Is it just me?
More and more, I am passing younger individuals who are determined to let their posterior hang OUTSIDE their pants. And it's appalling. Unappealing. And simply a waste of fabric.
Think about it. Folks who are buying designer jeans (for those prone to purchase overpriced denim that has been pre-worn, pre-torn, bleached, blasted, and otherwise aged toward a quick replacement) are paying good money per every square inch.
However, some choose to drop these luxurious pantaloons below the equator, to the point that the expertly crafted seat and beautifully stitched pockets become a bulbous, unflattering gaggle of fabric on their thighs.
If it's absolutely necessary to show exactly how low they can go (perhaps they are just getting prepared in case they have to make a mad dash to the potty?), then why not save some money and just have the waistline cut at an angle? Coverage up front (and Lord help if that becomes an issue) and open trunk in the back?
Not that I'm pushing for it. Let me be clear. I'm a "waistliner" myself. Real men keep their pants up. Cuz' I ain't lookin' like no fool.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Against All Odds
I grew up around Friday Night Lights.
As a kid, if there was a varsity football home game in town (and even a few select away games), we were there. Front row, reserved seats. In South Georgia, football IS community ... particularly when there is only one public high school in the county. Unity and comraderie. We were the mighty Cougars.
Once I got into high school, it was marching band. We had folks to took just as much pride in the band as the football game. Again, it simply defined our Friday nights.
As an adult, my connection is still through the band, but now as a proud band parent. And Friday night, I was going to be a part of something big. Really big.
Humongoloid.
You see, my daughter is a freshman at Hillgrove High School in Powder Springs. We were seeded third from Region 4-AAAAA after the regular season, and we drew THE short straw for playoffs. Mind you ... this was Hillgrove's first season playing in the AAAAA division.
Getting past Stephenson in round one was bad enough, coming into the game as an eight-point underdog. We handled that game and surprised many who didn't expect to see the five-year-old high school advance any farther. But things were only scheduled to get more challenging.
For you see ... our short straw led us to "almost Jacksonville" in the far southeastern corner of the state to play the #1 ranked Camden County Wildcats. Defending AAAAA champions. Two years running. Nationally ranked in many polls. Hadn't lost a playoff game since 2007. Playing on their turf. Under a full moon. Can I stack this deck any higher? Again, in these communities across south Georgia, Friday night=High School Football.
The drive was such that we could not take the entire band, so it was a smaller contingency of about 60. Not even half our full complement. Six hours on a coach bus, with a return trip scheduled right after the game. Basically 12 hours of the day spent on a bus with a potentially excruciating football game in between. We were heading into enemy territory, pegged to lose by 15. I took a vacation day to chaperone. Why? Because the band kids are just that great and so worth it. But that's another story. Let's stick to the pigskin tale.
Camden County takes this game seriously. I mean, really seriously. There should be a movie. Huge bigger-than-life posters of their players (perhaps seniors) lined the fence in the end zone. No telling what time these folks arrived before the game. There was tailgating.
The stadium is probably the largest single venue in Kingsland. The visitor stands rivaled McEachern, but about half of our side was filled with Wildcats. Overflow, perhaps. Or as one Wildcat fan said on a local news station, "We sit on this side to taunt the visitors a little ... makes it fun!" Hillgrove fans were relegated to a section in the middle (which wasn't completely filled), and the band had the final section on the end. Many local media outlets and discussion forums didn't give Hillgrove much credit, if any. One columnist out of Valdosta quoted, "Hillgrove? Seriously? Is that even a school?" Um, yeah. Adam McDonald ... is he even a sports journalist? Sorry, I digress.
With the exception of some younger folks (read immature) who gave us some verbal abuse in the parking lot, the Camden County folks were a CLASS ACT. We had an escort take the chaperones from one corner of the field to the other where we could get our tickets for entry. No smack talk. No jeers. Southern hospitality at it's finest. We were the guests. Granted, it's like fattening the calf before taking it to slaughter ... they certainly felt we were going to be the main course for the evening. I think we were just a little annoying buzzing around their head that just needed to be swatted with one blow as they continued their trek to the Georgia Dome.
