This week has been busy! I can tell it's that time of the year for the gearheads to rev up their internal motors and start buying parts like there's no tomorrow. And with that comes all the wonderful questions that "only Kevin" can answer from everybody and their mother, ie can we get full synthetic power steering fluid? I only want to buy two quarts even though I know it comes in a case of 12 and is a special order., why don't we have that part? our competitor has it., and lastly, when will this part be off back order? (like I am the supplier!). Of course, the list of such questions would fill a blog of it's own. Therefore, I will refrain from typing more for the sake of my sanity and your time.
Well, on the way to work yesterday, my SUV's engine started overheating. I looked down and saw that the temperature gauge was reading VERY close to the "H"! Well, being the non-mechanical person I am, I was thinking to myself WHAT DO I DO NOW???? Naturally, my dad comes to mind and I call him on his cell. He tells me to put water in the radiator. Well, that didn't set well with me. (Anything mechanical and I REALLY don't get along!) So I pulled off at a Exxon station and called for a tow truck. I waited in the cold truck until he arrived and then he took me to the garage that would fix it. Of course I was late for work! Later that morning, the service writer called me to tell me that my engine was gone. He priced one for me and I decided to go ahead with the transplant. Now I am riding a "SWEET ride"!!! A Chevy Cobalt with manual side mirrors, manual windows, and barely enough room in the back seat for a height-challenged person! But it does have a CD player!!! Hey, I have to look for a silver lining in every cloud!
It didn't make my day very happy because I certainly wasn't expecting such a large bill now, but life has a way of throwing us a curve ball and we just have to swing the bat as best we can. With God as our Manager, we can still hit such a pitch and know that He will guide us through what comes after the hit.
Anybody for some B.B. King??? LOL
Have a blessed day...
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Simple Pleasures
Today was a very nice day. The sun was shining, and the day was slightly warm with a cool breeze. Most importantly was the fact that today we celebrated Christ's triumphant victory over death, sin, and the grave by rising from the dead after giving His life for me. Doesn't that just give you chills when you think about it? The God of all voluntarily gave His life for a worthless wretch that deserved nothing but to be cast into the pit of hell forever. Now with His victory, I will live with Him forever in the place He is now preparing for me! Isn't that worth shouting over??!! The only think that comes to my mind now is the chorus from I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe
What a day that will be!!!
Some of the most pleasurable moments in my life have been simple. They have ranged from food, ie Hershey's Special Dark, a piece of GOOD cheesecake (not the kind in a box!), or a tall glass of horchata de coco, to reading a good book by my favorite authors (Thoenes, Michael Phillips, Ted Dekker, Jack Cavanaugh, et al). Each moment is meant to be savored for what is it--simple, enjoyable, and all yours!
Today's simple pleasure was finally being able to capture Brittany on camera! So as not to steal the thunder from my sister, you can see these pictures on her blog. She has been waiting and trying for several weeks to no avail until today! What was really funny about the whole episode was that Wesley came into the dining room while we were still eating lunch to tell us that Brittany was eating the suet. We all basically left the table as one and quickly but quietly went into the sun room to see her. Kellie had to take the pictures with the camera in her hand because she hadn't set up her tripod yet. I think, in retrospect, that it turned out better that way because Kellie was able to sneak up to the window while Brittany was eating to get some nice closeups! We all watched her rip at the suet and eat it for several minutes until the American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) came along. I think she was also a bit frustrated with the suet because it was still mostly frozen! She had already consumed most of the ham fat that we had put out and was trying without much success to eat the suet. The crows just "pushed her over the edge", so to speak! LOL After she flew off, we all returned to the table to finish eating lunch! Yes, I know, it doesn't take much to entertain the Franks LOL, but then again, it's the simple pleasures...
Have a blessed day!
Surrounded by Your Glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus,
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine.
I can only imagine.
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus,
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine.
I can only imagine.
What a day that will be!!!
