Chismville

It’s time I poked my head out of the water and said “hello” to all my friends who keep in contact through cyber-reality. We did have a smashingly wonderful Christmas and married off another sister! Kendra’s wedding was beautiful and meaningful at Morningside Inn, just five miles from my family’s house in Libertytown, Maryland. Joel was in his element with attention from his fun young uncles and many doting aunties. He enjoyed reading with my mom and getting teased and tickled by my dad. It was also good puppy-friendliness-training for my clingy little girly. David and I marvel how much she likes to eat and still she stays little! I have no idea how many people fed her breakfast or lunch on any given day.

Our little family is a bit sneezy now back in San Diego.  I’m eager to banish the coughs and colds of winter with a more healthy family. I’m also thoroughly enjoying food now that I’m not repulsed by everything edible anymore. A very kind friend gave me my very own copy of Deceptively Delicious. (For those of you who don’t watch Opera, it’s a kid-friendly cookbook designed by a now very wealthy mom with all sorts of yummy recipes disguising pureed veggies and fruits so that picky people won’t notice all the vitamins.) This book has given me an arsenal of clever ideas. For example, I plan to use some of my leftover butternut bisque in some muffins. I’m plotting some dessert with chocolate into which I can incorporate some extra black turtle beans. I grew up healthy–but I firmly believe the healthiest foods should taste the most delicious too–just ask Rattouille. For a brief season last year, David tried going wheat-free and got hooked on the following menu for his daily packed lunches–homemade hummus (nice and zippy), baked corn chips for dipping, a big crunchy apple, and 1/4 cup almonds. Joel’s and Chalice’s favorite “dessert” are those little clementines that Costco’s sells as “Cuties” and that peal so easily. On most days when I’m not feeling ambitious, I fix the kids oatmeal with a little full-fat yogurt for breakfast.  I’m still garnering lunch ideas beyond dinner left-overs. Smoothies are always a hit and I keep homemade wh. wheat bread on hand. I love tomatoes! All right, this is deteriorating swiftly. The good part of my brain is getting stolen by my current Political Science coursework topic of terrorism. How I long to be finished writing papers about such sad subjects. Soon!! Happy 2008 to all!

I am wrapping up my 4th day back to work. It takes a few days to get the hang of things when one has enjoyed such a wonderful vacation! It is hard to go back to work too, because sales have been extremely slow. Our business was started over 25 years ago, and the Lord has always provided. I have been involved full time since 2000 and have really only seen “good times.” I’m not sure if the recent down economy changes will hurt our business in the long run, but so far…things don’t look good. It is a good time to rethink the things we are doing and try to come up with ways to drum up new business leads/clients. Maybe we’ll look at some different markets. Whatever happens, the Lord will provide as he always has in the past. I know He wants me to be on my knees during this time, so I am reminded during good and bad times: seek and thanks the Lord! In everything, give thanks!

The Chism Family arrived home safely last Friday night safe and tired! Chalice came down with Pink Eye the morning of our departure, so flying home was not what I would consider fun or enjoyable. To date, it was our worst flight ever, but I knew it could not last forever. To begin the adventure, we were the last ones on the plane. A few people had to be reseated so Joli and I could sit next to our kids. I sat with Joel on my right and a rather large fellow on my left. With all the room that Southwest Airlines gives you, can we say, “Nice and Cozy!” I have never heard of a toddler able to unhook himself from his car seat, but my son just learned how to completely unbuckle himself on the way to the airport, so that was another fun challenge on the flight back. It was also a late flight, so I thought that Joel would doze off in minutes, but it took about 3 hours for him to fall asleep instead.

Chalice and Joli were several rows ahead of us boys. I could not see Chalice, but after about 2 hours, I did not have to see where she was sitting. She started howling and screaming. I think Joli was asleep or embarrassed, because she had her eyes closed during the eventful crying session. The flight attendant, not wanting to wake up Joli, came to me and said, “Umm…your baby is crying…maybe you want to go comfort her?” I took that as if she said, “Hey Buddy…get off your seat now and take care of your screaming child so she don’t wake MY passengers!” This is when I started to feel sorry for the guy on my left. I think he set a record that evening for having to get out of his seat. At least he did not have to go to the gym for a week or so after the aerobic workout we gave him. Joli handed Chalice to me, and I attempted to calm her down as only a father can do!

After 40 minutes of standing, patting, and cradling Chalice (like both flight attendants instructed and suggested I should do) Chalice continued to scream. The best part about the embarrassing time period was being told by one passenger that I was the “man of the year!” That would make any father feel better about himself.

After NO success, I switched places with Joli, since Joel was not behaving by himself. I then began stuffing graham cracker bears into Chalice’s face. For some reason, that is what Chalice wanted all along. It wasn’t sleep. It was not walking around. It was not being patted on the upper back like the FA showed me. Chalice wanted Graham Bears! After a bag of those goodies, she started to smile and warm up to the idea of sleep. The final hour or so of the flight, Chalice and Joel went to sleep! When we began our decent into San Diego, Chalice woke up and let out a final cry for about 10 to 15 minutes. By this time, my right ear was plugged from having a cold and probably from her cries, so it did not bother me as much.

We are now enjoying a nice quiet weekend, and Chalice is gradually healing quite well! The kids have also slept a good amount too, so that makes us parents quite happy!

We just wanted to take a moment to say “Happy New Years” to all our friends and family around the world. Our family is wrapping up our final 3 days visiting Joli’s family in Maryland. We entered the new year by spending New Years Eve at the Howard’s dear friends, The Wold Family. Today begins the final preparations for Kendra and Jesse’s wedding, which begins tomorrow at 3pm. We then return to our little home on Friday evening.

Once again, we have had a wonderful time visiting the Howards, Hakes, Wold, Laughmans and a number of other close friends out here. We have enjoyed every moment, and it is hard to begin to say our good byes!

I just came across some old pictures on the Howard’s computers, and Here is a snapshot of my favorite one of Joli & Joel: View Here

Over a year ago, my good friend, Ben Laughman, mentioned he was in the process of starting his own electrical company. He had been working a Union job in the Maryland area learning all he could and recently became a Master Electrician. Becoming a master at his age, 29, is a major achievement. Earlier this year, he began working part time in the afternoon and evenings building his new company. He employed two full time employees at the time as well. This fall, I learned that he pulled the plug with his full time union electrical company and went full time running Wire Tech! It was so exciting for me to see him take that challenge.

On Monday, I was able to spend a day with Ben learning more about his business and how he works. I was able to see one of his jobs in progress as well. My new brother in law, Jesse Beaty, is currently employed with Ben’s company, so I was able to see him hard at work too! Anyways, after spending 6 hours with Ben this past Monday, we were able to do a lot of brainstorming on ways he can strengthen his already strong business. It was fun to offer some tips of things I have learned at Chism Brothers, and I hope I get the opportunity to do more hands-on consulting in the future!

Look out Maryland, Wire Tech is an up and coming electrical service company that has a lot of potential!