Fat Tuesday

In my life everyday is Fat day, Can you see the filling dripping down my chin? I think that last hole in my belt is still filled with some filling that dripped last year. Give me a dozen paczki please. Truth is, I may have a bite of the one Diane brought home.

On to tomorrow,

Ash Wednesday is the start of the most meaningful part of the church year for me. The weeks leading up to Easter have always been that way for me. It is almost certain that I will spend more time in the weeks to come thinking about the sacrifice that God made, so that we may live forgiven and eternally. Bring on the old hymns. and let prepare the way to the cross.

Today's thought:

Forgiveness is like living in the gutter, but still being able to see the stars.
Were still going to be sinful but there are a few bright spots now & then.

Good health fairy

The good health fairy must of came through the night. I feel a lot better today. That 10 lb of weight on my chest is gone & so is the wheeze. Thank You Jesus!. Just to remind me of my age however, my syatic nerve is a little tender today. I will take it over the congestion any day.

Kevin Krzyske came to church yesterday morning and before church Pastor Dave made comment to Kevin about the text. Kevin said that it was great and said he sure give testimony to that. With that said, he did. Never have I heard or seen a better unprepared testimonial about giving & receiving than His. The Text about robbing God with tithes & offerings, one that we have all heard, as well as Kevin. But this time Kevin really heard it. Kevin has been a thither for many years. His struggle was with bringing the whole tithe. He went beyond Net or Gross. He went into 401 K's Medicare, The whole benefit thing. Anyway, He told God that he just could not do it. He just prayed that if this is this is what God wanted well God would have to provide. God of coarse did. Hat's off to Kevin. He is a follower of God. And he let's the Word guide his life.

Today's thought:

The love of God compels us to give.

Soft Blue

This morning at 6:20 am I step out on to the sun porch for firewood and noticed the beautiful blue just glowing off the horizon. Not only is this a beautiful site but seeing it at 6:20 means the days are getting longer, and the Robins will soon appear, and the trees will bud and things will turn green with life. But then again we are in Michigan. And you just can't stop wondering when will that big late winter or early spring dumping of snow fall on us. I don't think I will drain the gas out of the snow blower quite yet.
I am still fighting a bugger of a chest cold. I think I got about an hours sleep last night. I will probably fade fast this afternoon. I hope that the drugs the doctor prescribed will kick this thing in the butt.

Today's thought:

If you must make a mistake, make a new one each time.

102

Yesterday was a lost day in my life. I spent the whole day sleeping. It has been a long time since I had a fever of a 102 and I hope it is a long time before it happens again. I seems I have a chest cold. Today I feel a lot better but am a little shaky.


Today's thought:

Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.

Looking forward to 60

Not the age the temperature. I am just thinking about a day in March when the sun is out and the temp. hits sixty. And you know that spring time, a time of regeneration, is just around the corner. Actual the first day of spring is less that 30 days away. I did cheat this year and already bought a early hyacinth, I just love that smell, it always reminds me of spring and the love of God through the sacrifice of his son. Here Lent hasn't started yet and I am ready to celebrate Easter. I guess I am just stricken smitten and afflicted with winter. Bring on the Robins and lets mow the grass.

Today's thought:

O lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Psalms

Presidents Day

Being a Monday morning & all I was wondering. Does being the past president of anything other than the US count. I am a former president of my church. Now, I'm not looking for honor or anything like that I just would like the day off. I'm a laborer and get Labor day off. Why not start a new trend where all former president get the day off. Now I wonder does Presidents Day only honor dead presidents or past presidents. I may want to rethink this idea.

Today's thought:

You can't plant the seed and pick the fruit the next morning.

Quick blog

I have to leave for work early today, so it will be short & sweet.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MARK!! 56 WOW ! I hope to be living in GA when I am of that age.

I am going for an MRI this afternoon to get the soft tissue check on my knee. And then it's off to Mark's birthday bash. Ye Ha!

Today's thought:

Joy is not in things, it is in us.

Have a cigar!

Twenty four years ago today life as a father started for me. How lucky I am, God blessed me with a great wife and great kids. You hear about so many families with problem children or problem parents. And for me, I got to skip that part of life. Amanda has made it a joy to be a father and can brings laughter to those around her. And most importantly is also a child of God. Amanda is a worker, and let's no grass grow under her feet. She is creative and compassionate.
What more could a father ask for. God has richly blessed me with the gift of Amanda.

Happy Birthday Baby !!!!!

Today's thought:

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soil.

Injection

After a three hour stint at the doctors office yesterday this is what I know. After reviewing the x-rays I was told I have the knees of a thirty year old. No arthritis, good spacing on all bone etc. etc. I also have a baker cyst on the back of my knee, and I will need an MRI. Also I was given and injection which seams to have helped. It hurt in bed last night, even woke me up. But by the time I got out of the shower most of pain was gone. The funny thing is, even though there is little pain it still just doesn't feel right.

Today's thought:

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.

D Day

Today I finally get to go see the orthopedic doctor about my knee. I hope I get to hear him say I can help, rather than did you ever consider changing professions? So much of who I am and what I want to do in life relies on me be healthy. I always maintained I can do about anything, but when you loose your ability to be physically active it lessons the range. Those who read my blog know that I can't make a living as a writer. I could be a designer, a building code official, a home inspector, an estimator. I guess there are a lot of possibilities, however I still would still like my knee to bend. I guess I need to be flexible. Ha Ha. Maybe I could be a standup comedian. ( no comments please).

