Little Bit of Good

I've had 2 bags sitting in my basement for a few years. One for about 3 or 4 years and the other one for nearly 2 years. They were both duffle bags from work. Both were used for a change of clothes after working out in the fitness room.

I didn't want them anymore. They're just taking up space.

I wasn't sure what to do with them. Should I toss them in the trash? Should I put them on the curb for 'Spring Cleanup' and let someone pick them up? It was then I thought about taking them down to one of the thrift stores and donating them. Have some money go to a good cause.

About a week later, though, I had a better idea.

A friend of mine is going to Guatemala this summer as part of a church missions trip. He's one of 25 people going and they're taking part in ministry towards people living in a shanty-town on top of a city dump. The kids go out daily and collect items from the dump to sell.

Imagine how handy a duffle bag would be to carry things? Something that would sell in a thrift store for a couple dollars is worth a fortune down there. One of the bags is quite large. If one of the kids tried filling it with items, they probably wouldn't be able to carry it!

So, the bags are carrying much-needed supplies and toys for the kids. The bags will stay in Guatemala afterward. And they're being used the bast way possible as far as I'm concerned.

I won't deny I struggle with my faith. I wouldn't say 'daily,' but it's close. Sometimes all I need is a little sign telling me I'm doing the right thing.

So, today, as I got the bags ready to go to my friend, I picked up the smaller one and saw something reflecting light inside. Here in the corner of the bag, partially hidden under the seam, was a gold tie-clip my wife gave me for our first anniversary. I thought it long lost all these years. It was sitting in my basement for 4 years. And to think I probably wouldn't have seen it if I hadn't finally decided to use those bags for something good.

Feeling much better now.

Yer a Loser

I'm sure you all recall 'Loser-boy' from school.

A week ago (I just found out today), one of the guys decided it was time to see just how big a loser this guy is. After laughable moments where he couldn't spell 'HUGE' and 'COLOUR' (that's the Canadian spelling, Mad ;) ), it was time for Loser-boy to test his skills with Nintendo's BrainAge.

I've played some of the levels of BrainAge and enjoy the quick math tests. 20 questions, 20 correct answers: 14 seconds and change. I felt pretty good.

Loser-boy gave it a try. 20 questions, 14 correct answers: 5 and a half minutes.

He thought 4x4 equaled 0. The game was waiting for a second digit that it kind of froze before it realized he'd written down his answer. 4x4.....

Wow.
[this post was originally written on May 16th --why it didn't publish.... I don't know]

Endpoint

My parents packed up their stuff and left this morning. They most likely won't be back. We had a final blow-up and the relationship is definitely severed now. Don't expect me to look to mend fences anytime soon. Not in the mood.

As if the "ignoring your kids" on Mother's Day wasn't enough, my parents started an entirely new "bad idea" late yesterday.

When they got home late last night (late being just before my daughter's bedtime), they started talking about all the dolls and Barbie stuff they plan on bringing down "now that [they] have a granddaughter."

In front of my daughter. They said it in front of my daughter.

So, while cradling her and wiping tears away, I explained to her that it's important to remember who's special little girl she is. And who's special little granddaughter she is. If someone doesn't see her for who she is, they don't deserve to get to know just how special she is. There's people who love her to bits and will always be there for her.

Just not my parents.

I'm used to the crap my parents throw around. I've been around long enough that it doesn't even stick anymore (and anything they say to me just passes by as unimportant). They can attack me and I'll shrug it off. They can attack my wife and I'll stand up to them. They attack my children... and they're not allowed in the same house. Ever.

Quippy

On fire this morning.

Loyal readers may recall the tales of 'Hottie' who gave me a ride to the wedding last spring... She's hurt her back (I said she was too rough on her boyfriend, but she strained it on the rowing machine...) and is seeing a chiropractor. The following is quoted from a conversation between Hottie, J. (a classmate) & I over coffee in the cafeteria this morning:

Hottie - "Going to the chiropractor again."
Me - "Yeah?"
Hottie - "Yeah. Ever had your leg strapped up and then pulled to straighten your spine?"
Me - "No. Actually, if it involves latex and feathers, then yes."

