A Tribute to Pippi

Pippi. I never really liked that name but you had it when Lori rescued you from the Humane Society 14 years ago and you knew it. And actually it kind of fit you. I can't believe you're gone. How does one mourn over a dog without getting all weird about it. I wish I knew, I wish I knew. Even sitting here creating this blog I have to keep blinking to dismiss the tears welling up in my eyes.

Lori convinced me that having another daschund in the house would be a good thing, a good playmate for Barney. Who knew you'd be the dominnant one. We'd had Barney for several years but you barged in and took control. I wasn't long after that we lost Barney. Barney was my dog and I always maintaind that you drove him insane, but none the less, I grew to love you.

You never had the "tigger" like bounce that Barney had. Matter of fact, you were pretty clutzy. But you were resiliant. Stairs were not your friend. I was horrified the few times you rolled from the top step of our second floor, but in the same breath amazed at how you'd just get up shake yourself off and go about your business.

Some of your habits were just weird. Like the fact that you wouldn't go to the bathroom unless you went out the front door. We could sit on the patio in the back of the house for hours and you'd roam around but never relieve yourself. However, the minute we'd go inside, you'd run to the front door and want out so that you could take care of business.

As you aged your antics only got more strange (and annoying!) Somewhere along the way you developed this annoying lizard like tongue thing. For hours on end your tongue would just go in an out, in and out like a lizard. You weren't to quick with it though cuz there were a few times I could catch it. Gross I know, but it was an attempt to get you to QUIT!

In the last few months you'd lost your hearing and your sight but you kept going like the energizer bunny. It was incredible how your other senses seemed to take over to make up for what you couldn't do. On one side of the side walk was grass and the other were the stones in the flower bed. You'd strecth your paw out to feel which side you were on so you'd know which direction to go so that you could go to the bathroom. You'd often do that when you got back to the step to come in the house but there were a few times you didn't. Those weren't pretty cuz you'd end up missing the step and jacking your jaw on it. But it never seemed to affect you. You'd just get closer and try again.

In reality, it wasn’t funny but I’d be lying if I didn’t say it gave us a few chuckles. Now and then when you’d come in from in from outside you’d do so with great energy…..forgetting you couldn’t see so well. BAM! You’d plow right into the leg of the coffee table, then ricochet into the couch. Being completely turned around you’d charge directly into the wall. Eventually you’d get your bearings and find your way around, often after bouncing off a few other things. You were like a live pinball machine and you would have probably set a points record. We rearranged the furniture once…..’nuff said.

Your obsession with eating got really weird. I guess when your a dog eating and sleeping are 1 and 2 on your task list every day. How you knew it was close to time for you to be fed is beyond me. It would crack me up how you would go and stand in front of the laundry room door (where your food dish was) and stare into the laundry room for sometimes up to an hour before it was time before you to be fed and wouldnt budge. Generally we fed you after we ate but occasionaly we'd fill you dish before we ate. Seemed like every time we change it up on you, you'd go back and stand in front of the laundry room after we finished eating assuming that we were going to feed you AGAIN!

I hated to have to board you when we went out of town this past weekend. Getting boarded was never a good experience for you and as you aged it only seemed to be worse. When we picked you up Tuesday we could tell that you weren't feeling well but hoped it would pass. Wednesday you were so tired. Thursday......yeah Thursday was so sad.

Temperatures have turned cold and fall is quickly moving in. I lay in bed Thursday night and listened to the cold rain falling and I looked toward the end of the bed where you would always lay, all curled up, warm and cozy in your own little blanket. You never liked being cold. But you weren't there. I can hardly type right now......
I finally managed to drift off to sleep but it wasn't easy.

My sorrow lingered over into my waking this morning. As I sat drinking my coffee and watching the news my thoughts went to you. How I wanted to go to the front door and find you waiting there to come in from the rain. But I knew you wouldn't be there.

I miss you Pippi....14 years is a long time to spend with a dog. God I just don't know how to not be weird about this. Some will say 'he was just a dog,' move on. But you were family. It's just so hard and so sad. I pray that in time God will ease this anguish that continues to wash over me like a tide rolling in and out.

Chipmunk #2

Got home last night and Chipmunk #2 was out on the patio. He'd also reaped the benefits inside the trap but had escaped capture. I went out and after several stressful attemps (just ask my wife) got the trap reset and came back inside for
dinner.

It wasn't long before our little friend was scounging around the cage again.....



....then B O O M. The doors on the trap slammed shut. Not so crafty this time were you!

We tossed the cage in the trunk and drove to where we'd let his friend go the day before and released him

Heed this warning other chipmunks.....we will get you!

Captured at last

For days...no weeks this little 'houdini' has been eluding this trap and reaping the benefits of the goodies within.....NOT SO MUCH ANYMORE!



He was relocated to a wooded area a couple miles from our house last night. However, when we got home yet another of his entourage was on the back patio....we'll see how crafty #2 will be!

