Tuesday

Just a short update

Monday

The weekend recap - Friday night was dinner with a friend.  It was fun.  We went to the mall across from the restaurant to a couple stores.  Sshh!  She wasn't coming with us shopping on Sunday "because she spent to much on her kids back to school clothes" or rather the stores didn't sound interesting to her where we were going.
Saturday - The horsepark was fun.  A little more $$ than I expected, but my father actually acted happy with a gift at the end - a rarity for him.  Also, the dinner was very enjoyable.
Sunday - One friend cancelled at the last minute because she was "sick"  Her email this morning seems to indicate that "sick"="hung over"  One friend that was there - her life is just always stressful to hear about though I'm assuming more stress for her to live.  I have no idea how to help her since this is the result of things done 12-15 years ago that can't be changed.
The 24 Day Start Project - I'm on Day 15.  My progress on the first half of my goal is good.  However, the second isn't.  I just have to make some time on the weekend to do the pre-assessment because weeknights seem to be too busy.

Weekend!!!

It's Friday, and I actually have a fun weekend lined up!
Tonight, I am meeting a friend for dinner.  Actually, she was my roommate for a year and a half in college.
Yesterday was my Dad's birthday.  I bought tickets for a behind the scenes tour tomorrow at the Kentucky Horsepark as his gift.  Afterwards, we are meeting some former neighbors for dinner.  Keep the man in your thoughts as he was recently diagnosed with the early stages of prostate cancer.  The day should be fun.
Sunday I have a meeting at church, and  then shopping with friends & dinner.  It will be good to see them, but the local outlet mall doesn't excite me.  I have no interest in a Coach purse when I can get a purse for 10% of that at Kohls.  There's a few stores I like, but I'd just as soon go to a mall with more stores I actually shop.  Then we are going to dinner and they want to go somewhere close, but they decided on a restaurant that has two locations closer (literally will drive by one to get to the other) because it's close.  It's a Mexican restaurant that I like but they act like it's the ultimate.  No, it's another cheap Mexican place where you are served by people of questionable legal status.  And you can't actually tell the quality is better except one is sure that it is true because you can't understand the waiters & waitresses.  I sound like I'm complaining, which I guess I am.  But really, there are better, closer restaurants - why drive that far except they are so into the familiar that literally it's been 10+ years since one has been to the exit immediately north of the one she lives at, except she won't go that way because it's more familiar to get off at the next one south and drive 40 miles an hour through 15 traffic lights than to look at a new option.
Do you have any weekend plans?

How to keep a Siberian from escaping.

This is inspired by this post.  http://a-fly-on-our-chicken-coop-wall.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-redneck-fake-farmers-guide-to-fence.html
I thought I would give the instructions on how to keep a Siberian Husky confined.
1.  Install 5 foot chain link fence
2.  Dogs dig out.
3.  Put patio stones around the base of the fence where dogs are likely to dig out.  Continue adding stones until the bottom of the entire fence is concrete blocks.
4.  Dogs dig out
5.  Every 3 inches put 18 inch re-bar to anchor chain link to the ground.
6.  Install silent fence under the chain link fence.
7.  Watch dog, who believes she is a princess, lay on the boundary for the beeping to start to kill the battery in her collar.  Then watch her dig up the fence and chew it in two because Princesses don't like to be told where they can and cannot go.
8.  Give up.  Decide to lock the Siberians in the concrete bottom kennel** when leaving the house.
**People think we are locking them in a crate when I say this.  Not at all it's 15 feet x 20 feet 8 foot high with two dog houses a concrete & grassy area partially shaded by a tree.  They spend 90% of their time there when the gate is open.  This isn't an imposition on them.

Snake!

I recorded a video last night about a visitor we had the other week.  Yes, it really did freak me out.

Day #3

Find a role model.  I'm not sure that's easy to do as there are so many.  I think I'm going to put on Linked in and the Start Group that I'm looking for places to network.  Any other ideas?

Start Day #2

Day #2 - Choose a journal and Instagram it.  This will be my everyday journal and the instagramming will be tonight.http://instagram.com/p/c-rlWlyZQc/
Day #1 - Be Audacious.  I gave an answer, but with my history usually if I commit to wanting something it's a pretty sure sign that it's not going to happen.

Start!

How NOT to ask for money

I received this series of Facebook messages from a guy I went to college with a few months ago.  I’m changing identifying details as I think this person has a good heart, but – the execution is horribly, laughably bad.  Keep in mind aside from accepting my friend request a few years ago, we have had no communication in 15 years.  Also, it wasn’t that we were such good friends, but we were involved in the same ministry.  I added a bunch of people because I was trying to find out what one guy who had been cute was doing and, yes I’m paranoid, so I wanted him to see it wasn’t just him I was adding but a bunch of people because I was a nice person, not curious about him in a weird way.  Yes, I know some would call that nuts.

4:23pm  Jackson:

Hey there L-! I emailed you at your facebook.com address, but I'm honestly not even sure how those work, which means I don't know if you received the email. So I'm actually just going to copy and paste what I wrote then for this msg.

Hopefully, my comments will be in red when I paste this into blogger.  Um, okay did we just start in the middle of a conversation?

