Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Monday, November 28, 2005
another whirlwind tour
I'm sitting here thinking about the long weekend I just finished. Spent Thursday at Holly's folk's house with her family for Turkey day itself. Got a chance to chat with Holly's brother-in-law John and her sister Katy as well.
From here on out, "we" refers to Holly and I... ;)
Woke up late Friday morning as I negelected to turn on my alarm...I set it, but didn't fire it up before I fell asleep. Got a wake up call at 8:30 from Holly, who was patiently waiting for me at her place. Pick her up and hit the road. Mom call's about 9:30, telling me not be rush down as she's pushed dinner back from 1 to 4 so Tricia (my sister) and her family can make it over and not be rushed. Get to Mom's about 1 and sit for a while and talk and catch up with Mom and Terry (my stepdad). Tricia and the kids show up around 4ish and the three older girls attack Holly and start playing with her. My nephew Zach comes over and sits on my lap and we watch some TV...dinner is at 5. After dinner, Zach and I start watching a Spiderman cartoon on DVD, while Holly is once again being drug around the house by my 3 older nieces. Becca, my youngest niece, just does her own thing while all this is going on.
We head over to my maternal Grandparents house to visit with them, since I haven't seen them since April. Grandpa's talking about coming up to Wisconsin to go fishing again this year like he used to before his health started going crazy, and I told him that if he did, to call me and I'd join him. We were over there about an hour or so, then headed back to Mom's to retire. Holly and I stayed up and watch "The World is Not Enough" on the Bondathon on Spike TV...a girl who likes Bond movies...very cool
Saturday, we headed uptown in Monmouth to have breakfast with Mom and Terry, then back to their house to visit some more. Hit the road around 1 to head over to my Dad and stepmom's place. Visit with them before they have to leave to have dinner with some friends. Call Tricia and offer to pick up dinner on the way thru Pekin. Mmmmm...La Gondola....excellent. get to Tricia's and eat. Zach insists that I sit next to him, and the girls are once again, fighting over who gets to sit next to Holly. After dinner the kids start bringing the Christmas tree up from the basement, much to my sister's dismay. While the tree is getting set up, Jack (my brother-in-law) myself, Zach, and Jack's friend Russ are playing Burnout 3, trying to see who can get the most damage in a crash. for being 4, Zach does pretty darn good.
After much turmoil, most of the kids end up in bed, while Russ has headed home and Tricia, Jack, HOlly and I play trivial pursuit....guys vs girls....guys got beat, I'm sorry to say, but we were gracious about it. We played another game of Burnout, then headed to bed.
Woke up around 10 on Sunday morning. The kids my must have been tired, because I assumed that they'd all be up and running by 8. As I was getting my stuff together to get in the shower, I see Abby (my oldest niece) on the phone. She's talking to my stepmom about them coming over for brunch. It must have worked, cuz Dad, Julie (my stepmpm) and Barbie (one of my stepsisters) showed up around 12 for brunch. About 1:30 we get loaded up and head to a friend of mine to meet up with some old friends I haven't seen in a while. These are folks I used to hang out with in college and before I moved to Milwaukee. WE ordered pizza and spent the next 4 hours catching up with each other. Just about everyone is married: Brian and Jamie, Ruth and Tater, Cory and Vicky, Chris and Peggy. Couple of them have kids, and one couple is expecting their first child. While Ruth was eating, I held her daughter Sarah...3 months old...haven't held a newborn in a while. Neeedless to say, Sarah must have been REAL comfortable, cuz she filled her diaper to the point where it leaked onto me :P Never fear, baby fluids don't bother me...went out to the truck, grabbed my bag and changed clothes...Ruth kept apologizing, and I told her it was fine...I was used to it from Tricia's kids.
