Isn't the creek beautiful? I just love coming down here.
Amanda helps Evan find his basket.
I don't think this one is any better, but we only had battery life left for 2 shots at a family photo.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
It pays to be kind to the butcher
I must preface this story with the fact that in no way have I been flirting or acting in a way that is unbecoming to a married woman like myself, nor am I advocating doing such a thing. This is purely about kindness and reaping the rewards of it.
Amanda and I headed out to our local grocery store yesterday afternoon to pick up the midweek staples, because I had done my big shopping last Thursday. Even though this grocery store is usually more expensive and has nicer cuts and quality of meat, I am able to get most of my meat there, due in large part to the butcher.
Years and years ago, before I was married with children, we worked together in the same office complex. When he showed up several years ago at the grocery store, I recognized him, but so many years had past I wasn't sure if he remembered me and so I would politely say hello to him when passing the meat dept. It always felt a little awkward not formally acknowledging the fact that we knew each other, so one day we broke the ice and chatted. After that, I always went out of my way to say hello, and ask about his kids or some small talk. In return he started letting me know when things were going to be put on a quick reduced sale. (due to expiring meat) You can really get some fab deals if you have a freezer. He would also tell me about the quality of meat and other interesting things like: ground beef that was labeled "managers special" was actually the ends of ribeye that couldn't be sold for steak, so it was turned into ground beef. Once I got $80 worth of steak and chicken for $20 because the steaks were end pieces that couldn't be sold as whole steaks, but other than being on the small side, they were wonderful.
Amanda LOVES meat, but she especially loves steak, so while we were looking over the reduced sale meat, she saw some Filet Mignon that was originally $26 but marked down to $19. I told her that even though it was marked down, that was still way too high to pay. The nice butcher said that he was getting ready to mark them down again, because they were 2 days from expiration. I asked him how much of a reduction and he said they would go down to $12 normally, but he could take them down to $10. I was still going to pass though because there were only 3 steaks in the pack. He then proceeded to tell me about a London broil that was going down to $3. So I snatched up the deals and headed home to grill out. Amanda was floored, she says she never would have thought that a kind word could go so far.
I have also noticed that being nice to the old man in the produce section can help out a lot as well. I've been able to get cantaloupe and pineapples for a $1. I had to cut them right away, but they were still fresh.
I am a terrible haggler. I never bargain at yard sales, and have a really difficult time asking people "Is that the best you can do?" Kindness and a little consideration though is easy, and can really pay off in the end.
Amanda and I headed out to our local grocery store yesterday afternoon to pick up the midweek staples, because I had done my big shopping last Thursday. Even though this grocery store is usually more expensive and has nicer cuts and quality of meat, I am able to get most of my meat there, due in large part to the butcher.
Years and years ago, before I was married with children, we worked together in the same office complex. When he showed up several years ago at the grocery store, I recognized him, but so many years had past I wasn't sure if he remembered me and so I would politely say hello to him when passing the meat dept. It always felt a little awkward not formally acknowledging the fact that we knew each other, so one day we broke the ice and chatted. After that, I always went out of my way to say hello, and ask about his kids or some small talk. In return he started letting me know when things were going to be put on a quick reduced sale. (due to expiring meat) You can really get some fab deals if you have a freezer. He would also tell me about the quality of meat and other interesting things like: ground beef that was labeled "managers special" was actually the ends of ribeye that couldn't be sold for steak, so it was turned into ground beef. Once I got $80 worth of steak and chicken for $20 because the steaks were end pieces that couldn't be sold as whole steaks, but other than being on the small side, they were wonderful.
Amanda LOVES meat, but she especially loves steak, so while we were looking over the reduced sale meat, she saw some Filet Mignon that was originally $26 but marked down to $19. I told her that even though it was marked down, that was still way too high to pay. The nice butcher said that he was getting ready to mark them down again, because they were 2 days from expiration. I asked him how much of a reduction and he said they would go down to $12 normally, but he could take them down to $10. I was still going to pass though because there were only 3 steaks in the pack. He then proceeded to tell me about a London broil that was going down to $3. So I snatched up the deals and headed home to grill out. Amanda was floored, she says she never would have thought that a kind word could go so far.
