Turkey Day 2004

Highlights of my Thanksgiving:

• Getting to Lansing at 2pm on Wednesday before the storm really hit--not a lot of traffic, and pretty smooth sailing.
• Instead of taking advantage of this, I drove to Charlotte, in the worst part of the storm because Fawn and I were supposed to have dinner and I didn't want to cancel (plus she called me a chicken). Quote from Joey: Well, it isn't the smartest thing you've ever done--call me if you go in the ditch.
• Safe and sound at my sister's house by 7pm.
• Watching the parade with Lynds and Brad Thanksgiving morning.
• Brad and I volunteering at the Rescue Mission and getting on the news.
• Brad's prayer at dinner time: Please bless those less fortunate than we are.
• Playing Barbie's with Lyndsay and Bradley (he was bored, he said yes, please--to the two people who might read this, don't make fun of him). Bradley chose to run the grocery store with my old Michael Jackson Barbie. My Barbie went shopping and asked Michael if he wanted to come to her party. Michael paused and said, "Will there be any little boys there?" I about fell over laughing. When did my nephew get tuned in to adult type stories and humor??
• Bradley, Lynds, my mom and I playing Uno over and over again, laughing the whole time.
• Joey coming over to visit and going through the ads with me to figure out what to buy.
• Getting up at 5:15 the next morning to go shopping. It was actually pretty fun and I got most of the things I "needed" to get.
• Falling asleep on the couch for two hours with one niece by my head and one nephew by my feet.

Thus concludes Thanksgiving 2004.

Sad Blog

I never really look forward to working out but yesterday was different. My workout buddy and friend was going to be home for the holidays and I was actually looking forward to seeing him at Bally's. I didn't realize how much I missed him when he moved to Chicago in September. A lot had happened since then. Bottom line is I've worked out twice since he left. But yesterday was supposed to be different. I was really looking forward to seeing him.

I wasn't even worried when I saw two ambulances in front of Bally's.

In fact, I forgot about it as soon as I saw Andy on the cross-trainer. I was greeted with a huge smile and a hug. We did cardio for another 5 minutes and then stretched by the windows overlooking I-96 in Novi.We caught up on things, laughed, joked around, and it all felt so great. We were doing a lap around the track when the announcement came over the P.A.

"In about 5 minutes, we will be closing the men's locker room indefinitely. Please, if you have anything in the locker room, come get it."

"I wonder if this has anything to do with the ambulances," I said. “Maybe it’s the bathrooms,” Andy said. We both shrugged and went to the locker room. I told Andy to just grab his stuff and then we could lift weights. The staff were only letting one person in at a time. I waited for him and studied the faces of the men exiting the locker room and walking out the door.

Andy approached me. His face was white and he appeared shaken. He whispered, "I'm leaving."

"Why? What's going on?" I asked.

"Holly, there is a guy in there…he’s dead…laying on the floor….I have to get out of here.”

I didn't ask anything else. I went and got my stuff and we left promptly. No, the toilets weren't overflowed. No, there wasn't an electrical fire. Someone had died in the locker room of Bally's. Andy told me they had covered his face with a towel, but he was laid out on the floor in front of the lockers. The man’s locker was open and his suit was hanging inside. Andy heard the staff talking, saying they didn't know who the man was, he had no identification on him. The paramedics were saying they had shocked him 15 times but they just couldn't save him.

Andy relayed all of this information to me as we walked to my car. We talked about how sad it was to live your whole life and become unknown, laying in the Bally's locker room. And how horrible for his family, especially around the holidays.We stopped at my car and were about ready to say good-bye when we noticed four men walking in our direction. They were heading for a woman who had just gotten out of the car across from mine.

"Mrs. ---?" She responded, "Yes?"

"Oh my God, Andy," I whispered. It just happened so fast. I could have hopped in my car but I felt frozen. Andy said, "I don't want to see this."

