Check it, Don't Wreck it

I am an uncle! My nephew Asher is healthy, and so is my sister...I am so happy for Asher to have such great parents...I am the cool Uncle Jesse...that Uncle Jesse that took far too long to find the right bride...oh the ramblings are coming...watch out now...

I feel kind of like the following song...I feel like I will never get married...

It's an odd feeling, really...not a welcome emotion...

However, if that's what it takes...then I accept it...

I just feel inadequate...maybe even unwilling...

Maybe it's the fact that I'm too good to marry anyone else...probably...

Maybe I am too picky...but that's a good thing...right?

I just want to find Miss Perfect...you know...to match me, Mr. Perfect...

I'll just wait for her to come by...Miss Perfect will know who I am...

"It Ain't Me, Babe" by Bob Dylan

Go ’way from my window
Leave at your own chosen speed
I’m not the one you want, babe
I’m not the one you need
You say you’re lookin’ for someone
Never weak but always strong
To protect you an’ defend you
Whether you are right or wrong
Someone to open each and every door
But it ain’t me, babe
No, no, no, it ain’t me, babe
It ain’t me you’re lookin’ for, babe

Go lightly from the ledge, babe
Go lightly on the ground
I’m not the one you want, babe
I will only let you down
You say you’re lookin’ for someone
Who will promise never to part
Someone to close his eyes for you
Someone to close his heart
Someone who will die for you an’ more
But it ain’t me, babe
No, no, no, it ain’t me, babe
It ain’t me you’re lookin’ for, babe

Go melt back into the night, babe
Everything inside is made of stone
There’s nothing in here moving
An’ anyway I’m not alone
You say you’re lookin' for someone
Who’ll pick you up each time you fall
To gather flowers constantly
An’ to come each time you call
A lover for your life an’ nothing more
But it ain’t me, babe
No, no, no, it ain’t me, babe
It ain’t me you’re lookin’ for, babe

God is Moving...

Away from me...

I want to know my purpose

As a favorite musical stated, "It's that little flame that light a fire under your ass."
Yeah...that will be all...I'll leave you with the lyrics...

"Purpose" from the musical Avenue Q

Princeton:
Purpose.
It’s that little flame
That lights a fire
Under your ass.
Ha!
Purpose.
It keeps you going strong
Like a car with a full
Tank of gas.

Everyone else has a purpose,
So what’s mine?

Oh look.
Here’s a penny.
It’s from the year I was born.

It’s a sign!

Ha! Ba ba ba ba doo doo doo doo doo.

I don’t know how I know,
But I’m gonna find my purpose.
I don’t know where I’m gonna look,
But I’m gonna find my purpose.

Gotta find out.
Don’t wanna wait.
Got to make sure that my life will be great.
Gotta find my purpose.
Before it’s too late.

Ensemble:
He’s gonna find his purpose.

Princeton:
Whoa ooh oh.

Princeton and Ensemble:
I’m [He’s] gonna find my [his] purpose.

Ensemble:
He’s gonna find his purpose.

Princeton:
Yeaaah yeah yea.

Princeton and Ensemble:
I’m [He’s] gonna find my [his] purpose.

Princeton:
Could be far.
Could be near.
Could take a week
A month
A year
At a job.
Or smoking grass.
Ha!
Maybe at a pottery class.
Could it be?
Yes it could.
Something’s coming.
Something good.

I’m gonna find my purpose.
Yeah.

Ensemble: You’re gonna find your purpose.

Princeton:
Whoa ooh oh.
I’m gonna find it!

What will it be? Where will it be?
My purpose in life is a mystery.
Gotta find my purpose.
Gotta find me.

Ensemble:
You’re gonna find your purpose.

Princeton:
Whoa ooh oh.
I’m gonna find my purpose.

Ensemble:
Your’re gonna find your purpose.

Princeton:
Pur- pur- purpose
Yeah yeah.
I gotta find me!

A Hard Headed Woman...

I absolutely LOVE Elvis...his music, his fame, his story...and I especially love this song...


