I just got back from my very first homeowner's association meeting at the Cheat Lake Volunteer Fire Hall. I've heard some vicious rumours about these things, so I went in prepared to hear some stuff. Is it bad that I really don't care? Probably, because there are some things that need fixed in our neighborhood. Here's what the bottom line of the meeting was:
We don't want to be responsible for things in our development that were not caused by the homeowners. Complete the neighborhood, then the actual homeowners will take over the development.
To finally get to that point 3 people (home owner's) had to be elected to speak for the rest of us to the developers and their lawyer about these issues.
It's really all my fault. I should have never agreed to build a home on the side of a huge mountain with a history of landslides. For now, I'll just roll with the punches and pray my house will sell as much as my neighbors sold next door. Then, we shall move to the land of milk and honey where the deer and antelope play and where the homeowner's association consists of my wife, kids and dog.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
I Yam What I Yam
I remember taking the DISC Personality Profile test when Oakley and I were going through pre-marital counseling. Either I've changed drastically or I was fooling myself when I got married. It's probably the latter.
Anyway, I decided to go back and really find out where I stood. Who is the real me? As Nacho Libre said, "Let's get down to the nitty gritty." According to the folks at Uniquely You and the DISC Personality Profile, this is who I am:
"C/S/D's" are a combination of cautious, stable and determined types. They are more task-oriented, but care about people on an individual basis. They don't like to speak in front of crowds. They prefer to get the job done and do it right through small groups, as opposed to large groups. They tend to be more serious. Often misunderstood by others as being insensitive, "C/S/D" types really care for people. They just don't show it openly. They need to be more positive and enthusiastic. Natural achievers, they need to be more friendly and less critical.
The one major defect on this is "they don't like to speak in front of crowds." I really actually enjoy this, when I'm prepared.
Here's what they say I need to work on:
Be more enthusiastic. Don't worry so much about problems. Be more positive. Let your sensitivity be more evident. Be more outwardly optimistic and encouraging to others.
Hmm. I guess. Maybe it's just that I don't like what I see. There are things to work on, that's for sure. God, sanctify me. Help me to be uniquely me - for your glory.
Anyway, I decided to go back and really find out where I stood. Who is the real me? As Nacho Libre said, "Let's get down to the nitty gritty." According to the folks at Uniquely You and the DISC Personality Profile, this is who I am:
"C/S/D's" are a combination of cautious, stable and determined types. They are more task-oriented, but care about people on an individual basis. They don't like to speak in front of crowds. They prefer to get the job done and do it right through small groups, as opposed to large groups. They tend to be more serious. Often misunderstood by others as being insensitive, "C/S/D" types really care for people. They just don't show it openly. They need to be more positive and enthusiastic. Natural achievers, they need to be more friendly and less critical.
The one major defect on this is "they don't like to speak in front of crowds." I really actually enjoy this, when I'm prepared.
Here's what they say I need to work on:
Be more enthusiastic. Don't worry so much about problems. Be more positive. Let your sensitivity be more evident. Be more outwardly optimistic and encouraging to others.
Hmm. I guess. Maybe it's just that I don't like what I see. There are things to work on, that's for sure. God, sanctify me. Help me to be uniquely me - for your glory.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
The Cure for Self-Absorption
I was reading in Proverbs and came across a verse I've been thinking a lot about lately:
And there is one who witholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself. 11:24-25
Someone asked Dr. Karl Menninger, "What would you advise a person to do if he felt a nervous breakdown coming on?" Most expected him to reply, "Consult a psychiatrist" since that was his profession. His reply? "Lock up your house, go across the railway tracks, find someone in need, and do something to help that person."
The cure for self-absorption is giving - helping someone else. I challenged our student leaders to finish out the final 2 weeks of the semester being an encouragement to others, even when the tendency is to focus inward on self. It's something I need to practice as well. It's so easy to turn inward and slip into a "woe is me" mentality. I must intentionally seek out people to help and encourage to stay spiritually, mentally and emotionally full.
I wonder if there would be less depression, suicides, etc during the holidays if we really took it seriously to give. What if I actually gave more than I consumed? Is that possible? It doesn't hurt to try.
And there is one who witholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself. 11:24-25
Someone asked Dr. Karl Menninger, "What would you advise a person to do if he felt a nervous breakdown coming on?" Most expected him to reply, "Consult a psychiatrist" since that was his profession. His reply? "Lock up your house, go across the railway tracks, find someone in need, and do something to help that person."
