Jan. 30th.
42 days!
Last night we grilled chicken and shrimp! We marinate the chicken in italian dressing and as for the shrimp its butter, garlic salt and lemon pepper. HMMM. Dustin went over to a friend's house to stay the night and that meant more FOOD for everyone else. YAY!
The night before it was storming. The 2 feet of rain, 15 mph wind and lightning! One of my biggest fears is lightning. Now I played football at Florida State University and I do not fear much but lightning. I still remember how this fear came about. It was 2004 season. We were practicing in shorts this particular day and it was humid and hot. There were a few clouds in the sky but nothing to be concerned about. It had just lightly rain before practice at 3pm. Being that the month was August we could always count on light rain everyday. Its just Florida weather. You just have to love it. Well, the rain was gone and the grass was wet. We had just started our position drills when we all noticed a strange small dark cloud floating above us. It was just awkward. The kind of awkward like a single red rose blooming in the Alaskian Snow. Just misplaced. The cloud kept kept getting closer and closer. Just as Coach Steele, my linebacker coach, was shouting orders, BOOM!!! That dark cloud had just LIGHTNING'ed the Soccer Field Light Tower! The football and soccer fields are like 20 ft apart with chain link fence separating it. All 120 players and coaches dropped to the ground and got up and bolt to the locker room. Think about this, Coach Bowden is 3 stories up in his coaching tower. As soon as that bolt of lightning came out, Legendary Coach Bowden raced everyone off the field. I think he might have first, Coach Bowden is 76 years old!! It is funny to think about now but at the time we thought otherwise.
Saturday morning the lightning prompted me to snuggle closer to my fiance. I did it out of fear to hold her closer but the result was even better. I got wake up spooning the woman that I love. My wish to have and to hold came true.
When you love someone, all your saved-up wishes start coming out.
~ by Elizabeth Bowen
Sunday, January 31, 2010
53 Days Till I Do
Jan. 27th
45 days!
When big changes happen in your life you tend to realize what is most important and who are friends you can energize yourself with. The trip to Pensacola and having dinner with Steve Clark helped to put everything in perspective. My wedding, becoming a step father, exploring all new job opportunities and being a husband. The honeymoon was another important planning obligation but Cassie and I felt that at the moment too much is going on. The mutual decision was to put off the honeymoon for 1 year. Certain friends were very encouraging about this decision and that energy was wonderful to absorb.
The honeymoon, which traditionally is the groom's undertaking, was a 1 year rain delay. We had picked a nice quiet tropical location, Captiva Island, FL. A nice 7 and half hour drive from Tallahassee, :(. It had everything we were looking for beach, sun, and exclusion. The fact that we decided to post pone the honeymoon made me sad. Not the crying, loss of loved one sad but a can't provide for my family sad. Cassie and I made the decision and I had to excuse myself to the bathroom and gather myself. I knew that quitting my job was detrimental to my business success but I did not realize the consequence to my family life. I told myself to take 5 mins to collect my thoughts and gather myself. I vowed to push forward and reward my family with my future success. The feeling of failure to provide was just burned into my brain. I told myself I will be determined to never let anything stand in my way to provide for my family again.
Perspectively this change in my work life has boosted my other roles and I am happy to push forward. 45 days Till I say I Do!
45 days!
When big changes happen in your life you tend to realize what is most important and who are friends you can energize yourself with. The trip to Pensacola and having dinner with Steve Clark helped to put everything in perspective. My wedding, becoming a step father, exploring all new job opportunities and being a husband. The honeymoon was another important planning obligation but Cassie and I felt that at the moment too much is going on. The mutual decision was to put off the honeymoon for 1 year. Certain friends were very encouraging about this decision and that energy was wonderful to absorb.
The honeymoon, which traditionally is the groom's undertaking, was a 1 year rain delay. We had picked a nice quiet tropical location, Captiva Island, FL. A nice 7 and half hour drive from Tallahassee, :(. It had everything we were looking for beach, sun, and exclusion. The fact that we decided to post pone the honeymoon made me sad. Not the crying, loss of loved one sad but a can't provide for my family sad. Cassie and I made the decision and I had to excuse myself to the bathroom and gather myself. I knew that quitting my job was detrimental to my business success but I did not realize the consequence to my family life. I told myself to take 5 mins to collect my thoughts and gather myself. I vowed to push forward and reward my family with my future success. The feeling of failure to provide was just burned into my brain. I told myself I will be determined to never let anything stand in my way to provide for my family again.
Perspectively this change in my work life has boosted my other roles and I am happy to push forward. 45 days Till I say I Do!
53 Days Till I Do
Jan. 26th
46 days.
The boys are back! As I am making coffee in the morning for my future wife I also make the lunches for the boys at 6am. I get a kick out of making them. I just know what the boys like. Iceman, Ethan, loves spicy mustard on his sandwich. Destroyer, Dillon, loves yellow mustard. The Bottomless Pit, Dustin, eats everything. Dustin, being 17 years old, leaves for school at 7 am so I make his first. Cassie and I started giving Dustin money for lunch but we found that giving him a lunch equals more food for him. So I make his lunch, plus he gets two sandwiches. :)
Responsibilities plays a major role in our house. The phase "Jack of All Trades" is fine but you become a master at nothing. Cassie and I did not sit down and assign each other duties but we were able to figure out who does the best at certain duties. For instance, i make coffee majority of the time, make the lunches, laundry, and keeping my side of the closet clean. Cassie cleans the house, cooks majority of the time, and keeps her side of the closet clean. We have trade offs, such as, doing the dishes, taking out the trash and making the bed.
