Writer's block

I'm not quite sure why I've been so apathetic about this blog lately. Granted, nothing's really going on in my life, but that's never stopped me from writing about it before. James Patterson said last weekend that he has about 26 writing projects going right now, and that just makes me tired.

So perhaps I'm not a writer per se. Rather, my writing ebbs and flows, depending on the day and circumstance. Plus my life's been consumed of late with getting my DVR cleared. I watch way too much television.

I am super excited that I have a conference in Rogers the next three days and my BFF Alisa will be there. I'm pumped to show her around my new hometown and just hang out and visit like the old days.

So that's it for now. Not much of an update, but at least you all know I'm still kicking.

Lookin' good

I'm happy to report that Hope survived her first day of Kindergarten and, more importantly, so did Mrs. Howard. I didn't learn much about her academic endeavors, but she happily described recess, her new friends, and what she wore. She is so much like her sister (and a little bit like her aunt).

It's been a great week of work. Tonight I joined Kelly for yoga at the gym (my goal is to look like her, but I don't think it's happening), and now we're hanging out at her place. I can't wait to move to Rogers and be her neighbor. I can see my office from my bedroom window here.

Tomorrow after work I'm headed to Tulsa to hang out with Joe and the Tullgrens all weekend. We've got major plans of lounging by the pool and taking naps.

It's a beautiful night... the weather is crisp, and football's on TV. All is well in my world. (And yeah, I met LB one year ago today, but who's counting? Enough!)

Forward progress

For the second day in a row, I left the office at 7 p.m. Thankfully I got in half a workout this morning before work since I got home at 7:45 tonight, talked on the phone, then went to Lowe's to buy potting soil to replant my two new plants. They've already outgrown their lodging.

I had a very productive day. I love it when I get stuff done I need to do. Four things off my mile-long list.

And, three months later, I finally bought a FSBO sign for my front yard. I'm tired of commuting. I dread the packing and unpacking, but I'm ready to head east. Here's to making progress.

Man, when I finally move to Rogers, it's going to add so much free time!

Forgiveness... even if you don't love me anymore

The past few days have run the gamut of emotion. So much sadness, yet joy in knowing how many people truly care. It's in times like this that I am humbled by who God is. I am overwhelmed by His grace and His mercy, and His character of compassion shown by so many of His children. I am unequivocally blessed.

After several days of lethargy, I finally trekked over to Rogers yesterday for a much-needed massage and dinner with my good friend Kelly. It's weird sometimes to think back to how people come into our lives. I know Kelly because of my good pal and former roommate Sorne, but I know without a doubt that God gave me Kelly because she is my Barnabus... my encouragement and someone I can always depend on.

Today I went to a birthday party for a friend, then met Kelly and one of her friends for church. Tonight was communion and really an awesome service. I usually go on Sunday mornings, but have no doubt I was meant to be there this evening. (For more about that, visit the other blog.)

Earlier in the week I got a sympathy card from someone whom I've wronged, and it humbled me. It also made me start thinking about forgiveness. It takes so much energy to be angry. So I realized that sometimes forgiveness isn't about the forgiven so much as it's about the forgiver. It's easy to forgive someone who deserves it, but much more difficult and character-building to forgive someone who does not.

But if we really want to be more like Christ, isn't that what we should do? He forgave Judas. Not because of anything Judas had done, but because of who He is. I don't earn His forgiveness for my sin, either, but He gives it freely because that's God.

So I've decided to stop being mad. And yeah, LB doesn't deserve my forgiveness. He was a jerk. He hasn't been a good friend to me when I needed him most. But if I'm ever going to put some feet to this faith, I've got to live it when it's hard.

Olive branch extended. Dinner tomorrow. Much prayer needed.

Fillings... whoa, whoa, whoa

After my brief hiatus in bed with a sinus infection (which I won't detail... you're welcome), I went back to the office today. For about an hour.

I had the first of my many trips to the dentist this year to the tune of two and a half hours and 284 bucks. (Yes, I have dental insurance... that was my 20%). Granted, my jaw still hurts from all the tugging and prodding and holding open, but my teeth do look better. My new white fillings are fab, and I can't wait to get my new porcelain crown. One section done... three to go! I'm really happy with my new dentist, but his assistant his about as gentle as a Nazi prison guard.

And since I'm wearing a temporary crown for the next couple of weeks, I'm supposed to avoid food that's sticky and crunchy. Yeah, that'll happen.

This afternoon I made my maiden voyage to Mama Fu's for a lunch meeting. The food was tasty (think Pei Wei), but my shrimp noodles were so spicy that I drank 12 diet cokes. Seriously. I was waiting for the waitress to ask me if she could just run the line from the soda fountain right into my mouth. I had to stop and go to the bathroom between Bentonville and Rogers. And trust me, non-NWA'ers, that's not very far.

That's all. My life is ridiculously dull, but some of you complain when I don't tell you what's going on. Nada.

But, it is a very special day because it's my pal Susan's birthday. Happy birthday! Come back from Texas.

Perspective

It's amazing how time can give us a little perspective. Last week I was stressed out and unhappy at work, and this week I'm back in love. Yeah, it still makes me tired sometimes, but after touring a factory floor last week, I realize that my job rocks. Even when I have seven meetings in one day. But at least I don't have to staple something eight hours a day, five days a week, 50 weeks a year. Year after year after year. Bring on the meetings!

And the travel. Tomorrow I'm off to Little Rock for a couple of days, then back in Rogers for an event Thursday night, after which I'll be driving to Branson for a Friday morning meeting. And staying at the Hilton at Branson Landing.

So now I'm packing and catching up on the DVR. And feeling grateful.

Friday preview

Wow. I just realized I haven't updated you all on the exciting happenings of my life.

There is much to say but little to share, so for now, please review what I've learned this week:
1. There are many, many people in the world who are less fortunate than me. Many of them live nearby.
2. It is 36 miles from Siloam Springs to Rogers. The distance increases exponentially when you've driven it five times in six days.
3. No matter how old they get, boys are still really, really hard to figure out. Anyone have a manual I can borrow?
4. Most people talk a lot and say very little worth remembering (i.e., this post).
5. Exercise may get easier in time, but it never gets enjoyable.
6. Sometimes life gives you lemons. Sometimes life gives lemons to your friends. And a lot of times life just isn't fair.
7. Girls who love football are destined to date men who don't. What a waste.
8. Chick-fil-A never gets old.

Guess that's all my wisdom for now. I'm off to Rogers (again) to have dinner with Kelly and Amanda to celebrate Kel's birthday. It was yesterday, but given all the sadness of 9/11, we picked today to party.