I finished reading "Outliers". It is a very interesting read. It is about what makes an outlier. An outlier is defined as 1: something that is situated away from or classed differently from a main or related body. or 2: a statistical observation that is markedly different in value from the others of the sample.
Basically it's about what makes a greatly successful person. It goes into a bunch of different aspects that help determine your life outcome. It is really detailed but easy to read.
I took away from it that anyone could become greatly successful but there is only so much we are able to control about it. Most of the determining factors are totally out of our hands. You could say that it is luck. I prefer to think of it as divine intervention.
I think that God has a plan for each of us. He puts before us a set of circumstances that lets us become what we are meant to be. We control to an extent how hard we work at something and if we choose to follow a certain path put before us. After that, it's fate. If you don't get those "lucky breaks" it doesn't matter how hard you try.
I would recommend this book to those who like to think about why we are like we are. Gladwell has a very reader friendly way of writing. His other books are just as fun to read. They really make you say "hhhmmmm".
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Middle Age Hair
One of the questions I've always had is when are you old enough to start doing the once a week hairdresser hairdo thing? And why would you want to do that in the first place? I once asked this in front of an older gentleman that I worked with whose wife did this. He told me that when you got "old" you lose strength in your arms. That fixing your hair was just to hard to do. This seems like a good answer because I know that some days that hairdryer seems to weigh a ton!
Then I thought of my mom. She didn't live long enough to get to the hairdresser stage but she did stop "fixing" her hair. You know what I mean? She stopped curling, primping, or spending the time on her hair that I seemed to need. I wondered, at what age does this happen? Well, I think I have an answer.
I was getting ready for work yesterday when it hit me! I don't spend hours on my hair anymore. It is basically blow dry and go. Does this make me lazy? Nope. Does this make me old? I don't think so. I think that you just get to a point that you understand that God gave you what he wanted and you better stop fighting him.
I've come to grips with my naturally curly hair. I've given up the battle to make it stick straight. I understand that my hair is thick and no amount of pulling is going to make it seem smaller.
I wish that it didn't take becoming "old" to figure this out. I wish that I could save my kids the wasted time in front of the mirror. I know that I won't be able to do that though. Because I'm pretty sure my mom tired to tell me this many times while I was growing up. I was just to busy thinking that she was to old to know how the "real world" worked!
Then I thought of my mom. She didn't live long enough to get to the hairdresser stage but she did stop "fixing" her hair. You know what I mean? She stopped curling, primping, or spending the time on her hair that I seemed to need. I wondered, at what age does this happen? Well, I think I have an answer.
I was getting ready for work yesterday when it hit me! I don't spend hours on my hair anymore. It is basically blow dry and go. Does this make me lazy? Nope. Does this make me old? I don't think so. I think that you just get to a point that you understand that God gave you what he wanted and you better stop fighting him.
I've come to grips with my naturally curly hair. I've given up the battle to make it stick straight. I understand that my hair is thick and no amount of pulling is going to make it seem smaller.
I wish that it didn't take becoming "old" to figure this out. I wish that I could save my kids the wasted time in front of the mirror. I know that I won't be able to do that though. Because I'm pretty sure my mom tired to tell me this many times while I was growing up. I was just to busy thinking that she was to old to know how the "real world" worked!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Back to work
I worked today in Weatherford. It's been awhile since I've worked there. There have been a few changes and new personnel since I was last there. I really like the new people that I got to work with. They are getting ready to open up a new store, while keeping the old one open too. Things seemed a bit stressed with all that going on.
I really liked getting to see some "old" friends today. I put old in quotes because all of the friends are quite a bit younger than I am. It is really good to touch base with them. They make me smile with their stories. I know I'm far from old myself but their lives are at such a different stage than mine. I can remember being that young and excited about all the possibilities that lay ahead. I hope that their dreams come true for them. I know their lives are really going to change in the next few years. I hope they stay as positive as they are right now.
I really liked getting to see some "old" friends today. I put old in quotes because all of the friends are quite a bit younger than I am. It is really good to touch base with them. They make me smile with their stories. I know I'm far from old myself but their lives are at such a different stage than mine. I can remember being that young and excited about all the possibilities that lay ahead. I hope that their dreams come true for them. I know their lives are really going to change in the next few years. I hope they stay as positive as they are right now.
Be aware of God
Yesterday I put an assignment to the family. I wanted everyone to open their eyes and hearts to the little things that God puts in our lives. So, I asked everyone to pay attention during the day and watch for things that they thought God put before them. I reminded them that it doesn't have to be some great big move the earth kinda thing. I want them to find God "in the details" of their lives.
Jilly said that she thought God had a hand in her forgetting her lunch. She was able to call home and have me bring it to her. When I took the lunch up to her, I slipped in a little love note and some extra strawberries. She said that if she hadn't forgot her lunch she wouldn't have had the little surprise from me.
Steve said that he found the chance to help one of his customers that has some finacial difficulty. A doctor wrote a note for the patient to buy something over-the-counter (Miralax). Steve told the man that if the docotr would OK it that he could put a prescription type Miralax on the mans insurance. Steve took the time to call the doctor's office and get that change OK'd. That little extra on Steve's part saved the patient about $14. That money might be the difference between eating a decent meal or not.
