Old age is fun? (Revised)

It was pointed out to me that I'm already a GRANDPA.
This flashes so many images in my head.

First, the image of the conversation that this came up. It was probably one of the most eye-opening conversation I've had. It has been a basis for some of the current learning I'm doing, as well as how I teach.

Second is the fact that I'm a grandpa for the second time now, so along with Paulette's, that make FIVE grandchildren or step-grandchildren.
I remember once counting the pictures of all of my cousins on the wall of my paternal grandparents' living room once. I'm the oldest of the 16 grandchildren they had. And now, here I am, realizing that I'm up to FIVE grandkids. Now, I'm looking for a comb to keep next to my chair (a memory I have of my one grandpa).
>> edit note - I originally thought I was the oldest of 27 - that's what I get for typing my Blog in the later hours (old guys should get to bed at earlier hours) and that I can't remember much (another sign of old age?) =/
Thanks to my brother for catching this - at least we figured that "maybe" I was counting Grandma & Grandpa's children and spouses.

Third, I'm going to be seeing my newborn granddaughter soon. In the time there, I'll be taking my other granddaughter out for lunch or shopping or something. It's something we've sort of started a habit of doing - our pizza date. But each time, my older granddaughter is more independent... she can open her own box, or push the cart, or get her drink. Time flies, and she's growing up fast.

Then, all of these things come "crashing" in on me when I see my eye doctor or medical doctor. This body part is old. That section of my body is worn. But I'm only 48...
But I'm a Grandpa! Stuff happens, and being a grandpa makes everything worth it!

Or when I interact with other kids, whether at my churches or in the communities I serve or just walking through a shopping mall - there seems to be a different sense of "pride"...  I'm a grandpa, and I can give a child a look and make them smile, or reassure them that they're not in charge, but the parents are, or just realizing how enjoyable life can be when watching a little kid laugh.

Yeah, I'm getting old. The years have been good to me, and some years weren't as good as others, thanks to all of the food I ate, but in my new life, I'm enjoying getting older. It's that "circle of life", and now I can play with my grandchildren, spoiling the living heck out of them, and send them back home with all sorts of stories of what their parents did (or maybe I'll use that one as a "trump card" LOL)
But yeah, this is fun. It's fun to be where I am. It's fun to think back to all that I've been through. It's fun to look ahead, wondering what tomorrow might bring.
And yes, it's scary as well. But I'm also the protective grandpa - the one that has the pictures of my granddaughter cuddled close to me - for these are the pictures that I will show any young gents who have an interest later in life. I'll just pull out the pictures, point to how I've got my granddaughter tucked close to me, and remind them that the arm that's holding the child is the same arm that can do serious damage.
Nope - not threatening anyone. Just making sure nothing happens along the way (insert evil laughter here)

Yeah... If being a grandpa means being old, then look out world, because I'm gonna enjoy the ride!

Good service goes a long way. Bad service goes farther.

I recently stayed at the Kearney, Nebraska Wingate Inn for a Conference. While I was there, the service was great, and even after I left and forgot some items in my room, the service was spectacular... they had put the items in box and shipped it to me (which I have to pay for, but it was my fault that I forgot the stuff). They also had the box to me within a few days. Nice!
While I at the Conference, our Center had such great service - everything from wifi connection to seating to finding a restroom. Awesome!

So now when I want to "get away from it all", any guess where one of my first choices would be?

In contrast, I'm sitting here waiting for my contact lenses that were ordered nearly a month ago. Because I have an odd eye, I have to wait a little longer, or so the story goes. Yet if I was to order from the 800Contact company, the price would have been nearly the same, and they were in stock.
I could understand certain issues, but the attitude of the people that work at the clinic leaves a lot to be desired.
Even tossing up a hand when asking "what" when they were waiting on me one day. =/

When people give good service, it needs to be mentioned. The positives need to be brought up, and those who do something nice, even if it's their job, need the praise and affirmation.
At the same time, when something isn't right, it helps if something positive can be brought up, but also to nicely bring up to the proper people - maybe to the person who may have done something wrong, for they may not have realized it - that something isn't right. After all, people shouldn't be looking to ruin a business, and by not saying something, you're just as guilty of hurting a business... if they don't know there is a problem, they can't correct it.

Always say something positive. You can be part of the problem, or you can be part of the solution. Or you can make someone's day =)

The past, the present, the future

My brother has seen this on another blog, and I figured, "why not!" After all, it seems like people were doing so many "share this" on Facebook (and I don't do a lot of 'shares', sorry), but thought that this might be interesting... 

1 - What did you do in 2012/will you do in 2013 that you've never done before?

• I started my new lifestyle in May 2012, and to date, have lost almost 72 pounds. I haven't seen this number on the scales in years. I've even found that I can do an easy jog up the road, so I'm hoping that my walks will become more brisker and quicker, and eventually turn into jogging.

.

2 - Did you keep your New Years Resolutions and will you make more for 2013?

• I don't really do resolutions. I've tried, and would usually fail by day two or three. But if there is a goal to be set, it's to continue on my new lifestyle.

3 - Did anyone close to you give birth?

• I just found out that a nephew of mine had a baby. I'm also waiting for my 2nd grandchild any day now. Along with being a step-grandpa, I'm collecting the gray hairs. =)

4 - Did anyone close to you die?

• Not personally close. 

5 - Which countries did you visit?

