Haley Eleven Years of Delight!

Tim and I had the pleasure of celebrating our grand daughter Haley's 11th birthday in Lawrence, Kansas this past weekend. The party was our first to attend with her friends both girls and boys. Haley is in 5th grade at "Deerfield Elementary". Next year she will be going in to 6th grade which will be the first year that Lawrence USD 497 is moving 6th grade to middle school. Haley has always been a delightful child in every aspect of her life. She is sweet, compassionate, intuitive and just truly delightful to spend time with. I thought my own children grew up and spread their wings in the blink of on eye. Well trust me on this one that my grandchildren are growing up way to quickly. Pictured here is my daughter Emily and of course Haley.

I love spending time with these 2 girls. They are both a blast to hang with. They compliment each other so nicely and the older Haley gets the more she reminds me of her mom. My daughter truly appreciates Haley's zest for life. Watching her with friends on Saturday at "Jaybowl" in the University of Kansas Student Union was a lot of fun. The 5th graders from Deerfield that I observed were just great kids. They would all have done their parents proud. They were well mannered and really enjoyed being at the party. There is always a lot of emotion for kids when they are changing to a brand new building for their learning. It sure helps a lot to have friends that you know are there for you. At this point I feel confident that my soon to be middle schooler will be just fine if she surrounds herself with the awesome kids that attended her 11 year old birthday party.

I am richly blessed to have Haley in my life. She brings this Grammy mountains of joy to my family.

State Farm Agent Andy Fry

Not to announce to anyone my age but 1971 is a good year. I graduated from Nickerson High School in 1970. I actually drove a 1970 VW Beetle myself. I lost my precious, sweet Dad 2 years ago and the car featured here was his prize possession. He had it restored and really just had so much fun with car. He drove it in a few parades and it made many trips to the coffee shop. When he drove it he always wore a baseball cap. It is interesting how the little things stay in our memory. My son Andy Fry had the opportunity to buy the car and little did anyone in the family know how this special car would be in his grandsons life and career. Andy is a State Farm Agent in Hutchinson Kansas his home town. Lowen Color Graphics and Lowen Certified did the graphics and wrap on this special Volkswagon. Many of my coworkers at Essdack were the first to see this version of a 1971 Volkswagon Beetle. I would be remiss if I didn't say that my Dad was a very special guy in my life so this is an awesome trip down memory lane. It is also a great way to advertise my son's business and think of my Dad even more often that I already do!

Kindness is the Best Anectdote for a Great Life

"Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle" is a quote that has always inspired me. In our day to day lives we know personally what struggles we are going through. What we don't know about others we meet on the sidewalk, stores, schools, churches or many other places, is what is laying heavy on their lives. As humans we are all given situations in our lives that we think might kill us. The fact is that what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. Often times when I am out living my life I see a friend or a familiar face and think they seem to always be happy. They must not have anything but great things going on. I have learned that is absolutely not true. Everyone has stuff, baggage if you will, crosses to bear that lays heavy in their heart and mind.

Walking the extra mile with kindness goes a long way in our day to day lives to make others smile. I have noticed that being kind in a restaurant goes a long way in getting good service. Smiling at someone walking down the street in most cases, gives a smile back. You never know what the smile, that extra mile, has done for that person. It might have been the smile that keeps that person going one more day or one more hour! Being kind to others is very gratifying and rewarding. Being kind to others is a gift we all have been given and sometimes we forget how to use the gift. I constantly remind the kids in my life that kindness goes a long way to have a great life! As adults the same holds true, being kind is a gift that lasts forever and certainly is a gift to everyone that enters our life.

Essdack where the Learning Pendulum Never Stops!

Where in the world can you spend hours of your week working, learning and just simply enjoying your day. There are so many things about where I work "Essdack" that make me smile. We are an "Educational Service Center" right in the middle of Kansas and right in the heart of the USA. I have blogged in the past on "life long learning" . If you are eager to stay current on new technologies, and great new ideas on teaching the young to read, or making math fun, then hanging out in my office will be quite enjoyable. Now the reading, math and current technology is just a drop in the bucket to the many things our service center contributes to the educational world. Our employees are energetic and so very eager to teach anyone that wants to learn. Our specialists are the greatest! They are always learning in their field of expertise so our guests who enter leave with something new and exciting for them and the students in their classrooms.

