Welcome to my blog....a collection of Christian notes, thoughts, other words of wisdom and some general fun stuff from various sources.





Saturday, December 22, 2007

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AND ALL YEAR LONG!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Ten Things God Won't Ask On That Day


1. God won't ask what kind of car you drove. He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.
2. God won't ask the square footage of your house, He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
3. God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, He'll ask how many you helped to clothe
4. God won't ask what your highest salary was. He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
5. God won't ask what your job title was. He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of our ability.
6. God won't ask how many friends you had. He'll>>> ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
7. God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.
8. God won't ask about the color of your skin, He'll ask about the content of your character.
9. God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation. He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, and not to the gates of Hell.
10. God won't have to ask how many people you forwarded this to, He already knows whether or not you are ashamed to share this information with your friends.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Before and After



Here's Tracy's before Weight Watchers picture and after, exactly 6 months and 80 pounds later! She started Weight Watchers 5/18/07 and the after picture was taken 11/18/07.

Friday, December 14, 2007


I was shocked, confused, bewildered
as I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all
by the lights or its decor.
But it was the folks in Heaven
who made me sputter and gasp--
the thieves, the liars, the sinners,
the alcoholics, the trash.
There stood the kid from seventh grade
who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
who never said anything nice.
Herb, who I always thought
was rotting away in hell,
was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
looking incredibly well.
I nudged Jesus, "What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.
And why's everyone so quiet,
so somber? Give me a clue."
"Hush, child," said He. "They're all in shock.
No one thought they'd see you."
Judge NOT.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

The Little Things

As you might know, the head of a company survived 9/11 because his son started kindergarten. Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts. One woman was late because her alarm clock didn't go off in time. One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike
because of an auto accident. One of them missed his bus. One spilled food on her clothes and had to taketime to change. One's car wouldn't start. One went back to answer the telephone. One had a child that dawdled and didn't get ready as soon as he should have. One couldn't
get a taxi.

The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning, took the various means to get to work but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore ! to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today. Now when I am stuck in traffic, miss an elevator, turn back to answer a ringing telephone...all the little things that annoy me. I think to myself, this is exactly where God wants me to be at this very moment..

Next time your morning seems to be going wrong, the children are slow getting dressed, you can't seem to find the car keys, you hit every traffic light, don't get mad or frustrated; God is at work watching over you.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Here’s an update on my incredibly interesting life…..

It really cooled off here on Friday, at least for Florida. It was like being inside a freezer at work all day, so when I got home and got ready to go for a walk Friday night, I bundled up with a long sleeved shirt, flannel shirt over that and then an insulated wool shirt over that, completed with wool ski cap and winter gloves. OK, I know I’m a major wimp—I never liked cold weather in Ohio and now that I’m used to Florida weather, I’m an even bigger wimp. Tracy was all over me about my clothes, laughing and making fun of me. Then, three-quarters of the way through our 40-minute walk, she said I had the right idea because her ears were hurting and cold and her hands were cold. I guess that means we’re both wimps!

Much nicer day weather-wise Saturday. I went and washed the car Saturday morning, went to the store, then came home and went to work, 3:30-midnight.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Had yesterday off, got a lot of errands done. Tracy and I went out to eat with Dan and Renee at Golden Corral (since it's Florida, I refer to it as Golden Coral). It was her birthday gift to us. We had a real nice time. Good food and pleasant conversation. We're going over to her place for Thanksgiving; that's always a really nice time too.

Gotta go, time to leave for work!

Monday, November 12, 2007

Well, my 4-day weekend is over and it's back to work today. It was great to have the time away from the everyday grind for several days.

Went to the early service at church yesterday; it's a more traditional service but it was really nice. We'll probably start going to that service from now on. With the snowbirds being back, the morning service was packed; there was hardly anywhere for us to sit when we got there.

Here's a meerkat from our recent trip to the Lowry Park Zoo.

Have a good day!

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Went to the new car show Thursday in Tampa--it was excellent! Tracy had her EGD Friday; doctor said he didn't find anything major and still doesn't know what is causing her nausea and sweats.

