30 July 2011
28 July 2011
What does it take to be a parent?
You have to juggle baseball, swimming, vacation bible school, golf camp, dance class, library trips, football, basketball, faith formation, major league baseball games, movies, play-dates, fundraisers, soccer, homework, legos, Wii, dress-up, laundry, cooking, cleaning, driving, mowing, gardening, lawn-care, watering, vacuuming, washing of the floor ... and blogging.
That's all ... well, maybe not ALL, but at least SOME :)
That's all ... well, maybe not ALL, but at least SOME :)
26 July 2011
One liners ...
Why is it that rain drops but snow falls?
Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?
Rome did not build an empire by having meetings - they did it by killing all those who opposed them.
If We Quit Voting Will They All Go Away?
You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive.
The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.
To steal ideas from oneperson is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.
Ever notice that people who spend money on beer, cigarettes, and lottery tickets are always complaining about being broke and not feeling well?
http://www.bitoffun.com/oneliners.htm
Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?
Rome did not build an empire by having meetings - they did it by killing all those who opposed them.
If We Quit Voting Will They All Go Away?
You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive.
The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.
To steal ideas from oneperson is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.
Ever notice that people who spend money on beer, cigarettes, and lottery tickets are always complaining about being broke and not feeling well?
http://www.bitoffun.com/oneliners.htm
23 July 2011
22 July 2011
21 July 2011
19 July 2011
Warts and remedies
If you haven't had to deal with warts, skins sores, and other viral infections that cause bumps on the outer layer of epidermis ... well, you are just plain lucky.
If you have the bumps, the sores, the warts, the epidermal viral infections ... try the OTC remedies if you can before you journey to the dermatologist to spend buckets of money on office visits and 'treatments.' Of course, the OTC remedies are expensive enough. Once you try the prescription medications, then you'll find the other side of fence to be even greener - and by that I obviously mean even MORE expensive. But routinely these treatments actually work, as compared to the over-the-counter remedies, at least.
Hopefully the Rx's work, because the entire concept of 'treatment' - of 'freezing' or 'burning' the little sores and bumps off - is just plain ridiculous. Who wants to take liquid nitrogen and spray it in specific spots so that skin can become extremely irritated and eventually fall off, hopefully leaving new (and uninfected) skin to take it's place? Not me. But it works. It's not fun. But it works.
Oh well. That's the routine. So, if you can, stay away from frogs, toads, witches, and other things that may cause viruses to run wild on your external epidermal layer - and cause warts, bumps and sores. No idea what really spreads this so easily some kids' worlds, but it happens. Cleanliness be darned.
Good luck!
If you have the bumps, the sores, the warts, the epidermal viral infections ... try the OTC remedies if you can before you journey to the dermatologist to spend buckets of money on office visits and 'treatments.' Of course, the OTC remedies are expensive enough. Once you try the prescription medications, then you'll find the other side of fence to be even greener - and by that I obviously mean even MORE expensive. But routinely these treatments actually work, as compared to the over-the-counter remedies, at least.
Hopefully the Rx's work, because the entire concept of 'treatment' - of 'freezing' or 'burning' the little sores and bumps off - is just plain ridiculous. Who wants to take liquid nitrogen and spray it in specific spots so that skin can become extremely irritated and eventually fall off, hopefully leaving new (and uninfected) skin to take it's place? Not me. But it works. It's not fun. But it works.
Oh well. That's the routine. So, if you can, stay away from frogs, toads, witches, and other things that may cause viruses to run wild on your external epidermal layer - and cause warts, bumps and sores. No idea what really spreads this so easily some kids' worlds, but it happens. Cleanliness be darned.
Good luck!
18 July 2011
We are called ...
... to act with justice,
we are called to love tenderly,
we are called to serve one another;
to walk humbly with God!
We Are Called ... catholic hym
we are called to love tenderly,
we are called to serve one another;
to walk humbly with God!
We Are Called ... catholic hym
17 July 2011
Practice saying, "No."
If you don't have kids yet - or even if you do, but they are in the habit of getting everything they want ... start practicing saying , "No."
Trust me. The better you are at it, the less stress you'll have to deal with as your kids figure out how to LISTEN to "No."
Trust me. The better you are at it, the less stress you'll have to deal with as your kids figure out how to LISTEN to "No."