I seriously thought they wouldn't tell her in the parking lot of Bally's but as soon as I the thought entered my mind, her screams of anguish pushed them out. The yells and screams of her pain put my own body into some kind of shock. I couldn't think or move or feel. I desperately whispered to Andy, "Let's go to your car..."

Andy grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the scene. Tears were pushing out of my eyes. The whole way to the car I tried to block out her screams. I thought I was going to puke.We got to the car. I stopped crying and felt numb with shock and then anger. Why Bally's? Why two days before Thanksgiving? Why did they tell her in the parking lot? Why was she all alone?Andy was also in shock. I had never seen him look so sad. He kept apologizing that I had to see all of this, trying to protect me. I told him not to apologize because my life will not forever be changed by this moment, only hers will.

I thought about a lot of things as I drove home from Bally's. I wanted to talk to Ben. I let it ring once and then I hung up. Why open up this wound which is still so fresh for him? After all, HE had a moment like this almost a year ago. I wanted to call Becky. How silly of me again, because two years ago she got the call to come say good-bye to her mother. I called Joey instead.

I tried to shut it out of my mind. Yes, I get to walk away from last night and not have to feel that loss, the ripping away of someone you love so damn much. And I wonder why I got to witness it. This woman will never now I was standing there during the worst moment of her life, but I will forever remember her, maybe not every day, but I'll think of her now and then. I also don't feel lucky. It doesn't want to make me count my blessings because I count them all the time, almost every day. I'm not a fool. I know I'm going to have moments like hers in my life.

Thanksgiving will be ruined for her and her family. As for my family, we celebrate with a somber heart this year. Two seats will be empty and my heart will ache. And I'll think about Ben's dad, Ben, and Stevie...my heart will ache. Sometimes, I feel like I can't wait to be with my heavenly father. He will be the only ONE to take that human ache away. I asked Him for a hug last night, to help me go to sleep. I think it was the first time I ever asked God for a hug. I guess I'll have to wait for it.

Income Alternative

My friend Ryan, a real wild and crazy guy, was laid off in the spring. He finally has a new job by his house and loves it.
Me: So, you really like what you're doing, huh?
Ry: Yup! Love it. But I have this feeling...it isn't going to last.
Me: What do you mean?
Ry: Well...I have this feeling my boss is going to walk in one day and say, "well, thanks for your time everyone but we're going to go ahead and close down."
Me: Seems too good to be real?
Ry: Yeah, something like that...
Me: Well, you've been through it before. You'll get through it again.
Ry: I already have a back up plan.
Me: Wow! Cool, Ryan! Way to be prepared!
Ry: Yup. I'm going to go on the Game Show Circuit.
Me: That seems stable.
Ry: Yeah, I'm going to start with Wheel of Fortune and then move on to The Price Is Right or Millionare.
Me: Ryan, I'm really proud of you for taking charge of your career.
Ry: Thanks, Holl.

United Colonies

This is from my friend who lives in Australia but is a Brit. I'm posting the ones that made me laugh....

In the light of your failure to elect a human as President of the USA
And thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of
Your independence, effective today. Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth
II will resume monarchial duties over all states, commonwealths and other
territories. Except Utah, which she does not fancy. Your new prime
minister (The Right Honourable Tony Blair, MP for the 97.85% of you who
Have until now been unaware that there is a world outside your borders)
will appoint a minister for America without the need for further elections.
Congress and the Senate will be disbanded. A questionnaire will be circulated next year to determine whether any of you noticed. To aid in the transition to a British Crown Dependency, the following rules are introduced with immediate effect:

1. You should look up "revocation" in the Oxford English Dictionary.
Then look up "aluminium". Check the pronunciation guide. You will be
amazed at just how wrongly you have been pronouncing it. The letter 'U'
will be reinstated in words such as 'favour' and 'neighbour', skipping the
letter 'U' is nothing more than laziness on your part. Likewise, you
will learn to spell 'doughnut' without skipping half the letters.

You will end your love affair with the letter 'Z' (pronounced 'zed' not
'zee') and the suffix "ize" will be replaced by the suffix "ise". You will
learn that the suffix 'burgh is pronounced 'burra' e.g. Edinburgh. You are
welcome to respell Pittsburgh as 'Pittsberg' if you can't cope with
correct pronunciation.

