November 18, 2012: Carrie Underwood Concert

I bought Mom and I tickets to see the Carrie Underwood concert at the VanAndel Arena in Grand Rapids.    She performed a very nice show. I liked how they brought the stage up into the air and forward to the other side of the arena so the people in the back could see her more up close.  

November 16, 2012: Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part II

Tiffany Peterson and I had been excited about the opening of the final installment of the movie "Twilight". I am in love with the character, Jacob, played by Taylor Lautner. Taylor is originally from Hudsonville, Michigan. He and his family moved to California when he was around 10 years old. The other two main
characters, Bella and Edward were played by Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattison.

We got tickets to ladies night for this movie. They gave us pizza and other appetizers. Plus, they gave us popcorn and pop. We had bought our tickets for the event in Muskegon, but the event was cancelled, so the event manager gave us our money back and free tickets to the same event at Celebration theater in Grand Rapids. There were over 400 people in theater #1.

On our way home, it was very foggy outside. I could not see in front of me. It made me a little nervous. Tiffany invited me to go to Mo'z which is the gay bar in Muskegon. I had always wanted to see a drag queen show there so thought I would go. It was comical seeing the pitchers of alcohol with two colored straws in them. I guess that would be for your partner.
Tonight, the theme was 60s. The emcee was quite funny. He liked to pick on our table. He/she gave me the nickname, bob, because of my bob haircut. Tiffany was called TJ. One of her friends was called Tiny Tim. Her friend is from Germany. Tiffany has two male gay friends who were at our table.

We got jello shots later and I could not suck that jello out of the container. I was cracking up.

Later on, the emcee said I looked like I came from a Seventh Day Adventist Church. Do I really look like a church lady?

There are many straight people who go there, including me. I have to say that I was impressed that no one hit on me and the people were just there to have fun and dance. I heard that you don't see bar brawls at these places like you do in a regular bar.

I drove home in the fog and was glad to get home safely.

November 12: Gordon Food Service Corporate Office

In observance of veteran's day, I didn't have to work. Mom and I went to Spring Lake to see Joan Morse's new apartment style condo. Then, we had a nice lunch at Two Tonys restaurant which was across the street.

Later on, I got dressed up in my business suit and headed to Grand Rapids to tour the new corporate office for Gordon Food Service which is located at 1300 Gezon Parkway in Wyoming.

There was an article in our local newspaper on Sunday about the new office. The building is gorgeous. They used mostly West Michigan companies to build the facility, as well as the inside furnishings. Each employee was able to pick out the type of desk and chair they wanted. I like the new adjustable desks.

Our tour guide, Erin, showed us around the building. There were some Art Prize pieces on the walls. The skillet display of North America was a copy of the original, as the original did not include Canada, which is the newest territory they are marketing. They also had the rain display which also was made special by the Art Prize artist.

This tour and professional development opportunity was hosted by a volunteer group called Blend. They do three events per year at different locations.

I asked our tour guide if it was hard to get a job there. He said for every 200 job postings, they get around 6,000 applicants. The typical work week is about 50-60 hours.

They served us some appetizers at the event.

Then, we listed to a speaker, Cliff, who has worked at GFS for 19 years. He said the CEO has an open door policy which is unlike any other company he has worked for. He can go to the boss's office anytime.

He spoke about being a victim or victor when it comes to life's obstacles. He was very inspirational.

After the event, I drove to Rivertown Mall in Grandville and met up with my bus driver friend, Tim Shelton and his lady friend, Katy Newberg. It started to snow last night. I don't care for that wet stuff, especially driving in it. Luckily, it melted right away.

October 14, 2012: Abundant Life Tabernacle

I met a very nice lady, Thelma Prather, at Barnes and Noble. She sits with our group on Friday nights. Her husband, Ron, is the pastor of Abundant Life Tabernacle on Hts. Ravenna Rd. This weekend, they were celebrating his 25th year of being a pastor. He is originally from Cleveland, Ohio. He met Thelma at a funeral in Ohio and they fell in love. They got married in 1970.

I was surprised to see someone I knew there. It was Danuel German, whom I used to work with at Sears back in 2001. She left there a year ago and has a job now at GH Express in Muskegon Heights. It was great seeing her.

The church service was 2 1/2 hours. Towards the end, they have the congregation come up front and someone touches your head and prays for each person. I had never experienced that before.

