Understanding the Struggle

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Love the "Heat" of Florida

I'm not a cold weather person.  I get sick seemingly every time I go north of Florida due to the climate change.  I always enjoy the change in weather, but my body breaks down after a few days and I tend to feel less than stellar.  

There are probably many reasons and antidotes for this, but I'm gonna say right now, I love the Florida heat:-)  Being cold just doesn't feel good to me.  

Weenie Roast...so good!

Just got back from an awesome weenie roast at my aunt and uncle's house. I will tell you right now, it's been way too long since I've done that. Back in the day, being a kid, weenie roasts and camping were so much fun. I bet it's been over 15 years since I've put a hot dog or marshmallow on a stick and placed it over the open fire. You can't get that taste or experience any other way.

Oh and to clarify, we weren't in the city, in the back of someone's house. We were out on their eight acres in the country:-) Nice!

I'm thinking we should do that at least monthly! For a small fee, I might take you too:-)

Peace!

Me @ age two:-)

So with King on the way (maybe if I say it enough, it will come true...hahaha), I had to post a pic of me back in the day. Keep in mind that this was taken by a camera over 20 years ago, so it wasn't capable of capturing all of my good looks, but it got most of them...hahahah. Totally kidding, of course.

It is crazy to look back and think, "Is that really me???"

Peace!

Somebody's Worst Day

Today, like yesterday and the day before it, is someone's worst day.
Today someone, somewhere has more tears and questions than Warren
Buffett has pennies. Today may not be the best day for some of us,
but if it's not the worst day ever for you, be thankful. Be very
thankful.

My Dad and I rode by the Hospital as we left breakfast early Friday
morning. We both noted the number of cars that practically had the
parking lot filled. My first thought was that today someone's son or
daughter, mother or father, brother or sister, aunt or uncle, niece or
nephew, friend or even their grandparent is clinging to their last
moments here on this ball of water and land. Sadly, all they can do
is deal with it.

I know I'm guilty of blowing up issues that I have so that they have a
feeling of being larger than they really are. Sometimes the smallest
thing can affect a day or two of my life. Sometimes an issue can
affect a much longer period. I guess that happens when you view your
life through a microscope. Through the scope everything is big.

"Your reaction to the struggles of life is a direct indication of your
level of vision," is printed on the July through December side of Bill
Wilson's Metro Ministries calendar they handed out at church today.
That was a wake-up call for me for sure. I have issues at this very
moment which to me seemed huge, but in the scope of things are very
small. I can tell you that my level of vision was way far below what
it should have been. Sometimes you have to take off the blinders and
look around just to be thankful. At least I do.

On the flip side, My Dad lost his job Monday after over 10 years of
service. The economic struggles are making an impact all over and
Monday those struggles said hello to my Mom and Dad. I got to church
a little late today and was seated off to the right and behind of my
parents and my brother. Although my Dad didn't have the best week
ever I saw him with his arm raised praising God. That's vision! That
too was a wake-up call for me. A lot of people would sit around and
ask themselves why me, what now? They most certainly wouldn't be
celebrating during praise and worship.

"Your level of vision will determine whether God will work through you
or work around you," paints the front side of the Metro Ministries
calendar.

Where is your level of vision right now? I know my vision needs some
adjusting. Life is sure to bring many struggles with all the
celebrations, but if those struggles don't make the day your worst
ever, be thankful. Perhaps if your vision is strong enough, even
during that worst day that will come, you'll still be thankful.

For me, I'm putting down the microscope for the rest of the day,
hopefully for much longer. There's a lot to be thankful for and
analyzing every issues makes that hard to do.

Peace!

Weekly Story: In a Funk

I'm in a funk. I made a decision today to actively get out of the rut I have worn for myself. I find that all I do lately is jump on the computer after a long day of work and waste time. That or watch TV or text message or send in tweets (www.twitter.com). I feel like a cigarette butt that's been pushed into the ground. Time to make a change.

