{What's Happening.} Not Much

I set the timer for 30 minutes. 30 minutes to write whatever. This is what you get. Enjoy!

Daily Work

Work was not busy the last couple of days. Wow. I haven't said that in a while. Don't get me wrong; I had stuff to do. It just wasn't crazy or anything. I was actually bored a bit. Boring days have been rare days at this job.

I did make progress on a large mailing that was 2 pages and going out to about 240 people: printing the letter, printing the envelopes, and collating & stuffing the envelopes. Sometimes all this printing can really get the best of me, but thankfully this event was mostly drama-free with only a few jams and only minor cursing - j/k, Mom! :-) 

This mailing is a result of a database cleanse and it has taken several months, maybe years, to get to this point. The list of clients was scrutinized by many people in our firm and generally the clients have either small accounts or just life insurance policies with us (and no potential business in the future). An advisor within our group was selected to take over the servicing of these accounts and policies. 

Giving away these clients will enable us to focus more of our energies and resources on our paying customers. We often spend a lot of time servicing these give-away clients, and it takes away time we could be spending on the paying clients. With the firm growing the way it has over the past few years, this was inevitable.

There are several steps in this client give-away process, but for now the letter is printed and ready to mail. These other steps will probably have to get done in the midst of crazy, because these quiet days won't last: spring is coming!

Workout, Schmirkout

Yesterday I determined to workout, but was very close to talking myself out of it when I got home. I was cold. The bus had been late. I was cold. I just wasn't up to popping in a video. I hadn't worked out in a couple of weeks, why start tonight? I don't feel like it. I was cold. The excuses were piling up even if some were redundant or illogical. I was cold.

So to ignore my excuses I tried something new. I found a site, www.7-min.com, that was too easy to pass up. It's 12 exercises that you do for 30 seconds each with a 10 second rest in between. 

You can do it as many times as you want. I got through 1 1/2 times before I quit. I'm giving myself a B- for the day - mostly because I'm a twinge sore - a good sore, I think!!

Today I will do more. I will do better. It's time to kick winter in the butt. It's been dragging me down for the past few weeks and I'm done. Winter, be gone! Goodbye! ...I'm figuring the only way I will get out of this funk is to give myself a kick! Let's do this!! 

What are you doing to say goodbye to Winter, even though he won't leave?

{A Year Ago} on Not the Last to Know

This day in {my} history, plus pictures that I may not have ever posted.

2013

•  

2012

• {7 Things to Know}
• Luke singing at church

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2011

• Jess coaching basketball

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2010

•   

2009

• in boxes and such
• Winter Storm

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2008

• {i know} Two Great Coach Flamings

What did you do last year on this day?

{Snow, Snow, Go Away}

So let me tell you about my SNOW DAY.

It started out just like any other morning: Me sleeping until my alarm goes off. Me hitting snooze a few several times. Me rolling out of bed. Me getting ready. Me going to my car...and that's where it takes a turn for not fun.

The sidewalk had not been touched and I had to trudge through some snow to get to my car. Snow is still coming down, but I think, "Ah, it's just a 5 minute drive to the bus. I have plenty of time. I'll make it with time to spare." But as I started to feel a little rushed, I didn't do as the best job of cleaning my windows off and away I went.

My first clue should have been when I barely made it across the first intersection. My wheels were spinning on the slippery, snow-filled road, but I finally barreled across and merged into traffic. Not a lot of traffic, but enough.

My next turn was up the road a bit. I made it through my first busy intersection without any trouble. As I got a few blocks from my turn I realized this is where all the traffic was.

There was quite a line to get up to my turn: the busiest intersection of my route. It wasn't until I was into the turn when I realized what may have been the problem. A car (see orange arrow) was two cars in front of me was being unsuccessfully pushed by two people. I waited (see yellow arrow) for about 10 minutes.

*

I considered my options but there wasn't much I could do. Traffic was piled up behind me and anyone else who wanted to turn right, they were going up and around the stop light/median. I couldn't back up very well because of the road conditions. My tires weren't loving the slippery road. So there I sat. Waiting.

