Flashback Friday--South Haven

Whilst I am preparing for a trip to Michigan this weekend, I reflect back on my last trip two years ago, which included a stop by South Haven with my sister and enjoying the fireworks over the lake.

Things have been super, duper busy, but I am very, very happy.

525.  The pink tinge of the sunset on the road
526.  Long, long days with sunshine
527.  Having the opportunity to take off random days over the week
528.  Jamming to the Beach Boys with the windows rolled down
529.  My roommate's parents' willingness to fix up our house
530.  Taking random days off to enjoy the summer
531.  A run that started out with dread and ended with the accomplished feeling
532.  Not grocery shopping for almost two weeks and still not running out of produce
534.  When the lady who stepped in front of me at the grocery store allowed for me to take the last blended salad that she wanted.
535.  My favorite middle schooler's baseball team won and continues to the championship

IKEA and beyond Swedenland

Confession:  I am directionally impaired.  None was this more apparent than my weekend trip to Chicago IKEA.  My four hour trip turned into a six and a half hour one.  I made a pit stop and drove fifty miles out of the way.  I thought I had passed some of those signs.  I got lost once I got to Chicago and it took me longer than I expected there.  After a rough day, and then getting turned around for the umpteenth time, I lost it.  I just screamed.  Right there in my car.  I had so many other frustrating things that had happened and that was my final straw.

I eventually made it to the hotel and had a wonderful weekend with my college roommates (510).

The insisted on having a picture before the adventure begin.

We really like IKEA.

It was absolutely great to see these girls and to reminisce about college days (511).  These twice a year reunions are never enough, but so sweet when they do happen.

 On other good turns to frustrating news, my bike had minimal damage from my accident and the broken elbow pads and bent handlebars were straightened out quickly by the bike doctor (512). :)

The summer has been full of open water swims and bike rides (it's been too hot to run far), along with some good times with family and friends (513).

Speaking of family, I did not post (or reflect) on Father's Day.  I had honestly avoided posting anything because I wanted it to be deep and insightful.  However, really, I am just horribly blessed.  I have an amazing father, two amazing grandfathers, and a "great-uncle" who love me, pray for me, and show me what it is like to be a loving father and husband, and a man of integrity (514, 515&  516, 517).  The longer I am in my job, the more I see broke families and the more I realize how much I could have been born to another family (518).  My dad's integrity precedes me when I work at the hospital (519).  Working for the same company as him has allowed for me to see how much respect people have for him (520).  It causes me to want to be better, so I don't ruin that reputation (521).

The cousins just laid around and had a heart to heart (522).

We were able to Skype with my uncle in Africa (524).

Flashback Friday--Rajah in a dollhouse

Apparently, this happened.  Thank goodness for pictures.

Ok, I know, Flashback Friday a day early.  Well, yesterday, we lost our beloved cat in the kitchen to cancer.  I wanted to share a picture and some memories of him .  He was a very good cat, albeit a stinker sometimes.  He loved to sit next to my dad at the computer and be petted when my dad was working.  He loved to go outside and would jump on our neighbor's wooden fence in his younger years to escape the yard.  He never went far; just to visit his girlfriend or to explore his world (the neighbors' yards).  We had had this cat since I was in eighth grade (1998).  He saw a lot of family changes, but just became more loving as he got older.

R.I.P. Rajah Mu

Hey, look at the bright side!

Since this week is Summer Solstice and my moods seem to be directly effected by the weather, this should be my happiest week of the year.  To celebrate, let's play a game called "Look at the bright side".  I will give a scenario and then an optimistic response.


The kids who play in the middle of my street and I will accidentally run over one day?  

Look at the bright side:  At least they feel safe and the ER stays busy (507)

Kanye West announced at a 2008 AIDS fundraiser that AIDS was a man made disease in Africa like crack was to the black community in America.

Look at the bright side:  He has no idea what words are tumbling out of his mouth either. (508)

They are making telenovelas (Spanish language soap operas) for the Columbian warlords in peacekeeping efforts.

Look at the bright side:  They may actually watch them.  If not, at least we have glamorizes heinous crimes and shown the rest of society how awesome it is to deal drugs, shoot illegal guns, and terrorize a country.

Have you ever thought, man, I have a lot of money and I don't know what to do with it?

