Um, Seriously?

This could be among the worst Christmas decorations I've ever seen! So terrible, I thought it was a bad joke...it's for real though. Some of you that read this blog may have seen the same ad. The ad reads"

Let Your "Light" Shine For Christ This Christmas Season!

"Looking for an effective way to express your Christian faith this Christmas season to honor our Lord Jesus? Now you can.... with the "Original Christmas Cross" yard decoration.

Light up your front yard, porch, patio, driveway, business, organization or church this holiday season with a stunning Christmas cross."

Maybe the idea looked good on paper but in real life?? I'm thinking this is not the most effective way to let your light shine for Jesus! You won't see this cross "burning" outside my apartment this Christmas! ;-P

I'm not the only one thinking this decoration is a bad idea. The website has a "rate this product" section. Below is a paste of a rating I wanted to share...

Product Rating: (2.60) # of Ratings: 5 (Only registered customers can rate)

Zach on 11/13/2008, said: "This is not an effective way to share the message of Christmas! Several of my friends have commented on how this cross is reminiscent of the KKK since it has the appearance of being on fire when lit. I would suggest a nativity scene instead. As always, the best display of Christ during the Christmas season is our love for one another and our care for those in need. Want to portray Christ this Christmas? Give of your time and money to someone in need (sick, elderly, homeless, etc.) I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas. God bless."

btw...Sams Club is playing their Christmas music already, though it's still a little early for me!

Take Two! But Not Twenty Six Point Two!

I've signed up for the Indy 500 mini marathon, for the second time in the past several years. The first year I ended up having to work the day of the race, but was able to sell my registration to someone else. I'm trying it again! They are projecting over 40,000 runners to take part that day. I'm on the list now to get the newsletter. Um, woot? I've copied and pasted below. Seriously though, I'm fired up! Who else is in?

10/31/08

Jason Hayden

Thank you for registering for the 2009 500 Festival Races (Mini-Marathon, 5K, Training Series, and Team Challenge) Entry. Your Registration is confirmed, and you may use this email as your Registration Confirmation.

The Mini-Marathon Field Over 60% Full! Online registration for the 2009 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and Finish Line 500 Festival 5K has been open since May 3 and the field is already over 60% full. Over 21,000 people from 47 states and 8 countries have registered. The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, the nation’s largest half-marathon, is scheduled for May 2, 2009.

Triple to a Quintuple

Make your heart bypass a triple to a quintuple for FREE!

I got this email (shown below) earlier this afternoon and the above is what first came to my mind.



For a limited time, Skyline Chili will turn your 3-Way into a 5-Way at no
extra charge!

Hurry into your neighborhood Skyline today and get freshly chopped onions
and tender red beans added to your 3-Way to make it a 5-Way! All for the
price of a 3-Way.

C’mon, it’s Skyline Time.

The Interview

Oh yes, guess I could post a Smoothie King related item from time to time! I get the opportunity to work with Purdue students on various projects throughout the semester. This interview was for a small group in an entrepreneur class. Oprah, if you're watching...I'm way funnier is real life and only a few short hours from Chicago! Just say the word if you'd like to have a Smoothie King day on your show! ;-) Enjoy!

Oh and btw...yes the camera adds 10lbs.!

Smarter than a Fifth Grader?

Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader started its new season last night. One of the contestants was the Georgia State School Superintendent. She said she'd donate her winnings to the school system, which I thought was very nice of her. Click the link below to watch the video and see how it turned out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z83Q5JOtVjg


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When You Care Enough to Send the Very Best!

Hallmark...you don't have a card photo any better than this! This is a picture of my niece and her second cousin...and it just "gets me right here"...every time I look at it. My niece turns 3 in just a few short days (after my brother and his wife, I was the first family member to see her in existence which is cool...what's cooler yet - God knew her before the world began). My prayer for both of these children is that they would grow up with the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Not wanting to grow them up too quickly however...so while visiting my brother and his family, I'm game for playing horse, kicking the ball, eating fruit snacks, and a hug from time to time.



Taken last July while on a extended family, vacation.

5K Results

The Louisville 2008 Race for the Cure 5K is over and I finished! Thanks everyone, um, I mean you 4 for your donations. In all seriousness, I was humbled by your financial generosity and for those not able to give, I'm sure you would have if you were able! Overall, I was able to gather $415.00. The foundation suggested we have total donations goals of $175.00 per runner, but I knew I could do better due to the caliber of friends and family with which God has blessed me...as well has how God has blessed each of us.

I thought I was just signing up to 1) Raise donations and 2) Run in a 5K. But it became so much more than that. When I registered for the 5K I just knew one person who was fighting Breast Cancer and by the end of the event I knew two. First and foremost it's beatable, they had hundreds (a whole parade) of surviviors at the event...surviviors from 30+ of the diagonis! But it's also hard, it's nasty, and often it hurts, surely more than I currently know. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have and are fighting Breast Cancer. In particular Tammy and Pam and your family and friends that are walking along side you as you currently in this trial.

As you may recall and be reminded of Paul's writtings daily, hourly, or even by the minute...

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Regarding me and my mad runnin skillz...this is what I learned on Saturday...

1) If I think you've tested myself and found myself to be above average...I need to increase my sample size because...I'm likely be more average than I thought! There were about 9000 people taking part in the race...and for 24 minutes 50 sec. (my race time) I was constantly passing others...and I was constantly being passed.

2) I will attain more if I have set goals. I know, I know this isn't earth shattering or new info. but it was reinforced Saturday. At home, on a treadmill...my best training time was right at 30 min but I had nothing really pushing me nor a real goal in front of me. However in a race situation, I always had the next person in front of me to beat and that pushed me to set my goals and be able to pass them one by one.

3) Lastly (to lighten the tone) I learned that some people puke upon the conclusion of a 5K. I was not one of them but I saw a poor teenage girl loose it right after crossing the finish line. She collapsed into her fathers arms and out came what looked like orange juice ;-P