It has been a while since I have posted anything, and it is because life has sped up a bit. At least it seems that way to me. Lesli has quit working at Scrapbooks Etc as an employee, but is still teaching her classes. Quitting her job there was the hardest decision she has had to make in a long time because she has worked there for 8 years, starting as an employee, then was the manager and went back to an employee when her class took off.
As anyone who has ever shopped there knows, Lesli made that store what it is. People would come to the store sometimes just to see Lesli and to get that good feeling that she provides. When a customer thinks that you are the owner of the store because of the customer service, that is the highest compliment an employee can get. She was always front and center knowing customer's names and being involved in their lives. She has the ability to make new friends and make her friends feel like they are her best friend.
As the manager she hired many of the employees who provide similar customer service, and she also discovered and encouraged many of the teachers who have taught there and elsewhere. She was fiercely loyal to the owner when people would try and hire her away. She turned down lucrative offers to work for someone who was opening a scrapbook store.
Now she has the opportunity to use her many talents in a new position that she feels will provide new rewards and growth, so she put in her 2 weeks notice.
So, what does an employer do when "an institution" gives her 2 week notice??? It might surprise you. It certainly surprised me.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
What's up with this???
OK. I know we all love Lesli. She brings joy into the lives of people who know her because she cares about them. She has a beautiful smile and bright and bubbly personality that rubs off on you. I get that. (Actually, I've got that.) When I comment about her and how much I love her and how lucky I am to be her guy, I get more comments than when I blog about golf or crazy ideas that I have.
She definately leads an interesting life, and I am happy to be her sidekick in life and ride her coattails. The ride has been awesome so far and I know it is only going to get better. The comments that I make about partners and putting the time in to make things better all relate to what I try to do with my relationship with Lesli. I don't always succeed at being a good husband and I don't always succeed at being the best Steveo, but I know I always love her and will always keep trying.
Life is good. I didn't always feel that way, but since Lesli has come back into my life I can honestly say that life is good...no, make that GREAT!!!
She definately leads an interesting life, and I am happy to be her sidekick in life and ride her coattails. The ride has been awesome so far and I know it is only going to get better. The comments that I make about partners and putting the time in to make things better all relate to what I try to do with my relationship with Lesli. I don't always succeed at being a good husband and I don't always succeed at being the best Steveo, but I know I always love her and will always keep trying.
Life is good. I didn't always feel that way, but since Lesli has come back into my life I can honestly say that life is good...no, make that GREAT!!!
Monday, October 8, 2007
Golf is like life
I played in my monthly Chase golf tournament last weekend and did about as good as I usually do. I have been pretty busy this summer and really haven't been able to play or practice, so my game is pretty rusty when I play in these tournaments, so my score reflects it.
This is a lot like life. If we don't put the time or energy into the things that are important to us, we can't expect to have good results. Sometimes, we may get lucky or we may have a lot of talent which can get us by once in a while, but usually you get what you earn. You have to practice to be good at anything you want to do. This investment of time is proportionally rewarded with your score, but it has to be quality time and practice. You need to practice with a purpose and not just hit balls. Have a goal in mind that you want to accomplish each time you practice. There is an old phrase that goes, "The more I practice, the luckier I get."
In life, like golf, to have a good relationship you have to put quality time into it. You can't just show up and expect everything to happen just like you want. You will struggle to make things work, wishing you would have put the time in. Again, it has to be quality time and not just showing up and going through the motions.
We all go through the motions from time to time, but in order to improve we need to put quality time and effort into whatever is important to us. Otherwise, we won't get as lucky. :-)
This is a lot like life. If we don't put the time or energy into the things that are important to us, we can't expect to have good results. Sometimes, we may get lucky or we may have a lot of talent which can get us by once in a while, but usually you get what you earn. You have to practice to be good at anything you want to do. This investment of time is proportionally rewarded with your score, but it has to be quality time and practice. You need to practice with a purpose and not just hit balls. Have a goal in mind that you want to accomplish each time you practice. There is an old phrase that goes, "The more I practice, the luckier I get."
In life, like golf, to have a good relationship you have to put quality time into it. You can't just show up and expect everything to happen just like you want. You will struggle to make things work, wishing you would have put the time in. Again, it has to be quality time and not just showing up and going through the motions.
