Taking A Deep Breath!!

Wow! What a ride for the past 6 weeks! No time but Kroger time this time of year and I for one, am seriously glad that Christmas and Thanksgiving are behind us. While thankful for the holidays themselves and the wee bit of time I get to spend with my family, I am seriously ready for some "down" time. People that don't work in retail have absolutely no clue what goes on behind the scenes to make sure the customer is "happy" when they leave the store. It doesn't just apply to the Grocery industry...it is just about every retail company this time of year. I don't have a huge problem with the amount of business that we do, but I have a substantial issue with many "attitudes." People...get a life!! How would you like it if I came into your business and hollered at you over something you have no control over. Problem is, you don't want a legitimate explanation. Heck, you won't shut up long enough to even hear the words, "I'm sorry." I believe some customers actually walk in the door telling themselves our only service to them on that given day is to figure out new and inventive ways to take advantage of them. OK...I've got way better ways to spend my time.

OK, sorry. Someone just ame along and kicked my soapbox out from under me.

Thought For The Day

Hipocrisy is the act of pretending to have beliefs, opinions, virtues, feelings, qualities, or standards that one does not actually have. Hipocrisy is thus a kind of lie. Hypocrisy may come from a desire to hide from others actual motives or feelings.

Hmmmmmmmmm! Proof is always in the pudding!

Fall!

Doesn't the coolness of the air in the morning refresh you? There are many things about summer that I love...mainly the beach with the family. But, there is something about the fall with football, Halloween, cooler weather, and fishing that just does it for me.
As a young boy...going all the way back to 5-6 years old...I have so many fond memories of spending them with my dad on the beaches in North Carolina surf fishing. It didn't matter to him that I couldn't cast my own line or tie my own tackle. I think what mattered to him the most was that we were together and he was teaching me his passion and love...not only for saltwater fishing, but also for the sea. When we would get a bite, he would hook the fish and make sure it was on. He would then hand me the rod and tell me to put it on my shoulder and just start walking towards the dunes. I never reeled....I just walked. By the time I got to the highest point on the beach, the fish was usually flopping around in the surf.
As I got older and could handle myself with a rod and reel, I can remember many Fridays when he would get me out of school early and we would head to the beach for a weekend of fishing. The bottom line was..if it was the fall and the fish were running...daddy and I were there.
Daddy just passed away in January and I was just thinking today I should call him and ask him how the fishing was.....then reality set in. It has been a number of years since I have walked with him over the dunes and to the surf..carrying all our rods, tackle boxes, coolers, and rod holders. The memories are as fresh today as they have ever been. I miss my dad a lot. Tears now streak my face as I wish I could just talk to him one more time.
Fish on Pops! I love you.

News!!

Happy Birthday to Makinley and Joey. We had a great time Sunday celebrating the big days with a party and then later, a cookout. My sister, Mary Grey, and brother-in-law, Derrick, came in from Wilmington and spent a few days with the kids. It's not often that we can get the whole family (almost) together in one place. I enjoyed the visit and all the excitement for the kids.
Debbie and I kept Tripp Friday night and Saturday night so Joey and Stacey could have some he and she time. I had to work all weekend, so Debbie was pretty much on her own as far as entertaining a 4 year old goes. She does it well. She just takes him to Target and opens her pocketbook.
Not a great report today from the kidney biopsy. Seems I have about 30% kidney function due to scarring from diabetes. I was shocked since I was just diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about a year and half ago. He seems to think for right now that the medicines I take are keeping everything in check, but he has moved up my frequency on visits. He hopes we can make it 10 years or so before we have to think about dialysis/transplant. Neither of those words are in my vocabulary.
The Efusjon opportunity is awesome and getting bigger by the day. Not only is the product great and good for you, it is a TREMENDOUS investment opportunity for anyone as the Company prepares to go international in the next few months. I am blown away by it's simplicity and the ease of duplication. I am hosting a webinar tonight at 8:30PM. Sit down in front of your computer and log in at www.gotomeeting.com. The meeting ID number is 693-673-218 and will last 30 minutes or thereabouts. No obligation whatsoever.

Ramblings........

I promise..nothing about Efusjon in this post. Well, one thing! It just keeps getting better and better! I would never have dreamed and now all I do is dream.
First of all, happy birthday to my son. I am so proud of him. Yesterday he went to the doctor and his Type 2 diabetes is gone. He has lost in excess of 80 lbs., blood pressure was great. Wish his Grandpa Sheneman was still here to see him as he always asked me how "Trey is doing with his weight?" He's doing great daddy. Hard to believe he is 26 years old. When I was 26, Stacey was already here and Trey was just around the corner. Where has the time gone? I remember laying in the hospital bed the night before my heart surgery in 1991 and asking God just to give me enough time to see both the kids graduate from high school. Isn't it just like God to give us more than we ask for?? Thank you Lord for all the days, all the hours, and all the blessings.
I miss seeing my little girl (you too Joey) and Tripp and Makinley everyday. Before they moved to MAdison and I needed a "fix", I could hop in the car and be with them in just a few minutes. Not so anymore, but that's OK. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I'm proud of my Stacey Baby. Not only does she work full-time and take care of her family as well, she has now gone back to school to get her masters in education. I don't care who you are...that's a massive undertaking and full plate.
We're heading to Orlando in a few weeks. Our nephew, Mark, is doing a internship at Disneyworld for the next 4-5 months and we're going down to make sure he isn't abusing Minnie. The part of our Efusjon TEAM H.O.P.E. that is Florida based is also having a event down there on October 3rd and we want to be there and be part of the excitement.
We're providing dinner tonight for Stacie Walker and her family. Keep her in your prayers. A very young mon and wife who has only recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and just had her breasts removed and has chemo to go through now. We serve a big God and nothing catches Him unaware. We just believe in His healing powers and His enormous love for each of His children.
Anyway, enough with the ramblings....
GO NC STATE...beat USC Gamecocks! College football is back TONIGHT!

