p is for pinnacle June 30, 2007

I went to the Pinnacle Forum breakfast this morning, and I kid you not, stayed for about five minutes.  I was the only woman (except for the one organizing the name tags who was employed by Pinnacle.)  There was no way I could stay.  I understood Pinnacle to be an organization of Christian community leaders who want to use their positions of influence for Christ.  Are there no Christian community leaders who happen to be women?  Is this just another old boys club?  I was embarrassed to be sure, but mostly just ticked.  When will we get over the idea that those who can make a difference have to be male.  I was thankful I had not reached out to other women leaders I know to invite them.   What’s the deal?  And why did this affect me so strongly?  So like a scolded dog with its tail between it’s legs, I slumped off to nurse my wounded pride at Starbucks and filled out sports physical paperwork for t and it wasn’t long before I started to feel better.  But I am determined to find the lesson in this experience.  How can I apply this for good?  And what’s in me that needs be be changed?

We did meet someone who knew exactly where Lviv was.  That is always an amazing thing.

d is for date night June 30, 2007

Had a fun Friday night with outdoor dining at Cowboy Monkey.  The shrimp tacos were excellent and it’s always fun to people-watch downtown.  We saw a family with the most engaging baby , very young and with a huge amount of bright red hair.  Impossible to look away almost, she was so unusually cute.

Then we went to see Oceans 13, which is really more a fascinating study in male movie stars hanging out together than an actual story.  I felt more like I was gawking than watching.  But it was very entertaining.  And I like the intrigue with complete lack of shooting anyone or blowing anything up.  The disguises are fun and the techno-geek stuff.  I have always been a huge fan of Andy Garcia ever since “When a Man Loves a Woman” with Meg Ryan.

The most entertaining part of being at the movies was a group of six middle school boys seated in front of us.  At first, I was disappointed with their very presence and they were so impressed with themselves and goofy.  But they did settle down.  We were very amused when the film was over and they applauded.  It’s such an awkward, sweet, but terribly annoying phase of life.

w is for weekend June 29, 2007

Okay – this is good. It’s Friday! Chris is working the afternoon shift and Thomas is headed to the farm for a couple of days. We’ll pick him up when we head to Gifford for the annual fourth of July parade. At least it’s in July this year. I’m sure there won’t be any clever root beer floats – that’s a once in a lifetime amazing thing – but maybe the vendors will have some cool purple swords for sale.

Usually it seems like the 4th is the mid way point of summer. So many fun things to look forward to in July including camp for Thomas and two trips to Florida for Chris and PYLi (yikes – what was I thinking) and a visit from our wonderful friends. We’ll head to Dave and Nancy G’s for the 4th – a potluck with friends. Maybe t can blow up some diet coke with mentos again this year.

With all the rain, we are now fully refreshed. So this weekend we’ll need to cut the grass and continue to keep up with the growing bushes and the weeds. A little housework, too. Saturday morning is a Pinnacle Forum event, which is at the new alumni center.

Off to make this county a better place to volunteer!

l is for looking back June 28, 2007

June is almost over and it’s hard to remember a more difficult month in our community:

- a father driving under the influences hits a guard rail and his two children are killed

- two children and their stepfather are killed in a house fire due to “improper disposal of smoking materials”

- a man living in his car by a park starts shooting and three police officers are wounded by gunfire

- a man shoots his way across Champaign and Urbana, taking two children as hostages in the process

- two men steal a car, invade a home, shoot a deputy and take over a bank, holding hostages at gun point

May God heal and protect and give hope.

n is for nba draft June 28, 2007

I make a poor NBA draft partner.  Although I try my best I do not have the keen understanding of the game that makes the NBA draft one of the best father daughter traditions of all time.

r is for rainy day June 28, 2007

We are catching up on the rain in a hurry! Last night we sat at Espresso with dear friends watching the black wall of death storm move through our town, but only a little rumble and a lot of rain.

All day rain today. Looking forward to coffee with girlfriends this morning and a productive day at work.

A glorious summer day for the guys, filled with sleeping in and taking it easy. They had plan on going to the pool but I think they’ll get rained out. Life is simple, but good!

p is for ponder June 28, 2007

“That’s nice, I suppose, but can you paint?” – John Fischer, Fearless Faith

Do I do what I do well enough so that anyone will want to know why I do what I do? Thinking on this today.

a is for anniversary June 27, 2007

Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of my work at United Way. John and the guys surprised me by taking me out to celebrate. One year is a milestone, that’s for sure. And of course there were many days when I did not think this day would come. Just figuring out all the abbreviations took about the first six months! But it was sweet to be honored and remembered and we went to Biaggis – yum!

