My Friend Caleb

Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been close with for the longest

Hands down the person I have known the longest is my buddy Caleb. Our parents are really good friends, my sister and his sister are best friends, their family is our family, its pretty amazing. I'm almost 26 years old and hes 4 months younger than me (and 100lbs heavier) and we literally have known each other our WHOLE lives. What can I say about this guy, he was there for a lot of my growing up when I was a toddler, gradeschool and teen. Him and I were together when I got drunk the first time, we used to ride horses together all the time, make forts at the willow forest his parents used to own. He got me addicted to first person shooters with the N64 game Golden Eye 007, BTW still the best 1st person shooter of all time... EVER! I remember late nights, sleep overs, playing spy games on the neighbors, (even though they didn't know we were playing, b/c we were spys DUH) trips to Disney world, its been a long run, and that was just the warm up. I really can't put into words how much this guy has influenced who I am, and I think I have kinda had the same influence. We rub off on each other, sometimes we fight, we are more like brothers than friends, always there for one another, a phone call away and willing to do anything for the other. I have no doubt that when he has kids they too will be friends just like him and I. For those of you who don't know this guy, your missing out, he's got a lot of character, moral fiber and sticks to what he believes in.

On a side note. I have a lot of friends, all of them play a role in each others lives, we are kinda like a unit of awesomeness. we don't live together any more because our wives said no and the single ones didn't wanna hear the married ones doing married stuff. But I gotta give a shout out to the Suntown-squad too. We have been friends for like 12 years or something really monumental like that, some members have dropped off the map while others have been added or been incorporated by relational affiliation (Cole, Josh) the core though was in my wedding and heres the group of guys that makes me and them who WE are. Solid in our Faith, optimistic always, athletic ( can you say 180 mile relay race) and best friends. I love these guys and I really don't know where I would be without their influence. I probably would have gone off the deep end in college if not for them. So heres to 12 years of friendship and the rest of our lives. We may be apart at times, but I look forward to the times we have together and the reunions at holidays and weddings.

Also as I finish this post I am looking forward to a new experience: P90X. I have to resistance bands, weights, pull up bar and videos. I wanna get cut and walk the beach and let Olya tell the ladies they cant have me because I'm hers. Also I have decided that my 4 years of not working out very much and lack of interest in doing so is over, So heres to 90 days of hell for a new lifetime of heaven or something. I want to drop about 20 lbs. That would put me at about 155 and I would be pretty lean. I'm not fat, I just have some areas that I want to not have any more. And I really want my 6pack back.work

Well Hi Ho Hi Ho its off to work (out) I go!

Until next time...

Picture Challenge Day 1

So I caved, I figured everyone else is doing it why not me!?

This picture is of me at Sunshine days last year. My sister was in the parade so I had to go.

Fact 1. I have been Married for almost 2 years now, Its pretty amazing and I have learned alot about myself, her and what being in a loving relationship really is. (its not all about sex as some people think)

Fast 2. I/we have a baby girl who's 7 months old, shes our biggest joy.

Fact 3. Shes also a LOT of work!

Fact 4. I have two friends that I have known for over 23 years and they are not relatives

Fact 5. I'm a Christian, I try (and epicly fail on a daily basis) to let my life reflect the joy of the Lord and let Him be my Rock no matter what

Fact 6. I work at Costco, and I really enjoy it

Fact 7. I have two brothers and one sister who are all pretty amazing.

Fact 8. I grew up in a town that had more cows than people and the ratio was more than 3:1

Fact 9. I love to hunt, I don't care if I shot something usually I just enjoy being out there knowing I might.

Fact 10. My hero(s) is/are a lot of people. I don't really have a single set hero. IDK why.

Fact 11. I get frustrated easily, but I don't loose my cool unless really pushed.

Fact 12. I like to read, but I don't like to take the time to do so... weird?

Fact 13. I have not shaved clean in over 4 years, and have not used a blade on my face in over 7 months. I just use my beard trimmer and go with the 5 o'clock shadow, but I make it look good!