Some of the most pleasurable moments in my life have been simple. They have ranged from food, ie Hershey's Special Dark, a piece of GOOD cheesecake (not the kind in a box!), or a tall glass of horchata de coco, to reading a good book by my favorite authors (Thoenes, Michael Phillips, Ted Dekker, Jack Cavanaugh, et al). Each moment is meant to be savored for what is it--simple, enjoyable, and all yours!
Today's simple pleasure was finally being able to capture Brittany on camera! So as not to steal the thunder from my sister, you can see these pictures on her blog. She has been waiting and trying for several weeks to no avail until today! What was really funny about the whole episode was that Wesley came into the dining room while we were still eating lunch to tell us that Brittany was eating the suet. We all basically left the table as one and quickly but quietly went into the sun room to see her. Kellie had to take the pictures with the camera in her hand because she hadn't set up her tripod yet. I think, in retrospect, that it turned out better that way because Kellie was able to sneak up to the window while Brittany was eating to get some nice closeups! We all watched her rip at the suet and eat it for several minutes until the American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) came along. I think she was also a bit frustrated with the suet because it was still mostly frozen! She had already consumed most of the ham fat that we had put out and was trying without much success to eat the suet. The crows just "pushed her over the edge", so to speak! LOL After she flew off, we all returned to the table to finish eating lunch! Yes, I know, it doesn't take much to entertain the Franks LOL, but then again, it's the simple pleasures...
Have a blessed day!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Sweet and Salty
Well, here I am again. I know it's been a few days, but I just didn't think I had anything new to share. I guess it's that "guy thing" about not being very communicative rearing its ugly head...
I have had a busy week at work. Monday and Tuesday were both hectic, yesterday was calmly busy, and today was a mixture. I was given the "coveted" task of keying in several large orders for our newest national account. The local shops for several of our stores will be getting these orders to stock the shops with our parts. Well, when I use the word "large," I mean LARGE! They are set up on a schedule and I have already keyed six orders which has me caught up through April. Yes, I am doing the "happy dance" as I type. You should see my feet a-moving!
When I arrived home, Mom told me that Brittany has returned. Mom went to the backyard for some reason and saw a large bird take off. Brittany had been sitting on our deck umbrella and Mom had startled her when she came around the corner. Mom then went back inside to get the suet plate and Brittany took a piece before the end of the afternoon. I hope she will be around this weekend for Project Feederwatch--it's the next to last period before the season ends. And well all know that Kellie wants a picture, so please perch nicely for the camera, Brittany!
Today's title was triggered by our dessert for the evening. Mom fixed marshmallows and crackers. Now, I know some of you are saying, "What????", but let me tell you that is is goooood!!! All she does is place a large marshmallow on top of a saltine and toasts it in the oven until the marshmallow is nicely browned and gooey. The saltiness of the cracker and the sweetness of the marshmallow come together to form a wonderful, tongue-celebrating sensation! Which leads me to...
Have you ever thought about how we can also be sweet and salty? I think I am that way. I really am a sweet person but I do have salty moments. I think my saltiness comes through when I am sarcastic. I love using sarcasm at any time during the day for any number of reasons, but deep down, I am just a bowl of sugar. (Please don't turn green, Kellie!) I think the combination of the two makes me a unique "taste" experience that could be savored by friends over a lifetime. In other words, God made us all unique in His image and each contributes to His plan for his or her own "sweet/salty" life. Enjoy the flavor!
Have a blessed day, everyone!
I have had a busy week at work. Monday and Tuesday were both hectic, yesterday was calmly busy, and today was a mixture. I was given the "coveted" task of keying in several large orders for our newest national account. The local shops for several of our stores will be getting these orders to stock the shops with our parts. Well, when I use the word "large," I mean LARGE! They are set up on a schedule and I have already keyed six orders which has me caught up through April. Yes, I am doing the "happy dance" as I type. You should see my feet a-moving!
When I arrived home, Mom told me that Brittany has returned. Mom went to the backyard for some reason and saw a large bird take off. Brittany had been sitting on our deck umbrella and Mom had startled her when she came around the corner. Mom then went back inside to get the suet plate and Brittany took a piece before the end of the afternoon. I hope she will be around this weekend for Project Feederwatch--it's the next to last period before the season ends. And well all know that Kellie wants a picture, so please perch nicely for the camera, Brittany!