Generally, you should raise your vocabulary to acceptable levels. Look up
"vocabulary". Using the same twenty seven words interspersed with filler
noises such as "like" and "you know" is an unacceptable and inefficient
form of communication. Look up "interspersed". There will be no more 'bleeps'
in the Jerry Springer show. If you're not old enough to cope with bad
Language then you shouldn't have chat shows. When you learn to develop
your Vocabulary then you won't have to use bad language as often.

2. There is no such thing as "US English". We will let Microsoft know on
your behalf. The Microsoft spell-checker will be adjusted to take
account of the reinstated letter 'u' and the elimination of "-ize".

3. You should learn to distinguish the English and Australian accents.
It really isn't that hard. English accents are not limited to Cockney, upper-class twit or Mancunian (Daphne in Frasier). You will also have to learn how to understand regional accents - Scottish dramas such as
"Taggart" will no longer be broadcast with subtitles. While we're
talking about regions, you must learn that there is no such place as
Devonshire in England. The name of the county is "Devon". If you persist
in calling it Devonshire, all American States will become "shires" e.g.
Texasshire, Floridashire, Louisianashire.


6. You should stop playing American "football". There is only one kind
of football. What you refer to as American "football" is not a very good
game. The 2.15% of you who are aware that there is a world outside your
borders may have noticed that no one else plays "American" football. You
will no longer be allowed to play it, and should instead play proper
football. Those of you brave enough will, in time, be allowed to
play rugby (which is similar to American "football", but does not involve
stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full kevlar body
armour like nancies). We are hoping to get together at least a US rugby sevens
side by 2005. You should stop playing baseball. It is not reasonable to host
An event called the 'World Series' for a game which is not played outside
of America. Since only 2.15% of you are aware that there is a world
Beyond your borders, your error is understandable.

7. You will no longer be allowed to own or carry guns. You will no
longer be allowed to own or carry anything more dangerous in public than
A vegetable peeler. Because we don't believe you are sensible enough to
Handle potentially dangerous items, you will require a permit if you wish
to carry a vegetable peeler in public.

8. July 4th is no longer a public holiday. November 2nd will be a new
national holiday, but only in England. It will be called "Indecisive Day".

9. All American cars are hereby banned. They are crap and it is for your
own good. When we show you German cars, you will understand what we
mean. All road intersections will be replaced with roundabouts. You will start
driving on the left with immediate effect. At the same time, you will go
Metric with immediate effect and without the benefit of conversion tables.
Roundabouts and metrication will help you understand the British sense
of humour.

10. You will learn to make real chips. Those things you call French
fries are not real chips. Fries aren't even French, they are Belgian
Though 97.85% of you (including the guy who discovered fries while in Europe) are not aware of a country called Belgium. Those things you
insist on calling potato chips are properly called "crisps". Real chips are thick
cut and fried in animal fat. The traditional accompaniment to chips is
beer which should be served warm and flat. Waitresses will be trained to be
more Aggressive with customers.


12. The cold tasteless stuff you insist on calling beer is not actually
beer at all, it is lager. From November 1st only proper British Bitter
Will be referred to as "beer", and European brews of known and accepted
provenance will be referred to as "Lager". The substances formerly known
As "American Beer" will henceforth be referred to as "Near-Frozen Donkey
Piss", with the exception of the product of the American Budweiser
company whose product will be referred to as "Weak Near-Frozen Donkey Piss". This will allow true Budweiser (as manufactured for the last 1000 years in
Pilsen, Czech Republic) to be sold without risk of confusion.


15. Please tell us who killed JFK. It's been driving us crazy.

Tax collectors from Her Majesty's Government will be with you shortly to
ensure the acquisition of all revenues due (backdated to 1776). Thank
you for your co-operation.

