One of the things that I truly enjoy about summer time are the thunder showers. I really miss being in Trail, sitting on the balcony of our house that cost less to rent than our bitty basement, and watching & listening to the lightning and thunder roll through the columbia river valley. The echo of the thunder, the sound of the rain falling-each drop racing each other to the ground.
Go BC!
Showing posts with label tidbit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tidbit. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
as doubt creeps in
I am not sure why, but for some reason I seem to be entertaining the notion of staying with {corporate restaurant name here} until the new year. I was offered the possibility of a raise, if I would commit to then. I am not really sure why I am considering it. I think it is because that would be the easy choice, which would allow me to maintain status quo and not have to make any major life changes. Well, not just that, but the benefit of the kids staying at the same school for another year or two, instead of having to change once now and again when I take the PCP.
To move would take a lot of planning, a lot of changes and decisions. I want to know that this is the right choice first, but really it isn't up to me. It's up to God.
As I come home from the final night of Freedom Session, the graduation complete, I am reminded that I need to listen to what God is trying to tell me. The one rule in life that I am really trying to live by is "do the last thing that God wanted to you do". All you have to do is follow that rule, and He will be sure to take care of you, and deliver on His promises. The struggle is: taking the time to listen to Him, and having the courage to act on it. I know I need to spend more time listening. The funny thing is, even though I know this, I still choose not to.
I look forward to the Thursday night meetings of the "triad", now that Freedom Session is over, my group of dudes that will hold me accountable to listen to God and encourage me to act on what I hear.
To move would take a lot of planning, a lot of changes and decisions. I want to know that this is the right choice first, but really it isn't up to me. It's up to God.
As I come home from the final night of Freedom Session, the graduation complete, I am reminded that I need to listen to what God is trying to tell me. The one rule in life that I am really trying to live by is "do the last thing that God wanted to you do". All you have to do is follow that rule, and He will be sure to take care of you, and deliver on His promises. The struggle is: taking the time to listen to Him, and having the courage to act on it. I know I need to spend more time listening. The funny thing is, even though I know this, I still choose not to.
I look forward to the Thursday night meetings of the "triad", now that Freedom Session is over, my group of dudes that will hold me accountable to listen to God and encourage me to act on what I hear.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
ipod
Last night our sweet little darling Eleanor was having a hard time going to sleep. She was having fears about having a nightmare. One of her friends told her a story about someone being stabbed in the heart a few months ago, and at the time, she was afraid of having a dream about it. Last night, it popped up again. Because of this, she didn't get to sleep until after 10pm.
That brings us to this morning, where we were all just laying in bed, ignoring the fact that it was after 8am and Eleanor was late for school. The princess was having a small fit, mostly because she wanted to be sleeping still I think.
The best part, as we were laying there trying not to react to the frequent grumblings from the other side of the bed, Thomas tells us he wants and ipod. Not sure that she heard him correctly, Vanessa asks him what he just said.
T: I want an ipod.
V: Do you even know what an ipod is?
T: yeah, it has like a thousand songs on it, and games.
V: How do you know that?
T: Daddy has one.
I think that he has listened to a song on my ipod a total of one time, and I think that I have used it a total of one time in front of them in the 6 months that I have had it.
I should probably get used to this, the boy asking for all the cool new gadgets that are out there as I'm sure the requests will get more emphatic as he gets older.
And more expensive.
That brings us to this morning, where we were all just laying in bed, ignoring the fact that it was after 8am and Eleanor was late for school. The princess was having a small fit, mostly because she wanted to be sleeping still I think.
The best part, as we were laying there trying not to react to the frequent grumblings from the other side of the bed, Thomas tells us he wants and ipod. Not sure that she heard him correctly, Vanessa asks him what he just said.
T: I want an ipod.
V: Do you even know what an ipod is?
T: yeah, it has like a thousand songs on it, and games.
V: How do you know that?
T: Daddy has one.
I think that he has listened to a song on my ipod a total of one time, and I think that I have used it a total of one time in front of them in the 6 months that I have had it.
