Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Good lesson...thought I'd share
This was posted on my brothers facebook... It is a great story...as I said...I do not outwardly speak of religion...but how could I not post. I may or may not have gotten a little misty with this one...
Every Sunday afternoon, after the morning service at the church, the Pastor and his eleven year old son would go out into their town and hand out Gospel Tracts. This particular Sunday afternoon, as it came time for the Pastor and his son to go to the streets with their tracts, it was very cold outside, as well as pouring down rain. The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said,
'OK, dad, I'm ready.'
His Pastor dad asked, 'Ready for what?'
'Dad, it's time we gather our tracts together and go out.'
Dad responds, 'Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring down rain.'
The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking,
'But Dad, aren't people still going to Hell, even though it's raining?'
Dad answers, 'Son, I am not going out in this weather'
Despondently, the boy asks, 'Dad, can I go? Please?'
His father hesitated for a moment then said,
'Son, you can go. Here are the tracts, be careful son.'
'Thanks Dad!'
And with that, he was off and out into the rain. This eleven year old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handing everybody he met in the street a Gospel Tract.
After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking, bone-chilled wet and down to his VERY LAST TRACT. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a tract to, but the streets were totally deserted.
Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell. He rang the bell, but nobody answered.
He rang it again and again, but still no one answered He waited but still no answer.
Finally, this eleven year old trooper turned to leave, but something stopped him.
Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch!
He rang again and this time the door slowly opened.
Standing in the doorway was a very sad-looking elderly lady. She softly asked, 'What can I do for you, son?' With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said,
'Ma'am, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that *JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU* and I came to give you my very last Gospel Tract which will tell you all about JESUS and His great LOVE.'
With that, he handed her his last tract and turned to leave.
She called to him as he departed. 'Thank you, son! And God Bless You!'
Well, the following Sunday morning in church Pastor Dad was in the pulpit.
As the service began, he asked, 'Does anybody have testimony or want to say anything?'
Slowly, in the back row of the church, an elderly lady stood to her feet.
As she began to speak, a look of glorious radiance came from her face, 'No one in this church knows me. I've never been here before.
You see, before last Sunday I was not a Christian. My husband passed on some time ago, leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Sunday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, it was even more so in my heart that I came to the end of the line where I no longer had any hope or will to live.
So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof, then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. Standing on that chair, so lonely and brokenhearted I was about to leap off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, 'I'll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away.'
I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent, and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly.
I thought to myself again, 'Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me.' I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder.
When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes, for there on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life. His SMILE, oh, I could never describe it to you!
The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead, TO LEAP TO LIFE as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice, 'Ma'am, I just came to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE
YOU.' Then he gave me this Gospel Tract that I now hold in my hand.
As the little angel disappeared back out into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this Gospel Tract. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn't be needing them any more.
You see---I am now a Happy Child of the KING. Since the address of your church was on the back of this Gospel Tract, I have come here to personally say THANK YOU to God's little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in hell.'
There was not a dry eye in the church And as shouts of praise and honor to THE KING resounded off the very rafters of the building, Pastor Dad descended from the pulpit to the front pew where the little angel was seated.
He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably.
Probably no church has had a more glorious moment, and probably this universe has never seen a Papa that was more filled with love & honor for his son... Except for One.
Our Father also allowed His Son to go out into a cold and dark world. He received His Son back with joy unspeakable, and as all of heaven shouted praises and honor to The King, the Father sat His beloved Son
on a throne far above all principality and power and every name that is named.
Blessed are your eyes for reading this message.
Don't let this message die, read it again and
pass it to others. Heaven is for His people!
Remember, God's message CAN make the difference
in the life of someone close to you.
Please share this wonderful message..
If you love JESUS, please forward this message. Spread His word, and share His goodness and faithfulness.
Matthew 10:32 says
'Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him before My Father in heaven'
Every Sunday afternoon, after the morning service at the church, the Pastor and his eleven year old son would go out into their town and hand out Gospel Tracts. This particular Sunday afternoon, as it came time for the Pastor and his son to go to the streets with their tracts, it was very cold outside, as well as pouring down rain. The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said,
'OK, dad, I'm ready.'
His Pastor dad asked, 'Ready for what?'
'Dad, it's time we gather our tracts together and go out.'
Dad responds, 'Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring down rain.'
The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking,
'But Dad, aren't people still going to Hell, even though it's raining?'
Dad answers, 'Son, I am not going out in this weather'
Despondently, the boy asks, 'Dad, can I go? Please?'
His father hesitated for a moment then said,
'Son, you can go. Here are the tracts, be careful son.'
'Thanks Dad!'
And with that, he was off and out into the rain. This eleven year old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handing everybody he met in the street a Gospel Tract.
After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking, bone-chilled wet and down to his VERY LAST TRACT. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a tract to, but the streets were totally deserted.
Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell. He rang the bell, but nobody answered.
He rang it again and again, but still no one answered He waited but still no answer.
Finally, this eleven year old trooper turned to leave, but something stopped him.
Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch!
He rang again and this time the door slowly opened.
Standing in the doorway was a very sad-looking elderly lady. She softly asked, 'What can I do for you, son?' With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said,
'Ma'am, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that *JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU* and I came to give you my very last Gospel Tract which will tell you all about JESUS and His great LOVE.'
With that, he handed her his last tract and turned to leave.
She called to him as he departed. 'Thank you, son! And God Bless You!'
Well, the following Sunday morning in church Pastor Dad was in the pulpit.
As the service began, he asked, 'Does anybody have testimony or want to say anything?'
Slowly, in the back row of the church, an elderly lady stood to her feet.
As she began to speak, a look of glorious radiance came from her face, 'No one in this church knows me. I've never been here before.
You see, before last Sunday I was not a Christian. My husband passed on some time ago, leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Sunday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, it was even more so in my heart that I came to the end of the line where I no longer had any hope or will to live.
So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof, then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. Standing on that chair, so lonely and brokenhearted I was about to leap off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, 'I'll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away.'
I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent, and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly.
I thought to myself again, 'Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me.' I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder.
When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes, for there on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life. His SMILE, oh, I could never describe it to you!
The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead, TO LEAP TO LIFE as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice, 'Ma'am, I just came to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE
YOU.' Then he gave me this Gospel Tract that I now hold in my hand.
As the little angel disappeared back out into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this Gospel Tract. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn't be needing them any more.
You see---I am now a Happy Child of the KING. Since the address of your church was on the back of this Gospel Tract, I have come here to personally say THANK YOU to God's little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in hell.'
There was not a dry eye in the church And as shouts of praise and honor to THE KING resounded off the very rafters of the building, Pastor Dad descended from the pulpit to the front pew where the little angel was seated.
He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably.
Probably no church has had a more glorious moment, and probably this universe has never seen a Papa that was more filled with love & honor for his son... Except for One.
Our Father also allowed His Son to go out into a cold and dark world. He received His Son back with joy unspeakable, and as all of heaven shouted praises and honor to The King, the Father sat His beloved Son
on a throne far above all principality and power and every name that is named.
Blessed are your eyes for reading this message.
Don't let this message die, read it again and
pass it to others. Heaven is for His people!
Remember, God's message CAN make the difference
in the life of someone close to you.
Please share this wonderful message..
If you love JESUS, please forward this message. Spread His word, and share His goodness and faithfulness.
Matthew 10:32 says
'Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him before My Father in heaven'
Monday, December 8, 2008
Thankful for Looks and Awesomeness...
Well, only one person will get the title of this...but we will be laughing on the inside while the thousands (and yes, I mean thousands) of other people that read this blog scratch thier heads. :)
ok...so its not much, but watchin my good friend Darrin run the St. Jude Marathon was pretty uplifting and motivating. Tonight marked the first time in my short 31 years that I have run a full hour. I figure at the pace I was running I did about 6.5 miles. Not a huge accomplishment but a good one for me. No it wasn't done on a mountain side or even outside for that matter (as my good buddy John likes to point out.) It was done on a track in the confines of the Prarie Life Gym. As John pointed out...i would need to do that twice to accomplish a half marathon and 4 times for a full...pretty easy math eh. I felt pretty good and could have probably done a few more miles but didnt want to push...I will tell you that it really puts in perspective the dedication it takes to run a full marathon. Any man or woman that does it, does earn my respect. My first half is planning on being the Germantown Half in April...or the Nashville Half. Hopefully my ankle and the rest of my joints hold up. I will say it is a great stress reliever. With work and other things occupying my mind, it is amazing how quick it goes by when you are able to do some good thinking while running. Granted...I didn't solve any of the worlds problems, but it did pass the time. Anyway...Dad had a job interview tonight in Indianapolis, I heard it went well. Say a prayer for him that he gets this job. If anybody deserves it...it is him. More later...Peace out.
