Inspirations

Well, as some most of you know, my amazing grandfather has had some health troubles lately, and this week was in the hospital. He really gave us a scare! We were afraid he was going to have open heart surgery, but was able to have stints instead. He came through the first round beautifully and is now at home, PRAISE THE LORD! Now, though, he does have to go for a second round of stints, in a more difficult artery, in a few weeks.  But, right now, that is not what the real purpose of this post is. This post has been brewing in my mind for days, but there was no Internet access in the ICU, and when I was at home I was sleeping, so here it is:

I want to write about what an inspiration my grandfather has been in my life. He is the most amazing man I have ever known. He is hardworking beyond belief...I swear, the man never stops! He is 82 years old and still works, because he really enjoys it! The staff at church is constantly commenting about what a hard worker he is and how conscientious he is about his work. He has always been there for me. I have not always had an easy life (who has?!?), and he has been there for me through it all. He has supported me in every way possible as I worked my way through school, and he constantly encouraged me to get my education, finish college, and pursue my dreams. He is a strong Christian man who has always been an example to me of a life lived to glorify God. I can remember growing up, he could often be found stretched out on the couch with his tattered blue bible in hand, reading away. These days, there is a dedicated spot at his kitchen table where he sits to read God's Word. He is also a shining example of what a loving husband should be. He loves my Grandma and would do anything, and I do mean ANYTHING for her. They have been married for over 50 years, and their love is still so evident. I pray that my own marriage will last in the same way that theirs has. He has a stubborn streak that I inherited 100%, and I love him for it. He does what he thinks is best, even when other people disagree. (And sometimes, he's right!) But, when it comes right down to it, he always does what is best for his family, even if it isn't what he wants at the time. He is the patriarch of our family, and I love him dearly.

Here is a picture of the two of us when he walked me down the aisle and gave me away at my wedding:

I'm sure I left out a million wonderful things about Grandpa, but that's okay.  I'm not the only one he has inspired! What about you? Leave a comment and share how he has inspired your life!!

Oh. My. Word. (or, Confessions of a Desperate Addict)

I can't believe I did this.  Well, maybe I can.  A little.  I acted on impulse.  And then, I was soo embarrassed. I almost wasn't going to post about it.  Then today, I decided that I had to.  I absolutely had to.

Two days ago, I was at my favorite drink spot, Sonic Drive-In, to get, you guessed it, a Diet Coke.  I can't help it.  I am addicted.  I love Diet Coke, especially from Sonic.  It's something about the ice...Anyway, there I was.  I had just ordered my drink at the drive thru speaker thingy, and I was pulling around to wait for my 44 ounces of fizzy bliss to be brought to me.  (Half price, by the way, because it was Happy Hour!)  I had some napkins in the cup holder, so I paused at the garbage can to throw them away.  There, in the garbage can, was a bag with the receipt attached.  Not just any receipt, but one of the receipts with a coupon at the bottom for a FREE ROUTE 44 DRINK if you complete a survey about the restaurant!  Well, let me tell you something, I LONG for those receipts.  I check each receipt diligently when we go to Sonic to see if I have been so lucky as to get one of those coupons, and if I have, I take it off, fold it neatly in fourths, and put it in a special place in the car for a future Diet Coke emergency.  And someone had the gall to THROW IT AWAY???  Are you KIDDING ME???  So, without really thinking about it, I reached in the garbage can and TOOK IT OFF THE BAG!!  Then, I pulled on up and waited for my drink to come out.  (I was paying for this one.)  As I sat there, I realized what I had done (and that there was a car behind me whose occupants likely saw the whole thing) and got a little embarrassed.  Sweetness told me that was desperate and disgusting.  A friend (who understands the sweet goodness of Sonic ice mixed with Diet Coke) said she understood completely.

Fast forward to today.  I completed the survey, got my code, and used that coupon.  When the carhop brought me my Diet Coke, guess what was on my receipt?  Yep, you got it, a FREE ROUTE 44 DRINK COUPON!!

Oh, goodness...