More snow

It's a picture postcard day...
snow falling softly and constant
fire in the fireplace
Christmas tree lights twinkling
and it's quiet.

I'm having a conversation with myself debating the finer points of seizing the moment, allowing myself to enjoy this, and getting to projects that have been awaiting my time and attention.

hmm...

moments like this are rare.

I shall enjoy it.

Surviving snow days

Here in the Portland-Metro area, we have had some serious winter weather. If you've never been to this part of God's country, you haven't experienced our varied terrain. I live at sealevel. We had 6 inches of snow, plus some drifts up to 8 inches. That was on Sunday. The kids did not have school on Monday or Tuesday for obvious reasons... the roads were ICY and such.
School was cancelled on Wednesday out of precaution.

Threats of another 4-6 inches for Thursday had officials cancelling school, again.
This was the sunniest, warmest no snow - snow day EVER!


I love my boys and our time together- however...I pray they go to school tomorrow. We all need one day of them at school before the Christmas break. The boys agree =)

I need them to go to see other people and interact with kids their own age.
I need them to go partake in any pre-holiday festivities and bring home projects they've been working on.
I need them to go because I am out of wine and Candy Cane Joe Joe cookies from Trader Joes.

(ps... new favorite wine...Silverlake's roza riesing or gerwertraminer)

long time no blog

While pondering the most effective and efficient way to send Christmas cards this year, I find myself distracted with chats thru Googlechat and Facebook, text messages and the occassional phone call. There are a few actual, tactile Christmas cards downstairs beckoning me..."send your holiday wishes and life update via snail mail! We did it! We also saw that look of joy on your face when you saw us tucked in with the bills and junk mail. You ripped us open and smiled at the hand written note."

I shall strive to do the same... HOWEVER, I have just completed my first term of college after being gone from it for over 20 years. Add to that with being a single mom of 2 amazing and silly boys, plus working, and you get a snapshot of my life.

I'm thinking with all that has occured since I sent the last batch of Christmas cards (2004), it's time to make one up and give my business to the USPS.

The reality is, I'm sorry to say, not everyone I connect with will receive a card sent via snail mail. The list will be limited to family and friends w/o computers (yes, I know a few people like that). The rest of you will be greeted w/ electronic well wishes complete with my pixilated children and cakes.

and no promises... but I WILL try to blog more often

One of the best days, EVER!!!

Those not familiar with United Methodist structure or lingo, bear with me.

I had the honor and addressing the laity and clergy sessions with my friend and collegue, Chris Kester today! What was more amazing was the topic... the Jars of Clay concert that is THIS Saturday night June 21st (see www.umoi.org for details about this free event)

What I was asking of them is to be part of our prayer team after we issue an invitation to discipleship... a Methodist altar call.

To stand before the 200 some odd clergy and ask them to be part of this team was SUCH an honor. What was so cool about it all was that we are on the same page about one thing... connecting people to Jesus Christ. That's what we're in this for anyway, isn't it??

wow.

and to top the day off, I had a wonderful dinner and visit with the Manske family in Albany.

ah. God, you are SO amazing!!

amen!

This is my Dad. William "Red" Reynolds.
Unless you are a family member, or old family friend, you missed the chance to meet him.

This Father's Day I want to honor him through our "new fangled technology" and share some of my memories with you.

This Iowa farm boy was the youngest of 5 boys. (Good heaven's Grandma, how DID you do it??) His life adventures included being tossed out of 2nd story window by his brothers into the snow drifts below, hitch hiking to California between 8th and 9th grade, and serving in the US Navy at the end of WW2. He met my mom in Phoenix, AZ. They met and married, had my brother, Gil, and 5 years later moved to Oregon. He was a "jack of all trades" and LOVED doing many things at once (sound familiar??)
He was a gifted and well-rounded artist. This had him working for the Oregon Hwy Dept in the travel and tourism bureau, owning his own ad agency with my mom, and a stint on TV.

