January 2018 Thread

[joecool]

I've been trying to get my brother to take it easier, considering his health. But since moving to this area, he's been obsessed with his bucket list. Today, he looked outside at blue skies and (cold) sunlight, and grabbed his shotgun, wanting to add another pheasant. Well, he ended up getting stuck in snow and couldn't dig his way out. He walked to a ranch, and the helpful owner pulled his vehicle clear. After he thawed out at home, he noticed the blisters on his nose...mild frostbite.

Hopefully, this near miss will wake him up. It's smart to learn from your past mistakes. It's genius to learn from other people's mistakes.

[ccm2361]

Happy New Year lads!

[RRCmdrBennett]

New Years made me $240 richer! Bulk of which happened between 12-3am! Brrr is right. Windchill below zero! Let's go camping!

[Mark Jones]

Hey I celebrated 39 years with at&t Jan 2nd.  It started off with a twice yearly supervisor ride with me for 20 minutes to make sure I can drive safely.  39 years with NO at fault motor vehicle accidents.  I missed all the questions for the latest and greatest defensive driving acroynms... but I remembered the old ones... same goes for the RR moto...GRIN! opps.  

Then went for 7 hours of 18 degrees outside  most of it.  Love this job!  No one outside to bother me...now bugs, no dogs, no people... just me and the cold......and the money.  

Wife asked me what word for 2018 that started with my first name... was merry but I opted up for MONEY!  HA!

Its a warmup today.  Low 20...been up 2 poles had to cut tree limbs to get up there... Lots of folks walking around today with the warmer temps.

Mark Jones

[joecool]

Remember that scene in Facing The Giants, where someone asks the coach, "Have you not seen what's happening?" And he goes outside and sees all the students praying in groups? We had something similar today at my school.

One of the seniors spoke in chapel today and really shared from his heart. Talked about the difference between being a Christian and being a disciple. Talked about those who fake it and those that keep it real, even though it's hard. I'm sitting in the back pew, thinking Preach It, Boy!, but not knowing how his peers were taking it.

At the end of his message, he asked, "Who wants to do the hard thing?" Everyone. Went. Forward.

Spent most of the next period with the freshmen talking about what had happened, and not to let it get away from them. Later in the day, it was announced that there would be student prayer tomorrow morning at 7:20. Stay tuned.

[RRCmdrBennett]

Hey I celebrated 39 years with at&t Jan 2nd.  It started off with a twice yearly supervisor ride with me for 20 minutes to make sure I can drive safely.  39 years with NO at fault motor vehicle accidents.  I missed all the questions for the latest and greatest defensive driving acroynms... but I remembered the old ones... same goes for the RR moto...GRIN! opps.  

Then went for 7 hours of 18 degrees outside  most of it.  Love this job!  No one outside to bother me...now bugs, no dogs, no people... just me and the cold......and the money.  

Wife asked me what word for 2018 that started with my first name... was merry but I opted up for MONEY!  HA!

Its a warmup today.  Low 20...been up 2 poles had to cut tree limbs to get up there... Lots of folks walking around today with the warmer temps.

Mark Jones

Are You considering retiring?

[Mark Jones]

Yes when I hit Social Security or when I want to. 3 years on the outside.

Mark Jones

[joecool]

Yes when I hit Social Security or when I want to.

Everybody needs to do their own research, but for me, it made more sense to start receiving my SS check at 62. Yes, it's less than if you wait until 65 or later. But doing the math, I would have to live past 80 before my decision started costing me money. In other words, the extra money I gained between 62 and 65 makes it a smart move for 18 years. BUT, if you decide to also work, there is a limit on how much money you can make without it affecting your SS payment.

And if I make it to 80, all my SS money will be going to the nursing home anyway.

[Mark Jones]

We are on the same page. I figure it the same as you. I may go earlier depends on if I want to or not.

Mark Jones

Yes when I hit Social Security or when I want to.

Everybody needs to do their own research, but for me, it made more sense to start receiving my SS check at 62. Yes, it's less than if you wait until 65 or later. But doing the math, I would have to live past 80 before my decision started costing me money. In other words, the extra money I gained between 62 and 65 makes it a smart move for 18 years. BUT, if you decide to also work, there is a limit on how much money you can make without it affecting your SS payment.

And if I make it to 80, all my SS money will be going to the nursing home anyway.  

[Claymore]

Also....

You are going to find that you will WANT to spend more money in the beginning of your retirement, than 10 years into it.

You may want to fix up the house, extend the yard, get a 4-wheeler or a put-put boat. When you are 75 or 80, that kind of stuff, often, does not excite you as much.

[joecool]

 When you are 75 or 80, that kind of stuff, often, does not excite you as much.

Yep. Invest in the electric wall chair that goes up and down the stairs. Or try the warming comforter that is powered by the vibrations from your snoring. Who says senior citizens can't be tech-nerds?

[Mark Jones]

I see that as well. Good advice.

Also....

You are going to find that you will WANT to spend more money in the beginning of your retirement, than 10 years into it.

You may want to fix up the house, extend the yard, get a 4-wheeler or a put-put boat.  When you are 75 or 80, that kind of stuff, often, does not excite you as much.

[RRCmdrBennett]

Advice Mark Don't grow old like Claymore!

[joecool]

Advice Mark Don't grow old like Claymore!  