"Hard Headed Woman" by Elvis Presley

Well a hard headed woman,
A soft hearted man
Been the cause of trouble
Ever since the world began.
Oh yeah, ever since the world began
A hard headed woman been
A thorn in the side of man.

Now Adam told to Eve,
"Listen here to me,
Don't you let me catch you
Messin' round that apple tree."
Oh yeah, ever since the world began
A hard headed woman been
A thorn in the side of man.

Now Samson told Delilah
Loud and clear,
"Keep your cotton pickin' fingers
Out my curly hair."
Oh yeah, ever since the world began
A hard headed woman been
A thorn in the side of man.

I heard about a king
Who was doin' swell
'Til he started playing
With that evil Jezebel.
Oh yeah, ever since the world began
A hard headed woman been a thorn in the side of man.

I got a woman,
A head like a rock.
If she ever went away
I'd cry around the clock.
Oh yeah, ever since the world began
A hard headed woman been
A thorn in the side of man.



I absolutely love how he complains about hard headed women...and then I see how he feels about his woman. Hard headed women must be the thorn in the side of a man...Wonderfully written...wonderfully performed. What a wonderful man.

Work Sucks...

Tell me why there are so many songs about work sucking? Why is it our human nature to think this way? Ultimately...WHY DOES WORK SUCK SO MUCH?!





"Good Time" by Alan Jackson
Work, work all week long
Punchin’ that clock from dusk till dawn.
Countin’ the days till Friday night
That’s when all the conditions are right.
For a good time
I need a good time.
Yea, I’ve been workin’ all week
And I’m tired and I don’t wanna sleep
I wanna have fun It’s time for a good time

I cashed my check, cleaned my truck
Put on my hat, forgot about work
Sun goin’ down, head across town
Pick up my baby and turn it around
Good time, Aahh, I need a good time
I’ve been workin’ all week
And I’m tired and I don’t wanna sleep
I wanna have fun
Time for a good time

HEY!

Pig in the ground, beer on ice
Just like ole Hank taught us about
Singin’ along, Bocephus songs
Rowdy friends all night long
Good time
Lord, we’re having a good time,
Yea, I’ve been workin’ all week
And I’m tired and
I don’t wanna sleep I wanna have fun
It’s time for a good time

Whew Heel toe dosey doe
Scootin’ our boots, swingin’ doors
B & D Kix and Dunn
Honkin’ tonk heaven, Double shotgun
Good time,
Lord, we’re havin’ a good time
Cause I’ve been workin’ all week
And I’m tired and I don’t wanna sleep I wanna have fun
It’s time for a good time

Shot of Tequila, beer on tap
Sweet southern woman set on my lap
G with an O, O with a D
T with an I and an M and an E
And a good time
Shhheww, good time
I’ve been workin’ all week
And I’m tired and I don’t wanna sleep I wanna have fun
It’s time for a good time

Ahh, turn it up now.

A Shot of Tequila. Beer on tap.
A good looking woman. To set on my lap.
A G with an O, an O with a D A T with an I an M with an E
That spells good time A good time
Ohh, I’ve been workin’ all week
And I’m tired and I don’t wanna sleep I wanna have fun
Time for a good time

Twelve o’clock, two o’clock three o’clock four
Five o’clock we know were that’s gonna go
Closing the door, shuttin’ em down
Head for that Waffle House way across town
Good time
Ohh, we’re havin’ a good time.
Ohh, I’ve been workin’ all week And I’m tired and I don’t wanna sleep I wanna have fun It’s time for a good time
Ohh, I’ve been workin’ all week And I’m tired and I don’t wanna sleep I wanna have fun It’s time for a good time
Ohh, I’ve been workin’ all week And I’m tired and I don’t wanna sleep I wanna have fun It’s time for a good time
Ohh, yea, a good time. I need a good time.
Yea, a good time.


If only I had an explanation...I'm the kind of guy that gets sick of a job after having it for about 3 months...I have been working at the same place for two years now! A huge accomplishment for me!