ok...so its not much, but watchin my good friend Darrin run the St. Jude Marathon was pretty uplifting and motivating. Tonight marked the first time in my short 31 years that I have run a full hour. I figure at the pace I was running I did about 6.5 miles. Not a huge accomplishment but a good one for me. No it wasn't done on a mountain side or even outside for that matter (as my good buddy John likes to point out.) It was done on a track in the confines of the Prarie Life Gym. As John pointed out...i would need to do that twice to accomplish a half marathon and 4 times for a full...pretty easy math eh. I felt pretty good and could have probably done a few more miles but didnt want to push...I will tell you that it really puts in perspective the dedication it takes to run a full marathon. Any man or woman that does it, does earn my respect. My first half is planning on being the Germantown Half in April...or the Nashville Half. Hopefully my ankle and the rest of my joints hold up. I will say it is a great stress reliever. With work and other things occupying my mind, it is amazing how quick it goes by when you are able to do some good thinking while running. Granted...I didn't solve any of the worlds problems, but it did pass the time. Anyway...Dad had a job interview tonight in Indianapolis, I heard it went well. Say a prayer for him that he gets this job. If anybody deserves it...it is him. More later...Peace out.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Loud Neighbors...little sleep
Ok...its about 1:30...Sunday night...and whoever the hell lives next to me has been, lets just say...getting to know each other on an intimate basis...and rather loudly. They have kept me up and now I have come to the realization of how thin these walls are. Gonna have to keep that as a note to self, seein as though I have lived here for a year and a half...I guess the thing that disturbs me is that I could only hear the guy moaning for some time. I mean really? What guy moans? I mean like for 20 minutes? Seriously?.... Thankfully I heard a woman's voice or I would have otherwise thought the dude was hurt or just eating some kick ass cheesecake or tiramasu...which has been known to make me moan on occasion...Anyway...I am wide awake now...so I thought I would share. Goodnight.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Pretty Damn Thankful
The holiday season is such a cool time of year. It is so much fun to be able to hang out with your family and friends with that kind of euphoric feeling. However, as much as it lets your enjoy the present, it really does make you reflect on the past. This is the first year in recent memory that I have been single during this season and it is truly different. This time of year is definitely better to be spent with someone that you care a lot about. It kind of gives it a whole new meaning. I have been blessed for the past 4 or 5 years to have someone in my life that I have cared alot about during this time. I don't mean to be "sappy" but drinking will do that to you sometimes. It does seem that no matter what you do, certain things happens that reminds you of the past, even though you are doing everything to forget it.
There are a lot of cool things happening this year, a lot of firsts and lasts. This will be John and Brandy's last holiday season with separate last names. It will be Jones Lotterhos' first Christmas, and Darrin and Michelle's last before they are buying presents for a baby. Not to mention, there will be another nephew coming next year that I can only hope is half the kid Collin is. Its fun to watch, and I am blessed to see it all happen. A bunch of friends having kids, getting married, and family members taking the next step in their lives. My step brother is off to the Marines to find himself and I know he will. My sister has been through a lot, and I kind of finally feel like I have her back in my life the way she was years ago. My dad is dealing with adversity and knowing that he will come out better on the other end is a great feeling. This is could be my grandfathers last Christmas, which is tough to swallow, but it does put into perspective of what is really important. I have always kind of been a guy that has worn his heart on his sleeve...maybe a little cheesy...maybe a little over the top...but at least I know it...and frankly, I could care less. Although I may delete this post when I sober up in the morning. Its so much fun to watch my Mom, Step dad, Dad, along with my brother and sister in law and step brother and sister in law, just be in awe of the all the grand kids and what not...It really is fun to watch how God can put people in your life that are there for the sole purpose of giving joy. I really see every single member of my family and friends as that very thing. When I feel down about not having the things that others have, I am reminded by that. Now I know that some people may read this and think that it is overly cheesy and they are probably right, but it doesn't really matter. If I ever thought about questioning my faith, or feeling down about something I used to have, I am always reminded about the power of faith and hope that God gives. I do not usually outwardly speak about God...but if you look at the people he has surrounded me with, there is no denying what he can do. I am so thankful for everyone in my life, and how they make me who I am. I couldn't ask for a better family nor could I ask for better friends...I am thankful that I am so lucky...OK...I am done being cheesy...Happy Thanksgiving.
