stinkin Royals!

The KC Royals really make me mad.  They tick me off.  Why can't the Tigers beat them?  Finally yesterday they did, but not by pounding the ball.  3-1 win was big to at least get 1 in KC.  Now on to the White Sox.  Need to win 2 of 3 there in the windy city.

What is up with JV?  He looks like he is just plain trying too hard.  Pressing.  You can see it in his eyes.  Saturday night he had no breaking ball or his arm is killing him.  Makes me wonder if he is hurt.  But how do you throw 98 with a sore arm?  I thought he had it figured out after the first few innings Saturday, but the 2 out, 2 strike hits are killing him right now.

Well, it is early in the week, and I am already looking forward to the weekend.......

Tigers @ the Break

The Tigers are 10 games over at the All-Star break.  Underachieving by most experts opinion.  But they are 8 games better this year than last and the schedule favors the Tigers the rest of the way.  I still think they win the Central going away.

Bondo has resigned with the Tigers and will be in Toledo this Thursday to try and make his way back to the Tigers.  Can he be that guy in the 7-8-9th that can get 3 outs out of the pen?  Let's hope so.  Should be interesting to see if there is anything left in the tank.

Miggy is leading the world in hitting.  He is an amazing hitter and a hitter for a generation to say the least.  They may have been none better than Miggy in a Tiger uniform ever.  Ty Cobb maybe, Harry Heilman..maybe, but that is about it.  And when it comes to power and average, none can compare.  Not since Hank Greenburg for sure.

Go Tigers

Okay Rose.....

Today Rose says, you need to write, you need to get your thoughts down.  Here goes.  Time will tell if any of it is any good.  I am struggling lately being stuck in this 6 x 6 area known as the cubicle.  The daydreaming of doing something new and exciting, more to a passion, and less about a paycheck.  I feel like I have a J-O-B, not a career.  I know this is something most of us struggle with from time to time, but this is about as bad as it gets.  I miss the carrot being dangled in front of me.  The unknown of what is the commission check will be next month.  Why do I crave the unknown?  Am I nuts?

I say all this to get to this point....if you are at a point in your life where no one else depends on you, take a risk.  Strike out on your own and head in a direction that brings you new challenges everyday, and challenges what you think and how you think it on a daily basis.  Do something that makes you jump out of bed at 6 AM ready to take on the world.  When I find myself getting out of bed on the weekends much earlier than during the week, I have to ask, Why?  I think I know why, I can't wait to get out to the pole barn and create something.  Build something that is useful for someone.  Create something that they could hardly imagine, bring a picture to life.  See them smile and say, yup that is what I was thinking.

But alas, I go to work everyday, and do what I do.  I am living with purpose each and every day and I understand I have a great job, a job that most people would like to have.  Great benefits, great people, and it is necessary part of my life right now, so now I feel better getting that off my chest. 

The cubical.....

The cubical...what can I say....not an office, a cubical.  Staring at the computer screen and working in a cubical.  Only about 3.120 more days in a cubical till I can retire.  aaaahhhhh.

And the Tigers are down 6-3 in the 7th to the O's.

Max

Max was really good for the Tigers last night again.  Scherzer was awesome again last night and now stands at 10-0 on the season.  If not for Papa Grande he would be 11-0.  after 6 innings last night Drew Smyly came in and shut the door with 9 up and 9 down 3 innings of no hit ball.  What a find Smyly has been in the bullpen.  Time will tell if it continues. 

Miggy hits a bomb on the first pitch he sees after returning home from the road.  He now has 71 RBIs on the season.  AJax is also a welcome back addition to the lineup because of his return to spur the offense and he was 3-4 and is 7 for 17 since his return last Friday night in Minnesota.

Avila to the DL is a blessing in disguise I do believe.  This allows the Tigers to send Alex on a "rehab" assignment to Toledo without disgracing him with a demotion to Toledo.  We will see if Bull Durham can work some magic with Alex.

5 games up on June 17th...can't be that!  GO TIGERS!

Oh PAPA!!!!!!

When will the Tigers send Papa Grande packing?  My guess is by the end of June.  If it was me, he would be gone today  Players have lost confidence, and if I was Verlander, I would refuse to come out of a game when I had the lead!  Jim, do us all a favor and keep him in the pen. 

What a great weekend!  Tigers win 2 of 3 in MN and head home to play Baltimore.  Come on Tigers keep it going. 

