinking? What was I thinking when I thought she looked cute? Oh, and that guy was Mr. popularity? HAH! The guys who were the big nerds... bet that several of them made their fortunes and are laughing at that guy who was on the football team and now all he has to show for it is a bad knee and a big gut.
5. Tease your pets. Nothing says fun like putting tape on the bottom of kitty's paws and watching her go a little crazy. Unless of course, it's feeding Fido a stick of chewing gum or a tootsie roll and watching him try to chew it up.
6. Do something awkward in public. Stuck at a stop light? Put your finger in your nose and turn to the window and look at the person in the next car. Go to the safeway and when a song comes on that you know, sing it... and be loud! If you see someone in the aisle that you don't know, walk right toward them as they walk toward you and make them do that little dance with you. You know the one. Both go right, both go left, trying not to run into each other. It's much more fun when you do it on purpose. Trust me.
7. Embarass your kids. You gotta love turning your kids all red. Especially when they are with friends. It's just too much fun to talk about things they did when they were younger... or things you did last night. They love that. Trust me on this one too.
8. Smile. It could be worse.
John
It seems like everyone I've talked to today had one of those days. Nothing tragically bad or anything... just a garden variety crappy day. Just so you know... I'm no therapist, so if things are really awful for you, then go see someone. But, if you're just crabby, or work sucked, or your spouse is giving you a headache, or the car broke down... here are my 8 things to do when you've had a bad day... in no particular order of course.
1. Stare at stuff. Some people choose the TV, some the computer... me, I just stare at whatever for as long as I can stand it. Does it help? Heck no, but after a while, I get really bored and go to sleep. Which is a good thing as long as I don't dream about my crappy day.
2. Make fun of other people. Nothing makes me feel more special than making fun of someone who can't spell or mispronounces things. You might be spelling impaired... that's okay. Just make fun of the bald guy (that would be me) or the lady who loves Coldplay (Dawn). Whatever it is that makes you feel like you're better than someone, laugh at them for it. Maybe not in their face unless you're a close friend (my friends can make fun of my lack of hair all they want because it won't bother me) and you know it won't make them sad.
3. Do the Safety Dance. You can dance if you wannoo, you can leave your friends behind. Cuz yer friends don't dance and if they don't dance well they're no friends of mine. Youtube it. Great fun.
4. Look at your high school yearbook. This is especially good if you went to high school in the 80's. Oh my gosh were we a bunch of dorks. Look at that hair. What was she thinking? What was I thinking when I thought she looked cute? Oh, and that guy was Mr. popularity? HAH! The guys who were the big nerds... bet that several of them made their fortunes and are laughing at that guy who was on the football team and now all he has to show for it is a bad knee and a big gut.
5. Tease your pets. Nothing says fun like putting tape on the bottom of kitty's paws and watching her go a little crazy. Unless of course, it's feeding Fido a stick of chewing gum or a tootsie roll and watching him try to chew it up.
6. Do something awkward in public. Stuck at a stop light? Put your finger in your nose and turn to the window and look at the person in the next car. Go to the safeway and when a song comes on that you know, sing it... and be loud! If you see someone in the aisle that you don't know, walk right toward them as they walk toward you and make them do that little dance with you. You know the one. Both go right, both go left, trying not to run into each other. It's much more fun when you do it on purpose. Trust me.
7. Embarass your kids. You gotta love turning your kids all red. Especially when they are with friends. It's just too much fun to talk about things they did when they were younger... or things you did last night. They love that. Trust me on this one too.
8. Smile. It could be worse.
John
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
If you could only see...
... the way she loves me, maybe you would understand. I know we said this blog was about goal setting and accomplishments, but I hope you'll excuse me if I ramble on about my best friend for a couple of paragraphs. I've never been a mushy, touchy feely, emotional kind of person. Dawn has changed me somewhat in that regard. In marriage number one, my guy friends were extremely important to me. I needed a whole lot of hanging out with the guys... poker games, going to a bar, golf, and bowling once a week. With Dawn, I really don't need that. We truly are each other's best friend, and I never believed that was possible between a man and a woman. I thought it was just an overused cliche, or that maybe some women believed it was possible, but never experienced it. The problem is, most couples form because of physical attraction, and as they age, maybe one of them doesn't have the same sex drive they did when they were in their 20s, and because of that, the relationship suffers. With Dawn and I, it was honestly "friends first." We weren't trying to get into each other's pants. We learned each other's likes and dislikes and how to make each other laugh. It was a great foundation to what has been a pretty amazing relationship.