There are a lot of cool things happening this year, a lot of firsts and lasts. This will be John and Brandy's last holiday season with separate last names. It will be Jones Lotterhos' first Christmas, and Darrin and Michelle's last before they are buying presents for a baby. Not to mention, there will be another nephew coming next year that I can only hope is half the kid Collin is. Its fun to watch, and I am blessed to see it all happen. A bunch of friends having kids, getting married, and family members taking the next step in their lives. My step brother is off to the Marines to find himself and I know he will. My sister has been through a lot, and I kind of finally feel like I have her back in my life the way she was years ago. My dad is dealing with adversity and knowing that he will come out better on the other end is a great feeling. This is could be my grandfathers last Christmas, which is tough to swallow, but it does put into perspective of what is really important. I have always kind of been a guy that has worn his heart on his sleeve...maybe a little cheesy...maybe a little over the top...but at least I know it...and frankly, I could care less. Although I may delete this post when I sober up in the morning. Its so much fun to watch my Mom, Step dad, Dad, along with my brother and sister in law and step brother and sister in law, just be in awe of the all the grand kids and what not...It really is fun to watch how God can put people in your life that are there for the sole purpose of giving joy. I really see every single member of my family and friends as that very thing. When I feel down about not having the things that others have, I am reminded by that. Now I know that some people may read this and think that it is overly cheesy and they are probably right, but it doesn't really matter. If I ever thought about questioning my faith, or feeling down about something I used to have, I am always reminded about the power of faith and hope that God gives. I do not usually outwardly speak about God...but if you look at the people he has surrounded me with, there is no denying what he can do. I am so thankful for everyone in my life, and how they make me who I am. I couldn't ask for a better family nor could I ask for better friends...I am thankful that I am so lucky...OK...I am done being cheesy...Happy Thanksgiving.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Tigers Lose, Hogs Lose, Pnemonia and colds are not caused by the cold, but Hey! my Fantasy Team Won! Finally
Well it was a great weekend to hang out with my father, my brother and my nephew. Unfortunately, we traveled 2 and 1/2 hours to Starkville only to freeze our asses off and then leave with 5 minutes left and miss the most exciting part of the game. But...we still lost so we didn't feel too regretful. After the Hogs turned it over on downs, trailing by 10 with under 5 minutes left and I couldn't feel my fingertips or lips, I decided to get a jog in a run the mile to the car. Of course after that, my face was frozen , but then I was able to put the coat on that I, of course, left in the car to begin with.
Dad and I headed back in his car and Mike
and Collin went back with Mikes friend, Jason and his son. In the car ride home, my father and I decided to do what we normally do to pass time, which is have the most random arguments or conversations known to man. It started off as it normally does, with my father saying.."OK, lets name the 9 ways that you can score from 3rd base with two outs and no one else on base." We always get to 8 and the argue about what the 9th is. Then we got into a conversation about pneumonia and colds and how one contracts them. This is where I become dumb and argue against a FACT that I know to be true, just to see if I can BS enough to get my Dad to agree with me...knowing that I am wrong. I failed miserably. Its kind of like the show on ESPN, called PTI, two guys pick a topic and one HAS to take one side, and the other HAS to take the other...if you had a TV show with two people agreeing all the time...it wouldn't do very well. It 
would be like Katie Couric interviewing a Democratic Presidential Nominee. Anyway, I took the side that pneumonia could in fact be caused by cold weather, or falling into a pool of freezing water, and I argued till I turned blue, but I knew it was wrong...bottom line...it shortened the trip home and it entertained the hell out of my father and I. (Fact is that pneumonia and colds are caused by bacteria and germs, or sometimes a virus when we talk about colds. The reason why most people get them in the winter, is because everyone is in close quarters, because they are usually inside, where its warm...and you can spread germs better...because its cold outside!..wait...I think I just proved my point...nah)
So that was pretty much the weekend...pretty lame...The Tigers lost tonight because they are missing 3 main things that they had last year. They have NO Identity as a TEAM. They have NO Leadership. but worst of all they have NO confidence. Fact is you CANNOT win anything in life without confidence. You can get far on luck and talent, but if you lack the will to win and knowing that you can do it, you make mistakes (like missing big free throws when it counts). Now I would like to believe that the Tigers could make a good run this year, but they are a long way away. To be honest we are not even close to being guaranteed CUSA champs this year. There is some talent in this league and the Tigers have definitely fallen back since last year...but this is why we pay the big bucks to Coach Cal, and I do believe he can have this team in the Sweet 16 again. That would pave the way for a next year, where your Tigers very well could be a preseason Top 3 team.
Oh and my fantasy team won for only the second time in 8 games. After starting of 4-0 in the league, this win will get me to 6-6 and clinch a spot in the playoffs...I know of all things that anyone could care less about, it would be my fantasy team, but I can't sleep people...so I just type what comes to mind. You will just have to deal. Turkey day is coming...and so is a Holiday special blog, with lots of pics of the cutest kids in the world stay tuned and if you don't hear from me, Happy Thanksgiving...gobble gobble.