Would it be fair to expect one person to do it all? I do not think so. Cassie and I both would go nuts! I am extremely delighted that we have figured each other out and that we determined who is best at what.
"Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach."
~Tom Robbins
46 days.
The boys are back! As I am making coffee in the morning for my future wife I also make the lunches for the boys at 6am. I get a kick out of making them. I just know what the boys like. Iceman, Ethan, loves spicy mustard on his sandwich. Destroyer, Dillon, loves yellow mustard. The Bottomless Pit, Dustin, eats everything. Dustin, being 17 years old, leaves for school at 7 am so I make his first. Cassie and I started giving Dustin money for lunch but we found that giving him a lunch equals more food for him. So I make his lunch, plus he gets two sandwiches. :)
Responsibilities plays a major role in our house. The phase "Jack of All Trades" is fine but you become a master at nothing. Cassie and I did not sit down and assign each other duties but we were able to figure out who does the best at certain duties. For instance, i make coffee majority of the time, make the lunches, laundry, and keeping my side of the closet clean. Cassie cleans the house, cooks majority of the time, and keeps her side of the closet clean. We have trade offs, such as, doing the dishes, taking out the trash and making the bed.
Would it be fair to expect one person to do it all? I do not think so. Cassie and I both would go nuts! I am extremely delighted that we have figured each other out and that we determined who is best at what.
"Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach."
~Tom Robbins
Saturday, January 30, 2010
53 Days Till I Do
Jan. 25th
47 days.
Today is a ROTARY DAY and We get the boys back! YAY! Speaking of Iceman, Destroyer and Bottomless pit, Cassie shares custody with her ex husband. The boys stay with us every other week. Mondays when its our week with the boys is amazing! The home Cassie and I have made is empty when the boys are not with us. Its a kind of quiet that we cannot explain. We love our time with the boys.
The balance between family, work and community time has to be equaled out. There are only 24 hours in a day and between 8am and 3pm the boys are in school. After school the boys are busy studying and doing homework for an hour. We allow them free time after that to do what ever they would like. Their #1 free time activity is a toss up between xbox or sports outside. The weather plays a contributing factor in that as well. For instance, if its cold, rainy or muddy the boys choose xbox. Dinner is prepared at 5:30pm and served at 6-6:15pm. The boys shower at 7pm and read until 8pm then bed time. Cassie and I have to balance everything around our routine for the boys. Such as, work, community service, grocery buying, appointments etc. Cassie and I both feel our success revolves around our routine, our strategy to use time efficiently.
My fiance told me this story that I am going to share with you. It's called "The Lesson of the Five Balls."
Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling five balls. The balls are called work, family, health, friends, and integrity. And you’re keeping all of them in the air. But one day, you finally come to understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls — family, health, friends, integrity — are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered. And once you truly understand the lesson of the five balls, you will have the beginnings of balance in your life~
47 days.
Today is a ROTARY DAY and We get the boys back! YAY! Speaking of Iceman, Destroyer and Bottomless pit, Cassie shares custody with her ex husband. The boys stay with us every other week. Mondays when its our week with the boys is amazing! The home Cassie and I have made is empty when the boys are not with us. Its a kind of quiet that we cannot explain. We love our time with the boys.
The balance between family, work and community time has to be equaled out. There are only 24 hours in a day and between 8am and 3pm the boys are in school. After school the boys are busy studying and doing homework for an hour. We allow them free time after that to do what ever they would like. Their #1 free time activity is a toss up between xbox or sports outside. The weather plays a contributing factor in that as well. For instance, if its cold, rainy or muddy the boys choose xbox. Dinner is prepared at 5:30pm and served at 6-6:15pm. The boys shower at 7pm and read until 8pm then bed time. Cassie and I have to balance everything around our routine for the boys. Such as, work, community service, grocery buying, appointments etc. Cassie and I both feel our success revolves around our routine, our strategy to use time efficiently.
My fiance told me this story that I am going to share with you. It's called "The Lesson of the Five Balls."
Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling five balls. The balls are called work, family, health, friends, and integrity. And you’re keeping all of them in the air. But one day, you finally come to understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls — family, health, friends, integrity — are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered. And once you truly understand the lesson of the five balls, you will have the beginnings of balance in your life~
53 Days Till I Do
Jan. 24th
48 days!
I spent the better part of Sunday reading and finishing a book. I watched a video on "Famous Dave's BBQ" owner. I loved it. I learned that "Dave" reads 2 -3 books a week, 50-60 magazines a month and writes about everything. He said, " It's not the economy fault for your business, its your "economy" that determines your success. I won't take part in this pity party about "the bad economy." I loved it. He is right. You make your own success. Its the details that determines the outcome of success.