4:25pm  Jackson

Ooops. Didn't want to send that. Anyway, here you go. So long time, no talk, huh? Looks like you're in the next state area---how's that going? My wife Enid and I actually now live in state college town, working with grad students at the University with the ministry. We have a girl named Jenny who turned 3 last month, and a girl named Ann who was just born last month 4 days after Jenny's birthday! We would love to hear about your life and get caught up, but it would also be great to talk to you about this new work God has called us to (we just moved here in six months ago), and give you the opportunity to partner with us in it financially and prayerfully. God is moving here, and we would love to have you in it with us. If you could get back to us whenever you get a chance to either talk, or set up a time to talk, so that we could catch up and give you the details, that would be great. Thanks so much, and we look forward to hearing from you! 555-123-4567 [Home] 555-234-5678 [Jackson's cell] 555-345-6789 [Enid's cell] Jackson@isp.org Enid@isp.org

So um hi, would you like to give us money on an ongoing basis?  Here’s every way possible to contact us because you’ll want to send that check immediately.

A couple days later, 3:29pm  Jackson

Hey L-, just wanted to touch base again. Btw, your cover and profile pictures are great. Anyway, get back to us whenever you get a chance if you could. Like I said, it would be great to catch up, and let you know about our ministry! Thanks! (Oh, and if you want first, we could send you more info through email if you prefer before we talk on the phone---up to you.) 555-123-4567 [Home] 555-234-5678 [Jackson's cell] 555-345-6789 [Enid's cell] Jackson@isp.org Enid@isp.org

Wait, did you realize you should pretend to be interested in me?  For future reference, comment on photos and statuses for a few weeks then send catch up message, then send the request for money

3:55pm  Me

Evidently my phone isn't sending messages well. I've been good. What have I been doing? So many things. The church I grew up in started an extension campus, and we chartered as our own church earlier this year. I just became the treasurer! I volunteered with the youth at both churches from the time I graduated college until just recently. (looong story). I worked at an insurance company for over 10 years, but was downsized a few years ago. Since then I've had a contract position auditing for a group of hospitals. However, I just found out that the position will end this year. I'll take any prayers I can get about it! I will definitely pray for your family. However at this point, I don't feel comfortable making any new financial commitments that I don't know if I'll be able to honor in January.

Polite, right?  I’ll pretend he is interested in my life.  I did grow from the ministry so if come January I have a job and we have more interaction, I might be interested, but that is an IF since this is pretty weird.

4:41pm  Jackson

Hey L-, thanks so much for getting back to me! (Don't worry---we actually still have dumbphones.) Great to hear about stuff going on with your church. Being the treasurer is obviously SUCH an important job for a local body of believers. Regarding your employment situation, we'll definitely be praying! So many things in such a state of flux in the country right now. We really appreciate your prayers too. I do think it's a wise move to not take on any new financial commitments at this point. 3 other questions for you: 1st, would you like to receive our prayer letter over email? We'd love for you to be kept updated in that way and so you can know some specific ways in which to pray for us. If so, be sure to shoot me your email address. 2nd, would it be ok to follow up with you in Jan. or Feb. to find out if you've been able to secure a job and possibly consider partnering with us at that point? 3rd, would your church possibly be interested in hearing from us about this particular work? Thanks so much!

Okay, new church with no connection and a new position, yeah, that’s going to come off well, and seriously I turned you down so you are trying this way.  Really?!?

12:17pm  Jackson

Hey L-, just following up, even though I'm not sure with your phone issues how often you're able to get to facebook otherwise. Just wondered if we could put you on our email prayer letter list, and if your church may be interested in hearing from us. Let me know if you could whenever you get a chance. Thanks so much, and thanks again for messaging me last week!

Um, the lack of a response was a response, but the following is me trying to be polite.

2:31pm  Me

Jackson. I manage to get on. The church is really focusing on our immediate area for missions. You should create a Facebook page so people can "like" it to get more info.

I know someone who also is involved in the ministry and they have a page like this.  Also, they know someone who I see still talks with “Jackson”, but I’m not going to give a name and sic him on them.  I know this is less polite, but obviously I’m saying no.

3:15pm  Jackson

Hey -, thanks for getting back to me. Good idea with the facebook pg.---neither one of us is very good with tech (Enid is better than I am). But if we can make the time and figure it out somewhat quickly, that would be good! You mean a personal page, right? Or just one about location here? There actually is 1 of those (you could just type that in the search bar if you want to check it out). We have a personal website, but even that needs a lot of work. What are you thinking about getting our prayer letter over email? If you would like that, shoot me your address. We'd love to send it to you! Thanks!

Yeah, I didn’t respond because if you are so bad at tech, I’m not going to be able to explain it, and I just don’t want to continue to say no without pointing out that this is the most out of the blue request.

What's next

I had ideas for blogs after I got done with the A-Z blog hop.  Now I just have to find where I wrote them down.
You know those days where you know there isn't anything wrong with you, but you feel like crap.  Yeah, totally having one of those days.

31 ways you know you are from Cincinnati

Chances are you will probably be eating at B-Dub’s for dinner soon

Via: levoy.net

Chances are I've eaten there once.

