This marks the second year in a row that Ronda and I have been sick @ Xmas. This is rapidly making Xmas move lower & lower down the list of my favorite holidays. Based mainly on the sickness factor. We are at Keri & justin's for a few days. We are playing by ear.
I think I need to rest.
-- Eli
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
A little homegrown congregating
Last nite I had the ocassion to spend time with a buddy of mine at Maude's a local coffee shop Ronda & I used to frequent. I hadn't been there in years, so this was my first time since we moved back. We were gonna meet at Starbucks, but they were closing.
Nick was amazed and enthralled at my streetfighter in the making. Mainly because it either looks like it rolled off the set of Mad Max or outta a junk yard (depending on the light!). Not everyone sees my vision and is able to understand my art. He was able to appreciate, though.
As we often do when we congregate, we spoke of theology, God, church and many things that just aren't right with the world. I must confess, with each congregating, I enjoythe tines more and more. It was cold as we reclined outside. I would have liked a little warmer weather. It would have made the reclining and the motorcycle ride a little warmer. Who am I to complain?
Coffee was good, the congregating better. Nick is a well thought out and versed man. Also rough around the edges, like myself. I appreciate immensely the type of Christianity he bring to the table. The type I imagine is very much like Christ.
It's 40 minutes past when I was supposed to start working. I must go. I bid you adieu.
-- Eli
Nick was amazed and enthralled at my streetfighter in the making. Mainly because it either looks like it rolled off the set of Mad Max or outta a junk yard (depending on the light!). Not everyone sees my vision and is able to understand my art. He was able to appreciate, though.
As we often do when we congregate, we spoke of theology, God, church and many things that just aren't right with the world. I must confess, with each congregating, I enjoythe tines more and more. It was cold as we reclined outside. I would have liked a little warmer weather. It would have made the reclining and the motorcycle ride a little warmer. Who am I to complain?
Coffee was good, the congregating better. Nick is a well thought out and versed man. Also rough around the edges, like myself. I appreciate immensely the type of Christianity he bring to the table. The type I imagine is very much like Christ.
It's 40 minutes past when I was supposed to start working. I must go. I bid you adieu.
-- Eli
Monday, December 21, 2009
Life Lessons in Coldness
In July of 2006 I acquired my Harley. Shortly there after, we went down to one car and the bike. I think it was due to money. That sounds right. We didn't have any and we sold my old CB400 and a Cherokee for money leaving us with our Pontiac Vibe and the Harley. At the time I was workig as a case worker for DCF and I had a meeting in Starke, about 30 minutes away. By the time of this meeting it was now winter. By Labor Day I had sold both vehicles so it was sometime in the winter after that.
As I left the house to go to the meeting it was 44 degrees. I bundled up with gloves, jacket and scarf wrapped around my face. I was fine until I made it out of town. Then I realized that 44 degree weather + 70 mph = impossible to breathe. I literally thought I was going to suffocate while driving the motorcycle. I pulled over and readjusted the scarf. It helped. I learned that morning that when riding a motorycle in cold weather, especially with an open face helmet, breathing is no longer automatic. Every breath is a hard-earned victory in the battle to stay alive.
Fast forward 3 years and I was leaving to go to work this morning on my GSXR and it was 37 degrees. I put on my coveralls, gloves, armings (like a legging but for the arm), my balaclava (works tons better than a scarf) and my full face helmet. As I exited the aprtment complex I was reminded that breathing is no longer a privilege under these circumstances, but a hard-earned victory in the battle to stay alive.
-- Eli
As I left the house to go to the meeting it was 44 degrees. I bundled up with gloves, jacket and scarf wrapped around my face. I was fine until I made it out of town. Then I realized that 44 degree weather + 70 mph = impossible to breathe. I literally thought I was going to suffocate while driving the motorcycle. I pulled over and readjusted the scarf. It helped. I learned that morning that when riding a motorycle in cold weather, especially with an open face helmet, breathing is no longer automatic. Every breath is a hard-earned victory in the battle to stay alive.
Fast forward 3 years and I was leaving to go to work this morning on my GSXR and it was 37 degrees. I put on my coveralls, gloves, armings (like a legging but for the arm), my balaclava (works tons better than a scarf) and my full face helmet. As I exited the aprtment complex I was reminded that breathing is no longer a privilege under these circumstances, but a hard-earned victory in the battle to stay alive.
-- Eli
The return to pc
2k10 will see something that I never thought would happen: I will be returning to a pc. It is a sad day, & we all must take a moment of silence for this day.