Fact 14. I really love to cook. I get inspired, and go with a concept and get food that is better than I imagined. IDK how.

Fact 15. I get sick when I take vitamins. I often times throw up 20-30 mins after I take them, full stomach, half full, or empty, it doesn't matter. It kinda sucks.

and for fun, Fact 16. Hadi slept all night last night, that was nice. from 6PM-till 6:30AM! I fed her then and she went to sleep again until 8:45... not bad for a little kid. Now if only I could do that.

Until next time...

Here are the requirements for the 30 day picture challenge

Day 01 - A picture of yourself with fifteen facts. Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been close with for the longest. Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show. Day 04 - A picture of your night. Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory. Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day. Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item. Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh. Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most. Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with. Day 11 - A picture of something you hate. Day 12 - A picture of something you love. Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist. Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without. Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die. Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you. Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently. Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity. Day 19 - A picture of you when you were little. Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel. Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget. Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at. Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book. Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change. Day 25 - A picture of your day. Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you. Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member. Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of. Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile. Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss.

Careful

I think I may have learned something kinda important today, I don't know if its something I really learned but I feel I got a refresher course on it. Kindness, and attitude. Today when I was working I had to help several people who are less physically able than myself. But heres the kicker, at first my attitude was one of, I don't want to do this, and why cant these stupid people put their own crap into their car. I didn't know them, I have no idea what caused them to be handicapped, but I also didn't know that they were not handicapped either, and that my friends was where I took the wrong approach. I made a judgement about them and made the decision that I didnt want to help them from the get go, regardless of my feelings on the matter I did my job though and took their purchases to their respective modes of transportation. The first guy that I helped had a pretty big item that weighed a lot, like 65 lbs and very awkward. Naturally he was driving a car instead of a truck like one would expect, and he requested that I place said item in the back seat. Never mind the trunk, the back seat is way better for large items, especially when theres only me and the individual I'm helping, and hes supervising to make sure I do it right. Well after almost throwing out my back I got the item into the back of his car. I smiled and said have a good day, he in return said "Thank-you" (kindness, thats pleasant/nice/expected at least) and I went and got more carts. About 20 minutes later I hear the words "Load out!" and the same guy was coming out of the warehouse with the same heavy item. Now I'm just baffled and I had to ask why he got two, "well its on sale and they are kinda handy." Whatever, I'll almost throw out my back again and get this item into his car from the basket and probably never be able to walk again in an upright position, no big deal. So I do the same thing we exchange formalities and to be honest I was a little more willing to help him because we had a history and our relationship went back so far.

I got back to the water cooler got a drink and then he drives by, points at me, and says "Hey, come here." I have a pretty good idea where this is going when I see a ten dollar bill in his hand, and I reluctantly inform him that we cant accept gratuities, and he even offered to buy my lunch. Of course I couldn't accept that either, besides ten bucks isn't worth my job. But it did make my day a little brighter as I knew that my fake pleasant attitude had actually made his day better and he wanted to reward my effort.

Time: 30 mins later. Location: The Co. South Parking lot. Mission: Load out. Person: Elderly Woman who had back surgery, (ouch, oh and I must add that the previously mentioned gentleman had a bicep tear that had been operated on several weeks before, I know because he told me

As I put her cats kitty litter in her car (not her cats car, just to clarify) I knew I was actually being a blessing to her. Heavens forbid she have to have another back surgery, I hear thats kind of a "pain" (haha). Anywho, When I'm done with that, She puts a five dollar bill in my hand and says keep it, and I told her I really cant, if I keep it here I'll just turn it in as lost and found. "However," I say, "If you put a comment in the suggestions box that Ben is awesome" or something to that effect. Then that can help me more than the 5 bucks. "Ok, I will do that " (hope she does, Kudos to me). Now I'm feeling pretty good, and in my mind I'm thinking how many more dead presidents am I going to have to refuse? Sounds kinda like a contest maybe I can set a new record. (I dont)