We start heading home just after 6. Stopped for dinner about 8 or so just to get off the road for a bit. Somewhere near Rochelle, IL, my muffler decides it wants to come off my truck. The exhaust had rusted through right in front of the muffler, so it was all still hanging from my truck and now dragging on the freeway. Get pulled over, grab a bungee cord from my toolbox and get the hanging part of the exhaust secured enough so it isn't dragging on the ground so we can get home....getting it fixed tomorrow I hope. Hit some thick fog after Beloit all the way into Milwaukee, so we took it slow. Got Holly home about 11:30, got her stuff in the house, kissed her goodnight and headed home.
that's my story, and I'm sticking to it ;)
Chad
From here on out, "we" refers to Holly and I... ;)
Woke up late Friday morning as I negelected to turn on my alarm...I set it, but didn't fire it up before I fell asleep. Got a wake up call at 8:30 from Holly, who was patiently waiting for me at her place. Pick her up and hit the road. Mom call's about 9:30, telling me not be rush down as she's pushed dinner back from 1 to 4 so Tricia (my sister) and her family can make it over and not be rushed. Get to Mom's about 1 and sit for a while and talk and catch up with Mom and Terry (my stepdad). Tricia and the kids show up around 4ish and the three older girls attack Holly and start playing with her. My nephew Zach comes over and sits on my lap and we watch some TV...dinner is at 5. After dinner, Zach and I start watching a Spiderman cartoon on DVD, while Holly is once again being drug around the house by my 3 older nieces. Becca, my youngest niece, just does her own thing while all this is going on.
We head over to my maternal Grandparents house to visit with them, since I haven't seen them since April. Grandpa's talking about coming up to Wisconsin to go fishing again this year like he used to before his health started going crazy, and I told him that if he did, to call me and I'd join him. We were over there about an hour or so, then headed back to Mom's to retire. Holly and I stayed up and watch "The World is Not Enough" on the Bondathon on Spike TV...a girl who likes Bond movies...very cool
Saturday, we headed uptown in Monmouth to have breakfast with Mom and Terry, then back to their house to visit some more. Hit the road around 1 to head over to my Dad and stepmom's place. Visit with them before they have to leave to have dinner with some friends. Call Tricia and offer to pick up dinner on the way thru Pekin. Mmmmm...La Gondola....excellent. get to Tricia's and eat. Zach insists that I sit next to him, and the girls are once again, fighting over who gets to sit next to Holly. After dinner the kids start bringing the Christmas tree up from the basement, much to my sister's dismay. While the tree is getting set up, Jack (my brother-in-law) myself, Zach, and Jack's friend Russ are playing Burnout 3, trying to see who can get the most damage in a crash. for being 4, Zach does pretty darn good.
After much turmoil, most of the kids end up in bed, while Russ has headed home and Tricia, Jack, HOlly and I play trivial pursuit....guys vs girls....guys got beat, I'm sorry to say, but we were gracious about it. We played another game of Burnout, then headed to bed.
Woke up around 10 on Sunday morning. The kids my must have been tired, because I assumed that they'd all be up and running by 8. As I was getting my stuff together to get in the shower, I see Abby (my oldest niece) on the phone. She's talking to my stepmom about them coming over for brunch. It must have worked, cuz Dad, Julie (my stepmpm) and Barbie (one of my stepsisters) showed up around 12 for brunch. About 1:30 we get loaded up and head to a friend of mine to meet up with some old friends I haven't seen in a while. These are folks I used to hang out with in college and before I moved to Milwaukee. WE ordered pizza and spent the next 4 hours catching up with each other. Just about everyone is married: Brian and Jamie, Ruth and Tater, Cory and Vicky, Chris and Peggy. Couple of them have kids, and one couple is expecting their first child. While Ruth was eating, I held her daughter Sarah...3 months old...haven't held a newborn in a while. Neeedless to say, Sarah must have been REAL comfortable, cuz she filled her diaper to the point where it leaked onto me :P Never fear, baby fluids don't bother me...went out to the truck, grabbed my bag and changed clothes...Ruth kept apologizing, and I told her it was fine...I was used to it from Tricia's kids.