Dog Makeover

Pippi's pre and post makeover pix

Before....
















After....










Don't hate him because he's beautiful!

Geriatric Dog

Mon Aug 31, 10:54 pm ET
NEW YORK – A wire-haired dachshund that held the record as the world's oldest dog and celebrated its last birthday with a party at a dog hotel and spa has died at age 21 — or 147 in dog years. The dog, named Chanel, died Friday of natural causes at her owners' home in suburban Port Jefferson Station, on Long Island.

Yikes....we have a wire hair dachshund thats 15 years old....does that mean he has another 6 to go!!!!

Keep bleeding love

Check out this incredible dance routine performed during weekend services at Granger Community Church this past weekend in our "MAKING LOVE LAST" Series....

Bleeding Love

You got sum splanin' to do

For those of you die hard Lucy fans like me....
check out my new desktop

Umbrella ...ella ella ella

I'm speeding along on the ellipticial machine at the gym this morning and the Rhianna song "Umbrella" comes up on my IPOD. Most of the time the music I listen to is just for the beat so that I can keep up my, what I've been told is, outrageous pace on the machine. Although I've probably heard this song a thousand times, today I was actually listening to the lyrics of "Umbrella" and found God speaking through them....

[Chorus:]
When there's sunshine, we'll shine together
Told you I'll be here forever
Said I'll always be a friend
Took an oath I'ma stick it out till the end
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we'll still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella
You can stand under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh eh eh eh )

You can run into my arms
It's okay don't be alarmed
Come into me
There's no distance in between our love
So go on and let the rain pour
I'll be all you need and more
Because

"When there's sunshine, we'll shine together" God is with us in the good times. Celebrating good times is always the preferred route and the easy path to take. Do I always remember to thank God when everything seems right in my life? Not so much. It's easy to take Him for granted when the sky is blue, the flowers are blooming and the birds are singing. Each morning I try to start my day by thanking God for giving me breath and a beating heart for another day. I have to consciously remind myself that when things are comfortable, no rain in sight and no umbrella required that God is working in my life.

Took an oath I'ma stick it out till the end, now that it's raining more than ever Know that we'll still have each other, you can stand under my umbrella Conversely however, the minute something goes awry it's easy to be quick to feel that we've been abandoned by God or we're blaming him for what has happened. I think this is a particularly easy phenomenom to fall into today, especially considering our economic and world outlook. But in reality God is with us in both instances. But you know how it goes. Just when everything seems right, a storm rolls in and rocks your world. It's in these times we can have our greatest riff with God and our greatest choice in seeking Him.

It's never been God's intent to pressure us into relationship with Him. He created us with the freedom of choice. Told you I'll be here forever Said I'll always be a friend, Took an oath I'ma stick it out till the end But God loves us regardless of whether we find Him only in good times, or in good and bad times.

Is the sun shining for you today or is raining more than ever?

Worry

40% of the things we worry about never even happen

If its not even going to happen is it worth fretting over?

30% of the things we worry about have already happened - in the past!

You cant change the past.

12% of the things we worry about have to do with needless imaginings about the state of our health

My stomach hurts, do I have an ulcer? Not likely in most instances.

10% of the things we worry about are petty little things about what other people think

We can't change, in most cases, what others think

8% of the things we worry about are of legitimate concern

These are the legitimate things that actually can be dealt with.

Where are your worries consuming you?

"The Noticer" by Andy Andrews .....check it out.

Dialects of love

Love can be expressed in dialects. In his book "The Noticer," Andy Andrews talks about the four major dialects the we use to make us convey and feel that we are loved.

Dialects of Love

1 approval – hearing spoken words of approval make the people who thrive on this dialect feel loved. Take the puppy dog. Tell a puppy how wonderful he is and his entire body wages with delight. Futhermore, how do you teach a puppy most effectively? With praise, of course. “That’s a good boy” or “What a good doggie” goes far in the training process. However, a word of caution to those who love someone with this dialect, nothing is more devastating than words of disapproval. Looking back to the puppy, puppies cower when they are under attack. People who obtain their love in the dialect of approval will do the same.

2 favors and deeds – these people feel love based purely on favors and deeds. They can’t be touched. And who knows if they even hear you. They don’t want nor need your affirmation. And honestly, they don’t really care if your there or not, so quality time is unimportant to them. But they do feel love when you do things for them. The goldfish is a prime example of this dialect. The goldfishes basic desire is that you feed them and clean their bowl.

3 physical contact – simple as a pat on the back or complex as a sexual relationship a brief back rub, a hug, a kiss are all common forms of this dialect. Those who speak this dialect tend to feel most loved when affection is expressed in this form. Often it’s the only way they feel loved. Consider them to be like a cat. Cats are creatures of physical contact. They basically feed themselves. They don’t pay attention to what you say or do. Don’t even think about calling one cuz they’re not going to come. Cats just want to be scratched and rubbed. That’s how they feel love. A cat will rub up against you as if they are saying “touch me, pet me”. Some people are the same way.