The cure for self-absorption is giving - helping someone else. I challenged our student leaders to finish out the final 2 weeks of the semester being an encouragement to others, even when the tendency is to focus inward on self. It's something I need to practice as well. It's so easy to turn inward and slip into a "woe is me" mentality. I must intentionally seek out people to help and encourage to stay spiritually, mentally and emotionally full.
I wonder if there would be less depression, suicides, etc during the holidays if we really took it seriously to give. What if I actually gave more than I consumed? Is that possible? It doesn't hurt to try.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
The Office
Chi Alpha is currently without an office. Everything within me wants to rant on with "poor talk." The brutal fact: we can't afford it right now. We've got to get to 100%. It's imperative for our lives and future on campus. Thanks for praying!
I'm Lucky
My wife and I love 24. One of our students let us borrow seasons 1-3 on DVD. We're on season 3. Very rarely do we watch only one episode. We do at least 2 , if not more. But tonight was different. When the first hour ended, I manuvered the clicker to go to the second episode of the evening when I sensed hesitation on Oakley's part. "You do want to watch another one?" I said in a hypothetical tone. She then blurted out words that every man wants to hear. What could she possibly say to get me to ignore another wathcing Jack Bauer finally get revenge on Nina for killing his wife? If she wasn't in the mood for 24, what could she possibly say to get me to turn away from Monday Night Football and Brett Farve's 232nd consecutive start in the blizzard-like conditions in Green Bay? She looked at me, raised her eyebrows a few times and I was up off the couch quicker than William "the refrigerator" Perry. This was my lucky night....
Then, like an unexpected arctic blast, sounds of vomit came from our 4 year old daugther's room. After the clean-up, I'm not where I thought I'd be. I'm lying on the vomit stained floor next to Zoey's bed, ready at any minute to hold the "puke bowl" for her. Just call me lucky.
Then, like an unexpected arctic blast, sounds of vomit came from our 4 year old daugther's room. After the clean-up, I'm not where I thought I'd be. I'm lying on the vomit stained floor next to Zoey's bed, ready at any minute to hold the "puke bowl" for her. Just call me lucky.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Thanksgiving in the Country
Have you seen the commercial with the dad sleeping on the top bunk saying goodnight to his wife that's sleeping on the bottom bunk? That totally could have been us. For a few days, I had the privilege of sleeping on the top bunk with my daughter Zoey while my wife and Jonah slept on the bottom bunk. I'll always remember waking up with my face plastered against the bedrail and Zoey's legs on mine - all night.
We were at Oakley's sister's house just outside Manassas, VA. They live in a turn-of-the-century school house with their 6 kids, chickens, roosters, bunnies, guineas, dog and horse. There's always a story to be told once we leave there. Whether it's the mad rooster attacking Opa (Oakley's grandfather from Germany) or it's Zoey freaking out over thorns in the woods. Everyone had their "it's ok to get dirty" clothes on as I accompanied all the kids on a walk. Except for Zoey. She was dressed in a pink valore jump suit, white Nike tennis shoes, carrying a huge pink bag and a plastic camoflauge gun to ready "get the bad guys." She was doing well until we ventured off the path a little and ran into some thorns. The meltdown followed and I had to carry her, gun and all, the rest of the way. Jonah, our 2 year old, was beating his cousins with a stick he found. At least I was working off the turkey.
We were at Oakley's sister's house just outside Manassas, VA. They live in a turn-of-the-century school house with their 6 kids, chickens, roosters, bunnies, guineas, dog and horse. There's always a story to be told once we leave there. Whether it's the mad rooster attacking Opa (Oakley's grandfather from Germany) or it's Zoey freaking out over thorns in the woods. Everyone had their "it's ok to get dirty" clothes on as I accompanied all the kids on a walk. Except for Zoey. She was dressed in a pink valore jump suit, white Nike tennis shoes, carrying a huge pink bag and a plastic camoflauge gun to ready "get the bad guys." She was doing well until we ventured off the path a little and ran into some thorns. The meltdown followed and I had to carry her, gun and all, the rest of the way. Jonah, our 2 year old, was beating his cousins with a stick he found. At least I was working off the turkey.
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