The game. I can't even begin to comprehend what was going through the home team's mind as it unraveled right before their eyes. Their "three-peat" was becoming a no-peat. Their insane consecutive playoff winning streak coming to an end. Hillgrove answering every score that Camden put on the board, and then some. The last minute seemed to take an eternity to complete. But in the end, they couldn't get close enough to the goalpost to kick a winning field goal. Was the scoreboard true? 00 seconds on the clock. Hillgrove 28, Camden Co. 26.
There seemed to be a pregnant pause. It was like we went into a weird, Matrix-like slo-mo action. We started celebrating, but the Camden players were trying to point out an offside penalty that just wasn't there. Apparently they didn't make the snap before the clock ran out. It was over. Speed picked back up, and the team poured out onto the field.
The Grove had pulled through, once again. Surreal shock spread faster than fog off the Atlantic only a few miles away. I think they were truly stunned on the home side and a good chunk of our side with the Wildcat fans. A Camden player was face down in the end zone. Our team soaking in the win. The band attempting to play the fight song without jumping up and down, risking a busted lip. Cowbells continued to ring from within the segregated section of fans decked out in crimson.
But Camden continued to show class. Handshakes in center field. Their entire team and coaches circling around center field, going down on their knee to have a final discussion after the battle was over. Our own team doing the same off to the side around the 20-yard-line.
A family of Camden fans were coming down the aisle between the chaperones and the band, and they congratulated us on the win. We exchanged compliments to each other for an exciting game, and we thanked them for their hospitality. I hope the children of the Camden family, as well as the kids in our band, got to see that exchange and understand how to win AND lose with grace and dignity. We get hyped up and riled up over our teams, but we're still human beings. As we exited the field and headed to the buses, I think our original escort was at the gate. He thanked us for a great game, and wished us a safe trip back home.
Class ... Friday night, Southern style. I hope our schools in Cobb County and other areas in the metro Atlanta area can get a taste of this in games of the future.
As we pulled out of Kingsland, we passed a lighted church marquee that was glowing bright orange. It read, "God has shown mercy on us."
Indeed, it seems He did.
As a kid, if there was a varsity football home game in town (and even a few select away games), we were there. Front row, reserved seats. In South Georgia, football IS community ... particularly when there is only one public high school in the county. Unity and comraderie. We were the mighty Cougars.
Once I got into high school, it was marching band. We had folks to took just as much pride in the band as the football game. Again, it simply defined our Friday nights.
As an adult, my connection is still through the band, but now as a proud band parent. And Friday night, I was going to be a part of something big. Really big.
Humongoloid.
You see, my daughter is a freshman at Hillgrove High School in Powder Springs. We were seeded third from Region 4-AAAAA after the regular season, and we drew THE short straw for playoffs. Mind you ... this was Hillgrove's first season playing in the AAAAA division.
Getting past Stephenson in round one was bad enough, coming into the game as an eight-point underdog. We handled that game and surprised many who didn't expect to see the five-year-old high school advance any farther. But things were only scheduled to get more challenging.
For you see ... our short straw led us to "almost Jacksonville" in the far southeastern corner of the state to play the #1 ranked Camden County Wildcats. Defending AAAAA champions. Two years running. Nationally ranked in many polls. Hadn't lost a playoff game since 2007. Playing on their turf. Under a full moon. Can I stack this deck any higher? Again, in these communities across south Georgia, Friday night=High School Football.
The drive was such that we could not take the entire band, so it was a smaller contingency of about 60. Not even half our full complement. Six hours on a coach bus, with a return trip scheduled right after the game. Basically 12 hours of the day spent on a bus with a potentially excruciating football game in between. We were heading into enemy territory, pegged to lose by 15. I took a vacation day to chaperone. Why? Because the band kids are just that great and so worth it. But that's another story. Let's stick to the pigskin tale.