4 quality time – these people don’t want to be touched or caressed, have something done for them or hear that they’re loved. They just want time with you. They want periods of your undivided attention. They want to listen about the details of their day, dreams and concerns. Canaries are a good example of the dialect of quality time. They don’t notice whether you give them food or water. The most certainly don’t need to be touched. Canaries are happiest when you sit near them and listen to their song. If a canary is ignored it will surely die. It won’t succumb to death because of lack of food, but from lack of love and attention.

There are various combinations and subgroups of these dialects. Which do you resonate with? Even more so, are you recognizing which dialect those you love and care about resonate with so you can love them better?

Underbelly.. Puffy Coat.....what?

Each month I am privileged to participate in a leadership meeting of my peers entitled "Check Point". We use this hour to expand our horizons and increase the means in which we are empowered to perform our work.

We had our check point meeting yesterday. I'd heard through the grape vine that we were seeing a video at our meeting and wondered if I should bring my popcorn.....

Popcorn....schmopcorn! This video, was one of the most, if not the most, informative, impressive and empowering videos I've seen.

One of our very own, Kem Meyer Less Clutter Less Noise , was recently a keynote speaker at the Dynamic Church Conference. Kem is our Communications Director here at Granger Community Church. Granger Community Church Although, Kem was addressing an IT (Information Technology) audience (I'm guessing), the depth, breadth and insight of her presentation is astounding. It's applicable across an entire organization.

Here is Kem's presentation. It's worth every minute of viewing....

Underbelly of Technology

Our opportunities to assist, serve, empower, and impact the lives of people we are surrounded by each day are limitless. That is, until we pull the plug and impose our own preconceived boundaries. We are driven to tie a bow around...and attempt to deliver the package we presume is desired. "Check it if off the list" becomes our goal. We become blind to other perspectives and considerations which hold the opportunity to an enhanced outcome.

We need to check our ego, find that image consultant so we can see what we don't see in ourselves, and find some common ground that will help us get into the world of the people we assist, serve, empower and impact.

I started reading a book last night entitled "The Noticer". It's about our preconceived, predefined perception of life. Coincidence, perhaps. God intervened, without a doubt. How do I become a 'noticer'?

I'm on task to be deliberate about deflating the "puffy coat guy" who lives in me(I know he's there)! I want to share my overhead bin.

creative lighting

To be so creative with your dorm room lights....Dorm Lights

wonder what I can do at home?

Florida

Welcome to our vacation in Orlando

















A few Scumptious places we ate at.....












Daytona.....













Walks to Downtown Disney.......











Alyssa's Full Sail graduation at Hard Rock Cafe in Univeral

Fraud Insurance Marketing

Was checking my Visa statement against receipts and saw a charge I had no receipt for nor had any idea why it was on my account. It said BAC PRIVACY ASSIST and was for $12.99. Granted, not a large amount, but just the same if it wasn't my charge it didn't belong on my Visa.

When you look at your account online you can click on the charges to get a somewhat expanded view of the charge. When I opened this item it said it was from Direct Marketing Insurance Services. I had no idea what that was and promptly picked up the phone to call Bank of America(BOA).

After an exhausting litany of telephone prompts I finally got a REAL person and explained my problem. The BOA customer service rep said I'd havet to talk to that department about getting the charge removed and transferred me. A few moments later a woman with a very distinct accent answered the phone. She was very difficult to understand but I muddled my way through explaining what the issue was....AGAIN! She said something about that it was some type of monthly fraud protection charge put on my account because they couldn't find record of my social security number on the account. I said I didn't authorize the fraud protection and I wanted it removed and the $12.99 refunded. She said she had to put me on hold to check some things out. A few minutes later she said then only way it could be removed was if I either faxed them my social security number or call Bank of America back and have them call and remove it from my account. Interesting. Didn't the first BOA customer service rep tell me this fraud thing was a department at BOA? I said there was no way I was giving her my social security number and I called BOA back again.

I finally got through the myriad of phone prompts and got to a real person once again. I explained what had happened and the rep asked me to stay on the line and she would get this fraud insurance marketing department on the line for a 3 way call. When the fraud insurance marketing department rep answered the BOA rep was going to hang up and I asked her to stay on the line as last time the "fraud" department wouldn't do anything for me.

The fraud insurance marketing rep assured me the program was removed from my account and that the $12.99 would be credited back on my account within 7-10 days. I asked for some type of confirmation and they said they would send an email to me. I concluded my conversation with the "fraud" rep. I told the Bank of America rep that I had been with them for several years and this was very disappointing. Talk about fraud, who gave them the right to just put that on my account without getting my authorization. I certainly hope nothing else like this happens again.

Moral of the story. Check every charge on your statement and match your receipts or you may be getting RIPPED OFF!. Are there any trustworthy banks left?

(ps) I've yet to get a confimation email.