J. sprayed coffee out his nose. Seriously, he does it once a month. I should watch what I say in front of him.

Mother F--- Day!

I mentioned in a previous post that my parents are down right now. My sister had her little girl on Friday and my parents are down (& sticking around) until Wednesday.

With tomorrow being Mother's Day, we all know what should be happening, right?

My Mom's either spending the day with her son (me) or her daughter and brand new grand-daughter. It's obvious.

Well, actually, she's spending it with my sister's mother-in-law.

What the Hell? Her kids aren't good enough for her?

Fine. You don't think we're good enough --just wait.

Bacon!

So, while waiting for news on my impending neice or nephew, I watched Jumanji this morning with my kids.

I'd forgotten about this, but my mother pointed it out at the end of the film... my babysitter played the pianist (the party at the end of the movie).

Small world, eh?

Well, then I got thinking about the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon and I guess technically, that means I'm a 4.

1. There's me.
2. My babysitter in 'Jumanji' with Robin Williams.
3. Robin Williams starred in 'Awakenings' with Robert De Niro.
4. Robert De Niro starred in 'Sleepers' with... Kevin Bacon!

Yay!

In case I haven't mentioned it before: I'm in dire need of sleep these days. I'm taking care of the kids during the day and going to school at night. That means homework gets done between midnight and 4 am...

Family ties...

usually a knot... perfect for a noose.

Yeah, it's super-fun happy family time again. *sigh*

I could start out with whining about my sister's husband "forgetting" to call today. Normally, I wouldn't care, but I kinda wanted to know if my sister was having a boy or girl.

Y'know, no biggie. We knew she was having the baby today, because it took use about a month to convince my parents that they may actually want to be around for the birth of one of their grandchildren. They weren't around for my 2 kids and they weren't around for my (4 going on 70 --remind me about "the comb-over kid" later) nephew's birth. Make one out of the 4, already, will you?

They've been getting antsy all day waiting for word. Personally, I'd have just driven to the hospital to get the news. She had a C-section, after all.

It's a girl. I'll be going in later today to see her.

My brother-in-law forgot to call the house, so my parents finally gave up and drove in. They called (it took me an hour to convince them to call me when they had news) me about an hour ago to let me know I'm an uncle again.

Now we just have to pray this kid turns out normal. My nephew had major heart problems which --I was scolded by a social worker about-- had nothing to do with my sister's 3-pack-a-day smoking habit.

Anyone want a family, by the way?

Well Worn Shoes

I tossed a pair of shoes into the garbage yesterday. They were 12 years old, quite worn out, and well-traveled.

Those shoes saw many nature trails, several miles of English road, helped me climb a church spire, and carried me home in a drunken stupor on more than one occasion.

They turned into lawn-mowing shoes since we moved into the house and were replaced as my everyday sneakers twoce-over since then.

The air cushion had completely fallen out of one of the shoes, so I walked with a slight limp whenever I wore them. There was no tread left on the bottom, so walking on grass that was even slightly wet became hazardous.

And with my record of outdoor injuries, I felt it best to avoid that.

So the shoes are gone. Shoes that have been a part of my life for the birth of 2 children. A part of my life when I broke up with a longtime girlfriend, and the courting of my eventual wife. They've been through the troubles, the happy times, and a whole mess of other things that have happened in between.

In some ways, the shoes are like me. Falling apart a little, feeling --and looking-- worn out. More than a few dings, scrapes and stains along the way.

But they still provided me some support.

On My Mind....

I have about a half-dozen drafts going right now. Different thoughts/rants about various subjects. I start working on one, but get called away or other 'busy' stuff.

That's the nice thing about writing online. Even if my thoughts stray, I can just save it and come back to it later.

ONE DAY, I'll manage to finish those drafts and hopefully they'll make sense.

One day...