Oh yeah - the weekend!

GREAT WEEKEND! Layne & I drove to Midland late Friday after I got off work. Saturday we slept in - and then had lunch. In the afternoon I went riding with Erin & Jeff Dudley. It was a great time. They have Arabian horses. I rode "Sport" - a good gelding. We rode in the snow and it was freezing outside, but with the sun out it was nice to bask. The place we rode was goregeous - 200 acres outside of Midland. We saw plenty of whitetail. Erin got so cold - and her horse started losing her footing and Erin fell off...whoops! So I let her ride my horse while Jeff caught hers.

Saturday night we all went to see "Hitch," the Will Smith movie. HYSTERICAL! A funny, happy movie - not too much of a chick flick, and I am sure guys can see the humor in it. I know that I was picturing guys I know that are as hopeless as some of the fellas in that movie. Guys like me :)

Sunday we went to Mel's church for opeing Sunday. Then for her birthday we went to the Dudley's - Jeff grilled steak and I made artichoke dip. Layne made mashed potatoes and noodles. It was a GREAT meal. Somehow, every time we go up there I eat so much and come home filling stuffed.

Sorry to dissapoint, but there were no stories of overflowing this time - actually, everything went down quite well, thank you.

Like a swirly in February,
joshua h.

Hola, amigo

Friday was a crazy day at work. I actually got off before the sunset (that rarely happens)...around 6:15pm. The day was constant, although not hectic. First thing this morning I locked the keys in a van, while it was running and thus customer was waiting. Felt like a total goob. So I had to take him to another branch, get him in a van, and go to the Dodge dealership to get a new key cut. I admit it was not the start to a friday that I would choose, or planned.

Then a phone call came. Bill was saying "I don't understand...What?" to whoever was on the other line. He then said "No habla Espanol." I blurted out "I DO!" and ran to his aid. I told th elady that her husband has a reservation for a rental car, asked for his cell phone number & told her to have him call us when he got home. He never did, but she understood me and I actually carried on a conversation with her! IT WAS SWEET! So the extra year at OSU to get my minor paid off...listen here, Dr. Monotone Spanish Teacher who hated me - how do you like me now? Can you handle that - HI-YA!?!

Anyways - a while later I got cussed out by lady who said we were taking to much money from her and that she would call her lawyer on us. The fact that she only pays in cash and I am pretty sure she can add makes me realize I was right - she owed us money to keep her car. When she asked to speak to the manager and I got him, she hung up. Ok, ma'am - you don't owe us anything. I will just call the cops, have them repo the car, and you can go to jail for theft. Have a nice day and thank you for renting with us!

Customer service is a wild and challenging field. Keeping my cool is a struggle, but I am sure I will conquer it eventually. If you are a customer of mine and are reading this, I thank you for your patronage and hope that, if your future plans call for airline travel, youwill choose Kellogg's.

Today Layne & I are in Midland for her mom's birthday. I love her poodles - Moose and Nayla. I am going horseback riding with some friends this afternoon. Haven't been in awhile - I am sure my butt will be sore. i hop eyours is too. :)

Suya hermano en el norte,
josh

Feelin' the burn

Does that title make you think I am working out hardcore and wailing hard on my back and abs? Nope - just had lots of dinner, actually. So just the opposite.

Layne didn't get her job that she wanted. She interviewed 5 times and made it to the final five, but wasn't as the company wanted "more experience." They have no idea what they just passed up. And i am not some American Idol parent saying that baout my kid who can't sing...she is so truly talented and creative and would make any com-firm blessed! But she has been working this week, and will continue next week, with a firm out of Holland, just 30 minutes from GR. She likes it htere, but they just brought her on for this project. We are hoping they will extend her to something more permenant.

2 more days of work till the weekend. YEAH! This 86 year old woman wrecked her rental today - broke my heart. She hardly has the money to pay her deductible. She wasn't injured, but got a ticket as she was at fault. She was a cutie - kept insisting she was only 16! :) And she made me agree that if she wins the MI lotto (1 million buckaroos) that I will drive her to see the grand Canyon and Alaska...so of COURSE I said yes!

Adios days on the wide open prarie,
joshua holland

Here are my roommates. The 2 on bottom are Laverne & Shirley. The black and ornage one (top) is Pete (like Pistol Pete) and the one to the right is Crazy Eddie (if you knew him you'd know). Eddie likes to swim up towards the suction filter and play in the bubbles....crazy. Jacques (the snail) is not pictured - he is busy cleaning the skull. Happy trails! 

