Ramblings of Sarge

Laundry Day

08JULY10 Laundry Day
Originally uploaded by Sarge Jan08

The growth rate of the pile of clean laundry was outpacing my waistline. Like the diet I need, something had to be done. The dreaded day has arrived. Laundry Day!

I had a photo of the end table next to my dresser where I tend to pile the clean laundry until I get around to putting it away. The stack was equal to the height of the chest of drawers leveling off just below the television that hangs from the ceiling. All told it was approximately 30" high on a 2'X3' table. Well, you get the picture. There is no need to embarrass myself with the photo of that collection. I was about to say that the only thing worse would be ... But I thought of my kids yucking it up as they posted that ... on my behalf for all the world to see and take a collective gasp.

Today became the day as I thought of it as an idea for my daily photo. It was my motivator so to speak. I attempted to perform my usual procrastination techniques. I queried the dinner menu with the bride. We ordered a pizza and watched a Dirty Harry movie on Netflix, The Dead Pool. I even opened the laptop. But alas, here I am, folding clothes.

Well, now the laptop is open again as I procrastinate the putting said clothes in drawers and closet. This can't last too long as the wifey will want to gain access to the new bed tonight. The new bed is a wonderful improvement I might add. No might about it, I just added it.

Well now to tweet and FB the blog and then back to work. Or should I go find a dvd first to throw into the player up here. Hmmm? I am quite certain that the old gal won't put up with this very long. 30.5 years of marriage and no nagging. How great is that? She will get in my face or bury her size five when I need or deserve it though. I know when that is and I cannot consider something I deserve as nagging. Again, I am truly blessed.

Well, enough of this. It's Laundry Day! Huzzah!

Finally, A New Bed

06JULY10 New Bed 1
Originally uploaded by Sarge Jan08

The new bed set from The Original Mattress Factory delivered July 6.

I'm guessing that it was a little more than a decade ago when I decided that it was time to replace the bladder in the soft side water bed rather than repair it again. While I shopped around for the new bag, I threw a full size mattress into the queen size frame. It was a nice snug fit and worked well for a temporary fix. Is a decade temporary?

The Sealy Posturepedic was pretty comfortable and chimed in at around $1400 for the set. The Simmons Beauty Rest weighed in at $1099. After that sticker shock I stopped in at my local store front for The Original Mattress Factory to find the Ortho Luxury Firm at $699.

When it comes to purchasing items like this, items that should be of good quality for a longer term, I hesitate to go with the cheapest brand for fear of product failure. In this case however, after seeing the cutaways and the quality of materials and construction, I believe that I got the best of the three and the lowest price is a bonus.

Even new and too firm, this bed will be worlds ahead of what we had been using. I look forward to breaking it in and having years of better quality sleep.

Assignment: Sermon Prep

07JULY10 Sermon Prep
Originally uploaded by Sarge Jan08

Home from work in the truck and now working on the pain management. Soon to be working on the computer as tonight's assignment is sermon prep for Saturday's Comforts of Home service in Blaine, MN, which our church provides on the second, third and fourth weeks of the month. Also being finalized tonight is the devotional message to be presented at the annual Cornerstone Church of Blaine Men's Group golf outing.

Unfortunately, due to a prior annual engagement, I will not be able to attend this year's golf outing. I had planned on attending both events but other things scheduled by the church bumped the match back an hour. I am now unable to attend either event in it's entirety if I try to attend both so I had to make a choice. I could spell out my reasoning here but I don't believe I could do it justice. Also, due to some of the reasoning, this may not be a good place to elucidate the issue. Any curious soul will just have to contact me personally. (You know - an actual live conversation.)

I look forward to tonight's duties because this is what keeps me studying and learning Scripture. For the Christian, which I am, there is joy in exploring God's Word. I do not mean merely reading the Bible, even though that is a good thing, rather, actually studying and seeing how passages are tied together and how they spell out the principles by which I ought to operate and how they reveal the attributes of God. Studying and learning and experiencing the joy of the Living Word of God.

The Front Yard

Front Yard
Originally uploaded by Sarge Jan08

Down the side and along the front of the yard are many burnt out spots in the lawn in keeping with our house in need of much repair. Today will be a rare attempt at yard work, patching the lawn. The trick will be to determine to keep up on the watering. Then the weeds in the driveway and on the patio need to be sprayed.

It seems that life in today's culture has moved to the backyard. Decks and privacy fences seem to have replaced the front porch. I prefer to sit on the patio out front and watch the neighborhood go by. Greeting the walkers, watching the cars, and talking to the neighbors.

What is your neighborhood like and which do you prefer?

Morning of Another Day

Morning of Another Day
Originally uploaded by Sarge Jan08

Another project started. We'll see how this one goes. The goal is a photo nearly every day to tell the story of the rest of 2010. I am beginning on Independence Day with the typical beginning of the day. Deal with the pains and look forward to the joys that the day will bring forth. All are blessings in one way or another from God.