Well, look at the bright side, there are always ways to blow it. (of course, if all else fails, I am sure I can find some personal use for it). (509)

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/04/30/180135026/chicken-diapers-urban-farming-spawns-accessory-lines


http://www.pastryshoescollection.com/2009/01/06/top-10-most-expensive-shoes-in-the-world/

https://www.google.com/search?q=5+hour+energy+decaf&aq=f&oq=5+hour+energy+decaf&aqs=chrome.0.57j0l3j62.5437j0&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

At the zoo with Meggie Poo!

I have been so incredibly blessed to celebrate another year of living.  I was able to visit Columbus Zoo with my sister for free (481), get free double scoop ice cream (at a place that makes its own chocolate...I will be returning to try more flavors) (482), having amazingly yummy and healthy meals (as always) (483), and to shop at a warehouse for designer fashions from the area (484).  Yeah, it was a good few days.  It was weird to take off the day in the middle of the week, but it made for a really nice workweek (485).  As things slow down at work, the social life takes a front seat for the next month and I couldn't be happier.

As I was walking around the zoo, I was just mesmerized with the animals.  They are all so...different.  I mean strikingly different (486).  The snakes have these muscles that enable them to move without legs.  The birds were sooooo many different colors, with different calls and personalities.  Some were shy and others were so curious, we were told to be careful or they would pick up anything we dropped.  The stingrays...we actually touched them.  These amazing creatures were so smooth, yet so stiff.  Their muscles, their structure, even just their aerodynamic bodies...I just stared at and watched these creatures forever.  The polar bears...they are so big, so strong, and yet their bodies are shaped like triangles to help them be more aerodynamic in the water.  Their fur is hollow to help them keep out the cold.

There were animals who blended in with their environment, the beavers who had these genius tails to make their beds in the river, and the animals that were practically unrecognizable, they were so uncommon.  The eagles...oh the eagles.  I have never seen nests that big and I am told that they can get up to twelve feet deep.  I can't imagine falling in a bird's nest and not being able to get out.  I am even more amazed that there are so many animals that haven't even been discovered yet...hundreds of thousands even.  I just can't fathom coming up with all these different creatures that swim, walk, crawl, and fly that all have this food chain that they have developed, taking turns eating each other plants, and other various objects, and having them each serving a purpose.  I am exhausted just thinking about it.  To think I put God in a little box...

                                           

As if the zoo wasn't enough, we came home from getting ice cream to see the entire sky lit up with heat lightening.  It was just amazing to see these rods of heat light up the sky for just a second, revealing the clouds behind them and illuminating the nighttime sky.  It's like God was saying, "Oh you think that's all I got?  Well, here's more."  (The pictures did not turn out well...I guess this was a moment not to be captured on film.)

We toured Ohio State's campus.  I never attended a large university and could see how people could be lost in the mix.  However, I was floored about how this was really functioning as a little city.  

I just smile at my brother-in-law's obsession with sports.  The Hawks won in triple overtime on my birthday and he was stoked about the game.  My sister has even embraced hockey (sort of).

My finger is healed (healing).  Most of my hand is still bruised and sore, but it is functional.  Some people talked about a lawsuit against this guy.  Honestly, it was my fault and I wouldn't do it.  The thought hadn't even crossed my mind.  I am thankful that I could still run (487) and now I can go back to riding (488).  

The omnious clouds rolled in, but I ran on.

Now to integrate in swimming (oh yeah...triathlons are three sports, not two).

All in all, I am super duper thankful for my week.  So here is an edited version of my list (so I can get to riding):

489.  Taking a little time off from riding so that I don't get injured

490.  That I really didn't need much pain medication

491.  That I could come of the incident with a good attitude and a sense of humor.

492.  That my sister did my hair when my hand was too bruised for a ponytail.

493.  That my roommate did the dishes (this was my request for my birthday present)

494.  Getting to spend a few days with my sissy

495.  That my sister is a teacher with minimal summer work (she had time off for me to come visit)

496.  That my sister has a desire to remain healthy and encourages me to do so

497.  That I had an outpouring of texts, Facebook posts, and phone calls from dearly beloved people who remembered my birthday

498.  That there are conservation efforts underway to prevent extinction from some species

499.  That my decision on whether or not to take my bike to Ohio was made for me

500.  That my sister tolerated my sleepiness and narcolepsy well

This is what happens when she leaves me alone with all these discounted protein bars.  Spoken at the checkout, "Wow...these bars are for a really good price.  They are only $64."