I finished the fall term on thursday. Saturday when I attempted to turn my computer on it did not. After almost four years, numerous drops, hard licks, one coffee spill, & one resurrection the MacBook gave up the ghost. The motherboard is finished. I could replace motherboard, but it would cost more than another computer and frugality along with the lowest price are the name of the game right now.
I will have to wait until the first of the year to get or with student loan money. At least I can have it before school starts back. I will be able to snag an external hard drive case so that I can get my stuff off of it. Between the documents, pics & music my life is on there.
I heard that Windows 7 fixed all of the Windows problems, I'm trusting them…
-- Eli
I finished the fall term on thursday. Saturday when I attempted to turn my computer on it did not. After almost four years, numerous drops, hard licks, one coffee spill, & one resurrection the MacBook gave up the ghost. The motherboard is finished. I could replace motherboard, but it would cost more than another computer and frugality along with the lowest price are the name of the game right now.
I will have to wait until the first of the year to get or with student loan money. At least I can have it before school starts back. I will be able to snag an external hard drive case so that I can get my stuff off of it. Between the documents, pics & music my life is on there.
I heard that Windows 7 fixed all of the Windows problems, I'm trusting them…
-- Eli
Sunday, December 20, 2009
The New Year
I have never kept a New Year's Resolution & I highly doubt this year is gonna be any different. Therefore, I'm not making any New Year's Resolutions.
What I am doing is resolving to do something that is within my capability to accomplish. Let me rephrase that, I'm not resolving to do it , I'm just gonna do. I have decided to do it.
In 2k10 I'm gonna be the best Eli that I can be. That menas many things on many levels to me. How that will play over the next year will surface in various forms. I got ideas but I'm not gonna share them right now.
Suffice it to say, 2k10 is the year of Eli being the best Eli he can be.
-- Eli
What I am doing is resolving to do something that is within my capability to accomplish. Let me rephrase that, I'm not resolving to do it , I'm just gonna do. I have decided to do it.
In 2k10 I'm gonna be the best Eli that I can be. That menas many things on many levels to me. How that will play over the next year will surface in various forms. I got ideas but I'm not gonna share them right now.
Suffice it to say, 2k10 is the year of Eli being the best Eli he can be.
-- Eli
Saturday, December 19, 2009
This time last year…
As I ran on Saturday through 'my woods' my thoughts wandered to last Xmas. We were in Georgia. I had just finished another term at school, having told my classmates not to expect to see me again as j was moving for work. I had a start date planned fo a new job (which was actually an old for a second time). Life seemed good from the vantage point I was at...
I remember my New Year's Resolution being I wasn't going to have another crappy year (as with all resolutions, that didn't go as planned). It seems that life has a way of working itself out. Dr. Ian Malcolm would say that 'life finds a way' due to chaos theory. I would say that God finds a way... Maybe through chaos theory as well.
The outlook for 2k10 is much better than 2k9.
We live in a different town. We both have jobs. We are having more family time. The family time we have is more enjoyable. It is hard to complain at this time.
We are not where we want to be and our hopes for this coming are high. I do believe we are in a place in our lives thAt we are going to be able to make our goals come true. It is going to take hard work and determinAtion along tons of prAyer, but it is possible.
I'm not resolving to not have another crappy year in 2k10, that's impossible ( as fAr as my power to control or effect it… although with God nothing is impossible, which is why I say as far as my power). My resolve will be for something that I can actually do…
-- Eli
I remember my New Year's Resolution being I wasn't going to have another crappy year (as with all resolutions, that didn't go as planned). It seems that life has a way of working itself out. Dr. Ian Malcolm would say that 'life finds a way' due to chaos theory. I would say that God finds a way... Maybe through chaos theory as well.
The outlook for 2k10 is much better than 2k9.
We live in a different town. We both have jobs. We are having more family time. The family time we have is more enjoyable. It is hard to complain at this time.
We are not where we want to be and our hopes for this coming are high. I do believe we are in a place in our lives thAt we are going to be able to make our goals come true. It is going to take hard work and determinAtion along tons of prAyer, but it is possible.
I'm not resolving to not have another crappy year in 2k10, that's impossible ( as fAr as my power to control or effect it… although with God nothing is impossible, which is why I say as far as my power). My resolve will be for something that I can actually do…
-- Eli
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Very Excited!!!
We are going very shortly to the doctor's appointment where the sonogram is involved to determine if our third (& final natural-born, read non-adopted) child is going to be a boy or a girl.
