facebook

I gave in. I did it. I couldn't hold out. I caved. I was weak and cried uncle... My name is Gary Fowler and I have a facebook

I am not sure why I didn't do it sooner. I guess it was just because I didn't know much about it and figured it was juvenile (I know, why would that stop me). Someone suggested that I do one and I have been getting invites from people to start one so I looked into it and I took the plunge. 

I looked into it more out of curiosity than anything else but as I got into it, I realized that I am the only person on the face of the planet who did not already have one. Finding people is incredibly easy. I found people from my graduating class in high school and long lost friends from the military. It is a great way to stay connected with people no matter where they are. 

I am still new to it so I am sure there is plenty more that I can do with it but for now I am enjoying getting updates from people I have not heard from in awhile or keeping up with people I see regularly but don't get into deep conversations. 

I get a kick out of some of the pictures people use (mine included). I meant for mine to be funny but some people try to be mysterious or sexy or just plain stupid. I love it. 

My point: Don't let ignorance be the reason you don't try something. I took the time to learn about something and actually ended up liking it. I didn't just assume I wouldn't like it and let that be a reason I didn't try it. 

Eventually I will probably move my blog to my facebook so you better become my friend if you want to keep reading this amazing stuff... 

mirror mirror

The other day Hannah (the 3 yr old red head) said something that sounded a little mean. I thought "she must have heard that from her mother"... maybe she did or maybe she heard it from someone who looked like me. 

When our kids do or say bad things, we can discipline them but we also have to ask where did they learn or hear that. Sometimes even things we say that was meant as a joke, when repeated, can sound different. 

I can be playing with the dog and say "bad dog" when she scratches the mess out of me or "stupid dog" when she runs off and we can't find her for an hour... but when Hannah repeats "stupid bad dog" it sounds awful. 

Another thing Hannah does now is discipline her babies. If you want to see how they view you, watch them with their babies. Hannah was telling one of her babies how disappointed she was and how it was not nice to do that. It got us thinking. 

Deni and I have decided to intentionally watch the tone & volume of our voice. We want to see if it makes a difference. We will not yell when we discipline or be negative when we talk. We saw a difference in ONE DAY!!! 

Hannah was happier and more positive after just one day of creating a positive atmosphere. She was talking nice to us, her sisters and even the stupid bad dog. Hannah is a very happy active child. It is our responsibility to make sure she grows up in a peaceful home.

My point: when you watch shows like nanny 911 or super nanny, you NEVER hear them tell you that you should scream or yell at your child more. I understand that raising your voice is necessary sometimes. It should be the exception not the rule. 

If you show self control, so will they. If your house is always chaotic and stressfull maybe you should take a peek in the ol' mirror. 

I HATE hearing parents yell at their kids. I want to introduce them to "Mr. Sockfull O. Nickels"

gary (chuck) norris

here is the progress of my Chuck Norris beard along with some more amazing facts about the man himself.

// guns don't kill people Chuck Norris does

// Chuck Norris uses pepper spray to flavor his steaks

// Chuck Norris has 2 speeds - walk & kill

// Chuck Norris does not sleep, he waits

// the quickest way to a man's heart is with Chuck Norris' fist

My point: My beard looks amazing. 

don't be jealous

chuck norris

Chuck Norris facts:

1. if you have $5 and Chuck Norris has $5, Chuck Norris has more money than you

2. there is no "ctrl" button on Chuck Norris' computer, Chuck Norris is always in control

3. Apple pays Chuck Norris .99 every time he listens to a song

4. Chuck Norris can sneeze with his eyes open

5. Chuck Norris can eat just one Lay's potato chip

6. Chuck Norris is suing Myspace for taking the name of everything around you

7. Chuck Norris destroyed the periodic table because he only recognizes the element of surprise

8. Chuck Norris can kill 2 stones with one bird

My point: I am growing a Chuck Norris beard.

I know, the resemblance is STRIKING

hi Sarah

As a family we took a vacation day today to walk for autism awareness. It was a great event and we were honored to participate.

Then we traveled back to St. Clairsville to see Sarah Palin. There were about 7,000 people there and she did a great job. Seeing her in person didn't affect who I am going to vote for. I know who I am voting for, it was just cool being part of something like this.

Of course, she said all the right things and everyone cheered and clapped at the right spots. It was awesome spending a couple hours with my parents, wife and 3 daughters. I love that they get to see a woman doing what Sarah Palin is doing. 

I couldn't get a good picture of Sarah, so I took one of this lady with a Sarah Palin sign on her head as a hat. I think it shows more support if you wear the sign as a hat.

My point: There is something admirable about standing up for what you believe in. I always want to make sure I can give an intelligent explanation for what I believe. Of course I use the Bible as a filter for my personal life but everyone doesn't do that. 

Religion and politics are the two most controversial topics of conversation. Whether or not I agree with your stance, I think you should at least have one.  

they actually said it

Here are a few things that I thought was funny when I heard them.

Someone said:

"I am just thinking in my head"

... where else are you going to think?

"I am just speaking out loud"

... how else are you going to speak?

"can I ask you a question?"

... you mean ANOTHER one?

"I don't mean to interrupt"

... but you just did.

"I was gonna say"

... you were gonna say what?

"you want the truth?"

... nope I want you to continue lying!

I asked someone "who are the people in this picture?" 

Response: (names made up to protect the person) "Ted, Mary, Jack, Susan and me"... thanks for pointing out which one was YOU - duh

My point: people say some really funny things. Listen and you will catch them. Feel free to make a sarcastic comment or just blog about them. I usually do both...

I'm not saying, I'm just saying...

measure this

We live in a society where we need to measure things. That is why we have report cards in school, performance reviews & lists to work from. That is why we time our races. That is why we have a scale in the bathroom. We need to know if we are doing "better".

I had a conversation with someone that asked "how do you know if you are growing spiritually" I thought that was a great question. I started to think about that and here is what I came up with. 

Galatians 5:22 talks about "fruit of the Spirit" - it consists of peace, love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control. 

If we are growing in our relationship with Christ, we will be growing in these areas. Granted, some of these areas may be a little more challenging to measure than others but we can at least use these as areas to focus on in our lives. 

Do you have more peace in your life? Do you have more joy in your life? Are you finding yourself more patient when you used to explode? Are you being more kind to people who may not deserve? Are you doing more good than you used to? Are you gentle in your actions and your words? Do you find yourself having more faith and less worry? Are you able to visibly see self control in areas of bad habits, language towards others and in your personal health and finances? Do you find yourself showing love when you don't have any reason to?

That my friend is Spiritual growth. 

My point: we can measure pretty much everything else, why not spiritual growth. This is a way to look at your life compared to the qualities & characteristics that the Bible says you should demonstrate. You may not like what you see, but you can't plead ignorance anymore. 

Feel free to agree or disagree. If you disagree, how do YOU measure spiritual growth. I am open to learn

I am going to practice self-control and go to bed so I can get up early & workout...