Today's thought:

Experience is not what happens to a man, it is what a man does with what happens to him. It is a gift for dealing with the accidents of existence, not the accidents themselves.

Fruits of labor

I've been doing a lot of estimating the past week and it looks as if it's paying off. I've landed two contracts ( verbal a this point ) with a third still out there. I's good to know I won't starve for the next month or two.

My knee hurt a lot on Sat., very little on Sunday. And is doing very well this morning. That's because I have a doctors appointment tomorrow. He'll say where does it hurt? And I get to reply it doesn't.

Today's thought:

It's great to be able to pinch your side and find there's not too much fat. Can you pinch your soul and find the same.

Friday !!!

Yep it's Friday once again, We have to put aside our love for work and spend a couple days at home. My knee hurts, My back is real sore and Diane has some type of virus and she feels tired and stuffed up. Make for a great start to the weekend.

Seven years ago today Amanda was inducted into the National Honor Society. Congratulations once again.

I need to get some firewood this weekend. January was a good month for saving on heating bills. I think I heated the house with about one face cord for the month. Though we were gone the first week to a better climate.

The fire is getting hot and the aspirin is kicking in, this may not be to bad of weekend after all. Now if we can only get Diane feeling good.

Today's thought:

If you want a rainbow, you have to put up with a little rain.

The garbage man

Yesterday I attended a seminar on asbestos. I was educated on many facets of the mineral and the harm it can cause. Also I was shown the many forms it comes in and proper disposal. The funny thing is, If I remove the product professionally it has to be done according to strict regulations. Disposal is even more stringent. Seal container or bags of certain thickness etc. etc..
If a home owner removes it there are no regulation at all. They can put it in the garbage can and leave it at the street. What about the guy working the garbage truck are his lungs expendable?
Or what about when they implode a building in a big city and that massive cloud of asbestos fiber float through the air. And settles every where for everyone to inhale. I was told at the seminar that if I find asbestos laying on the ground in a crawl space I need to remove 4 inches of dirt it was laying on. I can get fined up to $5,000.00 per day for not abating asbestos on a work site. But they allow these implosion to occur. It's a crazy world we live in.


Today's Thought:

Treat you friends as you do your pictures, and place them in heir best light.

Family bloggers

There has been quite a bit non blogging going on by friends & family. It seem as if Joyce & I are the only regulars. Mike is busy with taxes. Amanda has grad school & work. Andy has 21 credit hours & work. And as for the rest, who knows. Please take time to share your life, even if it's only one line at a time.

My knee made it through the day yesterday. Bending, climbing and the like, and is a little sore today, but not as bad as it had been.

This afternoon I will be attending a asbestos seminar. I will learn more about the fiber that will probably get me in the end. Since age fourteen I have been exposed to large quantities of asbestos. For twenty years we didn't even know it was harmful. Maybe I will get lucky and the Mercury that I played with as a kid will offset the asbestos dangers.

Today's thought:

Be life long or short, it's completeness depends on what it was lived for.

Celebrate!

Happy Birthday to Sister in law Carol. Today she is --- Well, lets just say she's older than me.

My knee seems to be doing better. I am starting to walk somewhat normal. Today will be a test of its ability to handle physical labor.

Less than 60 days to a Georgia trip. Bring on the flowers & green grass and a variety of birds.
And a few boating adventures. And if things go as planned it could be less than a thousand days for the big move. A lot of water has to go over the dam before that day. It just amazes me how time flies by as you get older.

Today's thought:

Some think it's holding on that makes one strong: sometimes it's letting go,

Dazzling Detroit

I hear Detroit was just dazzling for the super bowl. So I wonder what it will be like this week for the folks who live and work downtown. The lights will be gone. The snow & slush will be brown & the homeless will be bused back in from the silver dome. It's has to be a let down. You get a view of what downtown wants to be. And then its gone. It will be interesting to watch the news this week a to see how the city returns to what it is. A big city with good people and financial problems.

Today's thought:

Don't cry because it's over-smile because it happened

No time

My computer got stupid overnight. Just spent 40 minutes getting it working no time to really post.

Today's thought:

There's nothing like a newborn baby to renew your spirit-and to buttress your resolve to make the world a better place.

Difference in a day

Today I awake to a very sore knee and I can't tell you if the glass is half full or empty. I can't even find the glass. However, Jesus loves me this I know.

A guy goes to see a psychiatrist. He walks in to the office wrap just in clear shrink wrap. The doctor takes one look, and says I can clearly see your nuts.

What's it take to satisfy a Amish women? Three Mennonite

Today's thought:

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

Attitude & blessings

As I arise this morning I am fortunate enough to be able to enjoy the blessings in my life. Now I realize that this is about how one feels. Yes, I still have the aches & pain, the bad knee, but for some reason, this morning I see the glass more than half full. I think it started when I went to get a cup of coffee. There it was all made, hot and ready to drink. While I am thankful for the automatic coffee makers I am much more thankful for my wife who filled it. I can do this task but for some reason I would forget eight out of ten days. I am also glad to be in a house with a fireplace insert. Even with buying the wood I think I'm saving money on heating cost.
Blessings come in many ways, sometimes even disguised. I must say it sure is nice when you are of mind to count them. If you really think about it. The act of counting your blessing is one of the biggest blessings of all.

Today's thought:

We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.