I should probably get used to this, the boy asking for all the cool new gadgets that are out there as I'm sure the requests will get more emphatic as he gets older.
And more expensive.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
save the copper
I have the song "3:42am" by MercyMe stuck in my head right now. Maybe it is because it's 2:45am and I am sitting at my computer instead of tucked into my warm and cozy bed, snugly sleeping beside Vanessa who is definitely not having any trouble visiting dreamland.
I have recently come to the conclusion (around 2:30 or so) that laying down in bed, at 8:30pm after the kids go to bed, and falling asleep is not the best course of action for a good nights sleep. I'm thinking I should have waited an hour or two, to prevent the awkwardness of being ready for my day by 3 in the morning. I can't blame Vanessa, because even if she had tried to stop it, it would have failed. I was sleepy, and lets just say that I can be persistent about sleeping when I am tired.
Being awake in a silent house in the middle of the night gives one a chance to think though, and I have had an idea which may, in fact, help save the world.
It has to do with pennies, and the uselessness of them. Why are they still in circulation? Why do we bother counting them out? Can you buy anything with a penny anymore?
I know that pennies once were useful, I will not contest that fact. It has been a long time however since they have really been important in our monetary system.
Good point, I know, but how is that going to save the world? Well, besides saving the materials, time and energy that go into producing these now obsolete and uncared for coins, here is the plan.
When you buy something, I propose that the price just gets bumped up to the nearest nickel. For example, if the total after tax is $11.18, round up to $11.20. It is only two of the unwanted pennies that you are paying extra, and I am sure that there are very few people out there that would complain about losing the extra two pennies.
"Oh, but Russell" you say, "those pennies add up". Yes, they do, and that is how someone with far greater computer literacy than me would have to step in, and develop the software for business that would track all of the sales that have been rounded up. At the end of the month, businesses would have a total amount overpaid by rounding up, and would then be responsible for giving that sum to an organization like the food bank, habitat for humanity, etc.
Imagine how much money would be available to help people in need. You or I would not notice any change in our quality of life as a result of paying an extra penny or two for what we buy. Those pennies usually end up floating around, often getting lost or being given to the kids to play with. This is such a greater way to use that money, and think of the impact it would have on the people in our society that really need the help.
Let me know what you think, if there is enough interest in this then maybe I will just quit my day job and go full force lobbying for change. Pun intended.
I have recently come to the conclusion (around 2:30 or so) that laying down in bed, at 8:30pm after the kids go to bed, and falling asleep is not the best course of action for a good nights sleep. I'm thinking I should have waited an hour or two, to prevent the awkwardness of being ready for my day by 3 in the morning. I can't blame Vanessa, because even if she had tried to stop it, it would have failed. I was sleepy, and lets just say that I can be persistent about sleeping when I am tired.
Being awake in a silent house in the middle of the night gives one a chance to think though, and I have had an idea which may, in fact, help save the world.
It has to do with pennies, and the uselessness of them. Why are they still in circulation? Why do we bother counting them out? Can you buy anything with a penny anymore?
I know that pennies once were useful, I will not contest that fact. It has been a long time however since they have really been important in our monetary system.
Good point, I know, but how is that going to save the world? Well, besides saving the materials, time and energy that go into producing these now obsolete and uncared for coins, here is the plan.
When you buy something, I propose that the price just gets bumped up to the nearest nickel. For example, if the total after tax is $11.18, round up to $11.20. It is only two of the unwanted pennies that you are paying extra, and I am sure that there are very few people out there that would complain about losing the extra two pennies.
"Oh, but Russell" you say, "those pennies add up". Yes, they do, and that is how someone with far greater computer literacy than me would have to step in, and develop the software for business that would track all of the sales that have been rounded up. At the end of the month, businesses would have a total amount overpaid by rounding up, and would then be responsible for giving that sum to an organization like the food bank, habitat for humanity, etc.