Champaign County also remembered me yesterday with a jury survey. Seems like just yesterday I spend two weeks of my life as a federal juror, but unbelievably it was two years ago. Two different things anyway, so perhaps I’ll have the opportunity to serve again. (Insert sarcastic comment here)

Today is my BFF’s birthday and I’m remembering all the fun celebrations we’ve had, all starting with a surprise party in our back yard way back at the old house. A different season in life, to be sure, but sweet to remember. Looking forward so much to our mid-life adventure in August!

Of to take Thomas to the mustached doctor for his sports physical. He continues to enjoy at least the social aspect of Cross Country. Last Monday when we got home he was so hungry: 2 waffles, 2 hash browns, 2 pieces of cinnamon toast, large oj. The boy could not get full. Growing more, too.

It rained so hard yesterday that from my office I could not see the park across the street. All the viaducts were flooded and people had a hard time moving around the city. Apparently we got about 2 inches in an hour. It rained again this morning and so our brown lawn is greening up nicely. It’s so warm this morning and with all the moisture, you can almost see the steam rising. People were getting a little cranky with the heat but the rain has improved everyone’s attitudes. So out into the steamy world we go – thankful for the renewing rain.

s is for sister June 24, 2007

Tonight at the newcomer dessert we met lots of nice people.  There was a nice young couple, engaged to be married next summer.  Like John and me they met through Campus Crusade in college.  And she happens to belong to the same sorority as me.  If the guy had turned out to be a fraternity brother to John, I would have been overwhelmed with amazement.  It was fun to chat with them and make connections with new folks.  The fruit pizza was completely consumed and Sarah made a delicious hot fudge cake.  Chris and friends seem to be playing poker rather than Settlers – but having fun none the less.  Thomas and I have stumbled upon an exciting Food Network challenge featuring Cartoon Character cakes.  My money’s on the Scooby Doo spectacular.

n is for newcomer June 24, 2007

Cohosting our church’s newcomer dessert tonight and created a lovely fruit pizza.  Kind of a recipe blast from the past but I think we managed to make it look edible.  The peaches (from the peach party at County Market) were sweet and juicy and delicious.  Hope the newcomers enjoy them.   Roll out one tube of sugar cookie dough into a rectangle.  Bake at 350 for about 14 minutes.  Let cool.  Spread with cream cheese frosting (from a can or make your own).  Mark out squares with a pizza cutter.  Arrange fresh fruit so that each square looks pretty.  (I used peaches, blueberries, strawberry halves and a tiny piece of kiwi on each.)  Melt about half a jar of preserves (I used orange marmalade but apricot or raspberry jam would do.) with about 1/4 cup of water.  Let cool.  Brush over fruit pizza.  Refrigerate.  Before serving cut all the way through the marking and arrange on serving platter.  Yummy non-chocolate treat!

Visited a hot and humid taste of champaign today and the four of us enjoyed:  cotton candy, garcia’s pizza, chicken satay, pork barbeque, fries, general tso’s chicken, and cheese fries, the latter two not so enjoyable actually.  Then we went to open houses, nothing too interesting but there was a house west of us with a great basement set up including an incredible home theatre room where all the equipment and theatre style recliners were included.  Tempting just for the basement, but smack dab in the middle of one of those tree free sub-divisions…

Yesterday was lots of house work and yard work and with Chris working it was just three of us for dinner.  We went out to the Holiday Inn which was the site of a little birthday celebration for Lucas including swimming and pizza.  It was fun for T and Lucas to get to swim together, and fun to visit.  Reminded me of some family hotel stays when the kids were little.  We were reminiscing about a near drowning incident when dad had to jump in wallet and all to help Ellen.   One of our many Michigan adventures.

Tonight Chris is having the high school youth group over for an evening of playing Settlers.   The week ahead looks mild with the usual activities, work schedule and stormy weather predicted.  At least our relative is back in Houston with the fam, ending our vicarious outer space adventure.  Atlantis is home, all are safe, and Pa continues to wear his t-shirt and hat reminding him of his amazing trip to the Cape.  Aren’t we all space travelers at heart?