The Power of Three

WOW!!
This is all I'm going to say...you snooze....you lose!!
What would you do if the company you work for came to you and said, "hey...great job, I just gave you a $6,000 anual raise?" I know what I'd do because with Kroger it would take me 3 years to get that kind of increase, so I'd be pretty ecstatic.

With efusjon it has taken me 44 days and this is just the beginning. I haven't sold anything. I have invested some time telling folks about this tremendous investment opportunity...how you can have a limited risk with a huge potential. Personally, I don't understand "no" before you know. This thing is going global and this is the absolute "ground floor." It is simple. It is not a get rich quick scheme. It is not a pyramid scheme. It's not anything like anything you've ever seen or heard of before...period.

But, if you're happy and satisfied and content with making $$$ for the other guy, have fun and I'll never say "I told you so."

Well.........actually I probably will.

Blessed and Efused

Four weeks ago today, Trey and I sat down at my PC and hit the "Join Now" button. Little did we know at the time, how the Efusjon Energy Club would begin to change our lives.
First of all and most importantly to me, it has drawn us closer together as a father and a son. I am proud of Trey and love him dearly. He is one of my heroes, but one of the requirements of being a dad is to teach his son how to be a man and in that area....I struggled. See, I wanted him to grow into the same man I am. I didn't realize that he was growing into a man, but he was growing into the man that God wanted him to be. We've had the typical struggles and disagreements that a father and son would have, but I have been to blame for too many of them that weren't necessary. I'm sorry son.
It was only several days later that Stacey & Joey came into the business, so now our whole family is involved. I couldn't be more excited.
Many people have come into our lives via Efusjon. We have made many new friends. We are helping our new friends build this opportunity for themselves. It is so simple and easy, but hard for people to see "past" all the other home based business opportunities that maybe they are familiar with. IT'S NOT LIKE THEM Y'ALL. But, you will never understand unless you ask for an explanation. You can watch the company produced videos and see the plan, but if you were like me...you still didn't get it. In fact, Trey got it well before I did and once he explained it to me and the light bulb went off it was GAME OVER.
Let me explain it this way. All you need do is to enroll 3 people and only 3 people in the club. The next step is to help those 3 people enroll their 3 people and then that progression perpetuates itself. So, the first month, you enroll 3 people. If the progression remains constant over 10 months, there will be 88,572 people enrolled that you are being paid on or $451,717.20 PER MONTH. Sounds absolutely ludicrous doesn't it? Well, what if I am 99% WRONG?? If I am 99% WRONG, I will still be making $4,472.00 per month at the end of 10 months.
Bottom line is I'm willing to risk $120 per month to make this kind of money. It is a absolute no-brainer for me.
By the way.....I paid myself back in the first 8 days of being in the club!!
Welcome to the Goodie Room! If you want to come inside, send me a email at ashene9190@aol.com.

Internet Business Authority

I thought you might enjoy this review of Efusjon written by the Internet Business Authority dated June 18th. The IBA is an organization dedicated to providing the best internet marketing strategies, tips, and product reviews.

"Efusjon is a energy drink company that has recently caused a great deal of buzz throughout the internet. While at first I wasn't too impressed with the thought of another health and wellness type of opportunity, after further review I understood the cause of the excitement.
Efusjon energy drinks are basically a healthy option to the other increasingly popular options available on the market. it differs from products such as Red Bull, Monster and Rock Star energy drink due to its ingredients. Currently available and upcoming products contain items such as Acai Berry, Mangosteen, and Quercetin, which was recently made popular by Lance Armstrong.Most of the other energy drinks on the market today are filled with sugar and harmful ingredients, and realistically should be avoided if possible. However, the energy drink market continues to grow annually as people look for an extra boost to get through their days. Efusjon decided to meet this same purpose, but with the healthy components named above. These ingredients are touted by well known doctors around the world. For example, Dr. Nicholas Perricone, a contributor to the Oprah Winfrey show, calls the Acai Berry found in Efusjon Edge and Efusjon Raw drinks "Nature's #1 Super Food."
Efusjon also differs from the other energy drink companies in regards to their business plans. While companies like Red Bull spend nearly a billion dollars a year in advertising costs, Efusjon decided to use the network marketing model to spread the word about their products. The Efusjon Energy Club was modeled after a wine tasting club. As Associates share the product with others, they are compensated. This is obviously working for Efusjon as they are currently experiencing record breaking growth.
Of course this alone does not excited the professional network marketer, as all of their businesses use this model. What does excite them however is the Efusjon Club compensation plan, which can honestly be called revolutionary without exhibiting hype. They use a unique community overlap plan that allows people to share compensation on entrants into the matrix. This contributes to a true team building effort. What's more is that Efusjon does not have the usual complicated requirements that most network marketing companies have. A associate only needs to enroll three others to qualify to be compensated for the ENTIRE pay plan.
Although the product and compensation plan are both solid reasons for me to recommend Efusjon, the marketing strategy they are employing is what really puts it over the edge. Derek Broes, a Vice President at Paramount pictures who has worked with Microsoft and Napster in the past, is launching an application on Facebook that should further increase excitement and enrollments for a company currently averaging about 400 new associates per day. This Efusjon application will mark the first time any company, network marketing or Fortune 500, has used the popular applications that makes Facebook so addictive as a platform to advertise their company.
Now if you can imagine how having your business promoted each time someone uses the application would affect your bottom line, you will be impressed as I was after learning this."

If you are interested in learning more about this unbelievable opportunity and being one of the first members in a club that is already sweeping through the US and soon to enter Canada, UK, Asia, and Australia..please visit www.myefusjon.com/alspals

Efused.....