Today's title was triggered by our dessert for the evening. Mom fixed marshmallows and crackers. Now, I know some of you are saying, "What????", but let me tell you that is is goooood!!! All she does is place a large marshmallow on top of a saltine and toasts it in the oven until the marshmallow is nicely browned and gooey. The saltiness of the cracker and the sweetness of the marshmallow come together to form a wonderful, tongue-celebrating sensation! Which leads me to...
Have you ever thought about how we can also be sweet and salty? I think I am that way. I really am a sweet person but I do have salty moments. I think my saltiness comes through when I am sarcastic. I love using sarcasm at any time during the day for any number of reasons, but deep down, I am just a bowl of sugar. (Please don't turn green, Kellie!) I think the combination of the two makes me a unique "taste" experience that could be savored by friends over a lifetime. In other words, God made us all unique in His image and each contributes to His plan for his or her own "sweet/salty" life. Enjoy the flavor!
Have a blessed day, everyone!
Friday, March 14, 2008
Get Out of my Way!!!
Happy Friday to everyone! Today was a wonderful day just for that reason alone. Not that I am wishing my life away, but sometimes you just can't wait for the weekend! We had a cookout at work today to celebrate reaching some milestone that I was unaware we were trying to reach. (I am the workplace "morel mushroom"--kept in the dark and fed a daily load of detritus.) I chose the grilled pork chop, which was very tasty! The meal was very nice until I got to the dessert. I chose the German chocolate cake (store bought, naturally) and thought to myself while trying to get it down that I could do a whole lot better job! After lunch, I was again bombarded with several things to do and didn't seem to get anywhere. When I left work (a little late!), I was just ready to get home...
Well, on the way home, everybody and their first cousin was between me and my destination. The traffic wasn't that bad as far as a lot of cars on the road, but the ones that were out there were really, really stomping on my last nerve. I have a love/hate relationship with Atlantic Avenue at times. Along it's stretch, the speed limit alternates between 35 and 45 mph. Well, I have come to the conclusion that most people that travel along that path can't read. They go 35 the whole way and use both lanes doing it! I try to move around them, but the next guy does more of the same. And this afternoon of all afternoons, there was a scooter bike (or whatever you call them) in the right lane! And during the downtown segment of today's homeward journey, I was behind a person that thought the speed limit was 25 and not the posted 35. I could have made ALL the lights in one fell swoop if I could have maneuvered around him before I was able to. The saddest part of the journey, however, is the fact that when I get to the "country" roads, it's still full of cars, cars, and more cars. Do they not know that Penny Road is made for moving????
Speaking of scooter bikes, am I the only one that gets tense behind them?? I think that the people who drive them should pay a special road tax to that the state can build "scooter bike lanes". Therefore, when said individuals get out on the road, they can use ONLY those lanes and leave the "big" lanes for the vehicles that can actually travel the posted speed limit. Not that I am opposed to using them for saving gas, better for the environment, etc, but do they have to cause a mobile traffic jam every time they get on the road??
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I will be counting birds as my time for Project Feederwatch winds down for the year. After three more count periods, I will stop feeding seed until next fall. Maybe the geese will find another spot for a free meal. But I am sure Wesley and Mikayla will miss being on Goose Patrol!
Have a blessed day...
Well, on the way home, everybody and their first cousin was between me and my destination. The traffic wasn't that bad as far as a lot of cars on the road, but the ones that were out there were really, really stomping on my last nerve. I have a love/hate relationship with Atlantic Avenue at times. Along it's stretch, the speed limit alternates between 35 and 45 mph. Well, I have come to the conclusion that most people that travel along that path can't read. They go 35 the whole way and use both lanes doing it! I try to move around them, but the next guy does more of the same. And this afternoon of all afternoons, there was a scooter bike (or whatever you call them) in the right lane! And during the downtown segment of today's homeward journey, I was behind a person that thought the speed limit was 25 and not the posted 35. I could have made ALL the lights in one fell swoop if I could have maneuvered around him before I was able to. The saddest part of the journey, however, is the fact that when I get to the "country" roads, it's still full of cars, cars, and more cars. Do they not know that Penny Road is made for moving????