Now just so you know, if you are married, and this doesn't sound like your relationship, I am not telling you to go looking for someone else! What I would tell you to do if you are in an uncommunicative relationship is... drum roll please... TALK TO EACH OTHER! Sounds tough right? Not. But, it's WAY easier said than done. Married people, or people in long term relationships tend to set a pattern after a few years and it gets exaggerated over time. It's almost like developing a habit. After the initial lovey-dovey portion of the relationship has worn off, lots of couples tend to take each other for granted. Stop right there! Don't let it happen. If it has happened, take some time to find the woman or the man you fell in love with once upon a time. Don't expect it to turn around overnight. Your partner will still be expecting the same relationship that you had the day or the week or the month before. If you keep putting forth the effort to bring your relationship to a new level, more than likely, your "better half" will respond in kind at some point.
Dawn and I talk to each other. It's become a habit to share each other's day. When it's been a bad one, we know to give some space... at least for a little while. We rarely fight, but when we do, it's not over a period of days where we are keeping it in and holding a grudge towards the other. I said this post was not about goals, but it really is. One of my most important goals is to have a happy marriage for "As long as we both shall live." Seriously. It's way higher than money or vacations or things. I want to be able to look back in 40 years and know that I did everything I could to make her happy. That I was the best husband I could've been. Because she's worth it.
Friday, April 3, 2009
We are HUGE in India
Just a quickie here tonight as it is late and I am in dire need of some sleep. Something happened to me today that I never expected and I think it's worth sharing here. I know that the vast majority of you reading this are Dawn's and my facebook friends. Many are friends in real life, but we have not met all of you in person. Dawn and I have recently gotten into Mafia wars in a big way. To "grow our mafia" we decided to post links to ourselves on several Mafia Wars groups. In order for someone to join your mafia, they first have to be a friend on FB. So all of a sudden we went from having 100-150 real life friends that were also FB friends, to having around 600 "close" FB friends who we have never or rarely chatted with. Then Mafia Wars added a feature called gifting. There are some "Rewards" you get added to your vault when you complete a task. You get rings, cigars, poker chips and playing cards along with a few others. The gifting feature allows you to trade with other players you have in your mafia. I went a little nuts with the trading. Sort of like I did with Baseball cards when I was a kid. Just had to have the whole set. I built up a bit of a rep as someone to talk to when you needed to make a trade. Made several FB friends who I actually talk to now.
One of these friends said hello to me tonight. He lives in India. I've also traded and chatted with someone in Singapore, England, Ireland...even Boston if you believe it. Oh yeah. Boston! Anyway, my friend from India... says hi. Asks if I need a card for my collection. I told him no. I've filled the whole set. He says "Cool. Me too." A few minutes go by and he says, Nice blog BTW. I like it. Dawn's too." I was happy he had checked it out, but it didn't sink in immediately what had happened. Something that Dawn and I had written was read in India. Never in my wildest dreams, or Dawn's for that matter, had we imagined that. I mean it's just a silly little blog, but still. A 21 year old guy read my writing on his computer screen in India. How flippin' cool is that?
John
One of these friends said hello to me tonight. He lives in India. I've also traded and chatted with someone in Singapore, England, Ireland...even Boston if you believe it. Oh yeah. Boston! Anyway, my friend from India... says hi. Asks if I need a card for my collection. I told him no. I've filled the whole set. He says "Cool. Me too." A few minutes go by and he says, Nice blog BTW. I like it. Dawn's too." I was happy he had checked it out, but it didn't sink in immediately what had happened. Something that Dawn and I had written was read in India. Never in my wildest dreams, or Dawn's for that matter, had we imagined that. I mean it's just a silly little blog, but still. A 21 year old guy read my writing on his computer screen in India. How flippin' cool is that?
