http://www.pleonast.com/user/vande recent pleonast.com entries by user vande en-us http://www.pleonast.com/user/vande?l=5&entryID=601715 I can usually tolerate NPR's doom and gloom reports of the econmic crisis and all the talk of the failures in the Bush administration but I think my filter is getting dirty. This morning I heard the 15 year "forecast" of our nation and could not believe what the experts are saying. Unemployment on the rise, world influence dwindling to nothing, and the US no longer being THE world power. It's time to start listening to something else for a while. I like to stay informed but not at the cost of ruining my day. I'm thankful to have a job during this hard time and I pray that God will use His servants everywhere to show kindness to those who are not as fortunate. 2008-11-21 http://www.pleonast.com/user/vande?l=5&entryID=600808 I’m not sure who invented the wheel or who it was the first sliced bread but I know that their discoveries have changed the world. Every man desires to contribute something needful to the world. Some people are not as selfless in their ambitions as others but the desire is there nonetheless. I didn’t take part in discovering flight, I’ve never walked on the moon. I’ve never inspired millions through a speech or writing a book and I've never been to Boston in the fall. Perhaps you’ve not done any of these things either but something tells me that raising children might be the adventure that fulfills this desire for many of us. Mystery, anticipation, failure, and frustration what greater adventure is there. The challenges and rewards the tears and the chores it's all part of an experience that brings fulfillment. Someone once told me that when we grow old and feeble in mind we spend our time longing for peace of mind. We desire to be convinced that our lives have affected o... 2008-11-18 http://www.pleonast.com/user/vande?l=5&entryID=599309 Have you ever talked to someone out of obligation? I sometimes feel like there are curtain people who under different circumstances I wouldn't be the slightest bit interested in talking with them. It's very difficult not only to keep the conversation going but especially to actually listen to what they're saying in response. If I asked the question shouldn't I at least be focused long enough to listen to the answer? What's wrong with me? I feel so terrible when I act interested but really my motives are sometimes selfish and most times alterior. Jane Austen's charactor in the story of Emma is a good example of what I mean. Emma was a person who thought it her responsibility to fix other peoples social inadequacies. And no I didn't read the book... I watched the movie. :) Remember... to loose manly points is to gain brownie points. Happy Friday to all and to all a Happy Weekend!!! 2008-11-14 http://www.pleonast.com/user/vande?l=5&entryID=596801 For some reason I felt like a kid again this morning when I decided to stop at McDonolds for breakfast. I've been driving by it all week and thought that since it was Friday I would go ahead and treat myself. I ordered a sausage egg mcmuffin with a hi-c orange. Mmmm yummy. I also got a little carried away at Wal-Mart last night. I bought new linens and pillows. Only problem is I didn't know what level of softness to get. I think I like the softest ones or even better yet the ones with feather downing. It would make sense that the softest pillow is the best. I'll find out tonight. Hope you still have a little kid in you too. 2008-11-07 http://www.pleonast.com/user/vande?l=5&entryID=593787 Have you noticed that walking into these "pop-up" costume stores is a lot like walking into spencers at the mall? Reason #367 for why I'm glad that I'm not a girl: Is there any reason why NONE of the costumes for girls are modest? Hello... who ever heard of a fireman girl dressed in a mini-skirt? And since when did football referees wear nothing but the whistle with the lanyard? I guess to some, halloween is just another way to push the envelope. Well... I'm heading to a halloweeny party this weekend in Tampa. Hope to see lots of you there. 2008-10-31 http://www.pleonast.com/user/vande?l=5&entryID=592241 As christians we must realize that while it is very important to vote its even more important to change the hearts of the people voting through the gospel. Not so that they will see things the same political issues the same way you see them but rather so that they will see things the way God sees them. God has a few criteria for voting. He desires that we submit ourselves to governing authorities, pay taxes, and pray for our leaders. Does God want us to elect one who will oppose abortion and fight for the right to life? Does God desire marriage to be between a man and a woman only? Does the bible teach that we should not borrow money that we cannot repay? Of course... yes, yes, and yes. Perhaps if an elected leader is not convinced of these simple truths then maybe we the people aren't either. The battle field is here. It is in our homes and at work and in our every day lives not in the voting booth. Are we so blind that we can't see how silly it would be to concern ourselves with who'... 2008-10-27 http://www.pleonast.com/user/vande?l=5&entryID=588870 I only drink coffee at work and occasionally in social settings and I only drink a half cup once... maybe twice a day. Caffeine is the only stimulant I feel I can have and not feel guilty about. If I were a drinker, smoker, or a chewer I would have to feel guilty about those dirty habits. But drinking coffee is not a dirty habit despite the fact that too much creamer and sugar is actually just the right amount for me :) I'm sure I just insulted many of you coffee conisueirs. Enjoy the simpler things in life today. 2008-10-18 http://www.pleonast.com/user/vande?l=5&entryID=587565 This will be the first time I've had to vote via absentee ballot. I like voting this way much better because it gives me infinitely more time to research the topics. I don't even know how I used to vote before. All the pressure..., feeling rushed at the polls, trying to hurry up and comprehend all the constitutional amendments even though I didn't even know what most of them were before election day. This brings me to my next question. Does anyone know who FL State Supreme Court Justice Charles T. Wells is? Perfect example of someone whom I've never heard of and now I'm giving my opinion of whether or not I think they should retain their position in office. I'm pretty sure Judges aren't allowed to affiliate themselves with any party so that's no help to me either. Well, if you would like to still vote for a female president you could write in your mom …not the actual words "Your Mom" but for example my mom is Michelle Fox... anyway you get the idea. Or, if socialism and... 2008-10-14 http://www.pleonast.com/user/vande?l=5&entryID=579005 What is "tagging" about? Post eight random facts/habits about yourself. Choose eight others to "tag", and include the guidelines in your post. Let your "taggees" know that they've been tagged! Enjoy learning more about your cyber-sisters/brothers. :-) 1. Most people that know me well know that I have a habit of eating paper. I don't do it b/c I'm nervous or fidgety I just do it because I like it. Now if you really know me well then you know what kind of paper I prefer to chew. How's that for a random habit? 2. I will usually go out of my way to have fun. Socializing with people is an addiction of mine and I love it. 3. Usually I start reading 3-4 other books before I finish the first one I originally started. I hope to be able to reach the point where I just read for the enjoyment of it. It's sad I know... but I've never read a novel and I rarely read fiction. 4. Wow, I'm only on number four? I'm already running out of things to tell you about. 5. W... 2008-09-23 http://www.pleonast.com/user/vande?l=5&entryID=572171 The move is still ongoing. I'm hoping to have our furniture sometime today but it's already 2pm and so far no word from the movers. In the mean time my roommate and I have been staying in the Marriott. Quite nice actually and I've come to realize that I don't even really miss having my things at all. Simple is much better in my opinion. I don't even mind wearing the same clothes over and over again. It curtainly makes laundry much easier. Why do we have so much stuff anyway? I think it's b/c our houses are bigger. Work has been a bit of an adjustment. I've had to wake up about 2 hours earlier than what I was used to in Tampa. As a field superintenent it's best if I'm there when all the other tradesmen show up which is about 6am. Boo... I need more sleep. Our project is located at Ft. Benning which I'm told is the largest infantry training post in the US. The project is absolutely monstrous. We are building (20) new Barracks, (4) Battalion Head Quarters, (2) dinning hall facilities an... 2008-09-06