• just a home-body

 

6 - What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?

That's a hard one. I can want a lot, or be happy with what I have.  -  Probably the personal "space" to allow me some down-time.

 

7 - What dates in 2012 will remain etched in your memory?

• March 24 - My folks 50th anniversary.
• August 17 - Graduated Course of Study,
• some times at the end of August - I know, and that's what matters 

8 - What was your biggest achievement of the year?

• My new lifestyle, as well as completing Course of Study

9 - What was your biggest failure?

• How I handled some situations... I can always do better.

 

10 - Did you suffer illness or injury?

• The first thing that popped in my head was an illness after I returned from Course of Study. We all thought that it was just a bad case of allergies or something, but whatever it was, it sure knocked me on my butt. I was still working, but it was a big struggle.

 

11 - What is the best thing you bought?

• I now own a Keurig Coffee machine. After seeing a couple of people with theirs, and how they went on and on about it, I have to say that I was impressed. Then when Paulette "pushed me" into getting it for myself because I tend to be really frugal, I did. Maybe a little overboard, but we all do in some way.

 

12 - Whose behavior merited celebration?

• A lot of people, to be able to put up with me. Paulette and I have jumped some hurdles, and will do so forever (that's life), my folks for putting up with each other. My brother for surpassing some marathon goals. My nephew, Alex, for winning recognition and a college scholarship, and many others that will pop in my head at about 3 a.m.

 

13 - Where did most of your money go?

• Travel. Both business and personal. I've driven a lot this past year.

14 - What did you get really really really excited about?

• When my name was called to come forward for the blessing at Course of Study Graduation.
• When I slid the scales down more and more pounds
• When I was able to jog without losing my breath.

15 - What song will always remind you of 2012?

• 2012 - don't know... it depends on where I was and when. Ask me when a song is playing.

16 - Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?

• Happier, by far. Things aren't perfect, but nothing is "perfect". But in reflection, I am much happier now!

17 - What do you wish you'd done more of?

• Doing it now - new lifestyle (happy, relaxed, eating well, living better)

18 - What do you wish you'd done less of?

• I wasted a lot of my life worrying. I still worry - that's still a battle, but earlier in 2012, I sure did waste my time with petty stuff.

19 - What was your favorite TV program?

• NCIS
• Parenthood
• Burn Notice
• Suits
• (whatever I enjoy)

 

20 - What was your favorite film of this year?

• I've only seen Les Miz, and given the fact that musicals and operas drive me up the wall, I was SUPER impressed with this movie. Granted, I zzz'd a pinch, but it was a long day - but I'll be buying the DVD when it comes out.

21 - What was the best book you read?

• I've had to read so many for my job that I have to say that they're all good, but also I'm losing the enjoyment of reading. Right now I'm reading/listening (I have the books, as well as the Audio Book) to a couple of Dale Carnegie books.

22 - How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?

• Oversized...  some of my clothes are too big =)

23 - What kept you sane?

• Who said I was sane?
• Laughing.
• Walking

24 - What political issue stirred you the most?

• The issue that stirred me the most is the people who think they know what's going on. No matter how much people "think" they know, it seemed like the attitude of the year was Tunnel Vision. Hardly anyone wanted to see all sides of an issue, and many people seemed to be good at pulling one or two sentences out of a paragraph to fit their agenda. Thank God for DVD movies!

Today is a gift... Enjoy!

As I preached recently, Christmastime continues through Epiphany (January 6), but people are in such a hurry to move past Christmas and get on with their lives.

But why?
After all, in about ten months (maybe sooner, depending on which store you shop at), we'll start seeing Christmas decorations for sale. Sometime around then, or maybe sooner, or maybe later, we may do some Christmas shopping. And at some point, we'll start complaining again about how those Christmas decorations are come out in the stores earlier and earlier, yet inside, we'll be whistling along to the Holiday tunes playing overhead.

Advent Season, the four Sundays preceding Christmas, is a time of preparation, marked by themes of hope, love, joy, and peace. These are the themes that (should) come out at Christmastime, but are they not themes we should practice year-round?

So I've decided to mark each day (starting this past Jan. 1st) with something I learned, realized, accomplished, or whatever. I've already started by marking them each evening on Facebook ("Day 1", "Day 2", etc). My goal is to have something each and every day for the year.
Whether or not other people will find my items inspirational, positive, uplifting, or exciting is not up to me... these are things that I've learned or gained. And maybe someone can learn or gain something in the process of any of those days. Again, it's not up to me.

Already, I've had comments from people... how I'm different than months or years ago.
I can't say it's from this - for all I know, it could have something to do with not carrying an extra 70+ pounds around. Beats me. But I know that I'm happy, and people around me who are matter the most are happy.
I can only hope that it continues from there.

I don't know why exactly I started something like this - maybe it was because I saw someone in the store the other day who was a dead ringer for the Jeff Dunham character "Walter". Or maybe because people say I scowl too much. Or maybe a combination of everything.
But whatever the reason, I'm enjoying that ride now!

Plus, I look at it like this - I'm sure that somewhere in my brother's office or home, there is a board somewhere that is already counting down the days until Christmas.
It's easier for me to count up - 1, 2, 3, 4...
(but when I run out of toes, I'll have to look back at previous posts)

The ultimate goal is to show signs of hope, love, joy, and peace every day.
"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present." ~Unknown