Tracy lost 4 more pounds last week; I stayed the same. Time for me to get back on the horse, stick to my diet and lose some more weight.

IT'S STRANGE ISN'T IT

Isn't it strange how a 20 dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church, but such a small amount when you go shopping?

Isn't it strange how 2 hours seem so long when you're at church, and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie?

Isn't it strange that you can't find ! a word to say when you're praying, but you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?

Isn't it strange how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible, but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel or ZANE GREY book?

Isn't it strange how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games, but they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in Church?

Isn't it strange how we need to know about an event for Church 2-3 weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda, but we can adjust it for other events in the last minute?

Isn't it strange how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share it with others, but how easy it is to learn, understand, extend and repeat gossip?

Isn't it strange how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say, but we question the words in the Bible?

IT'S STRANGE ISN'T IT?

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Randy bought a new car!

Well, OK, only in my dreams! However, I am going to the Motor Trend New Car Show in Tampa today, and once I come back, I'll probably have the hankerin' for a new car. "Over my dead body" says Tracy. So I guess that means no new vehicle!

Here's some tidbits from Charles Stanley....

Colossians. 2:9-15:
Once we are saved, we no longer have a sin nature, but instead we have God’s nature within us. However, sometimes we still sin because we still have a human body, which sometimes can lead us into sin. The message of scripture is that we are a new person once we accept God’s grace.

Ephesians 2:1-11
3 types of death:
1. Physical
2 Spiritual
3. Eternal
Verses 1-3 show God’s viewpoint of sinners. Lost people are walking dead people. A person who is spiritually alive is more alive than one who is spiritually dead. Those who are spiritually dead do not understand spiritual things.
Only god’s grace & love can save us. We must respond to this great love and mercy.

Have a blessed day!

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

The Mole Family

The Mole Family

A papa mole, a mama mole, and a baby mole all live together in a little mole hole.

One day, papa mole sticks his head out of the hole, sniffs the air and said, "Yum! I smell maple syrup!"

The mama mole sticks her head out of the hole, sniffs the air and said, "Oh, Yum! I smell honey!"

Now baby mole is trying to stick his head out of the hole to sniff the air, but can't because the bigger moles are in the way. This makes him whine, "Geez, all I can smell is....

MOLASSES!

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

The Eagle Has Landed!

A pic from our recent trip to Lowry Park zoo.

Everything back to normal as the Hartley family starts another week. Rick did outstanding with his surgery. His mouth is still a bit sore....but duh....he did have 6 teeth pulled and one of them required stitches because the surgeon had to go down to the bone to get the sucker out!

I'm off Thursday and Friday this week--it's needed. I plan to go to a car show Thursday in Tampa, then have to take Tracy for an upper GI scope on Friday.

Sunday, November 4, 2007


Above is a picture we took from our recent visit to the Lowry Park zoo. What does it have to do with anything in this post? Absolutely nothing!

Rick is doing better today following his oral surgery. His mouth was still bleeding yesterday and the dentist said to pack the affected areas with teabags. So I went and bought some raspberry flavored herb tea. Bleeding seems to have pretty much stopped today; the dentist said there may be some bleeding for up to 48 hrs after the surgery. Rick also got really sick last night; I think it was from the pain medication he'd been taking. He stopped taking it after he got sick and seems much better this morning.

Tracy's weekly weigh-in went well--another 2.4 pounds lost, now up to 75 pounds lost. I, unfortunately, gained a pound, so I've lost a measly 21 pounds. I still have 9 more pounds to lose to reach my goal weight.

I worked half a day yesterday, lounged around and watched college football the rest of the day.

Later........

Friday, November 2, 2007

Here's Rick, just home from the oral surgeon after having 6 (yes 6!) teeth pulled. Even though this picture may not really show it, he is alive, just completely out of it, as you might expect.

We'll keep you updated!

