Well, this holiday signals the end of the summer season doesn't it? It has been a good weekend - spent some time with friends, ate out, went shopping and hit a big Flea Market in town.
It cracks me up that it is called Labor Day and yet it is a time when most folks don't work. I am happy for the day off but I will probably be confused the rest of the week at work.
Planning for travel this week. Will be in Dallas and Louisiana next week and then travel for several weeks in Phoenix. I am happy to get on the road and get out of the office.
Labor is a good thing. I am not sure what I would do about retiring. Just being at home is not the thing for me. Laboring gives me a focus and helps to keep me on track.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Birthday
It's about 3 weeks until my birthday. Last year was a biggie for me so this year is somewhat anti-climatic. I spent the better part of last year reading and planning for a trip to Paris with my friends to celebrate the birthday.
No trip this year and no focus it seems. When I have bigger trips coming up I read and study about the location, getting around, pricing etc. I do better when I have a big focus like that to occupy idle hours.
My life is good don't get me wrong ... I am fortunate to have a job I enjoy (not always the people but most always the job), good casual friends close by, great friends in far away places, two nephews doing well and good health. I have much to be thankful for actually. But sometimes the inner beast rears it's ugly head and says "Aren't you missing something?"
To be satisfied with our station in life .... that is a hard task for us all. We tend to want what we don't have or to have things and not want them. Grace gets us through the tough days and prayers from family and friends prop us up when we are weary.
I need to be more thankful tomorrow. Today I am just a bit tired and sad. To say nothing of nearing another year older ... yikes.
No trip this year and no focus it seems. When I have bigger trips coming up I read and study about the location, getting around, pricing etc. I do better when I have a big focus like that to occupy idle hours.
My life is good don't get me wrong ... I am fortunate to have a job I enjoy (not always the people but most always the job), good casual friends close by, great friends in far away places, two nephews doing well and good health. I have much to be thankful for actually. But sometimes the inner beast rears it's ugly head and says "Aren't you missing something?"
To be satisfied with our station in life .... that is a hard task for us all. We tend to want what we don't have or to have things and not want them. Grace gets us through the tough days and prayers from family and friends prop us up when we are weary.
I need to be more thankful tomorrow. Today I am just a bit tired and sad. To say nothing of nearing another year older ... yikes.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Windy City
In Chicago this past week for work. It is a city that I like very much actually. So much to see and do downtown. Many buildings are old and very ornate. It is a downtown that a person can walk in with no trouble at all. I found myself walking many miles in the evenings.
Stayed at the Hilton on Michigan .... a grand, old hotel it is. The TV has a show about the history of the place - very impressive. The Grand Ballroom is beautiful and patterned after Versailles. My room was very nice - with two bathrooms. That was a first for me. I looked out on lake Michigan and Grant Park.
The city had lots of rain this past week - something I have been missing where I live. There was a terrible storm on Thursday evening. It forced me to seek out the Athletic club which was fabulous .... track, machines, pool, hot tub and a balcony to sit outside on.
My friend Alicia and I think this is a place to come visit as she has never been. Curiously enough J does not seem impressed with the town and it is way down on her list. I wish she liked it more and we could all see it together. Guess that is why there are so many places in the world for folks to spend time.
Stayed at the Hilton on Michigan .... a grand, old hotel it is. The TV has a show about the history of the place - very impressive. The Grand Ballroom is beautiful and patterned after Versailles. My room was very nice - with two bathrooms. That was a first for me. I looked out on lake Michigan and Grant Park.
The city had lots of rain this past week - something I have been missing where I live. There was a terrible storm on Thursday evening. It forced me to seek out the Athletic club which was fabulous .... track, machines, pool, hot tub and a balcony to sit outside on.
My friend Alicia and I think this is a place to come visit as she has never been. Curiously enough J does not seem impressed with the town and it is way down on her list. I wish she liked it more and we could all see it together. Guess that is why there are so many places in the world for folks to spend time.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Tired and Busy
It has been a week since I posted last. This week at work wore me out. I had to be up at 5 or so each day. My training group was 38 people and that is alot. They don't ever think the trainer needs a break, to go the restroom or just to sit for a minute. They were a good group though and I enjoyed them. Had post work meetings 3 nites and got home late. I wish my boss would let me stay in town when there is training - it would make my life so much better.
Off to Chicago this week. Was looking forward to walking around the city and it seems like it will be raining most of the time - wohoo. Oh well, it is a city with lots of cabs and I have an umbrella. I enjoy Chicago when it is not the winter.
Must go pack and get ready. Won't blog again until Friday as I won't have my laptop with me.
Off to Chicago this week. Was looking forward to walking around the city and it seems like it will be raining most of the time - wohoo. Oh well, it is a city with lots of cabs and I have an umbrella. I enjoy Chicago when it is not the winter.
Must go pack and get ready. Won't blog again until Friday as I won't have my laptop with me.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Matthew
My oldest nephew, Matt called me last nite. We talked for almost half an hour. He was in a hotel with his younger brother Kyle. Kyle's "birth Mom" was getting married today in Wisconsin and they were there to attend. He said there were no kids at the wedding though - meaning Kyle did not get to see it - which seemed odd to me.
Matt and I chatted about his swimming, school starting (he will be a frosh), his classes (several honors ones) and sports. We have much in common.
I was totally smitten with Matt since the day I saw him at 3 weeks old. He was three days old when the attorney brought him to my brothers house. My Mom and I waited till they got in a rhythm so to speak before we went to visit them in Illinois.