501.  That future plans were made more clear for me, albeit even if it was a little frustrating.  Doors open and close for a reason.

502.  Shopping at a discounted fashion warehouse=getting some badly needed new pants for $12.

503.  Having people tell me that I looked refreshed coming back to work.

504.  Feeling like I am not missing summer by capturing these moments.

505.  Being inspired to organize looking at my sister and brother-in-law's immaculate apt.

506.  Realizing that I am not jealous of people because I am working to be satisfied with my own life.

Flahsback Friday--birthday surprise

This week was my birthday.  I didn't have any scanned pictures of my own birthday, but I have this one of my sister's birthday and I got to spend my special day with her.  Besides, this is a picture meant to be shared.

Yesterday, I dislocated my finger.  I hit a car on my bike when I was racing to catch up with friends.  It pulled right out in front of me when I stopped to yield at a sign that instructed me to do so.  Honestly, other thank my splint, I am fine.  So, onto my list I go.

457.  That I was not further injured

458.  The the guy driving the car was soooo sweet and apologetic.  He stayed with me until my parents arrived and almost started crying.  I think he may have even thrown up.

459.  My bike seems fine.  I am more mad that I can't ride it for a few days than anything else.

460.  Other than my pinkie, I only walked away with scrapes.

461.  Pain meds=wonderful things

462.  That I have the most amazing parents in town, who came right away to pick me up and stayed with me until they dropped me off at home.  Both of them were extremely tired.  My dad had been working at the ER until 2am and my mom had been up since 3:30am.  My mom didn't shower until almost 10:30pm.

463.  That the ER wasn't too busy.

464.  Health insurance

465.  Having an advanced enough system to have a team of people working together so well.

466.  That Wendy's drive-thru is open late.

467.  Twenty-four hour pharmacies that are open right down the road from the hospital

468.  That the staff in the ER were really sweet.

Speaking of the ER staff, my overnight shift there wasn't too bad.  I didn't get called until 2:30 and was out there by 7.  I am thankful for:

469.  That I was able to get a decent night's sleep before I was called.

470.  That I was able to nap a little after I had gotten back home.

471.  Having plenty of energy to teach a bunch of rambunctious K-2 boys for Sunday School.

472.  McDonald's breakfast sandwiches on sale

473.  Having the chance to attend church.  (I really love my church!)

My grandpa was released from the hospital Sunday (474) and my parents were able to make it home before my dad's Sunday afternoon shift (475).  My dad was able to cover for a shift for me later in the month, which will allow for me to go to Michigan sooner (476).  My sister, a schoolteacher, is now out for the summer and had free time to go care for my grandparents on Monday (477).  I am so thankful for a close-knit family in times like these (478).

I also had a chance to attend two girl from my former youth group's graduation parties (or open houses...depending on where you are from...an ongoing debate with my brother-in-law) on Sunday (479).  The poem one girls' dad wrote her was so sweet.  I have to admit, these girls are pretty rockin'.

I have thought about it lots, and I realize that I was worried about running out of things to post on here, that I would have to "ration" them, because there wouldn't be enough.  I so wrong!  With tomorrow being my birthday, it causes me to remember how much stock I have put into my birthday, this one day, to celebrate life.  Now, I realize that birthdays should be only icing on the cake for what to celebrate every day!   (480)  (Haha...I am so punny!)

My grandpa has still not been released from the hospital.  They have further tests on his kidneys because of some concerns with the labs.  Thoughts and prayers and our family are always appreciated.

I am taking care of my parents' cats while they are in Ohio.  The oldest, Rajah, has been around since I was in eighth grade.  He has seen me through a lot.  We have loved him dearly, even (maybe especially) in his final stages.  He has a large lump on his front leg that has grown back even more aggressively since it was removed in January.  Cancer.  Aggressive cancer.  So, I watch as our dear pet whittles to nothing as the lump grows larger and larger.  We feed him tuna and Ensure and anything that will put a little fat on his dwindling frame.  My dad says he cries loudly now to be held.  Rajah was never a holding kind of cat.

I tear up more than I used to as loved ones become sicker and sicker.  It is hard these days being so sensitive, no doubt a result of the Great Break.

I carry on, learning how great it is that I have a family who is so awesomely supportive of one another.  I learn that I am blessed beyond compare to have a family who will love one another and will go to the ends of the earth for each other.  The least I could do for them is take my dad's overnight on call shift so that he could stay in Ohio.