2 weeks ago today I began gathering information about the Efusjon Energy Drink Club that my nephew had first told me about on July 8. I spent a number of hours that afternoon watching videos, researching the company, looking at the storied resumes' of the founders of the company. I couldn't find anything bad on the internet clearly telling me to stay away.
Quite clearly I agreed to join the club because my nephew asked me too and I love my nephew. I don't drink energy drinks, I'm not interested in selling energy drinks. Bottom line, it was worth it to me to help him get started and then in a few months I would come up with an excuse to get out.

So much for that thought.

Here it is 13 days later and I'm profitable. I've repaid my initial investment and I'm putting money in my pocket. The thing about it, that check will only continue to grow and to grow as the months come and go. I was thinking today about the stock market. For 25 years or so I have funded my 401K plan at work. I've placed money in expecting to get a return on my investment. The problem is, I lost about 30% of it's value in just a few short months after working my tail off for 30 years to fund it. We all probably do something similar...try and save a few dollars here and there for a rainy day. Who would have expected a major downturn in the country's economy in the past year? If I could have made 10%/11% on a particular stock in 13 days, I would have put everything I had in it.

So, I've returned 11.68% on my money in 13 days. The neat thing about it. That's the lowest return I'll ever have. The other thing is, I'll stop funding my 401K in a few more months and start using my profits to pay off my house. Once I pay off my house, I'm set for retirement. I will have more than enough income to do so. Pay off your house Al? Yep! Period! End of story! This thing will be that big.

Everyone says run...stay away...multi level marketing...ALARM ALARM ALARM! I DID THE SAME THING. Then one day lightning struck and I understood it all. I said to myself then and I'm saying to myself today...this is genius. It's not MLM. I don't have to sell anything but myself. If I can sell myself to 3 friends and I'm in the money. It all clicked. It's all simple once a person sees what it took me 4 days to see.

It's a club, nothing more. All you need is 3 friends to join with you and help those 3 friends get 3 friends and you are off to the races. Many of you might have never been approached about joining a wine club, but I have. join the wine club and get 4 different bottles of wine each month to sample. In this case we're talking one of the hottest commodities in the country today...energy drinks...but healthy, all natural, organic energy drinks> Good stuff and good for you too. Share them, sell them, dump them down the toilet. As my 23 month old granddaugher would say, "wotever." That's all there is to it. You then sit back and let the power of the matrix do the rest.

That's how big this thing is going to be! 46 members in 13 days for me.....you do the math!

Have a nice efused.....day!

Thank You!

Today is a thank-you day! Actually, everyday is a thank-you day, but often, I don't stop long enough to give thanks to the One that loved me enough to die for me and promise me eternal life and not only give me a home in heaven....but my family as well. So, thank you Lord!.
Today is my sister, Susan's, birthday. Thank you Lord for giving her the years that you have and I pray asking for many more. Bless her and those around her that she cares about.
Thank you again Lord for looking after my friend, Bubba, while he was in the hospital this week. I look forward to continued better health for him in the days ahead.
Thank you for my family. Debbie, Stacey, Joey, Tripp, Makinley, Trey, & Jennifer. I am blessed beyond measure.
Thank you for my church family, my Pastor, my Bible Study Fellowship, my choir. They empower me, love me, and pray for me.
Thank you for those that I call friend. You have placed some awesome people in my path and I am a better person because of it.
Thank you for my job of over 30 years and for the wonderful company that I work for.
Thank you for the great people I work with. They are awesome!!

Finally...for this moment...thank you for allowing me to see another day. I pray that you will guide my steps today and guide my tongue. Help me to be a blessing to those around me. Today and everyday, hide me behind the cross. Don't allow people that look at me to see me...allow them to see you.

Welcome To The Goodie Room!!

For some of you this is the first time reading my blog. Thanks! It's not anything special...just some random thoughts on being a dad, a father, grandfather, and hopefully a friend.
Today's blog has a certain and direct sense of urgency. I won't ramble on talking about the basis of it. You need to read my last post from several days ago....that will serve to introduce my plea today!
Bottom line is...you know me. Enough said! I'm not going to force anything down your throat. If I didn't believe in this...understand it's simplicity....understand it's possibilities....I wouldn't bother to share it. I have absolutely no desire to be a "salesman" and try to convince you to be a part of my "business development group." Nope! The merits of it stand on their own. The question you have to ask yourself is, "what if he's right?" No, let me rephrase it, "what if he is only 5% right?" What you are telling me when you say "not interested" is you are going to let a relatively small monthly investment stand between you and a dream. Do you not have a dream? Are you happy with the way your life turned out or are you ready to try and change the playing field? Like many, the downturn in the economy hit my 401K and retirement options in a real way. My plan was always to retire at 55 and that is still my plan and this is a realistic vehicle to help me accomplish my dream. I know exactly what my risk is!! I spend it every month in soft drinks, movies, cable TV, snacks, eating out (a lot), many things I want to do, but not on anything I need to do. It's all about priorities and having a vision for what I want my furture to look like. I CONTROL my future.
Back to the 5% right thing!!!!
You've got to grasp this. It took me a while, but I get it and I get it in a big way.
Facebook has 100 million users. What is 5%? 5% of 100 million is 5 million people. If this software only accomplishes a increase in distributors of 5% that is an additional 5 million distributors.
WHEN THEY JOIN THEY ARE ALL UNDER US!!! All I have to do is to recruit 3 people (which I did in 3 days and now am personally responsible for 6 in 4 days). Not only that......when Canada launches before the end of the year....ALL THOSE NEW DISTRIBUTORS ARE UNDER US AS WELL. I don't have to sell anything....all I had to do was recruit 3 people to the EFUSJON ENERGY CLUB and I was in the COMP PLAN. The Facebook launch happens THIS WEDNESDAY! Therein lies the urgency. It's not that you can't join at anytime...you certainly can. Best time is now just so you're in in advance of the Facebook launch. When they did the 2 hour BETA test on the Facebook application in April they had 30,000 hits and 2,000 folks that wanted to join at that time. HMMMMM, that's over 5%!!!!

