Other Random Garden Pictures

The first Lady Bug of spring.

Our flowers our starting to bloom.

One of the pear trees we planted as a memorial to my grandmother.

What we think is a pear try in front of the house.

Earlier in the month, we took this gloomy-gloom shot of the tree.

5 Things You Didn't Know About Me (My 100th Post)

I've been wanting to do a special post for my 100th posting, and I felt that this would be a great way to celebrate this milestone. Here's five things that you may (or may not have) known about me.

First, Stacy and I eloped on a weekday at the Marion County courthouse. We had tried to elope before at such locations as Hart Michigan, Angola Indiana, Dayton Ohio, and Cozumel Mexico, but things never worked out. Finally, we just decided that Indianapolis was the best place for us. Here's another little tidbit about my wedding day, I not only was the groom, but I also performed the tasks of photographer, florist, and cake cutter.

Second, I have visited Cancun Mexico five times in my life. Twice with my parents as a child, once with the Spanish club in highschool, and twice with Stacy.

The third factoid about me involves my dog named Showbiz. A lot of people think that the name Showbiz was derived from the old pizza joint called Showbiz Pizza. But they are wrong, Showbiz is a descriptive name about here cheerful and personable disposition. She has always been a very friendly dog, but that's what I get for raising her in a fraternity house.

Fourthly, I have attended four colleges. I began my undergraduate education at Tri-State University. There I was a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity, Student Representative, Resident Assistant, and all around nice guy. After falling in love with my beautiful wife, Stacy, I transferred to IUPUI where I finished my degree in General Studies. Following IUPUI, I entered a Master's program at the American University, but withdrew from the program before classes started. I then entered the Master in Business Administration program through Indiana Wesleyan University, where I graduated in August of 2007.

Although there is several things in which I haven't mentioned, such as my book, Passion Zone "Developing Passion in Business", my keynote speeches for organization such as America Reads and the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, my final 'did ya know' involves a very early failure in my life. I actually attended pre-school twice. Initially, I was withheld because of my age.

Alright, that's five things. I hope you know a little more about me.

The Muse & Creativity

Okay,

So my wife is a very creative person. A left brain thinker. Stacy knits, wraps, pastes, clips, and staples. She organizes, cleans, disorganizes, and digs. Here is some of the things she's been working on:


[Baby Hats]










[Laptop Cover]



[Hand warmer thingy modeled by me]










[Scarves]

The Search

Well,

I am in the midst of a very comprehensive jobsearch and I just wanted everyone to meet my two assistant job counselors.

First, there's my attitude adviser, Showbiz.


















Second, let me introduce you to my style coordinator, Lola.

Surviving the Last Lazy Days of 2007

It's 32 degrees outside. Pretty cold. Pretty quiet.

On the television, the 1965 movie wonder, The Sound of Music, is sounding in the background. My wife is knitting a small hat for Landen Hunt, and I feel like writing a short reflection on the year that was 2007. The year that was brought us a nationwide mortgage crisis, the end of the Harry Potter series, continued war in Iraq, and major product recalls for children toys and pet products. 2007 saw a horrific tragedies at Virginia Tech and Omaha, Nebraska. As Elie Wiesel once uttered, "I have learned two lessons in my life: first, there are no sufficient literary, psychological, or historical answers to human tragedy, only moral ones. Second, just as despair can come to one another only from other human beings, hope, too, can be given to one only by other human beings." We have also seen reasons for hope. Stem cell breakthroughs could lead to cures for uncurable diseases. Other 2007 breakthroughs in science helping to fight breast cancer, reduce aids, and clean the environment.

Personally, this year was a year of love, a year of growth, and a year of faith. So here's my 2008 resolutions, a few predictions, a little motto for me to take into the new year.

Resolutions:
1. Find my calling. In 2008, I'm going to find a career which I am passionate about.
2. Run. The goal is to participate in 3 5k's throughout the year with the first in March.
3. Energize my faith. Finally, I have found a home and now I am going to re-charge my faith by renewing my faith.

Predictions:
1. Batman becomes the top grossing film in 2008.
2. Edwards wins the Democratic Nomination and eventually the Presidency.
3. The New York Mets win the World Series.


"Do something great in 2008!"

(for Ruth)