No Excuses

While I am on my soapbox, Ceil and I have worked hard to have a normal family life, spending time together, doing things as a family with the kids, eating healthy meals together. These days so many people get caught up in all the activities the world offers, trying to keep up with the Jones – and the Jones kids. 

I don’t try to ram my normal life down other people’s throats on social media, though I do post family events and accounts on my blog. We are limited in many things we do – by the choices we purposefully made. Some might look at our lives and be jealous of the life we lead, while we could be inclined to be envious of the lives others lead.

Instead I need to be thankful for what God has blessed me with, and know that where and who I am is also heavily influenced by the decisions I’ve made all along the way. I have no one to blame but myself.

Several years ago I was in a small couples group that studied a book, whose premise was young fathers should work at lower-paying jobs with flexibility to spend time with family, then not retire as early after the kids are gone to make up the income. I don’t see many men doing that, though that’s generally the route I took. These days we live in an economy where most times mothers have to work as well, to make ends meet.

When I was growing up, it was normal for me not to have much. Even after getting my first job I didn’t spend much money or go on trips. The thought rarely entered my mind. I would go on church retreats. I saved money for a down payment on a house.

My parents were cheap, especially my dad, a child of the depression. He said he liked the tiny burgers instead of the more expensive ones. I’d go visit and they’d be sitting in the dark, not wanting to turn on the light to run up the electric bill. They’d never call to save on long distance, even after long distance rates pretty much went away.

It was engrained in me to look for the cheapest thing on the menu, or the one where I’d get the most food. Use coupons, which some of my GT friends did. Sometimes now I wonder if that’s why lately I’ve been more apt to have so many pairs of sneakers and bobbleheads and other stuff like caps and jerseys, since I didn’t have those things as a kid. 

It has taken years and years to grow out of that mentality, to be generous and tip well. People like Reid and my old boss Steve Apollo helped with that. I used to be around people who would look for excuses to not tip, like being at a large table with ten diners all with special requests. If the service wasn’t perfect, no tip. I’d see them snickering at their “gain” - forgetting that God sees what they’re doing.

People always looking far and wide for the best deal, getting the absolute cheapest thing. You can tell. I dress too much like a slob, in sneakers and such. But when I know I’ll be meeting with other professionals I try to dress the part. Hard to negotiate with a guy in a suit when I’m wearing shorts and an old t-shirt.

Last night I bought a new set of golf clubs, an expensive purchase for me, especially considering how little I golf. I justified the purchase since I had earned the money selling bobbleheads and sneakers on eBay, and going to focus groups. Had a focus group last night. Got paid $80.00 to sample eleven pieces of bread. Didn’t eat much supper: chicken soup and tossed salad.