Sandy & Dave Reynolds » Thoughts to Ponder

Panera Tests the Honor System

sandy1020 — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:32:43 +0000

Often I read the morning newspaper without much thought afterward. The other day as I began to read the Courier Journal newspaper, I was drawn to an article about a Panera Bread located in Clayton, MO. This particular Panera’s was opened as a non-profit restaurant where payment was based on the honor system and the people paid what they could. Thus, in an honest society the rich would pay full price or even chip in extra, while the less fortunate would pay less or even receive a free meal. A month later after the concept was tested, the result was that basically people were honest and good. On average 60 to 70 percent paid full price while about 15 percent pay a little more and about 15 percent pay less or nothing at all.

Panera currently operates 1,400 bakery-cafes across the country. As a result of the experiment, there are currently plans to open two more non-profit models at two additional locations in the next few months.

Marriage — It’s Not Meant To Be the Gore’s Way

sandy1020 — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:15:49 +0000

What were your feelings when Al Gore and his wife, Tipper, announced that they were getting a divorce? They had just celebrated their 40^th wedding anniversary only two weeks before making the announcement. Rather ironic, don’t you think? So just what were they celebrating — Their 40 wonderful years of marriage? Or possibly were they celebrating early their soon to be divorce?

They simply “grew apart.” After being married for 40 years, it seems that you would be able to work through any differences and honor the commitment you made on your wedding day, not only to each other but also to God. Do they not recall their marriage vows which state, “for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health?” What is happening to the commitment made in one’s wedding vows to each other and to God? According to the Bible, the two become one. Marriage is not the place for each individual to function separately without consideration of the other. After marriage it is no longer about “me” but “we.”

John Turner, a family therapist in Louisville, was quoted in the Courier Journal, “Late-stage divorce makes a lot of sense because you have more people living longer who are married.” I don’t understand how it makes any more sense just because people are living longer. How can a family therapist make such a statement? It seems to me that a family therapist would take the opposite stance. After living together for 40 years, it seems that you could weather any storms that might come your way.

Missed Opportunities

sandy1020 — Fri, 28 May 2010 00:34:07 +0000

As I was pondering what to write, I came upon the statement below and had to share it with others. Since initially reading this statement, it has made me much more aware of the individuals that I meet in my daily life. Each of our lives was created by God and he has a plan for each of us. Sometimes we follow his plan but there are times that we are too busy and divert from God’s plan and follow our own plan instead. Our busy schedules keep us from many missed opportunities that God has planned.

When God puts another individual in your pathway, it may be simply to share a moment in time or it may be a treasured relationship to last a lifetime. Sometimes we willingly accept the opportunity and other times we just keep going about our daily lives — thus, a missed opportunity. It saddens me to think back about the missed opportunities that God has put before me that I neglected to see. I hope that by viewing this statement that it may make a difference in your life too.

“God determines who walks into your life… It’s up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.”

Lost Generation

sandy1020 — Sat, 15 May 2010 18:58:18 +0000

According to Wikipedia, a palindrome is a word, phrase, number or other sequence of units that can be read the same way in either direction.Therefore, it reads the same backwards and forwards. The following YouTube video reads the exact opposite backwards as forward. Not only does it read the opposite, the meaning is the exact opposite. Although this is only a 1 minute, 44 second video, it is absolutely brilliant. Make sure you read as well as listen forwards and backwards.

This video was submitted in a contest, titled “U @ 50″ sponsored by AARP by a 20-year old. This video won second place. When they showed it, everyone in the room was awe-struck and broke into spontaneous applause. So simple and yet so brilliant.

Derby Fever

sandy1020 — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 06:00:45 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

This is a fun and exciting time of year in the Louisville area. Almost everyone catches the Derby fever. There are so many different events for everyone to attend. A few of the many events include Thunder Over Louisville, the Pegasus Parade, the Balloon Glimmer, the Great Steamboat Race, the Oaks, and of course the Kentucky Derby.

Each year when I was teaching I recall planning many learning activities associated with the Derby. Each year we would schedule a trip to the Derby Museum for the week preceding the Derby. It was always the favorite field trip of students, parents, and teachers too. Not only was it beautiful with all the tulips in bloom, but also there was an exciting atmosphere. The students always loved the activities associated with the Derby and the visit to Churchill Downs was the culminating activity. To be able to watch the Derby with their parents on Derby Day and see the places they had visited was a fascinating experience for them.

Hope everyone enjoys the many fantastic Derby events!!!

Snow Days . . .

sandy1020 — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:42:34 +0000

As a teacher I can remember the snow days from the past — the snow days that did not have to be made up. Those were the good old days. Teachers and students alike always loved it when snow was in the forecast. Often I would stay up to watch the late news hoping the forecast would not change or that there was an increased accumulation predicted. There was much anticipation in the air as you would retire for bed dreaming of the snowy weather that was in the forecast. On those days, I would rise early and run to take a quick look outside. If the snow had accumulated, I would then run to the television to listen and see if we had enough snow for the schools to close. There were days that no one understood why we were in or out of school whatever the case may have been. Occasionally, there would be a 1-hour delay which created a chaotic day in attempting to complete everything necessary in the lesson plans.