Take 15-20 minutes and look at the website www.freeus.ws/efusjonvideo2. It should answer any question you may have. If not, ask me. If I can't, I promise you I can put someone in touch with you that can. My "sponsor" who joined a little over 4 weeks ago has OVER 400 people he is accountable for. How many did he personally sign up??? You wouldn't believe me if I told you, so I won't. Just watch the video and see how the compensation MATRIX exponentially multiplies. Hopefully it will click!

Been there and done that! I've heard all the sales pitches in my lifetime..AMWAY, Monavie, Datek, Herbalife, Arbonne, and some I don't even remember. It was easy to say no because I don't have the time to go out, have meetings, door to door, whatever to BUILD SOME DOWNLINE and only get $$$$ off those people I sign up.

Facebook adds a whole new dimension through the power of the internet and gaming. Additionally, all I had to do was sign up three people.

Are you kidding me!

Have a blessed day. I hope you have a dream. If I can help answer questions, holler to ashene9190@aol.com.

The Power of Three!!

WOW!!

Who would have thought at this time last week as I sat in my chair on the sands of Myrtle Beach thinking about how I'm going to get to early retirement, that the opportunity of a lifetime would fall in my lap in the past 7 days.

I think anyone that reads this and has known me for any length of time, knows that I am very analytical. I look at everything in black and white. I know the numbers. Instead of learning the "tricks of the trade", I pride myself on learning the trade.

My nephew, the very successful insurance salesman in Wilmington, NC, called while I was on the beach and introduced me to EFUSJON. First, let me say I am the ultra-skeptic. If it's too good to be true, it probably is. But, as he talked and explained...something started to resonate and click. When I returned home from vacation, I began my research into EFUSJON. I literally looked for hours. I looked at websites, bios, product, videos, the compensation plan...everything I could find and then I made the jump. Let me tell you why!!

The product is one of the fastest growing commodities in the world today...energy drinks. Volume is expected to push $10 billion in the world by next year. Difference is, this product is natural and healthy. The ingredients speak for themselves. In my current job, I see energy drinks fly off our shelves each and everyday.

The three originators of the company have unbelievable resumes'. One is a former Senior Director of Microsoft and is now a VP with Paramount. One is a VP with COSTCO. One is the pioneer of FACEBOOK.

The compensation plan is revolutionary. Not only does it pay from below, but also left and right. There is no typical MLM process of "building your down line" and the more you put into the program...the higher your status and the more you make. Nope...it is one MATRIX and EVERYONE is in it. EVERYONE! Did I say everyone. Currently there are only 50,000 reps in the company....in the whole company, and, we're all linked together. All anyone has to do to be a part of the MATRIX is join the EFUSJON CLUB and get three other people to join as well. THREE and only THREE! Period. End of story! You get "overlap" by others in the Company.

Here's the kicker. This is the first time in history that a multi-level marketing company has ever been linked to social networking. On July 22, only 6 days from now, Facebook and EFUSJON join together to build the business. There are currently 100 million Facebook users in the US and 225 million in the world. Almost 5 million users join each and every week. This process is too lengthy for me to go in here, so look for the website at the end of the blog. This application alone could produce phenomenal results.

By the end of the year, EFUSJON opens in Canada. The UK, Australia, Europe, and Asia are all in the works. REMEMBER THIS: There is no seperate EFUSJON CANADA and seperate MATRIX. Nope. when Canada comes on, they all fall into our one MATRIX.

I could go on and on and on and tell you some of the heavy hitters that are in our small part of the organization. We're excited. I easily got my three. I'm a realist though and understand the $$$$$$ doesn't happen tomorrow, but i belive that those entering today are poised for tremendous results prior to the Facebook and Canada launches.

Remember, it's three and only three. Check out www.freeus.ws/efusjonvideo2 or www.myefusjon.com/alspals . I hope you see it in the same light that I did as there is PLENTY to go around. I hope you have questions and will let me know. Our little part of the company believes strongly in paying it forward. We're here to help anyone we can build their three and move towards making some cha-chang.
Have a blessed day!

And The Beat Goes On........

Didn't realize I haven't posted since June 1. Hmmmm, where has the time gone? Time seems to drag when you have something that you are really looking forward to and I am really, really looking forward to vacation this year. Of course, I look forward to our family beach trip every year, but this year will be different in many ways. First of all, we're headed to North Myrtle Beach versus Panama City Beach. Personally, I would have rather have gone to Florida because of the flat, crystal clear water and white sand. Also, where we stay it is not really necessary to get in the car to find something to do or somewhere to eat as Pier Park was right across the street. Secondly, Tripp & Makinley will be a year older and it's my hope that they will enjoy the beach even more than they have in the past. I would agree from a young person's perspective and certainly a child's point of view, North Myrtle has more entertainment options. BUT...it also has a ton more traffic and where we are staying will require us to get two cars out of the parking deck each time we go out for fun and food. Thirdly, 4 bedrooms this year versus three and everyone will have a bedroom versus sleeping on a couch or a air mattress. This year it will be Mr./Mrs. Trey Sheneman instead of Trey Sheneman and Jennifer Hartley as it was last year, so we have no choice but to let them share a bed. it's a positive to be going to North Myrtle as Debbie has a sister there and I have my sisters 50 miles up the coast in Wilmington, so we'll get to visit with them as well. Bottom line is...in 9 days we're on the road....the Sheneman Family Vacation. God has been so good to us and I thank Him daily for my wonderful family. Each one of them hung the moon!!