Trying to plan our next vacation?  Where should the Goldwing head next?

Almost May 1

Hello Tiger Fans!  Great game on Sunday night.  Love Kruk's call of the Miggy HR!  Fister on spot, good pen and timely hitting! 

Tonight it is the Twins that come to town and we will see how the Tigers react to the big weekend against the Braves.  Can the hitting continue?  Can the starting pitching continue this good and can Papa Grande return to 2011 form?  If Yes is the answer we will be in good shape this year. 

Opening Day 2013

Opening Day 2013.  Great expectations for the Tigers.  Could this be the year they win the first World Series since 1984?  Almost 30 years ago.  Can you believe it!  This could be the year.

MLB what are you thinking?  Opening in MN on April 1st?  30 Degrees today as JV goes to the mound to get the season underway.  Could this weather pose a problem?  Time will tell.  I would think the players just want to get the games started.  I know the fans do.  I can start a fire in the basement and watch the game in the warmth of the fire!  Go Tigers!  Here we go!  Get it started!

Lineup:
CF  Austin Jackson
RF  Torii Hunter
3B  Miguel Cabrera
1B  Prince Fielder
DH  Victor Martinez
LF  Andy Dirks
SS  Jhonny Peralta
C   Alex Avila
2B Omar Infinte
P   Justin Verlander

GO TIGERS!!!!!!

Winter Stinks

Are you kdding me?  Snow?  Cold?  Wind?  And opening day is only 5 days away.....

Winter

winter just continues to linger on and on.  that stupid groundhog knows nothing at all does he?  snow blowing around, wind, cold, why am I not still in Lakeland, FL?

I am ready for opening day for sure.  does anyone care about the WBC?  not me, I really don't care if the USA gets to the finals or not, but it is baseball on TV, so of course I watch.  I listen to Dan and Jim call the spring games and can't wait for the realy thing.

Oh I miss the early morning coffee at Crestwood and early morning walks around the neighborhood down there.  Talking baseball with baserunning coach Jeff Cox and chats with Jim Leyland in the breakfast room.  I miss friends made down there and especially old Jerry who works at Crestwood and his 80 year old sense of humor that just lifts your day.  The girls at the front desk who were more than willing to help in the need for soap, towels or about anything else.  Most of all I miss 70+ degrees and strawberry shortcake at Parksdale Farms. 

Ducks, swans and pelicans are also missed as well as long walks around Circle B Bar Reserve to see wildlife in their habitat.

Back

After 2 weeks in Lakeland, it is back to work today.  Does not seem possible it has been 2 weeks.  Had a blast,  found a few new places and all in all had a great time.  Cool weather a couple of days, but all in all great weather.

62 degrees when we got home as we brought the good weather with us.....well for just a few hours and now cooler and rain.  Time will tell how this goes and how soon spring really gets here to stay.  I hope soon.

The Tigers need some relief help but the starters have been off the chart good early.  Rick Porcello has been about the best of all.  The Tigers should be the team to beat this year for the World Series, but time will tell.

VACATION!!!!

Baseball fans unite!  It is time for the yearly pilgramage to Lakeland, Florida to watch my beloved Detroit Tigers play baseball.  2 weeks of sunshine, baseball, hotdogs, peanuts, strawberrry shortcake, beaches, ducks, and BBQ!  Does it get better than that?  Not a chance!

On a serious note, Rose and I are so blessed to be able to do this.  What a great time for her and I to get away and just have the 2 of us.  No pets, kids or anything, just us.  For the 7th year in a row we are headed to see the Tigers and God willing we will be going for a long time.  This is the 3rd year we have taken the Goldwing with us.  Nothing better than getting in some miles in the dead of winter riding in the Sunshine!

We will go see some old friends and make new ones.  See the same people working at the hotel and ballpark.  Jerry the breakfast guy at the hotel.  The lady with the wooden spoon checking Rose's baseball bag for forbidden snacks...(she never finds them).  The same guys scalping tickets.  Lakeland has changed over the years.  Lots more fences and security.  Lots more people and lots more nut jobs around the ballpark.  funny to say that, but it is true. 

Some of the characters we will see.  Like the owner of Primos pizza on Combee.  The guy is great and makes this trip to this local establishment worth the trip.  Not to mention a great pizza!  The same great sweet tea and BBQ at many different places. 

