I can't wait for tomorrow:
It was so warm today and the sun was shining so much that I turned on the air conditioner in my car on the way to class tonight!!!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
A Wii Morning
Since this was a Friday shut-down day I was able to sleep in a bit and take my time getting ready which meant I could plan on doing all I wanted to on the Wii. One of my complaints about the Wii is once you accidentally his "Boxing" you can't back out of it so after doing 8 minutes of Advanced Boxing I had to do 8 more minutes of it. Then I moved on to Advanced Step. The Miis around you change each time, and I thought, "Great. I get to exercise with my mother doing it right beside me, and it's even her birthday!!!" About half way through I realized that tomorrow is her birthday, but she still inspired me to my highest score!!!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
A Friendship is Born
Ten years ago this week I received an e-mail that ended up having a huge impact on my life. There are two very different memories of exactly how the e-mail was worded, and this is my version: “The scores on the spreadsheet are wrong; fix mine” or at least something pretty close to it.
Little did I know when I set up a friendly competition for the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament in 2000 that I’d make a very good friend from it. Renae was actually Julie’s friend, and Julie had invited her to be a part of our bracket competition. At that time I put everyone’s picks into a spreadsheet to tally and report the scores from. Somehow in copying formulas I apparently had not grabbed all the columns so Renae’s score was wrong following the first/second rounds. Who knew she was an Excel guru???
I’m guessing the e-mail message was somewhere between what I remember and the very flowery request that she remembers, but the result is that we ended up talking on the phone. We began e-mailing as well, and from that original e-mail a really good friendship developed.
That summer I moved to Ohio and Renae helped me get settled there doing a lot of projects when I got settled as well as on her annual visits. She began looking for jobs for me in Michigan and four years later I moved here. She has spent many hours working on projects at my house. We’ve golfed, traveled, gardened, raised chickens, watched many basketball games, and shared many other experiences. Oh yes, and there’s been a lot of laughter as well.
It takes a long time to grow an old friend.-- John Leonard
no friendship can cross the path of our destiny without leaving some mark on it forever.-- Francois Mauriac
Friendship multiplies the good of life and divides the evil.-- Baltasar Gracian
A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked.-- Bernard Meltzer
Little did I know when I set up a friendly competition for the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament in 2000 that I’d make a very good friend from it. Renae was actually Julie’s friend, and Julie had invited her to be a part of our bracket competition. At that time I put everyone’s picks into a spreadsheet to tally and report the scores from. Somehow in copying formulas I apparently had not grabbed all the columns so Renae’s score was wrong following the first/second rounds. Who knew she was an Excel guru???
I’m guessing the e-mail message was somewhere between what I remember and the very flowery request that she remembers, but the result is that we ended up talking on the phone. We began e-mailing as well, and from that original e-mail a really good friendship developed.
That summer I moved to Ohio and Renae helped me get settled there doing a lot of projects when I got settled as well as on her annual visits. She began looking for jobs for me in Michigan and four years later I moved here. She has spent many hours working on projects at my house. We’ve golfed, traveled, gardened, raised chickens, watched many basketball games, and shared many other experiences. Oh yes, and there’s been a lot of laughter as well.
It takes a long time to grow an old friend.-- John Leonard
no friendship can cross the path of our destiny without leaving some mark on it forever.-- Francois Mauriac
Friendship multiplies the good of life and divides the evil.-- Baltasar Gracian
A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked.-- Bernard Meltzer
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Thankful Thursday on Friday
I didn’t forget Thankful Thursday, I just thought that I’d be at a computer last night to add it.
1. Had a couple of good connections at work with some discussion of project work. (No, this doesn’t mean another position is in the works.)
2. After losing last week in a weekly foosball match, I won again this week.
3. I needed and bought gas this week before the price went up .27
4. Got to run my hands through some dirt in my flower bed and weeded it out some. It was good for my soul which brings me to #5.
5. The warm spring weather this week has been wonderful!!!
1. Had a couple of good connections at work with some discussion of project work. (No, this doesn’t mean another position is in the works.)