Imagine how much money would be available to help people in need. You or I would not notice any change in our quality of life as a result of paying an extra penny or two for what we buy. Those pennies usually end up floating around, often getting lost or being given to the kids to play with. This is such a greater way to use that money, and think of the impact it would have on the people in our society that really need the help.
Let me know what you think, if there is enough interest in this then maybe I will just quit my day job and go full force lobbying for change. Pun intended.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
series tied 3-3?
Seriously? I'm not really sure how it happened, but the Canucks/Stars series is now tied 3-3 (like you didn't know that).
What I don't really get, it how you expect to win hockey games without scoring any goals. I am positive that no team has one an NHL game without scoring a goal.
Ever.
That leaves a game 7 tomorrow night for all to look forward to. That is, if they can score. I will be cheering them on either way, and I will admit that it will be extremely more exciting and rewarding if we can score some goals.
As much as I don't want to admit it, I am also looking forward to "The Real Wedding Crashers", a new series starting tomorrow night. It really does look like it is going to be funny, but a lot will have to do with the format and delivery of the show.
Of course, if the hockey game goes into overtime again, I may miss the whole opening episode.
What I don't really get, it how you expect to win hockey games without scoring any goals. I am positive that no team has one an NHL game without scoring a goal.
Ever.
That leaves a game 7 tomorrow night for all to look forward to. That is, if they can score. I will be cheering them on either way, and I will admit that it will be extremely more exciting and rewarding if we can score some goals.
As much as I don't want to admit it, I am also looking forward to "The Real Wedding Crashers", a new series starting tomorrow night. It really does look like it is going to be funny, but a lot will have to do with the format and delivery of the show.
Of course, if the hockey game goes into overtime again, I may miss the whole opening episode.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
being in charge
Yesterday was the start of my temporary reign as acting GM of the restaurant. This is very cool for me, as I expect to do well, and am hopeful that will translate into me running said restaurant as the official GM.
I think there was about 13 minutes out of 10 hours yesterday that weren't filled with the Neverending List of Stuff to do. Being off for a week, naturally there were a few things waiting for me to do. Add to that certain members of the team that decided it would be easier to wait for me to do things for them when I returned from holidays instead of taking care of them right away and I didn't have more than one moments time to breathe. I did manage to catch up on the things waiting for me, with the help of "Scary Chris" and a plea for help.
Then, after coming home for dinner, and tucking the kids into bed, it was time for basketball. Every Wednesday night a bunch of guys get together at our church gym and run the court for a few hours. I haven't made it out for a couple weeks, and today I am feeling it. It started with a sore ankle, and has slowly progressed throughout the day to a sore back too.
Oh, the joys of getting old.
I think there was about 13 minutes out of 10 hours yesterday that weren't filled with the Neverending List of Stuff to do. Being off for a week, naturally there were a few things waiting for me to do. Add to that certain members of the team that decided it would be easier to wait for me to do things for them when I returned from holidays instead of taking care of them right away and I didn't have more than one moments time to breathe. I did manage to catch up on the things waiting for me, with the help of "Scary Chris" and a plea for help.
Then, after coming home for dinner, and tucking the kids into bed, it was time for basketball. Every Wednesday night a bunch of guys get together at our church gym and run the court for a few hours. I haven't made it out for a couple weeks, and today I am feeling it. It started with a sore ankle, and has slowly progressed throughout the day to a sore back too.
Oh, the joys of getting old.
Friday, April 13, 2007
candy land
I have been thinking lately about how well Eleanor and Thomas play together (even though they do fight sometimes), and realized that they don't often have play dates, or many chances to play with friends their own age without each other there. They tend to play with each other, or on their own unless they are at school.
We recently got Eleanor's report card, and it points out the fact that some play dates with some kids from her class would help her deal with the inevitable meltdown that occurs almost daily when we drop her off for school.
Thomas has a friend from preschool that he likes to play with, and to help make sure that he isn't going to have the same issues, today we brought Marcus home with us for Thomas to have some time with someone other than Eleanor, somewhere other than school. I was a bit worried that the boys were going to start doing a bunch of destructive boy things, but earlier as I made lunch everything was under control. Then came time to clean up after lunch, and do the dishes. Dishes happens to be one of my least favorite chores, and this was the time that I was most concerned about the house being destroyed so I did them very quickly.