In the mid-50's he hosted a kid's television program called "The Big Round Up" out of Eugene. Somewhere in here and my mom (a great writer) made a few movies and dabbled in some big screen adventures.

My 2 sisters came along and were part of that journey. December 1967 they welcomed me (a pleasent surprise ;). They had gotten involved w/ the school bus business and 2 days before my third birthday, we moved to Fairfax, VA. This is where most of my memories start.

I have to say I had the coolest Dad! My Dad made time for me, let me tag along, didn't let being a girl get in the way of anything, AND he embraced my love for dancing. I had a little artist easle next to his and we'd paint together. He'd tell me to "put on your grubbies we're going to Hechinger's" (the Home Depot of the day). I learned how to use tools, mow the lawn, build a rock wall and tons of other skills. I didn't care if it was hard work, I was with Dad.

He was a dreamer. And many of his dreams came true (except the ones that my Mom had enough brains to talk him out of... like being a chicken farmer- nothing against chicken farmers... it wasn't a good idea for my folks) His retirement dream was to build a house in the Arizona desert, with an art studio, and paint. The land was bought, the "studio" was built and the house plans drawn. He was to retire in July of 1982 and we'd moved out in August so I could start high school.

Sadly, he died of a heartattack December 9, 1981. It was 2 weeks before my 14th birthday.

I miss my Dad. And I am grateful for the years I had with him. His life, and death, have had the most signifigant influence on who I am today.

So many ponderables and unanswerable thoughts and questions...
I wonder what he would have been like when I started dating.
I wonder if I would have finished college.
I wonder what he would have thought of Dennis?
If he didn't die in 1981 of a heartattack, how much longer would we have had him around?
What advice would he have given me in all aspects of life?
What would he say to some of the decisions I've made?
What other life goals were on his list?
What would he think of all this "new fangled technology"?

I DO know...
we would have hit some rough patches here and there
he would have encouraged me in whatever endeavor
he would love his grandsons and want to spend copious amounts of time with them
he would be proud of all 4 of his kids and 6 grand kids
he would still love my mom and supporting each other's dreams

I wish you could have met him. I wish I knew him as an adult.

My senior year in high school we had to do a research paper. I chose my Dad. The teacher said I would not be able to be objective enough. Red Reynolds had touched the lives of so many people that I had more than enough resources to tap. Letters poured in. I got to know him better through others. One desciption that sticks with me to this day "Red was the most mulit-faceted person I have ever known". Guess that's where I get it from.

thanks for reading.

and Happy Father's Day

An unlikely hair cut

6 1/2 years ago my best friend, Lisa was diagnosed with breast cancer. After her 3rd chemo treatment she was ready to get rid of what little hair was left. As I shaved her head, we made it a monumental moment with photos and everything.

Today I had the honor of doing the same for an angel named Betty Ann Green. This brave 75 year young trooper invited me to shave off what was left of her locks.

Wil's Board Breaking video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ARnq4NPNzM

Check it out! Wil earned his black belt in Tae Kwon Do in April. I caught 2 minutes of the 5 hour test on video. Note the 2nd break and how the board flies towards me.

LEE HAS HIS NEW HEART!!!

after 4 months of being on the heart transplant list he has his new heart!!

please continue praying for him, our family, the medical staff and donor family.

http://gilreynolds.blogspot.com/

Interesting source of words of wisdom

Maybe its not to late
To learn how to love
And forget how to hate


Believe it or not, it's from Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train"

Footsteps and Footprints

Footsteps are the real-time, first-person living your life. They are only known when being taken. We can PLAN were we want to step, which is a good thing. BUT we won't know where our foot lands until it's there.

Footprints are where we HAVE been. They mark our choices - good and not so good. They are the chapters of our life story. And stories are meant to be shared.

Watch your step!
Every step counts.

AWARE pt3

Awareness implies ownership.
If you are AWARE of your _______ (fill in the blank), then you are accepting ownership and respnsibility.