TJ's blog

Playing hookie

As I was heading back to work today after my lunch break, my boss Neal called and said "why don't you flex out this afternoon?" I wasn't about to hesitate. So...I have the rest of the day off! I have a meeting tonight at 7 at the office, but that should only last an hour. I feel like I am back in college and skipping class or something. Ah, the days of my youth...mayhaps I will take a nap.

I was thinking today about how we judge people by looking. Last week we had a car reserved for the president of a big bank in Michigan. We made sure to have the exact car he requested on the lot when he arrived. When he came in, I never would have guessed that he was the president of a bank. Ballcap, sunglasses, 5 o'clock shadow, blue jeans...he looked like someone who hadn't been employed in some time.

It got me to thinking today (sometimes I have to let things like that sink in) that we should serve everyone as if they are the most important dignitary we will meet that day. Why treat people differently and with more respect because they have money or power? Shouldn't we treat everyone that way? And you know what else? I HATE the phrase "white trash" or "trashy"! Why would we ever want to make an analogy between refuse and a person.

All things things wise and wonferful,
All creatures great and small,
All things bright and beautiful,
The Lord God made them all.
josh

Cheetos make my fingers orange

This morning was frustrating at the office. Little things that I forgot just got under my skin. They are so simple that it makes me mad when I forget them. I am a lot harder on myself than others are, but still. Its like having the weekend off made me lose my rythym. Time will help...

Since I worked 56 hours last week, they are making me take lunch breaks everey day and leave the office. So I don't quit. Company policy, sort of. Fine with me!

Cheetos and a turkey sandwich,
josh

Gonna need this

I am going to need this photo for my blog. Never mind this. k? thanks!

Being among...

"For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves?

Is it no the one who is at the table?

But I am among you as one who serves."

-Christ, Luke 22:27

This was one of the scriptures used in church today at Mars Hill. The speaker talked about how Abraham being called by God was instrumental - meaning the blessing only started there, and was passed on to all of us. Outward. God blesses the righteous and unrighteous alike (Matt 5) and we should do the same.

I was struggling the other day thinking, "how am I supposed to get involved here in GR while I work so many hours a day? Where am I supposed to minister?" Well - my ministry is being among so many different people every day at work. If a persons comes in several times thinking, "why is that Josh guy always so happy", or "why does he remember my name?" then God gets full glory from that!

Living among those who need blessings is my greatest desire. That I would be a blessing, or a tool that creates a blessing from the Lord in someone's life. Giving what God has given me, whether time, talent or money, makes his blessings more abundant because they are passed on to others. Ever heard the phrase "Pay it forward?" There you go.

Find your place to be among. Ask God to let people see Jesus when they look at you. That is our most important goal in the time we have here...

Outward,

joshua holland

PS: I have this theory - that when Jesus hears us praising with a sweet song He does the Carlton dance (you know, from Fresh Prince of BelAir - Carlton dance?)...I am pretty sure it's true.

The Sabbath

Going to church this morning at Mars Hill in Grandville, just south of here. Layne & I wen tthere last week and really liked it. I love Sundays - the worship at Mars swept me away and it was just me and God for the duration of the singing. I loved it. But I reasearched others this morning as well. I will try out more in the coing weeks.

Enjoy today. Let it be a day to relax and recognize the goodness of God and the joy in yoru life.

If tomorrow never comes,
josh

Here I am as I pulled into Michigan in the end of January. Long way from Tulsa, Oklahoma.... 

Chinese food is good

Mmmmm. I can still taste the soy and egg drop. And the MSG that gives me headaches. What a sensation - must be like being held underwater. When I was in high school my friend TJ liked to go to this place called Kit's TakeeOutee. Good chinese, but I always got headaches from there. He must have been immune - or else Smoothie King made it all better.

But really, the Asians have the market cornered on ethic foods if you ask me. Fast food they have (Egg Roll Express, Panda Express) - but when you go for Mexican food fast it is at Taco Bell, which is essentially a burger in a crisp corn shell. Italian is bellisimo, but you have to go to Fazoli's where every sauce tastes like cream gravy. But Chinese/Japanese food is always good. If you diagree that's okay - if you like being wrong!

I took my 1st test today at work. I have to take like 4 or 5 to become a manager. It was easy enough - mostly short answer/essay. Then I came home and used TurboTax to file my tax returns. Did you know if you made less than $35,000 last year or were in the military to can use it to file your fed/state taxes for FREE! Check out the link up top. It actually took me only about an hour to do. Easy and step by step.