The great thing is that I can make a change. Like the savings plan which I began a few weeks ago, I will set a few guidelines for success/change.

1. Less time on the computer. I'm not going to set an exact time amount, but I will knowingly attempt to spend less time on the net.
2. When I'm done with work, I'm going to put my phone down and leave it down.
3. I'm going to do some form of exercise three times a week.
4. More Church time.

Those are the guidelines. It begins now.

Peace!

Weekly Story: Learning

How many times have I posted about learning in this blog's existence? I'm not sure exactly, but at least a few. I suppose at times I learn in small bites, while others it's like a smorgasbord of knowledge heaped upon me that feels like I just traded seats with Joey Chestnut and now must eat 60 hot dogs to keep going.

The learning that I'm referring to isn't necessarily found in a book, although I need to do some of that too:-) I'm talking about life's hills and valleys.

The last few months I've been learning at a phenomenal pace. Hopefully I'll retain. Hopefully I've grown.

Time to slam another dog down...can you pass the mustard?

Weekly Story: Inspired to Save

I'm back in savings mode. I guess with the economy and where it is right now, it's a good time to get on one of my kicks. By nature I'm a spender. I work hard, money enters my account and then I find something cool to give the money to. Shirts, games, TV, gifts, dinners, and my last purchase a new car. I find many ways to spend the green. So yeah the car is a necessity, but the kind isn't.

Now I know my "wanting" of "nice" things isn't going to change. I'm not trying to change that. All I'm trying to do is tone it down so that I can once again build up my savings account. I was explaining this to a co-worker last week and they said, "Well, do you contribute to your 401k?" After my response, they said, "Well, that's 21% you're saving right there."

The reality is that it's 21% that's loosing money faster than I could spend it. It's retirement though. Long term planning, so I don't really care. The market will come back eventually and so will the 401k.

I'm not happy with just my 401k. I want some additional funds in a savings account that I can turn into a MMK account that may earn a little interest. The good news is, at this point (because I still have a job...and I'm thankful for that), all it takes is a little discipline. It takes two other things. Accountability and a GOAL!!!

The accountability will come with this post. The starting goal will be to slide (save) an additional $500 a month into a savings account.

Once I get back on top of my finances I'm sure I'll adjust the Goal (hopefully up). Last night I started using a free finance program you can find at Mint.com (thanks Gajda). I haven't used this program more than a day so if it sucks, don't yell at me:-) Anyway, after two months I should really be able to see my spending trends and that will help with this kick to save. I'll even give you an update on the program if you're afraid to try it.

So does this mean you won't see my blogging about a new phone, or some other gadget? No, of course not. I can't change who I am, nor do I want to. I just want to SAVE a little more.

Who's gonna save a little more with me? Who's saving with me? Who's saving with me? LOL, sorry Jerry Maguire just entered my head when I typed that first line:-)

Peace!

PS: Thanks Mr. V, you've inspired me to save:-)

Weekly Story: Push-ups for Points

Karol, Brock and Bob came over tonight to watch Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Lakers and the Celtics.  Before the game began, Bob and Brock were going to take a player and do five push-ups for every point that player scored.  Soon we were all in, including Charissa.  I had Ray Allen, Bob had Kobe, Brock had Paul Pierce, Karol had Kendrick Perkins and switched to KG for the second half and Charissa had James Posey.

After a slow first quarter, we added a new category. Whoever's player scored the fewest number of points each quarter was required to eat a McDonald's cheeseburger:-)

In the end, Bob did 120 push-ups, Brock did 110, I did 95, Karol did 40 (I think), and Charissa owes us 15...she went to bed super early:-)

Right now my arms and chest are pretty tired, but at least my stomach feels good:-)  Karol had to eat a cheeseburger at the end of each quarter...so nasty...hahahah.  Four burgers...and yes, he had already had dinner...hahahaha!!

For the next game we're thinking Fried Chicken.  Something healthy you know:-)

Peace!

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