Virgin Mary and a Grilled Cheese

Kelly sent this to me:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=19270&item=5535890757

Here is the retaliation:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=19270&item=5536051075

I'm really shocked at how much $$ Mary is going for....

Sweet

My step-mom wrote this to me and it made me smile. No, not that I think it is true but just that it was sweet of her to write. It is regarding her visit to the Garrison Keeler show.

Mesmerizing, funny poignant. A man with his symphony - almost 2 1/2
hours. Few people here know who he is- the thirty year olds think that's
ok since he is in his late 50's. I tell them Holly's known his works for
years - loves his tape on the day Buddy died. Of course they say "Buddy
who?" Sometimes I feel good about the job all your parents and
grandparents did in raising you and opening your mind and peaking your
curiosity. I am glad you allowed your mind to be opened. You have no
idea how far ahead of your contemporaries your are. SO a hug for us and a hug to you.

Northern Lights

I forgot to mention I saw the Northern Lights two Sundays ago. Very cool and a little scary. I guess you have to be in the right place at the right time. I saw them as I turned north onto M5 in the suburbs of Detroit (of all places). It looked like someone painted the sky in long, green strokes. I attached an article about it to prove I'm not crazy (about this, anyway).

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041109/NEWS01/411090331/1001/news01

Bumper Sticker

I saw this bumper sticker while driving to church on Sunday morning.

Visualize Whirled Peas

It took me a minute. Then, "Ahhhh...(chuckle)." I just knew these people were on their way to Riverview. I was right.

"We tell others our logic for believing in Jesus, which is based on God's Word. But it's also important to tell them what He has done for us personally." Herb Vander Lugt

Weak Conscience

I was talking to this friend of mine who is a new Christian, and he started saying some far out things to me.

Him: I like clothes.
Me: I do, too.
Him: I like to look good, get dressed up.
Me: So do I.
Him: I think it is important to look good in church, wear a suit and tie.
Me: Huh? You lost me.
Him: Well, I mean, it's respectful.
Me: To whom?
Him: To God.
Me: I'm lost again. Do you think God cares about what you wear? Do you think church is a fashion show?
Him: Well, no...but my pastor went to India and all these little kids showed up at the service dressed in their best clothes, without being told. Isn't that awesome?
Me: No. I'm so lost by what you are saying. God only cares about what is in your heart. Jesus didn't get dressed up. He wore sandels! I mean, you're scaring me here. Do you dress up for your bible study? Do you dress up when you are at home praying?
Him: I don't know, I just think it's respectful.
3 3/4 minutes later...
Him: I think you need to find a religion.
Me: What?! What are you talking about?!
Him: I think you need to take a stand or you'll fall for anything.
Me: Apprantly, you have. No, I'm sorry. I think you are confused, though, about a lot of things. I'm not saying I get it all the time, but when I don't get it, or feel like I'm wrong (or right) I go to the bible. I really think you ought to read the bible tonight.
Him: What part?
Me: The whole thing.

I was blown away by this conversation because then this baby Chrisitian went on to tell me I was closing too many doors by refusing to date a non-Christian, that I might be able to bring them to the Lord. Now, I know my views aren't the same as everyone else's views but really, come on. If you are a Christ follower, follow him! Still, I have to remind myself, that this person is adding things to God, which I do, too. Where I get a little confused is if I need to point these things out to him (which I really want to do) or do as Paul says--don't cause him to sin against himself the things he thinks are sins. Don't cause him to stumble but pray God's word will find him. I mean, God's word finds me all the time. It seeks me out and says, "Yo! Holly! You're soooo wrong about this!"

I know, I know....just another day in the life....

Why did You choose me?

My dad and I were driving along. My dad asked, “Did you hear about the woman who accidentally missed a curve and drove into a lake killing herself and three children? Why would God allow such horrible things to happen?”

Suddenly, I got really quiet. It was like everything I’ve learned flew out the window. I stammered through things about free will, accidents and the devil, not really making a lot of sense. My dad totally called me out on it and then said he didn’t believe in Satan. He asked, “Why would God create an opposite of himself?” Again, I was speechless.

