Second, we are currently trying to sell our boat. It’s just a small 19-foot powerboat, but she’s been great fun to take around on our lake (actually, I really am going to miss her). We’ve been running an ad on Craigslist for a few weeks now, and have had a few inquires on the boat, but she still sits on our property. According to Kelly Blue Book and other ads, I have seen on Craigslist, we are asking the least – close to the same ballpark, but the cheapest of the 1997 Bayliner Capri’s in the greater Seattle area. Last week, I reduced the cost of the boat to $4500 and wrote the word firm after the price. I received two emails from people the very same day. The first person wanted to know if I would take $3500. Umm. . . let me think. “No!” The second person wanted to know what my rock bottom price was. How about $4500? Geez! What part of “firm” do people not understand? I guess it depends on what the definition of is - is?
I also have to complain about banks. What is going on with them? They are no longer friendly. I mean really. First, they take away the face-to-face communication we used to have with the bank tellers – now its ATM’s, automated phone systems, and fees, fees, and more fees. But I regress, last week I was at the store and needed to give some money to my mom – so I stopped at the Anchor Bank located inside the Wal-Mart and asked if I could break a couple of twenties. You would have thought I told her I was going to rob the bank with the look she gave me. She then asked if I had an account there. Honestly – you need an account to break a twenty?! Well, if the ATM’s would give us something other than twenties I would not have to bother the tellers. Ugh!
But then again, I have had a good week. My oldest son passed his driver’s test, so I now have a teenage driver and a new worry. In addition, I only need a scene or two written to finish script five of my screenwriting project. Yeah, me!
I also gave a talk in church on Sunday (Finding Joy in Life). The talk itself I feel went rather well, and then after church a woman (I don’t know who she was) came up to me, thanked me for the talk, and said she needed to hear that lesson today. It made me feel good. My middle son also gave a talk on Sunday. His talk was on Accountably and Free Agency. Steffen did very well on his talk. He is a good orator and incorporates humor into his speech. There a small funny side story – neither of us had read the other person’s notes; yet, we both brought up doing the dishes. At the close of the meeting, Brother Russell had to throw in a dig about the Riener’s and their dishes. I just smiled and shrugged my shoulders. It was quite comical.
My two older boys are now Eagle Scouts, and my middle son has been working as a counselor in training at Camp Hohobas this summer. (Actually, I have missed him a lot - but know he is having a good time, the other counselors are appreciating his positive work ethic, and he has already completed his first Eagle Palm and earned two more merit badges while working at the camp).
Lastly, my appointment at the University of Washington Medical Center went well. I continue to stay in normal sinus rhythm, although I need to make a decision whether to stay on blood thinners or not. I was originally happy with the thought I would no longer have to be on this drug, as I have not liked the side effects, nor the drug and food restrictions or the weekly blood tests. However, my cardiologist did point out the benefits of staying on the drug, especially with the slight risk of me falling back into an abnormal rhythm and being able to be cardioverted quickly, rather than waiting a month. For now, I plan to stay on the drug for another three months and then reevaluate things.
Yes, life is a roller coaster! You can't stop the ride from happening, but you can learn to accept the track.