This very morning we had a staff meeting and had valuable conversation about blogging and face booking. We have been ask to write blogs for well over a year now so while it still feels new it is becoming a little more comfortable. We continue to learn tools with both that we can better use these new technologies. I always tell my friends and my family already knows and understands what a great place Essdack is to work with great friends and colleagues. I say to all of you "just keep your mind open and don't be afraid to jump out of the box".

"Like a Good Neighbor"

I know that most of you know that State Farm's claim to fame is: "Like a Good Neighbor State Farm is there". What you most likely do not know is that for me personally, I am a State Farm prodigy. State Farm is the only insurance company in my family since my childhood. From the time I was a young driver many years ago "State Farm" has always been there for me. In the past 10 years my son Andy has been employed with the "Good Neighbor" company. He started his career as an underwriter for autos in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After two years he took the position as a "State Farm Agent" in Salina, Kansas. After several years of agency in Salina he took a management position working with many "State Farm Agents" in the Wichita, Hutchinson, Kansas area. He is an educator by college degree so those skills as a teacher were perfect for assisting agents with their businesses. His true desire however, was to have his own "State Farm Agent" office again. One of his best talents is meeting people and being in t

he business he has chosen gives him the opportunity to provide a needed service to families living in his community.

With that I am so excited to have him back in his hometown, Hutchinson, Kansas. He has had the opportunity to take an agency in the city where he was born and raised. Communities are always excited to have young professionals return to where they have childhood memories. It will be exciting for Andy to see folks that he has known forever and fun for him to meet new Hutchonians. He will open his doors for business in Hutchinson, Kansas April 1st. The time is just about here so if you are in the area watch for "Andy Fry State Farm Agent" to open the doors to his new office at: 2420 North Main, Hutchinson, Kansas, in the State Fair Shopping Center.

For me, I am very happy to have him back home. I am richly blessed to have an extension of my family come home to live and work. Check out his commercial by clicking on State Farm below.

STATE FARM

Moments that take Your Breath Away

As I move on through life I learn valuable lessons everyday. I guess that is what should happen if we are truly living life. I am continually amazed by how I am blessed with a great family, great friends, and a great working environment and great health too!

I try everyday to remind myself of what is really important. Really when you think about that, it is people. Whether we are at work, home, or anywhere it is always the people that help me make memories and moments that take my breath away. I don't have the opportunity that often to spend quality time with my Lawrence Kansas family. There are two very special kids there, Sam and Haley, and then of course their parents Brad and Emily "my daughter". I know we live in a world of technology where we can phone, text, skype, and email. However, I have a lot more fun seeing those I love face to face. Children are so expressive and often times being there in person brings those cherished moments closer. Even in a work setting it is the people that stir creativity and also fill my head and mind with memories.

I am a country music fan and "The King of Country" George Strait is one of my very favorite country artists. His song "The Breath You Take" really says it all for me. It just falls so close to home for me in all aspects. We only have one chance in life to have "moments that take our breath away". I need to be looking and noticing the small things that happen for they are the most important.

I want to challenge the readers of this blog to look for moments that happen in life that take your breath away!

Please listen to them music and lyrics of the song and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Transition is a Good Thing

Today's blog is on "transition". I have always known in my life that everything changes and nothing stays the same. I have also blogged in the past on "life long learning" and how important it is to focus on learning something new everyday. Please check out the site on 15 steps to cultivate life long learning. Many times it feels safer and more comfortable to stay in your box. The problem with that is we are not pushed to the limit of learning something new. Learning can take on many different shapes and sizes. It can make you nervous, a little stressed, and then it can also build your confidence and most importantly your knowledge. As we get older it is important to continue doing activities that make us think and use different parts of our brain. Many times during our life we experience many forms of transition. Just to name a few, going to college, getting married, children leaving home and losing a loved one.

I am experiencing transition in my work place "Essdack". It has been exciting to learn some new technology and support skills that are different than what I have previously experienced. At Essdack we have educational specialists that support educators in the learning process. These are folks that work diligently to have learning be fun and exciting whether you are a kid or an adult. These are creative folks that put all of themselves in to their trainings. Supporting them is not new for me but my responsibilities have changed and the transition feels good.