Car Wash

Two new car washes have opened in Granger over the past couple of weeks. I'm not sure that Granger really requires more car washes but, whatever. "Mikes Car Wash" is Heritage Square is the most recent to open.

Last week this announcement was made about Mike's on the local news Mikes Car Wash offering Free washes for two weeks I think this is noble effort for Mikes to get established in Granger. Especially in the current economic times, anything that is of value you can get for FREE is good.

However, where do you draw the line on free? Last night we were having dinner at Martin's Side Door Deli before attending an amazing Hillsong London Concert at Granger Community Church. Yesterday was not a pretty day weather-wise. It was cold, windy and rainy all day long. As we sat having dinner on the second floor of the Deli we watched car after car, in the pouring rain, go through Mike's car wash.

I have to ask, is "FREE" really that important for a car wash?

Safe Slang ?

I was scrolling through some "tweets" on twitter the other day and saw a tweet that someone had posted about a piece of failing electronic equipment. It was just a two sentence tweet and the last sentence simply said "Frick"

I hear the words freakin', flippin', frickin' and friggin' used in conversation almost daily. I admit that even I have used them. But in the back of my mind I've always thought they were a non-swearing substitute for another "F" word that is an awful word to use. I had some spare time today so I decided to do some word searching on Meriam Webster.

Freaking: Function: adjective or adverb Etymology: euphemism for frigging or that "F" word that I refuse to write.

Frigging: Function: intransitive verb Inflected Form(s): frigged; frig•ging
Etymology: Middle English fryggen to wriggle Date: 1598 often vulgar : COPULATE —sometimes used in the present participle as a meaningless intensive

Flipping: Function: verb Inflected Form(s): flipped; flip•ping Etymology: probably imitative Date: circa 1567 3slang a: to lose one's mind or composure —often used with out b: to become very enthusiastic

Fricking - I couldn't find any form of Fricking on the Meriam Webster Online dictionary. I did, however find it in the Urban online dictionary for slang terms and as I'd suspected its slang for the you what word that starts with "F".

So as it turns out Freaking, Frigging and Fricking all have a derogatory connotation associated with them. Flipping, though it still doesn't sound good at least didn't have unacceptable connotations.

It's easy to get caught up in slang. Everybody uses it and so you can find yourself just being part of the crowd. However, now that I've confirmed my suspicions about these slang terms I'm going to be very attentive to not using them in my casual daily conversations. I'd rather not be part of the crowd.

Dropped calls and no internet

I'm not sure what more could have possibly gone wrong last night with our cell phones or our internet service. It's a wonder I have any hair left!

I got home a little after 5pm last night and my mom called me on my cell. She's been sick and had gone to the doctor and was calling to give me an update. We were talking away and the call dropped. I never have trouble with my calls dropping on Verizon and was surprized that it happened. She called back a few moments later. We had pretty much finished our conversation when the call dropped again.

Yesterday we had our new AT&T UVERSE Fiber-optic cable and internet service installed. We'd decided to change from COMCAST because we were tired of chasing COMCAST'S promo rates and AT&T was now offering a tv service that our current cable jacks could use and the packages they had to offer for tv and internet were not promo rates.

Lori's laptop still needed to be set up to access our new internet service from AT&T. I sat down after dinner with her laptop to get her connected. I followed the steps that the AT&T tech gave me but couldn't get her connected. I tried several different times to get her connected but had no luck. I decided to call AT&T for assistance. That's when the real fun began.

First of all I despise automated phone systems. I want to talk to a person not a computer generated voice that sends me through 10,000 menus! Everytime I would respond to enough prompts and was just about to speak to a live person, the call would drop. Over and over and over this happened. I finally called Verizon to find out what the problem was. We'd not had a call dropping problem before and there is a tower relatively close to our house.

Of course everytime I called Verizon and navigated my way through all of their prompts the call would drop. What was particularly aggravating about my calls to Verizon was that I would actually speak to a person, explain my problem and the call would drop. But did they call me back, NO! So I'd call again, get an entirely different person, explain my problem and the call would drop. Four times I did this before the Verizon customer service rep actually called me back.

My phone stayed connected long enough to actually get some troubleshooting done, although even in that process it dropped a couple of times. Fortunately the same rep called me back. When he couldn't get it resolved he decided to transfer me to the tech support area.

Well knowing what the problem was that I was having with dropped calls, the tech person at Verizon PUT ME ON HOLD! Can you believe it! And yes, the call dropped while I was on hold. I did get a voice mail a few moments later from that person saying a support ticket had been filed and I would be getting a txt message about that and they should have a resolution in no less than 72 hours.

By this time I'd discovered that the internet was not working on my laptop either and was bent on getting on getting the internet functional at home. Have I mentioned that this fiasco has been going on for about 2 hours by now. I decided to take the cell phone out in the garage and call AT&T again for support on the internet hoping that maybe the phone would stay connected outside.

