Only at Sand Creek . . .

Yesterday was full of firsts at Sand Creek!

It was the first time Mark or I could ever remember all of the guests arriving before ANY of the staff!  It was a birthday party.  The guest side of the parking lot was two deep.  The staff side was empty.  And we weren't late . . . 

One of our guests was adament - she had a 1:15 zip and high ropes.  She had the e-mail to prove it.  We had never had a 1:15 high ropes before.  Usually, it's a 3:15, but we were gracious and told her we would look into it.  While we were looking, so was she.  Her e-mail confirmed her 3:15 zip time.

And most glorious of all, for the first time in weeks, we did NOT have a single rescue on the high ropes!  Eleven people made it through successfully - and we all did the dance of joy! 

Now I'm off to see what today will bring . . . 

Not At Sand Creek . . .

Instead of working at Sand Creek today, we brought three Sand Creek staff (including me!) to Sam's school for some team building with the fifth graders.  I truly volunteered, the guys got gift cards, and we all had fun!  And none of us were in uniform . . .

Thankful Thursday . . .

. . . was actually yesterday at my house!

I started my morning off with a swim at the Y.  For eighty-three laps, I had the entire lane to my self.  Oh, what fun it was!  

 

Just before I left for my annual gyno appointment, I checked my e-mails.  There was one from my internal meds doctor.  He wanted me to see a rheumatologist.  Things aren't going well with the PMR.  He also wanted me to see a gastroenterologist.  That's where the biggest problems are happening.

So I fumed as I drove.  Two more doctor appointments to schedule.  Two new doctors to see.  Crab, crab, crab, crab, crab.  My gyno asked me how I was doing.  You know what she got - crab, crab, crab, crab, crab.

"But you're seeing a rheumatologist, right?  And eating your berries and your greens, right?"  Gotta love her - and thank God for the confirmation that I was going to spend today making appointments.

Next stop - lunch with a friend who has her leg in a cam boot (it was severely broken this summer), two small children and is getting a divorce - not her choice.  I'm thankful I could spend the time with her, encouraging, and let her know she has a friend.

Last stop - a Holiday Stampin' Up Open House where the husband was home.  I've known him the longest as he was my first Bible study leader in college!  Thankful that I got to connect with him, make some great cards and buy supplies; not to mention, he caught me up on some friends I hadn't seen or heard about in years.  It was an excellent day with much to be thankful for! 

Only at Sand Creek . . .

. . . Can it be pouring rain and can you still have fun!

I had a group of eighteen Home Depot managers from the Midwest region down on the low ropes today.  It was a hoot and a half - only because they seemed to be mainly of the "extra large" size, and yet they worked to hard to "fit" as a team into small spaces.  It was excellent!  Some of the best work I've seen in a long time!  Even though it was pouring! 

Double bonus - they were given the option of doing a three zip and getting wet bums on the slide or doing a two zip twice for a total of four zips and never getting their bottoms wet!  They went for the four zips and had a great time!  

My only tip?  How to get a new front door!

I-DON'T-WANT-TO-TALK-TO-YOU!!!

During yesterday's fiasco in the high ropes (four rescues!), I was left to "babysit" the clients up on top until another staff could come and zip with me.  I made small talk with a second-grader, his dad and his grandma.  I apologized to four clients who had successfully made it through the high ropes and were now stuck waiting.  I explained to the 5:30 p.m. group their need to sign waivers and that we would wait for everyone in their group to arrive before we geared them up.  After thirty plus minutes of that, I talked to everyone again as I sent them down the zip line - all twenty-one people - on platforms one, two and three!  By the time I got home last night, I did NOT want to talk to anyone!

Naturally, this morning found me at children's check-in at church, feeling EXACTLY the same as I did last night - "I don't want to talk to you!"  So I added, "Jesus, help!"  And He did!

To the dad I talked with about hunting elk, bear and moose.  To the mom who was concerned about her son's school experience.  To my new co-worker and why she chose this church.  To the pharmacist who was visiting from Mankato, and the grandma visiting from IOWA!  Talked I did to even more . . .

". . . Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts."
  Zechariah 4:6 b

The new dryer . . .

. . . is installed!  We purchased it this morning and rather than trying it out, I went to work.  Maybe tomorrow . . . or maybe not!

Only at Sand Creek . . . on a Saturday!

I came to the conclusion today that we have two types of people who come to zip at Sand Creek - those who can easily afford it and potentially leave us great tips.  Then there are those who save for this opportunity and their tips are most likely not monetary.  Instead, we receive a genuine appreciation for our investment in their lives and for sharing this experience with them.  Today we were blessed with appreciation and it was so fun!

We were also blessed with four rescues on the high ropes which put us about an hour behind, but everyone was so gracious that it didn't matter.  Zip on!