I cannot express my excitement because either way it'll be cool and fun. We got some cool names picked out. Not here though. Not now, I should say.
-- Eli
I cannot express my excitement because either way it'll be cool and fun. We got some cool names picked out. Not here though. Not now, I should say.
-- Eli
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
"Daddy, I just deuced…"
Four words you never wanna hear unless they are on the toilet. Noah evidently couldn't hold in a green bean-sized deuce and released onto his bedroom floor post bath. Excellent.
-- Eli
-- Eli
Noah's Artwork
Noah put this expert artwork on the wall of his bedroom. I told him not to write on the walls anymore.
So this is what he did next…
With the exception of 'z' (which is written backwards) the entire alphabet in order expertly written… at least he knows the letters of the alphabet…
-- Eli
Monday, December 7, 2009
Our System is Down
The system at work is down this morning, so I thought I would take a moment to share the Scripture verses I read this morning. 1 Peter 2. I lik the part about not being in the family & now we are & not knowing mercy & now we do. Mercy allows meto sleep at night.
1 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
As Living Stones
4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God,5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.6 For this is contained in Scripture:
“Behold , I lay in Zion a choice stone , a precious corner stone,
And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed .”
7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve,
“The stone which the builders rejected ,
This became the very corner stone,”
8 and,
“A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense ”;
for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.
9 But you are a chosen race , a royal priesthood , a holy nation , a people for God’s own possession , so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;10 for you once were not a people , but now you are the people of God ; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy .
11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Honor Authority
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
-- Eli
1 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
As Living Stones
4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God,5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.6 For this is contained in Scripture:
“Behold , I lay in Zion a choice stone , a precious corner stone,
And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed .”
7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve,
“The stone which the builders rejected ,
This became the very corner stone,”
8 and,
“A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense ”;
for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.
9 But you are a chosen race , a royal priesthood , a holy nation , a people for God’s own possession , so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;10 for you once were not a people , but now you are the people of God ; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy .
11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Honor Authority
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
-- Eli
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
A short run and Other mindlessness
I was running last night for the first time since I got home from Georgia. I ran at lake and only ran 2.5 miles. It was really hot, even at 10:30pm. I plan to go run tonite after the boys go to bed. I got my desk put back together today. I wanted to ride my bike to walmart earlier, and then run tonite, but it didn't work out to be able to do that. I have to get too many things at walmart. Ronda wants to make potato soup tonite with Monte cristos. But she's not home yet and I haven't heard from her either. Gotta go, not done with my honey dew list.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Trailrunning
For the last two days I've had the chance to go trailrunning. I
realize that even when you can escape the concrete jungle of central
Florida, what is left is nothing like what there is here in north
Georgia. The first difference that come to my mind is hills. We don't
have them in Florida. Yesterday I clocked 4 miles at the Sandy Creek
Nature Center. There is. 4 mile trail that goes over from the nature
center to the park. I ran half of it and turned around and came back.
Accept for the initial down from parking lot and then up at the end
this trail is relatively level as it follows beside a river. So it was
four miles in the woods on level terrain. Today however, I ran trails
at the nature center that were up & down & all around. After knocking
down about 3.5 miles I hurt. It hurts so good though. I'm glad I got
out to run. I haven't been very diligent with my running and I miss it
tremendously. My plan is to hit sandy creek everyday for the rest of
the week while I'm here.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
So far this week and last week
Last week my intentions were good for running, however in application it only came out to 5 miles for the week. Sucks. It'll just make hitting my target for this week a little harder as I have a bigger gap to make up. I wasn't so concerned with getting the distance as I was with getting the endurance. By the first full week of July I want to be making 20 miles a week. this week hasn't proved to be any better either. It's Saturday and I'm sitting on 2.25 miles for the week. I suck. Friends came to visit and that made running hard. I rearranged the back porch so that I can make better use of my weights. It seems with the mortgage mod being approved we are going to be here awhile. But that has nothing to do with running.
Earlier this week when I went running, on Tuesday. I decided to run up to the lake and push the boys in the stroller like we did last summer. Our plans were to run up there, about a mile, and play at the beach and the splash pad. We packed up the sand toys in the stroller, leashed Gray to it and off we went. Upon arrival at the beach Hayden had pulled his penis out of the pull up (but not his pants) and peed in the grass. So we played in sand and what not. Then Gray went crazy over some stray dogs so i returned to the stroller to keep him from chasing them down. Noah came to ask me to go back to the sand. When I said no, he pulled out his penis and peed right there in the grass by the splash pad. It was then that I decided it was time to go.
