Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Brand new year - 2009!

Before leaving work yesterday, I cleaned off and scrubbed my desk. I decided to start the new year with a clean work area! The holidays are gradually winding down, life is getting back to normal - whatever that is. I am very much looking forward to 2009 - I'm going to carry my umbrella with me everyday because I know I'm gonna be showered with blessing upon blessing upon blessing each day. I hope you all have your umbrellas ready . . . because I'm praying these showers of blessings drench each and every person reading this blog - every day!

Ciao

Monday, December 29, 2008

New Year's Goals


I dislike the term resolutions . . . preferring goal setting because it then entails planning, strategy and execution to accomplish. Somehow it is different for me. Been thinking about these goals for 2009.

A committment to pray every day for a cure for cancer and alzheimers.

An obvious one is to get back to healthy food choices and regular workouts. Along those same lines would be to find a balance between riding my motorcycle and my bicycle this summer.

A motorcycling goal is to take an overnight camping road trip . . . gotta find a compact hiking type tent that is small enough to be strapped on my bike. One of my "mentors" in CMA has volunteered to teach me how to load my bike for a road trip: we're talking tent, sleeping bag, rain gear, clothes, toiletries and make-up (I may be a biker, but I'm still a girl).

My next goal would be to find and join a church community that fills my spirit and just all around "feels right".

I think that's enough to focus on . . . I'll post my progress. Right now, I've been on my treadmill and need to get out of these clothes and get some dinner. A banana and an orange sound easy and healthy.

Ciao



Sunday, December 28, 2008

CMA Christmas Party

The Christmas party last night was a lot of fun - of course, bikers don't need an occasion to have fun - but this party was more like a family party. I've found that when you are committed to ministering with a group of people, they become more than friends. Our incoming president likened it to being "family". I've been pondering this and I like to compare it to Verizon Wireless. You know, the network that has your back when you are in what most carriers would call a dead zone. My CMA people are like that. If I need anything, any time of day or night, I know I can call any one of them and they'd be there for me. And I know I'm never alone in any situation - there is always someone (many someones) to stand in the gap for me when I need prayer support. Sounds like a pretty good network, huh? Did I mention that you don't need to ride/own a motorcycle to join a CMA chapter? You need to be saved, have a heart for God and His people, and a desire to minister to the motorcycling community.

It was a potluck as I mentioned in the previoius post and my plan "B" covered dish ended up being TACO SALAD. It was a good choice as my largest Tupperware bowl (we're talking humongous) was empty when I went to retreive it at the end of the evening.

Time to get the coffee maker prepped and programmed - tomorrow is a work day. Another holiday this week: time to start thinking about the end of 2008 and what lies ahead in 2009.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Christmas and the Day after . . .

Christmas was exhausting . . .but not from the shopping, baking, visiting etc that wears out most people. I was on a spiritual high for so many days in a row and crashed today. Christmas Eve was our "family" celebration, being flexible and respecting that some have to split their holiday time with other families. Midnight Mass @ 11:00 p.m. (?)was satisfying and filled my spirit in a number of ways. Christmas Day was dinner with my CMA family @ Teen Challenge. How rewarding! I attempted to blog last night but was too tired to sit at the computer. I went into work and decided to take 4 hours vacation this afternoon and left at noon - I completed the work I needed to get done and couldn't stand the thought of sitting at the desk for 4 hours trying to look busy. I basically just chilled this afternoon - doing some laid-back catching up with friends visiting from North Carolina.

My CMA Cristmas party is tomorrow night. There are no frozen hash brown potatoes in this town. Giant Eagle, Super K-Mart and Drug Mart - none. I wanted to make cheddar hash browns with ham for the pot luck, but looks like I gotta find a plan "B".
Soooo . . . I stopped for a Little Caesar Hot-N-Ready pizza and rented Mama Mia. I'm gonna get into my jammies (yes, I know it's not 7:00 yet), put the DVD in and eat pizza washed down with diet coke. I got a box of movie good & plenty in my Christmas stocking for snacking. Sounds like my kinda heaven! Hope everyone was as blessed as I was this Christmas . . .

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

A Christmas perspective . . .

My CMA chapter "adopted" 12 - 15 children through the Angel Tree Program - a prison ministry. Incarcerated parents express a wish to have Christmas gifts given to their children from them. We asked for 12 children and ended up with 15 after we factored in the step-children. We were to purchase a "fun" gift and a "practical" gift, each gift costing in the neighborhood of $25. We then wrapped the gifts and put an "angel ornament on the gift that had a message from their incarcerated parent. We delivered these gifts this past weekend. (wearing our "colors" of course), breaking up into small groups of 3 or 4. I've done something similar through church, but the recipients were less fortunate families - this was way different.

Going into the homes where the separation of a loved one is because of poor choices that person made was eye opening for me as a parent of 2 children that are the same ages of the men and women whose children and parents we met. In the two homes I visited, the grandmother is the foster parent - both were appreciative and grateful that we did this to keep the parent/child bond strengthened. We shared hugs and prayer with these families before we left - then went to a local eatery to share our individual experiences with the larger group.

Today is Christmas Eve . . . I'm thankful for the opportunity to serve those imprisioned and their families - and I'm thankful for God's abundant blessings in my life.

Monday, December 22, 2008

The Motorcycle - Miss Behavin'

I've written about the grandma part of my identity, now it 's time you heard the rest of the story. A few years ago I experienced a life changing event that put me in a position where I needed to meet new people, restore my self esteem and expand my horizions. Through work, I met the motorcycle instructor who was beginning to coordinate a basic rider course that would be offered at our local high school. He urged and encouraged me to take the course. I registered telling him he'd have to start with the most very basic instruction, like how to start the bike. He assured me he would, talking to me like I were a three yr old if he had to. He invited me out to watch a Sat riding class on the "range" one Saturday morning - I went. My enthusiasm built as did my confidence as I thought, "I can so do this!".

A friend has a little Honda rebel (Says his GoldWing had a baby) and met me at the high school parking lot with it one evening and gave me some beginner's instructions. This man let me - who never in her life had even sat on a motorcycle - ride his little bike. He mapped out an oval in the parking lot, explained the gears briefly, sat in a folding chair and let me ride!!! Each time I came past him I shouted, "I can do this!" I couldn't believe I was riding a motorcycle. Never got out of 1st gear, but I rode it!

I took and passed the class - 10 women and 2 men in the class! Then I started looking at bikes. Pre-owned bikes were cheaper, but since I didn't know the first thing about maintaining one, I thought it wiser to go with a new one. I set out on Martin Luther King Day (day off work!) and sat on every kind of bike there is in a 50 mile radius of Ashtabula - from Mentor to Erie - Honda, Yahama, Kawasaki, Harley. I had been praying about the decision and I knew that when I sat on THE bike, I would know that it was the "one" - and it would be red. The last place I stopped was in Erie. This was January so they had snowmobiles in the showroom - all the bikes were in a pole barn out back. I told the salesman that I was looking for a bike that I could manage - not too small, but not too large either. He assured he he had just the bike.


I followed him to the pole barn where he moved some bikes around and there she was - a shiny red 2006 never titled Suzuki Boulevard S-40. I sat on her, held her up, squeezed the gas tank with my knees (if I gotta explain, y'all wouldn't understand). After about 15 minutes and asking questions about her (650cc, belt driven, air cooled, single cylinder etc.), I declared it to be the ONE. It felt right from the moment I sat down. They would deliver it Thursday. During the course of the transaction, I found out that the sales manager was the chaplain of the dealerships ride group. He and my salesman promised to pray over my bike before she was loaded on the truck! I went downtown Erie for a burger and a beer to celebrate!

I rode a little in April, but really got serious the middle of May when I did my first bike run! A 100 mile ride promoting safe communities! (in the rain, wearing borrowed rain pants!) By the end of the season I had logged over 4,000 miles on her, done several more bike runs and attended a couple of bike rallys. I indeed have met some of the most interesting people. Some of the nicest people. Some of the most fun people. And some of the most generous people. At one rally, 4,000 bikers paid $5 each to ride in the parade. Do the math. That was to benefit the Shriner's hospital for children.
She looks a little different now. She got a windshield and saddlebags - just like the big bikes! I got rain gear and leather chaps - just like the real bikers!
I changed her oil and put gas treatment in her for the winter. She sits in my garage, covered with a sheet waiting for Spring. If I had a set of French doors, she'd be in my spare bedroom. She quickly became a part of me - an extension of my personality (attitude? what attitude?) - a conversation starter with complete stangers - a means of really experiencing the environment when travelling. How many times have I driven past freshly mowed hay fields, grape vineyards, peony bushes, the lake and only experienced them with one of my senses - I didn't know fresh cut hay smelled so sweet. And to smell the enviroment before you see it . . . as with the grapes and the peonies - it's incredible!
Her name? Oh, yeah. Early in our relationship I found out she has "attitude" - she backfires when I decelerate too quickly. A good friend got me a cool shirt at her favorite thrift shop - Has a Harley with a car-hop type woman and the shirt says, "Miss Behavin". I knew as soon as I saw the shirt, that's what I would name by bike! Next summer I'd like to get her name airbrushed on the gas tank. I will spend these cold winter nights planning our summer adventures! I'll keep ya posted!
To summarize: I compare motorcycle riding to my spiritual life: It's not about the destination - I know where I'm going. It's all about what I experience on the journey.
























Sunday, December 21, 2008

Teen Challenge

For the past 11 years my family and I have been involved in a performing arts ministry - Cleveland Performing Arts Ministries. A ministry that produces a passion play at a different venue during Lent. In praying about my continued participation I've heard 3 words - "Let it go". It is a familiar thing from my former life that I was clinging to. I'm guessing I've grown all I can in my faith from that ministry and God wants me to move on and grow in different unfamiliar ways.


In looking for like-minded folks to ride motorcycles with, I found CMA - Christian Motorcyclist Assocication. In fact, there is a relatively new chapter in this county - Forgiven, Chapter 961. I attended a few of their monthly meetings and found them to be a group of folks who like to ride, but also love the Lord and are dedicated to spreading the gospel to the motorcycling community (and anyone else who will listen). I took the plunge and joined. In order to fully participate in their activities, I had to "earn my colors". I did this with the support and encouragement of the membership. I proudly wear my "colors", letting everyone know who I ride for and with. I was told that I need to stomp them in the dirt - they look too new and shiny. I figure they won't look that way once I ride in the rain a couple of times - it will wash away the newness!
One of our monthly ministry events is supporting a Christian drug/alcohol rehab center for men - Teen Challenge - by taking dinner to them, fellowshiping with the men, giving our testimonies and listening to theirs. Becasue they preach the Gospel, they receive no state/federal grant $$. Our dinners help stretch their monthly food budget. These men come from all areas of the country. Some of them have never seen snow! For many whose family can't visit because of the distance, we become their family. It is a 4-6 month program at the facility in Lake County, then another 3-4 months at the Cape, in AR. These men (ages 19 - 40) are heroes to me. The program is not easy. They are not just dealing with their addictions but finding their purpose too. They are putting on Christ - looking to Him for the direction their lives will go - holding tight to the promises of the Bible.
Upon completion of the Lake County portion of the program a "graduation" event is held - a group from our CMA chapter tries to attend. Like I said, we become their family and it means a lot to these men to have the support. I went in November. With holidays being different now, it was good to have someplace special to go. This month, the graduation is Christmas Day. Guess where I'll be? You got it. Only 1 man is graduating, but I figure 1 is better than none. There would have been 2, but a young man I sat with last night said he has been "blessed with a 5th contract and an extra month". During this month he will hand write the gospels - all of them - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. We talked about God having something to show him through this endeavor - something BIG.
Our blessings come in seeing the men's faces when we pull in and they realize it's us! Of course, in the summer and a group of motrocycles pull in, who else would it be? (We meet at a designated location and ride in as a group). Also, once these men have gone on to the next phase, some have stayed in touch by writing letters to our chapter address.
Today I would have to say I'm thankful for my CMA family and the opportunity it provides for me to follow God's instructions to "feed my lambs - care for my sheep"

Friday, December 19, 2008

Winter . . .


Winter is for me a time to slow down and reflect . . . and hope. Just as without Good Friday there can be no Easter - unless there is the cold and dreariness of Winter there can be no brightness and warmth of Spring. As with life itself, we need the yukky, messy, unpleasant times to be able to fully appreciate the good and pleasant times that eventually come. That's where the hope comes in . . . looking beyond the snow and ice - the shoveling and snowblowing - the slipping and sliding - the wind and cold.

Of course the bonus for me is working for our school district because when the snow piles up too much, they cancel school and I get a "snow day" - a day off to stay home and clean out closets and drawers, or just sit in front of a warm fire with a cup of tea and a novel!!!! (some staff members have been known to light prayer candles and offer up sacrifices to the snow gods

The image above was taken from my back door . . . It was a "snow event" we had before Thanksgiving this year.

Today (and every day) I am thankful for my job and all that it represents in my life - one being a warm place to do my thinking and reflecting in these dark months of winter . . .

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Traditions

I'm not sure why or how I realized it, but traditions are highly over-rated. Could be because life has forced our family to abandon familiar "traditions" and either start new traditions or more often than not just do what is right at the time. Or it could be the age factor - I do admit it is nice to sit back and lwatech as m
y adult children plan holidays - holding on to some of their childhood traditions and creating new traditions that are meaningful to them.

Some of you might know that one thing we "do" is coordinate our schedules and traipse onto (or ride a horse or tractor pulled wagon) a Christmas tree farm in search of the perfect tree to cut down, haul home and decorate. I mentioned to my son that I'm beginning to see the wisdom of an artificial pre-lit tree. When he recovered from shock, he gave me the list of reasons I shouldn't go that route. I shot every one of them down and this past Saturday I put on my long johns and Carhart coat and rode a tractor drawn wagon out and cut down my Christmas Tree.
I selected a 5' concolor fir tree. Concolor firs are newly grown in this area. They are sensitive to the frost and, well, we get a lot of frost here in NE Ohio. They are unique in that their sap smells like citrus. When I decorate it my hands smell like I've just peeled an orange! It's also fun to tell folks this and watch them. When they think no one is looking they walk up and sniff my tree :-)

I guess that's one tradition I not yet ready to abandon. It's fun, I love being outdoors, there's ususally a snowball fight. Crazy by some standards and I guess you'd be right.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Grandchildren

I have to admit I wasn't crazy about the idea of becoming a grandmother. It took me a week or so to be able to fully wrap my brain around the realization that it was going to happen. When my dear son-in-law first spoke to me about his intentions to marry my daughter, we talked about his plan for their life. Spend time being a married couple, dear daughter would finish her education and children were 5 years in the future. Sounded like a good plan - I might be old enough in 5 years to be a grandma.


A little more than a year after that conversation - 7 months after the wedding, they very gently broke the news to me - My reaction was " Whoa, what happened to the 5 yr plan?" They both just shrugged. My next argument was, "I can't be a grandma right now, I just got my motorcycle endorsement" - again they shrugged. And so it was to be . . . the two would become three. (Actually four because they adopted a wonderful dog, but he'll be the subject of another post)


The more the new life created by their love grew, the more my resolve melted away. They chose not to learn the gender of their baby until it made it's entry into the world. This heightened the level of excitement. Of course, I, with all of my wisdom and experience, predicted a baby girl. Imagine my surprise when we gathered around the labor/delivery/recovery bed and were introduced to a beautiful baby boy! It was love at first sight. You know when you've been smitten by the love bug . . . you think about the object of your affection ALL the time, you can't wait to be with him again, and when you are, you are content to just sit and gaze upon him adoringly. I love both of my children with every ounce of my being, but this love is different somehow. It is something my friends tried to tell me when they became grandparents and I thought they were were a little "over the top" nuts. I now know that it is one of those things that you just don't "get" until you experience it first hand.
This precious boy is now 5 months old, rolling over in the blink of an eye and just today cut his first tooth. He literally lights up my life. God made him unique and special just for our family to love and cherish. A very special little boy indeed.
You see, he has 10 toes and 13 (sort of) fingers. His right arm lacks the bone structure for a thumb, but has double bone structures for the other 4 digits. He has 4 perfectly formed fingers on that hand and instead of a thumb, his body attempted to create 4 more fingers - they are fused together and for now he uses them as a thumb. He has seen numerous specialists and surgery will be performed to see about "making" him a thumb and perhaps grafting muscle tissue to make that hand a little more functional for him. The optimum age for this procedure is 6 months. I'll keep this udated when that takes place.
In this grandma's eyes, he's perfect in every way. His blue eyes and dimples make me melt and his smile and laughter create light on the darkest of days. I could go on and on . . . oh, I guess I already have. My final words are those of thanksgiving to God for my little buckaroo.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Sundays

Welcome! I couldn't let my sisters enter the world of blogging and not venture forth myslef!

Sundays for me have changed drastically in the past couple of months. Since accepting that the church of my childhood no longer fed my spirit, I went in search of a new faith community. I visited many churches - many denominations. And prayed for God's direction. I met with and explained my dilemma to the priest at my current parish. He suggested St. Helen's church in Newbury, about 50 miles away. I went there on a Sunday morning and found the community to be friendly and welcoming. The Word of God was preached with passion and excitement (It is exciting, isn't it?). I then decided I wanted even more energetic music so I went there to a Life Teen Mass one Sunday evening. It's definitely the worshhip experience I'm looking for.

So now, I have leisurely Sunday mornings . . . coffee, newspaper, treadmill, laundry . . . then get ready and leave here about 4:30 for the 50 minute drive. I don't mind the drive in good weather, but living in the "snowbelt" makes things a little unpredictable. I'm looking forward to summer - the ride there will be GREAT on my motorcycle!!! Ah . . . the motorcycle . . . . good topic for another entry!