I worked hard to see him almost every month till he was 6. My Mom got very sick then and for about 7 months all I did was work some and then be at the hospital. It was a very stressful time for me and my brother was little or no help. I didn't get to see Matt then as I couldn't get away. That is when Kyle was born.
It is hard for me to believe that he is 14 and over 6 feet tall. I still remember this curly, red haired baby that loved his aunt "blue". Where that name came from I will never know. He would just cry each time they left or I left. He was my little buddy.
He seems to be doing well. He is very busy with his swimming and that is good. He's too tired to get into much trouble. He does well in school and is not taken over by girls. I asked him if he had a girl he liked yet and he said "no, they are too much trouble". I told him he was right and they also made him spend his money. He just laughed.
We argued about sports a bit. He said that most aunts can't do that. That made me proud. My sports knowledge does come in any.
I miss my boy. I wish I lived closer so I could see his activities at school and such. I don't have much of a relationship with my brother now and none with my sister-in-law. I do better just to stay away from them. That keeps me from the boys which is sad but it is all I know to do with the situation.
I hope Matt knows how much I love him. I wish all adopted kids had it as good as he and Kyle.
Matt and I chatted about his swimming, school starting (he will be a frosh), his classes (several honors ones) and sports. We have much in common.
I was totally smitten with Matt since the day I saw him at 3 weeks old. He was three days old when the attorney brought him to my brothers house. My Mom and I waited till they got in a rhythm so to speak before we went to visit them in Illinois.
I worked hard to see him almost every month till he was 6. My Mom got very sick then and for about 7 months all I did was work some and then be at the hospital. It was a very stressful time for me and my brother was little or no help. I didn't get to see Matt then as I couldn't get away. That is when Kyle was born.
It is hard for me to believe that he is 14 and over 6 feet tall. I still remember this curly, red haired baby that loved his aunt "blue". Where that name came from I will never know. He would just cry each time they left or I left. He was my little buddy.
He seems to be doing well. He is very busy with his swimming and that is good. He's too tired to get into much trouble. He does well in school and is not taken over by girls. I asked him if he had a girl he liked yet and he said "no, they are too much trouble". I told him he was right and they also made him spend his money. He just laughed.
We argued about sports a bit. He said that most aunts can't do that. That made me proud. My sports knowledge does come in any.
I miss my boy. I wish I lived closer so I could see his activities at school and such. I don't have much of a relationship with my brother now and none with my sister-in-law. I do better just to stay away from them. That keeps me from the boys which is sad but it is all I know to do with the situation.
I hope Matt knows how much I love him. I wish all adopted kids had it as good as he and Kyle.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Lending a Helping Hand
Can you imagine peeling 40 pounds of potatoes? That's what I helped to do this morning. My friend Jane had to make a huge amount of mashed potatoes for a pitch in dinner this evening. I peeled my 10 pounds, helped slice others up. I am not a good person in the kitchen so I was glad to be able to help.
A chore or trouble is less so if you have friends in your corner. An ordinary day can become special if shared with a friend. A special event can become extraordinary when shared with friends.
The expression, "Friends are the family we choose for ourself" is so true. A person has lots of friends in their life .... situational, work, church, school. The friends that stick around for the long haul - they are the forever friends. There is something comforting know a person is going to love you no matter what.
Call a friend today and let them know what they mean to you.
A chore or trouble is less so if you have friends in your corner. An ordinary day can become special if shared with a friend. A special event can become extraordinary when shared with friends.
The expression, "Friends are the family we choose for ourself" is so true. A person has lots of friends in their life .... situational, work, church, school. The friends that stick around for the long haul - they are the forever friends. There is something comforting know a person is going to love you no matter what.
Call a friend today and let them know what they mean to you.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Stroll Down Memory Lane
Tonite I went to see a high school volleyball game. I haven't been to one in a while. It took me back in time a bit. I used to coach volleyball and played in leagues. Volleyball is a sport that I really enjoy. It takes a mixture of finesse and power. It is totally a team game. One individual can't win a volleyball game by themselves.
I haven't coached for a long time and when I watch games it makes me miss it. If I was given a "do over" I would go about coaching in a much different way than I did before. I had a bad temper and the desire I had to win lead me to get out of control too many times. That was not a very good example for the girls. I wanted them to work as hard and care as much as I did. That isn't always easy to do with teen age girls.
Thinking about coaching makes me think about teaching ... I used to do that too. I am a trainer in my current job and that still allows me to feel like I am helping folks to learn. The big difference with adults is that they are already formed.
A good teacher can have a life long impact on the kids that pass their way. I often wonder about the students I taught....how are they doing, did they reach their potential, did I help them become a better person.
Do you ever wish you got "do overs"? What would you do differently? Would you change things about your educationl? Who you dated or married? Where you lived? What career path you chose? We don't get a do over but we can go forward and do better with the right now.
I haven't coached for a long time and when I watch games it makes me miss it. If I was given a "do over" I would go about coaching in a much different way than I did before. I had a bad temper and the desire I had to win lead me to get out of control too many times. That was not a very good example for the girls. I wanted them to work as hard and care as much as I did. That isn't always easy to do with teen age girls.
Thinking about coaching makes me think about teaching ... I used to do that too. I am a trainer in my current job and that still allows me to feel like I am helping folks to learn. The big difference with adults is that they are already formed.
A good teacher can have a life long impact on the kids that pass their way. I often wonder about the students I taught....how are they doing, did they reach their potential, did I help them become a better person.
Do you ever wish you got "do overs"? What would you do differently? Would you change things about your educationl? Who you dated or married? Where you lived? What career path you chose? We don't get a do over but we can go forward and do better with the right now.
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