All-in-all it was a great day of running.
I didn't run today, but I did hit the weights. I'm trying run an lift now. I want to cultivate my upper body, too. Hopefully I will be able to keep that up.
Earlier this week when I went running, on Tuesday. I decided to run up to the lake and push the boys in the stroller like we did last summer. Our plans were to run up there, about a mile, and play at the beach and the splash pad. We packed up the sand toys in the stroller, leashed Gray to it and off we went. Upon arrival at the beach Hayden had pulled his penis out of the pull up (but not his pants) and peed in the grass. So we played in sand and what not. Then Gray went crazy over some stray dogs so i returned to the stroller to keep him from chasing them down. Noah came to ask me to go back to the sand. When I said no, he pulled out his penis and peed right there in the grass by the splash pad. It was then that I decided it was time to go.
All-in-all it was a great day of running.
I didn't run today, but I did hit the weights. I'm trying run an lift now. I want to cultivate my upper body, too. Hopefully I will be able to keep that up.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
running to walmart almost involved the police
Some time ago I washed an excercise jacket that had Ronda's iPod in it. Of course, it ceased to work at that point. It wasn't much of a problem at the time because we were living with her parents and doing a lot of running together. Then we moved back home and neither of us have been running the way that we could or should. So it still hasn't been much of an issue. Ronda has started to run more often again. Which I like a lot. As she has been running more, she has been using my iPod. If you know either of us at all you know that we don't have the same tastes in music even slightly. There are very few overlaps in our tastes of music.
In a moment of clarity last night I decided to run to walmart to get her a new iPod. I didn't tell her where I was running to: it was a surprise. Except that when my mom and sis ran to 7-11 and got home before me and subsequently freaked out about me being gone for more than 1.5 hrs. I expected Ronda to fall asleep as she always does and be none the wiser when I got home.
So I ran the 2.5 miles to walmart, got an iPod an 8 lbs. medicine ball and a red bull. I proceeded to run home. Admittedly, I was running slower using the medicine ball to work abs as i ran.
So instead of coming home to a sleeping wife, I came home to a mother wandering the streets looking for me while my wife drove around looking for me and was on the phone with the police. Yes, they were concerned enough for my safety that the police were called. So the big surprise of an ipod for Ronda was somewhat overshadowed because running to walmart almost involved the police.
In a moment of clarity last night I decided to run to walmart to get her a new iPod. I didn't tell her where I was running to: it was a surprise. Except that when my mom and sis ran to 7-11 and got home before me and subsequently freaked out about me being gone for more than 1.5 hrs. I expected Ronda to fall asleep as she always does and be none the wiser when I got home.
So I ran the 2.5 miles to walmart, got an iPod an 8 lbs. medicine ball and a red bull. I proceeded to run home. Admittedly, I was running slower using the medicine ball to work abs as i ran.
So instead of coming home to a sleeping wife, I came home to a mother wandering the streets looking for me while my wife drove around looking for me and was on the phone with the police. Yes, they were concerned enough for my safety that the police were called. So the big surprise of an ipod for Ronda was somewhat overshadowed because running to walmart almost involved the police.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
This weeks runs
Haven't run this week. I better or I'm going to be irritated and I won't
make my 12-15 mile goal for this week! In some ways I like a
challenge! Today will be the beginning of my running for the week.
make my 12-15 mile goal for this week! In some ways I like a
challenge! Today will be the beginning of my running for the week.
Eli Westfall
eliwestfall@gmail.com
706-202-0304
www.elisrealestate.com
eliwestfall.blogspot.com
This e-mail sent from Eli's iPhøne.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
I Just Ran 3 miles
Once again I'm trying to start a blog just for my running. I ran 3 miles. I didn't want to run, but am glad that I did. The run was just what I needed in order to get my head back on straight. As often happens with running, the thinking helped me to clarify somethings in my head.
I don't imagine that these blogs will be particularly long, as they will only be about running.
If you want to read other things by me, like devotional or challenging thoughts you'll have to wait until I change that blog and make it accessible to you. If you want to read my confessions and struggles, e-mail me and we will talk.
As Tigger says. Ta ta for now!
I don't imagine that these blogs will be particularly long, as they will only be about running.
If you want to read other things by me, like devotional or challenging thoughts you'll have to wait until I change that blog and make it accessible to you. If you want to read my confessions and struggles, e-mail me and we will talk.
As Tigger says. Ta ta for now!
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