Friday, July 24, 2009

Carpet Job Complete!

The amazing dream team carpet crew!!

The last piece of the flood rebuild puzzle has been filled in. It was rather late in coming...but the job is done nonetheless.

If you've been a follower of my blog you know the troubles I have endured with our carpet company. From the beginning and all the way through to the end I have had nothing but difficulties, delays and disappointments. Well, this past week the carpet guys were here and finished the job!

Something to note...it took a team from Columbus, Ohio to get in here and do what had to be done. We had defective carpet that was delivered to our church (months ago) and then it was installed. There were bubble-like areas all over the place where the glue never adhered to the carpet. So a large portion of the carpet had to be demoed out and removed. Some areas were already glued down...but they got r done...what a messy job!

This hard-working crew that worked about three 12-hour days finished up the last piece of our rebuild project. How do I spell r-e-l-i-e-f?? Carpet---DONE! With this last carpet project completed I can now rest a little easier with the tasks on the check list completed and behind me!! Thank you Jesus!!

Now I'm looking forward to traveling with my wife to Orlando, Florida and embarking on a 7-day cruise. I hope to sit back and unwind a little after 13 long months of renovation and restoration on our church facilities after the Flood of 2008. The cruise is something that we've wanted to do for a long time but always put it off. Well, tomorrow morning we fly out of Indianapolis and head down to Orlando, then on to Port Canaveral. Following this relaxing getaway, we will be participating in our national church's biennial business schedule called the General Council.

Next time I post a new blog you should be hearing and seeing a little bit more of our trip to Florida.

Love to all.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Take me out to the ballgame...NOT!










Oh, what a day! It was July 4th up at Victory Field in Indianapolis.

The event was sold out. It was supposed to be the busiest day of the Indians baseball schedule. Volunteers were positioned at every station in the ballpark. My group, representing Columbus East Band Boosters, was lined up to work in the Rowdies South pavilion.

We started out in the rain...a good steady rain...as we made our way up Interstate 65. We arrived at the ballpark...in the rain. We set up...with rain still falling. We saw the gates opened up...in the rain. Fans arrived with all the gear...amazing. Families came...with babies and toddlers and children of all ages. They waited...and waited...and waited...and waited!

There was hopes that the rain would stop and the game could be played...albeit with a delayed start time. That didn't happen. Little by little the fans left...with their umbrella's and jackets (it got pretty cold!)...and coolers...and kids!

Then they shut our booth down. I think it was around 7:30 or 8 pm. We cleaned up...counted our money...and discovered an error. We were short $50. Later, we learned they gave us $50 less than what they thought they gave us at the start.

Guess what we sold all day in the rain?? A grand, spanking total of $76!!! It should have been at least $5,000 or maybe even closer to $8,000. WOW...what a day. Could have been at home with the wife and family...but duty called.

Lesson learned: Into every life and scheduled activity the potential for rain exists. Make the best of every opportunity and keep a good attitude. You never know who is watching!