A hour later, two VERY elderly ladies, two 45 lb bags of kitty litter, some chocolate muffins and one bag of bagels (they come in a two pack) I load the litter in their trunk where litter belongs and mention to them that they got jipped a package of bagels. IDK what I was thinking but I guess I was trying to get anther monetary reward because I asked her, "what flavor do you want?" "Cinnamon Raisin please." and I take off into the warehouse to retrieve her bagels -for those of you unfamiliar with my (yes its mine) Costco, they are at the VERY back of the store, probably 300 yards from were they were parked- I ran/jogged/walked quickly and ended up getting back to them before they even had got in their car * applause here*. The look on her face when I handed her the package of FRESH semi warm bagels was priceless. She didn't offer me a tip but the fact of the matter was, it didn't matter how big it would have been, the joy that she had and knowing that someone actually cared was enough to make her smile, and wanted her too, was worth much more and brought more satisfaction than any monetary compensation could ever bring.

And thats what I re-learned today, that although there are some spiny people out there the majority of people just want to be treated with respect, kindness and most of all want to know that someone, somewhere actually cares about them. So the next time your out shopping (not on Saturdays people!) remember to smile, strike up conversation (not to brag, but to be bragged to) and treat others like you want to be treated. A little goes a long way and it can make your day better, betterest, and bestestest.

Proverbs 27:17

"As iron sharpens iron,

so one person sharpens another."

Good words to live by.

Until next time....

Lazy Monday

Ever wonder why there are slow days of shopping and really busy ones!? I know sometimes I do, I mean I did take buyer behavior in my marketing classes so I guess I get the main idea, but who wakes up on a Saturday and says; "I'm going to spend my whole day shopping!" and does it. It gets pretty crazy, especially at Costco, and it seems that the more people we pack into that little warehouse (yeah I'm aware of the oxymoron that "little" and "warehouse" pose to each other) the more upset and cranky people get. When people come into the Co. on a Saturday and ask me "Is it always this busy?!" I (being the serious and unsarcasitc fellow that I am) tell them "Not on a Tuesday" to which they respond; "Oh guess we came on the wrong day." Funny thing is I tend to remember faces, and two weeks later guess who asks me the same silly question on a Saturday! Oh the joys of working retail and dealing with the general public. I guess on the plus side it sure makes a shift go by fast, I mean when you are dealing with a new order every minute and a different story about why they need a box and they give you the War and Peace rendition of a ridiculously simple "yes" or "no" question, 8 hours seems to slip though your fingers as if it was sand on the beach. I guess the moral of the story is don't shop on Saturdays, Tuesday is better, and for goodness sake no one wants to hear about how you have this crazy uncle who once was in the mental hospital and now he lives with you but he thinks that boxes are a government listening device and if you have one in your house he might just blow a fuse and we might hear about it on the news. As great as that reason is, a simple "No, thank-you." is so much easier.

So back to my heading, its Monday, Olya and I both have the day off. It has been a long time since we were scheduled the same days off. But the problem lies in that I have no idea what we should do. We have all day, its half past ten and lucky her shes still sleeping, babies sleeping, I'm beginning my first ever official blogg (thanks to some inspiration from some friends, Cole and Laura and Tyler). I kinda want to go somewhere, but the roads here are terrible, there is a nice blanket of ICE outside after some rain some snow and some 20* temps I guess thats to be expected in February. But I suppose thats why we have 4WD. I don't think I should bake anything because I keep doing that and in return I push my weight loss back another few days so I can finish the remaining sweetrolls, brownies, cake, cinnamon bread...well you get the picture. I should just get rid of that kitchen-aid its going to be the death of us, but THEY ARE SOOO FREAKIN' GOOD!

Well I don't know how dedicated I will be to this blogg but I wanna try to do some journaling, and just have fun with it. I'm sure that some people might care, maybe not, but whatever, I like to write and this gives me a good reason to exercise that ability.

Until next time...