We start heading home just after 6. Stopped for dinner about 8 or so just to get off the road for a bit. Somewhere near Rochelle, IL, my muffler decides it wants to come off my truck. The exhaust had rusted through right in front of the muffler, so it was all still hanging from my truck and now dragging on the freeway. Get pulled over, grab a bungee cord from my toolbox and get the hanging part of the exhaust secured enough so it isn't dragging on the ground so we can get home....getting it fixed tomorrow I hope. Hit some thick fog after Beloit all the way into Milwaukee, so we took it slow. Got Holly home about 11:30, got her stuff in the house, kissed her goodnight and headed home.
that's my story, and I'm sticking to it ;)
Chad
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
what in the world??
what in the world??: "1. Mud On The Tires - Brad Paisley
2. Whiskey Lullaby - Brad Paisley
3. I'm Gonna Miss Her - Brad Paisley
4. Alcohol - Brad Paisley
5. Listen to Your Heart (Hardbounze Single Edit) - D.H.T.
6. Stupid Girl - Cold
7. Holiday/Boulevard Of Broken Dreams - Green Day
8. Sex Machine (Get Up I Feel Like Being A), Pt. 1 - James Brown
9. People Of The Sun - Rage Against the Machine
10. Bulls on Parade - Rage Against the Machine
11. Killing In The Name - Rage Against The Machine"
this is what I listened to as I fixed Pastor Mike's laptop....yeah...ecclectic :P
2. Whiskey Lullaby - Brad Paisley
3. I'm Gonna Miss Her - Brad Paisley
4. Alcohol - Brad Paisley
5. Listen to Your Heart (Hardbounze Single Edit) - D.H.T.
6. Stupid Girl - Cold
7. Holiday/Boulevard Of Broken Dreams - Green Day
8. Sex Machine (Get Up I Feel Like Being A), Pt. 1 - James Brown
9. People Of The Sun - Rage Against the Machine
10. Bulls on Parade - Rage Against the Machine
11. Killing In The Name - Rage Against The Machine"
this is what I listened to as I fixed Pastor Mike's laptop....yeah...ecclectic :P
one more day!!
ok, so one more day of work this week...the first two have sucked so far....I'm glad for a long weekend so I can recover. I've been getting my cynical with work lately, and this break will hopefully quell that somewhat.
enough about work...I'm currently working on Pastor Mike's laptop...seems he lunched a hard drive...quick trip to the Large Retail Chain for a replacement and we're back in business....the tricky part will be recovering the data from his old hard drive....I may have an ace or two up my sleeve, but I promise nothing on a bad hard drive, as I told Mike.
enough about work...I'm currently working on Pastor Mike's laptop...seems he lunched a hard drive...quick trip to the Large Retail Chain for a replacement and we're back in business....the tricky part will be recovering the data from his old hard drive....I may have an ace or two up my sleeve, but I promise nothing on a bad hard drive, as I told Mike.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Friday, November 18, 2005
a little overtime
so, tonight I got my start at material handling at work...we're still
here putting stuff away the first shift decided to leave behind...fun
fun fun...
Thursday, November 17, 2005
laptops for the poor
FORTUNE: World's first working $100 laptop - Nov. 16, 2005
gotta hand to this guy...very ambitious, and yet, I think he's going to pull it off in the end...
gotta hand to this guy...very ambitious, and yet, I think he's going to pull it off in the end...
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
funny how the days roll by
ok, so sunday night at Bible Study, the question was asked "what encourages you?" I said that lately the fall colors were amazing and I loved them....too bad those colors are all gone now...replaced by gray drabbiness....sigh...
was up earlier than usual for a client call today, only to show up at the clients house and have her not be there. Got a call half an hour later, asking if I had been to her home....never fear, I've rescheduled for Thursday.
not much going on this week...or...I guess there is. Aside from rescheduled client, I'm at the church tomorrow taking care of some issues, and maybe running down to Palmyra on Saturday, as well a bonfire Saturday night, and if I can make it downtown, a birthday party. We'll see how the body feels at the end of the week.
was up earlier than usual for a client call today, only to show up at the clients house and have her not be there. Got a call half an hour later, asking if I had been to her home....never fear, I've rescheduled for Thursday.
not much going on this week...or...I guess there is. Aside from rescheduled client, I'm at the church tomorrow taking care of some issues, and maybe running down to Palmyra on Saturday, as well a bonfire Saturday night, and if I can make it downtown, a birthday party. We'll see how the body feels at the end of the week.