Camden County takes this game seriously. I mean, really seriously. There should be a movie. Huge bigger-than-life posters of their players (perhaps seniors) lined the fence in the end zone. No telling what time these folks arrived before the game. There was tailgating.
The stadium is probably the largest single venue in Kingsland. The visitor stands rivaled McEachern, but about half of our side was filled with Wildcats. Overflow, perhaps. Or as one Wildcat fan said on a local news station, "We sit on this side to taunt the visitors a little ... makes it fun!" Hillgrove fans were relegated to a section in the middle (which wasn't completely filled), and the band had the final section on the end. Many local media outlets and discussion forums didn't give Hillgrove much credit, if any. One columnist out of Valdosta quoted, "Hillgrove? Seriously? Is that even a school?" Um, yeah. Adam McDonald ... is he even a sports journalist? Sorry, I digress.
With the exception of some younger folks (read immature) who gave us some verbal abuse in the parking lot, the Camden County folks were a CLASS ACT. We had an escort take the chaperones from one corner of the field to the other where we could get our tickets for entry. No smack talk. No jeers. Southern hospitality at it's finest. We were the guests. Granted, it's like fattening the calf before taking it to slaughter ... they certainly felt we were going to be the main course for the evening. I think we were just a little annoying buzzing around their head that just needed to be swatted with one blow as they continued their trek to the Georgia Dome.
The game. I can't even begin to comprehend what was going through the home team's mind as it unraveled right before their eyes. Their "three-peat" was becoming a no-peat. Their insane consecutive playoff winning streak coming to an end. Hillgrove answering every score that Camden put on the board, and then some. The last minute seemed to take an eternity to complete. But in the end, they couldn't get close enough to the goalpost to kick a winning field goal. Was the scoreboard true? 00 seconds on the clock. Hillgrove 28, Camden Co. 26.
There seemed to be a pregnant pause. It was like we went into a weird, Matrix-like slo-mo action. We started celebrating, but the Camden players were trying to point out an offside penalty that just wasn't there. Apparently they didn't make the snap before the clock ran out. It was over. Speed picked back up, and the team poured out onto the field.
The Grove had pulled through, once again. Surreal shock spread faster than fog off the Atlantic only a few miles away. I think they were truly stunned on the home side and a good chunk of our side with the Wildcat fans. A Camden player was face down in the end zone. Our team soaking in the win. The band attempting to play the fight song without jumping up and down, risking a busted lip. Cowbells continued to ring from within the segregated section of fans decked out in crimson.
But Camden continued to show class. Handshakes in center field. Their entire team and coaches circling around center field, going down on their knee to have a final discussion after the battle was over. Our own team doing the same off to the side around the 20-yard-line.
A family of Camden fans were coming down the aisle between the chaperones and the band, and they congratulated us on the win. We exchanged compliments to each other for an exciting game, and we thanked them for their hospitality. I hope the children of the Camden family, as well as the kids in our band, got to see that exchange and understand how to win AND lose with grace and dignity. We get hyped up and riled up over our teams, but we're still human beings. As we exited the field and headed to the buses, I think our original escort was at the gate. He thanked us for a great game, and wished us a safe trip back home.
Class ... Friday night, Southern style. I hope our schools in Cobb County and other areas in the metro Atlanta area can get a taste of this in games of the future.
As we pulled out of Kingsland, we passed a lighted church marquee that was glowing bright orange. It read, "God has shown mercy on us."
Indeed, it seems He did.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Annual Post?
So ... when you don't write in your blog for a year, does it mean you're doomed to annual posting? I certainly hope not. My wonderful niece just starting writing, and I saw that in Facebook. It reminded me that I had a blog in Africa. Well, not really. But considering how negligent I've been with it, it might as well be across the Atlantic.
But it has been a wild and crazy year. In addition to the aforementioned job duties as president of a local chapter for business communicators (which I didn't do all that great a job of, IMHO), we have entered the realm of high school. Leah spend a good portion of late summer and all of fall in colorguard for the Hillgrove High School Marching Band. Their show this year was based on music from Swan Lake. It was a stunning show, and the couple of "pushes" in the show still gives me chills.