In my final teaching years, there did not seem to be as much anticipation to the snow days. Snow days just don’t seem to be the same since the law changed and they must now be made up. How often do we have an excessive number of snow days that it would really matter? Unless the extra days are included in the school calendar, the school year must be extended making it difficult as many parents and teachers have already established plans for the beginning days of summer vacation. Although it sounds like it makes sense to make up the day, I often wonder how much additional learning takes place during those days.

What are your thoughts on making up snow days?

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As the New Year Approaches . . .

sandy1020 — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 18:56:40 +0000

As the New Year approaches, many of us are wondering what happened to Christmas. We spend so much time getting ready for Christmas and then before we know it, it is over. We busy our selves baking and preparing Christmas goodies for everyone to enjoy. We spend time decorating our homes in preparation for our Christmas celebration. We try to purchase the perfect Christmas gift for everyone on our list. We spend so much time preparing the ‘THINGS’ of Christmas and before we know it, it is all over. I am sure there are so many different emotions that everyone feels at this time. Some may be happy while others are sad. Some have already begun to look towards the New Year while others prefer to continue to look back on our current year. Some wish that Christmas could only last a little longer while others may wish that it didn’t come at all.

Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ as well as the hope that we have in Christ. If we have this hope present within us, we don’t have to rely on the things of this world to make us happy. Yes, we must continue to deal with the things of this world while we are here on earth but we also know that there are better things to come. We have a new life to look forward to. Our hope is not about this life on earth but rather our life for eternity with Christ and all who have given their lives to Him. What a great way to begin the new year with a new life in Christ!!!

Serving Throughout the Year . . .

sandy1020 — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:53:20 +0000

Ronald McDonald House

Today was such a blessing as our ABF class from Southeast Christian Church served brunch at the Ronald McDonald House. One of our class members works there part time and for several years now our class has served either Saturday brunch or an evening dinner several times throughout the year. We always have plenty of food with many leftovers to be refrigerated for later consumption. Today’s brunch included fresh Krispy Kreme donuts, lots of delicious fried bacon, a cheesy hash brown casserole, a scrambled egg casserole, a sausage and cheese casserole, freshly prepared pancakes and syrup, as well as biscuits and sausage gravy. There was an abundance of food for all.

As I interacted with the residents currently staying at the Ronald McDonald House, I noticed a lady with three children approximately 12 years old. As I began to visit with them, I soon realized that they were not residents at the Ronald McDonald House at all. They had also come to serve but in a different way. They had volunteered to come and clean. What a wonderful way to instill the need to serve in our youth. I am certain that this mother had other things she could have been doing this near to Christmas but she chose to show the importance of serving instead.

Even more important than the food that was served was the many residents currently staying at the Ronald McDonald House sharing their stories and showing their sincere appreciation for all the love that has been shown to them. One lady shared her new found love for Louisville as she told her story. In her home town, she felt alone and that no one even cared and she had no plans to return there. Here in Louisville, KY she has felt the outpouring of unconditional love from most everyone she has met. It was great to be a part of that outpouring of love to others especially at this time of the year. However, this type of love is shown at the Ronald McDonald House throughout the year. Sickness and illness do not limit themselves to a certain time of year. There is a need for this service year round.

As we embrace the Christmas season, I challenge each of you to also embrace the idea to serve others throughout the year as well. It is easy at this time of year to serve and then forget the need to serve as we begin the new year.

Taxes and Home-based Business . . .

sandy1020 — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:00:54 +0000

Tax Laws and the Home-based Business Owner

Did you know that there are tax breaks for business owners which includes home-based businesses. These laws were passed by Congress to encourage and reward small business including home-based businesses because it is good for the national economy. Stop and consider for a minute. If you had three children, would you even consider claiming only two of your children when you file your tax returns. Home-based businesses have the opportunity to claim many tax advantages according to the law. It only makes sense to put yourself in a situation that allows you to take advantage of the tax law available to home-based businesses.

Don’t hesitate! Check it out for yourselves. In our current economy, we all need to take advantages of all the tax breaks that we can. I only wish that we had known about the home-based business tax advantages the during our teaching careers. For a total of one year during that time, I actually had a home-based business selling Longaberger baskets. However, I was not aware of the many tax benefits available. It makes a tremendous difference in your tax liability. Below are two of the books on taxes that we have consulted. You owe it to yourself and to your family to at least check out the benefits of owning a home-based business. Believe me, it pays you to be informed!

To Text or Not to Text . . .

sandy1020 — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:49:23 +0000

Have you ever thought about sending text messages as just one more way to stay in touch? That’s the way that I try to think about it. Although I very seldom send any text messages, ocasionally I will. Many times you can send or receive a quick text message when unable to make or receive a phone call. It is much better to receive the text message rather than no message at all. Our youth have totally embraced texting their friends. Parents are beginning to embrace texting as a means to stay in touch with their children. I think this is a fantastic idea. As life goes, the things of life will continue to change. Some changes are worth embracing and others we can choose to ignore.