KC: The Opening

This place is such an event in our family. Summer is surely now here for good because King Cone opens today!!!  Absolute excitement.  We endure winter for this day.  It's gonna be a good day! 

Some of you local readers (ha, people read this!?!) may be wondering, will the Sherf family go to the *new* location in Plover?  Yes, of course we will.  There are many similarities between them, beyond simply the name.  The ice cream is the same delicious Cedar Crest (I was saddened to find out that Cedar Crest, of Manitowoc, WI does not offer plant tours!  What a bummer!) ice cream, but this year, with 8 new flavors MADE LOCALLY AT KING CONE!  There is also the lovely view of a King Lube oil change building across from both locations.  It's a little eerie folks!  Same great manager, who works hard to make sure that the Sherf favs are always in the freezers.  Yes, expansion is good.

And with the opening of King Cone, I have a new season goal.  My goal is to introduce 10 new people to the delights of KC this summer.  Already got one.  Two more are planned.  Last year I tried to eat my way through the menu, but Zanibar Chocolate with After Dinner Mint is just such a comfort to me... I didn't make it to everything!  If you've never been, let me know and we'll plan an outing.  It's really just what everyone needs - always.  It's that simple.

Oh, and I also hope to write more on this thing... My now is full of stuff (like most of yours' are too!).  May will bring one of my best friends for a month-long visit, so I will be writing about the Grand Canyon, the Apostle Islands and general shenanigans with Fabian!  

What are your spring highlights?  What events mark the beginning of summer for you and your family?

A Social Experiment.

I stepped back in time for a day at the Berntsen Libray last Thursday.  Well, it was present day - new students, new inside jokes (that i'm outside of!), etc... - but being there brings back so many memories!  Mini-golf behind the circulation desk, scooter races, ridiculous requests from faculty... oh, it was good times.

This time, at the libes, it was a social experiment with Pegs.  It hatched out of a large lunch at the mid-town global market.  We sat in Becky's office with our "food baby bellies" and reminisced about the poems we'd written at the library, the concerned customer letters from deceased alumni, the hilarious proposals to supposedly streamline the circulation process.  And, lo and behold, a new scheme... what would people say to a pregnant woman wandering amongst the stacks of the main collection?  At a smallish private Christian college?! Let's try it. By the way, Peggy will make an adorable pregnant woman someday! (She even had the "waddle" down!)  The original plan was to convince one of our old co-workers of her pregnancy, but we got a lot of other great data in the process.  People stared, smiled, did double takes at Peg as we walked about the library.  I don't recognize that girl... oh look, she's pregnant.

How we all giggled and snickered in the confines of Becky's office after those walks!!  And then, we had good conversations about "judgment" and "disappointment."  Is "being disappointed" in someone's behavior a nice way to say that you are "judging" them?

The Count of Monte Cristo

I downloaded this book on my new iPod for something to read at work, without having to lug a book. I fell in love with its adventure and humor. So, I took myself to the library to pick up the real copy for home reading and WHOA... I found out that I'm reading the unabridged 1,200+ page edition! It's all in my little iPod! Amazing.

The other sweet thing that I found out was that I was already on page 650! whew. It's a great read... thoughtful and funny and informing. I recommend it! Pick up the abridged verison if you are strapped for time!

Also, I love my new iPod!

What are you guys reading?

Resolution vs. Goal

I've determined that it is much more benefitial to think in terms of goal instead of resolution. With a resolution, such as not eating chips in 2010, it ends with the first chip. It's not a progressive work, it's a sudden "new you." Instead of thinking about how you want to be different in 2010, I challenge you to think about how you want to be different by 2011! That's a goal. I want to be the best... husband/employee/basketball player that I can be. I want to read this book. I want to work on this friendship. You get the idea... Don't resolve to be better, because you might just fail and give up on January 11.

Make it a goal and work towards it. And honestly, even if you don't make it by the end of 2010, at least you'll be closer to it! Setting goals lets you start where you are, instead of hoping to be where you are not!

What are your goals for 2010?

The Decade Wanes

2000 to 2009. A Decade.

It's fun to reflect back on these years.

I've traveled to 4 continents in 10 years. I've lived in a foreign country for one of them. I've learned 2 1/2 languages since 2000. I graduated from high school and college. I've lost two grandparents. I've gained sister-in-laws. I have grown in my relationship with Christ. I have learned countless things about myself. I have made life-long friends. God has given me and my family health. He has provided jobs and given innumerable other blessings. He has sustained me, through Christ.

What has been your biggest accomplishment/proudest moment?

What do you hope to do better in the next ten years?

How has your life impacted others? and been impacted by them?

What are a few of the happiest moments of this past decade?

What have you learned?

Those days... [Irrational Fears]

I remember when I was young and every time I got a really bad sore throat, I thought that it was going to close up just like it did for George Washington when he died.

What fears did you have as a child that you've since deemed irrational?