I did have better luck outside with the phone but the calls still dropped out there as well. I had the most helpful and customer service focused person on the phone from AT&T than I'd had all evening. Though the calls kept dropping over and over she diligently called me back and worked with me until our internet issues were resolved and the internet was fully functional again.

As you can imagine (or just ask my wife) I wasn't smiling to much throughout this entire process until the last call I had with AT&T. If I had to give grades out for customer service I'd have to give Verizon a D and AT&T an B+(there's always room for improvment!)

Seriously though, over the past few days I've dealt with COMCAST, VERIZON and AT&T. And AT&T really seem to have their act together when it comes to customer service all the way around. They make you feel like they sincerely care and they really do take care of your needs in a courteous and efficient way.

Panera - I can't believe you

I am in utter disbelief this morning. Several times I have brought to the attention of Panera management my concern about the coffee pots being placed on the DIRTY floor when being replaced. Furthermore, I have not been the only one who has expressed this concern. Several other people who are there on a daily basis as I am have also expressed their concern about it as well. Numerous times the managerial staff has told me that they are greatly concerned about the appearance of that procedure. They have assured me repeatedly that they will put an end to it at the Mishawaka, Indiana location. Yet today I saw it AGAIN!!!

A woman who works regularly at Panera (she usually assembling sandwiches in the morning) was replacing coffee pots today and put them on the floor. When I approached her about it she laughed and said "I don't know anything about that." I was livid.

The managerial staff assured me that the process of NOT putting the coffee pots on the floor was going to be communicated to all staff at the Mishawaka Panera. Apparently not!

Don't patronize me! Don't tell me things just to get me off your back Panera....and then do the contrary. My own teenage kids used to do that to me, tell me things I wanted to hear so I'd lay off. But my kids stopped doing that and grew up.

Yeah, I'm ticked. It is a big deal to me. I'm the customer. And without customers you wouldn't have a store to run. If this procedure is going on in the public eye...what must be going on in the kitchen that we cant see.

getting to the core of things

My IPOD is my life blood when I'm working out. The music provides the rhythm that keeps me going at the pace I like....F A S T.

Last week I got to the gym and started my work out and about 10 minutes in to it I heard a crackling sound in my ears and the music went dead. My IPOD is a little over 2 years old and I'm wasn't sure how long earbuds actually last, so I chalked it up to them just being worn out. Not having the rhythm in my ears made the rest of my workout a challenge but I persevered.

After work that day I went to Target and purchased some new earbuds. When I arrived at home the original earbuds were still plugged into my IPOD. I turned it on and sound emitted. Apparently the connection must have just been bad when I was at the gym. I opted not to open the new earbuds and just return them the next day.

The next morning when I got to the gym I started my stint on the elliptical machine. I put the earbuds in my ears and turned on the IPOD. Nothing. No Sound. Nadda! I unplugged and plugged in the earbuds over and over and no sound. Yet again on the screen of the IPOD I could see the green bar at the bottom indicating the music was indeed playing away. Arrrrghhhhh!

When I got to work I unpackaged the new earbuds and plugged them in to the IPOD. Nothing. No Sound. Nadda! Now I was really puzzled. I have a docking station with speakers for my IPOD on my desk so I decided I'd see if my IPOD worked on that. When I slid it in the slot on the docking station again I could see that the music was playing but no sound was coming out of it. Yes, I had the volume turned on! Now I was really confused. What was wrong with this thing!

Lori happened to come by my office and I told her of my dilemma. She said why don't you call Apple and see what they say. I said that I was sure there was no warranty on it and they'd probably just say "so sad, too bad!" but I called anyway.

I was wrong. There acutally was an emerging problem with this generation of the 30gb IPOD's. The people at Apple sent me a pre-paid FED-X box to return my damaged IPOD to them. And....here's the best part, they were going to send me a brand new IPOD. No questions asked, no warranty. Just replaced. Now that's what I call customer service.

The pre-paid empty return box arrived the very next day. I rec'd confirmation that they received it back at Apple on Monday. Yesterday I recieved an email confirmation that my new IPOD had been shipped and I should be delivered in 2 days. I can't wait to have music again for my workouts!

The new IPOD arrived yesterday afternoon. To celebrate I even purchased a few new songs from ITUNES last night and then loaded it up with my music, playlists and pictures.

It was so good to have my music in my ears during my grueling work out on the dreaded SUMMIT machine today. One thing I forgot was to set the music to shuffle....not a big fan of hearing the same artist song after song after song.

Thanks again APPLE for restoring my faith in customer service.

It came home....

On July 14th, 2008 I blogged about losing my USB (Where oh where is my USB)

I searched high and low for days, retracing steps, but found nothing. I was absolutely devastated. It had pictures and journal entries on it that meant a lot to me. I looked for it for weeks before I finally succumbed to the fact that it was gone.

Today I was going through some files at home trying to find a paper for my tax guy and you'll never guess what I found......