I am addicted to this video game on my PC called Hitman 2. It is a nice game about bunnies and flowers and pixies...there are a few graphic parts (i.e. when I snipe somone in the neck) but for th emost part it is happy. It even came with a sing-along CD to listen to. (THE ABOVE INFORMATION RE: THE GAME HITMAN 2 IS ALL INCORRECT, EXCEPT THE GRAPHIC REFERENCES)

I think I will try to post pictures on my blogg tonight. Anyone know how? We'll see...

Make it last a little longer with Big Red,
joshua holland

"Nighttime on the City of Grand Rapids"

Its Friday night and I feel alright - the party's here on the west side.

Anywho - today completed the first week of my career with Enterprise Rent-a-car. This business is crazy. So busy all the time, lots of peoepl to make happy, lots of people to meet and remember, but so much fun and such a great experience.

My Asst. Mgr., we'll call him Bill C. cause that's his name, was listening to Christian music when I came in today. We have talked about his background as a preacher's kid, the rebellion that went with that, his rebounding back into a closer walk with the Lord and how God has blessed his marriage. He is so great to talk to - God definately blessed me with great people at a great office. It is ice to have someone who you look up to that is a believer. He is humbled because of his mistakes - and I can identify with that and respect it.

pizza and a movie calls. I have a date with Little Ceaser tonight, so I had better get freshened up. Have you ever heard the phrase "powder my nose"? What is that all about? No one does that anymore. Maybe women should instead say, "I'd like to go reapply my lipstick and check my mascara." That is a little more realistic.

Girls are great. God made them becuase we men are dufi (plural of dufus) on our own.

God Bless 'em.
j holl full

Donuts are on the table

They are. A friend just delivered some - so go ahead and have one!

Well today was another 12 hour work day. But I like the work and the people, so I have no reason to complain. And the best part is I get a check for it every 2 weeks.

Did you know my urologists name in Tulsa was Dr. Johnson? Coincidence? No - fate.

Tomorrow marks my first week as an employee. Things have gone well. I got a few atta boys from my bosses, have made many mistakes, have leanre from most of them, and have remade mistakes again from the ones that didn't sink in. Overall I'd give my first week a 71% - just barely passing. Surely I will get the hang of it soon. "Don't call me Shirley!"

My fish (One Eyed Willy and Captain Jack Sparrow) are doing well, in case you wondered. They swim a lot, and then eat some too. I think one eaither has gout or is pregnant - in which case I should change his name to Captain Jaqueline Sparrow.

I am tired and drowsy. Those are synonyms. Time for bed and to go to sleep. Again, with the synonyms.

Who am I,
anonymous

PS: If you have read other entries you know who I am. Tee hee.

Weekend special

WOW! What a crazy first 4 days at the office. Seems like only yesterday I was saying "tomorrow is my first day" and now I have been there almost a week. Time flies...(I'll spare you the cliche).

So anyway - my first day (last Friday) I worked 11 hours and 45 minutes! From 7:15am until 7pm! IT WAS NUTS! Who new that the rental car business is so busy. Monday was nuts too, as it was Valentine's Day and all. This morning I got the morning off, so went in at noon and worked until 7:20. Although the hours are long, the pay is pretty good and I haven't got antyhing else to do anyway, unless Layne is around. I had a budget scare last week, but then realized that I was adding in twice the income tax I was going to have to pay and then I calmed back down. Then I re-enrolled myself in basic high school alebgra (and apparently I need to take spelling and grammar, too). 2+2=4.

I met aguy the other day who buys rent houses, fixes them up and then rents them out. He was a little batty, but very cool and we talked all the way downtwon. I even have his business card. Although most things were fu*&in' this and fu*&in' that, I caught his meaning - and just entered my own adjectives, like "very" and "most assuredly".

I got my MI license plate and tags today. Pumped about not being TOY247 anymore (my old OK plates). Maybe people will stop poking fun at me...

I got excited tonight because chicken breasts were on sale at the grocery store so I bought three container thingies of them. Then I came home and fixed dinner for Wally and the Beav...but seriously, things change when you get a job and financial pressure rules the day. Did anyone know the cost of living up here is slightly higher? Go figure??!

Happy Trails, until we meet again,
Josh "Home of the Weekend Special" Fuller

Meet the Parents

OKAY! I was trying to get to bed, but thought of something that had to be written in here (whether I am the only soul who reads it or not).