Onto my list...

444.  Unedited beauty

 

 

445.  Having the gas money for my parents to travel to Ohio

446.  Having the hospital set up and technology to assist my grandpa

447.  Skipping a morning run and bike ride, because I knew, I just knew, that I would be covering for my dad.

448.  Making no plans for my weekend, including a failed trip to Chicago (so that is why I couldn't participate in the Urban Warrior Dash)

449.  Having assistance in getting things set up for Sunday School (in case I am out all night)

450.  Breakfast in bed

451.  Doing whatever in Hades' name I wanted to this morning

452.  Getting a few light naps before my overnight shift

453.  Being able to naturally fall asleep

454.  That I didn't drink any coffee before I suggested to my dad about taking his shift

455.  That I had the flexibility to take his shift

456.  That I have the ability to do this for my dad (so this is why I am still with the same organization)

457.  That I got snuggle time with the cats



This week has had its difficult moments.  My grandpa was admitted to the hospital.  A few friends had some rough days.  Icky situations made me much more upset than they should have.  However, there is a lot of good, so I don't want to get lost in that.

419.  I was very fortunate to have finished a run and getting ready for a bike before I got news about my Grandpa.
420.  They caught his heart blockage in time and put in a stint before it could have gotten any worse.
421.  My mom has a job that allowed for her to go over to Ohio to care for her parents.
422.  My aunt just finished school yesterday and was able to be there for a few days before they leave on vacation.  (Which, ironically, is a free pass to Disney World that they haven't been able to use for years.  Last year, her father-in-law was sick when they were supposed to go.)
423.  My cousins made it home from Missouri safely.
424.  We were able to reflect and celebrate on my uncle's life this week (it has been four years since he has been gone).
425.  My parents came up and hung sheer curtains this week at my house (my mom found them for $2 at a rummage sale)
426.  I had a super cool ring from the Bahamas on which I had received a lot of compliments.

427.  I had a great little triathlon on my own and was more confident than ever about doing one this summer.
428.  I made my own swimming time at the local watering hole.
429.  I enjoyed a few sunsets.

430.  I was able to have dinner pretty late at night.
431.  My first exposure to Diehard
432.  A great birthday celebration
433. Getting flowers from one of my kids

434.  Good guidance and direction for my life
435.  A great night with friends, a cuddly dog, and delicious steak
436.  Getting my work done early on a Friday
437.  The beauty of learning to keep my mouth shut at just the right times
438.  Having three out of four of my grandparents still living (and a new one to boot)
439.  Summer
440.  Completing things this summer that I had wanted to do last summer
441.  Having some semblance of a schedule that allows for mostly drama free mornings
442.  Being able to give away extra groceries
443.  A good weekend weather forecast
443.  So many good options for a good weekend, I have to pick only a few

Flashback Friday--Anniversary Party

Yesterday was my parents' 32nd anniversary.  I sometimes forget how lucky I am to have such a long history of a marriage demonstrated for me.

My parents' 25th Wedding Anniversary Party

I am continually amazed at how much better I feel when I am focusing on the good stuff.  Even though I started ruminating tonight, my roommate was able to set me straight.

410.  The texture of the clouds during one recent bike ride
411.  Zumba
412.  Not being called at all on Sunday (I prayed that I would at least be able to go to church at least for a little while.)



413.  Kids serving communion

414.  Loving on this cutie

415.  Snuggling up with a good book

416.  Having lunch with a friend at the park last week, who pointed out that the cotton weed looks like we are in a gigantic snow globe :)

417.  Getting caught in that black hole at a friend's house...where I go for a bit and leave way after dark.

Summer goals are complete

#403.  Getting that last little bit of soap out
#404.  Finding my phone charger in my car.
#405.  Having a charger that fits both my phones (work and personal)
#406.  Cute Kleenex boxes
#407.  Having so many reusable bags I obtained for free.


Ok, confession...my only real goal for the summer was to learn to braid.  Even if it's not French Braid, I feel like I got this one done.  Summer goals...check.

#408.  How easy a braid is (hello...dripping wet hair that doesn't look like I just got out of the shower)

#409.  That my hair just naturally curls and fusses it up for me (my hair just knows how to be fashionable, I guess)

I am weirdly tired, so I am heading to bed before 9.  Hopefully, this cures whatever oddness has crept into my body.