All in a day's work!!!

What a beautiful Saturday.... Most people are either out grilling, chilling, swimming, but this redhead declared it a "work" day and went to North Webster to assist one of my locations with their Mermaid Festival PARADE float and store events. I went early so that I could help decorate the float, etc. Having so much to do, the float was not high on the priority list as both store owners were quite involved with the management of the parade and events surrounding it. With a great group, and I emphasize "great group" of high school students we were able to put together the float with a Scoobydoo theme. We had a Scoobydoo and a Shaggy...but....that wasn't enough for the theme...because the "mystery machine" was missing (a staple according to Scoobydoo lovers). I took one for the team and dressed up like a mystery machine for the float....yes...Dixie in a Box... hmmmmm Quite a picture you say? Well...see the proof below.....

Yes...Dixie in a Box....my creation!!!!!

SURPRISE....HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Happy Anniversary to Terri and John Hines.

(even the dogs smiled for pictures)

They celebrated their 12th anniversary with a surprise set up by John and friends, Alison and Matt Bontrager. Everyone had a great time chatting, kids playing, Matt cooking, all of us munching on some great food, and most of all fellowship and celebration of this very nice couple. Of course there are always perks to any party and Baby Bontrager, better known to the Agent team as "the princess", hammed it up for photographer Lindsay. Even the dogs hammed it up and smiled for the cameras! What a great afternoon.

The little "princess"

Surprise...Terri!!!!!

I managed to snag my camera for one of Lindsay and the "princess"

Of course, I had to "hog" the baby too!

But still had lots of time for my little guy!

Gen. 6:14 What a message

Saw Evan Almighty.

Wow. God is so working through the media to reach us, help us, give messages to us, and to give us insight at what He has provided for us, what we are destroying, what some politicians will do for power and money, cutting out steps to save money which could endanger many people, and showing us that our promises to do something take backing and action and can't be just words.

When you pray for something, be ready for it. Being a family takes on many shapes but with all the different kinds of families, are we really there for each other or once grown, is all that tossed away? Do we reach out to each other in good times and in bad?

Humor is a great avenue if it brings millions of people together to learn about God. Before this movie...I never knew where Noah was in the Bible. I knew he was in there but not where. Now I will never forget Genesis 6:14. Isn't it wonderful that because of a "weirdo with the beardo", so many people are getting churched without even realizing it. You go God!

Oh, my iPhone had to be sent away for a battery. Huh?

What if my cell phone battery were not functioning well? I would simply go to my local cell phone provider and get a new battery. Quick install and I would be back in business.

The new iPhone from Apple sounds like a great concept but like any new gadget, companies are so excited to release it, they don't work out the bugs and who pays for it? The consumer who is the absolutely most important part of the whole equation. Without customers, no one would be in business. So do we make a buck off the hype of a new toy or do we hold off until the bugs are worked out and making sure that the consumers have a great experience with the new toy instead of paying all that money only to be frustrated and upset. The battery situation with the new iPhone presents one of these dissatisfaction experiences because if an iPhone battery is bad, there is no quick fix. It must be sent in to be replaced. Hmmmm, lets think about that. Most of today's professionals uses a phone like a smart phone for business. To be without that lifeline while a battery is being replaced is a major inconvenience.

I will stick with the cell phones and smart phones that are tested by my cell phone company so that I can use these tools without interruption. I appreciate that my company might not be the quickest to release the new phones but I know with confidence that when the phones are released, they are ready for consumers to use without a lot of setbacks.

The iPhone battery information was acquired from RCR Wireless News, June 18th issue.

Move over, Mark Spitz.....here comes D

Our little fish is taking swimming lessons through the preschool. I stopped by to grab some photos the other morning on my way to work..... I got there just as they were finishing up their kicking routine and then got to see our little guy jump off the diving board with empty milk jugs. So cute! He did a very good job and was so excited that I came to see him. They don't understand about work yet though. I had a full day and I only had 15 minutes to spare. He appreciated it just the same.

Meet the "Bugeyes"

These are the up and coming characters on a new sitcom called "Meet the Bugeyes". Set in the hills of Kentucky, this family knows no limits when it comes to havin' some fun.

This is BillyBob Bugeye, head of the family

This is two headed Bonnie Bee, sweetheart of the hills

This is Ma Bugeye, roughest and oldest in the land

And finally, BobbyBob, the littlest Bugeye

Stay tuned for more adventures!

Summer Fun at the Beach

summer fun at the beach

What a great Sunday. Father's Day plans didn't work out and we had celebrated with my Dad before so it was off to the lake. From morning until late afternoon, we chilled by the water enjoying the sights and sounds of boats, sun, water, new friends, and lots of giggles. It was a lot of fun to see Dawson play with other kids and have fun building sand castles, collecting rocks, and munching on snacks. The weather was a blessing as well as the memories created today.

Swing Batta Batta

Doing what every good American family does on a Saturday morning, we attended our Dawson's T-ball game in Elkhart. The little ball players are now attempting to hit a "pitch" rather than off the T and our little guy smacked a good one right off the bat (no pun intended). We were all there to cheer him on. He also was first baseman and kept looking at us for approval.