Friday, November 11, 2005
becoming unforgettable
I've been thinking lately about the people who have into, and in many cases, left my life. Sometimes these people left on their own accord, sometimes it was my choice, like with my move to Milwaukee.
There was this kid in kindergarten named Justin. Justin used to eat his crayons and drink his glue on an almost what seems like weekly basis. I kid not you, I'd turn around and look at him, and he'd be having lunch.
I remember a little blonde girl named Michelle, also from kindergarten. my first kiss. I believe her family moved that summer before first grade.
my friend Brandon. has a charm about him that I sometimes loathe, espcially after we graduated high school during the first summer. It seemed like I couldn't take him anywhere without hearing "excuse me, are you Brandon Brown?" It would make me want to scream...sometimes I did :P B is someone, who when you meet them, leave an impression on you that stays with you.
I know that I'm a person who people don't easily forget. For a while, when we did the Gathering on Tuesday nights in the Small Sanctuary at Ridgewood, people wouldn't remember my name, but they knew who I was..."The Loud One." Often, when someone else from the Gathering was out with a friend, the friend would mention me by name. The person would ask who?, and the friend would say..."Chad...The Loud One..."...and the person would be like..OH YEAH..Him!!! he's crazy! etc etc
I wonder now what I do on a daily basis to become unforgettable to people...unforgettable in a good way. It's ironic that often the people that stick in our brains are the ones who've offended us....for example, if I'm cut off in traffic, I can tell you the car, color and often license plate of the offender, as well as the gender, hair color and clothing. That just how I'm wired...snapshot detail. I think sometimes I have too good of memory for recall on things like that, when there are times I can't find my keys...
back to my point....what am I doing, daily, to be positively unforgettable?
There was this kid in kindergarten named Justin. Justin used to eat his crayons and drink his glue on an almost what seems like weekly basis. I kid not you, I'd turn around and look at him, and he'd be having lunch.
I remember a little blonde girl named Michelle, also from kindergarten. my first kiss. I believe her family moved that summer before first grade.
my friend Brandon. has a charm about him that I sometimes loathe, espcially after we graduated high school during the first summer. It seemed like I couldn't take him anywhere without hearing "excuse me, are you Brandon Brown?" It would make me want to scream...sometimes I did :P B is someone, who when you meet them, leave an impression on you that stays with you.
I know that I'm a person who people don't easily forget. For a while, when we did the Gathering on Tuesday nights in the Small Sanctuary at Ridgewood, people wouldn't remember my name, but they knew who I was..."The Loud One." Often, when someone else from the Gathering was out with a friend, the friend would mention me by name. The person would ask who?, and the friend would say..."Chad...The Loud One..."...and the person would be like..OH YEAH..Him!!! he's crazy! etc etc
I wonder now what I do on a daily basis to become unforgettable to people...unforgettable in a good way. It's ironic that often the people that stick in our brains are the ones who've offended us....for example, if I'm cut off in traffic, I can tell you the car, color and often license plate of the offender, as well as the gender, hair color and clothing. That just how I'm wired...snapshot detail. I think sometimes I have too good of memory for recall on things like that, when there are times I can't find my keys...
back to my point....what am I doing, daily, to be positively unforgettable?
Wednesday, November 9, 2005
Saturday, November 5, 2005
if I were a hero, I'd be....
 | You scored as William Wallace. The great Scottish warrior William Wallace led his people against their English oppressors in a campaign that won independence for Scotland and immortalized him in the hearts of his countrymen. With his warrior's heart, tactician's mind, and poet's soul, Wallace was a brilliant leader. He just wanted to live a simple life on his farm, but he gave it up to help his country in its time of need.
Which Action Hero Would You Be? v. 2.0 created with QuizFarm.com |
of thunderstorms and circuit boards
as I posted before, nothing much planned for today....dropped a new hard drive in my Mac so I could use the drive that was in it for a client's PC. Holly had lunch with a friend, then came to my place, only to fall asleep on the couch in the living room. I'm not going to wake her...we both had long weeks and are up for a whole bunch of nothing tonight...well, maybe dinner at Saz's later on...
I'm a little surprised there's a thunderstorm in November...in my mind, storms usually only happen in the summer, but who am I to predict or control the weather??