Finally, the stuck car (orange arrow) is moving forward. It is then I realize the two people helping to push the stuck car were the drivers of the two vehicles in front of me. I was very frustrated with the fact they had abandoned their cars in the middle of one of the busiest intersections! This whole time I had thought the cars were waiting like me! And I had been irritated why they didn't try to go around the stuck car!

Once the helpers scraped off their cars a bit, they started to move forward. The second one fish tailed and finally got going. I had to stay back while this happened. When I could finally move forward my intention was to merge quickly to the left onto the road because I didn't want to be stuck where the last guy had been!

Just as I was merging onto the road a large school bus came from behind and the only place I could go was right where the last guy got stuck. Sure enough. I got stuck. Couldn't move forward or backwards. Wheels spinning while I put my car in 2nd and 1st gears and moved my steering wheel back and forth. I kept sliding more and more into the main traffic lane but I wasn't going forward.

Now do you think anyone abandoned their cars to help me? No. I had to do all the maneuvering on my own. Cars where coming from behind and beside me the entire time. They went on either side of me as I slipped sideways.

Needless to say, I was freaked out. I also couldn't believe I had watched a guy for over 10 minutes try to get out of the same spot I was now stuck.

By some miracle after about 10 or more minutes I finally was able to move forward, but I was very shaky. After the event I decided I couldn't drive all the way to work. There was no way. As far as I knew I had already missed the bus while I was waiting earlier so as I drove I called my boss to tell him I wouldn't be able to make it in.

I had to keep driving on Douglas as there wasn't any place to turn around. I thought about turning into gas station at Duluth but it was on the left. As I came up to the turn, there was a truck in the turn lane and I thought I would probably get stuck there too, so I kept going.

I got a text from my boss about this time. Since I was driving slow I read the text. It said he knew we hadn't discussed it but he wanted me to know I would have to take a Personal Day (even though I had said I would work from home.) With my trauma leaving me a bit shaky, that's when the tears came. I really had no rational thought (as a Personal Day was the protocol here), but the only thing I had in my head was, "I had told him I would work from home. So I have to work AND take a personal day?!" These thoughts put me right over the edge and had me sobbing the rest of the way home.

Continuing on down Douglas, I reached Golden Valley Rd and then on to Winnetka Ave. I basically a big loop on main roads to get home. I was taking a risk I wouldn't get stuck again, but I didn't feel as if I had any choice. I didn't want to take side roads and get stuck there.

*

But sure enough, I was more than halfway home when I got stuck in the middle of another intersection. Couldn't move forward or backwards. Wheels spinning while I put my car in 2nd and 1st gears and moved my steering wheel back and forth. I kept sliding more but not really moving forward...sound familiar?

*

Since there wasn't as much traffic and I was now experienced, this time wasn't as traumatic as the first time; however, I was still not recovered from the first time. With sobbing determination I kept at the wheel turning and gear shifting and finally made it out of the intersection. Coming up was a railroad so I was really glad when I made it over to the other side and didn't get stuck over that!

Very thankful I made it home without any further incident. I even made a left turn through one more busy intersection safely. Still blubbering as I reached my driveway I saw my neighbor warming up her car. I didn't get parked and out of my car fast enough to warn her. She was back inside when I got out of my car. Since I was a sobbing mess anyway I was glad I didn't have to talk to anyone.

After posting the cliff note version of this on Facebook I was advised to have a cup of tea. And that's just what I did!

The moral of this story is: Snow Tires!

Thank you if you STUCK around to finish reading this. I'm sure those I've told this to and those who have read this will receive an extra jewel in their crown!

Now let's end this season of Winter! Snow-be-gone!!

*Thanks to Google Maps for these pics

{summer storms}

 

I've had an unusual past few days starting with Thursday morning through today. Using Facebook statuses and a few additional notes to fill in the gaps, here’s a rundown followed by some pictures:

Thursday @ 8:34am
Well. I'm having car issues this morning. I'm waiting on Hwy 55 for AAA. Engine light came on and car lost ability to accelerate. Stay tuned for updates...

Thursday at 9:45am
Tow finally showed up. Headed to Mazda dealer.

Thursday at 10:09am
Headed to work with a loaner. Will hopefully get a call soon that my car is ok.