Dad and I headed back in his car and Mike
and Collin went back with Mikes friend, Jason and his son. In the car ride home, my father and I decided to do what we normally do to pass time, which is have the most random arguments or conversations known to man. It started off as it normally does, with my father saying.."OK, lets name the 9 ways that you can score from 3rd base with two outs and no one else on base." We always get to 8 and the argue about what the 9th is. Then we got into a conversation about pneumonia and colds and how one contracts them. This is where I become dumb and argue against a FACT that I know to be true, just to see if I can BS enough to get my Dad to agree with me...knowing that I am wrong. I failed miserably. Its kind of like the show on ESPN, called PTI, two guys pick a topic and one HAS to take one side, and the other HAS to take the other...if you had a TV show with two people agreeing all the time...it wouldn't do very well. It 
would be like Katie Couric interviewing a Democratic Presidential Nominee. Anyway, I took the side that pneumonia could in fact be caused by cold weather, or falling into a pool of freezing water, and I argued till I turned blue, but I knew it was wrong...bottom line...it shortened the trip home and it entertained the hell out of my father and I. (Fact is that pneumonia and colds are caused by bacteria and germs, or sometimes a virus when we talk about colds. The reason why most people get them in the winter, is because everyone is in close quarters, because they are usually inside, where its warm...and you can spread germs better...because its cold outside!..wait...I think I just proved my point...nah)So that was pretty much the weekend...pretty lame...The Tigers lost tonight because they are missing 3 main things that they had last year. They have NO Identity as a TEAM. They have NO Leadership. but worst of all they have NO confidence. Fact is you CANNOT win anything in life without confidence. You can get far on luck and talent, but if you lack the will to win and knowing that you can do it, you make mistakes (like missing big free throws when it counts). Now I would like to believe that the Tigers could make a good run this year, but they are a long way away. To be honest we are not even close to being guaranteed CUSA champs this year. There is some talent in this league and the Tigers have definitely fallen back since last year...but this is why we pay the big bucks to Coach Cal, and I do believe he can have this team in the Sweet 16 again. That would pave the way for a next year, where your Tigers very well could be a preseason Top 3 team.
Oh and my fantasy team won for only the second time in 8 games. After starting of 4-0 in the league, this win will get me to 6-6 and clinch a spot in the playoffs...I know of all things that anyone could care less about, it would be my fantasy team, but I can't sleep people...so I just type what comes to mind. You will just have to deal. Turkey day is coming...and so is a Holiday special blog, with lots of pics of the cutest kids in the world stay tuned and if you don't hear from me, Happy Thanksgiving...gobble gobble.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
New Car...and Training for a half marathon...and Hogs and Dogs.
Well the ole "Silver Bullet" was put to rest today for a 2009 Altima..black. So a new era begins. And...I decided to start training for a half marathon in March or April. I have been running alot lately, but I have been hampered by a bum left ankle. Hopefully there is nothing too wrong with it and I can make it through. I think this will be easier than it is for most people, because I have a kick ass support team of friends that have done it. I logged about 18 miles last week. I have only run about 5 this week, but thats because I am being a wuss on my ankle. The whole quitting smoking thing should help...although to be honest...I cheated big time the other night when I went drinkin with some of the boys...its amazing how easy 
it is when you are not drinking, but as soon as you grab a beer, those damn things look tasty. But we will fight through it.
Hogs and Dogs this weekend...in what is becoming a semi-annual ritual, my brother, father, and I will be headed to watch the Hogs probably get the ass kicked by Mississippi State...but it will be fun to get the boys back together and bring along the Collinman for his first Hog game. Good Times.
it is when you are not drinking, but as soon as you grab a beer, those damn things look tasty. But we will fight through it.Hogs and Dogs this weekend...in what is becoming a semi-annual ritual, my brother, father, and I will be headed to watch the Hogs probably get the ass kicked by Mississippi State...but it will be fun to get the boys back together and bring along the Collinman for his first Hog game. Good Times.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
In a bit of a fog.
Sometimes life is hard to figure out. At certain times in your life things can come by so easy, especially when you don't want them, and then when you do want it, it just seems like its nowhere to be found. Don't get me wrong...I am not complaining, it just seems ironic. It is like that in all aspects of life.
Examples...with work...During the slowest part of the year, I could do no wrong...selling my tail off. Wasn't expected to do too much, but just kind of exploded in the middle months...then, towards the end of the year, the busiest and most productive time...its like pulling teeth to close something. I know things will be fine and I will still have a big year, but its just amazing how its working like that.
The same seems to go with relationships. This isn't just me...and I am not saying I am looking for anything...but it is so strange how when you are in a relationship, women and opportunity just come out of the woodwork with interest. Of course, you don't want it at the time, but its there. Then when you are single, it is so freakin hard to find someone to "connect" with. You can meet a fun, hot, smart, freakin gymnast who you may share alot in common with, but it just doesn't click in that way for one reason or another. My reasoning for being single the past 6 months has been mainly because I didn't want to be in a relationship...even though God knows my mother wants me to find someone yesterday to give her more grand kids...God love her. At the same time, it sucks sometimes because I am be too picky. But I think everyone should be. I am not going to be in a marriage or a relationship for that matter that I don't have fun in, or that I don't enjoy. It can happen...I have seen it.
Wow...ok...got off on a rant...I like this...kinda like a diary...Carrie and Brandy will read it and it will just be like we are sitting on your patio and I am venting to you about life. But from the confines of our own places...and its therapeutic. Aight...anyway...back to bitchin...
