Only at Sand Creek . . .

I spent my afternoon with the "Flips" and "Whips" of the New Prague Gymnastics Club - ten great girls ranging in age from third to tenth grade.  Meanwhile, Sam's first day at Sand Creek gave him the "Twists".  With names like that, how could we not have fun?  We did zipping and the low ropes. 

Now, in case you're wondering, Sam's last day at Sand Creek is next Thursday.  We have a large group coming in that day and with a lot of our staff returning to college, he agreed help us out so we trained him in today - with the "Twists".

We're overjoyed . . .

. . . with what we found in our front yard this morning! Really!  What fun!

We've narrowed it down -

we think we know who did it!

And we love it!

We also have some plans for those pretty birds!

Stay tuned . . .  

Only at Sand Creek . . .

Only at Sand Creek can almost every day be a great day!  Today was no exception!  We had a fun crew of workers.  We cranked out the zippers.  We didn't do a single rescue on the high ropes AND . . .

I met one of Sam's Vikings/Burnsville co-workers on the high ropes.  It was so cute!  I always ask people what they do and she said she was a kindergarten teacher at Gideon Pond.  I told her my hub also worked in the district.  She thought his name sounded so familiar!  Then she realized they worked together at the Vikings Training Center and had been in training together!

Why, O Y?

I taught CPR-PR/First Aid/Emergency Oxygen Administration at the Y this morning.  Things were not looking good when I stepped into our storage closet.  I sent this picture to my supervisor with the caption, "How many things in this bin do not belong?"

Since this is our emergency OXYGEN bin, let me tell you:

• Face masks
• Gloves
• Baby Manikin (and why is she faceless?)
• Adult Face
• AED

They should all be in THEIR bins, not this one!  I wasn't happy.  Whoever had taught before me should have packed things away - responsibly! - but since my class was a fun group of ladies, I worked on my attitude until . . .

 

We finished with the BRAND NEW NEVER EVER USED AED pads.  They're history now!

 I can honestly say that I wish I felt bad, but I honestly DON'T!  So I left the Y and headed to Sand Creek . . .

Canine Contrast!

My niece Lexie's dog had puppies . . .

If you're interested in buying one, let me know!

Meanwhile, contrast them with my favorite lady . . .

 

Only at Sand Creek . . .

Today was a personal celebration for me at Sand Creek!  I succcessfully belayed my first high ropes rescue to the ground!  He was a large man who had admitted to me while I was securing his trolley system that he was pushing our weight limit.  

Following his wife and four daughters through the course, he made it  up the cargo net, across the vines, though the Charlie Chaplin and collapsed.  Tim hooked him up and I lowered him down - with one of his daughter's holding me down.  Had she not done that with our weight differential, I would have been flying!  Praise God for Tim who talked me through it, for his daughters who helped us, and for success!  To Him be the glory!

Side Note:  When I arrived at the course this afternoon, there were two people waiting.  I asked if they had checked in and mom said they had actually come early because her son was nervous and didn't want to go.  Since we were the only three at platform one, I was able to gear him up, bring him out to the platform, explain what was going to happen and answer any questions he had.  Friends, we scored!  He zipped successfully!  Another glory story!

 

Thankful Thursday!

Today's "Thankful Thursday" comes from my husband, Sam, even though I'm writing it.

When school ended in June, Sam's district was looking at the possibility of going on strike this fall as they have been without a contract since July 1, 2017.  All teachers were told to consider the possibility getting a summer job and to do no unnecessary spending over the summer.

Teachers were also sent information on "Whelan Services" which was actually an opportunity to work at the Vikings' Training Center in Eagan.  Sam naturally got hired (a long with a lot of co-workers!) and spent his days at the team entrance at training camp. 
 

He became good "friends" with Stefan Diggs ("he honks at me every day!"), Julie Cousins (quarterback Kirk's wife) and many others.

Today was his last day there (or shall we say "scheduled" last day?).  

He came home satisfied/pleased/encouraged tonight.  He had three different supervisors come and tell him "good-bye".  They also asked him if he would be willing to work Vikings games this fall.  He said he could do one a month - but he's going to let them call him. (:  He also had a lot of other staff tell him "good-bye", both workers and Vikings.

He was thankful for his time there, thankful that he was appreciated and thankful for the experience - "sure beats calling parents every night, correcting homework, and writing up lesson plans".  

So now it's your turn to be thankful.  Go and thank a teacher for the impact they've had on your life.  Know their jobs are getting more and more difficult every year . . .