Haven't we all felt this way?

One day while walking down the street a highly successful Human Resources Manager was tragically hit by a bus and she died. Her soul arrived up in heaven where she was met at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter himself.

"Welcome to Heaven," said St. Peter. "Before you get settled in though, it seems we have a problem. You see, strangely enough, we've never once had a Human Resources Manager make it this far and we're not really sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," said the woman.

"Well, I'd like to, but I have higher orders. What we're going to do is let you have a day in Hell and a day in Heaven and then you can choose whichever one you want to spend an eternity in."

"Actually, I think I've made up my mind, I prefer to stay in Heaven", said the woman

"Sorry, we have rules..."

And with that St. Peter put the executive in an elevator and it went down-down-down to hell.

The doors opened and she found herself stepping out onto the putting green of a beautiful golf course. In the distance was a country club and standing in front of her were all her friends - fellow executives that she had worked with and they were well dressed in evening gowns and cheering for her. They ran up and kissed her on both cheeks and they talked about old times.
They played an excellent round of golf and that night went to the country club where she enjoyed an excellent steak and lobster dinner.

She met the Devil who was actually a really nice guy (kind of cute)and she had a great time telling jokes and dancing.

She was having such a good time that before she knew it, it was time to leave. Everybody shook her hand and waved goodbye as she got on the elevator.

The elevator went up-up-up and opened back up at the Pearly Gates and found St. Peter waiting for her.

"Now it's time to spend a day in heaven," he said. So she spent the next 24 hours lounging around on clouds and playing the harp and singing. She had great time and before she knew it her 24 hours were up and St. Peter came and got her.

"So, you've spent a day in hell and you've spent a day in heaven. Now you must choose your eternity,"

The woman paused for a second and then replied, "Well, I never thought I'd say this, I mean, Heaven has been really great and all, but I think I had a better time in Hell."

So St. Peter escorted her to the elevator and again she went down-down-down back to Hell.
When the doors of the elevator opened she found herself standing in a desolate wasteland covered in garbage and filth. She saw her friends were dressed in rags and were picking up the garbage and putting it in sacks.

The Devil came up to her and put his arm around her. "I don't understand," stammered the woman, "yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and a country club and we ate lobster and we danced and had a great time. Now all there is a wasteland of garbage and all my friends look miserable."

The Devil looked at her smiled and said ...

"Yesterday we were recruiting you, today you're an Employee."

California - Day 5

• Well this ended up being the last day in CA. The meeting that was supposed to last all day was over by noon. So I called the travel agent to see if I could come home a day earlier, because I miss my sons (see comment on previous blog) and their mother.
• The journey from Alameda north to Sacramento was going to be tight time wise, so I had to go kind of fast sometimes (forgiveness was asked for any time a speed limit was broken by more than 10 MPH (which was a lot)
• At this tunnel outside of Oakland the traffic went from 4 lanes to 2 lanes so lost a lot of time waiting.
• The plane was supposed to leave at 1:45 PM, and as that time approached, I knew that in spite of my NASCAR type driving, I was not going to make it. So I started praying that if I was supposed to come home tonight the Lord would have to delay the take off of the plane.
• When I turned in my rental car, there was a problem with the receipt, so I had to go inside, where they were training someone new, which took more time.
• Finally got on the shuttle and the driver kept waiting and waiting to let more people get on.
• The United stop was the 3rd of 4 stops putting my farther behind.
• Got into the terminal at 2:10 PM, walked to the counter and asked what my options were because I had missed my flight and it was the last United flight out of there today.
• The guy looked at the computer screen and said, "It's just now starting to board"!! I said "PRAISE THE LORD!!!".
• I hurried down and made the flight with time to spare. I am writing this in Chicago waiting for the flight to Columbus. I told Angela this story and also said that if anything happens to me between now and the time I get home, it was definitely God's plan for me today!!
• It was a good week with making new friends, eating great food, and seeing some amazing sites, but glad to be home

