The Skills of a Football Player and a Fantasy!

Reading Time: 4 minutes [Original Post Date: Oct 8, 2012] Randy and I got back from Kansas City last night, after spending the weekend in Missouri. Once again, in comparison to the people we encountered in Chicago a few weeks ago, I found locals clad in red to be quite friendly! We went to yesterday’s Chiefs game.  It was… Continue reading The Skills of a Football Player and a Fantasy!

Happy Labor Day to All of Iowa’s Workers!

Reading Time: 4 minutes (Original Post Date 9/7/2015) Iowa has a great reputation for strong work ethic! We know it! And from what I’ve heard, ask most any Floridian employer and if you’re from Iowa, you applied and you got the skills….you’re hired!! Click here for a free online Occupational Work Ethic Inventory (OWEI). Personally, I am incredibly proud of… Continue reading Happy Labor Day to All of Iowa’s Workers!

Ever Had a Real Lemon? Customer Service Has to be Peachy!

Reading Time: 4 minutes Ever had a real lemon of a car? Ever had horrible customer service regarding it? Let me tell you, recently (original blog date May 18, 2015) two guys representing Teen Challenge and their vehicle donation program hauled away my daughter Arin’s first car….a used green VW Jetta. Ooohh, that car >:( Arin had saved her… Continue reading Ever Had a Real Lemon? Customer Service Has to be Peachy!

The Peacock: Poem, Feathers and Symbolism in My Life

Reading Time: 5 minutes The Peacock written by Amy E. Botkin 1/24/15 CRHP Retreat Look past the strutting and into the beauty. As the morning begins, we praise. The sun shines through the multicolored stained glass. We reflect on our journey through life. Our hearts flutter at joy in such holy surroundings. The mixing of colors, teal, green, yellow, blue….they glow, spread, encompass….our hearts,… Continue reading The Peacock: Poem, Feathers and Symbolism in My Life

1st Bug Bite, 1st Sunburn & 1st Boat Ride!

Reading Time: 3 minutes Living through my 1st Bug Bite, 1st Sunburn & 1st Boat Ride means summer 2015 is near! “Summer” by Walfrido The bite (thinking bee) sure made my right arm swell up and hurt. At the onset I thought, gee, all my workouts have produced hefty triceps (wouldn’t happen on only one side silly), but NO… Continue reading 1st Bug Bite, 1st Sunburn & 1st Boat Ride!

350 days of leave! Work Ethic…Brag About It!

Reading Time: 2 minutes Okay, my last post for now on Randy (five consecutive Mondays is a bit excessive…)  Randy  is into his 20th year teaching for the Des Moines Public School District. He thinks he has around 350 days of sick leave accrued. He says you can only bank 250. I don’t know what that means…but I do… Continue reading 350 days of leave! Work Ethic…Brag About It!

Randy’s Jobs, Work Ethic, and How About a Nap?

Reading Time: 3 minutes [Initially posted  Feb 4, 2013] I started writing about work ethic and about my husband too. There’s a reason or two for my posts on these subject matters, you can read my disclaimer here. But first, a little story about Randy.   As a teenager, one of Randy’s first jobs was as a newspaper carrier. He… Continue reading Randy’s Jobs, Work Ethic, and How About a Nap?

2013 Year of the Snake…Fear of em or Love of em?

Reading Time: 3 minutes My sister Julie has had problems with snake(s) in her basement during the summer months in the past. She has actually learned how to deal with it rather admirably. I’m not sure if she had one last year or not, but I didn’t hear about it. Julie knows how to save em and send em… Continue reading 2013 Year of the Snake…Fear of em or Love of em?

Benefits of Water Aerobics, and Splashing About!

Reading Time: 2 minutes (Original Post Date: 10/22/2012)  I started a water aerobics class three weeks ago and am really enjoying it. This is a first time I’ve done water aerobics!  There’s about 12 women and 2 men in the class, held at a local high school indoor pool where all different shapes, sizes and personalities splash about! We… Continue reading Benefits of Water Aerobics, and Splashing About!

Observation Skills and Body Language – Where’s Waldo?

Reading Time: 2 minutes Observation skills are important in my work as a counselor. Observation skills incorporate visual analysis, memory, concentration and the ability to pay attention to detail and to notice visual signals like body language. When’s the last time you checked out Where’s Waldo? In counseling, body language is used to help build rapport. It helps to… Continue reading Observation Skills and Body Language – Where’s Waldo?