My first video taken with my Nano at the first home game was a total embarrassment ... I think I squealed for perpetuity. Chalk it up to "freshman parent." They competed in Akron, Ohio (placed seventh overall) and in the super regional in Atlanta (placing 11th out of 34). So proud of their accomplishments. They are a fantastic group of kids.
Amy and Chaz continue to plod along. Amy just finished her second book, entitled "Rosy Finds a Job." It's a fascinating page-turner ... all three of them. Illustrations of the characters on page three. She's so creative in that fashion. And Chaz has finally launched into a love of reading. I caught him reading National Geographic last week. Seriously. And no, there were no "interesting" photos that would have required a Q&A session.
Veda continues to hold down the fort and all of us hanging out of the windows. I continue to be amazed at her stamina and patience. The Lord blessed her with some gifts that I'll never master, so I'm glad He sent her my way.
Man ... this is good stuff. I think I'm AHEAD with this blog entry as a Christmas letter! So don't tell anyone.
Until next year? We'll see ... depends on whether or not something just seriously hits me that you need to know.
But it has been a wild and crazy year. In addition to the aforementioned job duties as president of a local chapter for business communicators (which I didn't do all that great a job of, IMHO), we have entered the realm of high school. Leah spend a good portion of late summer and all of fall in colorguard for the Hillgrove High School Marching Band. Their show this year was based on music from Swan Lake. It was a stunning show, and the couple of "pushes" in the show still gives me chills.
My first video taken with my Nano at the first home game was a total embarrassment ... I think I squealed for perpetuity. Chalk it up to "freshman parent." They competed in Akron, Ohio (placed seventh overall) and in the super regional in Atlanta (placing 11th out of 34). So proud of their accomplishments. They are a fantastic group of kids.
Amy and Chaz continue to plod along. Amy just finished her second book, entitled "Rosy Finds a Job." It's a fascinating page-turner ... all three of them. Illustrations of the characters on page three. She's so creative in that fashion. And Chaz has finally launched into a love of reading. I caught him reading National Geographic last week. Seriously. And no, there were no "interesting" photos that would have required a Q&A session.
Veda continues to hold down the fort and all of us hanging out of the windows. I continue to be amazed at her stamina and patience. The Lord blessed her with some gifts that I'll never master, so I'm glad He sent her my way.
Man ... this is good stuff. I think I'm AHEAD with this blog entry as a Christmas letter! So don't tell anyone.
Until next year? We'll see ... depends on whether or not something just seriously hits me that you need to know.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Bush is Back in the Saddle!
OK ... not what you're thinking! But I am the 2010 president of the Atlanta chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators!
Here's my first blog entry as president if you have any interest.
http://ow.ly/14EVP
Other than that ... life continues on for the Bush family. Since my most recent blog entry (in September ... hmm) there has not been too many developments to speak of. But there are many times I think of something and think how it would make a good blog entry. And I fail to sit down and write it up.
And right now, I can't remember a single one of them.
So I guess I'll be back eventually!
Here's my first blog entry as president if you have any interest.
http://ow.ly/14EVP
Other than that ... life continues on for the Bush family. Since my most recent blog entry (in September ... hmm) there has not been too many developments to speak of. But there are many times I think of something and think how it would make a good blog entry. And I fail to sit down and write it up.
And right now, I can't remember a single one of them.
So I guess I'll be back eventually!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Missing It
Once a year, we have the privilege of taking our children to Six Flags.
I say it is a privilege, because there will come a time when our children don't want to be seen with us at a public amusement park. Or a grocery store, for that matter. So for now, privilege it is.
And last Friday night was the time-honored evening. We got there as the gates were opening up for our company outing at 6 p.m. This year, we focused the Friday night event on our two youngest, while our oldest will get a chance to go later this month for a no-kids event.
It was fun ... riding some of the very same rides that Veda and I rode on as a kid (and yes, there are still some of the original rides, smarty pants.) Bumper cars, the merry-go-round, the Dalonega ... and many more.