.....my USB came home! The ironic thing, when put it in the USB port on my laptop to see what was on it, it was blank....empty...NOTHING! Apparently I'd taken everything off of it anyway.....arrrggggghhhh!

Here kitty kitty...

This is one ugly cat Cat Video

Ash Wednesday

In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not included in the count).

Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. During some Ash Wednesday services, the minister will lightly rub the sign of the cross with ashes onto the foreheads of worshipers.

Not all Christian churches observe Ash Wednesday or Lent. They are mostly observed by the Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian and Anglican denominations, and also by Roman Catholics. Eastern Orthodox churches observe Lent or Great Lent, during the 6 weeks or 40 days preceding Palm Sunday with fasting continuing during the Holy Week of Easter. Lent for Eastern Orthodox churches begins on Monday and Ash Wednesday is not observed.

The Bible does not mention Ash Wednesday or the custom of Lent, however, the practice of repentance and mourning in ashes is found in 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21.

2 Samuel 13:19 She was wearing a long-sleeved gown. (That's how virgin princesses used to dress from early adolescence on.) Tamar poured ashes on her head, then she ripped the long-sleeved gown, held her head in her hands, and walked away, sobbing as she went.

Esther 4:1 1 When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly.

Job 2:8 8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.

Daniel 9:3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

Matt. 11:21 21"Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Financial Peace

Financial Peace University kicked off at Granger Community Church GCC and packed the house! 244 to be exact!



Dave Ramsey's daveramsey.com process to financial freedom includes "Seven Baby Steps". The bulk of the premier lesson covers Baby Step 1 - The Emergency Fund. Savings, especially savings for the unexpected has to be a priority. Like it or not, unexpected events are going to happen. In a previous post last week I spoke about our dryer breaking down Left hangin'. Things happen and a $1000 emergency fund helps alleviate the stress that those things can cause. But establishing an emergency fund takes discipline. You will realize its value in the long run.

"Live like no one else, so you can live like no one else!" Dave Ramsey

Panera - says one thing, does another

I noticed this banner at Panera Saturday morning






















If details really matter, why then, after I was told that procedures had been changed in 27 Panera stores across the state of Indiana, did I see employees put coffee pots on the floor again not only on Saturday but Sunday morning as well!

Arrrrrrrgggggggggg!!!!!!!!

Panera - This just in!

I thought I'd closed the book on my issues with the coffee pots at Panera, but it seems as though there was one last thing to be said.'

While at Panera, doing my usual morning thing, having coffee, reading and engaging in conversations with my other Panera peeps, the manager wandered over to me. He inquired as to whether I'd seen any coffee pots put on the floor today. Up until that momemt, no one at Panera had said a word to me about my email to their customer service department about the coffee pots (see Customer Service) so I was taken aback. (The manager is a great guy. He always makes it a point to say hi and knows me by name.) Anyway I responded that I had actually not seen the coffee pots been put on the floor over the past few days. He said that my email had made an impact on the whole state of Indiana and 27 Panera stores now had a new procedure in place for replacing the empty coffee pots. I can't imagine what my face must have looked like. I was stunned to say the least.

I told him that I didn't mean to be a 'whiner' but it just wasn't right that something I or any other patron of that restaurant should have to witness, let alone pour a beverage from. He wasn't upset. He said it was a good thing and thanked me for it.

I didn't really think anything would ever become of my complaint based upon the original email response I'd received from Panera. Just goes to show that it does pay to voice your opinion and concerns.

Hmmmm...Bob the "activist", who'd a thunk!

Panera - The final chapter

This morning I wrote of the continuing saga at Panera and it's incident with the Department of Health. In my post Panera - The saga continues I vowed to find out what had transpired since the server had taken a vow of silence.

I wasn't even sure if I could find out anything, but a friend on Facebook saw my tweet from this morning and posted on my wall that the health department visit was indeed public information. They advised that I should be able to find information in the local newspaper or through the health department itself. I searched the local paper online but with no avail. I found nothing. So I got brave and phoned the health department.

I was relieved to find that it was only a permit issue and nothing to do with cleanliness or food issues. I didn't want to see Panera closed as I do enjoy there coffee and food as I noted in my first post about Panera Customer Service

I did still have concerns about my original objection of setting the coffee pots on the floor that I'd also spoke of in my original post Customer Service so I inquired about that while on the phone to the health department.

I stand corrected.

The inspector at the health department advised that there was no violation for putting the coffee pots on the floor because they are impervious. She did, however, agree with me, that it would likely appear disgusting to the customer.

So c'mon Panera...pick up those pots!

Panera - The saga continues

A week or so ago I posted some observations I'd made about Panera Bread in Mishawaka Customer Service

The concerns I expressed in my blog post were averted by the Panera customer service rep who said they weren't in violation of any Department of Health regulations in regards to the coffee pots. Well this may not have been a violation, but apparently something else was.....