Come to think of it when I was 21 years old I thought the other way around. "The big picture is what is most important." The details will come with the big picture. I could not have been more wrong. I'm 28 years old now and just thinking how naive could I have been. A big picture that REQUIRES Details: my wedding. The big picture is the ceremony, reception and "I do." The details that have to come together is what makes the big picture. For instance, the dress, tuxes, flowers, color schemes, indoor vs. outdoor, and the 1st song as Mr. and Mrs. Peacock, the ribbon color on invitations and lets not forget about the seating arrangement. As everyone knows there are a lot more specific details that make a wedding. I am excited to step outside my comfort box and learn about MY wedding day! Some guys will say to their fiance, "you take care of all of the details and I'll just show up." Really? Come on. This is not just a moment in your future wife's life that is only important to her it should be important to you as well. You cannot take this day back. I REPEAT, "You Cannot Take this Day Back." All the details, which an average guy would not help plan, that make your special day are going to be viewed by your family, honored guests, and your wedding day scrapbook for LIFE! Think about it, the rest of your life the photos from the special day will carry over for decades. I am a guy who wants to help plan the smallest detail so that when I think back into my vault of memories, when I am 70 years old, I will cry with happiness.
I will admit that I am not the most visually creative male but I have improved light years beyond 21 years old. The smallest detail makes the biggest picture.
"Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another. "
Ernest Hemingway
48 days!
I spent the better part of Sunday reading and finishing a book. I watched a video on "Famous Dave's BBQ" owner. I loved it. I learned that "Dave" reads 2 -3 books a week, 50-60 magazines a month and writes about everything. He said, " It's not the economy fault for your business, its your "economy" that determines your success. I won't take part in this pity party about "the bad economy." I loved it. He is right. You make your own success. Its the details that determines the outcome of success.
Come to think of it when I was 21 years old I thought the other way around. "The big picture is what is most important." The details will come with the big picture. I could not have been more wrong. I'm 28 years old now and just thinking how naive could I have been. A big picture that REQUIRES Details: my wedding. The big picture is the ceremony, reception and "I do." The details that have to come together is what makes the big picture. For instance, the dress, tuxes, flowers, color schemes, indoor vs. outdoor, and the 1st song as Mr. and Mrs. Peacock, the ribbon color on invitations and lets not forget about the seating arrangement. As everyone knows there are a lot more specific details that make a wedding. I am excited to step outside my comfort box and learn about MY wedding day! Some guys will say to their fiance, "you take care of all of the details and I'll just show up." Really? Come on. This is not just a moment in your future wife's life that is only important to her it should be important to you as well. You cannot take this day back. I REPEAT, "You Cannot Take this Day Back." All the details, which an average guy would not help plan, that make your special day are going to be viewed by your family, honored guests, and your wedding day scrapbook for LIFE! Think about it, the rest of your life the photos from the special day will carry over for decades. I am a guy who wants to help plan the smallest detail so that when I think back into my vault of memories, when I am 70 years old, I will cry with happiness.
I will admit that I am not the most visually creative male but I have improved light years beyond 21 years old. The smallest detail makes the biggest picture.
"Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another. "
Ernest Hemingway
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
53 days Till I Do
Jan. 23rd
49 days!!
Its Saturday! Cassie and I don't sleep in. We never have. Its amazing that we both enjoy getting up early and making the Day Great!
A habit that I picked up from Tommy Bowden, former Clemson Football Head Coach, is making coffee in the morning for his wife. I heard Tommy speak at The Tallahassee Quarterback Club. TQbC is a non-profit that supports local high school football. Its a club that is made up of 200 raging football fans. A majority is Florida State Seminoles, Gators, some Georgia, Alabama and last a lone Wake Forest fan. Men and women from the community gather 8 or 9 times in the fall to listen to a speaker, eat great food and enjoy fellowship. I love it.
Anyways, Tommy Bowden is our club's speaker that this particular club meeting. Well, Tommy was speaking about life, coaching, and his father Legendary Coach Bobby Bowden. In the 45 mins of talking I held on to Tommy saying, " I get up at 5:30am every morning and make a cup of coffee for my wife. I love the smile on her face every morning and whatever stress I had been carrying was lifted. Her smile gets me through the long days at the office. " I have remembered that and applied it to my life. I get up at 6 am every morning and make coffee for my future wife. The smile it puts on her face wakes me up and makes my day. Even on Saturday and Sunday I make the coffee. She is amazing and I'm lucky that she chose me.
"For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul." ~Judy Garland
49 days!!
Its Saturday! Cassie and I don't sleep in. We never have. Its amazing that we both enjoy getting up early and making the Day Great!
A habit that I picked up from Tommy Bowden, former Clemson Football Head Coach, is making coffee in the morning for his wife. I heard Tommy speak at The Tallahassee Quarterback Club. TQbC is a non-profit that supports local high school football. Its a club that is made up of 200 raging football fans. A majority is Florida State Seminoles, Gators, some Georgia, Alabama and last a lone Wake Forest fan. Men and women from the community gather 8 or 9 times in the fall to listen to a speaker, eat great food and enjoy fellowship. I love it.