After the service, they provided us a nice meal. I met Colleen Walther. She was very nice. She lived in Louisiana for many years but moved back to Hesperia. I got to talk with Danuel too. I got a kick out of her surrounded by 4 desserts. The food was wonderful and everyone was so nice.

September 20, 2012: Jennifer Wagenmaker's Book Signing

When I found out Jennifer Wagenmaker (Jerry Depoy's sister) had written a book and was having a book signing, I decided I had to go to Barnes and Noble and support her.  The name of the book is:  "Becoming:  All that God Created Me to Be".   I bought the book and had her sign it. I read it in about 2 days.  It was very interesting to read about her life.  

I asked her how long it took her to write and publish the book.  She said it took her a little over a year.    She gave me the inspiration to write my own book.

September 8, 2012: Condo Open House

Mom and I spent March through June picking out flooring, furniture, paint, blinds, etc. for the new condo at at 5670 N. Turning Leaf Way at Stillwater Springs Condos.   
It was alot of work trying to figure out what we wanted.  My mom spent more time than me trying to decide, as I usually know right away whether I like something or not.

I invited many friends and relatives to the official open house of our new home.     

Some of the people who came were: Audrey Apostle, Milly Dreleozis,  Linda Scott, Rhonda Collins, Jim Morse, Melanie Morse, Jasmine Morse, Gabrielle Morse, Kay Tobey, Karen Scriver, Betsy Floyd, Minda Floyd-Schouten, Ron and Joan Morse; George, Marianne, and Joy Gonyo;  Linda and Ben Borgerding, Helen and Paul Thomas, Jeanne and Kevin Reenders, Becky Ruger, Molly Piersema King, Chevella Alviar, Betty and John Westra, Jerry and Harry Stapel. Some others were invited, but were not able to come to the party.  

We had food and drinks for everyone.  Minda brought her Thirty One bags to sell.   Audrey brought her Premier Jewelry to sell, too.   I had a good time at the party and it was so nice to see everyone.   

July 3, 2012: Maggie's Pancreatitis

I decided this morning that I needed to schedule an appointment for Maggie to see the vet, as she had been laying on the floor of the living room for 2 days, not wanting to move, go outside, eat, or drink. Poor thing looked so sad and I didn't know what I could do to take away her pain.

I left work and took Maggie to Clarke Animal Hospital.   The vet technician had a hard time getting Maggie out of her crate. She held on for dear life.   Maggie usually is not like that with people. She is usually excited to see everyone at the vet, so I knew something wasn't right.   The doctor did some blood work and found some elevated enzyme levels in the gall bladder, so she thought it might be that.   She recommended that Maggie get an ultrasound to give them a better idea.    They didn't have the ultrasound equipment there at the vet, so I had to go to the emergency vet, Michigan Veterinarian Specialists, in Grand Rapids on Michigan St.     

We got to Grand Rapids and brought Maggie into the vet.   Maggie had her ultrasound, which took about 2 hours.    Mom and I waited in the waiting room the whole time. There were alot of other dogs at the vet today, probably because of the holiday.

The doctor had me come in the exam room and said that the ultrasound showed nothing wrong with the kidney, liver, or gall bladder, but there was severe inflammation of the pancreas.   She was diagnosed with Pancreatitis, which is a painful gastrointestinal disease.   The vet recommended she be hospitalized for a couple of days.    She would get fed intravenously water and nutrients.  Plus, she would get a plasma transfusion, which is donated from another dog.     I was given the estimate on the cost of $2500 on the low end and $3500 on the high end.  I swear I almost had a heart attack.    I know my mom freaked out at the bill too and her first reaction was to put Maggie down, which is not what I wanted to do, as Maggie is only 8 years old.    We went back to see where Maggie would be staying and she looked so bright eyed which melted my heart. 

Maggie is my baby and I would like to keep her in my life as long as possible, but not put her in a bunch of pain.    It was hard to leave Maggie at the hospital, but I knew she would get good care there.  

Later on, we went to Barnes and Noble and I talked with the girls I sit with there which made me feel a little better. Many of my friends posted on facebook that they were praying for Maggie.   

On our way home, my mom said she felt bad thinking about putting Maggie down, but that she was stressed with not having the closing date on the condo and then me putting out all of this money on Maggie at the vets lately.  She said she would never forget Maggie's bright eyes looking at us at the vet.

I prayed that night before I went to sleep that Maggie would heal and make a full recovery.