John
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Immortality musings
I watched Twilight last night. Not really by choice. Dawn and her sister made me. They actually tied me to the chair and propped my eyelids open with toothpicks so I had to watch. Can you believe that? No? Fine... I'm a liar. Truth be told, I wasn't against watching it, but not all that excited about it either. I've never been into vampires, and action movies don't really do it for me either. I know, I'm a guy and I'm supposed to be into action flicks, but a lot of them have all these chases and fights and that's the whole plot. I like action to advance the plot, not to BE the plot.
So anyway, I really liked it. If you haven't seen it and want to, don't worry, you can read further. I'm not going to spoil it for you. The film goes into more of what these people are thinking and their internal conflicts than it does into car chases and fights. There are both of those, but they are secondary to the movie. Part of it got me thinking though. Just after Bella realizes that Edward is a vampire, they show him playing the piano, and doing it well. My thought was, what would I do if I were immortal? What special talent would I try to develop over the years? I know I'd want to learn to play an instrument, and learn a new language or two. But really, what I'd want to do is to be the best writer I could be. I have a love/hate relationship with writing. At the moment, this post is proving to be a little difficult for me. Don't know why. Sometimes the words just flow and I love it. Not right now.
Here's my point though. We aren't immortal... at least not as far as this world goes. In actuality, I wouldn't want to be. But why shouldn't I be living my life as if I were immortal? Why am I not doing everything I can do in this finite life to try to live up to my imaginary immortal one? Why do I waste so much time, considering I only have a limited amount of it? Time is something we cannot get back. Warning, here comes a cliche... Carpe Diem! Seize the day! We should develop our skills each and every day as if we were going to use them for all eternity. I'm still going to waste time, I know that I can't change that overnight. But I'll tell you this. I'm sure going to try harder to live like an immortal.
John
So anyway, I really liked it. If you haven't seen it and want to, don't worry, you can read further. I'm not going to spoil it for you. The film goes into more of what these people are thinking and their internal conflicts than it does into car chases and fights. There are both of those, but they are secondary to the movie. Part of it got me thinking though. Just after Bella realizes that Edward is a vampire, they show him playing the piano, and doing it well. My thought was, what would I do if I were immortal? What special talent would I try to develop over the years? I know I'd want to learn to play an instrument, and learn a new language or two. But really, what I'd want to do is to be the best writer I could be. I have a love/hate relationship with writing. At the moment, this post is proving to be a little difficult for me. Don't know why. Sometimes the words just flow and I love it. Not right now.
Here's my point though. We aren't immortal... at least not as far as this world goes. In actuality, I wouldn't want to be. But why shouldn't I be living my life as if I were immortal? Why am I not doing everything I can do in this finite life to try to live up to my imaginary immortal one? Why do I waste so much time, considering I only have a limited amount of it? Time is something we cannot get back. Warning, here comes a cliche... Carpe Diem! Seize the day! We should develop our skills each and every day as if we were going to use them for all eternity. I'm still going to waste time, I know that I can't change that overnight. But I'll tell you this. I'm sure going to try harder to live like an immortal.
John
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Story of a Couple
Well, we've let this slide by the past couple of days. Still healing up from this darn bug we've had. However, we haven't stopped working on our goals. In fact, YO has been hard at work on our goals, whilst I sit by and wait for direction and timing. This project we are working on is great fun for us! We are both looking forward to seeing it through to it's final stage.
I met a man today who lost his wife to cancer about 5 years ago. What a great guy! He had such a wonderful outlook on life. Ten days after he came home from Vietnam, he was in a bar in a small town here in Oregon and this beautiful woman walked in. She was about 130 pounds with long dark wavy hair. He took one look at her and told his friend he was going to marry her. Thirty-six days later, they were married. He said it took some fancy talking and a lot of lies on his part to make it happen. They started a trucking business together, she did the books, he handled the trucking and sales. Their goal was to build a life without worries so they could raise their children (5 of them) in comfort.
When their children were nearly grown, this man (Kurt) bought a brand new fancy semi truck. His wife was ANGRY. He bought it without talking it over with her, and she new it would cut into their lifestyle. Not that they lived a plush life. They had their needs met.