The same goes for Money with all this crap...every time my bills are paid off ... I got extra cash...then I spend it...build up some debt...get ready to pay that off, and the car goes out, or tear a rotator cuff, break a wrist, or whatever the hell it is and now I got doctor bills, and crap on top of the money that have I spent on playing golf and clothes at banana republic that I will leave at Darrin's house for 3 months before I ever see it again, meanwhile, the $250 putter I bought I can't seem to make anything putts with, and the $100 glove with $125 bat I bought for the softball season is just sitting in some rednecks truck or out on the open market, but the point is (besides setting the record for the longest run-on sentence and no I am not going to go back and add commas and periods)..point is....sometime we get careless and "blow our wad" on the unimportant things in life, only to be not prepared with those things show up and need attention. Clearly that is something I need to get better at. Maybe that's what the big guy is trying to tell me.."Get your stuff together and then I will hook you up." He probably isn't really saying it in such modern tone...but you get the picture. Fact is...if I would have played it differently two years ago...I would be married...maybe even had a kid, but I made a decision based on thought and not emotion...not to mention, I listened to my friends. Do I have some regrets? Sure...but only superficial ones, none that have real substance and meaning. I am where I am at for a reason, and maybe I don't know exactly what that is yet...but I will at some point. When I had tough decisions to make...I hit my knees and it became clear what to do...When I needed help quitting smoking...I hit my knees and the urge was lessened. When I have been hurt by a loss, I hit my knees and the pain was lightened. Now I am just in a bit of a fog...so...I will hit my knees...and it will lift. Things will become clearer. One problem or issue will go away or be resolved, then another will come about. It is the circle of life. Man I am random...I just read this thing...Brandy...that's the last time i go to Starbucks that late again. ; ) Alright, I have a long day tomorrow..I guess I will start blogging again some other time...what the hell.
Esto Vir,
H
Examples...with work...During the slowest part of the year, I could do no wrong...selling my tail off. Wasn't expected to do too much, but just kind of exploded in the middle months...then, towards the end of the year, the busiest and most productive time...its like pulling teeth to close something. I know things will be fine and I will still have a big year, but its just amazing how its working like that.
The same seems to go with relationships. This isn't just me...and I am not saying I am looking for anything...but it is so strange how when you are in a relationship, women and opportunity just come out of the woodwork with interest. Of course, you don't want it at the time, but its there. Then when you are single, it is so freakin hard to find someone to "connect" with. You can meet a fun, hot, smart, freakin gymnast who you may share alot in common with, but it just doesn't click in that way for one reason or another. My reasoning for being single the past 6 months has been mainly because I didn't want to be in a relationship...even though God knows my mother wants me to find someone yesterday to give her more grand kids...God love her. At the same time, it sucks sometimes because I am be too picky. But I think everyone should be. I am not going to be in a marriage or a relationship for that matter that I don't have fun in, or that I don't enjoy. It can happen...I have seen it.
Wow...ok...got off on a rant...I like this...kinda like a diary...Carrie and Brandy will read it and it will just be like we are sitting on your patio and I am venting to you about life. But from the confines of our own places...and its therapeutic. Aight...anyway...back to bitchin...
The same goes for Money with all this crap...every time my bills are paid off ... I got extra cash...then I spend it...build up some debt...get ready to pay that off, and the car goes out, or tear a rotator cuff, break a wrist, or whatever the hell it is and now I got doctor bills, and crap on top of the money that have I spent on playing golf and clothes at banana republic that I will leave at Darrin's house for 3 months before I ever see it again, meanwhile, the $250 putter I bought I can't seem to make anything putts with, and the $100 glove with $125 bat I bought for the softball season is just sitting in some rednecks truck or out on the open market, but the point is (besides setting the record for the longest run-on sentence and no I am not going to go back and add commas and periods)..point is....sometime we get careless and "blow our wad" on the unimportant things in life, only to be not prepared with those things show up and need attention. Clearly that is something I need to get better at. Maybe that's what the big guy is trying to tell me.."Get your stuff together and then I will hook you up." He probably isn't really saying it in such modern tone...but you get the picture. Fact is...if I would have played it differently two years ago...I would be married...maybe even had a kid, but I made a decision based on thought and not emotion...not to mention, I listened to my friends. Do I have some regrets? Sure...but only superficial ones, none that have real substance and meaning. I am where I am at for a reason, and maybe I don't know exactly what that is yet...but I will at some point. When I had tough decisions to make...I hit my knees and it became clear what to do...When I needed help quitting smoking...I hit my knees and the urge was lessened. When I have been hurt by a loss, I hit my knees and the pain was lightened. Now I am just in a bit of a fog...so...I will hit my knees...and it will lift. Things will become clearer. One problem or issue will go away or be resolved, then another will come about. It is the circle of life. Man I am random...I just read this thing...Brandy...that's the last time i go to Starbucks that late again. ; ) Alright, I have a long day tomorrow..I guess I will start blogging again some other time...what the hell.