I don't know why that is when I get in front of non-believers, or people who challenge me, or people who are only asking me questions....I clam up. I get intimidated. I feel like I don't want to say the wrong thing or what I'm saying sounds crazy.

Why would God pick me?

Sometimes I wonder about this. So many people are so much better in leading, witnessing, helping others...I suck. I know satan is real. I know God gave him free will to turn against him. Coincidently (wink, wink), those were the answers I was given in Route 66 the next day.

I pray I will have the words to answer my father someday. Maybe try to lead him a little more and not feel so blind by my own feelings of inadequacy.

I was watching the Daily Show and laughed out loud...hard.

John Kerry's Concession Speech: And to all the volunteers all across this country who gave so much of themselves. You know, thanks to William Field, a 6-year-old who collected $680 a quarter and a dollar at a time, selling bracelets during the summer to help change America.
Thanks to Michael Benson from Florida, who I spied in a rope line holding a container of money and it turned out he had raided his piggy bank and wanted to contribute.
And thanks to Ilana Wexler, 11 years old, who started Kids for Kerry all across our country.

Jon Stewert: Oh my God...I know why he lost...they aren't old enough to vote....

The clip is much more funny than me trying to retell...

Kids

Today was my first day helping with Riv Kids. I was a little confused because I was a floater and I wasn't sure what that meant. So, I floated...around...and felt stupid...like what am I doing here? I greeted some first time Riv parents and tried to make them feel as comfortable as possible. I met a little boy and his little Cheetah, Patches. Patches, I found out, loves to do everything his owner likes to do...only a little messier. Very interesting. I think the best part about the whole thing, the part I liked the most, was the very idea which had scared me the most--working with a blind girl. I had been briefed on the situation ahead of time, had enough time to panic to Joey, calm down, and then I was thrown into the situation.

See, this little girl isn't exactly blind. She can see things up close. So it threw me off when her grandmother approached me in the singing room and asked if I would sit with her--Kaitlyn doesn't like the noise. This little girl took me by the hand, led me to the toys and said, "will you play with me?" It was so sweet...I couldn't help but love her immediately. We played with the Noah's Arc animals and then she said, "will you read me a book?" She grabbed a book from the shelf and sat down in my lap. I was stunned. She stayed by my side the whole time and I really learned how well she adapts. Better than I do in some situations.

The worst part of today was the fight I had to break up but I wasn't afraid. I felt right at home with Bradley and Lyndsay. I also noticed "the tone" people use to talk to children. It's like this fake nicey nice tone or this fake "I'm really interested in what you're saying" tone. I had to laugh because of course I do it, too, but I realized while driving Miss Lyndsay to Caesarland, I don't really use it on her much.

One funny little sidenote--Lyndsay and her brother were fighting the night before because apparently Brad had "pinky swore" his sister that he would play a Nintendo game with her. When he refused, the tears came pouring out. I walked into the room and told Lyndsay to quit crying. "But...he...pinky swore!"
"Lyndsay, in real life, there is no such thing as a pinky swear. Bradley, let your yes be yes and your no be no. Jesus said it. Look it up. Quit breaking your sister's heart." And then I left the room taking Lyndsay with me.
24 hours later....at Ceasarland
"Aunt Holly, I'll be back in 5 minutes to eat."
"Do you promise?"
"Yes, I pinky...I mean, my yes is yes and I'll be back."
And she was :)

Spartan Saturday

Yesterday was a good day. I woke up early, with a plan. Cornering my nephew in the living room I asked, "what are you doing today?" "Nothing," was the reply. "Want to go down to the river and tailgate with Poppy? It won't be anything big, just some sandwiches he made, a few games of catch, and a little bit of the band...." "Sure!" Then, the big test was getting by my niece. She was fine with letting us go after I promised we would hang out on Sunday.

