... by taking a few more.
Several things conspired to make today's activity possible. I woke up feeling lethargic, and thinking I needed to get back into my habit of walking each day. Before I said anything, Kira asked if I could please take a walk with her today. So, off to a great start!
But, after a week's vacation, we were low on groceries. I quickly made up a menu and shopping list, and realized I only had 18 items on my list. So, we grabbed a few canvas bags, our softside cooler bag, and walked 6 blocks to the grocery store. We both got some exercise, I only shopped from my list (impulse shopping is curbed when you know you have to carry everything 6 blocks home!), and helped protect the environment a little tiny bit!
Yea! But I still feel lethargic.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Check, please!
Last night, I stumbled across a website highlighting examples of passive-aggressive behavior http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com. One thread focused on customers' approach to tipping poor waitstaff (writing, "We waited 30 minutes, no servic" in ketchup and mustard on the table) Needless to say, this post had a LOT of responses, many from waiters and waitresses trying to justify why they should get 15-20% tips just for living, regardless of how terribly they serve their customers.
We eat out a lot, and we've had our share of bad waiters, but Stephen is usually fairly generous with a tip anyway. There have a been a few exceptions, however, that have caused even him to express displeasure through the lack of a tip.
Here are my two personal favorites:
At Red Lobster, where we usually receive GREAT service, we had a waiter that practically ignored us as he buttered up the two rich elderly women seated behind us. He was not winning any brownie points with us to begin with, but he drove the nail in the coffin as we were preparing to leave. As I wrote on my take-out box the contents and the date, he asked, "What are you doing?" When I told him, he looked at me and said, "Well, that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard of!"
We went to Steak and Shake after church one evening, and the restaurant was slow. We were told to pick a table and someone would be with us soon. After we finally flagged someone down, we ordered drinks. While we were waiting for our drinks, Kira lay down in the booth, saying she didn't feel very well. She suspected she was just really hungry. When we finally got our drinks, she took a few sips, which improved her color, but only briefly. Finally, she just went into the bathroom and tried to relieve her discomfort. As she was sitting there, she started to talk and puked all over the floor instead. I helped clean her off, then went and found an employee, telling her that my daughter just threw up in the restroom. 5 minutes later, we see someone wheel the mop and bucket back to the restrooms. Good! A few minutes later, Kira again needed the restroom. We ran into the employee exiting the MEN's room, who recognized us and said, "Oh, she threw up in the girls' bathroom?!?"
What are some of your dining out horror stories?
We eat out a lot, and we've had our share of bad waiters, but Stephen is usually fairly generous with a tip anyway. There have a been a few exceptions, however, that have caused even him to express displeasure through the lack of a tip.
Here are my two personal favorites:
At Red Lobster, where we usually receive GREAT service, we had a waiter that practically ignored us as he buttered up the two rich elderly women seated behind us. He was not winning any brownie points with us to begin with, but he drove the nail in the coffin as we were preparing to leave. As I wrote on my take-out box the contents and the date, he asked, "What are you doing?" When I told him, he looked at me and said, "Well, that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard of!"
We went to Steak and Shake after church one evening, and the restaurant was slow. We were told to pick a table and someone would be with us soon. After we finally flagged someone down, we ordered drinks. While we were waiting for our drinks, Kira lay down in the booth, saying she didn't feel very well. She suspected she was just really hungry. When we finally got our drinks, she took a few sips, which improved her color, but only briefly. Finally, she just went into the bathroom and tried to relieve her discomfort. As she was sitting there, she started to talk and puked all over the floor instead. I helped clean her off, then went and found an employee, telling her that my daughter just threw up in the restroom. 5 minutes later, we see someone wheel the mop and bucket back to the restrooms. Good! A few minutes later, Kira again needed the restroom. We ran into the employee exiting the MEN's room, who recognized us and said, "Oh, she threw up in the girls' bathroom?!?"
What are some of your dining out horror stories?
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Men vs. Women
The other day I told Stephen, "I love you" and he answered, "I love you more." I agreed with him that that was probably true. Don't get me wrong, I love him more than I can measure, so this is not an indication that my affection is waning (far from it!!) But I do think that while women tend to fall in love more easily (and more often), men fall much harder.
Those of you who are married, would you agree? You may vote in the poll and add your comments here.
Those of you who are married, would you agree? You may vote in the poll and add your comments here.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Hostage Situation
You probably won't hear about this on the news, so here's your insider scoop on a hostage situation that took place today in the city of East Grand Rapids.
A woman in her early thirties was held in her home today, unable to leave the house or place phone calls. An unidentified man, known only as "The Washing Machine Repair Man" was never actually seen on the premises, but the woman claims his promised arrival essentially amounted to a hostage situation. "He said he would call before coming, so I jumped every time the phone rang. I had to quickly get other callers off the line, so I could take his call. I couldn't even go to the office, because what if he called? What if he came to the house, and no one was here? I felt as trapped as if he were standing at the door, blocking my exit."