One night, he walked into the house after work and she gave him a kiss and handed him a stack of papers. He said, "what is this?" "Divorce papers" she answered. She was leaving him because he stepped over the line by spending that kind of money, and he wouldn't turn the truck back in. She took her bags and walked out the door as he stood their completely bewildered.
In divorce court, the judge ruled that Kurt could pay $300 a month per child for support. His wife started waving her arm saying "Your Honor! Your Honor!" When he asked her what the problem was, she said "He can't afford to pay that much! I do his books! Now that he's bought that truck, he can't afford anything! That's what this is all about!"
The judge asked Kurt if this were true and Kurt told him yes. The judge then asked Kurt's wife if she loved him. She said yes, with all her heart. He ordered Kurt to get rid of the truck. Kurt agreed, and his wife was home with him again that night.
I laughed the whole way through this man's story. I just thought it was GREAT! And what a way for her to make her point! Stick to our goals! Don't go off on your own little tangent without me!
Kurt said that they retired 5 years before she died of cancer and they were able to travel around in a travel trailer and had the best time together. It was what they had been working toward all along. The children grown and gone, and just the two of them, living their dream. When she died, he went back to work. Lucky for me, because that is how I got to meet him today. He is a janitor at Spirit Mountain Casino and I have to tell you, listening to his stories are better than sitting at a comedy club. He ended the story by telling me that once she was gone, there wasn't anything left for him to do but go back to work and wait out his time to be with her again. I almost cried. And I'm a better person for having met him. I hope I see him again someday.
This is what I want. A relationship that involves two people working together on goals that will further their future. Allow them to have a little fun later in life. I think -- no, I know, that is what we are working toward here. Thank you, Honey... for what you are doing right now. I'm behind you all the way. But... if you buy a semi truck... I'll be handing you papers as well! :)
Thanks for reading - Dawn
I met a man today who lost his wife to cancer about 5 years ago. What a great guy! He had such a wonderful outlook on life. Ten days after he came home from Vietnam, he was in a bar in a small town here in Oregon and this beautiful woman walked in. She was about 130 pounds with long dark wavy hair. He took one look at her and told his friend he was going to marry her. Thirty-six days later, they were married. He said it took some fancy talking and a lot of lies on his part to make it happen. They started a trucking business together, she did the books, he handled the trucking and sales. Their goal was to build a life without worries so they could raise their children (5 of them) in comfort.
When their children were nearly grown, this man (Kurt) bought a brand new fancy semi truck. His wife was ANGRY. He bought it without talking it over with her, and she new it would cut into their lifestyle. Not that they lived a plush life. They had their needs met.
One night, he walked into the house after work and she gave him a kiss and handed him a stack of papers. He said, "what is this?" "Divorce papers" she answered. She was leaving him because he stepped over the line by spending that kind of money, and he wouldn't turn the truck back in. She took her bags and walked out the door as he stood their completely bewildered.
In divorce court, the judge ruled that Kurt could pay $300 a month per child for support. His wife started waving her arm saying "Your Honor! Your Honor!" When he asked her what the problem was, she said "He can't afford to pay that much! I do his books! Now that he's bought that truck, he can't afford anything! That's what this is all about!"
The judge asked Kurt if this were true and Kurt told him yes. The judge then asked Kurt's wife if she loved him. She said yes, with all her heart. He ordered Kurt to get rid of the truck. Kurt agreed, and his wife was home with him again that night.
I laughed the whole way through this man's story. I just thought it was GREAT! And what a way for her to make her point! Stick to our goals! Don't go off on your own little tangent without me!
Kurt said that they retired 5 years before she died of cancer and they were able to travel around in a travel trailer and had the best time together. It was what they had been working toward all along. The children grown and gone, and just the two of them, living their dream. When she died, he went back to work. Lucky for me, because that is how I got to meet him today. He is a janitor at Spirit Mountain Casino and I have to tell you, listening to his stories are better than sitting at a comedy club. He ended the story by telling me that once she was gone, there wasn't anything left for him to do but go back to work and wait out his time to be with her again. I almost cried. And I'm a better person for having met him. I hope I see him again someday.