Update: 8:03 pm--Rick doing fine, now all doped up on pain meds and sleeping.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Here's the fountain recently installed in the pond outside our front door.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007


I had yesterday off, so with everyone else working, it was a boring day. At least I had enough to do that I didn't get too depressed. I washed the truck, cleaned the windows and vacuumed out the inside of the truck; cleaned the bathroom; washed dishes; put a picture that I had in a frame; and went to Wal-Mart. Really exciting stuff!

It's back to work today. More really exciting stuff!

Here's a recent picture of Peppy.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Sunday, Sept. 16

Went back to Church of the Cross today; this was the first church we attended after we moved to Florida. Music was OK. It seemed like most of the songs were Christian songs that you hear on the radio and were not really designed as choruses or songs to be sung along with by the congregation. But that's OK, no church is going to have everything they way we want it. The sermon was on God's viewpoint on dating, and even though the dating thing really doesn't apply to us, it was still a dynamite sermon. The pastor simply told it like it is and pulled no punches in talking about how God views dating. Even though a topic like that may not apply directly to me, you can listen to the sermon and know that this church and this pastor is very bibically-based and bibically sound, which is the most important thing for any church.

We didn't stay for the Bible study that follows church, but plan to next week. They have a series now on a biblical world view, which sounds really interesting.

Sunday, Sept. 16

Went back to Church of the Cross today; this was the first church we attended after we moved to Florida. Music was OK. It seemed like most of the songs were Christian songs that you hear on the radio and were not really designed as choruses or songs to be sung along with by the congregation. But that's OK, no church is going to have everything they way we want it. The sermon was on God's viewpoint on dating, and even though the dating thing really doesn't apply to us, it was still a dynamite sermon. The pastor simply told it like it is and pulled no punches in talking about how God views dating. Even though a topic like that may not apply directly to me, you can listen to the sermon and know that this church and this pastor is very bibically-based and bibically sound, which is the most important thing for any church.

We didn't stay for the Bible study that follows church, but plan to next week. They have a series now on a biblical world view, which sounds really interesting.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

It’s been almost 2 weeks since my last post, but there’s been nothing really going on. Job wise, nothing new at all regarding the closing sometime next year. I feel like my life is on hold—knowing that my job will end, but not for a year, so I don’t want to make any major changes, purchases, etc., knowing that change is coming. A year seems like a long time and I don’t want to look for work until right near the end of my employment so I can collect my severance, bonus, etc. It’s really a weird position to be in, with that long to wait until the office closes. In some ways, it would be better if the closing was in 2-6 months—at least I would have a better time frame to work with. But with 12-14 months—and the way the company moves, maybe longer—there’s really nothing I can do right now except just continue to go in to work. I’m sure that as time goes on it will be harder and harder to remain conscientious, but for now, I’m fine. I really should be thankful for the long notice so that I can get some bills paid down and prepare myself as much as possible for the future.

Manatee County is having a Job Fair in October, and I initially thought about going to it, but then I thought what’s the purpose—I don’t even want to get a job now because I would lose out on my severance and bonus. And I may still be employed at this time next year when the next job fair comes around.

Tracy lost another 4 pounds last week, up to 57 in all, and counting. I lost another pound, down to 159, with just 11 more to go to reach my 148 goal weight.

Monday, September 3, 2007

Sunday, Sept. 2

Yesterday was a typical relax and take it easy Sunday for the Hartley household. We went to church in the morning, came home, ate lunch, ran to the store to pick up a couple of things, took a quick nap, went out for our evening walk, and that was pretty much the day.

Here's a quick recap of the pastor's sermon yesterday--Receiving God's Blessings:

God WANTS to bless us; when He created us, he wanted to bless us--Genesis 5:1-2. He wants to give us his:
  • Approval
  • Protection
  • Provision
  • Purpose
  • Plan

However, to receive God's blessings, we must be obedient and trust in God. GOD CANNOT BLESS WHAT HE DOES NOT POSSESS. We need to decide who we belong to, and make a decision to get in or get out. We must ask ourselves if we are positioned to be blessed by God.

God's blessings have nothing to do with things like material wealth, health, etc. It has to do with the peace and comfort we get from God from being in his will and in his plan and purpose for our lives and also being assured that we have God's approval, protection and that God will provide for us no matter what.