But about 10:15 p.m., we positioned ourselves near where the Gasp used to be so we would have a perfect view of the FIREWORKS extravaganza through an opening in the trees. A highlight of the evening! And they started right on time.
"Wait ... what is going on?" I thought to myself. As we were glued to our spots watching the August nighttime sky light up like a battlefield ... people were walking past us. BACKS to the show. "Are you kidding me? People ... turn around and see what you are missing! Stop!"
I couldn't believe it ... folks just walking along practically ignoring the display above our heads. What's got into people? This fireworks show is FREE ... it's awesome ... you won't get this every day! It's SPECIAL!
But then it hit me. That must be how we often look to God ... milling about down here in total oblivion to what He is doing. Turning our backs on His work. Ignorant and self-centered. Bypassing something that is not only FREE but available EVERY DAY! Wow ... we're crazy people. I can't say this in front of my younger kids or in the house ... but we're stupid.
So I asked myself and I'll ask you ... are we missing it? Is there some amazing stuff going on and we've either got our backs to it or we're overlooking it for what we think is a greater purpose? Reality check ... nothing is greater than what God is doing in our lives and those around us.
STOP! Turn around. Watch the fireworks. There will be more "oohs" and "aahs" than you could ever imagine if you just take the time to see what is happening.
Best display in town ... guaranteed.
I say it is a privilege, because there will come a time when our children don't want to be seen with us at a public amusement park. Or a grocery store, for that matter. So for now, privilege it is.
And last Friday night was the time-honored evening. We got there as the gates were opening up for our company outing at 6 p.m. This year, we focused the Friday night event on our two youngest, while our oldest will get a chance to go later this month for a no-kids event.
It was fun ... riding some of the very same rides that Veda and I rode on as a kid (and yes, there are still some of the original rides, smarty pants.) Bumper cars, the merry-go-round, the Dalonega ... and many more.
But about 10:15 p.m., we positioned ourselves near where the Gasp used to be so we would have a perfect view of the FIREWORKS extravaganza through an opening in the trees. A highlight of the evening! And they started right on time."Wait ... what is going on?" I thought to myself. As we were glued to our spots watching the August nighttime sky light up like a battlefield ... people were walking past us. BACKS to the show. "Are you kidding me? People ... turn around and see what you are missing! Stop!"
I couldn't believe it ... folks just walking along practically ignoring the display above our heads. What's got into people? This fireworks show is FREE ... it's awesome ... you won't get this every day! It's SPECIAL!
But then it hit me. That must be how we often look to God ... milling about down here in total oblivion to what He is doing. Turning our backs on His work. Ignorant and self-centered. Bypassing something that is not only FREE but available EVERY DAY! Wow ... we're crazy people. I can't say this in front of my younger kids or in the house ... but we're stupid.
So I asked myself and I'll ask you ... are we missing it? Is there some amazing stuff going on and we've either got our backs to it or we're overlooking it for what we think is a greater purpose? Reality check ... nothing is greater than what God is doing in our lives and those around us.
STOP! Turn around. Watch the fireworks. There will be more "oohs" and "aahs" than you could ever imagine if you just take the time to see what is happening.
Best display in town ... guaranteed.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
O Blog, Have I Forsaken Thee? Nay!
Wow ... I was posting a comment on (In)Courage just now. Yes, yes, I know it's a place for the new hearts of women. But I was reading an entry from one of my favorite authors. And I mean favorite, as in I know her!
Well, I don't "know her" in the biblical sense, mind you. But I can walk up and hug her without getting slapped. You should get acquainted with her, too. She's up and coming ... will eventually BE Oprah's list. You heard it here. But I knew her first. So get in line. Annie Downs ... remember that name.
Anyhoo ... when you post a comment on a blog, there's a field for your website. Auughh! My blog! I have one of those! I felt compelled to come and give it some attention since I was calling it out. Good thing, too. So much has happened in the last few months. Here's the highlights.
