Burnt offering

The other day I was warming up some sweet potato fries in our toaster oven.  After several minutes I see that they are close to be done.  Then I get the brilliant idea to have biscuits for supper as well.  So I open the door to put in the biscuits and slide over the fries so they can cook at the same time.  Apparently, I did not open the wide enough.  The bottom of my arm, below my wrist, touched the metal frame of the door.  Which caused a burn on my arm.

It was one of those things that did not hurt at the moment.  Then starts hurting later.  I know several times that night I said to myself, that really hurts.  It does not help that yesterday I kept hitting it on objects.

So note of the day, make sure you have proper clearance.  Especially dealing with heat.

Hey Ya'll Watch This

With Wendy's recent promotion it is a good idea for her to wear a watch.  She would need to keep up with the time and she does not have access to her cell phone.  Like the new majority we do not usually wear watches.

So the other day she goes to the cabinet where her watch has sat.  Of course the battery is dead.  I also have a watch or two that the battery is dead.  Also one with a cracked face plate.  Some reasons why I do not wear a watch anymore.  Anyway, she asks if I think I could replace the battery.  I say maybe.

I look at the back and notice several notches.  I first try to pry up the notches.  Nothing.  I get online and see if there are any hints to opening the back.  It says to turn the notches counterclockwise.  Also that a special case wrench may be needed.  Of course I do not have this tool.  However, I try anyway with a small screwdriver.  I do not get anyway.  After a lengthy amount of time and no results, I tell Wendy I am going to have to take it to get the watch battery replaced.  She says good idea, so I do not break her watch.

Yesterday, on my lunch break I go over to the mall to kiosk that works on watches.  I walk up and ask can the person replace the battery.  He says yes and to give him ten minutes.  I watch (pun intended?) to see if I can determine how to get into the watch.  He has a special tool that looks like a socket wrench but with two prongs.  Then it looks like he takes tweezers to move the back.  Then uses tweezers to put out a small battery.

While he is doing this another perspective customer comes up to ask a question.  The service person handles the question.  I guess he thought that customer's watch was of greater value than mine.  I am not sure what they were talking about, but I heard $600.  The guy looked like the type who would have a $600 watch.  After five to ten minutes, the service person said the guy should try another place to get help.

Then the service person finished my watch.  The amount of time on my watch was probably four to five minutes.  The good news is the cost.  I was surprised it was only $14.  That was the labor, tools, and battery.  Plus it has taken me two hours, while it only took him five minutes.

Knowledge does pay.  Especially when there are people like me having to pay for it.

Proof positive

I have read that you do not actually have to be happy.  Of course you have to act happy.  If you act happy, then it will not be too long before you are happy.

I know that I feed off other's peoples moods.  I enjoy being around people who are having a good time.  It is  draining to be around people who are in a bad mood.  Just ask Wendy!

I am guilty of not having a smile on my face often.  Then it is harder to feel happy.  When I smile it is easier to be positive.

So act happy!  What can you lose?  Nothing, besides the bad attitude.

Do you notice that people who are SUCCESSFUL use exclamation points!! when they write?  Or words like ROCKSTAR?  They put EMPHASIS on words!  At first glance, to me anyway, it is bizarre.  However, I know that they are LAUGHING TO THE BANK!!!  It is because they are proving they are happy and the  prove is that they are happy.

Accidents happen

I suppose after thinking about it I could have entitled this "Letting Go."  Like most, if not all, parents Wendy and I are in the transition stage.  I guess parenthood is a transition stage because one day is never the same.  The current transition is to get Joy from diapers to using the potty...successfully.

We have been talking for months about hoping the last diaper purchase would be the last diaper purchase.  Joy for awhile has enjoyed wearing underwear over her diaper.  Recently she will walk around the house in just underwear.  For awhile she wanted nothing to do with the potty.  Now at least she sits on it.  That is about it.  She has not made the transition to using it.  She has one or twice put items in the potty.

Most of the time Joy will not make it to the potty.  I know three times this week when I have been distracted by something, only to look up and see a soaking outfit.  I think why did I notice earlier and rush her to the bathroom?  A frustrating part is that she will sit on the potty and nothing happens.  Five minutes after getting up, she goes.

People have recommended resources and techniques.  The hard thing is not to compare my child to another child.  Or to want it done now.  Everyday is a day closer.

Apart of the group

I saw an article about atheists wanting to remove references to God in the Boy Scouts.  Is it me or have the Boy Scouts been hit hard with people outside wanting to change them?

Which leads to my thought.  Why would you fight so hard to join a group whose ideals you do not believe?  Maybe I am naive in my thinking.  It could be a principle of this group does not include me, I want in.  In my reasoning, that particular group does not agree with my principles, I will not participate with them.

Instead our culture today is of the mindset that the  organization needs to change to fit the person.  Values do not matter.  It is about the need for everyone to be included.

There is of course bad exclusion and good exclusion.  Throughout history groups have banned others for discriminatory reasons.  Those should be addressed.  However, our society today is going after values of groups. 

What kind of change would make you leave a group?

Teachable moments

Recently for a couple of Sundays I have been asked to sub for Sunday School Teachers.  The powers that be assume since I went to Divinity School that I might know what I am doing.  Ha!  I know that there are plenty of people traditionally unschooled who know more than me.  I try to help out with my limited ability.

I will be honest in that teaching is not my strong suit.  Of course, reading this blog shows that I am not the greatest in getting a point across.  I know that I do not prepare as much as I should.  I have a hard time in getting all the notes ready.  I probably "wing it" more than I should.  I wish I was one of those teachers who uses the illustrations or other props.  I know that I am boring.  From the front I can see the blank stares and trips to oblivion land.  Which I have been guilty of as well.  It is interesting to see the people whose facial expression change.  For example, a person will have a neutral expression and when he sees me glance that way, will smile and nod head.

So far everyone has been gracious in sitting through my spiel.  I guess I will continue as asked until I am not asked anymore.  I think it will take the experience of the preparation of the teacher and the number of experiences to make a good teacher.

Cost of living

I admit I am pretty cheap.  It pains me when I feel like I pay too much.  The thing that really irks me is when I purchase something and see it less expensive the next day.  It is amazing to see the high cost of things.  There are several items that I see and think to myself, was that not a little cheaper a bit ago?  There are several items I would love to have if the price was cheaper.  I do not understand how items that are so prevalent in our society are so expensive.

What item(s) are you willing to pay for?

Out-spoken

I do not understand the gay marriage debate.  It seems like the gay debate is becoming the civil rights movement of our generation.  I know that this week a NBA player come out publicly that he was gay.  My basic reaction is who cares?  Just that he has bad taste in men?  Zing!  Only kidding.  Statistically speaking in a league of that number there are bound to more players who are gay.

Then I see comments about people applauding his decision and saying he is showing courage.  You also have people who are using this for propaganda and exploitation. It is all about marketing.  Are we taking this to the extreme?  What about reverse discrimination? We focus so much on the fringe that we disrupt everyone.

I do not have the answers for gay marriage or rights or whatever they want to accomplish.  I believe marriage is one man and one woman.  Has our society disrupted that model enough?  Absolutely.  In my naivete, if it is about insurance then there should be insurance or benefits, if willing to pay.  I believe a person should be able to do what he or she wants with money.  Is it about  being recognized?  It is not a trait that earns respect, it is what is done with it.

I admit we in traditional marriages need to do a lot better job.  God knows what would happen then.

Ava, You are number one

Ava,

You made it to a year.  With some crying, smiling at your sister, and eating crackers.  Happy Birthday!

Love,

Daddy