Go Tigers!  Please don't let us lock the keys for the motorcycle in the back tank this year!  I would rather spend that money on strawberry shortcake!

Tiger Baseball

The season is approaching and the Tigers appear to have the makings of another run at the World Series.  The last 2 the Tigers have been in have been something of stinkers.  They don't need a week off in between the playoff and the World Series. 

Let's hope they do well this year and stay away from the injury bug.  With Victor and Torii now in the lineup this team has the look of a champion

7

7 the number of days until we head to Lakeland.  Hard to imagine that in one week we will be headed to my favorite place on earth.

Until then, I have woodworking projects I must get done.  A couple of wooden footstools, a storage cabinet, and some scrapbooking crap!  Holy smoke, I need to get the goldwing ready and tied down in the trailer!  Get my glove packed, a bat packed and all my hats and Tiger gear!  Oh Yeah.....

8

8 more days to Lakeland......

9

One day closer to Lakeland...........

Spring is here.....

well fans, it may not look like spring is here, but it is.  pitchers and catchers reported yesterday in Lakeland Fl for the Detroit Tigers.  music to my ears.  I love this time of year.  You start thinking about baseball.  I can't wait till opening day.  But before that there are 2 weeks to be spent in Lakeland at Tigertown.

Time to head to Lakeland for baseball, green grass, sunshine and food.  Can't wait for the time to begin.  should be fun again this year with the Tigers being one of the favorites to take it all this year.  it has been 29 years since the Tiger last won the World Series.  What a drought.  But they have been in the fall classic twice lately, just to be taken apart by the Cardinals and Giants.

But Lakeland is more than baseball.  It is a Primos pizza, Peebles, Jimbos, and Sonnys BBQ.  It is a goldwing ride to Parksdale Farms for Strawberry Shortcake.  Riding to spend the day at the beach.  Seeing old friends we have made in Lakeland and feeding the swans, pelicans, and ducks down at Morton Lake.  Feels like going home.  I walk around Mirror Lake and dinner at Harry's downtown.  A slower pace, warm weather and 11 o'clock swims in the pool.  Sounds like it is time to go to me....only 10 more days Tom, only 10 more days.

The Flu...

it appears that so far about everyone is getting the flu.  what does that mean?  it means I need to stay away and not get sick.  so far so good.  it seems like the flu shot did no good at all.  most that took the shot have been sick!  this is why I stay away.

Football is OVER!

Football is over.  I love the Super Bowl for one reason, it means that it is officially baseball season.  Only 8 more days till the Tigers hit the field. 

Also glad that Mr Lewis can not take his dirty deeds done dirty cheap and ride off into the sunset.  Hopefully never to be heard from again.

Go Tigers....see you in Lakeland!

Answer2

My second answer from the other day is Growth.  Growing myself and others in their lives.  This is from helping and serving and growing myself through education and learning from others.  Then passing that learning on to those around us.

John Maxwell said he does not want to always be in the front of the class, because being in the front means you are not learning, you are teaching.  This is so true.  We need to be around people smarter and wiser than ourselves to grow and then grow others by sharing that wisdom and knowledge with them.

I believe this starts to help us be leaders by serving and growing others, by first growing ourselves.

Answers....

Yesterday I posed lots of question with basically no answers.  I think I have found out one thing for sure.  I was put on this earth to serve others.  I can serve others through work by giving our customers the best that we have.  I can serve others by caring for them and praying for them.  I can serve others by buying them things that are needs in their lives.  I can serve others, as we did last night, by showing up at our niece's basketball games. 

Service describes someone or something that is intended to provide help to those providing assistance to others.  Wow, that can be so many things.  We even talk about a "church service" and it is providing help to us by worshipping God.  Must be the reason it makes us feel good when we serve others.

Lord may you show me today ways I can serve those that I come in contact with each day.

What is my vocation?

What is my vocation?  Or what was I born to do?  Interesting question that does not have a easy answer.  Does your job make you think of your next vacation?  Or is your job something that you don't need an escape from?  Many interesting questions that are tough to answer at times.  Heard it said this way once, "Hard work is a prison cell only if the work has no meaning.

What makes me feel the most alive when I do it?  Shouldn't that be what we are doing in our lives?  Lots of questions today, and as you can see not many answers.

maybe tomorrow....