We all go through the motions from time to time, but in order to improve we need to put quality time and effort into whatever is important to us. Otherwise, we won't get as lucky. :-)
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Searching for a golf partner
Finding a golfing partner is almost as hard as finding life partner-at least it has been for me. I have had a few guys that I would consider my golfing partners over the years. These are guys who are available at the drop of a hat to go play a round of golf, guys who think of asking you when they have a special golf event, or when they need a partner for a team event. The problem is that circumstances change and people move away, and it seems like I am always looking for a golf partner.
Here are my guidelines when looking for a golf partner: (They are similar to what you would look for in a life partner.)
1. A passion for the game. This means that they have to be thinking about playing golf even when they are not playing just like you need to be thinking of your partner when you are not with them. They set up a time to play again as soon as possible just like you would set up a date with someone important.
2. Similar schedules to facilitate getting together as much as possible. Need I say more.
3. Sense of humor. In golf, like life we have to be able to laugh at ourselves and at others.
4. Complimentary personality. I look at this 2 ways. First, you need to have similar personalities to get along, but I also feel that you need to look for things that you can complement your partner on-then do it! Sometimes it is hard to get the focus off of yourself, but when you do the partnership is better.
5. Tempered competiveness. It is ok to be competive with your partner, but when the game is done always shake hands and say nice game. Remember, it is just a game and just like with your partner, it is a small thing in the grand scheme of things. Although I once heard the quote, "Golf is not just a game, it is much more important than that."
6. Honesty. Golf is the only game where you call penalties on yourself because sometimes you are the only one who sees it. Nothing is worse than playing with someone who tries to cheat by moving his ball or saying he got a lower score than what he actually got. The same is obviously true about your relationship with your spouse. If you screw up, admit it and call a penalty on yourself and apologize.
7. Have fun. It may sound like a simple and easy request, but if you have seen some golfers you will know what I mean. They get angry at the littlest things and swear or throw clubs and it can ruin a perfectly good day. If you didn't hit bad shots, you would be playing with Tiger and Phil and the boys not in Mesa, AZ. In a relationship, sometimes you just have to get over yourself and be glad that you have someone who loves you and puts up with your faults.
8. Being humble about their accomplishments and not bragging about how good they are, and willing teach to try to make the other person better.
9. Work hard and don't give up no matter how bad you are playing. It is no fun for anybody if you are just going through the motions while your partner is trying hard. They can't enjoy the game when they see that you don't care.
10. Be willing to give and take. It doesn't always have to be the same person calling to make a tee time or choosing where and when you play. Both sides need to be involved in making the choices of the partnership.
Nowhere in my list of qualities that I want in a golfing partner is there a requirement that they have to be as good as you, or better than you or worse than you. The same is true about your life partner. It doesn't matter what they look like as long as they have the other qualities on the list. If they don't maybe you need to show them how to be a good partner. I know that if you try to be a good partner, it is easier to find a partner that is willing to be a good partner too.
Play golf!!!
Here are my guidelines when looking for a golf partner: (They are similar to what you would look for in a life partner.)
1. A passion for the game. This means that they have to be thinking about playing golf even when they are not playing just like you need to be thinking of your partner when you are not with them. They set up a time to play again as soon as possible just like you would set up a date with someone important.
2. Similar schedules to facilitate getting together as much as possible. Need I say more.
3. Sense of humor. In golf, like life we have to be able to laugh at ourselves and at others.
4. Complimentary personality. I look at this 2 ways. First, you need to have similar personalities to get along, but I also feel that you need to look for things that you can complement your partner on-then do it! Sometimes it is hard to get the focus off of yourself, but when you do the partnership is better.
5. Tempered competiveness. It is ok to be competive with your partner, but when the game is done always shake hands and say nice game. Remember, it is just a game and just like with your partner, it is a small thing in the grand scheme of things. Although I once heard the quote, "Golf is not just a game, it is much more important than that."
6. Honesty. Golf is the only game where you call penalties on yourself because sometimes you are the only one who sees it. Nothing is worse than playing with someone who tries to cheat by moving his ball or saying he got a lower score than what he actually got. The same is obviously true about your relationship with your spouse. If you screw up, admit it and call a penalty on yourself and apologize.
7. Have fun. It may sound like a simple and easy request, but if you have seen some golfers you will know what I mean. They get angry at the littlest things and swear or throw clubs and it can ruin a perfectly good day. If you didn't hit bad shots, you would be playing with Tiger and Phil and the boys not in Mesa, AZ. In a relationship, sometimes you just have to get over yourself and be glad that you have someone who loves you and puts up with your faults.
8. Being humble about their accomplishments and not bragging about how good they are, and willing teach to try to make the other person better.