Big headline ... we are in a new church. In that awkward "first-day-of-school-and-you-don't- really-know-anybody" phase. Why leave a church after ten years of blessing? Because God speaks to those willing to listen. I heard Him. And we're trying to be obedient. We spent a "summer of discovery" visiting churches in the area. And it was strange. And challenging. And difficult. But it is bearing fruit.
You see, even when something like changing churches throws almost every emotion in the book at you, as long as God is in the lead, you'll be blessed for it. Seriously. Read on ...
On our first visit to Burnt Hickory Baptist Church (to be referred to as BHBC going forward for the love of my fingers), I picked up a daily devotional for adults. It was perfect. Half a page per day. What a great way to get back into the Word and to reacquaint myself with some God time. Baby steps, folks. I'm still a work in progress.
On a repeat visit to BHBC, I picked up a copy of Keys for Kids, a daily devotional for children. How cool was this going to be? I started "His Royal Court" as an alternative to bedtime stories, and Veda and I use this devotional to "hold court" on our bed, inviting Prince Chaz and Princess Amy of His Kingdom. We have our devotion, one opens in prayer and one closes, and then we adjourn court. Fun stuff! (And good practice for the wiggly one to learn how to sit still for ten minutes!)
Amy (as you recall, our six-year-old) has been talking about wanting to be a Christian for about a year now. This is the result of wonderful leaders and mentors in The Garden at our former church, and we are so thankful for that.
Well, on July 21, the lesson was called "Choice of a Lifetime" and it talked about the importance of choosing Jesus, much like choosing when to pull into traffic. In the wrapup, it gave an overview of the ABCs of the prayer of salvation (accept, believe, & confess). We talked about the Book of Life and all of the good stuff that comes with salvation.
Out of the blue, and totally unexpected ... Amy said "I want to pray that. I want God in my heart."
"Veda! Veda! You better get up here, please!" (Well, I didn't want her to miss this!)
Now mind you, Amy is only six. We have always been concerned with our children and having the appropriate age of accountability for this step. But when Amy started praying ... started weeping as she admitted to having sinned in her short life (e.g., yelling at Chaz, etc.), we knew God was good with it.
Praise the Lord ... two down, and one more to go! What a wonderful gift to help lead your child to Christ! THAT'S what parenting is about first. Then all the other stuff.
So ... new church. New Christian. Yay. But here comes some of the "other stuff."
Leah started public school yesterday. Oh yeah, other stuff. I went there.
We felt it wise to let her experience public school in the eighth grade first, so she's be more prepared for public high school. It went well, despite the fact that some football player hit on her in homeroom.
Sheesh, guy! Give the girl some breathing room ... it's only day one!
And I'm watching you. I know the ten rules for dating my daughter. You obviously don't. 'Cuz the prologue to the rules is ... she's not dating yet!
He kept prodding and eventually said they should exchange numbers. Leah balked ... said her Mom didn't allow her to call guys.
"Atta girl! You're darn right! Back off, jack!" She didn't give him her number either. Rejected!
Later, one of Leah's friends told her that he was a "nobody." Well now, no need to be THAT rejecting. I have a microscopic portion of grace for the guy for trying. And Leah is certainly a catch! There are many "nobodies" that eventually become big-time "somebodies." Just not with my daughter on "day one" of school.
Bind up those hormones, dude. Bind 'em up. Be a real "somebody" and learn how to pace yourself.
I'm sure there will be more sagas along the way. But for now, this should get me back on track. Did I forget anything? I'm sure I did. You'll just have to wait for the next chapter.
Well, I don't "know her" in the biblical sense, mind you. But I can walk up and hug her without getting slapped. You should get acquainted with her, too. She's up and coming ... will eventually BE Oprah's list. You heard it here. But I knew her first. So get in line. Annie Downs ... remember that name.
Anyhoo ... when you post a comment on a blog, there's a field for your website. Auughh! My blog! I have one of those! I felt compelled to come and give it some attention since I was calling it out. Good thing, too. So much has happened in the last few months. Here's the highlights.