"Take This Job and Shove It" by Johnny Paycheck
Take this job and shove it
I ain't workin' here no more
My woman done left and took all the reason I was working for
Ya, better not try and stand in my way
Cause I'm walkin', out the door
Take this job and shove it
I ain't working here no more

Well, I been working in this factory for now on fifteen years
All this time, I watched my woman drownin' in a pool of tears
And I've seen a lot of good folks die who had a lot of bills to pay
I'd give the shirt right off of my back if I had the guts to say...
Take this job and shove it
I ain't workin' here no more
My woman done left and took all the reason
I was working for
Ya, better not try and stand in my way
Cause I'm walkin', out the door
Take this job and shove it
I ain't working here no more

The foreman, he's a regular dog the line boss, he's a fool
Got a brand new flat top haircut
Lord, he thinks he's cool
One of these days I'm gonna blow my top and that sucker, he's gonna pay
I can't wait to see their faces when I get the nerve to say...
Take this job and shove it
I ain't workin' here no more
My woman done left and took all the reason
I was working for
Ya, better not try and stand in my way
Cause I'm walkin', out the door
Take this job and shove it
I ain't working here no more
Take this job and shove it


Hmmmmmm......What should I do...Honestly? I have no references...I have no skills...



"Working for the Weekend" by Loverboy Everyone's watching,
to see what you will do
Everyone's looking at you,
oh Everyone's wondering,
will you come out tonight
Everyone's trying to get it right, get it right Everybody's working for the weekend
Everybody wants a little romance
Everybody's goin' off the deep end
Everybody needs a second chance,
oh You want a piece of my heart
You better start from start
You wanna be in the show
Come on baby lets go

Everyone's looking to see if it was you
Everyone wants you to come through
Everyone's hoping it'll all work out
Everyone's waiting they're holding out
Everybody's working for the weekend
Everybody wants a little romance
Everybody's goin' off the deep end
Everybody needs a second chance,

oh You want a piece of my heart
You better start from start
You wanna be in the show
Come on baby lets go
You want a piece of my heart
You better start from start
You wanna be in the show
Come on baby lets go
You want a piece of my heart
You better start from start
You wanna be in the show
Come on baby lets go



I wish my heart for work wasn't so restless...I wish I could enjoy a job and stick with it...

"Sixteen Tons" by Tennessee Ernie Ford
Some people say a man is made outta mud
A poor man's made outta muscle and blood Muscle and blood and skin and bones
A mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store

I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal
And the straw boss said "Well, a-bless my soul"
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store

I was born one mornin', it was drizzlin' rain
Fightin' and trouble are my middle name
I was raised in the canebrake by an ol' mama lion
Cain't no-a high-toned woman make me walk the line
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store

If you see me comin', better step aside
A lotta men didn't, a lotta men died
One fist of iron, the other of steel
If the right one don't a-get you
Then the left one will
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store


I just want to be a farmer...I have decided...grow my own food...Sell what I won't eat...and live that way...that way I would be FORCED to enjoy work...maybe someday...

House Hunting...

My house hunting days are over, Lord willing (for at least the next few years)! I found a house that I love very much...

Last year I went house hunting in Ashland, NE and found the house of my dreams...the woodwork was amazing, the price was great, and the tax credit was wonderful! I made a bid on the house....got everything set up with my lender...the offer was accepted, and boom. The rug was pulled right out from under me. The lender couldn't follow through...I had not been at my job for two years...1 year and 6 months, mind you. But not 2 years. I was heart broken, but knew that it wasn't what God wanted for me.

Last month I was house hunting again. There was a house on the lower end of the price spectrum last time I was house hunting...I thought it would be hideous, so I didn't even look at it. I decided to look at it this time, to appease my mother and sister who had been bugging me about this "shack" of sorts. I walked in to find hardwood floors. Beautiful hardwood floors. throughout the home. This shack had hardwood floors? Yes....it did...I was in love at first sight. the basement is unfinished, but clean. No appliances, not even a furnace....I was a little worried about that, but knew that it would fall in line if God wanted this for me.

I made an offer....the offer stated that the seller would have to buy and install a furnace, fridge, and oven range. All inclusive, for 43K. I thought that the bid was a little aggressive on my part...so did the seller...but not a day later, the counter offer came in the form of 46K and all the appliances. I definitely accepted. I failed to mention, the asking price when I was searching last year was 65k...the asking price this year was 49k...