It might look something like this...
I am aware of my dog's droppings in the lawn, therefore I will be responsible for picking it up before my neighbor steps in it.

I am aware of lack of sleep, therefore I am accepting responsibility for my inability to perform at my usual level.

I am aware of my "woo" and extravert-ness, therefore I am taking ownership of how my personality, exhuberance, and zest for life can be overwhelming for others at time.

I am aware that I am on a spiritual journey, and am accepting the fact that I am fully active in the experience, not just a passenger.


What are YOU aware of? and how are you going to embrace it?

AWARE pt 2

Self-awareness is highly underrated. Not to be confused with self-consciousness, self-awareness is when you can, and do, listen to yourself.

Take it a step further and you know what to listen to and what to ignore. This is what leads to good self-care and taking care of your NEEDS and the occassional want.

(remember, if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy, yet, we leave our souls unattended, which leads to unhappiness and if mama ain't happy...)

For example, I was fighting a migraine earlier today (and won). I've had them long enough to know what to do. It involves focusing on myself and CARING FOR MYSELF(yes, women, I said caring for yourself)

Contrast that with a time when I get a case of the "I-DON'T-WANT-TO'S". My mind is saying, "take a break, just chill out, eat something sweet and don't do anything productive or anyting that resembles being responsible." That's the time to be aware that you need to motivate from within and Just Do It!

Being aware means you know what each sounds like and how to address it THEN do it.

AWARE pt 1

The buzz word in our house for sometime has been "aware".
Often heard used in phrases such as, "Please be aware of your surroundings" (look around you before jumping and bumping around)
or

"Before you ask someone to come help you, or get you something, be aware of what they are doing" (if my hands are covered in suds and I'm standing by the sink, don't demand that I prepare you a snack and deliver it pronto)


Awareness is such a valuable tool in life. More on this in posts to follow. Right now I am aware of the on-coming migraine and am going to take all necessary measures to drive it away.

Proverbs 27:17

check it out.

Life, intersecting

Tonight was one full of honors.

1- spent some time with the most amazing, and my dear sister-in-Christ, Kim Gorman
2- received the words "high-functioning woman"
3- was welcomed into a gathering of "high-functioning women"
4- sat at the feet, in the presence, of the wise and wonderful Ruth King http://healingrage.com/
5- met the common link to the gals rallied tonight, and the inspiration for my blog, Carrie Link http://fully-caffeinated.blogspot.com/
6- received the radiance of life lived, survived and loved through Betty and Delores

Thank you, God! For the short time at that intersection in Carrie's living room! The spirit will linger, and I will forever be influenced by that experience.

Chips With An Identity Crisis

New! (to me, atleast) at Trader Joes are these amazing and yummy tortilla chips. Slighty sweet, super crunchy and, oh, just what I was craving today.

It's the little things in life that can bring so much joy.

Lee update

He made it through another surgery today just fine, from what I hear. They cleaned out "a bunch of gunk" that had formed in and around his lungs after the last surgery.

Prayers, please, that he is back on the road to receive a new heart.

thanks!

PRAYERS, PLEASE

See entry about my nephew, Lee.
More prayers, please.

The Writing is on the Mirror

and that's a good place to express yourself (with Sharpies, of course).
Daily reminders, words of encouragment and fun sayings.

Next time you need to get something off your chest, or are looking for a great place to scribble, doodle and draw, go visit your mirror.

When you're done, Windex takes it all off.
(inexpensive therapy, I say!)

ps- Mr Sketch markers work as well, but the color runs when you squirt it. So wipe fast, or use Sharpies. Of course, dry erase markers work, too, but they just aren't the same as Sharpies.

pss- I'd attach an image, but it's too tough to capture a mirror in a picture sucessfully AND, it's just for me.