Anyways, Tommy Bowden is our club's speaker that this particular club meeting. Well, Tommy was speaking about life, coaching, and his father Legendary Coach Bobby Bowden. In the 45 mins of talking I held on to Tommy saying, " I get up at 5:30am every morning and make a cup of coffee for my wife. I love the smile on her face every morning and whatever stress I had been carrying was lifted. Her smile gets me through the long days at the office. " I have remembered that and applied it to my life. I get up at 6 am every morning and make coffee for my future wife. The smile it puts on her face wakes me up and makes my day. Even on Saturday and Sunday I make the coffee. She is amazing and I'm lucky that she chose me.
"For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul." ~Judy Garland
53 Days Till I Do
Jan. 22th
50 days!
The days are getting closer. I feel like the time is just melting away like a stick of butter in the microwave. Cassie and I are still in Pensacola its FRIDAY!! The only thing is 3 hour drive back! :( Well its not so bad. The weather cleared and a little chilly. Cassie had to go to some appointments behind hotel checkout at Noon.
I was left to myself once again. The gym was calling my name! I wanted to do something light today. I had a 3 hour drive and the last thing I needed was to have no energy to keep my eyes open. I made it a Cardio Day! Its crazy how much information we keep from different sources, people we meet, past experiences etc. Well I feel like America has given Cardio a bad rep. Follow me a second, how long do you really want to jog in place for? I see people on the treadmill, bicycle, or the elpilical for hours! Get this the American Olympic Team trains on Cardio Machines like we do in the gym. One thing though, they train for 8 mins at a time. They cycle through an 8 min treadmill, 8 min bicycle, and 8 min elipical. They agree that those machines work they just use them differently. Granted they train at full speed all the time and the results certainly follow. I use that knowledge in my work out and do 8 mins per machine. I feel much better, get a better work out and do it in less time. Go figure that America's definition of Cardio is skewed. You don't believe me,
http://health.msn.com/health-topics/heart-and-cardiovascular/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100198014.
That's MSN Health.
I am trying to develop a new habit that will decrease my stress, promote creative thinking and look great for my future WIFE!!
from Stephen Covey
50 days!
The days are getting closer. I feel like the time is just melting away like a stick of butter in the microwave. Cassie and I are still in Pensacola its FRIDAY!! The only thing is 3 hour drive back! :( Well its not so bad. The weather cleared and a little chilly. Cassie had to go to some appointments behind hotel checkout at Noon.
I was left to myself once again. The gym was calling my name! I wanted to do something light today. I had a 3 hour drive and the last thing I needed was to have no energy to keep my eyes open. I made it a Cardio Day! Its crazy how much information we keep from different sources, people we meet, past experiences etc. Well I feel like America has given Cardio a bad rep. Follow me a second, how long do you really want to jog in place for? I see people on the treadmill, bicycle, or the elpilical for hours! Get this the American Olympic Team trains on Cardio Machines like we do in the gym. One thing though, they train for 8 mins at a time. They cycle through an 8 min treadmill, 8 min bicycle, and 8 min elipical. They agree that those machines work they just use them differently. Granted they train at full speed all the time and the results certainly follow. I use that knowledge in my work out and do 8 mins per machine. I feel much better, get a better work out and do it in less time. Go figure that America's definition of Cardio is skewed. You don't believe me,
http://health.msn.com/health-topics/heart-and-cardiovascular/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100198014.
That's MSN Health.
I am trying to develop a new habit that will decrease my stress, promote creative thinking and look great for my future WIFE!!
from Stephen Covey
"Whenever your present situation, I assure you that you are not your habits. You can replace old patterns of self-defeating behavior with new patterns, new habits of the effectiveness, happiness, and trust-based relationships."
Sunday, January 24, 2010
53 Days Till I say I Do
Jan. 21
51 Days!!
Today is Thursday! I am in Pensacola and its REALLY foggy. The hotel room is 9 stories up and the view is amazing! Cassie and I both could not sleep very well. Maybe it was a combination of things, stress, the bed, the pillow, or the light coming from the windows. Does not matter because TODAY is my day! We were both still on Eastern Standard time which meant 1 hour forward while in Pensacola's Central Time Zone. We got moving at 6am like normal, but 5am Central. Nuts! We both knew that Starbucks does not open for another couple of hours. Cassie had appointments all planned and I was working on me.
We eventually make it to Starbucks about 7:37am, two and half hours later from waking up. Again, I have not told everyone that I no longer have a job, we are enjoying our time and coffee together and I get a call from, Mrs. Weldon. She called because she was trying to get in touch with another employee at my former office. I knew she had no idea so I told her, " Hey slow down, I need to tell you that I no longer work for that agency." "What?" she exclaimed, "When did that happen?" I went on to tell her that it was one week from today and that I really did not want to talk about it further. She respected that and wished me the best. Also, she told me she was looking forward to Cassie bridal shower!