16 July 2011
15 July 2011
14 July 2011
Go to a Parade ... See what all the fuss is about ...
Then leave early. They're usually no big deal ... seriously.
Or ... or ... take beverages - and stay the night.
Or ... or ... take beverages - and stay the night.
13 July 2011
So ... when do they think they can do things - you know - together?
I've had enough of the sibling rivalry thing. I remember when I was a kid not wanting to do much with my sibling when we were really young. You know, like staying at Grandma's house, or playing the board game? If my brother wanted to do it, then I wanted to do something else. Then, once he decided that he didn't want to do it, I was back wanting to do it.
But eventually, we started doing a lot of things together. I don't know when that was - but I can't wait for my children to get to that stage. Of course, I should be careful what I wish for, because I remember it going from not wanting to do anything with my sibling, to being ultra-competitive and getting into a lot of arguments during games we played on opposite teams.
Oh well. I guess I'll go back to letting the kids figure it out. Whether they want to do things together all the time or not, they do get along most of the time - and that's pretty cool - you know?
But eventually, we started doing a lot of things together. I don't know when that was - but I can't wait for my children to get to that stage. Of course, I should be careful what I wish for, because I remember it going from not wanting to do anything with my sibling, to being ultra-competitive and getting into a lot of arguments during games we played on opposite teams.
Oh well. I guess I'll go back to letting the kids figure it out. Whether they want to do things together all the time or not, they do get along most of the time - and that's pretty cool - you know?
12 July 2011
A child's mind ...
"I'm bored. Can I watch TV? Can I play video games? Can I call a friend? ... Yes? - (... quick calls to several friends, unanswered, unreturned ... looking for something else ...) Can I ride my bike? Can I play in the garage? ... Yes?-Thanks!" ... (and they're gone to play in the garage).
Later ... a friend comes over to ask if they want to play ...
"No thanks ... "
( - Wait! - What?!?! - Why in the world would you turn them down? ... *head shake, eye roll* - followed by said child running back outside and chasing down said friend to ask if they would still like to play - )
Later ... a friend comes over to ask if they want to play ...
"No thanks ... "
( - Wait! - What?!?! - Why in the world would you turn them down? ... *head shake, eye roll* - followed by said child running back outside and chasing down said friend to ask if they would still like to play - )
11 July 2011
09 July 2011
ENCOURAGEMENT (by Mark Schlereth)
Life is hard. I mean really hard, and regardless of where we find ourselves on the journey all of us can use a little encouragement. I found some encouragement in of all places, a chain email. Now I am not a huge fan of the chain email, and truth be told I rarely ever forward them along. I hate the way many promise God’s blessing if only we take the time to share that email with 12 or so friends. This just in…God doesn’t use email, he’s ubiquitous, he doesn’t need it. God can speak directly to our hearts without having to hit send! If I do happen to send the chain email down the line I usually delete the promise portion at the end. Lets face it if your only motivation to pass something inspiring along is so you can be blessed, then that’s missing the point? Do you really think God is going to honor that?
So about a month ago I received an email that touched my heart and I decided to share it with a few friends of mine. One of the friends I chose to share the email with is a co-worker at ESPN that I only talk to a few times a year. I’m not sure why he was on my mind but he was, so I forwarded him this email and what transpired was nothing short of miraculous.
The chain email reads:
It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80′s arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.
I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.
While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health.
He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer’s disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him, “And you still go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are?”
He smiled as he patted my hand and said, “She doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is.”
I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, “That is the kind of love I want in my life.”
True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.
Shortly after hitting send I received a this response from my co-worker at ESPN:
“Bro.. you just changed my Tuesday plans by sending me this… I’m now going to drive to NY after work tomorrow to see a very special relative who hasn’t known who I am in 3 years.. even 5 minutes to say a prayer by her side will be enough.. thanks for sharing.. you make many lives better.”
This is where the story gets great.
