Horse Scenes

Within a half mile of our house there are 7 Horse farms! I love to bike around these farms and enjoy scenes like these. You can ride horses when you come!

Longaberger Gig

Last night I was called back to be the Master of Ceremonies at the Crawford Barn Christmas Show. Over 100 people gathered in the beautifully decorated barn to enjoy a meal and entertainment. When I was first hired full time by Longaberger my job was to research the history of the barn. It temporarily housed over 50,000 horses between 1895 and 1905. I never get back there but what I remember the most wonderful job I ever had! Managing horses, singing Christmas Carols in Victorian costumes, walking through the woods with groups of kids teaching them the lifelong hobby of birdwatching. But what made it so fun were THE PEOPLE I WORKED WITH.......
The Edutainment Department was a wacky bunch who knew how to work hard and have fun! Dave Longaberger's philosophy which he posted on a large sign in the basket manufacturing department was, "25% of Your Day Should Be Fun." We knew how to maximize that time.
One of my responsibilities was to take groups of children and adults into Black Hand Gorge Nature Preseve, Baughman Park and other nature venues....AND GET PAID FOR IT! I became known as "Wilderness Bill." This was a celebration held for me when I left the department to begin teaching the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People as part of Longaberger University. We had a great time...didn't we Kirby, Salle, Anita and Nancy!

Snow For You, Chloe....

Chloe watches our blog from Singapore and has never seen actual snow. She has asked me to send her some.... so here you are, Chloe.
It started snowing here today....the very morning after your request, so I'm sending it on around the world to you. Enjoy!
Also enjoy that beautiful climate there. It is supposed to get down to 19 degrees fahrenheit here today!

Wes

As those of you who follow this blog know, the Month of November I have been focusing on what I'm thankful for. With regard to my children I started with the youngest and am finishing the sequence with the first child which is the last picture! When I looked at the archives for pictures of Wes I realized how many of them had him holding children in his arms. Wes has chosen an interesting career path..... that of a school teacher/administrator....imagine that! He is in the business of building human beings! On weekends and summers and sometimes in between he is installing or repairing guidance systems in tanker refueling aircraft as a member of the Air National Guard. Currently in his spare time he is coaching a Biddy League girls basketball team which includes the two girls. As I watched him direct practice last night at Madison school I was reminded of his strengh of character and his love for kids...all kids.

The First Shall Be Last

Cheryl...Daughter, Wife, Mother, Cook Extraordinaire!

Cheryl is dedicated to loving Wes and Kids....Not just her kids but the children of many families in the Lakewood School District where she is a counselor. Her #1 priority is family. The planning and coordination of Chelsey's wedding has been one fine example of her dedication to her love for all of us! I am very proud of her and delighted God has provided her to our family.

Chelsey...Our First!

Chelsey is our first granddaughter! She has become a dear friend as well. She has a zest for life that is contageous. She recently took a big step and married Nate Trainer and is now Mrs. Chelsey Trainer. Nate serves in the US Marines and we welcome him as grandchild number 7.




I was honored to be asked to be a part of Chelsey's wedding ceremony. I made the following remarks:

Chelsey, it was on one of your first visits to our house when you were about 5 that you spoke up at our kitchen table to let me know that if Wes and Cheryl got married….I’d be your Grandpa! It was unsettling to me because at the time I was far to young to be a “Grandpa!” …and yet here we are… in so short a time… at your wedding.

Your Grandma Pat and I have now been married for 39years and dated 6 years. That’s 45 years together. From our experience I want to give you 3 key words to remember and practice that will result in you two loving each other more in 45 years than you love each other even today.
1. Adapt – You are going to change each other very little. The only person you actually have the power to change is yourself.
2. Communicate – When you feel like isolating and withdrawing…..DON’T! Instead….TALK!....but more importantly listen. Seek first to understand and then be understood.
3. Love – I am convinced it is the most important force on the planet.

Listen as I read the verses you requested in I Corinthians.
“And now I will show you the most excellent way. The way of love. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. Follow the way of love.”

The "Girls Of My Dreams!"

Zoe and Addy are sources of endless "Grandpa and Grandma Delight." They are so inquisitive...so...bright...so innocent...SUCH ATHLETES! They can go from wedding beauties to Biddy League Basketball athletes in the change of a pair of shoes. They read constantly. Zoe is the family organizer. Games, parties, plays, events....she will come up with an organizational plan to pull it off. Addy will dance and sing and play the piano and create the visuals and just be....well....Addy. She has insights to life that cause us to stop in our tracks and ponder what life is really all about! They are wonderful granddaughters!

Winter Comes....

As the temperature drops the ice crystals form on the Botanical Water Falls. This morning I awakened at 5:30 and came out to turn on the lights that are on the falls. It was a sparkling crystalline display.