9. Work hard and don't give up no matter how bad you are playing. It is no fun for anybody if you are just going through the motions while your partner is trying hard. They can't enjoy the game when they see that you don't care.
10. Be willing to give and take. It doesn't always have to be the same person calling to make a tee time or choosing where and when you play. Both sides need to be involved in making the choices of the partnership.
Nowhere in my list of qualities that I want in a golfing partner is there a requirement that they have to be as good as you, or better than you or worse than you. The same is true about your life partner. It doesn't matter what they look like as long as they have the other qualities on the list. If they don't maybe you need to show them how to be a good partner. I know that if you try to be a good partner, it is easier to find a partner that is willing to be a good partner too.
Play golf!!!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
A Great Idea
As I was driving to work today I was reminded of an idea that I came up with years ago that I thought I would share. Now I consider myself a good driver as do most people, but I have some proof to back it up. I have never had a ticket in my adult life!!! Not many people can say that. This does not mean that I have never broken the speed limit, but I must do it at the right times. The few times I have been pulled over, I have been able to get off with a warning. Based on that criteria I would be one of the few people who would be able to use my idea.
Here it is: It is a remote control device that I could use when someone on the road is being an idiot. For example, if there was someone driving in the fast lane at less than the maximum speed, I would be able to push a button forcing them to pull over to the side of the road. Then they would have to read on a computer screen what they were doing wrong before they would be able to get back on the road. This would be a way to educate poor drivers, AND get them out of my way. Have you ever waited to pull out from a parking lot and a car was coming from your left and it turned right in front of you WITHOUT SIGNALLING? Push the button and have them learn a lesson on courtesy before they can go on with their business.
The person who thinks turn signals are only for other people would soon learn that they need to use them too or they will spend a lot of time on the side of the road. How about the kid who thinks that the freeway is his own personal racetrack? As he is dodging in and out of traffic thinking he is on the NASCAR circuit, pull him over with the control and force him to listen to elevator music while learning courtious driving procedures.
Only people who have proven themselves as excellent drivers would have access to my device. You would have to show that you know how to use turn signals on a regular basis, how to pull over from the fast lane when faster cars approach, how to not pull in front of someone and then turn quickly, how to merge and how to let others merge. You would not be the person who sees that he has to merge ahead and continues in the faster lane passing cars who have already pulled over into the correct lane. That person would have to pull over and would have a sign over his car that would say that he was being rude and that he was sorry for thinking he was too good to have to wait like everybody else.
The device will be installed in all cars and will force the poor driver to pull over. There is no option. He would have to read why he was pulled over and then pass a courtesy test to be able to get on with his business. Hopefully, by learning that what he has done was a mistake would help him to be a better driver in the future.
Some drivers (mostly old people) would spend half their days pulled over to the side of the road learning what mistakes they made, and maybe it would help them see that they shouldn't be driving any more. I think it is my responsibility to help others be better, more courteous drivers, and I would take it seriously, but it would be a lot of fun watching someone's car pulling over and they are wondering why and who did it to them.
Bottom line is better drivers AND more fun for me.
Here it is: It is a remote control device that I could use when someone on the road is being an idiot. For example, if there was someone driving in the fast lane at less than the maximum speed, I would be able to push a button forcing them to pull over to the side of the road. Then they would have to read on a computer screen what they were doing wrong before they would be able to get back on the road. This would be a way to educate poor drivers, AND get them out of my way. Have you ever waited to pull out from a parking lot and a car was coming from your left and it turned right in front of you WITHOUT SIGNALLING? Push the button and have them learn a lesson on courtesy before they can go on with their business.
The person who thinks turn signals are only for other people would soon learn that they need to use them too or they will spend a lot of time on the side of the road. How about the kid who thinks that the freeway is his own personal racetrack? As he is dodging in and out of traffic thinking he is on the NASCAR circuit, pull him over with the control and force him to listen to elevator music while learning courtious driving procedures.
Only people who have proven themselves as excellent drivers would have access to my device. You would have to show that you know how to use turn signals on a regular basis, how to pull over from the fast lane when faster cars approach, how to not pull in front of someone and then turn quickly, how to merge and how to let others merge. You would not be the person who sees that he has to merge ahead and continues in the faster lane passing cars who have already pulled over into the correct lane. That person would have to pull over and would have a sign over his car that would say that he was being rude and that he was sorry for thinking he was too good to have to wait like everybody else.