Big headline ... we are in a new church. In that awkward "first-day-of-school-and-you-don't- really-know-anybody" phase. Why leave a church after ten years of blessing? Because God speaks to those willing to listen. I heard Him. And we're trying to be obedient. We spent a "summer of discovery" visiting churches in the area. And it was strange. And challenging. And difficult. But it is bearing fruit.
You see, even when something like changing churches throws almost every emotion in the book at you, as long as God is in the lead, you'll be blessed for it. Seriously. Read on ...
On our first visit to Burnt Hickory Baptist Church (to be referred to as BHBC going forward for the love of my fingers), I picked up a daily devotional for adults. It was perfect. Half a page per day. What a great way to get back into the Word and to reacquaint myself with some God time. Baby steps, folks. I'm still a work in progress.
On a repeat visit to BHBC, I picked up a copy of Keys for Kids, a daily devotional for children. How cool was this going to be? I started "His Royal Court" as an alternative to bedtime stories, and Veda and I use this devotional to "hold court" on our bed, inviting Prince Chaz and Princess Amy of His Kingdom. We have our devotion, one opens in prayer and one closes, and then we adjourn court. Fun stuff! (And good practice for the wiggly one to learn how to sit still for ten minutes!)
Amy (as you recall, our six-year-old) has been talking about wanting to be a Christian for about a year now. This is the result of wonderful leaders and mentors in The Garden at our former church, and we are so thankful for that.
Well, on July 21, the lesson was called "Choice of a Lifetime" and it talked about the importance of choosing Jesus, much like choosing when to pull into traffic. In the wrapup, it gave an overview of the ABCs of the prayer of salvation (accept, believe, & confess). We talked about the Book of Life and all of the good stuff that comes with salvation.
Out of the blue, and totally unexpected ... Amy said "I want to pray that. I want God in my heart."
"Veda! Veda! You better get up here, please!" (Well, I didn't want her to miss this!)
Now mind you, Amy is only six. We have always been concerned with our children and having the appropriate age of accountability for this step. But when Amy started praying ... started weeping as she admitted to having sinned in her short life (e.g., yelling at Chaz, etc.), we knew God was good with it.
Praise the Lord ... two down, and one more to go! What a wonderful gift to help lead your child to Christ! THAT'S what parenting is about first. Then all the other stuff.
So ... new church. New Christian. Yay. But here comes some of the "other stuff."
Leah started public school yesterday. Oh yeah, other stuff. I went there.
We felt it wise to let her experience public school in the eighth grade first, so she's be more prepared for public high school. It went well, despite the fact that some football player hit on her in homeroom.
Sheesh, guy! Give the girl some breathing room ... it's only day one!
And I'm watching you. I know the ten rules for dating my daughter. You obviously don't. 'Cuz the prologue to the rules is ... she's not dating yet!
He kept prodding and eventually said they should exchange numbers. Leah balked ... said her Mom didn't allow her to call guys.
"Atta girl! You're darn right! Back off, jack!" She didn't give him her number either. Rejected!
Later, one of Leah's friends told her that he was a "nobody." Well now, no need to be THAT rejecting. I have a microscopic portion of grace for the guy for trying. And Leah is certainly a catch! There are many "nobodies" that eventually become big-time "somebodies." Just not with my daughter on "day one" of school.
Bind up those hormones, dude. Bind 'em up. Be a real "somebody" and learn how to pace yourself.
I'm sure there will be more sagas along the way. But for now, this should get me back on track. Did I forget anything? I'm sure I did. You'll just have to wait for the next chapter.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Ah, That's Why I Don't Do That For a Living
I spent the afternoon detailing the interior of my car.
And yes, I mean the ENTIRE afternoon. I was literally vacuuming after dark. In the dark. Can't wait to see how well I did when the sun is actually up.
I've been driving a 2000 Honda CR-V since ... well, 2000 ... and it's been a wonderful driver/vehicle relationship. An SUV is what I wanted all through college, so when I finally got one, it was like I had finally arrived. Granted, I had been out of college 11 years when I finally arrived, but I had arrived, nonetheless.