2. After losing last week in a weekly foosball match, I won again this week.
3. I needed and bought gas this week before the price went up .27
4. Got to run my hands through some dirt in my flower bed and weeded it out some. It was good for my soul which brings me to #5.
5. The warm spring weather this week has been wonderful!!!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Reading
Mark Twain said, "The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them."
What are you reading?
With working on a CU project and getting ready for another class my reading has slowed down--at least reading for enjoyment.
I'm enjoying Spurgeon's Morning by Morning as a devotional, and I'm reading Jeff Sharbet's The Family (on the Kindle) about the secretive religious organization that organizes the National Prayer Breakfast. Jeff went to DC to live in one of The Family's homes. The first part was really interesting detailing that experience. Now he's tracing the roots of fundamentalism in the US from Jonathan Edwards through Billy Sunday, and that's as far as I'm through the book. It's getting drier but I want to keep plugging away at it.
What are you reading?
With working on a CU project and getting ready for another class my reading has slowed down--at least reading for enjoyment.
I'm enjoying Spurgeon's Morning by Morning as a devotional, and I'm reading Jeff Sharbet's The Family (on the Kindle) about the secretive religious organization that organizes the National Prayer Breakfast. Jeff went to DC to live in one of The Family's homes. The first part was really interesting detailing that experience. Now he's tracing the roots of fundamentalism in the US from Jonathan Edwards through Billy Sunday, and that's as far as I'm through the book. It's getting drier but I want to keep plugging away at it.
Anxiety
From Seth Godin today:
Anxiety is nothing...
but repeatedly re-experiencing failure in advance. What a waste.
Anxiety is nothing...
but repeatedly re-experiencing failure in advance. What a waste.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Another Recall
Found this here:
First Toyota, now this . . .
"Yamaha and Kawai have recalled 20,000 pianos due to a problem with the pedal sticking, causing pianists to play faster than they normally would, resulting in a dangerous number of accidentals. The sticky pedal also makes it harder for pianists to come to a full stop at the end of a piece, making it extremely risky for audiences. Although there have been a tremendous number of accidentals, fortunately it has so far caused no deafs. Analysts are wondering if it will put a damper on their bass market and if they will be able to sustain sales. Congress is also considering calling in the presidents of Yamaha and Kawai for questioning as to when the companies first learned about the treble."
(Thanks to Clint Shondelmyer and Lou Ann Aepelbacher)
First Toyota, now this . . .
"Yamaha and Kawai have recalled 20,000 pianos due to a problem with the pedal sticking, causing pianists to play faster than they normally would, resulting in a dangerous number of accidentals. The sticky pedal also makes it harder for pianists to come to a full stop at the end of a piece, making it extremely risky for audiences. Although there have been a tremendous number of accidentals, fortunately it has so far caused no deafs. Analysts are wondering if it will put a damper on their bass market and if they will be able to sustain sales. Congress is also considering calling in the presidents of Yamaha and Kawai for questioning as to when the companies first learned about the treble."
(Thanks to Clint Shondelmyer and Lou Ann Aepelbacher)
Saturday, March 13, 2010
A first
It could be a first ever.
Last night I had friends over for dinner so I vacuumed all the upstairs yesterday afternoon. This morning I vacuumed again in the living room/dining area.
My vacuum is picketing for overuse.
Btw, vacuum is a nemesis word for me. I never can remember if it is vacuum or vaccuum.
Last night I had friends over for dinner so I vacuumed all the upstairs yesterday afternoon. This morning I vacuumed again in the living room/dining area.
My vacuum is picketing for overuse.
Btw, vacuum is a nemesis word for me. I never can remember if it is vacuum or vaccuum.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Thankful Thursday
A few things I'm thankful for today:
1. Safety for my niece while running last night. She’s only sore today and has no injuries after being hit by a car.
2. The sun has been wonderful to have shining the last week. Even though it will be rainy for a few days, the temps will be nice.