Thursday at 3:05pm
So Mazda is telling me it's my after-market cruise control that is confusing my car and causing the problem (see this morning's status). I'm waiting for a call back from the Dealer Automotive Service guy. They (DAS) put the cruise on my car in Sept last year and I haven't had any problems...he did tell me it's still under warranty, so that maybe a good thing!
In other car news, my 30,000 mile checkup is going to cost me almost $200.

Thursday at 3:10pm
Guy called back and they are going to look at it tomorrow and get it fixed for me. Something about the instructions not giving a true ground wire...blah, blah, blah...and I'm the first problem they've heard of in the dozen they've done since using the kit starting last year...
 

Thursday at 5:00 pm
Drove from work to the dealer to pick up my car and return the loaner. Finally got home and got some supper.
 

Thursday at 7:00pm
Went to see end of Carsten's last regular season baseball game. I got there in time for a couple of innings.
 

Thursday at 8:41pm
Just dropped it off at cruise control place. Jen's are taking me home now. Will ride the bus to work and then to my car.

---

Friday 7:28am
Power outage in New Hope since 3:45...headed to work early thanks to my phone alarm setting I did last night. I was awake from 3:30-4:something so I'm not quite awake now...although the walk to the bus stop helped a smidge.

Friday 1:33pm
Thanks to Jess my refrigerated and frozen food is NOT at my house thawing out. From what I can tell the power is still out at my house ...been out since 3:45 this morning

Friday 4:20pm
I got a different bus than usual after work in order to go pick up my car. They weren’t able to fix the cruise control but they ordered a brand new kit. Apparently there was something wrong with the batch of kits that mine came from. They disconnected the cruise control which I thought was done yesterday by the dealer, hmmmmghmmm… and now I’m on my way: first home to change, then to my 3rd boot camp workout, then home to shower and eat some dinner, then to Jen’s to drop off a pastry cutter, then to Jess’s to pick her up to go shopping for a baby shower gift. So the shopping trip was delayed since on my way to Jess’s a big storm started.

Friday 9:15pm
This evening's rain, wind, thunder & lightening show was magnificent! My neighborhood is a mess with trees uprooted and power poles leaning over. I'm thankful for safety as I was driving to Jess's as it started. We watched the storm from their deck then sat around and sang God is So Good by candlelight with E& V. E asked some good questions about God too.
Now I'm home and thankful the power is on in my little half-underground apartment.

---

 

Saturday 7:25am
Jess texted that she was going to come over and shower and get ready. I groggily texted back to come over whenever. I slowly got up and when she said she was on her way, I started to clean the bathroom. I also started a load of laundry somewhere in there.
Luke and the boys dropped her off and they went to find some breakfast. The struck out at two McDonald's - the one near me had no power and the one by their house was super busy. They ended up at a Burger King.

 

Saturday 9:15am
Jess and I are on the road - we still needed to go get our gift for the baby shower that was at 10 as well as pick up the blueberry muffins she had baked for the baby shower. Thankfully she got them done before the power outage. Jen didn't have the same luck with her scones she was to bring for the shower, but they did get baked at Emslies.
 

Saturday 12:15pm
The shower was a success: lots and lots of presents, cuddles with the newborn, tasty foods, friendly chatter, tours of the Emlies' house.
I dropped off Jess at Tuttles where the boys and Luke were. There is lots of traffic in the Tuttles area on a normal Saturday so the non-working lights at several intersections in a row made it a bit challenging.
When I got home I crashed and slept hard.
 

Saturday 2:15pm
Jen called to see about bringing over their cold food. She brought Morgen and Ethan along and they ended up eating some melty ice cream before Jen left with Ethan to go back home. Carsten was helping Eric on a plumbing project that was somewhat urgent. Since they had no power, Carsten was the light holder.
Morgen and I went on a short walk to see what we could see in the neighborhood across the way. A few people were out cleaning up their yards, but I don't think the area we walked to had power because there wasn't a lot of activity.
 