Before Bradley and I left, I found myself feeling the part of the cool aunt. "Have you ever driven a car?" I asked him. He said Grandpa Dean had let him steer once. Sooo, I let him drive my car down to the circle and back. Not unsupervised, of course. We practiced first, talked about how the brake was our best friend. We don't need to punch our best friend when we want it to stop, we only need to gently tell our best friend to stop. We fastened our seatbelts and put the car in drive.

Bradley was thrilled. He kept saying things like, "no way" "this is so awesome" "wow." When I told him to slowly stopped, he punched his best friend and we jerked forward due to that whole inertia thing. I smiled, knowing it was his first time and he was a little over excited. I had to help him steer around the circle and took a lot of breaks. We finally made it to his driveway, though I took over from there. As we were trading spots, Jase's mom, (Jase being a friend of Bradley's) drove by. "Did you see the look on her face?!" Bradley boasted. Ah, yes. Letting my nephew drive illegally felt like a finer moment in my life.

I drove down to the stadium and we listened to G Love the whole way there. We made it down to the tree where my dad was talking to a can man. Now, people have mistaken my father for being homeless because...he kind of looks homeless sometimes, so at first I wasn't sure if the guy was telling my dad about a certain shelter he should look into or waiting for my pops to finish off his Molson. After the guy left, with a couple of empty cans, we sat down to eat. We played catch for awhile, my dad re-teaching me how to throw properly. Then, dad and Bradley got into a sword fight with twigs, each man having to one up the other with how big their "twig" was, my dad finally trying to take the tree out and fight with it. All of this and the "my twig is bigger than yours" jokes were actually quite funny but I had to throw in my stern "BOYS. That's enough" a couple of times.

After the band went through, Bradley and I went back to the car and father went into the game. The next high point of the afternoon, after letting my 12-year-old nephew illegally drive, was taking him to Champions, a bar. I had a beer, he had some water, and we were good. We watched the game and played trivia, beating out all the other two players in the bar. We were feeling pretty good about ourselves. We got smoked out and went back to my sister's in time to see State lose. My niece said, "um, aunt Holly, the guys in the white just scored again..." I came rushing out of the bathroom, my heart falling. "Oh, just wonderful."

That night, we went to the Olive Garden for Jeff's birthday...the whole family (almost). Jeff's sister and brother, my sister, the kids, my dad, stepdad, mom, and Joey. It was a lot of fun and great dinner conversation. "So, how drunk did YOU get on your 21st?" At the end of the meal, everyone's tummies were full and we all felt our sides ache from laughing. We got up and started pushing our chairs in to leave. That was when I noticed my father, the slowest eater ever, still taking baby bites of his salad. "Wait! Dad isn't finished." Everyone looked at my father. "That's right....so SIT DOWN!" my father uncharacteristically said. And everyone did. It was pretty funny.

To make this blog longer, I'll discuss what happened when I got home. Bradley and I went through some old photos and laughed ourselves silly at them. I really have a good time with the kid.

I was reading this the other day by Julie Link, a writer for Our Daily Bread:
Christians are to go beyond mere submission to governing authorities and follow the guidelines given in the Bible. In writing to Titus, Paul said we should also be peaceable and considerate, and we should do good without slandering anyone (3:1-2).

Paul stresses the importance of doing good: loving what is good (1:8), teaching what is good (2:3), doing what is good (2:7, 14; 3:1-2, 8, 14). Paul's letter is a timely reminder that as Christians we are to do what is good for people, regardless of whether we approve of their values and agree with their policies.

I was prepared to work, be a Christian, live my life pretty much the same had I woken up yesterday to John Kerry as my new president. I was prepared to do the same for George Bush. I am seeing SO much backlash about this election, though. Perhaps more than the 2000 debacle because it was dragged out for so long, people quit caring. This election was actually over in 28 hours or so. Kind of quick. I think the best part about all of this for me is nothing really changes. I think if we had a new president, my little life still wouldn't change. It only changes when things around me change or I change it. I know in other countries, people base their freedom on who is in charge. I still wake up the same.