3. I’ve made good progress on a project I’m working on for CU. Now I need to wrap it up which is taking longer than I expected.
4. Tomorrow is a shutdown day so I have some time to work on it and to get ready for company for dinner tomorrow night.
1. Safety for my niece while running last night. She’s only sore today and has no injuries after being hit by a car.
2. The sun has been wonderful to have shining the last week. Even though it will be rainy for a few days, the temps will be nice.
3. I’ve made good progress on a project I’m working on for CU. Now I need to wrap it up which is taking longer than I expected.
4. Tomorrow is a shutdown day so I have some time to work on it and to get ready for company for dinner tomorrow night.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
The Project Is Complete
Several weeks ago I posted here about a sewing project at work. That was a training day to learn the machine. Today I spent four hours in the sewing area completing six of these:
These are reusable shopping bags made from scrap material. For every six we make we could keep one. They will be given out during an Earth Day activity.
My craftsmanship was somewhat lacking, but the handles are on, the tag with HMI logo is in the right place facing the right direction, and the bottom is flat.
By the way, the sewing pedal comes down hard and fast. I got the tip of my finger only once, but I can still feel it five hours later.
These are reusable shopping bags made from scrap material. For every six we make we could keep one. They will be given out during an Earth Day activity.
My craftsmanship was somewhat lacking, but the handles are on, the tag with HMI logo is in the right place facing the right direction, and the bottom is flat.
By the way, the sewing pedal comes down hard and fast. I got the tip of my finger only once, but I can still feel it five hours later.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Big 10 Tourney
The last 3 1/2 days Renae and I were on our annual trek to a women's basketball tournament--something we've done 8 times in the 10 years we've known each other.
Thursday afternoon we left and did some shopping at the outlet mall in Michigan City. Friday we saw four games. 3 of 4 teams I wanted to win did and 0 of 4 teams that Renae wanted to win did. Last night neither team that we were for won. During each game they had a trivia question about a player from one of the teams playing in that game. I got 5 of 6 questions correct and yep, Renae got zero. Can you tell we are a bit competitive with each other.
We got back just over an hour ago and watch the last 10 minutes or so of the championship game. What a crock. Iowa was called for a foul with 1.9 seconds left and the Ohio State player made both free throws to give OSU the lead and the win. How disappointing.
Now we're watching the SEC championship game. Go Lady Vols!!!
Next year we're going to Duluth for the SEC tournament. Enough of this Big 10!
Thursday afternoon we left and did some shopping at the outlet mall in Michigan City. Friday we saw four games. 3 of 4 teams I wanted to win did and 0 of 4 teams that Renae wanted to win did. Last night neither team that we were for won. During each game they had a trivia question about a player from one of the teams playing in that game. I got 5 of 6 questions correct and yep, Renae got zero. Can you tell we are a bit competitive with each other.
We got back just over an hour ago and watch the last 10 minutes or so of the championship game. What a crock. Iowa was called for a foul with 1.9 seconds left and the Ohio State player made both free throws to give OSU the lead and the win. How disappointing.
Now we're watching the SEC championship game. Go Lady Vols!!!
Next year we're going to Duluth for the SEC tournament. Enough of this Big 10!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Thankful Thursday
1. Glad to get away for a few days and enjoy some basketball.
2. Got some excellent deals on shoes today.
3. Got to have a Penn Station Philly Cheesesteak sandwich for dinner.
2. Got some excellent deals on shoes today.
3. Got to have a Penn Station Philly Cheesesteak sandwich for dinner.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Haitian Orphan Crisis
Passing along what was sent to me because of “Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless.” Isa. 1:17
March 3, 2010
Dear Family & Friends,
We wanted to pass on a great opportunity in which you can help legally confirmed Haiti orphans get what they most need – life-long, loving parents and families through adoption. Please take just a moment to read and act on the below.