This is what I want. A relationship that involves two people working together on goals that will further their future. Allow them to have a little fun later in life. I think -- no, I know, that is what we are working toward here. Thank you, Honey... for what you are doing right now. I'm behind you all the way. But... if you buy a semi truck... I'll be handing you papers as well! :)
Thanks for reading - Dawn
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Nyquil
The sickening, screw up your head, make your eyes water when you try to swallow it, fade into oblivion medicine. Where's Dawn with that water when I need it? Ahhhh. Anyway, if this post is a little sloopy, plaease forgive me. Thankshh.
So we took a small leap of faith in my idea and invested a little bit of money into it. I have always been an idea man, kind of like Michael Keaton in Night Shift... anyone see that one? I bought it out of the 5 dollar bin at Walmart a few years back. It wasn't a good as I remembered, but still had it's moments. Anyway, in the movie, Michael Keaton is always coming up with these hare-brained schemes and never following through with them. Mine are not quite so hare-brained, but the following through has always been a bit of an issue with me. Not quite sure why. Friday and Saturday night, we took steps 1 and 2 to ensure that this isn't just another thing we end up chasing for a short time and blow off. I think you'll like it when we are ready to show it... hoping by the end of next week.
That's it for now. I'm about to go off into never never land. Sunday will be a big day for us methinks. I gotta get some rest. John
So we took a small leap of faith in my idea and invested a little bit of money into it. I have always been an idea man, kind of like Michael Keaton in Night Shift... anyone see that one? I bought it out of the 5 dollar bin at Walmart a few years back. It wasn't a good as I remembered, but still had it's moments. Anyway, in the movie, Michael Keaton is always coming up with these hare-brained schemes and never following through with them. Mine are not quite so hare-brained, but the following through has always been a bit of an issue with me. Not quite sure why. Friday and Saturday night, we took steps 1 and 2 to ensure that this isn't just another thing we end up chasing for a short time and blow off. I think you'll like it when we are ready to show it... hoping by the end of next week.
That's it for now. I'm about to go off into never never land. Sunday will be a big day for us methinks. I gotta get some rest. John
Friday, March 27, 2009
Sickness Be Damned!
This has been a rough week all the way around! I don't know about the rest of you, but when I'm sick, I am completely drained and devoid of any desire to be productive in any way. The only thing I want to do is look at the back of my eyelids. Let me tell you, I've looked at the back of mine a lot the past couple of days, and man o man have I had some really bizarre dreams as a result of that! I'm sure the antibiotics the doctor prescribed have a lot to do with that.
John seems to be kicking the bug with the same attitude he always has when he starts to get sick... "I am NOT getting sick!" For some reason, when I try to kick a bug headed my way, my legs get swiped out from beneath me and I'm down for the count. I'm sure my employer thinks I'm out having a great time shopping. I'd love to show him the multitude of wadded up kleenex on my floor filled with, well... you get the picture.
So my thought today has been "why in the world do we have to work 5 days a week and only rest for 2 days a week." I say that tongue in cheek, a bit. But I actually mean it. John and I are not cut out for working for someone else full time. That has always been something we both want to conquer as soon as possible. Part of our "goal reaching" is to get us to that point. We have talents. I don't know if anyone would pay to see John juggle eggs or not, but we got talents.
Tonite, I saw my husband dance/bounce up and down on the bed because he has come up with a great idea that we are going to pursue. I won't share what it is yet. It will be sprung on the world soon enough. But, I just thought you should know, that even though we are sick and feeling cruddy and foggy headed... we can at least still THINK about our goals. This one is a good one. Genius even. Worthy of adding to the posterboard, lemme tell ya.
It's late. I just needed to get this down before I fall asleep tonite. Goals are worth striving for. And sometimes, when you become goal oriented, a great idea hits. I love that. - Dawn
John seems to be kicking the bug with the same attitude he always has when he starts to get sick... "I am NOT getting sick!" For some reason, when I try to kick a bug headed my way, my legs get swiped out from beneath me and I'm down for the count. I'm sure my employer thinks I'm out having a great time shopping. I'd love to show him the multitude of wadded up kleenex on my floor filled with, well... you get the picture.
So my thought today has been "why in the world do we have to work 5 days a week and only rest for 2 days a week." I say that tongue in cheek, a bit. But I actually mean it. John and I are not cut out for working for someone else full time. That has always been something we both want to conquer as soon as possible. Part of our "goal reaching" is to get us to that point. We have talents. I don't know if anyone would pay to see John juggle eggs or not, but we got talents.
