Lifetime Warranty

When you buy a product or a “thing”; sometimes you get a warranty.  It maybe for 90 days, one year or even ” Lifetime”. If the product breaks, you bring it back during the warranty period.

How does this work with people? Does our life get a warranty?  Depends on how you look at it.  I often say “We only get one chance at this thing we call Life”.  Do our best and do it the right way.  What I mean essentially is be a good person.

I truly believe in Karma and what goes around comes around.  Pretty simple stuff.

I listened to a podcast this morning that I will talk about down the road.  It has to do with our upcoming generation as they are called millennials.  Have a great day and stay tuned.

 

 

 

 

 

Lifetime Warranty

When you buy a product or a “thing”; sometimes you get a warranty.  It maybe for 90 days, one year or even ” Lifetime”. If the product breaks, you bring it back during the warranty period.

How does this work with people? Does our life get a warranty?  Depends on how you look at it.  I often say “We only get one chance at this thing we call Life”.  Do our best and do it the right way.  What I mean essentially is be a good person.

I truly believe in Karma and what goes around comes around.  Pretty simple stuff.

I listened to a podcast this morning that I will talk about down the road.  It has to do with our upcoming generation as they are called millennials.  Have a great day and stay tuned.

 

 

 

 

 

Authenticity

I was very fortunate to attend a training last week and one of the speakers is a GREAT role model for me.  He spoke about being “authentic”.  

So what does this mean?  Pretty simple…be who YOU are; not who others want you to be.  Be authentic.  Is this hard, yes.  It is especially if you are a “Yes” man.  I have struggled with this over the years.  People I am closest to I don’t like to piss off or disagree with.  However, if pushed to the edge, I will let my reasons be heard and the fuse is lit.  I am sometimes not proud of this; but yet in the words of “Red” played by Morgan Freeman in the smash hit Shawshamk  Redemption; “Every man has his breaking point”.  The breaking point in this movie is different than the one I am describing, but you get the picture. 

Be who you are and stand up for what YOU believe in.  If you try to be someone else you will fail.  We need to realize that people’s beliefs and ideas change over the years.  If that is who you are; that is who YOU are.  In return, respect others opinions.  It doesn’t mean anyone is right or wrong.  Every conversation does. It need to have a winner.

So I will continue to be who I am.  You continue to be who you are.  Stalemate….but yet respectful.  

…From the Shed.

Happy New Year

Although I am a week late, Happy New Years.  May God continue to provide each of you with his blessings.  We hope that you had a wonderful Christmas and New Years season.

I was fortunate to do a couple things I haven’t done for quite a few years.  The day before New Years Eve I went snowmobiling with by brother.  It was an awesome day and we had great time.  The next day, we went ice fishing.  It was a fun day to sit in a fish house with my son, my brother and brother-in-law and my step-father.  A couple of naps were taken between the fish being caught and it was easily decided that the naps were easier to harvest than the fish.  On the way home we were able to stop by and visit some friends and crawled in to bed about 15 minutes until 2017.  It was a GREAT holiday for our family.

So now what?  The new year is here and the resolutions are in full blast.  I have a modest goal of dropping 20 pounds which can be achieved since last year I was able to drop 32 (but gained 12 back).  How will I do this?  On top of the “working out and eating right” rituals, I think it is important to have the right frame of mind.  Mind set is so important no matter what a person decides to do.

I have been a fan of “Oola” and have read one of their books.  One thing they always talk about is “Balance and Grow”.  What a great theme.  In order to be good you need to be balanced in many parts which will help you grow (not the extra 12 pounds) in life.  You will hear me talk about Oola in future blogs.

Set some goals for 2017.  We only get one chance for this thing called “life”.  Go for it!!  What do you have to lose?

Christmas

I am sitting at the clinic awaiting an appointment for some follow up.  It is really interesting the array of people that come and go as I wait for my name to be called.  The visits with an old classmate and other  from years ago cannot help but  take me down memory lane.  

I was fortunate growing up.  We never had any extra money.  There were instances or issues like any other family but I am grateful for how I was raised and who raised me.  Could it have been better?  Of course.  Could it have been worse?  Hell yes!  I was and still am very fortunate.  Looking at some of those coming in the clinic only solidified my conclusions.

I had the chance to visit briefly with a school mate who was a few years younger than me.  She never had a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of.  She was with her mom and we exchanged a few words of encouragement and Christmas blessings.  As a child, I know she didn’t have anything.  Nothing.  Her poor mom was in an abusive relationship for many years and today she looked tired.  However, it was fun to watch them and how they have surpassed some of life’s  struggles. 

Christmas is a time to reflect.  I get somewhat emotional this time of year and I am comfortable with that.  I was fortunate to have 26 Christmas Eves with my father and this will be the 18th without him.  I know that he is my families angel and we are fortunate for that.

As a lad I remember going to his little house each Christmas Eve morning for breakfast and lunch.  We would open our gifts and enjoy each other’s company playing cards.  As I got older, I went through a stage where I didn’t maybe appreciate that enough.  Once I figured it out realized that I didn’t know everything, I was able to spend a couple more Christmas with him before he passed.  