Speaking of scooter bikes, am I the only one that gets tense behind them?? I think that the people who drive them should pay a special road tax to that the state can build "scooter bike lanes". Therefore, when said individuals get out on the road, they can use ONLY those lanes and leave the "big" lanes for the vehicles that can actually travel the posted speed limit. Not that I am opposed to using them for saving gas, better for the environment, etc, but do they have to cause a mobile traffic jam every time they get on the road??
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I will be counting birds as my time for Project Feederwatch winds down for the year. After three more count periods, I will stop feeding seed until next fall. Maybe the geese will find another spot for a free meal. But I am sure Wesley and Mikayla will miss being on Goose Patrol!
Have a blessed day...
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Two Men and a Mom
Whew!!!!! I am glad it's finally finished. My dad and I have been moving furniture all week long after work! A friend of ours was putting down new carpet and linoleum and Mom was having new carpet put down in the den. We had to move furniture around all week. Tonight we finally moved the last of the furniture back into the den with Mom making the necessary changes in the layout of the room. It was nice to feel the new carpet under bare feet!
I have struggled all week long with the time change. It's like having jet lag from taking a trip to Texas without being able to see the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park and missing the Colima Warbler (Vermivora crissalis) for the 100th time. (Yes, I have been to Big Bend and I really did miss seeing the Colima Warbler even though my friend saw it very clearly!) I hope to be more adjusted come this weekend. This week has just been looonnnggg!!
Today was a very busy at work. It seems as if every store had problems with their freight order, whether in being short some items or their packing lists not posting to their inventory. A couple of people were out today which added to the burden. On top of that, I started placing orders for some of the stores that would be going to one of the big national accounts that we now have. They were very large orders! It took me an hour to key each order! I am glad I only have to do two at a time or I wouldn't have time for my "regular" work.
Sometimes I really get tired of being the person that is supposed to have all the answers for every questions. Sometimes I want to yell "I DON'T KNOW!!!" or ask "Why are you asking me such a moronic question??????!!!!! Do I not have a lot better things to do with my time?". But then I start thinking that God gave me a good mind and I need to use it. Also, I guess there needs to be someone that can lead the "blind" around because they would be in a peck of trouble if there wasn't. But who knew there could be so many people that need someone to think for them?????? Are we still in kindergarten??? Do they need their hands held when they need to potty???? OK, OK...I'll stop...
For now :-)
I guess that will be all for this rant. I hope everyone has a blessed day. By the way, Brittany is eating fat like there's no tomorrow! Is she feeding chicks????
I have struggled all week long with the time change. It's like having jet lag from taking a trip to Texas without being able to see the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park and missing the Colima Warbler (Vermivora crissalis) for the 100th time. (Yes, I have been to Big Bend and I really did miss seeing the Colima Warbler even though my friend saw it very clearly!) I hope to be more adjusted come this weekend. This week has just been looonnnggg!!
Today was a very busy at work. It seems as if every store had problems with their freight order, whether in being short some items or their packing lists not posting to their inventory. A couple of people were out today which added to the burden. On top of that, I started placing orders for some of the stores that would be going to one of the big national accounts that we now have. They were very large orders! It took me an hour to key each order! I am glad I only have to do two at a time or I wouldn't have time for my "regular" work.
Sometimes I really get tired of being the person that is supposed to have all the answers for every questions. Sometimes I want to yell "I DON'T KNOW!!!" or ask "Why are you asking me such a moronic question??????!!!!! Do I not have a lot better things to do with my time?". But then I start thinking that God gave me a good mind and I need to use it. Also, I guess there needs to be someone that can lead the "blind" around because they would be in a peck of trouble if there wasn't. But who knew there could be so many people that need someone to think for them?????? Are we still in kindergarten??? Do they need their hands held when they need to potty???? OK, OK...I'll stop...
For now :-)
I guess that will be all for this rant. I hope everyone has a blessed day. By the way, Brittany is eating fat like there's no tomorrow! Is she feeding chicks????