Time!

Time...you can't multiply it and the older you get...the faster it seems to go. I'm sitting here looking at the calendar and realizing that the year is nearly 50% DONE! Trey and Jennifer have already been married nearly 4 months and it seems like just yesterday I was standing with him and holding the ring. Both Tripp and Makinley are wide open and growing so quickly. Each time I am with them, it seems like something else has changed. Stacey & Joey just celebrated their 6th wedding anniversary.Debbie is over 6 weeks post-op and again, just last night I was asleep on the couch in her hospital room. This weekend I had a friend request come through on Facebook from a guy I worked with in law enforcement. As I read some of his Facebook entries, I realized he had just RETIRED. I have been officially out of law enforcement for 28 years and here are people I worked with hanging up the badge and gun. April 9th was 18 years since I had my open heart surgery...thank you Lord for the gift of life.
Through it all....I know that as I go each day....God goes alongside me. Just as importantly, he continues to bless our family and extended family. To Him, a day is like a thousand years which should really bring to light how short our time here on earth really is. My only regret....I wish I had my mom's personality.

BLISS!!!

What is bliss in my business! Some might say as long as Mr. Whipple doesn't have anyone squeezing the Charmin or that he has on a clean apron....life in the grocery business is bliss!!
WRONG!
Our business has changed so much in the 30 years I have been in it. I remember the days when we had to change 2000-3000 prices by hand on a Saturday night. I remember the days when we had to take a catalog about 6" thick up and down each aisle and manually enter our case orders. I remember when we made donuts, pizzas, cakes, and pastries from scratch each day.
So what has changed???
Computer programs do much of the technical work, ie: ordering exact quantities of product based on exact sales of same product, scheduling the exact number of manhours by exact task down to the expected second of completion, with one keystroke on a keyboard changing the price of one item or all 44,000 items, etc., etc.. So, what in the world do you need me for?? Bliss in my job is effectively and efficiently leading 144 associates in accomplishing $36 million in annual sales generating over $3 million in annual profits while serving over 30,000 customers a week in a 56,000 sq. foot facility that cost the Company $8 million to construct.

It is so easy a trained monkey could do it!
Yeah...right!

"Hey, please don't squeeze the Charmin."

When A Day Is Like A Thousand Years!

Last week I had the opportunity to spend three days in Pinehurst with some friends on a golf outing. I have known Mike Dougherty for 10-11 years since he worked in Kroger Manaufacturing. When he and his family lived in the Atlanta area, we played way too much golf together. After leaving Kroger, he was able to relocate back to Lynchburg, VA. where the rest of his family lived including his mom, dad, sister, and brother. Wouldn't you know it...when I was promoted to Zone Manager, we were relocated to Lynchburg, VA. as well and actually moved to the same subdivision that Mike and Colleen lived in. We picked up where we had left off. In fact, I began to play in a 6AM Saturday golf game with Mike's dad, Joe. Well, a few short months ago, Joe, had a melanoma removed from his head. It was malignant, but further tissue samples at the time revealed it had been contained...or so it was thought. Actually he now has several spots on his lungs and is in the procfess of starting his treatments. Before beginning them, I was invited to join Mike, his brother Jay, and his dad in Pinehurst for a special golf outing. We were also joined by two other friends of the family and we had a great time, but it was somewhat bittersweet for me as things went south and further south on Wednesday.
As we prepared to play one of the holes, I received a cell call from a friend with Kroger. He informed me that one of my best friends within the Company, David Pelfrey, had lost his daughter the night before. I have known David and valued his friendship since we lived in Savannah, GA many, many years ago. I was pleased to find out that when I was promoted to ZM with Kroger, David was one of my Store Managers and a great one at that. Now, he actually is the ZM in the very same zone I managed when we were in Virginia and I am extremely proud of all his accomplishments. My heart breaks for he and his wife, Theresa, and his other daughters.
It wasn't long after that phone call that Debbie called with more tragic news. Trey and Jennifer had visited the doctor to check on the state of their baby only to be informed via ultrasound, the baby had no heartbeat. I was overwhelmed...still am. If ever there were two people more excited about a child it was Jennifer and Trey. They have had such a difficult time going through the whole experience of seeing their baby via ultrasound and having to live through a chemically induced DNC the past few days. We are so heartbroken for them, but know that God's ways are not our ways. His Word tells us in Matthew 5:4, that "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." I am encouraged by Jennifer's thoughts when I read her blog posts at Shenemannews.blogspot.com and Trey's thoughts when I read his blog at the whirlingderbisher.blogspot.com. They both are in pain, but they both also know who brings the relief from that pain. God bless Jennifer, Trey, David, Theresa, Joe, Mike, Jay, and Paddy.

Sisters

I love my sisters!! Each one of them is special to me in different ways. This past week I was able to spend some time with both of them when I went back home to Wilmington to help sort through some of my parents' things. I can't remember the last time it was just the three of us and I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed just having them to myself. To go through the personal things of our parents was difficult for each of us, but we were able to share intimate stories, tears, and laughter as we relived over 50 years of memories. I have missed many family moments over the past 30 years traveling all over four states with Kroger. Now that we are on the backside of our lives...closer to the end than the beginning...I hope in the years we have left we will be able to spend more time together. Susan and Mary Grey.....I love you.

Surgery!!

I'll be taking my girl to the hospital at 6 A.M. tomorrow for surgery at 7:30 A.M.. She's having a "female" type operation to fix several things that have bothered her for a few years and the doctor says "now is the time," so....now is the time.
I can't imagine anyone relishes the thought of going to the hospital and having a operation, but she's handling all pretty well. Much better than I am! I am not one that can handle my loved ones being sick or in pain. I believe all men look at everything like they can "fix" it if it's broken, but this is not something I can fix. I know she will be fine and she is in very capable hands. None of this caught God by surprise. He loves her more than I ever could and it brings much peace to know that he is already present in the operating room.
He doesn't need our help, but I sure would appreciate it if you would talk to him with me and let Him know we're leaning on the great Physician.