In Christ,
Tim & Angie Sliedrecht
http://sliedrechts.spaces.live.com
URGENT SUPPORT NEEDED
On January 20 we sent a request to US Representative Pete Hoekstra to draft a bill that would expand the current Humanitarian Parole Policy to include “category 3” Haitian orphans. The category 3 orphans are defined as those legally confirmed as orphans eligible for inter-country adoption prior to the earthquake but did not meet the specific criteria announced by Department of Homeland Security. Prior to the earthquake estimates put the number of orphan children at 380,000. Thanks to the efforts of Congressman Hoekstra, H.R. 4603 the Haitian Orphan Placement Effort (HOPE) Act was introduced into the House of Representatives on Tuesday, February 16th.
http://hoekstra.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=170189
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.4603
This is a plan that provides permanency to orphaned children that are clearly documented which is the ultimate goal and not really possible in Haiti. The orphanages are being inundated with new orphans that have been produced by the earthquake. Therefore, by allowing adoptable
children to gain permanency with qualified American families, existing orphanages will have more capacity to care for the newly vulnerable children.
Here is how you can help:
ADVOCATE
1. Get the word out. Forward this e-mail to friends, family, and church leaders.
2. Contact your US Representative and US Senator. Ask for their support of H.R. 4603 / HOPE Act.
3. Help us find a sponsor. We need a US Senator to sponsor a “Mirror Bill” in the Senate.
PRAY
It goes without saying that in order for this initiative to happen it will require God’s intervention. When we pray for the safety and rescue of “the least of these” we are praying in harmony with God’s will.
"I had always hoped that this land might become a safe and agreeable asylum to the virtuous and persecuted part of mankind, to whatever nation they might belong." (President George Washington)
Grace + Peace,
BILL TERPSTRA
HAITI ORPHAN TASK FORCE
ph.616.893.7996
bterrpstra@handsofhopeintl.org
March 3, 2010
Dear Family & Friends,
We wanted to pass on a great opportunity in which you can help legally confirmed Haiti orphans get what they most need – life-long, loving parents and families through adoption. Please take just a moment to read and act on the below.
In Christ,
Tim & Angie Sliedrecht
http://sliedrechts.spaces.live.com
URGENT SUPPORT NEEDED
On January 20 we sent a request to US Representative Pete Hoekstra to draft a bill that would expand the current Humanitarian Parole Policy to include “category 3” Haitian orphans. The category 3 orphans are defined as those legally confirmed as orphans eligible for inter-country adoption prior to the earthquake but did not meet the specific criteria announced by Department of Homeland Security. Prior to the earthquake estimates put the number of orphan children at 380,000. Thanks to the efforts of Congressman Hoekstra, H.R. 4603 the Haitian Orphan Placement Effort (HOPE) Act was introduced into the House of Representatives on Tuesday, February 16th.
http://hoekstra.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=170189
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.4603
This is a plan that provides permanency to orphaned children that are clearly documented which is the ultimate goal and not really possible in Haiti. The orphanages are being inundated with new orphans that have been produced by the earthquake. Therefore, by allowing adoptable
children to gain permanency with qualified American families, existing orphanages will have more capacity to care for the newly vulnerable children.
Here is how you can help:
ADVOCATE
1. Get the word out. Forward this e-mail to friends, family, and church leaders.
2. Contact your US Representative and US Senator. Ask for their support of H.R. 4603 / HOPE Act.
3. Help us find a sponsor. We need a US Senator to sponsor a “Mirror Bill” in the Senate.
PRAY
It goes without saying that in order for this initiative to happen it will require God’s intervention. When we pray for the safety and rescue of “the least of these” we are praying in harmony with God’s will.
"I had always hoped that this land might become a safe and agreeable asylum to the virtuous and persecuted part of mankind, to whatever nation they might belong." (President George Washington)
Grace + Peace,
BILL TERPSTRA
HAITI ORPHAN TASK FORCE
ph.616.893.7996
bterrpstra@handsofhopeintl.org
An Evening Concert
Last night as I sat in my house I looked at the piano and thought about how long it had been since I just sat down and played. I pulled out a couple of books from when I was taking lessons in high school and played through several pieces. I pulled out some other music and started singing while I was playing as well. I’ll just say it was quite the recital and concert! During this time I heard the neighbor’s garage door open and someone walk through to her door.
