And It Is the Wii That Bring Us Together Today

Mario Kart....that's all I gotta say.

This American Life

Does anyone listen to this show on NPR or watch it on Showtime? I must admit, I had heard of it but never heard an entire episode. Then a friend invited me to come to their live kick off of the second season of the television show. It was being taped in New York and sent live to movie screens all over the US.

As the show started the host, Ira Glass, made a public service announcement. "The theater would like to ask that if anyone is stoned and wandered into this theater, Harold and Kumar is playing in theater5. That's theater 5. Thank you."

The rest of the show as filled with clips of their up coming season filled with humor and thought provoking questions that left me wanting more. It was also very personal with question and answer sessions. One thing mentioned that left a lasting impression on me was when the host began talking about how he grew into his current position. When he started at radio, he was not considered an on air talent. He called it, "the epic journey of sucking". Ahh....does that sound familiar. The hurdles we must pass in order to find success on the other side. I often don't give myself the grace to get through these times of learning. It was nice to know that I was not alone.

For those of you that are interested, the first season is on instant play on Netflix. Gotta love Netflix.

The Church Has Left The Building

That statement was embossed in white lettering on the back of orange t-shirts all through the sanctuary. Today there was no service. About 150 of us left the building to find the people that were not at church on Sunday.

There was a group that went to build gardens for residents of trailer parks in honor of a member of the congregation that used to live there and loved to garden.

Some people went to the park and trails to pass out water.

A few people offered child care for a meeting for family members of soldiers that would soon be deployed back to Iraq.

Others gave quarters and coloring books at local laundry mats.

A large group cleaned up trash on the side of the road.

Another helped residents clean up their yards and cleaned windows.

A few stayed behind to pray for those of us out and about and make lunch for our return.

I went with a group to a nursing home to sing praise songs and visit with the residents. We mainly sang old hymns with accompaniment on piano, violin and guitar. Residents shouted out requests. Everyone sang along.

After the service, we visited with our audience. I said hello to many people, but there was one woman who caught my attention. I had seen her singing along to every song without a song book in front of her. When I mentioned it, I soon found out there was a reason. She was almost completely blind and could no longer read. All of the songs and bible verses she knew, she had memorized long ago. She mentioned regret that she had not memorized more. A Christian for 83 years, she told me of her family and those that were waiting for her in heaven. She teared up as she talked about her twin sister and her husband who had already passed and glowed as she talked about her nieces and nephews, as she had no children of her own. I told her my story about how I found my faith and about my family. She thanked us for coming and quickly added that next time we come she'll make sure more people come (there were already 25 people, but she thought she could get more). It's a date.

Steve also had a encounter worth mentioning in this entry. After asking many people if they would like any assistance cleaning their yard and being turned down, he decided to take a group and clean up trash in an adjacent lot. They loaded a great deal of junk in his truck and were almost finished when a man in a black car drove up. "Hey! Don't dump that junk on my property!" Steve quickly assured the guy that they were there just to clean it up.

"Oh. Why?" the man replied a little confused. Steve explained that we were out to help in the community today instead of having a service.

"Oh, well can I give you some money?" Steve declined.

"What about at least some gas money?" Steve politely declined again.

"Well, then would you mind cleaning up that area over there?" the man asked.

Steve responded, "We already did."

"What church did you say you go to?" Steve told him.

"Well, I guess I'll have to send them some money."

Today, we took the opportunity to show that what we believe is not just words, but it takes action as well. It was a wonderful experience.

And Then There Was Holly

Not that Holly! This Holly...though she is a runner too.

It's All a Matter of Perspective

On the way home from bowling w/ co-workers last Saturday night, Steve looks at me and says, " I don't understand why people get so excited about getting strikes? They cheer and jump up and down just for one strike? Why? I don't get it."

Honestly, that was the last thing I though he was going to say at that moment. A little known fact about my hubby is that he started and was captain of his high school bowling team. The long and short of that translates that he takes his bowling seriously. He's looking at the long term game. It's not just about the random strike, which is the ultimate for the casual bowler. He wants to pick up his spares, get multiple strikes and consistently be able to accurately throw the ball. I just want to get a score around 100.

Being the analytical person I am, it made me think about having that long term perspective in other areas. The more I age (and hopefully grow in wisdom) the more I live for the future instead of being tossed around by the circumstances surrounding me at the time. I'm in it for the long haul in my marriage, career, faith and friendships. There were times where I almost walked away from things I care about because it was challenging. Now, when things get hard, I look towards the future and also to the promises that my God has fulfilled. I trust he will continue to be faithful. And I got all this from bowling! Geez....

In other news, I head back to the doctor today. Leg is having weirdness again. I predict MRI in my future. Thank you all for your prayers. I'll keep you posted.

Update

Nerve Conduction Tests are not fun. They are quick, but still does not add to the fun factor. Ick. Steve held my hand. It made me feel better.

Despite all of this, the test was normal. Now I just have to wait to see if a MRI is next.

The Latest and Greatest

Ah, the month has passed with such rapidity that I do not which events I should begin to impart. Let's start where I last left off...

I had a BLAST hanging out with the guys over the first weekend of March Madness. Lots of laughter and basketball. Truly a pleasure. Even more awesome was that I beat Steve, Mike and Uncle Jim in the brackets...but the best part was that my mother-in-law kicked all of our sorry tails! For those that do not know, Steve did not get his interest in sports from his father, and his father is perfectly content with that fact.

Steve and I have spent very little time at home and together the last month, for not soon after we finished celebrating Easter my hubby on a plane to Texas for a week. I left two days later for a week in Tampa, FL as an attendee of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). AAHA is a group of small animal practitioners that aims to be the top of the profession. Hospitals that belong must pass an accreditation process. I want to be president of this group one day. I saw excellent speakers, did silly things, had a fabulous time with Teddi (even while watching the demise of the Spartans) and had salad with peanut butter ice cream and hearts of palm. It was a great trip, but I missed my husband terribly!! I returned home 10 days after my husband initially departed. Alas, he left me again to return to Texas 4 days later.

My leg started to bother me right before he left. It continued to bother me on and off for 3 days. I called the doctor. They sent me straight to ultrasound to check for blood clots. None present, but there was still something wrong. The next day, I saw a real person. He found something strange, but we don't know why it is happening. It may be a fluke, or it may be something. My leg felt better, but today it feels a little funny again. Tomorrow I go for an EEG and nerve conduction studies. I am NOT looking forward to this. They are going to stick me with lots of needles. I'm making Steve go with me to hold my hand. An MRI may also be on the schedule depending on the results. It is a little scary.

The best of distractions came to visit at the end of the week in the form of Wendy, Kendra and Rachel. We played Mensa games, visited Meijer Gardens, shopped, watched movies and had a fabulous time.

Steve was a victim of flight cancellation on his way home. He made it from Texas to Wisconson, but ended up driving home the rest of the way. I hope he does not have to leave again soon. I've missed him so much!

I'll keep you posted on test results as they come in. Please keep us in your prayers!

Prepared for Madness

House cleaned top to bottom....Check
Fridge stocked w/ beer and Mike's....Check
Frozen pizzas....Check
Munchies....Check
Wings....Check
Brats....Check
MSU paraphernalia strategically placed to drive husband crazy.....Check

Ready to watch some basketball?? Definitely.

With my grocery cart brimming on both levels, a sweet older lady looked at me and remarked, "You must have a big family."
I smiled and replied, " No, just rabid basketball fans."
The look on her face was priceless.

Unfortunately, I work the next three days. Steve took Thurs/Friday off. Sigh....
Let the invasion begin!

The Rebirth of Justin's F-150

You can see the whole story from "Truckin Magazine" at this link. http://www.truckinweb.com/features/0804tr_1951_ford_f1_pickup/index.html