HUMBLED!!

I think that oftentimes, we all go through our own personal "pity" parties. There are various and sundry reasons why, but suffice to say there are those days that each of us have that no one else has, no one else would understand, no one else cares, and no one else can help us with. I have those days and so do you, but.......................
When we put the ruler up to measure our problems, I was reminded today by that still small voice....comparatively speaking....I don't have any problems. I have a wonderful, loving, and healthy family. I have a great, good paying job with a respected company. I have healthcare, stock options, and a pension. I have a nice home and nice furnishings. Basically, I have everything I need and just about every thing I want. So do you!
It's a tough world around us right now and many are suffering. People have lost their jobs and in many cases, have little or no hope of replacing their income. With lost jobs, comes so many other problems...too numerous to mention. Not only that, but there are people that you and I both know that have health issues that we don't have.
God just reminded me that I need to "pay it forward." I am going to look for a way this week to put "feet" on my prayers and find someone that I can help in a tangible way. I don't want anything in return...no thanks, no praise....I just want to be a vehicle that God uses to show someone else how much He loves each of us.
I hope you will do the same!

Praying For Stellan

Just a short post today to ask you to pray for Baby Stellan, 5 months old yesterday. I don't know Baby Stellan or his parents. Stacey follows his mom's blog and led me to it last week and I have been captivated by his story and a mother's love for her child ever since. You can click on the picture at the right and go to the blog or you can go to mycharmingkids.net to read the full story.
There are literally thousands of people praying for this baby and I hope you will join us to day to ask our Heavenly Father for His healing touch be bestowed upon this baby boy. Most of us have not ever had to experience this type of anguish, but our Lord can meet any need and I just pray that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Bring The Rain

It has rained much over the past week and I can't help but think of daddy everytime I hear a raindrop hit the tin roof on our front porch. Because of his invention, "Float Booster", and the theory behind it, he was very involved in the weather patterns around the country for the last year of his life. Each time we would talk he would always ask me if we had experienced any rain and what the level was of Lake Lanier. The areas with the highest drought conditions were the areas he targeted to get info to on the "Float Booster" and how such a simple device could save them thousands and thousands of gallons of water.
My sisters are both out of the country for the week ahead and I pray safe travel for both of them and lots of fun. Susan, the oldest, and her husband are in New Zealand. Mary Grey, my little sister, and her husband are in Hawaii. The best Debbie and I can do at the present is just be with each other...and that is plenty for me. We'll go to the beach in July with the whole family and I'm just now in the planning stages for our annual September cruise. Neither will come soon enough.
In finishing today, I'd ask you say a prayer right now for two people. The mother of one of my associates is in the hospital with some lung and breathing issues, so I'd ask that you pray for my friend, Mark, and his mom, Mrs. Dix. Also, there is a 4 month old baby that Stacey has asked prayer for and his name is Stellan. We don't know Stellan or his parents, but I have read his mom's blog and little Stellan has a very serious heart defect. He is currently in the hospital and the doctors are fighting to get his heart in a steady rhythmn. Please pray for Stellan and Mrs. Dix.

For My Little Girl!

First of all, I love both my children. Sceondly, I am extremely proud of both my children. I also love and am proud of their spouses.
But, this blog is for Stacey and just Stacey!!!
Being a wife and a mother is TOUGH! Couple that with working a full-time job and it can be overwhelming. BUT.....your momma did it! I only say that to say there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Your mom is truly an amazing woman in many different ways and you are your mother's daughter. It is just a season and one day you will look back and wonder where the time went. You are amazing as well because God created you that way. While it is easy to say, but harder to appreciate in the midst of life's daily grind....you know as well as I do He will not give you anything you cannot handle. While your mom was working and raising you and Trey, I was working two jobs for those first few years just so we could have a house, a nice car, and things you and Trey needed and a few you just wanted. (like the "mouth" baby) It will all pass!
Now, Tripp is a product of his age and each one of us spoiling him at every turn. Part of it he will outgrow. I know when he's bad....he's bad. At the same time, he is smart, handsome, loving, and innocent. There has to be discipline and I know you understand that and at this stage it has to be consistent and come from each of us. We'll do our part to help, but in the home and as a Christian...discipline is primarily Joey's responsibility...period! If you are going to be successful, Joey has to make up his mind to take the lead and be proactive. Any discipline you do is under the authority of Joey.
It's all good honey! You're too much like your father. I too, have many days where I would like to just get in the car and drive until I ran into a ocean somewhere.
In the meantime, don't stress over the house except those things from a health standpoint are imperative to keep clean. Toys strewn about are no big deal. In fact, they are reminders of the blessing you have received in Tripp and Makinley.
I love you.

Easy Come...Easy GO!

Well, I'm not a happy camper! This time last year I was ecstatic! I made the mistake of checking in on my 401K balance this week after forcing myself not to look at it for the past 4-5 weeks. Now, I have done very, very well over the past 20+ years that I have invested in it. I have put as much in it that I could possibly afford. We also have other investments that have done Ok, so this time last year, retiring at 55 was looking pretty sweet!
SO MUCH FOR ALL OF THAT!
The plan has changed now to go at 59 1/2. I am optimistic that over the next few years, the economy will flip. I hope we don't get back to where we were with unscrupulous lenders and all of that, but to a point of GENUINE and HONEST growth. Actually, we probably have no one to blame but ourselves for what has happened in this country. We, the American people, have the POWER..but we don't use it. The Christian is especially SILENT which is so disturbing to me. Look at what the GAY/LESBIAN Community can accomplish and they are only about 2-3% of the population. It amazes me that we sit on our hands because we fear being heard or being politically incorrect! My dad had great wisdom before he passed...he was so ashamed of our politicians and their performance has tarnished his service to our country in protecting the Constitution and our way of life. I understand more clearly each and everyday how he must have felt.
I'm looking up and leaning on the Rock. There are thousands of people that wish they had what I have and that greatly humbles me.