I have also noticed that being nice to the old man in the produce section can help out a lot as well. I've been able to get cantaloupe and pineapples for a $1. I had to cut them right away, but they were still fresh.
I am a terrible haggler. I never bargain at yard sales, and have a really difficult time asking people "Is that the best you can do?" Kindness and a little consideration though is easy, and can really pay off in the end.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
My black heart
This is the post that I was working on, but decided to bypass it. Once again it is in the forefront of my mind these past couple of days.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.
This has always been a verse that has spoken to me, but recently it has taken on new importance. There is no doubt that life has taken a dramatic turn for us, and while I honestly enjoy change and the even the unknown of the future, I am wrestling with the apparent injustice that has befallen us. My heart is struggling to be free, and I am struggling to keep it. Anger seems to be just under the surface and the smallest unrelated thing can tip the scales, and suddenly I find myself furious. I am angry over something that I can legitimately be upset about, but I find myself angry that the cashier runs out of change and leaves me waiting to go get it. I find myself angry that the gas pump I was using shut off in the middle of my fill up and I had to switch pumps. The list goes on and on, and while many people struggle with feeling impatient over these types of mishaps, I have not been one of those people. I mean that I generally don"t lose patience in those random things that no one can control, not that I never am angry over the small things in life.
How do you be angry and yet not sin in your anger? How do you relate to the injustice, but not let your mind wander down the path of vindictiveness and revenge? I know that renewing your mind is what is needed in times like this, but boy! is that ever hard work. When I am feeling angry (like now) I am literally repenting and asking for help every few minutes. I mean that literally, I will not give in to the bitterness, but I do tend to spend a few moments stewing, or fantasizing about a "great plan" of revenge. The word says that there are seven things that the Lord hates and one of them is a haughty look. I am constantly giving haughty looks in my mind Every time we get a piece of good news or something that sticks it to the accused, I give a haughty look and give myself a high five. I want justice to be served and sometimes I get fearful that my bad attitude will hinder God from coming through for us. Just to be clear, I know that however this turns out that God is on our side and has our best in mind. It's just that there is a particular outcome that I want.
Tomorrow this will probably not be relevant, but once again, I want to chronicle this time in my life. Most days are really, really remarkable, but darkness lingers on the outskirts of this time and once in a while it creeps in.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.
This has always been a verse that has spoken to me, but recently it has taken on new importance. There is no doubt that life has taken a dramatic turn for us, and while I honestly enjoy change and the even the unknown of the future, I am wrestling with the apparent injustice that has befallen us. My heart is struggling to be free, and I am struggling to keep it. Anger seems to be just under the surface and the smallest unrelated thing can tip the scales, and suddenly I find myself furious. I am angry over something that I can legitimately be upset about, but I find myself angry that the cashier runs out of change and leaves me waiting to go get it. I find myself angry that the gas pump I was using shut off in the middle of my fill up and I had to switch pumps. The list goes on and on, and while many people struggle with feeling impatient over these types of mishaps, I have not been one of those people. I mean that I generally don"t lose patience in those random things that no one can control, not that I never am angry over the small things in life.
How do you be angry and yet not sin in your anger? How do you relate to the injustice, but not let your mind wander down the path of vindictiveness and revenge? I know that renewing your mind is what is needed in times like this, but boy! is that ever hard work. When I am feeling angry (like now) I am literally repenting and asking for help every few minutes. I mean that literally, I will not give in to the bitterness, but I do tend to spend a few moments stewing, or fantasizing about a "great plan" of revenge. The word says that there are seven things that the Lord hates and one of them is a haughty look. I am constantly giving haughty looks in my mind Every time we get a piece of good news or something that sticks it to the accused, I give a haughty look and give myself a high five. I want justice to be served and sometimes I get fearful that my bad attitude will hinder God from coming through for us. Just to be clear, I know that however this turns out that God is on our side and has our best in mind. It's just that there is a particular outcome that I want.
Tomorrow this will probably not be relevant, but once again, I want to chronicle this time in my life. Most days are really, really remarkable, but darkness lingers on the outskirts of this time and once in a while it creeps in.
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