Slow Days

Man, I would rather be so busy I don't know what to do next.  Sure makes for a long day at the office, when all you are doing is research.....but it is about time to go home for the evening.  Pettisville Girls Basketball to watch Amber and Audra!!  Go Birds!

I need some wood.....

well the weekend is here and it is time to take a trip to Garber's Sawmill across the mile from our house and get some oak.  Couple oak projects on the horizon and others sure to follow.  Sure hope I can get a deal on some oak Glen wants to get rid of!  I would take the same deal as the cherry I bought last fall.

So get your orders in now for those Kiddy picnic tables and Swings and all other outdoor kind of things.  I AM READY FOR SPRING!

Sounds like it could be around 50 by next Tuesday.  No wonder the flu is running wild in NWO.  Well, time to get back to work.

Artic Blast!

January in Ohio.  Cold, Colder and Coldest.  What can we say?  It is 19 degrees and the chill factor of about 0.  Give me a break!  Makes me not want to head to the barn to do any work that is for sure.  Time for more wood burner time. 

The Harbaugh Bowl will be in 2 weeks.  Who will win the Super Bowl this year and what will be the best commercial.  I DO NOT want to have a Super Bowl Party.  I hope Rose feels the same way.  That is what we said last year and what do you know, about 30 people were at our house for the game!  Oh Well, it was fun, I guess??

I guess at this point it would be hard to pick against the Ravens.  They seem to be the team of destiny......

31 more days till be leave for Lakeland!

NFL

Do I really care about the NFL Playoffs?  I used to never miss one of these games, but lately I don't even watch much. With the outside temp to be in the mid-20's Sunday, I suppose I will fire up the wood stove, turn on the TV and and take a nap come about 3 PM on Sunday.  Popcorn, lemonade and Football.

I guess that is what winter is about here in NWO!  Go Lions....Oh yeah, they were 4-12!

I have Finally done it....

Well, I have finally done it and launched TRK Woodworking.  Yeah, I know, who cares, but I have finally said  YES I want to do this and start heading into something that could be a "retirement" career 10 years from now.  Time will tell, but you can check it out at https://www.facebook.com/#!/TrkWoodworking.

I need to start taking better photos and also to upload more photos.

Ready to start quoting projects and repairs.  Let the games begin!

I Love WoodWorking

Man I love to do woodworking.  I wish is was my day job instead of my dream job.  One day maybe it will be.  I have been thinking:  Why do I go to work?

I need cash for food, clothing and shelter.  Beyond that?  Health Insurance and Retirement...and because I love my wife and grandkids.  Kind of crazy to think about all of this, but it is true.  Time goes a lot faster in the shop than in the office.  I think better and love it.   I would need to invest to get this done, but first there would have to be enough profitable business to make this work.

Dreams, I am living the dream now for the most part.  Job that I like, a wife that I adore and kids and grandkids that make it all worth while.  That can be enough in my life.  I have been having trouble getting past this in the past, but I think I am finally there  If Paul could be content in whatever state of life he found himself in, so can I.

Back to Winter

What a great Saturday it was!  60 Degrees and an hour on the Goldwing.  It was a great ride and now the bike is back in the trailer.  What weather we have in Ohio!  60 degrees one day and 30 the next.  Lots of rain and lousy weather.

Just watched the first video of Andy Stanley's "Guardrails" series.  It was really good and started to make me think of Guardrails in my life.  I feel like I was raised in a "guardrails" kind of life.  Rose and I both feel that way.  That is a good thing for sure.  But Andy did make me think about what a guardrail is...is it a standard in my life that makes me have a mark on my conscience that makes me change the way I live.  What new guardrails do I need? 

A new one in our life is the guardrail of diet.  Since last June Rose and I have changed the way we eat and how much we eat.  We measure our food more, share meals and steaks which from time to time drives us crazy.  But it is a lifestyle change that must stay with us the rest of our lives.  So on we go, one day at a time.  This makes us use the scales as a guardrail.  Maintaining weight and changing our lifestyle.  Not always fun, but sure makes you feel better.  Day by day is how we must live our lives.  This is made possible by a faith in Christ that we also have and makes us accountable to each other and to God.

Tickets Go On Sale!

Saturday January 12th spring training tickets for the Tigers go on Sale!  That is a sign that we are getting closer and closer to leaving Ohio in the dust and head to Lakeland to see the beloved Tigers and get back HOME to Lakeland!  I can feel the warm air now!