Tonite, I saw my husband dance/bounce up and down on the bed because he has come up with a great idea that we are going to pursue. I won't share what it is yet. It will be sprung on the world soon enough. But, I just thought you should know, that even though we are sick and feeling cruddy and foggy headed... we can at least still THINK about our goals. This one is a good one. Genius even. Worthy of adding to the posterboard, lemme tell ya.
It's late. I just needed to get this down before I fall asleep tonite. Goals are worth striving for. And sometimes, when you become goal oriented, a great idea hits. I love that. - Dawn
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
quitting smoking
So now I am feeling sick as well. Not nearly as bad as the other two in my house, but not good either. Dawn went to the doc and she has bronchitis and an ear infection. I just ache everywhere. Sarah is in the kitchen coughing every 30 seconds or so. We aren't very motivated to go for goals right now. I've been motivated to sit around and do nothing today though. I accomplished that one for sure. WTG John!
Anyway, I don't feel that this will be too big of a setback. I'm just hoping that Dawn's antibiotics, and my vitamin C and rest will help us have a better day tomorrow. Here's the good thing that has come out of it. WE ARE GOING TO QUIT SMOKING! It's been something that we've wanted to do for a long time, but never seem to get done. Last time we tried, I was the one who caved. I was not functioning at all. After a week, I literally stopped being human. Couldn't eat, sleep, couldn't do my business if you know what I mean, and I was not a nice person. Those of you who know me know that I'm almost always nice. I got downright nasty.
Not this time though. I've tried the patch and the gum and pills and none of them worked. What works for me is the lozenges. I bought some not so long ago and when I really need a smoke and can't go have one, I take one of those. They work. Of course I'll have to wean myself off of those over time, but I am going to make it. Dawn did okay last time, other than having to deal with her nasty husband. It's going to work! We need to do it for our health, and we need the money. Cigs are going up around a buck a pack in this area the first of next month. I'm seriously done this time. I mean it!
John
Anyway, I don't feel that this will be too big of a setback. I'm just hoping that Dawn's antibiotics, and my vitamin C and rest will help us have a better day tomorrow. Here's the good thing that has come out of it. WE ARE GOING TO QUIT SMOKING! It's been something that we've wanted to do for a long time, but never seem to get done. Last time we tried, I was the one who caved. I was not functioning at all. After a week, I literally stopped being human. Couldn't eat, sleep, couldn't do my business if you know what I mean, and I was not a nice person. Those of you who know me know that I'm almost always nice. I got downright nasty.
Not this time though. I've tried the patch and the gum and pills and none of them worked. What works for me is the lozenges. I bought some not so long ago and when I really need a smoke and can't go have one, I take one of those. They work. Of course I'll have to wean myself off of those over time, but I am going to make it. Dawn did okay last time, other than having to deal with her nasty husband. It's going to work! We need to do it for our health, and we need the money. Cigs are going up around a buck a pack in this area the first of next month. I'm seriously done this time. I mean it!
John
Monday, March 23, 2009
Communication Breakdown
So Dawn is sick. Very sick. She has a bad case of bronchitis and is not feeling up to doing much of anything. I tried to get her to stop worrying about folding laundry and that kind of thing, but the best I could do in that area was to just help out. She was talking about getting ready for bed soon and I asked her if we could talk about things for a few minutes before she crashed out. "Just like 10 minutes or so, okay?" She agreed. I sat back down at the computer and saw a friend I know via telephone at work (she's one of my drug vendors) on facebook and started to chat with her. Of course, that was when Dawn was ready to spend our 10 minutes. I began wrapping up my conversation before it had even started and Dawn said in a slightly irritated voice, "Just tell me when you're ready."