So today, I was prepping my car for sale. Now I've detailed the interior of a car before when we were loaning out a van or something like that. And I actually enjoy it when I have time to do it ... and do it RIGHT. Out comes wipes, paper towels, cleaner, and TOOTHPICKS.
I don't know what the professionals use, but toothpicks are the key for getting gunk out of those little lines and crevices that are all over a vehicle's interior. I think the manufacturers create them just to agonize owners. Not really, but maybe. I mean, it's not a conspiracy theory. Just some engineered tactile elements that can be very aggravating. Dirt collects there, people. Gunky dirt.
So here I was, struggling with the mixed feelings of getting ready to move on with another vehicle and the joy of accomplishing something ... actually thinking that car detailing would be a fun job. Until I remembered what I needed to tackle.
A melted yellow crayon.
You know ... crayons really don't belong in a car. Cars get hot. Crayons get forgotten. Put the two together, and you have an issue. And the user of the crayon does not have the accountability to clean it up. Issue elevates to crisis. And I'm the crisis manager.
No toothpick was going to handle this. It required elbow grease. It required strategy.
It required boiling water.
I'm serious ... boiling water to melt it loose ... twice. Once to get up the majority of it, then again to get out the yellow tint that had coated the little tray in the center console. Ugh.
I'm guessing folks who detail cars have encountered melted crayons before. And had it been in the upholstery, I really would have been mumbling.
But thank you Lord ... You don't have me detailing cars. Not that I wouldn't do it if called, but let's just say I'm not seeking that out.
Particularly those vehicles with crayons. Or those whose drivers own a number of pets. Double-ick.
And BTW ... for those of you still hanging on for the rest of the story ... yes, my car is staying in the extended family.
So I'll have visitation rights.
And yes, I mean the ENTIRE afternoon. I was literally vacuuming after dark. In the dark. Can't wait to see how well I did when the sun is actually up.
I've been driving a 2000 Honda CR-V since ... well, 2000 ... and it's been a wonderful driver/vehicle relationship. An SUV is what I wanted all through college, so when I finally got one, it was like I had finally arrived. Granted, I had been out of college 11 years when I finally arrived, but I had arrived, nonetheless.
So today, I was prepping my car for sale. Now I've detailed the interior of a car before when we were loaning out a van or something like that. And I actually enjoy it when I have time to do it ... and do it RIGHT. Out comes wipes, paper towels, cleaner, and TOOTHPICKS.
I don't know what the professionals use, but toothpicks are the key for getting gunk out of those little lines and crevices that are all over a vehicle's interior. I think the manufacturers create them just to agonize owners. Not really, but maybe. I mean, it's not a conspiracy theory. Just some engineered tactile elements that can be very aggravating. Dirt collects there, people. Gunky dirt.
So here I was, struggling with the mixed feelings of getting ready to move on with another vehicle and the joy of accomplishing something ... actually thinking that car detailing would be a fun job. Until I remembered what I needed to tackle.
A melted yellow crayon.
You know ... crayons really don't belong in a car. Cars get hot. Crayons get forgotten. Put the two together, and you have an issue. And the user of the crayon does not have the accountability to clean it up. Issue elevates to crisis. And I'm the crisis manager.
No toothpick was going to handle this. It required elbow grease. It required strategy.
It required boiling water.
I'm serious ... boiling water to melt it loose ... twice. Once to get up the majority of it, then again to get out the yellow tint that had coated the little tray in the center console. Ugh.
I'm guessing folks who detail cars have encountered melted crayons before. And had it been in the upholstery, I really would have been mumbling.
But thank you Lord ... You don't have me detailing cars. Not that I wouldn't do it if called, but let's just say I'm not seeking that out.
Particularly those vehicles with crayons. Or those whose drivers own a number of pets. Double-ick.
And BTW ... for those of you still hanging on for the rest of the story ... yes, my car is staying in the extended family.
So I'll have visitation rights.
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