The device will be installed in all cars and will force the poor driver to pull over. There is no option. He would have to read why he was pulled over and then pass a courtesy test to be able to get on with his business. Hopefully, by learning that what he has done was a mistake would help him to be a better driver in the future.
Some drivers (mostly old people) would spend half their days pulled over to the side of the road learning what mistakes they made, and maybe it would help them see that they shouldn't be driving any more. I think it is my responsibility to help others be better, more courteous drivers, and I would take it seriously, but it would be a lot of fun watching someone's car pulling over and they are wondering why and who did it to them.
Bottom line is better drivers AND more fun for me.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Cooker boy-that is what Lesli calls me
What's up with all of the baking and cooking? When I was growing up there was never a hint that I would like to cook or bake or that I would be good at doing it. I have always been able to whip something up and make it taste good. When I cook I rarely use a recipe, and when I do use a recipe, I almost always adjust it.
I have taken a number of recipes and changed them and made them better. One of those is my ministrone soup. I use fresh vegetables and I puree them in stock or tomato juice which adds tons of vitamins and flavor. It is a good thing that I have a 24 quart pan because what starts out as a little soup ends up filling the pan.
One of the first examples of my creative cooking side came when I was single and living alone in Washington after getting out of the Navy. I didn't have a lot of money for food, so I created a dish using raimen noodles. I would take vegetables and stir fry them in a little soy sauce and use the flavor packet from the noodles. I would then cook the noodles, drain and add to the vegetables. I would then either add a small can of tomato sauce and make it an Italian dish or I would a sour cream and make it like a stroghanoff. I would also cook hamburger and add it to make it a beef stroghanoff. That is how "Spaff special" was born, and it was a favorite of my kids when they were growing up and it got them to eat broccoli and zucchini.
Two years ago, Lesli and I decided to put my culinary skills (limited as they were) to use. I say they were limited because I had only cooked for my family and maybe as many as 12 people at a time. I had no idea how to create dishes for large numbers of people. I had baked some brownies and a few things for Lesli's Love Notes class, but that was all the experience I had with making food for a large number of people. So, we used Lesli's class as our "taste testers" as I would make salads and soups and lasagna and a variety of desserts. This period coincided with her class size growing from around 120 to 180. There were a number of ladies who would comment that they weren't much of a card maker but that they loved the food.
Most of the customers we had when we were catering were Lesli's students. They would say they wanted the soup or the salad or the sandwiches or the brownies that they had in class. We had plenty of events and we always got rave reviews. I would say that I made the food taste good and Lesli made it look good. We were an AWESOME team. The problem we had was in charging enough to make it worth our time because they were all her friends. We did make money as caterers, if you call $5.00 an hour making money. That is what it was sometimes after all of the expenses. We did have a few events where we made good money, but most were on the low end.
If we were to do it again, we would have someone else manage it and set the prices for the event so it would be worth our time. I can't see us having the time to do it again, but we will do something on rare occasion if the price is right.
I still like to cook or bake for Lesli and am still amazed how well things turn out. Maybe in a previous life, I was a famous chef.
I have taken a number of recipes and changed them and made them better. One of those is my ministrone soup. I use fresh vegetables and I puree them in stock or tomato juice which adds tons of vitamins and flavor. It is a good thing that I have a 24 quart pan because what starts out as a little soup ends up filling the pan.
One of the first examples of my creative cooking side came when I was single and living alone in Washington after getting out of the Navy. I didn't have a lot of money for food, so I created a dish using raimen noodles. I would take vegetables and stir fry them in a little soy sauce and use the flavor packet from the noodles. I would then cook the noodles, drain and add to the vegetables. I would then either add a small can of tomato sauce and make it an Italian dish or I would a sour cream and make it like a stroghanoff. I would also cook hamburger and add it to make it a beef stroghanoff. That is how "Spaff special" was born, and it was a favorite of my kids when they were growing up and it got them to eat broccoli and zucchini.
Two years ago, Lesli and I decided to put my culinary skills (limited as they were) to use. I say they were limited because I had only cooked for my family and maybe as many as 12 people at a time. I had no idea how to create dishes for large numbers of people. I had baked some brownies and a few things for Lesli's Love Notes class, but that was all the experience I had with making food for a large number of people. So, we used Lesli's class as our "taste testers" as I would make salads and soups and lasagna and a variety of desserts. This period coincided with her class size growing from around 120 to 180. There were a number of ladies who would comment that they weren't much of a card maker but that they loved the food.