Saturday 5:15pm
Jen and Ethan returned with Carsten. Eric was off to Target/Star Bucks working on a website project. We had pizza and soupy ice cream from their freezer. Jen brought all their cold food over earlier today. The boys brought my Wii back from their house so they could play some. When we got tired of the Wii, we played games - Pass the Pigs is Ethan's favorite.:)
Found out Jess's are being taken care of by a church family.  

Saturday 8:08pm
Jen just texted they have power! 24 hours without something makes you THANKFUL!

Saturday 8:35pm
Just did a drive by for Jess & Luke - they are without power still. Thankfully they have someone where for all of them to go.
I took some side streets on my way back. Had my windows down and heard lots of generators going and saw lots of cords going across the streets. One house was helping two of their neighbors with two different power cords. Saw lots of piles of branches, a pile of woodchips, and lots of trees down. Didn't see much damage to houses, but could be that damage was on the back side of the houses for some...

Saturday 11:30pm
Saw on Facebook that a neighbor of Jess & Luke's had power, but it kept going on and off. I think the last status was that it was off.

---

Here's a picture from Friday night as we watched the storm from J&L's condo and then some pictures around the neighborhood today...

 

 

Flash flood warnings were in effect.

 

 



Two trees down at end of parking lot at J&L's condo.

 

Only a boat trailer was hit by the falling trees at the parking lot at J&L's condo.

 

Trees split.

 

Branches down.

 

Woodchip piles and piles of branches.

 

Electric pole falling over.

 

Tree in the street.

 

Another broken tree.

 

Strange sun tonight. This picture does not do it justice.



{7 Things to Know}

This week’s edition of 7 Things to Know...

1. I survived tax day. The end.
2. Jen, Jess, and I are singing with my mom at Spooner Baptist's Ladies Luncheon on Saturday, April 28th.
3. This past Thursday brought another April snow. I was grateful to get to leave work early and get a jump start on a long weekend. This snow was worse than the previous week. Everyone here is ready for winter to end.
4. I enjoyed a day off on Friday! Still shoveled my car off, but didn't have to go anywhere too early. Morgen and Ethan came over for lunch and we watched most of "Lady and the Tramp".  
5. As you know, I'm participating in the Metro Women's Center's 4th Annual Amazing Grace Home Walk on Saturday, May 4th. This is my 4th year to participate. Will you join me in supporting this great cause by donating $5, $10, $25, or even $100? Click the DONATE button to the left. T H A N K  Y O U ! If you want to follow my fundraising efforts go to http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/bekah-flaming/4th-annual-amazing-grace-walkbike.
6. The big news of the week was the locating and killing/capturing of the two responsible for the Boston Marathon bombing. Since I was home on Friday I spent a good bit of time watching the news reporters speculate on the police activity of the day. It was interesting to see the events unfold before my eyes. I'm thankful that they were able to get the bad guys. Tough to hear about all the victims. Prayers continue for those families effected by this tragic event.
7. Yesterday I started and finished reading Karen Kingsbury's "The Chance". I wrote a mini-review at Good Reads.

Read and Returned! "The Chance" by Karen Kingsbury

Friday morning workout - snow shoveling.

All cleaned off! Now melt snow, melt!

 

Don't forget to DONATE! to Metro Women's Center's Amazing Grace Home

Make it a great week!

Springtime in MinneSnowta

Saturday was a gorgeous spring-like day. And yes, highly unusual for these here parts. I've lived in the Midwest many years and can't recall a time when it's been this warm so soon. 65 degrees on March 10th. It was awesome!

After Deo rehearsal and after my parents headed back home, I took Carsten for a walk at East Medicine Lake. With such great weather, there was absolutely no reason not to go outside and enjoy the day.

We had a grand time avoiding puddles and not avoiding puddles as there were many melting snow piles.

At the end of our walk we discovered a huge puddle by the playground area so we decided to make little boats and see how they would float. I just happened to have an old magazine in my car that we could use to rip pages out to make the boats. Of course, I have to thank my phone and Google as I didn't remember how to make them so I looked it up online. We had zero success with our boats floating very far, but we had a lot of fun together.

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{stormy weather}

The same night that I helped pack food for starving kids there was the first major storm of the season here in Minneapolis. A tornado touched down north of us and there was some hail in our area. Here's a few pics I snapped that evening: