Fool's Paradise

For the last three months, our church has been doing a series called Destinations.  The teachings were focused on the Book of Proverbs and how to live a life you always dreamed of.  Today was the final week in the series, and it so happened that a friend of ours delivered the teaching.  For me, it was the highlight of the series.  It was titled "Fool's Paradise" and was about how we tend to learn things the hard way.  She is a fellow blogger, and one of the big reasons that I started this blog in the first place.  She blogged about learning things the hard way earlier this week, and since I read her blog somewhat regularly, I knew it was coming.  I have been trying all week to come up with examples of things I have learned the hard way, but had a hard time thinking of them.  Today during the service however, they came at me so fast that I had a hard time remembering them.  Here is a very partial list of some of the many things that I have learned the hard way over the years.

Make sure you get gas before getting on Alligator Alley.  For those of you who don't know, Alligator Alley is a 90 mile stretch of nothing but highway that runs through the Everglades.  And yes, it is called Alligator Alley for a reason.  

Be sure to bring up the anchor BEFORE driving away in the boat.

Never chop wood while wearing sandals.

No matter how warm you think it is, it is never a good idea to go snow skiing in shorts.

My wife is always right.

If you decide to go "exploring" in Mexico, be sure to have enough cab money to get back to the hotel.

A $200 pair of sunglasses will either break or get lost within a week.  A $5 pair will last years.

If you have lawn seats to a Jimmy Buffett concert at Alpine Valley and you go the concession stand during the show, you will spend the next 6 songs trying to find your way back to the rest of your group. (Unless you're my wife who comes back with a front row seat ticket and only one shoe)

A home improvement job that you think will take $20 and one hour, will really take $200 and the entire weekend.

If you are camping and wake up to a bear rummaging through your bag, do not through a rock into the woods to scare it away.

There are designated hiking trails for a reason.

My wife is ALWAYS right.

There is less then nothing in Cornhole, Florida.  But that's okay "yur in the woods..."

If there is so much chlorine in the pool that you can smell it in the air, DO NOT GO IN.

Trips to the ER take a minimum of 5 hours.

Live and love each day with passion.

If you are at a restaurant in Mexico and a Mariachi band comes up to your table and sings a song, they will not leave until you give them a tip.

No matter how strong it might look, a frozen lake or a tree branch will probably not hold your weight.

If you go wakeboarding, be sure you wear a life jacket.

My wife is ALWAYS RIGHT.