Cassie went off to her appointments and I got lost on the way back to the hotel. (Thank goodness for GPS!) So a 5 min trip turned into a 30 min trip back tracking. I was anxious to get back because of everything I had on my list to do that day, The Gym was priority #1! I know I have written about that the last two days but listen. I am experiencing short term stress that I Have to LET OUT!!!! 3 months from now Cassie and I are going to be laughing about this. Besides, Arms and Shoulders today!! I love those beach muscle groups. Plus, the wedding is coming up and I want to look my best for my soul-mate. I am fluctuating around 230-240lbs. My in 53 days is to be about 220 -225lbs, back to my playing weight at FSU. I want to recreate a positive habit that is benefiting me and my mental status. Cassie loves my muscles, :)~.
I get back to hotel change in gym clothes, under armour and mesh shorts. I know, You look good, you feel good, you play good. It just prepares me to have a GREAT workout. I'm focused. I spend about 50 mins in the gym. I had preplanned my work out so that I did not waste time figuring out what's next. I finished up took a shower and continued reading the book about Kennith Cole. Cassie and I share our love for reading leadership, sales, marketing, advertising, etc. We enjoy taking notes, writing down quotes or just ideas that we would like to incorporate into our daily life. Basically we call it growing as individuals. Back to the the book. The book is big. Not the number of pages but just big. Its like one of those big coffee table books that you use for decoration. I would end up finishing the book before she got back. (I recommend that book to anyone. It is the untold story about a man with a vision and preparation to be the best.)
Cassie met me back at the hotel. We both were hungry for PASTA! I have never been to Macaroni Grill so we went there. The restaurant was relaxing. Lunch was free. It just so happened that our food order was misplaced or lost and the manager told us, "Lunch is On the House. I apologize for the delay." We looked at ourselves said thank you. Cassie and I both knew we were instant customers. (Really, what restaurant now a days does that? Free lunch for late food.)
Cassie had to hit the road again after lunch. I told her, " I love you! Remember we have dinner with Steve Clark and his wife tonight." She replies, "I'll be back at the hotel with plenty of time." (I always have faith in Cassie to be ready on time. I love it that every time she gets ready she stuns me with her beauty. Those moments I feel tremendously lucky that she choose me.)
Later that evening we met up with Steve Clark and his wife. The "Fish House"!! The food portions were enormous. The company was amazing. (It's great to be on the same wave length as another business professional.) Steve owns his own company, "New School Selling." The wisdom I soaked up was incredible. Cassie agreed that whenever we visit Pensacola we need to hang out with Steve and his wife.
"Do not trust all men, but trust men of worth; the former course is silly, the latter a mark of prudence."
- Democritus
51 Days!!
Today is Thursday! I am in Pensacola and its REALLY foggy. The hotel room is 9 stories up and the view is amazing! Cassie and I both could not sleep very well. Maybe it was a combination of things, stress, the bed, the pillow, or the light coming from the windows. Does not matter because TODAY is my day! We were both still on Eastern Standard time which meant 1 hour forward while in Pensacola's Central Time Zone. We got moving at 6am like normal, but 5am Central. Nuts! We both knew that Starbucks does not open for another couple of hours. Cassie had appointments all planned and I was working on me.
We eventually make it to Starbucks about 7:37am, two and half hours later from waking up. Again, I have not told everyone that I no longer have a job, we are enjoying our time and coffee together and I get a call from, Mrs. Weldon. She called because she was trying to get in touch with another employee at my former office. I knew she had no idea so I told her, " Hey slow down, I need to tell you that I no longer work for that agency." "What?" she exclaimed, "When did that happen?" I went on to tell her that it was one week from today and that I really did not want to talk about it further. She respected that and wished me the best. Also, she told me she was looking forward to Cassie bridal shower!
Cassie went off to her appointments and I got lost on the way back to the hotel. (Thank goodness for GPS!) So a 5 min trip turned into a 30 min trip back tracking. I was anxious to get back because of everything I had on my list to do that day, The Gym was priority #1! I know I have written about that the last two days but listen. I am experiencing short term stress that I Have to LET OUT!!!! 3 months from now Cassie and I are going to be laughing about this. Besides, Arms and Shoulders today!! I love those beach muscle groups. Plus, the wedding is coming up and I want to look my best for my soul-mate. I am fluctuating around 230-240lbs. My in 53 days is to be about 220 -225lbs, back to my playing weight at FSU. I want to recreate a positive habit that is benefiting me and my mental status. Cassie loves my muscles, :)~.
I get back to hotel change in gym clothes, under armour and mesh shorts. I know, You look good, you feel good, you play good. It just prepares me to have a GREAT workout. I'm focused. I spend about 50 mins in the gym. I had preplanned my work out so that I did not waste time figuring out what's next. I finished up took a shower and continued reading the book about Kennith Cole. Cassie and I share our love for reading leadership, sales, marketing, advertising, etc. We enjoy taking notes, writing down quotes or just ideas that we would like to incorporate into our daily life. Basically we call it growing as individuals. Back to the the book. The book is big. Not the number of pages but just big. Its like one of those big coffee table books that you use for decoration. I would end up finishing the book before she got back. (I recommend that book to anyone. It is the untold story about a man with a vision and preparation to be the best.)
Cassie met me back at the hotel. We both were hungry for PASTA! I have never been to Macaroni Grill so we went there. The restaurant was relaxing. Lunch was free. It just so happened that our food order was misplaced or lost and the manager told us, "Lunch is On the House. I apologize for the delay." We looked at ourselves said thank you. Cassie and I both knew we were instant customers. (Really, what restaurant now a days does that? Free lunch for late food.)
