Category: Uncategorized

Occasionally, my daughter will pick a fight with me. It’s kind of funny since she’s only 3, but she really does pick fights with me. Not the physical type, just what I call the “pissing contest.”

She will try to get her way. Even though she will know fully that I have no intention on giving into her, she will throw a tantrum anyway. For the most part I think she does this just to establish and re-establish who is in charge. But sometimes it’s more than that, it a principle thing. It seems as though she is trying to step up and let me know that she is really able to make a decision or do something that I am not allowed to do. I always t ake this challenge to her. Not because I like to be a bully, but because I am looking to challenge her rather than “over-loving” her and just giving her whatever she wants. I am interested in raising a daughter who knows when and how to pick a fight…. rather than just being a brat. I want her to be able to challenge anyone on anything and win. Is that strange, or what?

Golf, golf, golf. It seems like everywhere I look I am consumed by the game. Yesterday I played 18, then spent 2 more hours practicing. When I arrived home, I got a notice from the USGA about the upcoming qualifier. Also, I was invited to volunteer at next weeks Champions Tour event in Grand Rapids. I’ve got a golf team meeting next week, and then the junior tour season is underway. Winter is now but a distant memory.

What else is going on? Lots this weekend. I’ll be enjoying time with the family today as well as all day Monday. The only bad thing is that the weather looks real bad beyond today. We’re all hoping that the weather forcasts are wrong.

Let this be te first rant about my neighbors. I don’t like them very much. The adults are always either drinking or smoking outside. It’s bad enough you want to kill yourself over a 20 year period… but do I have to watch? Also, they never supervise their children. There are constantly kids outside who are nosey and we have to chase off of Megan’s outside toys. I don’t easily annoy, but this is annoying to no end. I can’t even go outside and get something from the car without playing 20 questions with some snot nosed kid.

Over the past year or so I’ve been a major hooker of the golf ball. It’s something that I’ve been working on but haven’t been able to solve.

Here are the things that I did to help alleviate the hook. Particularily with the longer irons. Focus on the ball. (I tend to take my eyes off the ball during the swing.) Lean in a little more. (Butt out.) And swing harder. (Keeps the club on plan a little more.)

More news on that at a later date.

I hate to wait. It drives me insane when you are supposed to meet someone and they are late. It event makes me a little miffed if the person isn’t a little early for the meeting.

Why? I could get all freudian and say it has to do with repressed anger at a parent or something like that, but the reality is that I am prideful. I’d like to think that a person is a little nervous to talk to me, or even at the very least that they are worried about not being prepared or just want to make good impression.

Whatever. The bottom line is that I hate waiting.

It’s funny to me that so many people have remarked to me over the years that one thing they like about me is that I am patient. Perhaps I look patient on the outside, but I am often impatient on the inside. I want things done on time or early and MY WAY. It must be God’s working in and through me that I don’t throw more temper tantrums about people being late or disappointing me.

Last night was pretty small, but a good youth group night. It’s kind of funny, but we played perhaps the simplest youth group game in the history of youth group, volleyball, and everyone loved it. What a reminder that the simplest way is often the best way.

It was a pleasure and an honor to talk about legacies and mention great names last night. More than that, it was amazing to talk about Mr. Wendt and his “already evident” legacy exhibited by his sons. It’s hard to believe it’s already been 3 weeks since Larry passed away.

In the golf world. What a tale of 2 halves of a round. 6 consecutive bogies. But went birdie, par, par on the last 3 holes for an ugly 41. Best part about it though, I’m hitting some fairways again. Been a long time since I found the short stuff.

Last lunch with my students at Romeo HS today. It’s amazing that most people are still shocked that I go. I love my job… and there is no finer time then spending quality time with Americus Highschoolucus in their native environment. I am constantly praying that the 2 junior highs will allow me on campus for lunches in the fall.

My goal in life right now is to better my golf game. Ultimately, I’d like to be a legitimate 5 or below handicapper. In the next few weeks I am working very hard to practice up for the US Amateur Public Links Qualifier here at the Orchards. I’ve entered the thing with no real hopes or aspirations of qualifying, in fact my only real goal is to break 90 both days. (180) The cut to qualify will likely be 142 or better.

This morning I shot a sloppy 41. That’s a generous score considering then umber of free drops I gave myself because of the big storms we’ve had. The course is in the worst condition I’ve seen it and it wasn’t much fun to play today. I plan on going to the range a little this afternoon to work on long irons.

In other news, tonight I am talking about legacies. It’s got me really thinking about “what will my legacy be?” Or on a bigger scale, “will I have a legacy?” I’ll be asking people today on the YS boards that question and post some responses.

This is me in Canada last month 

Perhaps many people start a blog because they are trying to prove to the world just how smart they are? Perhaps others do it so they can feel like someone is listening to them? Perhaps others do it as a way to share what’s going on in their lives.

But why am I doing this? Mostly as a way to share with myself, just what is going on. I’m not going to use this as a platform for anything else but… Well, whatever I feel like posting. Quotes. Golf scores. Youth Group talks. Carry-over rants. Interesting articles. Stories about the kids. Whatever I want!