You almost forgot that Jerry Springer was the mayor of Cincinnati

Via: news.cincinnati.com

You really try to forget it

You are less than a fan of the city of St. Louis

Via: mlsreversemortgage.com

Via: dailyvsvidz.com

I have no problem with St. Louis, though I wouldn't say the same of the Cardinals.  They need to start losing!

The same goes for the city of Pittsburgh

Via: carnegiesciencecenter.org

Via: post-gazette.com

I share an alma mater with Ben, so I can't really root against him.

You aren’t shy about bringing up the fact that “Rain Man” was filmed in Cincinnati

Via: moviereviewwarehouse.wordpress.com

And that the one scene was filmed in Dixie Terminal and Pompilio's

You’ve had WAY too many arguments about whether this is called “soda” or “pop”

Via: rothfusfamilydental.com

Actually I've always called it a soft drink

After finding out a person’s name, the next thing you always ask them is always “So where’d you go to high school?”

Via: maxpreps.com

i

They always say that, and I never do that and rarely have the question asked of of me.

You’d rather take the long way around than drive through Over-the-Rhine

Via: dee3dee3.wordpress.com

HELL YES

You’re already counting on the Bengals to underachieve and disappoint you once again

Via: fwgnfl.com

They won't disappoint me because I have no interest in them.  Like I say, I root for the Miami guys because they move on and win more.

You know if you’re an “east-sider” or a “west-sider”

Via: i75cincinnati.com

I think if you live above 275 you don't really pay attention to it, though my Mom's family is from the west-side.

You find it hard to stay humble when talking about how Proctor & Gamble got their start in Cincinnati

Via: inventorsdigest.com

I don't know if I would say hard to stay humble, but it is pretty clear that so many brands are from Cincinnati.

You’ve already decided if you’re for red or for blue, and I’m not referring to politics

Source: Sam Greene  /  via: sgdoesit.com

Ugh, as a Protestant I should root for UC, but they have so thrown their weight against my school, and several of their big supporters fired me, so yeah I want them to lose.  OTOH, I think X has sold their soul and "doing it right" to be a consistant top 10 team so I wouldn't say I root for them either.

You no doubt have some German heritage in your family

Via: tomballsistercity.org

I'd tell you what my Grandmother's maiden name was and assure you of it if I didn't like to have some privacy.

You hung in there with Reds’ pitcher “Cool Hand Leake” even after he was booked for shoplifting

Via: sports.yahoo.com

No strong feelings about him, but Mat Latos' wife Dallas really is interesting on Twitter.

You know that Graeter’s has the best chocolate chips in the world

Via: cincinnati.com

Without a doubt

Anddddd Servati’s has the best soft pretzels in the world

Via: bengalbombsquad.com

I've never tried them, perhaps I should.

You respond “please?” when you really mean “what did you say?”

Via: reactiongifs.com

I guess so

You don’t mind standing up for whichever chili you want to put on your 3-way

Via: downsyndromeprenataltesting.com

Via: sbnation.com

Here's the thing I don't actually like Cincinnati chili or any chili, but my Mom and Aunt will hurt me if I don't say Skyline is the besgt.

You won’t shut up about how George Clooney was born in Cincinnati

Via: news.cincinnati.com

The odd thing is that I remember watching Nick Clooney on the news and Bob Braun's talk show.  So now that I see Rob Braun on the news each night, it's hard to remember that George is more famous and richer than Rob because it seems so similar.

You’re not sure why the airport is in Northern Kentucky

I 

Via: nbcnews.com

I don't know if I've ever thought or cared about it.

You’re shocked when people haven’t experienced the greatness that is Larosa’s pizza

Via: facebook.com

This has to stay in bigger letters.  I know some people think the sauce is too sweet.  Those people would be wrong.  A thin crust pepperoni double topper is a special kind of wonderful.

You wouldn’t swim in the Ohio River for any amount of money in the world

Via: 123rf.com

Well, maybe not any amount of money, but it would take an awful lot and I don't really swim.

You know you haven’t done ribs until you’ve had Montgomery Inn ribs

Via: ww2.greedydeal.com

Very good.  Every US President stops to get them, do you really think you're better than them?

You’re convinced the Reds are going to win the World Series at the start of every spring

Via: redscountry.com

Maybe not win the World Series, but there is a specialness to Opening Day that everyone should experience downtown at least once.

You try to pretend that Grippo’s are actually the best brand of chips

Via: Tumblr.com

Not really, Lay's is the best because they are the saltiest.

You’re not too sure about those folks living across the river in the Bluegrass state

Via: building-cincinnati.com

If you aren't not sure, I have some relatives that will convince you that the state is just wierd.

You’re pretty creeped out by that old subway

Via: lightrailnow.org

Don't really think about it.

You’re planning on going downtown “Zinzinnati” for the Oktoberfest next fall

Via: mywesttexas.com

I don't drink beer, so no, but if you get a chance to go to Riverfest, you should take it.

And you never have any clue which bridge to take to get back and forth across the river

Via: commons.wikimedia.org

 Actually, I'm pretty good with directions so yes I do.