Cassie had to hit the road again after lunch. I told her, " I love you! Remember we have dinner with Steve Clark and his wife tonight." She replies, "I'll be back at the hotel with plenty of time." (I always have faith in Cassie to be ready on time. I love it that every time she gets ready she stuns me with her beauty. Those moments I feel tremendously lucky that she choose me.)
Later that evening we met up with Steve Clark and his wife. The "Fish House"!! The food portions were enormous. The company was amazing. (It's great to be on the same wave length as another business professional.) Steve owns his own company, "New School Selling." The wisdom I soaked up was incredible. Cassie agreed that whenever we visit Pensacola we need to hang out with Steve and his wife.
"Do not trust all men, but trust men of worth; the former course is silly, the latter a mark of prudence."
- Democritus
Saturday, January 23, 2010
53 Days till I say I do
Jan. 19th
Tuesday morning my fiance was leaving for Pensacola for the week. Cassie is a marketing representative for a Finance Corporation that coordinates payment plans for insurance agents like myself. But I have no job. I quit my job 5 days before.
I made a list a things I needed to do that day. Explore all options for my new career. I had a few ideas where I wanted to go from insurance agent. The day before Cassie (my fiance) and I had scheduled an appointment with an established insurance agency and awkwardly asked the agency Owner if he was in a position to sell his book of business we are ready to buy. We did not have the money to purchase an agency but we had the tools to spread out that money of a course of time. Low and behold it was a dead end. We had thanked the owner for his time. Most people would think that was a total failure but Cassie and I made a new friend. The gentleman was in his early 70s and told his story when was in our position. He respected us coming in and asking for the business but had a high hopes that his daughter would take over one day.
Also, it was Martin Luther King's Birthday. The boys were off from school. Cassie has 3 boys, Dustin (17 years old), Dillon (9 years old) and Ethan (8 years old). Each have their own nicknames in order, Bottomless Pit, The Destroyer, and Iceman. :) I gave them those names over 2009 spring break in Destin, Florida. Coincidentally when I gave out their names they gave me my own as well, "The Rationer." Haha, that still makes me smile. The story behind that goes, its spring break 2009. Cassie and I took the boys to Destin, Florida. Destin is home to some WHITE beaches. We its March and windy!!! That equated to being cold when the sun was not out. The week had started in the hotel and Dustin, being the ever growing boy that he is at 17, was hungry. We had bought food for the trip like any family. Well Dustin, the 1st morning ate like 4 sandwiches, pop tarts, and chips. I was floored. Dustin weighs about a buck forty. I told him no more! Your like a bottomless pit. Jeez, the grocery store was down the street but I figured the four day Cassie and I would make a trip, NOT THE FIRST MORNING!!! We eventually made our way down to the beach. Did I forget, it was WINDY and COLD!!!! We had toughed it out. Cassie was called away for work so the boys and I found a place on the beach to settle down. The boys being taken from Nintendo DS in the hotel to beautiful sandy white cold beach were bored fast! I told them come on its the beach, enjoy! We can't come to the beach and not build a Sand Castle! We all sat down and started our creative juices and formed a plan. Ethan and I versus Dustin and Dillon. Let the building begin!!! The three of them were finally having fun. At some point in the funness, Dillon wanted destroy our castle. Seriously he asked several times for permission to bulldoze our castle. "Please!!!!!!!!!! John!!!!!" No i replied. About three hours past, it was still cold and windy, and we decided to go swimming in the indoor pool. At that point Dillon was granted his wish and leveled our castle and his in one running start sliding motion. So Dillon, The Destroyer, was born. Ethan, bless his heart, went with Cassie and I for a walk on the beach later that day and went swimming. I repeat, its March he went swimming in the Gulf of Mexico's 60 degree water. As we dried off Ethan off, he is telling us, "I'm not cold!" The bravery Lil E was showing did not go well with his shivering and blue lips. That's the boys. The Rationer was given to me at the end of the trip when Dustin is deliberating his speech that he was forced to starve and John rationed the food, "The Rationer" was born.
So tuesday morning. I kissed my fiance good bye. She got in her rental car, a white Chrysler 300. It was very nice. I told her that she loved amazing in it. She gave me the smile and told me to get to work on my list to do.
Upon that list was THE GYM!! She knew that would de-stress me with my current situation. I worked out my Chest muscles and did cardio. I felt great. It was the first time in months. I recommend the Gym to any potential bachelors. From that trip in the gym I knew I had more work to do.
Tuesday morning my fiance was leaving for Pensacola for the week. Cassie is a marketing representative for a Finance Corporation that coordinates payment plans for insurance agents like myself. But I have no job. I quit my job 5 days before.
I made a list a things I needed to do that day. Explore all options for my new career. I had a few ideas where I wanted to go from insurance agent. The day before Cassie (my fiance) and I had scheduled an appointment with an established insurance agency and awkwardly asked the agency Owner if he was in a position to sell his book of business we are ready to buy. We did not have the money to purchase an agency but we had the tools to spread out that money of a course of time. Low and behold it was a dead end. We had thanked the owner for his time. Most people would think that was a total failure but Cassie and I made a new friend. The gentleman was in his early 70s and told his story when was in our position. He respected us coming in and asking for the business but had a high hopes that his daughter would take over one day.