All was pretty quiet while I washed, and as quick as I was, when I was done, I went down the hall to see what all the quiet was about. If you have kids, you understand that very quiet quite often leads to big trouble.
I peeked around the corner, and there were the two boys, playing a game of Candyland. Without any prompting from me, without any fighting, or complaining. I have to say I was impressed.
I don't know that the game actually got finished, or if they lost interest before the end, but there never was a fight over it, and there was no issue with the boys cleaning up all the toys before I put a movie on for them.
Now I am scared, because the movie of choice- Star Wars Return of the Jedi. Now I know that there is going to be destruction, from the moment they were deciding who was going to be Skywalker. I think it is time for me to go and monitor the situation before someone loses an eye, I don't want to spend the evening in the hospital.
Mostly because the Canucks are playing game 2 at 6p.m., and there is no way we would be home by then.
We recently got Eleanor's report card, and it points out the fact that some play dates with some kids from her class would help her deal with the inevitable meltdown that occurs almost daily when we drop her off for school.
Thomas has a friend from preschool that he likes to play with, and to help make sure that he isn't going to have the same issues, today we brought Marcus home with us for Thomas to have some time with someone other than Eleanor, somewhere other than school. I was a bit worried that the boys were going to start doing a bunch of destructive boy things, but earlier as I made lunch everything was under control. Then came time to clean up after lunch, and do the dishes. Dishes happens to be one of my least favorite chores, and this was the time that I was most concerned about the house being destroyed so I did them very quickly.
All was pretty quiet while I washed, and as quick as I was, when I was done, I went down the hall to see what all the quiet was about. If you have kids, you understand that very quiet quite often leads to big trouble.
I peeked around the corner, and there were the two boys, playing a game of Candyland. Without any prompting from me, without any fighting, or complaining. I have to say I was impressed.
I don't know that the game actually got finished, or if they lost interest before the end, but there never was a fight over it, and there was no issue with the boys cleaning up all the toys before I put a movie on for them.
Now I am scared, because the movie of choice- Star Wars Return of the Jedi. Now I know that there is going to be destruction, from the moment they were deciding who was going to be Skywalker. I think it is time for me to go and monitor the situation before someone loses an eye, I don't want to spend the evening in the hospital.
Mostly because the Canucks are playing game 2 at 6p.m., and there is no way we would be home by then.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
definately decaf
There I was, in the car, my GM driving us to a class that we were teaching today. My phone rings, and it's Vanessa on the other end.
V: what has more caffeine in it, hot chocolate or decaf coffee?
me: hmm. I'm not sure...probably the hot chocolate.
V: so you won't have an issue if I get Thomas a coffee then?
me: I guess not
Previously to the phone call, Vanessa and Thomas on the way into Vancouver to visit Ryder:
V: Thomas, do you want something to drink before we get on the highway?
T: Yes, I would like a coffee with two sugars please.
V: ...
{Vanessa makes the phone call to me, drives through Tim Horton's. Thomas gets his decaf}
T: mmm...2 sugars really IS delicious.
Not that I ever get coffee when he is around. That must be someone else that is mildly addicted to the large "double double" setting the example. For $1.49. Please.
V: what has more caffeine in it, hot chocolate or decaf coffee?
me: hmm. I'm not sure...probably the hot chocolate.
V: so you won't have an issue if I get Thomas a coffee then?
me: I guess not
Previously to the phone call, Vanessa and Thomas on the way into Vancouver to visit Ryder:
V: Thomas, do you want something to drink before we get on the highway?
T: Yes, I would like a coffee with two sugars please.
V: ...
{Vanessa makes the phone call to me, drives through Tim Horton's. Thomas gets his decaf}
T: mmm...2 sugars really IS delicious.
Not that I ever get coffee when he is around. That must be someone else that is mildly addicted to the large "double double" setting the example. For $1.49. Please.
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