The ITCH!!

It's started!! Around this time every year I am thinking beach, ocean, breezes, sand, relaxing, sunshine, and it has started for 2009. We are just in the beginning stages of planning our family beach vacation and I have already started anxiously looking for cruises for Debbie and I in September. There is no better was to spend a day than sitting at the edge of the surf, digging your toes into the sand and letting the waves wash the sand away. Tough way to spend a day! And what about sleeping at the beach?? Are you kidding me? No better sleep in the world...well...maybe! It's a great sleep on a cruise ship as well, especially if the seas are up some and you can get the gentle wave action. It takes alittle bit of a swell to move a 110 ton ship, but believe me.....we've been in the middle of the Atlantic and seen the spray from the swell come over the bow of the ship. Now....Debbie didn't see it! She slept for about 17 hours because of the dramamine, but I was right in the middle of it and loving every second of it. The ocean is one of God's most awesome creations.
Last Sunday we got about 4" of snow. Today it's going to be 70 degrees. You've gotta love March!

Snow?? You're kidding, right?

Ok, so it snowed in metro Atlanta today. In fact, it started around 12:30PM and it's still coming down at 8:20PM as I write. Difference between the snow here and what we experienced when we lived in Virginia for 4 years...it disappears here pretty quickly. Up there you get to look at it for weeks and it gets old pretty quickly. I will say it was awfully pretty today...big, big wet snowflakes falling and falling! Of course, there were hundreds of people that shopped....hundreds! It's great for business, but....never in hundreds of years has anyone ever been snowed in here in middle Georgia that excluded them from getting to the store for days on end. People are absolutely crazy. All you have to do is to watch the weather forecast to see it is going to be almost 50 degrees tomorrow and 75 degrees by Saturday. DUH!!! I guess the good thing about it is we will have days to get filled back up because there is no way anybody in our trade area needs to go grocery shopping anytime soon. There was a time today we had NO parking places and we had no shopping carts because they were all in use. You're talking upwards of 200 shopping carts!!!! Of course...even though the roads are clear...wet, but clear....everyone thinks it's OK to call out of work because of "treacherous" road conditions. You would never know there are problems with the economy because there are many that have no problem at all missing 8 hrs. of income. Granted, I believe there may be some "icing" issues when I roll out at 630AM in the morning to go back to work, but with alittle common sense and sound judgement...I fully expect to be on deck safe and sound by 7AM.
With that said, thank you Lord for a roof over my head and Debbie by my side. It will be a warm night@ Big Poppa Sheneman's house tonight!

It's Been Awhile!

I'm sitting here looking at the calendar and realizing I have not updated this blog since January 31. Much has happened in the past 3 1/2 weeks. Trey was married in the mountains on February 7...a beautiful and intimate time for he and Jenni.....bittersweet for Debbie and I. We are so happy for them and the life they have in front of them. It's hard to turn the pages in the book of life sometimes and as the kids have grown and started their own families....it's hard to realize that life as you have known it for so many years....has changed! It's an adjustment! Our lives have been focused on our children for 28 years....many times at the sacrifice of our personal relationship with each other. We have always put our children first and tried to give them everything they needed and many of the things they wanted. It's difficult to back away and let them develop their own ways of coping with the curveballs of life, but it's what must be done. We're proud of them and well we should be. They are precious and special and honor us by the choices they have made in the foundation they have set for their marriages.
Now, let's talk about illness. I have a new appreciation of wellness! I have finally gone back to work today after two weeks of sickness. Two visits to the doctor, 6 hours in the emergency room w/ 2 bags of IV fluids and a blood pressure of 72/50 at one point. I have yet to hear a diagnosis, other than the flu test revealed it WASN'T the flu after being told it was and being treated as if it was. ALL I KNOW IS...WHATEVER IT WAS...DON'T WISH IT ON ANYONE PAST, PRESENT, OR FUTURE. It's good to feel better...not 100% yet, but better.

Passing The Torch!

Last night Trey and I had the opportunity to officiate some more basketball games together. Basketball has been a huge part of my life. I played in school and even after getting out of school in different Rec and Church leagues. I am addicted to ACC basketball and particularly my beloved Tarheels. I started officiating basketball on a whim in 1995 and absolutely became obsessed with it. For the past 14 years I have always looked forward to this time of year and being on the court with the kids.
Over the past few years I have had right much trouble with my hip. It bothers me more walking than it does running for some odd reason. No one can figure out what is going on. I've been to ortho guys and a neurosurgeon. Best they can tell it's a nerve issue because of something going on in my lower back. Bottom line is, it has now started bothering me when I run. It's hard enough to run at my age and at my weight....adding the hip problem just compounds it.
We only have the playoffs left this year and then I will reassess the future. It makes me so proud to have had the opportunity to call ball with my son. He is a natural and has natural abilities. I have encouraged him to take it to the next level, go to some camps, get some more experience. It's a great part-time job..it's great exercise....and you get to stay close to a game you love. Is it time to pass the torch???
I guess I'll know next December!!!!