Also, it was Martin Luther King's Birthday. The boys were off from school. Cassie has 3 boys, Dustin (17 years old), Dillon (9 years old) and Ethan (8 years old). Each have their own nicknames in order, Bottomless Pit, The Destroyer, and Iceman. :) I gave them those names over 2009 spring break in Destin, Florida. Coincidentally when I gave out their names they gave me my own as well, "The Rationer." Haha, that still makes me smile. The story behind that goes, its spring break 2009. Cassie and I took the boys to Destin, Florida. Destin is home to some WHITE beaches. We its March and windy!!! That equated to being cold when the sun was not out. The week had started in the hotel and Dustin, being the ever growing boy that he is at 17, was hungry. We had bought food for the trip like any family. Well Dustin, the 1st morning ate like 4 sandwiches, pop tarts, and chips. I was floored. Dustin weighs about a buck forty. I told him no more! Your like a bottomless pit. Jeez, the grocery store was down the street but I figured the four day Cassie and I would make a trip, NOT THE FIRST MORNING!!! We eventually made our way down to the beach. Did I forget, it was WINDY and COLD!!!! We had toughed it out. Cassie was called away for work so the boys and I found a place on the beach to settle down. The boys being taken from Nintendo DS in the hotel to beautiful sandy white cold beach were bored fast! I told them come on its the beach, enjoy! We can't come to the beach and not build a Sand Castle! We all sat down and started our creative juices and formed a plan. Ethan and I versus Dustin and Dillon. Let the building begin!!! The three of them were finally having fun. At some point in the funness, Dillon wanted destroy our castle. Seriously he asked several times for permission to bulldoze our castle. "Please!!!!!!!!!! John!!!!!" No i replied. About three hours past, it was still cold and windy, and we decided to go swimming in the indoor pool. At that point Dillon was granted his wish and leveled our castle and his in one running start sliding motion. So Dillon, The Destroyer, was born. Ethan, bless his heart, went with Cassie and I for a walk on the beach later that day and went swimming. I repeat, its March he went swimming in the Gulf of Mexico's 60 degree water. As we dried off Ethan off, he is telling us, "I'm not cold!" The bravery Lil E was showing did not go well with his shivering and blue lips. That's the boys. The Rationer was given to me at the end of the trip when Dustin is deliberating his speech that he was forced to starve and John rationed the food, "The Rationer" was born.
So tuesday morning. I kissed my fiance good bye. She got in her rental car, a white Chrysler 300. It was very nice. I told her that she loved amazing in it. She gave me the smile and told me to get to work on my list to do.
Upon that list was THE GYM!! She knew that would de-stress me with my current situation. I worked out my Chest muscles and did cardio. I felt great. It was the first time in months. I recommend the Gym to any potential bachelors. From that trip in the gym I knew I had more work to do.
53 Days Till I Say I do
Jan. 2oth!
52 Days!
I love my Fiance! Its 52 Days till I say I do! I am so excited. I currently left my job to impassable differences. I wish the former employer the best but our directions are opposite. I am looking forward to collecting the rest of my commission I earned when I left Jan. 14th. :) I have to admit that it has added more stress on the dual finances. Many friends have been very supportive. Man of them say it in 1 year it will be the best decision of my life. I am a fearful. It was the hardest thing I have done in my life. I take that back, playing for Florida State Seminole Football was TOUGHER. The grueling practices and the heat were by far the most intense moments in my life. Still fearful though. No job, exploring all options, and no clients.
Its the 3rd Wednesday of the Month and time for a board meeting. I am currently President of Tallahassee Capital Rotary. I am, as far as I am told, the youngest President in rotary history. I do know that I was ready for my position. Back tracking a little, Feb. 9th, 2009. I was the Membership Chairman for my club, only 8 months in the club. I had openly joked about being President in one of my football summaries from the previous fall. I walked in early about 12:07 pm for lunch and the meeting at 12:30pm. I was approached by former president Bobby Yates and at the time current President John Mackie. "John Peacock! How are you doing?" I replied, "Doing Great. I enjoyed an amazing Valentines with a special woman." Bobby and Mackie directly side step that and ask, "How would you like to be President of Capital Rotary?" I said, "For 2011?" Mackie, "No, No. For 2009 -2010. Judge Thomas had to back out at the last minute and your are our 1st Round Draft Pick." They were talking NFL football language to me. I replied, " I would love to." So catching you up, Board Meeting time!
The Board Meeting consisted of all of my officers, Membership, PR, Foundation, Treasurer etc. Anyways, it went well. Plus, they wanted me to introduce the club to facebook and actually speak about how to setup an account. I was thrilled. I had a packed my bags before the meeting but I forgot my eye solution for my contacts. Oh jeez, I am leaving today for Pensacola to meet my Fiance as well. I forgot to mention that.
As I said I'm currently unemployed. I have been in the commercial insurance sales for the last 3 years. I love my industry and I plan to stay in insurance and take my expertise to new levels. But at the moment worried and fearful. Not so much worried and fearful but excited and ready to succeed in my new venture!!!