The need for a new heart

This is Lee. Many of you have been praying for him, and I ask you to continue. He is still in the hospital awaiting a new heart. For those new to the prayer team, this wonderfully healthy nephew of mine went into the hospital October 25th after becoming very ill. He had turned 20 Monday of that week.

We have no idea why or how, but his heart is blown out. Currently, the work of his heart is being done by a VAD. This is considered a "bridge to transplant".

Please pray for him, his parents and sister, and the family who will experience a tragedy in order for a heart to be available.

More prayers, please.

The facination with Sharpies

From the time I first encountered a Sharpie, it was with my brother Gil at his glass studio. He is cool, and this marker was cool, thus began my interest in Sharpies. Little did I know, my interest would grow into what some call an obsession.

When I first saw them in blue and red, I thought, "WOW! options! choices!" (I like multiple colors and went through an intense rainbow phase between 11 and 14) I have been known to get excited over the multi-color packs of Sharpies and new styles. Someday Brian R will recover from my Sharpie freak-out at the Safeway in San Francisco when I first discovered mini's. He thought I was being attacked. When there were no other people around me, he thought I had hurt myself. When I showed him my new find, he shook his head and walked away. I hear that he has a Sharpie obsession now, too.

Fine point, super fine, mini, highlighter, chisel point, retractable, and liquid... if it's a Sharpie, I like it!

The Sharpie passion is shared with some amazing friends, such as Gayellyn and Paige (and now, Brian). If you happen upon one of us and ask for a Shapie, we will more than likely have at least one. If you need to borrow it, don't leave our site. If you lose it, and attempt to replace it with another permanent-type marker, run.

Although I was introduced to this amazing writing implement at a young age, I have learned that Sharpies need a companion set of markers... Mr Sketch. see next Blog

How I chase away the clouds

An attitude adjustment USUALLY chases away the clouds. PRAYER is first and foremost.
A creative activity (Crayons, Sharpies, pastels or watercolors) dancing and/or talking with one of the stars in my life can do the trick.

Having an attitude of gratitude keeps the clouds gone, or sends them off quickly.

On those days when I can't shake them, or "snap out of it", I realize I need more. Healthy food (not just the sugar cookies I crave) some more exercise, connections with the stars.

(stars = people in my life who send positive vibes, not whiney or needy)

AND I when it comes to the point that I realize my "situational depression" is back, I revert to my "tree-hugger/granola eating" treatment (as some have called it). 1 visit to the accupunturist a week for 4 weeks coupled with a B-Complex vitamin and Calm Spirit herb (from the accupuncturist).

Once I'm on a more even kiel, I can address the situtations.

Always and Never

Two words that are often misused. I pondered these the other day. I considered their weight and intent. The following statements settled well with me:

I never go a day with out breathing,
but I don't always value each breath.

I never stop loving my kids,
but I don't always like them.
(come on, this is a tough one for parents to admit, but it's true!)

I will never get any taller
but I will always be able to grow.

God will never stop loving us,
And God will always provide.

What's with "Cloud Control"?

Life can be overwhelming at times. One gets the sense of being covered by a cloud. Dealing with that cloud is the basis for the title "Cloud Control". It is my hope that this is a space we can share how we control the clouds of life. My favorite scripture is Proverbs 27:17. "Iron sharpens iron, so as one person sharpens another".

I've been plagued by the clouds of situational depression around this time of year 3 years in a row. My form of treatment has proven helpful and I am more than willing to share. Life is TOO short to spend it on the island of discontent.

Please share what works, or doesn't for you.

A Light Saber in your IN BOX

What kind of day do you think you're going to have when you check you mailbox at work and there is a light saber? Does it mean you run the risk of being stalked by rebel forces? Will you encounter a droid who can only say "Roger Roger"? How about being greated by a destroyer droid rolling towards you as you go get hot water for tea?

Whatever the potential foe, you are prepared. That's how I took it. I was certain to carry my purple Dollar Tree light saber, complete with a "schwa ching" sound button each time i ventured down the hall.