I'm a little surprised there's a thunderstorm in November...in my mind, storms usually only happen in the summer, but who am I to predict or control the weather??
Saturday afternoon...and I don't have much planned at all. Work was tough this week, as we shipped ALOT of wire. Business is up and that's good, but it's also hard because we're short two guys on nights, and we had two more guys missing at some point this week. To top it all off, I couldn't sleep last night. Part of it was my mind racing, thinking about the past week. Another part was that I didn't WANT to go to sleep...and I don't know why....just felt like staying up...
I've got some invites do to stuff today...poker night at a friends house, the symphony...but I really don't feel like doing anything..I have a computer to fix, and one I want to finish for the church, and maybe a run to Harold's to sort thru his pile of computers parts so I have some stock on hand...but I just want to veg today. Last weekend was go go go, and I didn't have a chance to rest as much as I usually do and just hang out with people.
I got a called from UW-Madison hospital yesterday. More testing in the works for the kidney donation. Couple things they want to be sure of before giving me the go ahead and proceding. I think the anxiety of waiting is more detrimental to my health than anything else I'm doing lately...haha
til next time
Chad
I've got some invites do to stuff today...poker night at a friends house, the symphony...but I really don't feel like doing anything..I have a computer to fix, and one I want to finish for the church, and maybe a run to Harold's to sort thru his pile of computers parts so I have some stock on hand...but I just want to veg today. Last weekend was go go go, and I didn't have a chance to rest as much as I usually do and just hang out with people.
I got a called from UW-Madison hospital yesterday. More testing in the works for the kidney donation. Couple things they want to be sure of before giving me the go ahead and proceding. I think the anxiety of waiting is more detrimental to my health than anything else I'm doing lately...haha
til next time
Chad
Wednesday, November 2, 2005
random thoughts for today
why is my cat a spaz?
why is it, that even though I slept more on Monday night, that I feel better today?
when's the first good snow gonna happen?
will the Packers win another game this year?
why is my room always a mess?
Why is it, that when a conservative is in office, he/she is blasted by the media for every move they make, but when a liberal is in the same office, no one notices what they do?
Why did God pick blue for the sky?
Why did God pick blue for Holly's eyes?
why is it, that even though I slept more on Monday night, that I feel better today?
when's the first good snow gonna happen?
will the Packers win another game this year?
why is my room always a mess?
Why is it, that when a conservative is in office, he/she is blasted by the media for every move they make, but when a liberal is in the same office, no one notices what they do?
Why did God pick blue for the sky?
Why did God pick blue for Holly's eyes?
tired
Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Hey God,
I'm tired alot lately. Could I have some restful sleep, and some not so tiring days soon, before I go nuts?
Thanx
Chad
I knew when I got up today that I was tired. I woke up at 10:45am, ate breakfast, and then felt drained, right about 11:15 or so. Put on Rhapsody and laid in bed...fell asleep..woke up at 2pm. Showered, packed dinner and headed off to work. Busted my tail getting everything out, which was ALOT today. About midnight, two people mentioned how tired I looked. ONe was Nick, my material handler, the other my boss Jim. I knew I felt tired, but I also looked tired. I stayed for some overtime, then headed to the church to setup a computer logon for the new secretary, all the while thinking about my bed. I started wondering what's making me so tired. I'm getting enough hours of sleep at night. Is there something stressing me out? Am I'm worrying about something and I'm just not aware of it? For the live of me, I can't think of anything....and that's going to keep me up thinking too.
I'm thinking Saturday's gonna be a light one this week, to be my Sabbath day of sorts. I'd like to figure out how to make sure my time of relaxation is, well, relaxing. How I can rest in the Lord and be refreshed.
'til next time
C
Hey God,
I'm tired alot lately. Could I have some restful sleep, and some not so tiring days soon, before I go nuts?