I drove almost 3 hours to Pensacola. I listened to marketing and sales cds along the way to pass the time. I once was told the story of the lumberjacks.
Here goes the story, there once were two lumberjacks competing in the same forest. Everyday for 6 months they competed and everyday people always told them that they were the best. One day the lumberjacks got angry with "who was the best" comparisons. That day they made a bet with each other to determine who was officially the best. The rules were whoever cuts the most lumber in 1 week is the clear winner. Both lumberjacks agreed. The next morning they both went to cutting. Lumberjack 1 was determined to beat Lumberjack 2. He was so determined that whenever #2 was taking a break he would be cutting lumber and would not stop until it was dark. So 7 days past. When Lumberjack 2 was taking a break #1 was cutting away. The week had ended and the number of trees were counted. Lumberjack 1 was standing next to Lumberjack #2. #1 said, " I know I beat you. While you were taking a break I was cutting. There is no way you beat me." #2 just nodded his head and waited for the final count. The winner is Lumberjack #2 by a double the amount of trees. "WHAT!!!!!" exclaimed the #1. "How did that happen? I heard you taking a break and I was cutting!! Recount no way!!!" Lumberjack #2 turned to #1, and spoke, "You are correct. I did take breaks. But what you did not hear was that I was sharping my ax every time I took a break."
I recall this story because I refuse to let my current situation, No Job, affect my life. I am "sharping my ax" and driving to Pensacola is a apart of my plan.
52 Days!
I love my Fiance! Its 52 Days till I say I do! I am so excited. I currently left my job to impassable differences. I wish the former employer the best but our directions are opposite. I am looking forward to collecting the rest of my commission I earned when I left Jan. 14th. :) I have to admit that it has added more stress on the dual finances. Many friends have been very supportive. Man of them say it in 1 year it will be the best decision of my life. I am a fearful. It was the hardest thing I have done in my life. I take that back, playing for Florida State Seminole Football was TOUGHER. The grueling practices and the heat were by far the most intense moments in my life. Still fearful though. No job, exploring all options, and no clients.
Its the 3rd Wednesday of the Month and time for a board meeting. I am currently President of Tallahassee Capital Rotary. I am, as far as I am told, the youngest President in rotary history. I do know that I was ready for my position. Back tracking a little, Feb. 9th, 2009. I was the Membership Chairman for my club, only 8 months in the club. I had openly joked about being President in one of my football summaries from the previous fall. I walked in early about 12:07 pm for lunch and the meeting at 12:30pm. I was approached by former president Bobby Yates and at the time current President John Mackie. "John Peacock! How are you doing?" I replied, "Doing Great. I enjoyed an amazing Valentines with a special woman." Bobby and Mackie directly side step that and ask, "How would you like to be President of Capital Rotary?" I said, "For 2011?" Mackie, "No, No. For 2009 -2010. Judge Thomas had to back out at the last minute and your are our 1st Round Draft Pick." They were talking NFL football language to me. I replied, " I would love to." So catching you up, Board Meeting time!
The Board Meeting consisted of all of my officers, Membership, PR, Foundation, Treasurer etc. Anyways, it went well. Plus, they wanted me to introduce the club to facebook and actually speak about how to setup an account. I was thrilled. I had a packed my bags before the meeting but I forgot my eye solution for my contacts. Oh jeez, I am leaving today for Pensacola to meet my Fiance as well. I forgot to mention that.
As I said I'm currently unemployed. I have been in the commercial insurance sales for the last 3 years. I love my industry and I plan to stay in insurance and take my expertise to new levels. But at the moment worried and fearful. Not so much worried and fearful but excited and ready to succeed in my new venture!!!
I drove almost 3 hours to Pensacola. I listened to marketing and sales cds along the way to pass the time. I once was told the story of the lumberjacks.
Here goes the story, there once were two lumberjacks competing in the same forest. Everyday for 6 months they competed and everyday people always told them that they were the best. One day the lumberjacks got angry with "who was the best" comparisons. That day they made a bet with each other to determine who was officially the best. The rules were whoever cuts the most lumber in 1 week is the clear winner. Both lumberjacks agreed. The next morning they both went to cutting. Lumberjack 1 was determined to beat Lumberjack 2. He was so determined that whenever #2 was taking a break he would be cutting lumber and would not stop until it was dark. So 7 days past. When Lumberjack 2 was taking a break #1 was cutting away. The week had ended and the number of trees were counted. Lumberjack 1 was standing next to Lumberjack #2. #1 said, " I know I beat you. While you were taking a break I was cutting. There is no way you beat me." #2 just nodded his head and waited for the final count. The winner is Lumberjack #2 by a double the amount of trees. "WHAT!!!!!" exclaimed the #1. "How did that happen? I heard you taking a break and I was cutting!! Recount no way!!!" Lumberjack #2 turned to #1, and spoke, "You are correct. I did take breaks. But what you did not hear was that I was sharping my ax every time I took a break."
I recall this story because I refuse to let my current situation, No Job, affect my life. I am "sharping my ax" and driving to Pensacola is a apart of my plan.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