Now, here is what is upsetting me a little. People are backlashing against Christian Fundamentalists. I was listening to a Detroit radio talk show (Dominski and Doyle) and every call was full of hate towards Christians. I'm not totally surprised but wow--people might hate Christianity even more. And am I considered a Christian Fundamentalist? I don't think I consider myself one so much but is that only because of the baggage that comes with that term? Do people view me as one? Am I Mandy Moore's character from Saved!???

Where do I draw my line in the sand. I don't want to push people away from Christ by being dogmatic about my beliefs but at the same time, should I vote based on my beliefs? I'm called to love what is good, teach what is good, and do what is good...was I supposed to vote no for Proposal 2? Even if I personally don't agree with Proposal 2? I could not make up my mind if proposal 2 was good or bad but I knew I personally don't agree...and now it is pushing people away from Christianity. I don't think there will ever be peace on this earth. I don't know that I want to be a people pleaser but I don't want to push people away either.

I'm sure my thoughts here were incomplete and choppy but I must go make a living now, in the same world I lived in last week...

Just one more...

http://www.flowgo.com/funpages/view.cfm/6019
Couldn't resist.

Election Day 2004

It's over! Well, for me it is. I voted this morning and that makes my third presidential election I was able to vote in.
1996--voted for Clinton by absentee
2000--voted for Gore but don't really remember the where or how
2004--voted for * at the Walled Lake Fire Station--ha! Still not telling...

My roommate and I did not vote together because she still hasn't changed her address from Wixom. We did get up early to vote, listened to Stars & Stripes, Washington Post, and other patriotic songs, then I took her picture as she left the condo to vote for the first time in her life. Very exciting. Unfortunately, she had a long line to wait in. I did not. I was pulling into work by the time she was finished. Oh, and she didn't even get a sticker. Bummer. I did get a sticker and rewarded myself by purchasing a hashbrown and yogurt parfait from McDonald's. Yes, I still give myself treats.

The 1996 election was a memorable one for me. I was in my junior year at CMU and the VP of the University Democrats. I was also involved with the student radio station and volunteered to broadcast from the Democratic headquarters in Isabella County. I interviewed candidates and called in returns as they appeared on TV. It was pretty cool and I think I still have it on tape somewhere.

Tonight will be different. I'll be sitting on the couch, drinking some red wine, and watching TV with my slippers on. Let some other fired up college student stay up all night, partying, excited, having no clue what they are doing, but feeling like they made a difference somehow.

Underdogs and Hype

Yes, I'm a Spartan. Yes, yesterday was painful. But we must have hope and carry on....

I watched the game with a split crowd which is always fun.

I had a little spot on my State shirt so I covered it up with a pin my pops gave me. This isn't just any pin, though. It is an authentic 1960 Kennedy-Johnson pin. People were looking at me funny. "Who are you supporting in the election?" "Why, Kennedy and Johnson, of course." "Ummm....(confused)...okay."

I'm going to miss all the presidential hype when it's gone.

Just kidding. Soon enough, we'll be doing it all over again with two new grand candidates.

Awesome

Soooo....I called my sweet, little nephew last night and the conversation started like this.
"Hi, who is this?"
"Brad"
"Are you on the other line?"
"Yes."
"With who?"
"Why does it matter?"
"Because...(thinking)...I'm your aunt and I want to know."
"A friend."
"A girl type friend or a boy type friend?"
"Girl...but why does it matter?"
"Because...(thinking)...I wouldn't care if it were a boy."
"Ohhhh, I see."
This is the part where I realized how much my nephew has grown up.
"Bradley, do you have a minute to talk to me?"
"Sure!"
"Ummm...well...I know you do a lot for Boy Scout and stuff..."
"Uh-huh..."
"Well...how would you like to help me out on Thanksgiving because I'm going to serve meals down at the rescue mission in Lansing and I just thought we could do this together, you and I but you can think about it, you don't have to answer me...."
"Sure!"
"Wait, you don't have to tell me yes or give me an answer now..."
"Sounds awesome!"
"Are you sure? I mean, I just thought we would go for a couple of hours... I mean, what's a couple of hours and what do we really do on Thanksgiving? Sit around, eat, sleep...nothing. Sooo, if we go for awhile..."
"Wait, for how long?"
"Maybe from noon until 2 or 3 and then we can go eat our Thanksgiving dinner."
"Oh. Awesome! I mean, like you said, we'll just be sitting around anyway. Let's help."