Day 3 & Day 4

• Day 3 went very well, met with the team all day, helping them work on their ability to work together as a team. There seems to be some interpersonal issues, that surfaced, but the team was very honest and dealt with them well.
• We went to dinner at a restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf. Small place but good food, had shrimp & crab stuffed ravioli. Too full for dessert!
• Day 4 was supposed to conclude early, but several issues came up that kept the team there until after 5:00 PM. They all left and headed back to Fairfield, 2 hour drive.
• I finally got some free time. So I took the famous 17 mile drive down the coast. Saw lots of very pretty coast and ocean scenes, but it was kinda cold. Afterwards I drove down to Carmel and walked around downtown. It was a lot like downtown Granville, only more expensive and less people speaking English. Walked by lots of people speaking different language, but I remained calm, got Angela a present and made my way back to the hotel.
• Did not see anyone famous.
• Finally got to check my work email and had 46 emails!! Spent almost rest of evening getting caught up.
• Tomorrow I drive to Alameda, CA for meetings and then back to Sacramento for a 6:00 AM flight home on Friday.
• Cannot wait to see my baby doll!!!!!!!

Califormia Day #2

• The 2nd day started by meeting the Fairfield, CA plant staff and touring the the facility. They make bars (Zone and Glucerna primarily). It is the smallest of all the plants in our division with only 200 people.
• After leaving the plant, I stopped at the Jelly Belly jelly bean factory which is right across the street from the Abbott plant. Did not have the time to take the tour, but went into the visitors center and bought some jelly beans, Angela does like them so I can share her part if it anyone is interested.
• Then drove about 2 hours southwest to Monterrey, CA right on the ocean. My room has a partial view. I guess there was famous old book written about Cannery Row here, but if I read it I forgot it.
• The whole group went to dinner at a seafood place on the ocean and they made me order the lobster, it also came with shrimp and scallops, so I was very happy we had to walk a little to get back to where we parked. IT WAS VERY GOOD!

California - Day #1 - random thoughts

Yesterday was a very long day. Flying from Columbus to Chicago to Sacramento (6 hours in the air) then drive 1 hour to Fairfield, CA, UGH!

• Heard church was great, thanks to Billy for teaching for me, hope someone remembered to turn the coffee pots off.
• Never have flown into this part of California before, the airport is about 10 miles from civilization, completely surrounded by farms and fields, very pretty though.
• Traffic was nuts even at 6:00 PM local time (9:00 PM in O-H-I-O). 3 lanes each way going about 75 MPH both ways on I-80. Rental car is a little Ford Focus and it was doing about all it could to keep up.
• Hate that i missed the Browns game, it figures, the game I miss is when they score 51 points! Brady who?
• Sat next to guy with a Michigan shirt on the flight, made sure they kept sharp objects away from him.
• Very nice room, has a "comfort" bed so you can dial in the firmness you want, almost made up for not having my baby doll (Angela, if you did not know) sleeping next to me. Missing her already, but Brandon came home so I am sure she will be busy today, anyway.
• Getting ready to go to the Plant today, will have a day #2 report later.
  

POWERFUL!!! (must pause music player on right)

Random update 9/4/2007

What a weekend, it was great but very busy.

• On Saturday we had our CONNECT group over for a tailgate party to celebrate the beginning of football season. It was a GREAT day, supposed to last until 4:00 PM but went on until after 8:00 PM. We had a lot of fun with cornhole, eating, talking, and eating again. Angela made a Buckeye cheesecake that was gone by the end of the day to tell you how good it was.
• Good day = All OSU fans, Bad day = Mississippi State fan (DD) and Michigan fan (SH).
• Sunday was also very good. Drason shared from his mission trip with the church to Maine, class was good as well. Had a family thing rest of the day with perfect weather, and more good food.
• Monday, another great day. Went to Swappers Day, think "Deliverance" yard sales, and you will get the picture. Went with Brandon, Blake, and John. Blake bought a semi-auto shotgun after taking up a collection from all present. We found a food booth that sells turkey legs that were HUGE!
• Last night Angela and I tried a new restaurant, The Grill, in the north end of town. Was really good and not too expensive. Came home and watched the Indians beat the Twins again.
• Today I found out Amanda had quit her job and was seeking God's new direction in her life. Prayt that God will their family's needs. (I think she could fill in for Dr. Phil when he is on vacation, but we will see.)
• Leaving for Chicago tonight for a couple of days
• Brandon and Corey may be moving out this week to their house in Columbus for school, so we might be empty nesters, until they come home again. They are growing up tooooooooooo fast. But I am very proud of all 3 boys. (so DO NOT do anything that not make me proud of you)
• No Boys will be Boys updates, yet, that I know of!