Really don't have to worry to much about tickets since Rose and I sit in the nose bleed seats in the bleachers.  Up high where the sun and breeze feel so good and the peanuts and hot dogs are the best!  Rose needs souvenir  cups and lots of sun and to feed the ducks and swans down at Lake Morton! 

Is it Friday yet?

Why is it that it is so hard to go back to a normal 5 day work week after the Holidays?  Man, this week only seems like a month!  But I must think to myself, take everyday as a blessing and look for the good in everything I do.  Sometimes this is impossbile for me, but look at it this way, The Lord has blessed me so richly in so many ways that I should be grateful for the days and make the most of each day.

This is pretty cliche to say this, but it needs to be that way in my life.  Work in a way that is pleasing to God and live according to His statues.

Fire up the Bike!

One of my favorite things to do is to go for that "winter" ride on the Goldwing.    Mr Weatherman says it could be 60 degrees on Saturday afternoon!  That means fire up the Goldwing.  January 12th and the bike will be out and about.  Sounds like fun to me.  But this time of the year you know it will be short lived.  Then it will be time to put it back in the trailer and dream of Parksdale Farms, Crestwood Suites and of course Joker Marchant Stadium.

Scritpure for today is Matthew 15:18 -

But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man.

Ouch....are those things really in my heart?  Man, I hope not.  

Romans 12 & 13

Today my daily reading was in Romans.  One of my favorite books of the Bible and Chapter 12 is one of my favorites:

1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 3For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 9Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. 20“BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I should read this everyday and make it a pattern for life.







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Monday, Again

Back at work with a heavy heart.  Thinking of the Sprow's right now and praying that God will give them the strength to go on from here.  Cory's viewing is today and funeral tomorrow.  Sad day, very sad day.

Thank God for everyday and live it as though it is your last. 

Two kinds of mistakes

There is the mistake of overdoing the defense of the status quo, the error of investing too much time and energy in keep things as they are.

And then there is the mistake made while inventing the future, the error of small experiments gone bad.

We are almost never hurt by the second kind of mistake and yet we persist in making the first kind, again and again.  - Seth Godin

Bad News

Just got some very bad news.  Even when you know it is coming, it still make me feel broken.  2 little girls will not haved a dad anymore...a wife will no longer have a husband by her side.

While it is very sad, it does make me think about my life and all that I have been thankful for.  I have just read the book Quitter by Jon Acuff and was having trouble with defining what is enough for me....I can now define it.

I have 2 great kids and 2 great spouses that my kids were lucky enough to find.  4 awesome grandsons that are loved by their parents and parents and kids all live under the same roofs.  These are the things that make life enough.  what is really important?

1. getting to watch you kids get on the school bus
2. watching your kids activities.
3. watching your kids and their spouses have success in life
4. getting to walk down the aisle with your daughter
5. getting to sing at your son's wedding
6. getting to read to the grandkids
7. getting to see your kids and spouses raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord Jesus Christ
8. I get to go on vacation with the love of my life several times a year
9. Get to help those in need
10.  Get to share my faith in Jesus with those in my life.

These things make my life enough....if nothing else in life ever happens or I go home to Jesus now, I have lived a life that is enough.

Please live your life in a way that is pleasing in God's sight.

It's Friday

Another cold morning here in NWO!  Imagine that in January, cold?  Well anyway, back to work this morning and hard at it.  Ready for the weekend even if we only worked 3 days this week.

Still struggling what ENOUGH is in my life.  Not sure what God has planned for Rose and I, but I do know that HE is in control and at the center of my life and all I do. 

This weekend will consist of getting started on a new woodworking project and finishing a couple of other if all the parts get here for the nightstand and I get Rose's picture frame finished for the WONDERFUL aerial photo we had done of our house.

49 days till Lakeland!

2013

I have made a resolution to actually post to this blog....yeah right.  I am counting the days till we head to Lakeland for Baseball, BBQ, strawberry Shortcake and motorcycle riding.  Hitch up the trailer and let's get out of here! 

Can the Tigers win in all in 2013?  We can only hope so.  Should be interesting.

Hotel Reservations - Check
Trailer ready to go - Check
Tickets ordered - not yet, they aren't on sale yet!

Can't wait for Joker Marchant, Parksdale Farms, Sonny's Real Pit BBQ and Jimbo's BBQ and home made pickles!

The Countdown has begun......