This is just a quick recap....I hope these notes did the sermon justice.

Randy

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Monthly Update

Well, it's certainly been an eventful month of August in the Hartley household!

The biggest news is that Allstate will be shutting down its St. Petersburg call center in about a year, which means that I'll be out of a job. The shut down is scheduled for sometime in 3rd-quarter of 2008, so it gives me plenty of time to go out and look for work. Have no idea what I want to do. Right now, the thought, at my age, of having to go out and look for work, especially in an office environment again, is just too daunting. My plan right now is to stay at Allstate until the very end, collect my severance and bonus, then look for work. If I stay to the bitter end, I will wind up with about 6 months of severance, which sounds like a lot, but when you have to pay your own medical insurance, it goes fast! The reason they gave us such a long notice is that the company is opening several other express centers to take claims and we've known all along that once those centers open, the claim service centers are history. The company figured that since they had all the plans in place, it was only a matter of time until rumors started about when we would close, so they decided to let us know right up front so we would have some time to plan our future. Some of the call center managers in our center and others had apparently already seen the writing on the wall, because there have been a number of managers who left recently, and when I saw that they were leaving and where they were going, it seemed like some of their moves were lateral instead of a step up. Now we know why! So, right now my plan is just to check out the type of jobs that are out there and what they pay, and file that info away for when I am ready to actually look for work.

The other big news is that the apartment complex we are living in is going condo. Not a big surprise since the company that bought the complex several months ago is mainly a condo complex management company. Our lease is not up for almost a year and the complex is sending out letters and having meetings begging people to stay. We certainly want to stay since we like the complex and love the apartment. The timing on our lease actually turns out to be pretty convenient since that's about the time I should know more about the actual CSC shutdown date. Another positive thing is that the complex should be making some major improvements if they expect to sell condos at the price they are asking. We have first rights on our condo, a 3/2--asking price $595,000. When I saw that price I could hardly stop laughing! Someone said "you must really live in a nice apartment and complex." I said if they came in and saw the apartment, they would be dead before they could leave because they couldn't catch their breath from laughing so hard. Not that there's anything wrong with the apartment--we actually love it--but I know about what condos in this area run and there is no way they can make enough improvements to the complex and the condo to make it worth that kind of money. No wonder they are begging people to stay! Anyway, no sweat on this one--we have a lease, we want to stay, they want us to stay, so we'll just reevaluate the situation in a year, along with everything else.

Tracy is such a loser!!!!!! She's now lost 50 pounds!!!!! I'm so proud of her and her dedication. It has made such a difference as to how she feels. Still a ways to go but she'll make it.

Even I've lost 19 pounds.....about 10 more to go.

More later, time to go to church.



Sunday, July 29, 2007

The Toad Warriors gained point in Fox Sports Public League 33642 yesterday, moving up to 88 points. Miami Masters did even better, gaining 1.5 points to move to 86.5 points. Toad hitting leaders were Travis Hafner with a home run and 2 RBI, Brian Roberts with 3 runs scored, an RBI and a stolen base, Manny Ramirez with 3 RBI and Nick Markakis with a run scored, 2 RBI and a stolen base.

The remainder of Sunday was a typical Sunday....went to church in the morning, came home, took a short nap, went to Wally World to get a couple of things, took our evening walk and that was it.

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Toad Warriors cling to first

The Toad Warriors increased their lead by a point in Fox Sports Public League 33642 yesterday, creeping up to 87 points. Miami Masters stayed even for the day at 85 points. Victor Martinez had a home run and Travis Hafner 2 RBI to lead the Toads' hitting attack, while Jake Peavy picked up a victory.

Today's my Saturday rotation day, 9-5:30. A freaky thing happened on the way to work this morning. There was a rear-end accident NB on I-275 near Gandy Blvd, which obviously had traffic backed up. I was fairly near the front of the line, because some traffic had been getting through. Police then blocked off all lanes of I-275, then apparently decided to let about 10 cars through, but only in one lane. I’m sitting there almost knowing that I would be late for work, then they signaled me on through, and even though there was a long line of cars behind me, I was the last car they let through, and it was only the vehicles in my lane that they let through. Thus, I made it to work on time. The Lord must have wanted me to get to work on time this morning!