Wednesday night I received a phone call from my friend. I could hear the emotion and exhaustion in his voice. “Thank you,” he said in a voice that slightly quivered, “thank you. “You see,” he went on, “I have a 94 year old grandmother who is gravely ill. She suffers from Alzheimer’s and hasn’t recognized her family for years. My travel schedule is such that I decided that I wasn’t going to take the 2 hour drive to see her as she wouldn’t recognize me anyhow, but then I opened your email! When I got to the Hospital she was resting comfortably, so I simply sat quietly praying. Eventually I pulled my chair up beside her and held her hand and prayed and talked to her just like I’m speaking with you. While I was praying and talking my grandmother opened her eyes, she did not speak, she simply smiled her warm smile as she looked at me, her eyes thanking me as if she had been eagerly awaiting my arrival, then drifted back to sleep. I decided to setup camp in her room as it was late and I had a long drive that would be easier with a few hours of sleep and daylight! My Grandmother passed away just a few short hours after she opened he eyes one last time at 4 am. Thank you.”
Sometimes all it takes is a nudge, the slightest push, just a little bit of encouragement!
http://www.markschlereth.com/2011/07/01/encouragement/765/
So about a month ago I received an email that touched my heart and I decided to share it with a few friends of mine. One of the friends I chose to share the email with is a co-worker at ESPN that I only talk to a few times a year. I’m not sure why he was on my mind but he was, so I forwarded him this email and what transpired was nothing short of miraculous.
The chain email reads:
It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80′s arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.
I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.
While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health.
He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer’s disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him, “And you still go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are?”
He smiled as he patted my hand and said, “She doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is.”
I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, “That is the kind of love I want in my life.”
True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.
Shortly after hitting send I received a this response from my co-worker at ESPN:
“Bro.. you just changed my Tuesday plans by sending me this… I’m now going to drive to NY after work tomorrow to see a very special relative who hasn’t known who I am in 3 years.. even 5 minutes to say a prayer by her side will be enough.. thanks for sharing.. you make many lives better.”
This is where the story gets great.
Wednesday night I received a phone call from my friend. I could hear the emotion and exhaustion in his voice. “Thank you,” he said in a voice that slightly quivered, “thank you. “You see,” he went on, “I have a 94 year old grandmother who is gravely ill. She suffers from Alzheimer’s and hasn’t recognized her family for years. My travel schedule is such that I decided that I wasn’t going to take the 2 hour drive to see her as she wouldn’t recognize me anyhow, but then I opened your email! When I got to the Hospital she was resting comfortably, so I simply sat quietly praying. Eventually I pulled my chair up beside her and held her hand and prayed and talked to her just like I’m speaking with you. While I was praying and talking my grandmother opened her eyes, she did not speak, she simply smiled her warm smile as she looked at me, her eyes thanking me as if she had been eagerly awaiting my arrival, then drifted back to sleep. I decided to setup camp in her room as it was late and I had a long drive that would be easier with a few hours of sleep and daylight! My Grandmother passed away just a few short hours after she opened he eyes one last time at 4 am. Thank you.”
Sometimes all it takes is a nudge, the slightest push, just a little bit of encouragement!
http://www.markschlereth.com/2011/07/01/encouragement/765/
08 July 2011
Tell me why ...
... "roses are red and violets are blue" - when roses need not be red, but violets should really be violet?
... you park in a driveway and drive on a parkway - but when you park on a parkway it's call 'rush hour' traffic, even though nobody can RUSH anywhere because everyone's parked on the parkway in so much traffic?
... football, soccer, and basketball are split evenly in quarters and/or halves, while hockey has three periods?
... the Upper Penninsula of Michigan isn't a part of Wisconsin?
... Utah has a salt lake?
... the Mississippi River neither starts nor ends in Mississippi?
... Michigan City is in Indiana - or for that matter why the largest 'Kansas City' is in Missouri?
... when you want an answer, nobody's around, but someone will always give you plenty of answers you don't need?
... you park in a driveway and drive on a parkway - but when you park on a parkway it's call 'rush hour' traffic, even though nobody can RUSH anywhere because everyone's parked on the parkway in so much traffic?
... football, soccer, and basketball are split evenly in quarters and/or halves, while hockey has three periods?
... the Upper Penninsula of Michigan isn't a part of Wisconsin?
... Utah has a salt lake?
... the Mississippi River neither starts nor ends in Mississippi?
... Michigan City is in Indiana - or for that matter why the largest 'Kansas City' is in Missouri?
... when you want an answer, nobody's around, but someone will always give you plenty of answers you don't need?
07 July 2011
06 July 2011
04 July 2011
03 July 2011
02 July 2011
01 July 2011
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