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Windy!!!!!!!!
WOW! Was today windy!! If the wind had fingers, it would have ripped the hair right off of your head today! It came courtesy of a front that brought much needed rain yesterday. It was very nice to see water standing in our ditch!
We had AWANA Olympics today. Mom and I went to see the twins in the Sparks Olympics and then left. When we turned onto Penny Road, we noticed a large sheet of tin had been ripped from the shed roof. She and I went out there to secure it before it blew into the road. Well, I tried to bring it to the metal building, but when I started up the ditch embankment, a strong gust of wind came along and almost ripped it from my hands. Both ends started flapping and eventually one end just folded over. I was struggling to keep my hold on it. After that gust subsided, I started walking again when another gust came along again. I just stopped trying to go much further and Mom and I put it under a bench with a wooded pallet we found on the wind-exposed end to keep it from folding up. We will take it down to the shed later.
Mom told me that Brittany came today. She seems to really like the new suet. She flew off with a large chunk of it in her talons. I missed it because I was eating sushi (YES! Sushi!). It was really very good, and I will eat it again when I have the chance.
I left my last posting with a hope for a rant-filled new one. Well, I only have a mini rant for today--bad drivers! I wish people really understood this simple sentence...Pay Attention!!!!! I was going to a friend's house today and was in a line of cars. All of the sudden, I had to break quickly because the first car in line decided at the last minute to turn left and had to wait for traffic. We were already creeping because of said driver! The guy behind me and the swerve to the side of the road so as not to smack me in the rear! I am thankful he was paying attention! Everyday I am on the road, people are paying attention to other things or what's on their minds and not on their driving. (Actually, this is the case for most things, not only driving, but that's another rant.) Now, I will be the first to admit that I am not the perfect driver, but I do try to not cause a problem by not concentrating on what I am doing behind the wheel. If only I could smack the inattentives! (I think I just coined a new noun!)
I hope everyone has a blessed day!
We had AWANA Olympics today. Mom and I went to see the twins in the Sparks Olympics and then left. When we turned onto Penny Road, we noticed a large sheet of tin had been ripped from the shed roof. She and I went out there to secure it before it blew into the road. Well, I tried to bring it to the metal building, but when I started up the ditch embankment, a strong gust of wind came along and almost ripped it from my hands. Both ends started flapping and eventually one end just folded over. I was struggling to keep my hold on it. After that gust subsided, I started walking again when another gust came along again. I just stopped trying to go much further and Mom and I put it under a bench with a wooded pallet we found on the wind-exposed end to keep it from folding up. We will take it down to the shed later.
Mom told me that Brittany came today. She seems to really like the new suet. She flew off with a large chunk of it in her talons. I missed it because I was eating sushi (YES! Sushi!). It was really very good, and I will eat it again when I have the chance.
I left my last posting with a hope for a rant-filled new one. Well, I only have a mini rant for today--bad drivers! I wish people really understood this simple sentence...Pay Attention!!!!! I was going to a friend's house today and was in a line of cars. All of the sudden, I had to break quickly because the first car in line decided at the last minute to turn left and had to wait for traffic. We were already creeping because of said driver! The guy behind me and the swerve to the side of the road so as not to smack me in the rear! I am thankful he was paying attention! Everyday I am on the road, people are paying attention to other things or what's on their minds and not on their driving. (Actually, this is the case for most things, not only driving, but that's another rant.) Now, I will be the first to admit that I am not the perfect driver, but I do try to not cause a problem by not concentrating on what I am doing behind the wheel. If only I could smack the inattentives! (I think I just coined a new noun!)
I hope everyone has a blessed day!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Busy
Hello again. It's hard to believe it's Wednesday! Today was a very busy day at work. One of my co-workers was off and I had to fill in for part of her job first thing this morning. Once I got that finished, I started on my work and barely came up for air. Another worker was out today as well, so that left 2 on the phones for most of the day. The only time I was able to get in the queue was during lunch. I normally work on a report I have to edit during that time, but I had to put it aside to answer the phones because of the short staff. Well, naturally, the report would be long...660 line items to be exact! It took me forever to finish it because of all the interruptions. Once I finished it, it was almost time to run it for the second time! I was glad to see the day end!