Ah, yes, the wisdom of youth. Observe and learn, grasshopper. How do you think Claymore got to be the age he is, despite his career paths?

[RRCmdrBennett]

Advice Mark Don't grow old like Claymore!  

Ah, yes, the wisdom of youth. Observe and learn, grasshopper. How do you think Claymore got to be the age he is, despite his career paths?

By the sovereign hand of God... of course!

[joecool]

Had an interesting conversation with a businessman in his shop today. Mind you, I've heard sailors curse. But this guy would make a sailor blush. Anyway, he was complaining how our city had changed over the years, becoming unsafe and driving customers away. He said how he was on 3 different city commissions and nothing was changing for the better. I turned the conversation to Jesus and His church, adding that relying on politicians was a waste of time. Several times, he interrupted to say "Blankety-blank-blank, you're blanking right!" Maybe he'll share some of this at his next meeting. He ended up taking my e-mail address.

Wake them up, Lord!

[Claymore]

A dirty mouth is a poor witness, but not always a reflection of a bad heart.

(I once listened to a tape of myself working undercover closing a drug deal. Oops, and the recorder was running for a bit after the deal was finished. I didn't immediately get out of "ghetto-mouth" mode.)

[Phillip Gross]

I don't think foul language in and of itself is a sin. I think cursing someone (as in casting a spell or something) is. I think damaging someone emotionally is wrong too, but that can easily be done without the first cuss word being used. I think we need to be uplifting and not tear people down. Cussing is an easy scapegoat for Christians to look down on while they destroy people on a regular basis with normal words and a smile on their face...

Same way that Christians demonize alcohol and tobacco, looking down on those who do it, but then commit gluttony on a regular basis, or are addicted to caffeine, refined sugars, saturated fats, etc. Think those substances aren't addictive and mood altering? Try coming off them. I came off coffee at the new year. Had a headache for 3 days and generally felt like crap and had a bad attitude! Same goes for sugars, and don't even get me started on pork...

My point is that if we claim that we should keep our bodies clean, then there's a lot more at play than just a beer or a cigarette. Same with the tongue.

[Mark Jones]

Jesus said. You pit of vipers! Now where in all that do we pickup we are always to be kind and sweet? GRIN! Throwing out some fodder to chew on.

[Mark Jones]

A dirty mouth is a poor witness, but not always a reflection of a bad heart.

(I once listened to a tape of myself working undercover closing a drug deal.  Oops, and the recorder was running for a bit after the deal was finished
.  I didn't immediately get out of "ghetto-mouth" mode.)

That reminds me of years back. Our Straight Arrows and Buckaroos were playing and one of the Parole Officers was helping us. I heard him quote some of his clients.... I said I realize we need to be as close to testimony as we can...but do we have to do it right here right now....errr ummm... sorry.

I told him it's easy to get caught up in it and drag it around with us. I hear language every day from the line crew I see in the morning. I am glad to get away from all that..it can make me look and sound like one of them to the point I am little different most of them attend church from time to time. Few live it. If folks are having trouble living it. Give it to God and ask His Help. That is my prayer for our President. That he will ask our Father to help him. Yet remembering..were in a fallen state. Perfection is not really attainable in our current state of being. It will one day change!

Mark Jones
p.s. there is fingers pointing all around and yet if we count fingers that are pointing most of those fingers are pointing back at us

[Phillip Gross]

Jesus said.  You pit of vipers!  Now where in all that do we pickup we are always to be kind and sweet?    GRIN!   Throwing out some fodder to chew on.

Oh, I'm all about speaking truth even it "hurts someone's feelings" if it's necessary. I was referring more to back biting and saying things that are just hurtful for no reason. Sometimes there can be truth spoken that serves no purpose other than hurting someone. Know what I mean?

[joecool]

Well, just like that, I'm no longer a teacher at school.........

................now I'm the principal (under the superintendent).

Our second-year super is a great guy (Air Nat'l Guard E-8 as well) with great vision. A lot has already happened during his tenure, like growing from 145 to 210 students. But he's been stretched and stressed by carrying a heavy load. Prior to his hiring, the school had two principals. I've helped him a ton and he's dropped hints from time to time. But he also knew that I was retiring (again).

My wife sat me down on Saturday and gave me the green light to keep going. Does she know me, or what? This is my heart's desire. Replacing me is a student-teacher that just finished up last Friday, having taught my classes for the last two months. She is thrilled to come back.

"I love it when (God's) plan comes together." Colonel Hannibal Smith

[ccm2361]

My new position is going well. I have been informed by supervisor that starting next week I will be working 5 days a week, instead of 3 days. PRAISE GOD!

in 3 days I make just enough to get by on, 5 will make life easier. Only downside, I will miss church on Wednesday night (I work nights)

But as my buddy Dan pointed out to me, at least I didn't have to choose between Rangers & the job (since Rangers ended a year ago at our church)

[Phillip Gross]

Great news from both of you!

[Claymore]

Jesus said.  You pit of vipers!  Now where in all that do we pickup we are always to be kind and sweet?    GRIN!   Throwing out some fodder to chew on.

Oh, I'm all about speaking truth even it "hurts someone's feelings" if it's necessary. I was referring more to back biting and saying things that are just hurtful for no reason. Sometimes there can be truth spoken that serves no purpose other than hurting someone. Know what I mean?

"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." (Author Unknown)

or, if you prefer the Biblical version:

Proverbs 17:28:

"Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent"

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