Found this poem today...
The Dash (click for The Dash movie)
I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of his friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the second with tears,
but he said that what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth,
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars, the house, the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard,
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left.
(You could be at "dash mid-range.")
If we could just slow down enough
to considerwhat's true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And...be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile,
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read
with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be pleased with the things they have to say
about how you spent your dash?
...Linda Ellis
It was a beautiful weekend. A little cool but mostly sunny. We didn't take full advantage of it but we did spend a little time outside. The highlight (other than the Raiders getting their first win) was taking the kids to a pumpkin patch on Sunday. They had a great time taking a hay ride, climbing the hay wall, sitting on the tractor, and picking out pumpkins. I'd post pictures, but I forgot my camera at home...
I went to the doctor today. I lost 8 pounds since June (6 pounds over the past month). My goal is to drop 25-30. I've been eating better, working out, and putting some time in on the treadmill. The treadmill work has been paying off as my BP was 124/78 and my pulse was mid 70s - not bad considering I was having a stressful morning and just being in a doctors office makes me nervous...
Since I completed my ITIL Foundations certification last week, I got back to other reading activities. Here's what I'm reading now:
Awaken the Giant Within by Anthony Robbins
Wi-Fi (802.11) Network Handbook by Neil Reid and Ron Seide
I'm also listening to:
NLP The New Technology of Achievement by NLP Comprehensive
RAIDERS WIN!Sure...it was against the Cardinals but a win's a win. We're now 1-5...
Break Out the Champagne...
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!Lisa and I were married on October 17, 1998. It's been a wonderful 8 years highlighted by: the birth of our twins!, several Boston Terriers, 3 home purchases, a Mexican cruise (still need to go on another...and an Alaskan one as well), numerous trips to Tahoe (we'll buy a house up there someday), and much, much more! I LOVE YOU! me.Study, Study, Study, ...My CCIE studying has been slightly derailed by some work requirements... One of them is the ITIL Foundations certification. I've been self-studying off-and-on for a little while now. This weekend, I put the pressure on myself. Friday night, Saturday and Sunday were dedicated to studying. Yesterday (Monday), I had planned on studying all day at work but my truck was making a loud squeeling noise when i jumped in... So... We took it to the Ford dealership and I stayed home and studied all day and night.
Oftentimes, I didn't feel that I had the consecurive study time that I thought I needed (I would do 4 or 5 hours a day on weekdays and 10 hours a day on weekends when I was studying for the CISSP - for 3-months...)...but...
I PASSED! I took the test this morning. It took all of 10-15 minutes to answer the 40-questions...
Apologies......To my wonderful wife. Sorry that I was so engrossed in the studying that I didn't acknowledge our anniversary first thing this morning.
...To my brother Jay. Sorry that I didn't acknowledge your birthday this weekend! Happy Belated Birthday!!
...to everyone for not calling lately...
Busy but...
...we're doing the same 'ol thing. At work, we call it "steady-state mode." It basically means we're in a routine.
Lot's of stuff going on... Stay tuned....
The weather last week was beautiful. We spent a lot of time outdoors and would have spent more had the kids not been a little under the weather...
We were looking forward to a night out playing Bunco with the neighbors on Saturday. However, Aly woke up in the middle of the night complaining that her ear hurt. Lisa took her in Saturday and, sure enough, she had an ear infection. While Aly and momma were at the doctor, Mitch and dad hopped in the "big truck" (as he calls my Explorer) and drove around and went to the store. We should probably split up with the kids more often... taking care of one kid doesn't seem as difficult as two...
Aly was feeling a little better Saturday evening but not well enough for Lisa to leave her with the babysitter. So, I went to Bunco by myself. Since it was my first time playing, I had no idea what I was in for. I don't know if there are a number of ways to play (it sounded like it based on the way everyone talked...). The game we played was scored individually but played with ever-changing teams for 30 games... It took about 3 hours. Meanwhile, there was plenty of snack food and drinks to go around.
On Sunday, I woke up feeling a little ill. I thought that maybe I had a little much to drink (I didn't drink that much but I don't drink much anyway so maybe it was enough...). I went to the gym and had a pretty good workout. By the time I was done, I felt a little sick to my stomach - I thought it was lactic acid buildup from the workout. I skipped lunch and napped while the kids napped. When I woke from the nap, I was really not feeling well. However, I barbequed steaks (a little too much pepper for Mitch's taste - he hardly ate any. Aly and Lisa wolfed it down though...). I ate about half my normal amount and veg-ed on the couch for the rest of the evening.
I slept terribly Sunday night and stayed in bed for 45 minutes Monday morning debating whether I should call in sick or not. I had chills, stomach ache, headache, and was very tired. I went into work anyway and made it through the day - barely... I veg-ed on the couch watching football all evening. We went to bed early. This time I slept like a log. I woke up feeling much better...and 5 pounds lighter than Sunday morning too... I'm sure that it had to be something I ate on Saturday... I still have a slightly queasy stomach....
Raiders LostDon't get me started!
Guest Blogger?I haven't blogged as much lately because we've been doing some of the same things: zoo, studying, parks, school, etc. I've also had some distractions at work. So...don't be surprised if I have Lisa write up a blurb or two on occasion...as long as it's not too corny... She wants me to change it to Sam and Lisa's Blog...but I have to draw the line... I want full editorial power! :^D
I'll post more pics of the family soon...
Hugs and kisses to all our friends and family!!