Esto Vir,
H
Monday, November 17, 2008
Been over a month and goin strong kids...
Well, it finally feels good to be a non-smoker. Granted some of you(the few that even know I have a blog) have seen me cheat once or twice, but it is amazing how much better I feel now that I do not smoke. I have logged about 17 miles running this week, and had it not been for a bum ankle, probably would have been more. Now I did gain a few after quitting. I went from 180 to 194. However, alot of that (hopefully) is muscle since JP and I have been lifting. I have trimmed down to 189, but my goal by Christmas is to be back to 180, then eventually as slim 175...but we will see. Every Saturday morning, Dhope, Dodd, and I are making the trail run a ritual. Now I am no long run guy like thier 20 they did this weekend, but I think I am gonna start seriously training for a half marathon. Last week I ran a total of 5 days, running 3miles 3 days, and 4 miles 2 days. Thats the beginning. It Won't be to tough with the support system of D and D, but we will see.
Monday, May 5, 2008
The Parkbury Cup was in reach...but I choked before I could drink from it.
So...John and Jeff Parker, along with myself created a year long tournament called the Parkbury Cup (Stansbury/Parker..get it? good). WWEEEEEELLLLLLLL. We played the first annual tourney in 07...Having only completed 3 rounds because Jeff...broke his freakin leg...so Of COURSE he couldn't play for like 6 months...Normally...this wouldn't be an issue, but you see, I was winning. After 3 rounds, I was beating John by 10 and Jeff by 3. So my game plan...play conservative, and take home the Cup. Yeah....not so much. What I didn't realize is that Jeff, while rehabbing that leg, must have been drinking that new Gatorade called Tiger...for Tiger Woods...and he must have been drinking lots. After not having a round less than 84 in the previous 3, Jeff decides to shoot a 2 over on the front nine. I shot 4 over. So going into the 10th hole...I am only one up. That is where, some may say, the proverbial wheels, fell right the hell off. After a bogey on 10, I come to the 11th tee. A 367 yard par 4, dog leg right, water way left and in front of the green. The play here is a solid 3 iron to around the 150 stake...but I grab driver...not to conservative. The only real trouble besides water left, out of bounds right and a fairway that is about 20 yards wide...is the fact that it was 6:45pm and the sun was directly in our eyes. So ... I proceed to try to hit a "high fade" and leave my self a small wedge into the green...that would have been nice. My fade turned into a draw and was lost in the sun. But by all accounts...those being John and Jeff, the ball was headed towards the large crater filled with water known as a lake, or pond...whatever. As I dropped my ball, I said to myself..."That's ok...drop here and hit a good solid shot and maybe make par." John turns to me and says. "You got about 165-170 from there." John is a very close friend and I consider him one of the smartest...so I figure he was on the money or close (Jeff claims it was he that gave me the yardage...I stick to my story)...little wind into me...I hit a perfect 6 iron...I mean it is tracking right on the stick...only problem was...it was about 25 yards long. So now I am just pissed. I hit the best shot of the day and I am still not close. I am in the rough, chipping up hill, to a green that slopes away. Oh..and the pin, which is about 30 yards away, is tucked in the back..so I have all of 2 yards to deal with. I of course leave my first flop attempt about a yard short. Now my shot is even more difficult...and at this point I hated the world and everything in it. Jeff was putting for birdie, and I am chippin for bogey. If I get this up and down..I make double...but I didn't. I blew it past the hole...and then three putted. I got an 8. Thats right an 8. On a par 4. From up one...to down 3. Back to back pars would get my confidence back...even though on both I missed pretty easy birdie attempts, but then after a double on a par 5 in which yet another one of my balls miraculously disappeared, I found myself down with 3 to play. It was now getting dark. We played the next hole, a par three in which you couldn't even see the flag because it was so dark. I parred it. A good shot...good putt...in the dark. I get an 8 on a short par four, but can play a par three over water blind to the green in the pitch black and put it on the lip for birdie. I suck in a weird way. We called it after 16 with Jeff up 4 with two to play. I tried to wine my way out of it, trying to make every excuse in the book to why the Cup should be mine...but I just plain choked. Like a dog on a bone. I guess theoritically I still have a chance. Down by four with two left...as soon as we continue, I just need to hope jeff can make an 8. He hasn't made over a double in four rounds and he has only made 3 of those. I guess I can start my quest for 08. There...got that off my chest.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Time to get into shape
Well...I haven't written in a while due to the fact that there was really nothing to write. Now...I have officially gotten the bug of running and getting into shape. I ran a little over 4 miles and then put a good work out in after. I have been working out since Jan 1., but not as consistently as I would like...my start weight is 195 pounds...the goal is to lose 10 pounds the first month...which shouldn't be too difficult of I stay to it. We shall see...more to come.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
She could've been another Kaitlyn or He could've been another Collin
Sometimes life throws you curveballs and sometimes life throws you a fastball right at your head. How do you react to something you can barely see? And how do you cope when it hits you right between the eyes? Sometimes you have to really ask why things happen the way that they do. Why God gives so much and then, unexplicably, takes something away. For those of you that know me, there is nothing more that I cherish more than my family. I am blessed with a great, loving mother and father, a generous and brilliant step-father, a resilliant and loyal sister, a faithful and example setting brother and sister in law, and the most beautiful neice and nephews, in Collin and Kaitlyn, that anyone can ask for. They are the pride and joy of the Stansbury/Ely family. At least they are in my eyes. Today...was a bad day.