I think Brittany came today. Some of the suet was gone and we know that the Carolina Wrens (Thryothorus ludovicianus) would not grab big chunks of suet to eat. They just tear off small pieces of suet to swallow while they stand on the plate. I would love to know if she is being amorous with Bob! There is the possibility of a nest since they breed in lowland areas and we are right beside Lake Wheeler. We could possibly have hawk young later this year!
Well, I guess that's about it for this blog. Not much to rant about for today. Maybe my next posting will be rant-full! :-) I hope everyone has a blessed day.
I think Brittany came today. Some of the suet was gone and we know that the Carolina Wrens (Thryothorus ludovicianus) would not grab big chunks of suet to eat. They just tear off small pieces of suet to swallow while they stand on the plate. I would love to know if she is being amorous with Bob! There is the possibility of a nest since they breed in lowland areas and we are right beside Lake Wheeler. We could possibly have hawk young later this year!
Well, I guess that's about it for this blog. Not much to rant about for today. Maybe my next posting will be rant-full! :-) I hope everyone has a blessed day.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
The Right Time
Well, here I am again. The weekend has come and gone and it's time to start another work week. I am not dreading it, however. I feel rested and ready to conquer all challenges that await me...at least until tomorrow at 8 AM! HAHA!
The only thing that I was disappointed about this weekend was that I wasn't able to see Brittany come for her suet. I am pretty sure that she visited, but I wasn't there to see her. For those that don't know, Brittany is a Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) that lives near us and visits our deck for her daily dose of beef fat. We don't know if it's really a female but Mikayla named it and the name stuck. Occasionally another one accompanies her. His name is Bob. We went to Larry's Market today to get more suet for her. Suet is getting harder to find because most grocery stores are buying already trimmed meat so they can pay less for the meat because they would have to throw a lot of fat away with the normal cuts. But Larry's hooked us up today! We now have several quart bags of suet in our freezer for the rest of this feeding season and next year. We will see if she continues to come to her prepared table.
One thing I have been thinking on today is a statement that Pastor Chuck made in today's sermon...God put us here during this particular time in history to do the will He has planned for each of us. I am not one of those people who wishes for the past or wishes I was born in another time because I enjoy my life now, but I never really thought about my being born during this time as part of God's plan. There are several people I know that has stated that they wish they could go back to the "good old times" or that they were born in the wrong century, but God says NO! He put you here at the right time and right place for His purpose. Isn't that a wonderful thought?!!! I'm just really glad God saw fit to place me in the SOUTH! :-D
Well, that's it for this posting. I hope everyone has a good week and will not wish they were somewhere else. Have a blessed day!
The only thing that I was disappointed about this weekend was that I wasn't able to see Brittany come for her suet. I am pretty sure that she visited, but I wasn't there to see her. For those that don't know, Brittany is a Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) that lives near us and visits our deck for her daily dose of beef fat. We don't know if it's really a female but Mikayla named it and the name stuck. Occasionally another one accompanies her. His name is Bob. We went to Larry's Market today to get more suet for her. Suet is getting harder to find because most grocery stores are buying already trimmed meat so they can pay less for the meat because they would have to throw a lot of fat away with the normal cuts. But Larry's hooked us up today! We now have several quart bags of suet in our freezer for the rest of this feeding season and next year. We will see if she continues to come to her prepared table.
One thing I have been thinking on today is a statement that Pastor Chuck made in today's sermon...God put us here during this particular time in history to do the will He has planned for each of us. I am not one of those people who wishes for the past or wishes I was born in another time because I enjoy my life now, but I never really thought about my being born during this time as part of God's plan. There are several people I know that has stated that they wish they could go back to the "good old times" or that they were born in the wrong century, but God says NO! He put you here at the right time and right place for His purpose. Isn't that a wonderful thought?!!! I'm just really glad God saw fit to place me in the SOUTH! :-D
Well, that's it for this posting. I hope everyone has a good week and will not wish they were somewhere else. Have a blessed day!
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