Most of the customers we had when we were catering were Lesli's students. They would say they wanted the soup or the salad or the sandwiches or the brownies that they had in class. We had plenty of events and we always got rave reviews. I would say that I made the food taste good and Lesli made it look good. We were an AWESOME team. The problem we had was in charging enough to make it worth our time because they were all her friends. We did make money as caterers, if you call $5.00 an hour making money. That is what it was sometimes after all of the expenses. We did have a few events where we made good money, but most were on the low end.
If we were to do it again, we would have someone else manage it and set the prices for the event so it would be worth our time. I can't see us having the time to do it again, but we will do something on rare occasion if the price is right.
I still like to cook or bake for Lesli and am still amazed how well things turn out. Maybe in a previous life, I was a famous chef.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Where's the Fairway?
There are two perspectives on golf. The viewpoint of a golfer's spouse is they play all of the time, and it is all they think about. The golfer's point of view is that they never play as much as they would like to play. Both are accurate. A golfer never thinks that they play as much as they would like to play (there isn't enough hours in a day...) If I had unlimited resources and time I would probably play almost every day. I would, however, teach Lesli to play and then play with her as often as I could. She does have a set of clubs, and for Mother's day I bought her a black golf bag with pink trim, a pink towel, black and pink head covers, a pink golf glove and pink golf balls. With her outfit, she looks a player. She just needs to find time in her busy schedule to learn how to play.
Back to the different perspectives on golf. Before Lesli came into my life again, I played golf whenever I wanted without many limitations. Now, I would really rather spend time with her doing something fun than go golfing by myself. We are pretty busy with work and all of the projects that she has to do each month so there isn't a lot of spare time to do "fun" things. We rarely even go out to the movies let alone have time to go to the driving range or the golf course to learn how to play.
If we could incorporate golfing together I would be in heaven. I have a friend who got his wife interested in golf and now they plan their vacations around playing golf more often than not. When your spouse plays golf, you always have a partner, and I would love spending 4-5 hours with Lesli on the golf course. I love it when she drives the cart. She is an excellent driver and has picked up the nuances of driving the cart on the course and where to park. I would call her a natural.
She is very supportive about me taking time to play when I have time off which is awesome. When my day off falls on her day off we try to spend it together, but when it doesn't I head for the course. I played Wednesday at Bear Creek golf course in the morning and was able to help her later that day with her class. It is much easier to sit there and die cut for her when I have my needs satisfied too. I still wish I could play more because I played pretty good which always makes me feel that I could play better because I used to be better in my younger days.
I had dreams of qualifying for the Senior PGA Tour when I turned 50. That is why I love the book "Miracle on the 17th Green". It is about a man whose job was not satisfying to him and he always thought he could compete with the pros, so when he turned 50 he went out in search of his dream. Lesli found out how much pro golfers can make and she told me to go practice and get out there on tour so I could start making big bucks. I thought it was funny, but if I really thought I had the skills I would definately be out there practicing.
Now I just play for fun.
Back to the different perspectives on golf. Before Lesli came into my life again, I played golf whenever I wanted without many limitations. Now, I would really rather spend time with her doing something fun than go golfing by myself. We are pretty busy with work and all of the projects that she has to do each month so there isn't a lot of spare time to do "fun" things. We rarely even go out to the movies let alone have time to go to the driving range or the golf course to learn how to play.
If we could incorporate golfing together I would be in heaven. I have a friend who got his wife interested in golf and now they plan their vacations around playing golf more often than not. When your spouse plays golf, you always have a partner, and I would love spending 4-5 hours with Lesli on the golf course. I love it when she drives the cart. She is an excellent driver and has picked up the nuances of driving the cart on the course and where to park. I would call her a natural.
She is very supportive about me taking time to play when I have time off which is awesome. When my day off falls on her day off we try to spend it together, but when it doesn't I head for the course. I played Wednesday at Bear Creek golf course in the morning and was able to help her later that day with her class. It is much easier to sit there and die cut for her when I have my needs satisfied too. I still wish I could play more because I played pretty good which always makes me feel that I could play better because I used to be better in my younger days.
I had dreams of qualifying for the Senior PGA Tour when I turned 50. That is why I love the book "Miracle on the 17th Green". It is about a man whose job was not satisfying to him and he always thought he could compete with the pros, so when he turned 50 he went out in search of his dream. Lesli found out how much pro golfers can make and she told me to go practice and get out there on tour so I could start making big bucks. I thought it was funny, but if I really thought I had the skills I would definately be out there practicing.
Now I just play for fun.
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