On Thanksgiving, during a prayer of thanks, we were all shocked and elated to find out that my brother and his wife were expecting thier third child. My brother said, "Lord thank you for the child that you have growing in my wife's womb." Just a few months later, that child is gone. They lost thier baby today. As a matter of fact, I just found out about it 30 minutes ago. I don't know why, but I felt I need to write it down or get it out. I don't know why. At this moment...noone even knows about this blog but me, more of a diary I guess. (of course..if you are reading it now...that is not the case.)
My grandmother, had three miscarriages before my father was born. Guess I am glad she didn't give up. Guess if she didn't have those...my dad may have never been born...we all know what that means. A few years ago, two very close friends of mine lost a child during thier pregnancy. Its hard to find a silver lining anytime that happens. They have tremendous faith, and today they are pregnant again. They have an amazing little girl that will light up a room, just as Collin and Kaitlyn do. Why would that be denied to anyone? I guess there is no real answers to those questions. But I do know that see thier faces on a regular basis, reminds me why I am Pro-Life. I am not going to waste my breath getting all political on you. It just sickens me that someone would do it on purpose...for selfish reasons...all medical catastrophes a side.
Today is a day, if you have the guts, to get on your knees and thank God for what you have. I say "guts" because it is easy to say "why" or blame God for unfortunate things like these. Its easy to ask something of God when you need something. But when things go bad...it takes guts to pray and thank Him for all the good. Thank Him for Collin and Kaitlyn or just the things that are important in YOUR life. Then go and cherish every second you have with them.
This isn't some blog so that people will feel bad for me or my family...its a message for people to start feeling good about what you have. If you get it...great. If you don't...then try harder. Some people wonder how other peoples lives would be affected if they weren't around. You know...everyone has done it. You lie in bed and picture what you think it would be like if you died. How would it affect other people's life. Well, I wonder how my life would have been affected if this little gift was given to all of us. She could've been another Kaitlyn...he could've been another Collin. That would have been awesome. Wasn't meant to be I guess.
Pray for my brother and sister in law.
Then thank God for what you have.
He's listening.
H
On Thanksgiving, during a prayer of thanks, we were all shocked and elated to find out that my brother and his wife were expecting thier third child. My brother said, "Lord thank you for the child that you have growing in my wife's womb." Just a few months later, that child is gone. They lost thier baby today. As a matter of fact, I just found out about it 30 minutes ago. I don't know why, but I felt I need to write it down or get it out. I don't know why. At this moment...noone even knows about this blog but me, more of a diary I guess. (of course..if you are reading it now...that is not the case.)
My grandmother, had three miscarriages before my father was born. Guess I am glad she didn't give up. Guess if she didn't have those...my dad may have never been born...we all know what that means. A few years ago, two very close friends of mine lost a child during thier pregnancy. Its hard to find a silver lining anytime that happens. They have tremendous faith, and today they are pregnant again. They have an amazing little girl that will light up a room, just as Collin and Kaitlyn do. Why would that be denied to anyone? I guess there is no real answers to those questions. But I do know that see thier faces on a regular basis, reminds me why I am Pro-Life. I am not going to waste my breath getting all political on you. It just sickens me that someone would do it on purpose...for selfish reasons...all medical catastrophes a side.
Today is a day, if you have the guts, to get on your knees and thank God for what you have. I say "guts" because it is easy to say "why" or blame God for unfortunate things like these. Its easy to ask something of God when you need something. But when things go bad...it takes guts to pray and thank Him for all the good. Thank Him for Collin and Kaitlyn or just the things that are important in YOUR life. Then go and cherish every second you have with them.
This isn't some blog so that people will feel bad for me or my family...its a message for people to start feeling good about what you have. If you get it...great. If you don't...then try harder. Some people wonder how other peoples lives would be affected if they weren't around. You know...everyone has done it. You lie in bed and picture what you think it would be like if you died. How would it affect other people's life. Well, I wonder how my life would have been affected if this little gift was given to all of us. She could've been another Kaitlyn...he could've been another Collin. That would have been awesome. Wasn't meant to be I guess.
Pray for my brother and sister in law.
Then thank God for what you have.
He's listening.
H
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