Take advantage of the special moments.  Life is so short and precious that in a blink of an eye it’s gone.  Tell the ones you love that you love them.  Cherish the season and God’s Blessings.  

Brrrrrr

The lows tonight in northern MN are to tip down to about -15 tonight.  Yep; that is cold!  I am on out local fire department and just came home from a call.  Thankfully there was only smoke and no fire and the source was identified and remedied.  

After my parents divorced when I was 9 years old, my dad resided in a small house in town.  He would heat with a wood stove.  When the stove was “stoked”; it would be over 80 degrees in the little shanty and the sound of dried tamarac crackling throughout the house was cozy.  

My dad would always say “If you have a roof over your head and a warm house; you don’t need anything else.  Thanks for the words of wisdom Dad.  Not only is my shed warm tonight, but so is the house under the roof that is keeping your precious grandchildren warm.  Thanks for your guidance.

Lefse

Growing up, my Grandma Gladys was notorious for her lefse making skills.  She passed it on to my mother who has since passed it on to some of her six children.  Yes, I am one of them but I can’t claim the “skilled” part yet.

This was our 5th year of making lefse with friends.  We did it in our garage this year.  We had four lefse grills going and my wife and I pumped out about nine dozen lefse.  The other probably did about six  dozen each.  My garage smelled more like a dough factory but it was a refreshing smell.

This was probably our best year so far.  As noted above, we have not achieved the skill ranking like the others in our group; but we picked up a few pointers that should put us over the top next year.  The only challenge will be remembering the tips 360 days from now.  I told a friend of mine who stopped over for a cocktail during the event that there is an art to doing this.  The recipe you choose has to be followed closely and any shortcuts can be costly.  In addition, you are guaranteed to catch some grief from your friends if there are some mistakes.

Christmas has many traditions that families try to carry on throughout the season.  Our family has a few and it is challenging to do when the kids are older and busy with their own stuff.  We will get a few of them done and I hope to share them with you down the road.

 

 

 

 

 

First Snow

I am home on lunch break from my day job enjoying a turkey sandwich looking at our freshly covered ground with snow.  Most parts of the state have had snow for a week or two, however, we have missed out.  We are only an hour from Canada and this is the first of it–go figure.

Last night was the kick of high school basketball in our town.  The girls played well enough to win.  It was parents night and our daughter (manager) gave us some goodies to enjoy during the game.  The season is now in full swing for both hockey and basketball so our lives will be busy following our local teams.

I am hoping to do some wood projects this winter in my spare time.  Between my day job, our Young Living Essential Oil business and being on our local fire department and school board; I would like to make a few projects this winter.  My grandfather was wood worker and I have a couple of his projects I would like to restore.  My son and I have done a couple little projects so far as shown above.  I am anxious to try a couple of other little projects.

May your day be as bright as mine (Not referring to my yard either).  Enjoy your blessing.

Grandmothers

As I am reflecting the events from this weekend, I am enjoying a cup of coffee with a drop or two of Thieves Oil from a Young Living Essential Oils in it.  I enjoy the cinnamon taste of it especially during the holidays.

Today we were able to see my wife’s 102 year old grandmother.  Yes, I said 102.  She is a sweetheart of a lady who is beautiful on the inside and out.  

As I sip on my coffee, it reminds me of my grandmothers.  Both enjoyed the traditional  cup  of coffee while visiting.  Grandma Gladys and Grandma Helen were both special to me.  I would say my Grandma Helen and I were a bit closer due to our bonding after my dad (her son) passed away.  We would comfort each other to help ease the pain.  No parent should ever have to bury a child and both of my grandmothers had to bury multiple children.  It’s not right.  

During this holiday season, take a minute to tell others you love them.  Remember those that are not with us.  Most importantly, remember the reason for the season.

Thanksgiving Traditions

As the non-creative side of me is beaming out today, I thought I would write about Thanksgiving on this Thanksgiving Holiday.  I know…helluva stretch Wayno.  

Gathering with family for holiday celebrations can be fulfilling and yet stressful at times.  However the older I get the more fulfilling it is.  As I sit quietly at my brothers residence in the outskirts of Minneapolis, I find peace.  My family is still sleeping and it is nice sleeping under the same roof with my mom and step-father again.  They only live 40 miles from me so we rarely sleep in the same house so we can enjoy the comforts of our own beds.

My brother and his wife always put on a great feast and for that I am thankful.  The 5 hour drive from our house was relaxing.  My wife and children enjoyed the sites of the state trooper pulling me over for speeding.  Thankfully he gave me a warning and was very professional and courteous.  God bless him and his brotherhood for their service.

My only regret is not being able to spend holidays with my father as he is watching over us from above.  I know he is our angel and that is all the reassurances I need.

So today I am thankful for many things and I won’t bore you with the fine details.  I must go now to carry out another tradition, “Turkey of the Year”.  Maybe the winner will be announced From the Shed later today.  Blessings!