Posted via email from joel gratcyk’s posterous

Posted via email from joel gratcyk’s posterous

I really do love the smell of a new computer. Its just too bad this one is work’s and not my own.

This my family a while back. I saw this photo for the first time just a few minutes ago, after it was posted on Facebook. Gotta love the internet, right? Looks like I really thought those sunglasses were cool too. I loved being a kid. We didn’t have much, but our family loved each other a lot. Hope this picture made you smile. It made me smile.

There is one Saturday morning in particular I am remembering. My parents and both sisters were home for the day. We had breakfast together as a family. Biscuits and gravy. Yum. It was only that in name though, the gravy was without meat and thinned with water to the point it almost wasn’t gravy anymore. In place of biscuits we had toast. We didn’t always have what we wanted, but God always provided what we needed.

Over the last few days I had heard my parents talking in concerned voices at night, but I couldn’t make out what they were talking so seriously about. It was a bad month. We were driving a car that was about to die and the next months rent was due in a few days. On this particular Saturday morning things seemed better. I found out over the course of breakfast that members of our church gave my parents the extra money they needed to cover rent for the next month. That is why we were having biscuits and gravy. It was a celebration!

I remember this story and countless other times my family was the recipient of good will from friends, family and total strangers while I was a kid. It happened several times while I was a teenager too, but by then I had started to return the favor as I could to others in need. In 1997 I took my first international trip and spent two weeks at an orphanage in El Salvador. I was with a small group of adults that did some minor construction work during the day and spent time reading stories and singing songs with the kids at night.

The smiles on the faces of the children in El Salvador have stayed with me since then. It was a short trip, but one that was time and money well spent. I still get letters and emails from the orphanage to this day about how they are doing and what kind of lives those children, now adults, are living.

Abigail (my wife) and I want to go to India this October and help put smiles on the faces of children in need. Just like my childhood church did when I was young, and just like I did when I went to that orphanage in El Salvador we want to give hope to those in India that need it. We can’t go without your help though. I’ll be honest, fundraising has been slow. We still need over $4,000 in order to go to India this October. Can you spare $5, $20, $100 or $500? Any amount will put us a step closer. Please help send us and put smiles on the faces of children in India by donating today.

If you have questions about our trip please read our FAQs and/or contact us. Thank you.

“It’s not suicide, it’s enjoying the rest of your life.”
- Melvin (My brother-in-law)

Posted via email from joel gratcyk’s posterous

As promised here is part three of the 30 by 30 list posted by The Frisky.

21. Sheets that don’t scratch.

Check. Un-Check. I don’t think they do but I’ve just been informed otherwise.

22. A nightstand that doesn’t say “Handle with care” on the side.

Check.

23. A smile he uses generously.

Check. I’m getting a small wrinkle in my face from using it so much.

24. At least one lamp that didn’t once belong in a dorm room.

Check. Have gotten a couple  since getting married.

25. Enough confidence to approach someone he finds attractive.

I talk with people all the time while at work and out of the house. If I was single I think I could do this, but hope to never need to find out.

26. Enough sense not to use a cheesy pick-up line. (When in doubt, say “hello!”)

My jokes are cheesy enough (and I’m married) so I don’t need cheesy pick-up lines.

27. A great razor.

A nice one yes, but I have yet to purchase my first electric razor. Have always wanted one. (Hint: Birthday gift idea. November is on the way.)

28. The beginning of a nest egg.

The very very beginning.

29. A place where everyone knows his name.

If a job and a few family/friend’s homes count, then yes.

30. At least one sex move he’s received lots of positive feedback on.

I’ve got at least one. *wink*

That leaves my final score at a weak 23 out of 30. It seems I’m doing alright, but could improve. Looks like I have some work ahead of me before I turn 30 next year.

11. A great road map when there’s no one to ask.

I’ve got one or two of them in my car for when Abigail is not with me. My phone is not fancy enough to include maps or anything cool like that.

12. A favorite cookbook.

Working on this one. I have several cookbooks in the house, but am only just starting to try them out now.

13. A decent set of pots and pans.

Decent set of pots and pans yes. Nice? No, but in time I will.

14. An emergency kit in the trunk of his car.

First aid kit, jumper cables, etc.

15. A hobby that does not include a television set or a 6-pack of beer.

Does a computer count? I really like computers. If I need another hobby for the list, it would be travel. I just don’t get to travel nearly as much as I’d like.

16. A trusted barber or hair stylist.

I actually have a regular hair stylist at the Aveda Institue on Chicago’s north side.

17. A pair of jeans that makes his butt look good.

Check. According to Abigail I have a couple.

18. Jumper cables.

Check. See #14.

19. A driver’s license.

Check. I didn’t get it til I was 21, but if I am doing my math correctly that is well before 30. *smile*

20. Always enough toilet paper.

I stock up on the stuff every time it goes on sale.

Check back tomorrow for items #21-#30.

1. A skin care regimen.

My wife is helping me out with this one. I’m drinking more water that I used to and have hand/face lotion I use as often as I remember. That is just not very often at this point.

2. A tasty signature dish he can whip up for a date.

Not until recently (I’d say the last few weeks) have I started to try and cook outside of the box. And when I say “outside of the box” I mean that very literally. Many of the things I can make are of the the “just add water” type. Again, my wife is teaching me how to properly cook.

3. Respect for women as equals and not just as heads attached to boobs.

I’ve always respected women more than my average peers. I think my wife would agree with this. In many ways she is a better person than I.

4. At least four good pairs of shoes: dressy, business casual, casual, exercise.

Working on this. I have two nice pairs of dress shoes. A pair of casual shoes and a pair of flip fops. My business casual shoes are in need of replacement. I do have a proper pair of running shoes I started using regularly about two weeks ago.

5. At least one friend who gives honest fashion advice.

Check. My family, wife and a couple of friends let me know if I’m dressy properly or need some new help.

6. A tailored suit.

Not yet. However, I have plans to get one made on a free day if I can get to India later this year.

7. A toolbox that includes: a hammer, screwdriver, wrench, nails, work gloves.

I am missing the work gloves, but this is easily fixable.

8. Enough clean underwear (no holes!) to get him through a week between laundry sessions.

Check.

9. Independence from his mama.

Double check. I do however talk to her on the phone a several times a month and sometimes stop by to help out with computer or electronics questions.

10. The ability to ask for directions.

Check. I have no problem admitting that I have a horrible sense of direction. Even with a map or gps unit I can still get turned around.

Check back tomorrow for items #11-#20.

* Thanks to Annie Colbert for the tweet that alerted me to the story.