Thanx
Chad
I knew when I got up today that I was tired. I woke up at 10:45am, ate breakfast, and then felt drained, right about 11:15 or so. Put on Rhapsody and laid in bed...fell asleep..woke up at 2pm. Showered, packed dinner and headed off to work. Busted my tail getting everything out, which was ALOT today. About midnight, two people mentioned how tired I looked. ONe was Nick, my material handler, the other my boss Jim. I knew I felt tired, but I also looked tired. I stayed for some overtime, then headed to the church to setup a computer logon for the new secretary, all the while thinking about my bed. I started wondering what's making me so tired. I'm getting enough hours of sleep at night. Is there something stressing me out? Am I'm worrying about something and I'm just not aware of it? For the live of me, I can't think of anything....and that's going to keep me up thinking too.
I'm thinking Saturday's gonna be a light one this week, to be my Sabbath day of sorts. I'd like to figure out how to make sure my time of relaxation is, well, relaxing. How I can rest in the Lord and be refreshed.
'til next time
C
Tuesday, November 1, 2005
what am I waiting for?
I feel like I'm waiting for something ....I'm not sure what though. I know that today I was very tired, and almost looked forward to going to work, so I wouldn't have to think about what was next, just do my job. Right now, I'm drained, physically and mentally, and I'm not sure why to be honest. I know that I'm weak right now, and the smart thing for me to do would be to go to bed soon. I don't want to though, and I plan to either work on one of my project boxes (computers) or tinker with my Mac. As long as I keep myself out of trouble online, I'll be happy tomorrow.
Back to my thought...I feel as though I'm waiting for the "next big thing" in my life. I've been thinking about long term plans alot lately. I know that I want to marry Holly and spend the rest of my life with her. I know that I want to buy a house, more specifically, rental property. I know that I don't want to work second shift much longer. I know that I want my church to change, but I don't know what that looks like, or how it would be accomplished. I know that not many things satisfy me lately. I know that I need to focus on my relationship with Christ in order to shake some of my uncertainty. I know that I'm anxious about my potential surgery, while the ones who love me are nervous.
I've also been thinking about "growing up" alot lately. What does it mean to be "grown up"? Does it mean bills, a mortgage, marriage and kids? Is it a state of mind, or maturity? Lately I've "felt" more grown up with all the responsibilities I have now. I'm a trustee at church; I help lead the young adult ministry at church; I have a full time job; I have a significant other that I enjoy spending time with; I have a cat; I worry about money...these to me seems like things that "grown ups" have and/or do. There are days when I don't feel like I'm almost 30, and then there are days like today, where my whole body hurts from playing too much dodgeball on Saturday night, and I can't quite shake it off like I used to.
I know that I'm learning patience right now...Holly and I talked about wedding timing this weekend. I brought it up because I wanted to know her timeline and what she is comfortable with. She'd like to finish her schooling first, which means another year and a half...I'd rather not wait that long...but I also don't want to push her too hard either. I'm also patiently waiting for "that next big thing."
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Back to my thought...I feel as though I'm waiting for the "next big thing" in my life. I've been thinking about long term plans alot lately. I know that I want to marry Holly and spend the rest of my life with her. I know that I want to buy a house, more specifically, rental property. I know that I don't want to work second shift much longer. I know that I want my church to change, but I don't know what that looks like, or how it would be accomplished. I know that not many things satisfy me lately. I know that I need to focus on my relationship with Christ in order to shake some of my uncertainty. I know that I'm anxious about my potential surgery, while the ones who love me are nervous.
I've also been thinking about "growing up" alot lately. What does it mean to be "grown up"? Does it mean bills, a mortgage, marriage and kids? Is it a state of mind, or maturity? Lately I've "felt" more grown up with all the responsibilities I have now. I'm a trustee at church; I help lead the young adult ministry at church; I have a full time job; I have a significant other that I enjoy spending time with; I have a cat; I worry about money...these to me seems like things that "grown ups" have and/or do. There are days when I don't feel like I'm almost 30, and then there are days like today, where my whole body hurts from playing too much dodgeball on Saturday night, and I can't quite shake it off like I used to.
I know that I'm learning patience right now...Holly and I talked about wedding timing this weekend. I brought it up because I wanted to know her timeline and what she is comfortable with. She'd like to finish her schooling first, which means another year and a half...I'd rather not wait that long...but I also don't want to push her too hard either. I'm also patiently waiting for "that next big thing."
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
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