Drake worked at the concession stand last night. One of his friend didn't have any money to buy a soda. I know that sodas aren't and essential part of growing up but they can be important to a thirteen year old. Drake gave the friend a dollar so that they both could have a soda while they worked the stand.
I wanted some great story to tell the kids when we reviewed the day. Well, God had other plans for me. I kept watching for some great opportunity to arrive. I was sure that God would give me a great lesson to teach the kids. Instead it was I that got taught the lesson. I was able to give advice to a little girl in Jilly's class and her mother about ways to help study for the multiplication tables. That was it. Nothing life saving. Nothing with great impact. But I was the one that was taught the lesson. God is in even the smallest kindnest we show to others. Who knows, telling them about "School House Rock" on YouTube might make the difference in her learning her math.
In total it was a good lesson that we will revisit time and again. We must all be totally aware of the tiniest chance to spread love, aid, and kindnest to the people and things that come into our lives.
Jilly said that she thought God had a hand in her forgetting her lunch. She was able to call home and have me bring it to her. When I took the lunch up to her, I slipped in a little love note and some extra strawberries. She said that if she hadn't forgot her lunch she wouldn't have had the little surprise from me.
Steve said that he found the chance to help one of his customers that has some finacial difficulty. A doctor wrote a note for the patient to buy something over-the-counter (Miralax). Steve told the man that if the docotr would OK it that he could put a prescription type Miralax on the mans insurance. Steve took the time to call the doctor's office and get that change OK'd. That little extra on Steve's part saved the patient about $14. That money might be the difference between eating a decent meal or not.
Drake worked at the concession stand last night. One of his friend didn't have any money to buy a soda. I know that sodas aren't and essential part of growing up but they can be important to a thirteen year old. Drake gave the friend a dollar so that they both could have a soda while they worked the stand.
I wanted some great story to tell the kids when we reviewed the day. Well, God had other plans for me. I kept watching for some great opportunity to arrive. I was sure that God would give me a great lesson to teach the kids. Instead it was I that got taught the lesson. I was able to give advice to a little girl in Jilly's class and her mother about ways to help study for the multiplication tables. That was it. Nothing life saving. Nothing with great impact. But I was the one that was taught the lesson. God is in even the smallest kindnest we show to others. Who knows, telling them about "School House Rock" on YouTube might make the difference in her learning her math.
In total it was a good lesson that we will revisit time and again. We must all be totally aware of the tiniest chance to spread love, aid, and kindnest to the people and things that come into our lives.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Trying to do better
I'm going to try and do better about writing. I've been posting on facebook quite a bit but it's not the same.
As of January 2009, the Drinnon family is no longer taking karate classes. This has freed up TONS of time. We have been able to eat dinner together every night for over a week now. Not only eat together but eat at the kitchen table. I don't think that my kids have ever eaten that many meals in a row at the table. I feel bad about that fact but am glad to have the chance to change it.
The kids are going to each take one night a week to cook dinner for the others. Drake cooked us chicken and rice yesterday. It was a crockpot meal so it was pretty easy and very tasty. Tonight Jillian cooked reuben sandwiches. They tasted very good. She did a very good job putting them together.
Tomorrow night we won't be able to eat together. Drake has to work the concession stand at the school. It is through the band that he has to work. I think he will do a good job at it. He is a natural salesmen.
As of January 2009, the Drinnon family is no longer taking karate classes. This has freed up TONS of time. We have been able to eat dinner together every night for over a week now. Not only eat together but eat at the kitchen table. I don't think that my kids have ever eaten that many meals in a row at the table. I feel bad about that fact but am glad to have the chance to change it.
The kids are going to each take one night a week to cook dinner for the others. Drake cooked us chicken and rice yesterday. It was a crockpot meal so it was pretty easy and very tasty. Tonight Jillian cooked reuben sandwiches. They tasted very good. She did a very good job putting them together.
Tomorrow night we won't be able to eat together. Drake has to work the concession stand at the school. It is through the band that he has to work. I think he will do a good job at it. He is a natural salesmen.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Missing my Kids
Well my kids have been at Steve's folks house since Sunday. We are both really missing them. THey are nice enough to let us call them every night. I'm really glad b/c I'd go crazy without that.
Jilly has been a bit homesick. I keep reminding her that she wants to go to a sleep away camp next year. She thinks she might want to wait for that. LOL!
Drake on the other hand is just fine on his own. Its funny how different kids can be isn't it. I wonder if they would be different if their birth order were switched. Probably not.
We are doing well on our energy saving programs here at home. This months electric bill wasn't as big a drop as last month but we'll take it. We were down about 200 KWH over the same month last year. The airconditioner really takes a toll on the amount of energy you use. Even if you are using it sparingly.
Jilly has been a bit homesick. I keep reminding her that she wants to go to a sleep away camp next year. She thinks she might want to wait for that. LOL!
Drake on the other hand is just fine on his own. Its funny how different kids can be isn't it. I wonder if they would be different if their birth order were switched. Probably not.
We are doing well on our energy saving programs here at home. This months electric bill wasn't as big a drop as last month but we'll take it. We were down about 200 KWH over the same month last year. The airconditioner really takes a toll on the amount of energy you use. Even if you are using it sparingly.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Celine Dion
Have you guys heard that Celine Dion has a new album and tour!
http://www.gydget.com/my_widget/20808/show?page=promote
http://www.gydget.com/my_widget/20808/show?page=promote
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