She finally took a risk, and put an end to her hostage status this afternoon around 4:30. Hoping "TWMRM" wouldn't notice, she drove to work and the grocery store, hurrying back quickly in case the anticipated call had come. Fortunately, the only missed phone call was from her sister.
This isn't the first time such an incident has occurred, but she hopes it will be the last. "The only thing worse than doing laundry is being unable to do it when needed."
A woman in her early thirties was held in her home today, unable to leave the house or place phone calls. An unidentified man, known only as "The Washing Machine Repair Man" was never actually seen on the premises, but the woman claims his promised arrival essentially amounted to a hostage situation. "He said he would call before coming, so I jumped every time the phone rang. I had to quickly get other callers off the line, so I could take his call. I couldn't even go to the office, because what if he called? What if he came to the house, and no one was here? I felt as trapped as if he were standing at the door, blocking my exit."
She finally took a risk, and put an end to her hostage status this afternoon around 4:30. Hoping "TWMRM" wouldn't notice, she drove to work and the grocery store, hurrying back quickly in case the anticipated call had come. Fortunately, the only missed phone call was from her sister.
This isn't the first time such an incident has occurred, but she hopes it will be the last. "The only thing worse than doing laundry is being unable to do it when needed."
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Mother's Day Tribute
Mom was asked to line up 3 generations to give toasts/tributes at the Mother-Daughter banquet at her church, so she enlisted help from Kira and me. The coordinator gave Mom a packet of "really nice" poems that we could look through to pick something to read. We decided to write our own, although I don't know how I thought I could top "Happy Pother's Day." We were also asked to keep the toasts somewhat generic and impersonal so everyone in the room could relate to it. I broke the rules and wrote my own very personal tribute to a definitely not generic mom.
Here it is...
I don’t remember very much about my early childhood. I remember I was happy and not overly concerned about life. I don’t remember very many specific things that you did to make my life safe and happy. But I have since learned to appreciate that maybe, just maybe, your extraordinary love defined our family so much, that I came to see it as a given. It was just part of who you were, and continue to be.
It was there when you took me into your bedroom and helped me pray for Jesus to accept me as His child. It was there when you worked only school hours to be home for us. It was there when you had no-bake cookies and hot chocolate waiting on cold days. It was there when our VBS ride forgot to pick us up and you walked us down to Baskin Robbins and bought us ribbon barrettes, earning you the title of coolest mom to an 8 year old ever!
Your extraordinary love was there when you taught me that it’s better to spend money on people and relational experiences than things. It was there when you let me curl up on your bed and act like your little girl even when I was a teenager. It was there when you hugged me so tight to keep me close, and when you let me go to be myself.
Your love has stayed with me as I’ve grown and has grown to encompass my husband and my daughter. When I pray with her, when I make her cookies, when I curl up Japanese-style with her, and when I let her make her own choices, I’m reminded again of the wonderful mother I have in you.
Thank you for your extraordinary love, always.
Mom forgave me for breaking the rules...
Here it is...
I don’t remember very much about my early childhood. I remember I was happy and not overly concerned about life. I don’t remember very many specific things that you did to make my life safe and happy. But I have since learned to appreciate that maybe, just maybe, your extraordinary love defined our family so much, that I came to see it as a given. It was just part of who you were, and continue to be.
It was there when you took me into your bedroom and helped me pray for Jesus to accept me as His child. It was there when you worked only school hours to be home for us. It was there when you had no-bake cookies and hot chocolate waiting on cold days. It was there when our VBS ride forgot to pick us up and you walked us down to Baskin Robbins and bought us ribbon barrettes, earning you the title of coolest mom to an 8 year old ever!
Your extraordinary love was there when you taught me that it’s better to spend money on people and relational experiences than things. It was there when you let me curl up on your bed and act like your little girl even when I was a teenager. It was there when you hugged me so tight to keep me close, and when you let me go to be myself.
Your love has stayed with me as I’ve grown and has grown to encompass my husband and my daughter. When I pray with her, when I make her cookies, when I curl up Japanese-style with her, and when I let her make her own choices, I’m reminded again of the wonderful mother I have in you.
Thank you for your extraordinary love, always.
Mom forgave me for breaking the rules...
Friday, May 2, 2008
Happy Birthday Jersey!
I can't believe I did this, but I actually bought Jersey a birthday present. Don't worry, I haven't gone so far over the edge that I expect anyone else to acknowledge my dog's birthday.
To commemorate his very big day, we gave him a bath this morning. He actually was pretty good today - he didn't drink the soap or sit as I was trying to wash his behind. And he waited until I closed the shower curtain to shake. So, good dog! But it still took almost an hour to dry him! Fortunately, he stood up while I was drying his fur. He usually sits, and ends up with a funky cowlick on his rear from his fur drying like that. So, pretty dog, too!
He also got to visit the vet today, and have blood drawn to test for heartworm. He kept still (well, his tail was going a mile a minute, but that didn't matter!) He didn't even flinch when the tech had to stick him a second time and a third time. Apparently, he has tough veins, and they still only got about 4 drops of blood. I would say poor guy, but I'm not even sure he noticed.
Here's Jersey at 1 year old, enjoying his new red blanket that is all his own!
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