Afterwards, we went shopping to get stuff to get the backyard ready for family that is coming in Monday to celebrate an early Father's Day with Great Grandpa and to celebrate A.J.'s (my nephew) acceptance to the South Carolina State Police Force. There will be some celebrating going on, that's for sure. Linz and I did a lot of yard work today and the backyard and front yard looks great. That's Wasik Teamwork for ya!!!!!

Here are just a few pics from the day!

What a great pic of my son, Jon!

Daughter-in-law Elena, Dawson, and Jon

Ahhhh, my little shnookums and his Ga Ga

Some moments you are lucky to catch pictures of .

My girls, Lindsay and Elena

Disney Institute...A Day of Learning Bliss!

I had eight hours of absolute bliss today. I attended the Disney Institute's on the road seminar. It was phenomenal and so much to take in that I will just share some pics from the day with you. It was overwhelming with insight, inspiration, and yes, magic! Enjoy!

Big as life up on the overhead screen greeting us all.

One of the facilitators, Pam from Walt Disney World's Disney Institute! Awesome!

Tom was the other facilitator. He was great fun to chat with!

My name tag and the "participation" trophies that were given out.

Who can attend anything having to do with Disney

without encountering "pixie dust" in the form of Mickey Mouse ears.

I shared a little "Dixie Dust" with the group!

You won't believe what I did

I am in Naperville, Illinois. Last night was one of those nights. I had the very worst sinus headache I have had in a very long time. It hurt so bad that I was pacing. I finally poured myself some raspberry crystal light in a glass of ice with the intention of soothing myself in some way. I sat the glass next to the bed. I snoozed for about twenty minutes and woke back up because the head hurt pretty bad. So I am watching Pirates 1 on USA when I got the idea that something cold on my forehead would feel pretty darn good. So I picked up my glass with that nice cool liquid and ice and layed it gently against my forehead and it did feel amazing. Sort of like a brain freeze but on the outside instead of the inside and it felt good. It must have felt really good because I dozed back off and lo and behold I dumped cold "red" juice down my face, all over my pj's and the bed.... yeah, I woke up pretty quickly to discover that I looked like the star in a slasher movie that got the short end of the slash. Needless to say, I didn't get much more sleep having a hurting noggin, a wet red bed, and nice wet pj's. Did I mention the "sticky" part of the nightmare. That is a whole other story.

Disney Institute, Here I Come!!!!!

I am in Naperville, Illinois close to the NIU campus where tomorrow I will attend the Disney Institute's one day seminar about how they incorporate the Disney Magic into all parts of the business. I am representing my company and my Indiana team tomorrow and will take away a lot of great information that I will be sharing with my team at the Indiana Leadership Academy at the end of the summer. In addition to this awesome opportunity tomorrow, I also traveled to Disney World and enjoyed interviewing, talking to, and also attending a special tour that took me behind the scenes and behind the "magic" curtain backstage and down in the utilidores underneath the Magic Kingdom. After watching, listening, and lots of walking, I heard a lot of key phrases that could easily have been about our company. I am looking forward to sharing and feel very lucky to be attending this program.

You are successful when you are utilizing the talents and passion that you have. What Disney does for families, individuals, and for all the memories it creates as ultimate souvenirs, it is a pleasure to continue learning where it all started, how it grew and is still growing, but more important, how we all can learn to be better people in business and in our personal lives due to the philosophy of one man's dream jam packed with so much attention to details, it is mind boggling.

As they say in the parks, "Have a magical day". More to come!

Artist at Work!

This weekend was great. I worked on some work projects in the morning and in the evening. In the afternoon, I became an artist and planted, dug, got drenched, pulled, dragged, and lifted to create a "pleasing to the eye" picture of the front of my house and then today, I had breakfast with two of my best pals, went to church, and then came home and got the dead leaves out of my pond and built a water wall with rocks....and I must say so myself that the water spout is working wonderfully and is sure to keep the water stirred up so that mosquitoes don't build their dreams around living with Dixie. Though the water is still somewhat green, the chemicals have not taken hold yet probably because I just put them in! So kinda picture the water NOT green and enjoy my pics from my very busy weekend!

Didn't know how to build a regular flower bed so I used rocks!

Now my little statues (Lindsay hates the owl, lol) have a new display place!

This is the original bed so now it has something in it.

The new and improved water wall & spout.

I now have "turbulence"

SSSSHHHHHHHHH don't tell Lindsay, but I hate that dumb owl too!

Pirates as Friends

During our visit to Disney, we had the privilege of dining with Lee Arenberg and Katie at the steak house in EPCOT's Canadian pavilion. We had a great time talking and laughing and being silly with a blue ice cube....long story. My point of this short post is that the media exploits all of the bad decisions and antics of Hollywood stars all the time...and rarely do they mention the nice ones. Lee was definitely a great guy and Katie, who is due on Dawson's birthday for their little guy, was absolutely adorable and sweet.

A big star, who has been in multitudes of films and TV shows, Lee was as down to earth and as awesome as they get. He and Lindsay are keeping in touch now and have communicated several times since our dinner together. So....who says Pirates can't be friends.

Anyone who knows Lindsay, or shall we say the "Pirate Princess", knows that she is all about the arghhhhh and the pirates.....so having this opportunity to learn so much more about her favorite flicks and the people in it and to have that special kind of communication is pretty phenomenal. I get so tickled at her being so tickled....