Now in my mind, when she said she was almost ready for bed, but was still clicking away on the laptop, that said to me that she wasn't quite ready, and that it would be okay to continue with what I was doing for a little while. The irritated voice a few minutes later told me something different. I quickly said goodbye and saw that Dawn was folding clothes on the bed, so I jumped in to help. I started to talk about an idea I had for the blog and she said that I'm too focused on the blog as a goal rather than have the blog as a tool we are using in order to focus on our goals. This made some sense to me. But I had no idea what to write about. I said I'd figure something out as we finished off the folding, and then I went back to see what was going on at Facebook. Big mistake! It turned out for the best, but it felt like one of our semi-annual arguments was about to take place for a minute or two there. I closed internet explorer down entirely and turned to look at her. She even seemed mad about me doing that for a bit and I said. "I thought we were done. 10 minutes, right?" She said in a very calm tone of voice, "If you want to be done, then that's fine."
The failure of my 1st marriage, and several years of dealing with women has made me a whole lot better at reading them than I used to be. 15 years ago, I would've thought to myself, "I guess everything is fine. I'll just head back to the computer and see if my friend is still on." Not that I had Facebook back then, but you get the idea. I wasn't very bright back then I guess. Anyway, I knew it was time for a talk. What came out of it was this. I don't pay attention sometimes. Weird right? A guy who gets involved with computers, sports, tv shows, movies etc. and ignores his wife. Who woulda thunk it? Dawn is funny sometimes. If she's telling me something and I catch myself not being focused and I ask her to repeat herself, she won't do it. Figures if I didn't think it was important enough to listen in the first place, then why should she have to tell the story again. That happened more often early in our relationship than it does now because we are both working to meet somewhere in the middle. We both realize that I don't always pay attention. I'm trying to get better at listening and catch myself quicker, while she's trying to make sure she has my attention. It's starting to work. But it took some effort to get here.
Tonight we made a deal. If I'm playing around on here and Dawn has something to say, she will call my name and then wait for me to look. My part of the deal is that I have to try to look up quicker. It's not that men (or in this case me) don't want to listen to their wives. We do. I promise. It's just that we get caught up in what we are doing and are unable to instantly turn that on and off. I'm generalizing by saying that, but it seems to me that most men are guilty as charged on this count. And if I had to guess, I'd say it pisses most of their wives off.
John
Now in my mind, when she said she was almost ready for bed, but was still clicking away on the laptop, that said to me that she wasn't quite ready, and that it would be okay to continue with what I was doing for a little while. The irritated voice a few minutes later told me something different. I quickly said goodbye and saw that Dawn was folding clothes on the bed, so I jumped in to help. I started to talk about an idea I had for the blog and she said that I'm too focused on the blog as a goal rather than have the blog as a tool we are using in order to focus on our goals. This made some sense to me. But I had no idea what to write about. I said I'd figure something out as we finished off the folding, and then I went back to see what was going on at Facebook. Big mistake! It turned out for the best, but it felt like one of our semi-annual arguments was about to take place for a minute or two there. I closed internet explorer down entirely and turned to look at her. She even seemed mad about me doing that for a bit and I said. "I thought we were done. 10 minutes, right?" She said in a very calm tone of voice, "If you want to be done, then that's fine."
The failure of my 1st marriage, and several years of dealing with women has made me a whole lot better at reading them than I used to be. 15 years ago, I would've thought to myself, "I guess everything is fine. I'll just head back to the computer and see if my friend is still on." Not that I had Facebook back then, but you get the idea. I wasn't very bright back then I guess. Anyway, I knew it was time for a talk. What came out of it was this. I don't pay attention sometimes. Weird right? A guy who gets involved with computers, sports, tv shows, movies etc. and ignores his wife. Who woulda thunk it? Dawn is funny sometimes. If she's telling me something and I catch myself not being focused and I ask her to repeat herself, she won't do it. Figures if I didn't think it was important enough to listen in the first place, then why should she have to tell the story again. That happened more often early in our relationship than it does now because we are both working to meet somewhere in the middle. We both realize that I don't always pay attention. I'm trying to get better at listening and catch myself quicker, while she's trying to make sure she has my attention. It's starting to work. But it took some effort to get here.
Tonight we made a deal. If I'm playing around on here and Dawn has something to say, she will call my name and then wait for me to look. My part of the deal is that I have to try to look up quicker. It's not that men (or in this case me) don't want to listen to their wives. We do. I promise. It's just that we get caught up in what we are doing and are unable to instantly turn that on and off. I'm generalizing by saying that, but it seems to me that most men are guilty as charged on this count. And if I had to guess, I'd say it pisses most of their wives off.
