Thursday, March 18, 2010

It's been waaay too long

Hey All,
Remember me? It's been way too long since I sat down and wrote out the goings-on in my mind and in my life. Life has been good, but certainly feel like it's been a roller coaster. I actually do like roller coasters....

So, it's been almost two weeks since I last wrote and a lot has been on my heart. Knowing my own tendency to lean towards negativity (understatement), I will start with the things that are great and that make me happy. First is God, it's good to start with the best thing in my life. It's easy to focus on the little annoyances and struggles, so I want to just thank God for all the little miracles of life. I am grateful to God, who gave me a roommate when I was starting to wonder how I would cover all my bills. I am grateful that God is also giving me another roommate as of Monday, Cole Johnson is moving over from Missoula to start work at KHQ. Poor guy has to start work at 3:45am. I only try to recognize one 3:45 per day, and the A.M. one is not it!!!

Anyway, I am grateful to have an amazing family, both spiritual and physical. I am grateful to have my life, my breath and a warm bed to sleep in every night. I am grateful for a seriously great dog, who just makes me laugh and gives me snuggles when life is tough. I'm grateful that God is incredibly patient with a wretch like me and has never given up hope on me, even when I am tempted to...

Confession time: I have been bad. Part of the reason that I have not blogged lately is just plain guilt. I have not been good about keeping my diet or my workout regimen. I watched The Biggest Loser last night and am inspired and convicted by these amazing people, who are much larger than I am, continue to lose weight week after week, the way they push themselves to the limit is very inspiring. I want to be like you guys...

As I mentioned recently, I started my job about two weeks ago and I'm really liking it. I still have so much to learn and am continually confused by all the systems and frustrated by not always knowing where to find stuff, but I know that will all come in time. I am grateful to have Bridget there, she is fun. So is the rest of the staff there too for that matter. I am getting comfortable with the issues people need help with and that has been very good. It's just good to be working again.

On Sunday, I began not to feel so well. I began to have stomach pains and thought I had eaten something bad. I took a long nap and hoped for the best, but still didn't feel that well. On Monday, I went to work, but the stomach aches did not go away. By the end of the day, I felt awful. I HAD to run two errands and then I went straight home. That night, I was very ill. High fever, stomach problems, sore throat, exhaustion, etc. I can't remember the last time I was that sick. I did some research and found that most of my symptoms were consistent with H1N1. For feeling that crappy, I better have had something that bad!!!!

Tuesday and Wednesday I stayed home from work. It was very hard, knowing that I do not have any sick leave available to me, so no pay for those two days... As tough as my finances have been, it's hard to lose two days work. I am nonetheless hopeful that God will continue to help a brother out!!!

I am very excited for this weekend. We are having our men's retreat in Liberty Lake and I am glad to be able to go. It'll be good to get away and hang out with the bros. I would like to try to get some time with some of the married bros, especially that are a little bit more my age. I love to hang out with the singles, but I think this will be a good opportunity to expand my circle of influence (their influence on me) this weekend.

There have been other challenges this week too, but I really cannot focus on those right now. I feel like I have had some failures and certainly my fair share of weaknesses. I really need to pour myself into my relationship with God, because I feel like I am seriously trying to make some progress in my life. I could use your prayers and your accountability to see how I am doing. I am grateful for everyone who reads this blog. I know there is more to write, but it is just too late tonight to write much more.

Thank you again for reading, and I will be posting again soon. (Really, I will. I promise!)

Love,
Tim

1 Cor 15:58

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Woo Hoo!! The Last Day of Being Unemployed!

Hey all!
So I am not sure how to start the blog tonight. I'm pretty tired from the day, although I'm not exactly sure why. Maybe because it was just a gloomy, rainy day.... At any rate, it was eventful if nothing else, a good day...

This morning I was feeling a little bit down. I was feeling annoyed that for all the work I have done to find a job, I just wasn't getting ANY feedback from any of the companies I had solicited employment from. Most of the jobs I had applied for I was (in my mind at least) more than sufficiently qualified, yet.... not a peep. I was on the verge of just plain discouragement, however it did not take long before I received a call from the recruiter asking if I would be available for an interview this morning. Of course, I agreed.

I went to the interview and Bridget Vawter (thanks, Bridget!) came up to say hi to me and shortly thereafter went in to talk to the boss-lady, Cheryl. I thought the interview went well and within a few hours, I was offered the job. Yay! I am excited to get up tomorrow and have somewhere to go and something to do, and also to have a paycheck from it! I will be taking calls for a company that produces stamps, signs, insignia, etc. I was impressed by the samples they had in their showroom, very professional.

I was encouraged later in the afternoon to have Lionel stop by. He wanted to see his nephew (Wolfi) and got lots of puppy kisses and was able to get off a few Wolfi pulls for a workout. I decided to go ahead and make some dinner and since I have been wanting to make my famous stir fry all week, I figured it would encourage Lionel to make it for him. He was very encouraged and even Steve got to have some.

Later I got a chance to hang out with my neighbor Alex. Alex is an all-around good egg and I appreciate his friendship and his willingness to help me out. Last week it was to fax some paperwork to the unemployment agency. Mucho appreciado, Alex! Anyway, we just chatted for a while while his little mini Yorky loved to just climb all over me. She is pretty cool...

Oh, and I almost forgot the update on my weight loss. I weighed myself on Monday and despite slipping on my new agenda, God has somehow allowed me to lose 5 lbs in my first two weeks on the regimen. I know slow and steady is good but I am very impatient. Pants ARE fitting better now, am very encouraged to continue and to do even more. Now, I'm not complaining here, but I recognize that having to work is going to make my new goals a little more challenging. I don't just have all day to go to the gym and I have to plan my lunches ahead, etc. Since most of the working public does these things on a daily basis, I feel confident I will be able to adjust. ;)

So, on that note, I started to write my update tonight right about 11pm, my new bedtime. Now it's after 11:20 and I am starting to get pretty tired. Thanks, all for continuing to follow my blog. I hope I didn't bore you too much tonight. ;) Buenos nachos!!

Tim