Tough Times

The tough economy hit closer to home last night after Debbie talked to some very good friends of ours from when we lived in Dunn, N.C.. Ronald is in the building supply business and has been for his whole adult life. His wife told us last night that they had been hit hard and were having to take out a equity line on their house just to make ends meet. It struck me that their story could just as easy be my story. While people need to eat and I am in the grocery business, God reminded me very clearly to be thankful in all things and to count my blessings one by one each and every day. There is nothing that "exempts" our industry from a sluggish economy. Actually our industry is one of the most competitive industries in America with everyone vying for the grocery dollar. Think about it! You have drugstores on every corner and they have all started selling groceries as well. You can now buy soft drinks at Home Depot and Lowes. Don't forget the warehouse clubs like Sam's, Costco, and BJ's. There are convenience stores built on top of convenience stores. Our profits are constantly under attack because of increased costs of petroleum based products and the costs of raw food products. Being a publicly traded company, Wall Street is always looking for improved balance sheets to push investors towards one company versus another. Additionally, like the auto industry, Kroger is somewhat manipulated by labor unions which also forces our costs in doing business up versus most of our competitors. Nothing will surprise me!! I expect a notification at anytime that the Company will issue buyout options to mid-level management to cut costs.
I am thankful that I have longevity. I am thankful I am fully vested in our pension program. I am thankful that I was wise enough to fully fund my 401K plan starting back in 1988. I am thankful that we have been more frugal than not. I am thankful that Debbie has a good job. I am thankful that God has smiled on us.
I am thankful for our friends, Ronald and Vicki Dupree. My prayer is that through the storm they find themselves in, that they continue to lean on our heavenly Father and find refuge in His love for them that has no bank balance.

It Is COLD!

In anybody's book, 17 degrees is cold. As I get older and my blood gets thinner, it doesn't seem to take much for me to shiver. Believe me, at 6:30 A.M. this morning, it was hard to roll out of bed and walk outside to a cold car. Trey and I officiated two basketball games last night so the muscles and joints were sore and tight anyway.....the cold was no assistance to a good start to a busy Saturday.
Much is going on! Trey and Jennifer have closed on their house. They have had the inside painted and the carpets cleaned...it is really beautiful and I know how excited they are. They started moving her stuff out of our house last night and into their new home. She will live there until they are married on May 30th. At that point, I think it will be OK for him to start living there as well. Debbie and I will be "empty-nesters" again....for the 3rd-4th time now.
Stacey, Joey, and the grands on the way to town today. They have things to do and people to see, but when I get off....we're off to Outback to celebrate my birthday a few days early. I can't wait! God has been so good to my family. Thank you Lord.

Reality Check!!

The past 4 weeks have been a blur! I woke up this morning in my own bed, showered, dressed, and off to work for the first time since December 24th. As I drove in the pre-dawn darkness, it hit me that life goes on. The people I passed as I drove the 12 miles to the store had no idea of what our family had experienced over the past 4 weeks. But, God gave me the thought, that I did not know what they had experienced either. I was so aware of God's grace in the moment and the fact that He meets us right at our point of need. He is always present..He never deserts us. When I arrived at the store, I found a peace lily on my desk with a simple note, "God loves you and so do we." Isn't that just like God?
I will be forever thankful for the notes, calls, cards, flowers, and words of encouragement we have received over the past few weeks. When you go through difficult times like these, I realize that people really don't know what to do or what to say. Often times, just a encouraging word or their very presence is enough. On Thursday prior to daddy's passing, I felt a real need to sit down beside him and tell him that it was OK for him to go. As I cried out and my heart burst with the realization that this would be the most difficult thing I had ever expressed to a loved one...as I told him how much I loved him and how I would look after my sisters...I felt my brother-in-law come up behind me and simply rest his hand on my shoulder. As I emptied my heart, I knew God placed Derrick by my side at that very moment just to let me know that everything would be OK and that as a family, we would always be overcomers.

Go Rest High On That Mountain

Recently my friend, Mark, reintroduced me to a song that I had not heard in quite awhile. "Go Rest High On That Mountain" was originally recorded by Vince Gill. For the past few days I have listened to it over and over. Music is my peace in times of trouble and turmoil. When I don't have the words to say or life is throwing rocks, I can always count on the Lord to give me a song.This is a beautiful melody and I can only imagine it has been performed at countless funerals since it was written.
Tomorrow, Debbie, Stacey, Trey, and I will make the drive back to Wilmington to be there for Daddy's services on Friday. When those services are over, we'll pack up and leave for Salisbury, NC where we'll have graveside services on Saturday and lay Daddy to rest beside momma. I have spent some time today trying to organize my thoughts and seeking God's will as to what I should share at the services on Friday. I know we have each thought alot about what the hospice counselor told us last week and that was to tell the story of WHO my dad was and what will be his legacy. That is not difficult for me. I could talk for hours about my dad. He taught me about patriotism. He taught me about hard work and loyalty. He instilled in me the drive to always take care of my family. He invested many hours in teaching me about boating, fishing, and hunting. I will always have a love of airplanes and flying because of the hours he spent talking to me about different aspects of aviation. While I will never have his ability to work with my hands the way that he did, I do have his mind inasmuch as I can usually take a problem or situation and analyze it to a acceptable solution. I will be forever grateful for the love I have for the sea and that all came through my father.
I'm still feeling lost. I find myself having a thought and it bringing a tear. It wasn't too long ago that we were sitting in his living room and he was describing his funeral service to me. He mentioned some songs....his country owes him a flag and TAPS and he wants that as well. He asked me to be strong for the sisters. That I did not give him. I'm sorry daddy.

What Is Dying?

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says, "There, she is gone."
"Gone, where?"
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at that moment when someone at my side says, "there, she is gone," there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad show, "here she comes!"

While those of us here on earth said, "there, he is gone", I can hear momma now saying to all our relatives and friends that are with her in glory, "here he comes."

I Don't Know What To Do

When I don't know what to do....
I lift my hands.
When I don't know what to say....
I sing Your praise.
When I don't know where to go...
I run to Your throne
When I don't know what to think...
I stand on Your truth.