John
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Weekly Goal Review - Week 1
Whew! We made it through the first week. Now it's time to see what we've accomplished. Obviously, we started a blog, which may not sound like a big deal, but it is something I've wanted to do for a long time. We have over 200 hits in the first week, many of which would be from Dawn and I, but if I had to guess, that number would be around 50 or 60. So that, along with the comments we are getting on Facebook, tells me that some people are actually reading our work here and enjoying it. As someone who loves to write, I can't begin to tell you how happy that makes me. It's also an excellent motivation to continue.
We worked out 1 time only. We each have legitimate excuses for not doing it more, but in order for us to accomplish the goal of getting in better shape, we will have to fight through those. One of our goals in this area is to buy a Wii and also the Wii fit program. I hear it is fun and a great workout. It's just a matter of coming up with a few hundred spare dollars, which is something we don't have right now. The other thing we are doing in order to get in shape/get healthy is to look online for recipes for inexpensive, healthy meals. That can be a problem with eating healthier; it costs more. That's Dawn's department. If we find something we like, we will share.
With the exception of the night at the hospital that Dawn described so wonderfully, we have put in our hour per day faithfully every day this week. It hasn't been easy, but we have done it. The habit is beginning to be formed. The baby steps are being taken. It has caused us to think about things in a different light. Even at work, while I'm filling prescriptions, something will pop into my head quite often. A new idea to take things just another step further. A new way of processing thoughts to open myself up to opportunities has begun forming itself in my mind. As the great poet Alan Menken put it, "A whole new world, a new fantastic point of view. No one to tell us no, or where to go, or say we're only dreaming." Yes, it's corny and a cliche, but it's also true. We, as individuals, have been given the power to change our lives. Most won't do it, or blame their circumstances on others, but each of us truly has the power to make ourselves better.
This is a call to action for those of you who have been reading this. Nearly everyone has something about themselves that they would like to change, or something that they've always wanted to do but haven't gotten around to yet. What is it for you? Think about it for just a few minutes after you read this. Napoleon Hill says "What the mind can conceive and believe, it can acheive." Let us know what you can conceive. We truly want to hear from you. The next step is allowing your mind to come up with ways to believe in the idea. If you stop listening to the naysayers, and the negative self talk that you probably have rattling through your brain, you could just come up with and do something that will amaze you.
John
We worked out 1 time only. We each have legitimate excuses for not doing it more, but in order for us to accomplish the goal of getting in better shape, we will have to fight through those. One of our goals in this area is to buy a Wii and also the Wii fit program. I hear it is fun and a great workout. It's just a matter of coming up with a few hundred spare dollars, which is something we don't have right now. The other thing we are doing in order to get in shape/get healthy is to look online for recipes for inexpensive, healthy meals. That can be a problem with eating healthier; it costs more. That's Dawn's department. If we find something we like, we will share.
With the exception of the night at the hospital that Dawn described so wonderfully, we have put in our hour per day faithfully every day this week. It hasn't been easy, but we have done it. The habit is beginning to be formed. The baby steps are being taken. It has caused us to think about things in a different light. Even at work, while I'm filling prescriptions, something will pop into my head quite often. A new idea to take things just another step further. A new way of processing thoughts to open myself up to opportunities has begun forming itself in my mind. As the great poet Alan Menken put it, "A whole new world, a new fantastic point of view. No one to tell us no, or where to go, or say we're only dreaming." Yes, it's corny and a cliche, but it's also true. We, as individuals, have been given the power to change our lives. Most won't do it, or blame their circumstances on others, but each of us truly has the power to make ourselves better.
This is a call to action for those of you who have been reading this. Nearly everyone has something about themselves that they would like to change, or something that they've always wanted to do but haven't gotten around to yet. What is it for you? Think about it for just a few minutes after you read this. Napoleon Hill says "What the mind can conceive and believe, it can acheive." Let us know what you can conceive. We truly want to hear from you. The next step is allowing your mind to come up with ways to believe in the idea. If you stop listening to the naysayers, and the negative self talk that you probably have rattling through your brain, you could just come up with and do something that will amaze you.
John
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