I have no other explanation than God's hands were in it the entire time. The payments are going to be around 450 bucks including taxes and insurance...amazing. The house quality is amazing for that price.

Next Wednesday is the home inspection...hope that goes well...I will keep it posted.

I Saw A Great One...

The Book Of Eli...what to say about it...I can only tell you that you must see it. It is my favorite movie! I WILL go see again in theaters....maybe more than once....and I WILL be there when it comes out on DVD (Or in the Zune marketplace in HD).

The camera work was spotless...the acting was incredible....I never thought once that I was watching Denzel Washington...I wouldn't have even thought I was watching a movie if it weren't for the uncomfortable movie theater seat.

Incredible...I am honestly at a loss for words about it...I HAVE to see it again....and soon...

I apologize...

Please excuse that last post. I was just in need of a topic to write about, and could not find one. Moving on...

Yesterday I woke up, ate a scotcheroo (left over from my party on Saturday night), took a shower, got dressed and headed out of my house (which is quite a small little shack that has houses on three sides, and a lake to the back). I then proceeded to drive to my girlfriend Kimberly's house and then to a little place called Swedeburg. Yes, Swedeburg, Nebraska. Have you heard of it? No? You haven't lived!

Dad preaches at Swedeburg Covenant Church and lives with my mom, my sister, and my brother-in-law in the parsonage just to the west of the church (soon I will be moving in...it will be a packed home, but we are a "happy" family.) My sister and I lead worship at the church, and we were blessed to be accompanied by my beautiful girlfriend, Kimberly (she attends a different church most weeks, so we are very glad when she can come).

We practiced...
We practiced...
And then we practiced again...
Until we had it perfected (or at least as close as humans can get)...
(I am the reason for all of the practicing, due to my need of the vocals sounding perfect.)

We then lead the congregation in worship singing spiritually moving songs:
Come Thou Fount
In the Secret
Hungry
Come Home Running
and Draw Me Close
(If you have never heard these songs, I really recommend searching for the lyrics.)

We sat with the congregation and listened to my dad preach. And what a sermon it was. I could feel the presence of The Spirit and was really moved to action through the words of my father. God was truly in that place.

After church I kissed Kimberly goodbye, and the packed house released it's captives (Dad, Mom, Sissy, Matt, and I) into Mom's car and we rode to Red Robin. If you ever get a chance to go to Red Robin, I strongly suggest ordering the Whiskey River Barbecue Burger. It is the perfect combination of condiments and burger toppings. One of the best burgers I have ever had.

We ate and then paid, and left. Barely fitting in the car (imagine that we could barely fit in the car before filling our stomachs), we drove back to Swedeburg.

While en route to Red Robin we handed a gift to my father that was from all of us (I think you get the "us" by now, the "packed house"). We gave him a gift card to a shoe store so he could get the shoes he has been longing for; Nike + running shoes. He just had to have those shoes to go along with his Christmas present, an Apple iPod Touch. Those shoes have a small compartment in the sole that holds something to judge the rate of speed, how many steps, and it also judges your rate of speed to select music that correlates. They are pretty cool.

After getting back to Swedeburg, I directed my car back home. I then took a nap, got up and ate dinner, went for a walk, watched a little television, and went back to sleep.


Oh heart of mine, why must you stray?
From one so fair you run away
And one more time you have to pay
The heaviness of needless shame

Oh heart of mine, come back home
You've been too long out on your own
And He's been there all along
Watching for you down the road

So come home running
His arms are open wide
His name is Jesus
He understands
He is the answer
You are looking for
So come home running
Just as you are

Oh child of God so dearly loved
And ransomed by the Savior's blood
And called by name, daughter and son
Wrapped in the robe of righteousness

So come home running
His arms are open wide
His name is Jesus
He understands
He is the answer
You are looking for
So come home running
Just as you are

-Chris Tomlin "Come Home Running"


What did you do for this Father's Day celebration?