A little while later the neighbor came over and said she wanted me to meet someone at her house so I graciously went over. A couple from her church who are friends of my friends and he is an HMI employee were there.
One of them asked, “So that was you playing the piano?”
Please tell me they didn’t hear my concert!!!
A little while later the neighbor came over and said she wanted me to meet someone at her house so I graciously went over. A couple from her church who are friends of my friends and he is an HMI employee were there.
One of them asked, “So that was you playing the piano?”
Please tell me they didn’t hear my concert!!!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Socialized Medicine
If Canada's socialized medicine is so great, why did Danny Williams, premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, go to Miami for a heart procedure. Some comments after reading this article.
"his personal health trumped any public fallout over the controversial decision." So what is the cost to personal health in socialized medicine?
"he went to Miami to have a "minimally invasive" surgery" If he goes to the U.S. for "minimally invasive" surgery, why would he stay in Canada for major surgery?
"based on the advice of his doctors." So even the doctors in Canada think it's better to get care in the U.S.?
"he didn't announce his departure south of the border because he didn't want to create "a media gong show," Or he didn't want the criticism for not staying in Canada for the procedure, yet he's getting the criticism anyway.
"I would've been criticized if I had stayed in Canada and had been perceived as jumping a line or a wait list. ... " So with socialized medicine those of us that can't afford to travel to another country will be subjected to lines and wait lists?
"I have the utmost confidence in our own health care system in Newfoundland and Labrador, but we are just over half a million people," he said.
"We do whatever we can to provide the best possible health care that we can in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Canadian health care system has a great reputation, but this is a very specialized piece of surgery that had to be done and I went to somebody who's doing this three or four times a day, five, six days a week." So with socialized medicine we can't expect access to specialized surgeries, and doctors won't have experience in specialized surgeries?
"Williams also said he paid for the treatment, but added he would seek any refunds he would be eligible for in Canada." Glad to know many people who can't afford to go to another country for treatment have paid taxes to reimburse you for the privilege of going to the U.S. for treatment.
"his personal health trumped any public fallout over the controversial decision." So what is the cost to personal health in socialized medicine?
"he went to Miami to have a "minimally invasive" surgery" If he goes to the U.S. for "minimally invasive" surgery, why would he stay in Canada for major surgery?
"based on the advice of his doctors." So even the doctors in Canada think it's better to get care in the U.S.?
"he didn't announce his departure south of the border because he didn't want to create "a media gong show," Or he didn't want the criticism for not staying in Canada for the procedure, yet he's getting the criticism anyway.
"I would've been criticized if I had stayed in Canada and had been perceived as jumping a line or a wait list. ... " So with socialized medicine those of us that can't afford to travel to another country will be subjected to lines and wait lists?
"I have the utmost confidence in our own health care system in Newfoundland and Labrador, but we are just over half a million people," he said.
"We do whatever we can to provide the best possible health care that we can in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Canadian health care system has a great reputation, but this is a very specialized piece of surgery that had to be done and I went to somebody who's doing this three or four times a day, five, six days a week." So with socialized medicine we can't expect access to specialized surgeries, and doctors won't have experience in specialized surgeries?
"Williams also said he paid for the treatment, but added he would seek any refunds he would be eligible for in Canada." Glad to know many people who can't afford to go to another country for treatment have paid taxes to reimburse you for the privilege of going to the U.S. for treatment.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Happy Birthday Lindsay
Had a great weekend with my brother-in-law and niece. They flew up on Friday. Her birthday wish was to go ice fishing so Joey and Mary sent her up here to do so. Hopefully she got her fill of snow and winter for awhile. She was much more excited about the snow falling on Friday night coming home from the airport than I was!
Joey liked the dog as much or more than fishing.
Lindsay snow boarding in Renae's side yard.
Joey liked the dog as much or more than fishing.
Sledding Saturday night:
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