I got news of some activity on Twitter yesterday that said that Panera was closed by the Department of Health late morning for some type of violation. I don't know what that violation was, but am not really surprised. I was told that Panera on Main Street in Mishawaka was closed and would reopen on Wednesday. As it turns out they did re-open on Tuesday, but under what conditions I have no idea.

I was anxious to get to Panera this morning for coffee and find out what actually happened. (I know many of you are wondering why I went back if they'd been closed by the Dept.of Health....) None of the usual group that is at Panera at 6am was aware of the previous days upheaval so I decided to ask a Panera employee.

I walked up to the counter to pay for my coffee and asked the server about what I'd heard the day before. The server looked down at the floor and replied "I cannot talk about that, I can't say anything....no comment"

So what does that mean...no comment? Shouldn't your patrons, especially the regulars, know what is going on with the store? Isn't it public knowledge? Well, its my goal today to find out if it is indeed public knowledge or not!

Huckabee on the Stimulous Bill

Huckabee & The Stimulous Bill

Have you seen her, tell me have you seen her?

My blond has gone red!












...have I mentioned red is my favorite color!

Left hangin'

We just booked and amazing Orlando vacation for this coming spring. The air faire was unbelievably cheap. The hotel where we've been staying for years had an awesome rate. After much searching I finally found a reasonable rental car. And my vacation spending account is fully funded. Ahhhhhh...life is good, but....

You just never know when Murphy will be lurking around the corner. Lori put the load of laundry she'd done in the dryer this morning. She checked it about 15 minutes later and it was still cold and wet. She tried another heat setting and started it again. Fifteen minutes later, still cold and wet. Apparently the dryer is not working. Genius aren't I!

We're starting a new Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Class on February 23, 2009 at Granger Community Church. In 13 weeks Dave teaches how to achieve financial freedom through planning and budgeting. Not only will you learn about your budget and how to plan and manage your finances, but there are valuable sessions on investing and college planning and retirement to name just a few. You'll learn how to control your money and not have it control you!

In the first lesson you learn how important it is to have an emergency fund for unexpected expenses. You know, the ones you pull the credit card out for and then end up paying for them forever...and paying more than the original expense. The first goal in the Financial Peace class is to establish a $1000 emergency fund. Later you'll learn how to increase the balance of this fund, but Rome wasn't built in a day and you've got to start somewhere!

As I mentioned earlier, you never know when Murphy is going drop by. He dropped by at my house this morning.....



...and the todays laundry has been "hung out to dry" but my emergency fund is in tact and the repairman is on the way!

You want to head Murphy "off at the pass"? Sign up for Financial Peace University Granger Community Church and "Live like no one else, so you can live like no one else!"

Customer service

Panera has good coffee. I'm particularly fond of their hazelnut brew. I like the fact that there are unlimited refills (cuz I can drink a lot of coffee). But I've not been real fond of the means in which they replace their empty pots. The staff often come out with two the big pots in tow, one in each arm, and put them on the floor before removing the empty pots. Kinda gross....no, very gross! There is a 'contact us' section on Panera's website so I thought I'd raise my concern.

I wrote

Time and time again when I see the empty coffee containers changed out the person who is doing it sets the full coffee container on the floor while they're lifting the empty one off the cabinet where they sit for public consumption. This seems like a huge health department violation to me. Why is this allowed to happen? Why aren't staff trained not do this? It seems incredibly insanitary.

It seemed to me like this may be something they'd want to know about and probably discontinue the practice of doing.

I was surprise to have a response from them the very next day. They wrote....

Dear Bob,

Thank you for contacting Panera Bread regarding the coffee containers. Because of the limited space at the coffee area, the containers may have to be placed on the floor while changing them out. It is not a health violation because the only part of the container touching the floor is the base. I have forwarded your comments to the bakery-café for review.

Thank you again, and we hope that you continue to enjoy Panera Bread.

Sincerely,

It was not the response I'd expected.

I've been tuned in recently to the need to give a complete and accurate response to requests that are made of me. Though I may have thought things through, I haven't done the best job in articulating the complete picture. I've become extremely sensitive to this deficiency in myself and am taking steps to overcome this shortfall in myself. You can be much more helpful when you go full circle and propose a resolution if it's needed.

I think this newly found sensitivity in my prompted my follow up to Panera's response

I replied.....

I'm quite surprised by your response and it's reflection on customers service and perception of the Panera restaurant on Main Street in Mishawaka Indiana.

Can you honestly tell that it doesn't give a less than sanitary appearance to the customer standing in line or seated in the restaurant when your workers come out and put the coffee pots on the floor. I wouldn't expect them to put my food tray on the floor before they served my bagel to me. The food isn't touching the floor so does that make that ok too. NOT!

Perhaps a cart could be used to bring the coffee pots to and from the designated coffee area or I understand the restaurant on Main is up for a remodel...maybe the coffee area should be redesigned.

I have to say that I didn't find your response to be very customer focused nor customer friendly. Your response was all about your worker. I believe the saying is the "customer is always right." I'm not saying I have all of the answers but I certainly wouldn't have responded the way that you did.