A major loss in the family....Tracy lost another 3.8 lbs this week, now up to 36 lbs lost. I stayed the same this week, my total weight loss is 9 lbs.




Sunday, July 15, 2007

Sunday update

Come to Gilgal--Excellent church service this morning! Guest Pastor Jeff Ames spoke on "Welcome to Gilgal," from Joshua 4:19, 5:9 and 4:9. These scriptures show us that Gilgal is a place of rest, removal and remembrance.

Toad Warriors Update--The Toads gained a half point in the Public League on Saturday, moving to 86.5 points and gaining 1.5 points on the 2nd place Miami Masters, who lost 1 point. The Masters are now 2 points back of the Toad Warriors. Saturday's hitting star for the Toads was Nick Markakis, who went 3-for-5 with 2 RBI and a run scored. Billy Wagner had a save and a strikeout to pace the pitchers.

Went for our nightly half-hour walk around the "hood", took a nap during the day, put more stuff away from the move. Our usual exciting Sunday afternoon.

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Toad Warriors Update

Fantasy baseball update--The Toad Warriors continue to just barely cling to first place in Public League #33642. The Toads remained at 86 points following yesterday's action, but 2nd place Miami Masters gained a point, pulling to within half a point of the Toad Warriors. This is the slimist lead the Toads have had over a 2nd place team in a long time. Woodmancy is 10 points back. Today could be the day the Toads slip back into 2nd place, with no starting pitchers on the roster scheduled to make a start today, so there will be no points gained by the starters. That means the relief pitchers and the hitters are going to have to have a good day.
Work update--I work 3:30-midnight today; I'm getting too old for all these schedule changes.
I'm listening to a great audio book--Touchdown Alexander. It's a biography of Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander. I expected more of a football book, but the first disc primarily deals with Shaun's growth as a Christian, and it's tremendously inspiring. If you're a Christian, even if you don't follow sports, this is a MUST read!
Tracy Weight Watchers Update--Today was weigh-in day; Tracy lost 3 more lbs and has now lost 30 lbs in 8 weeks! Loser!!!!!

Friday, July 13, 2007

Move Completed!

Well, the mobile Hartley family has moved yet again, this time into a 3 bedroom apt on the first floor. I took off 3 days work to get everything packed and ready to move, then had movers come in to move the stuff. I'm getting too old to be moving washers, dryers, sofas and chairs up and down 3 flights of stairs in 95-degree heat! I still don't know how Rick and I got everything moved the first time, down one flight of stairs and up 3 flights during 2 of the hottest days in October. It was a miracle I didn't fall and break something. Of course, just after we moved in to the 3rd floor apt, I missed a step, fell and sprained my knee really bad. It's 6 months later and it still isn't right. At least now, we can unpack the boxes at our own pace.

It was back to work for me today.....and what a zoo. And guess what? I get to work 3:30 to midnight tomorrow! My main goal for tomorrow is just to get through it and stay awake for the hour-long drive home.

Later,

Toad

Monday, May 14, 2007

On Vacation!

Going to try to make more posts from now on....Right now, we're on vacation back in Ohio! Weather has been wonderful! A little cool today but it has been sunny everyday, and warm most days. Left last Tuesday, stayed Tuesday night at Larry & Sue, then up to Jendy's on Wednesday. Thursday went to see Pam, then split up, Tracy staying down south and Randy up north. Went to see Aunt Thelma today. Shipping back out to the Sunshine State tomorrow...anxious to see Peppy. Later......

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Goes to show how much I know....

On the day he was to report to spring training, Keith Foulke announced his retirement from baseball, saying he could not perform physically to the level he wanted. I thought he would be one of the answers to the Tribe bullpen. I give the guy a lot of credit though; he could have reported to spring training, given it a try, then retired or went on the disabled list, and could have picked up the $5 million that the Indians signed him for. Not too many people in this would would walk away from $5 million.