I was in Midland, MI this past weekend to visit Layne and stay with her family. So Saturday afternoon I had to use the el bano upstairs. Needless to say, Ben Stiller & Murphy (& her Law) must have been in there with me, because the toilet clogged. I let it settle for just a minute (the girls were downstairs, so I hadn't much time to coyly divert attention from my potential waste dumpage). NO PLUNGER! I attempted to fish out some paper with my hands, and then tried the flush again. DON'T EVER DO THAT! As quickly as it had gone, it was back - as the water attacked the North Rim of the Bowl, I waited for the drain hole (underneath the inside lip of the toilet) to get called into action but there was not one! HERE IT CAME! The water crested and broke over the protective dyke as I scurried to find towels. I grabbed 3 from the bathroom and my 2 from my room and soaked, calling on the strenth of Brawny to help me.

I then heard a sigh from the toilet - indicating that the coast was clear. I sandbagged the water, washed up, and snuck the wet towels downstairs to the laundry room to be BURNT!

The moral is, don't poop at the inlaws!
-J. Holland

Am I back in college?

WOW - I just got back from Enterprise MT training in Lansing and I feel like I quantum leaped back into college mini-mester courses. I was in traiing 8 hours a day for 4 days striaght. That was a ton of information to comprehend - especially for a guy who never studied business in school, but could tell someone how to skin a cat! Yikes...

Tomorrow I go into my office for my first REAL day of REAL work. My boss (Neal) told me not to call him Mr. Gilbert, so I think that must be a good sign. I also get a signing bonus tomorrow with my 1st paycheck! SCORE!

I talked with my friend Rusty tonight and he asked what time I go to bed - "10 o'clock" I told him...isn't that sad? I like to get up early, make breakfast and get the morning news. I think I just turned 40 - so I better get some rest.

Carpe Diem and Magna Cume Laude,
josh

Tomorrow is the first day...

Of the rest of your life.
Mine too! :)

I am packing 4 white shirts, slacks, ties, dress shoes, etc. for my BIG day tomorrow. I have had other 1st days in the working world...my first day at Deer Valley, my first day at the video studio at OSU...but never something so HUGE as in "this is my career" first day! So needless to say I am a tad nervioso, but mostly excited and ready to get started. I will leave at about 7:45 from my apartment - that will give me just over an hour to get to Lansing (where training is) and locate my building there.

Wish me luck - better yet, I'll "break a leg".

For the love of theater....
-josh

Road TRIP!

So today I made my first major drive in MI. I drove up north 2 hours to Midland (the tri-cities) to visit Layne and her family. I learned a few things while on the road. (a) People go 11 miles over the posted speed limits her - I can deal with that, but can my wallet if I get stopped? (b) some towns up here are so small and isolated that they still have full service fuel pumps! I actually saw a guy in his car, someone filling up the gas tank, and another guy checking under the hood and washing windows...i wonder if that guy with 12 fingers from that one commercial works there? he could probably check the tire pressure too!

Anyway - I bought car insurance today and discussed what great premiums I got with my parents...I must have officialy gotten old! I get so excited about premiums, 401K options, health benefits and interest rates on CDs....maybe next time I go to target I will get a life while I am there! just kidding - I like the autonomy and being responsible for all this.

The other day I went into Cold Stone to reward myself from a long, hard day of getting lost in a city I have only been in once before, while I tried to get a new license, and all the crap that goes with it...So Cold Stone...the lady who waited on me was 45...but told me all bout the tornado she was in while in Kansas once. You see, I befriend those who wait on me at establishments because I know nobody else.

OK bye - too much for me to type, too much for me to read later.

WAIT! Funny - I took Layne's little sister out to dinner last night (she had a bad day at school). She is a vegeatarian, and so I said "How about we go to Outback?" Not thinking of its real name, "Outback STEAKHOUSE!" Anyway - she got grill cheese and grinned to bear it...good girl! But my bacon cheeseburger was GREAT! mmmmm

Wasting away in Margaritaville,
j holland

Drip! Drip! Drip!

There is a lot of snow on the ground in Grand Rapids - mostly from the huge storm that came through before I got here last Friday morning. But now, with temperatures soaring int he mid-30s it is melting. There is a "drip-drip-drip-" continuously coming from the window ledge outside my bedroom...wait, now there are two melting drips playing zydeco, one bass one tenor!

My apartment is great! The upstairs neighbor (who seems like a solitary old man) shook out his rugs today on his balcony. That is all I have seen of him. I heard him tonight, and occasionally I hear the water run when he flushes. Don't get me wrong, I love my new pad - there are GREAT advantages to living on the 1st floor, but also some disadvantages too...

It is 11:08 - time to get to bed. I have to get my new license tomorrow and phone number set up. God is blessing me here - He has provided more than I could have dreamed!

Water on the window is a "pane" in the neck,
jhf