.....to be continued.

When the economy crisis hits home...

What a day....I am emotionally drained. The economic crisis took it's toll on 8 people I know today who were awesome collegues, amazing friends, and most of all family to me.

Heartache hung like a cloud. Hugs and farewells conveyed compassion. But abandoned cubicles and offices became the stark reminder of the reality of it all.

A quote I saw on Twitter this morning sums it up... "God is still good". It's in difficult times like these we want God to move at the pace we expect. We want to be rescued now.

Psalm 77:1 I yell out to my God, I yell with all my might, I yell at the top of my lungs. He listens.

Even through pain we have to remain optimistic

Psalm 71 4-7 ......You keep me going when times are tough— my bedrock, God, since my childhood.

God is moving. and He loves his children and will care for them.

Psalm 86 But you, O God, are both tender and kind, not easily angered, immense in love,and you never, never quit. So look me in the eye and show kindness,give your servant the strength to go on,save your dear, dear child!


Be strong, my colleges. Be confident, my friends. Know you are loved, my family.

Pet Peeves

Five of my top pet peeves

•not planning for what lies ahead

•perpetual late-ness

•disorder and chaos

•only being acknowledged when something is wanted from you

•unkept commitments

Paying "Permanent" Forward

2 Samuel 9
v8 Shuffling and stammering, not looking him in the eye, Mephibosheth said, "Who am I that you pay attention to a stray dog like me?"

“Permanently bless my whole family” was David’s request of God at the end of 2nd Samuel, chapter 8. How does God permanently bless a family? What are the options? You could sit back and just wait for the blessings to pour in, but I don’t think that is really the way it suppose to happen.

God is love. He created us in his own image, therefore we have the ability to love. But God isn’t a dictator so we can also choose not to love.
When we choose to bless, we choose to love. Are we not also blessed when we love? I know I am.

David wanted to honor Saul and sought out a remaining, the only remaining member of his family, his grandson Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was lame in both feet. By worldly standards this probably designated him useless. Even Mephibosheth himself asked David why he would pay attention to him. But David chose to love. David chose to pay it forward.

It’s easy to miss. When we ask God to bless our whole family He is likely equipping us to partake in that process. Are you paying your blessings forward?

Permanent

I decided back in November that I wanted to do a study of David and his life. I continue to be deeply entrenched in the perils and delights of Davids experiences. Yesterday I was reading chapter 7 in 2nd Samuel. Today I continued on in chapter 8 but found myself reflecting back to chapter 7.

It says in 2nd Samuel 7 28-29 "And now, Master GOD, being the God you are, speaking sure words as you do, and having just said this wonderful thing to me, please, just one more thing: Bless my family; keep your eye on them always. You've already as much as said that you would, Master GOD! Oh, may your blessing be on my family permanently!"

If you rewind back to the first few verses of chapter 7 in 2 Samuel, David took a look at all he had and felt as if he needed to honor God in some way by constructing a building in which to house the Chest of God.

In following verses God reminded David that He didn’t need a building. How many years did the Chest move from place to place only in a tent. Ah, maybe 40 years!

Basically, I think God was saying to David, ‘have you forgotten who I am you silly boy?’ At the end of the chapter David has the realization that there is nothing that God needs. He asks for God’s blessing, he is even so bold to ask for a permanent blessing on family.

Thats where I got broadsided. What does it mean to ask for a permanent blessing on your family? What potential does that have? How incredible could that be?

But I paused. If God were to grant a permanent blessing, what exactly does that mean....that hardships will never fall again upon that family? Anything is possible with God, so the potential of that happening does exist. But sin is active in the world, and hardships, in whatever form, will continue to exist as well.

Though its a broad concept, permanently bless my entire family, I think it can be easily minimized. And when something goes awry we immediately go to a place of why did this happen to me. In those times its easy to forget all of the many other blessing we are given.

This past year has been devastating at times for some of my extended family members. I don't know why the things that happened, happened. I know that I've prayed and prayed for positive outcomes. Sometimes they happened. Sometimes they didn't. God knows why. God knows best. But even when things didn't have the results I wanted them to have I kept praying for them to happen.

Meriam Webster defines permanent as : continuing or enduring without fundamental or marked change : stable

I pray for a permanent blessing on my family. I pray they will be continuously blessed and find strength to endure in times when it appears they are not.

In 2 Samuel 8 David has victory over victory over his foes. He is reveled as an honorable man. I see Your blessings upon him.

....Master GOD! Oh, may Your blessing be on my family permanently!"

Lookin' good dawg

This is our dog. He's a very old wire hair dachshund.







Normally his apparel consistes of his dog hair...
......but that could all change today.









I went to Facebook this morning and found an advertisement for this website:
http://www.noodleandfriends.com. It was tagged as Designs for Dachshunds. So I had to look.





Who knew he had the opportunity to look so good?