I was stunned, proud, and happy because this little boy who isn't so little anymore, wants to help out. I love this kid. Sometimes, yeah, we get on each other's nerves but I do love him. He has come a long way from being spoiled (yes, I'm part of the guilty party) and he has a long way to go but his intentions are usually good. He is starting to realize the world does not center around him and for this, I'm grateful. Sometimes it's difficult watching someone grow up but in this case, the older he gets, the more fun we have.

Riverview Snob

I went to a different church on Sunday because I stayed the entire weekend in Walled Lake (huge deal for me). I met a couple in July who attend this church and had wanted to check it out. The coincidence is that the church is Ridgewood, a church planted by former members of Riverview.

Ridgewood holds the service in a nice community center. When I entered, I noticed people get a little bit more dressed up then at Riverview--not as many jeans. I noted the use of Macs, the coffee brewing, and they handouts for the message. Ahhhhh...just like home. But just before I sat down, a stocky, older man suddenly appeared. He welcomed me and introduced himself as Jeff Moore. "Ohhhh," I said. "my name is Holly and I usually attend Riverview." He was really excited and asked how things were going there. It felt good to have that common bond with someone I didn't know but had heard about.

After we finished talking, I sat down. A woman approached me with this permanent looking smile on her face. Warmly, she welcomed me and asked my name. I gave mine, went into the story of how I was named (she asked) and we laughed. Then she said her name was Noelle Carole. Hmmmm...born on Christmas? Yes, 5:05 a.m. More laughs. Then the music started and I was surprised. No lead male singer. No lead acoustic guitar. Just a bass, electric guitar, drums, keyboards and four female singers. Now, I wasn't exactly sitting in judgment but I tend to have an ear for these things from when I managed the Cameltoens. Politely--they needed more practice but they were still good, playing from the heart. I missed seeing Paul and Dan in the lead, though. I also missed the whole Riverview band--the 800 members whose names I don't even know but I'm used to. I quickly swallowed these thoughts, died to these thoughts and jumped into the message.

Jeff is so awesome. He really cracked me up. He wore a shirt and tie (can't wait to see my pastors in a shirt and tie) and followed the handout exactly. I noticed something else interesting. He wasn't exactly just teaching to a crowd. He spoke directly to people and they spoke directly back. It was almost like a conversation. I've always been amazed at how Riverview tries to still keep that level of intimacy with the sheep by calling on people by name, etc. I think Riverview does a good job of this, knowing a lot of the 1 million who go there. This church had the perfect environment for it. I liked it.

After the message, we sang again, a couple of songs I didn't know. This one woman singing on stage was just going to town in her dance moves and singing. You could tell she was really in love with Jesus. She was also the lead lady I guess because she was the one who led prayers. Her prayers were awesome. They were direct and hit the nail right on the head. She didn't do a lot of repeating and didn't use the normal "justs" "God" and "Lord" over and over. Example: God, I just want to ask you to just help us, Lord. Help us in living in this world, God and help us to just, connect with you, Lord.

Anyhow, she was really good. After the singing, Jeff talked about the small groups they had been breaking up into and that every member had an appointment to meet with their gift counselor to look at what spiritual gifts they possessed or areas they needed help. I thought that was pretty cool, too. After the service, I met Ron Windmiller and we spoke for awhile. He wanted to know if I thought I would ever come back. Definitely! But I explained how I couldn't really rip myself from Riverview. He laughed and said he completely understood.

Driving away, I thought about my church. I really missed it. I never, ever, ever thought I could feel this way about church: the people, the atmosphere, the music, the coffee I don't drink, the messages, and even my pastors. It all gets me to God and propels me through the week. Ahhhh....home.