We Like Road Trips

One of the Young Adults was flying back from Italy to Chicago this weekend.

We volunteered to go pick her up.  6 hours each way.  We spent a night with some friends in the area down there and made a two-day turnaround of the weekend.

It actually was enjoyable and fun for us.  We simply like road trips.  We don't really even need a destination, we enjoy the time in the car, even the company of each other most of that time :)

Any cool places we could road trip to in a weekend that you all know of?

Just Be Up Front About It

I have a pet peeve when I'm online.  I have a strong dislike for places that sell a product, but have no way of finding out the price on their website.

I get it, you want someone to want the product really bad and not let the price tag be a distraction from that, but some of us just want to know what the ballpark figure even might be.

It simply isn't worth my time if the number is too high, but I'll stretch to get what I want, so just let me know.

Now I'm getting to fed up with your company to even care about buying from you.  I'll hope a competitor has a similar product.

All I Can Eat

Two meals today.  Both all I could eat.

Enjoyed a time with 6 Senior High students and myself at Buffalo Wild Wings for all you can eat wings.

Then had a guys dinner with two friends at a Don Pablos for all you can eat tacos.

I'm full.  I won't need to eat much tomorrow, but I will probably.  Jenny made great pasta salad and I want to eat as much of that as possible too!

These are the troubles in my life right now.  This is how I remember how blessed I am.

The Price Test

There are times when you start to wonder if the price something is asking is worth it.

Is there really a difference in quality between a cheap shoe and a more expensive one?

Today, I ran that test.  We were out shoe shopping, and not finding the pair that made Jenny most excited.  I tried a new tactic.  I scoured the aisle for the most expensive shoe that didn't have any pink on it, grabbed it from the box and handed it to her.

Unfortunately, there is a difference.  Now, we like more expensive shoes.  Didn't purchase any yet, but were spoiled by trying them on.

Can't decide if my test was a good idea or not, but thank you to Asics for at least pricing your shoes according to our (Jenny's) scale of quality, and not just randomly.

Yup!

Pool...check.
Hot Tub...check.
Boat...check.
Grill...check.

Successful day...check

A Familiar Voice?

It's been two years since i've seen one of my mentors.  I've talked with him numerous times over that span, but haven't been with him in person for quite some time.

Tomorrow we are having coffee.  Excited to see and hear how life has treated him, share the same for me and Jenny, and garner all wisdom available.

Welcome Back Paul!

Different Schedule

My schedule isn't always consistent, and I actually like that, but today was one I don't need to repeat.

It isn't often that my workday starts before 7:00 a.m. and doens't end until after 9:30.

I don't need those days to repeat themselves very often.

But it did keep me out of the heat today, and that is starting to subside some tomorrow from what other people tell me.

One of these days I'll start paying attention to upcoming weather forecasts.

Fit and Expertise

I interviewed a potential soccer coach today.  It was an interesting experience.

The candidate had more coaching experience and knowledge of the game than anybody who had come through North Central's doors, probably ever.

But expertise isn't the only thing we need to be evaluating.

In fact, we were asked to place each candidate's "fit" with the North Central environment as first priority, and expertise to accomplish the goals of the program as the second priority.

I'll be interested to see how their decision for this particular candidate goes.  He, without a doubt, has the expertise required.  The fit is a little more risky though.  Not huge red flags, but no clear guarantees either.

I Wish There Were a Better Way

I truly wish there were a better way to decide World Cup matches that have ended in a tie, but need a winner.

I understand why play just can't continue, but I'm not satisfied with the current penalty kick shootout format.

I don't know that the MLS model they started with (the 5 seconds, 35 yards model) was right either, but it did at least seem far more skill based than the shootout.

I've played in enough shootouts to know how much luck is involved.  I've been on the fortunate side of that luck more often than not, but I don't like it at all when games come down to that...not even as a spectator.

Ghana

Jenny and I had helped send on of the young adults to Ghana for 10 months.

Tonight she shared about her trip to our group. The team she was with shared the gospel over 7,000 times and had over 1,000 people make decisions for Jesus to be their savior.

It was encouraging to hear the stories.

Made me even more appreciative oof the gifts she brought for us!

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Wit's End

Somebody challenged me to "Tweet" 15 times today.

All my wit and thought were spent there.  None is left.

Does that put me at wit's end?

I don't feel the way most people do when they say they are there, but I have no more wit left today.

Foot Cream

My feet have never been the most pleasant to look at.  Highly caloused and the nails don't look right as many of them regrew weird after falling off completely at some point.

I started using foot cream this morning.  It makes my feet slippery.  I'm not used to that.  While it may help, the package itself says it doesn't work on nails.  To me, those are the ugliest part.

So maybe I'll end up with silky smooth feet that still look disgusting.  Will that be worth it?  Or am I in for more creams to come?

Stormy

I love lying in bed hearing the thunderstorm outside.

A great cap to a great family filled weekend.

Happy Birthday Dad, you don't seem any older to me!

Lights, Friends, Impromptu Meetings

Enjoyed spending a couple of hours up in the catwalk above the Sanctuary working on lights this afternoon.

Followed it up with seeing one of the Young Adults who was gone serving as a missionary in Africa the last 10 months but has returned to us now.

Ended with an hour and a half impromptu meeting at Applebees after everyone else had left.

It was a good day.

Turned Down Opportunity

I love to preach.  Today, I got asked if I could fill in (last minute) for a church this Sunday.  Not the church I work at, but one I have a close contact at.

I wished I could have said yes.  I have a class to teach and some other responsibilites at my own church though.

I could normally get out of those things without much of a problem, but the California trip had me find subs for two weeks and then class was cancelled on the fourth.  For an 8 week class, I figured I couldn't miss 4 straight weeks and still call myself the teacher of the class.

So...unfortunately...I had to turn down the opportunity to preach the Sunday morning service at another church.

First To Bed

There aren't many nights that I am first to bed in our house, but tonight I just feel drained.

10:00 bedtime for me.  Jenny heading down to get in a workout.

Oh how the roles changed for a day.

Hit and Miss

I didn't eat outside at all as part of a holiday celebration...Miss.

I did grill outside as part of a holiday celebration...Hit.

There were no paper plates involved...Miss.

I saw a professional fireworks show...Hit.

I didn't light off any of my own fireworks...Miss.

I watched a house made fireworks show...Hit.

I didn't see all of my family...Miss.

I slept in past noon...Hit.

It was a hit and miss holiday weekend.  Enjoyable regardless of the misses.