Sandestin 2006: i just felt like something was missing!

Good Morning Sandestin!

August 26, 2006
5:30 a.m.

Here we were...

Straight from tri-training amongst the cotton fields of Bostwick and the mean streets of Mad. Bikes were loaded and transition bags packed. TEAM Cotton Patch was ready to head up the road to do another one of these tri-things. Good Grief! Hasn't anyone come to their senses yet?

The Patchcrowd awoke to sounds of crashing surf, wind and a red flag on beach. eek! Mr. WarTigger awoke to find self one year older by the calendar. eek!

Not really, Lieutenant Dan for you are by far the youngest looking 75-year-old i have ever, ever encountered.

Just Kidding. For even though you are slightly older than this reporter, in reality you look tons younger -- and that just suc_s! (guess only for me -- and not for you) And you really do have springs or something in your feet. It really is not fair. Ageless and Springy! You must have made pact with some Netherworld creature, or just gifted by God with good genetics. One way or the other -- you're freaky -- in the sincerest most complimentary way.

Yes -- John, Jeff, Rick, me, and Birthday Boy were ready to go. Just seems like something or someone was missing. Hmmm.. i actually started getting little concerned. Kept having that feeling that we were leaving something behind.

But another quick recount resulted in 5 tri-ers and 5 bikes. All were accounted for and we were off.........

Got to our little start area with no time to spare. Got marked. Set up our wee transition spaces and headed off for the beach. John was little nervous about getting down to sand on time, so in the interest of being good spouse and good Cotton-patch compatriot, i waved off my rule that you must make final pit stop in lovely PPotty.

This ppotty walk-by necessitated a warm-up swim in the ocean, which actually ended up being great as well as useful. Got used to the water and the waves, and really once we got out past the breakers -- wasn't all that bad. Though come to learn that there had been rumors of certain types of fish spotted off coast the day before.

And the water really was that nice and clear. Which was great -- except if you don't really want to see if such a lovely fish might be swimming under you.

No, more likely we would encounter some of our jellyfish friends from last year. Not exactly like the one pictured for i think one sting from this fine looking invertebrate would permanently takedown a cotton-patcher in 3 minutes.

So there we all were. All 700 of us tri-ers on the beach clutching our colored swim caps.

Then it dawned on me... i really need to find the other Mad tri-gals for final hug and thumbs up. Think the 30 - 34 s and Angela had just left when this realization hit me. Up next in the starting shoot on the beach, the 35 - 39s yellow cappers. That meant i had 5 minutes to locate Shelagh, Elizabeth, Sage and Hope.

I was scanning the crowd. Everyone looks soooo alike in those yellow latex caps and all that androgynous tri-gear. Couldn't even trust scanning down to look at all those athletic-type legs. So many of those tri-guys' legs are way more manicured and comely than mine. oh dear. Time was ticking.. just where were those girls?

First, spied Elizabeth and Shelagh down front on far right. Shelagh motioned to not get too close for she had some type of stomach sickness the night before. oh dear. Elizabeth had her usual smiling, just out for morning dip in ocean calm about her. They both looked great and both are great swimmers. Knew that each would be fine and faster than me. Both of which turned true. Gave each quick hug and kiss on top of yellow latex and was off to find those others.

Now Shelagh had pointed me in right direction to Hope and Sage. Found them no problem. Both were understandably little anxious about swim. i managed to try to say something pollyana peppy about the water being great -- which it actually was -- though tad wavey. "Remember ladies, just keep moving forward" was my big sage-ish advice. Time was counting down -- so quick hug and kiss on top of cap for those two and then they were off.........

Time for us of the light blue swimcap crowd to advance to water's edge. Looked up and saw Jeffrey striding up -- cap on -- yet longish locks out. Gave him big hug and kiss on cheek. Then he was off to place his toes in the ocean for he had "the eye" this year. Then remembered Dan. Had to wish birthday boy good luck. Saw him with the other's waiting in next group. Hug and kiss. Rick standing back with the very fit monsters in the Clydesdales -- kiss and hug.

Then found my way back to john, my husband. Poor guy was looking kind of nervous. He later said, "i felt like i used to before trial of big case." Gave him big hug and kiss on head and cheek. Now kiss on mouth would have been totally legal and even appropriate with him -- but he looked just so dang nervous -- i kind of felt mother-ish towards him at that moment.

Then once again had that feeling... there was someone else that needed that good luck embrace. i need all the good luck i can get. but before i knew it.........we were off..........

and before i knew it all those big orange buoys had somehow been swam past and my feet were on the sand. Hurrah! Time to run across the blasted sand, up that blasted wooden ramp, to that blasted mat. For that was the official timed end of your swim. So across the sand we went.

i made it across the sand and up to the mat just fine. Was thrilled to hear the roar of the crowd. Here are our very lovely and exuberant cheerleaders. Dorothy Newton and Carrie Christie. Now Coach Karen stepped in to role of official photographer this year. A very thankless job. But she was not only snapping action photos like a seasoned SI photog -- she was cheering us all on as well!
Here comes John out of the water.

He's the only one with the raised arms. i think he was tad happy!

as he should have been....he did most excellent.

But this is not a swim meet. There are two more legs to this thing.

So all the Cotton-Patch made it off the beach up to transition and to the bikes.

I like this certain transition. for when i make it up there, there are lots of bikes patiently waiting. This is good because that means their riders -- the other 40 - 44s -- are still on other side of fence in water or sand trying to get to their trikes. So i have momentary glimmer of superiority feeling... only to hear.. "Looking great Jamie", Jeff calls as he is running out of transition with bike helmet on and bike along side.

ok -- i think -- Jeff is flying this year. Now where are my socks? John is across the way doing great, but i beat him out and start riding.

then the inevitable starts to happen. All those 40 - 44 men that i beat out of the water all start to pass me on the bike. i just hate it when that happens! but it isn't bad at all to be passed by members of the Patch -- for i love them. Jeff was ahead i knew that. Shelagh and Elizabeth were already up there with their agers -- and knew i wouldn't catch them. So i peddled and tried to remain positive, darn it!

John passed... love, love to him. Tigger passed. i got give him a "War Eagle" or "Happy Birthday" or something like that. Then Rick passed. Now he was haullllling......... i remember where he passed me last year. Good Grief! Turn around and back up 98 into massive headwind. lovely. But kept eyeing for someone else. Just who did i think was not there? Hmmmmmmmm.

Then before i knew it back to transition, ready to finish with those 4 wonderful miles. Hurrah!

ok -- what's wrong with this picture? First, lots of other bikes. That means lots of other tri-guys and gals who started with me passed me on their flippin' bikes and are already running. and second, for the first time in my life i am putting on sock/shoe rather that shoe/shoe. Yes, transitions in triathlons are perfect places to try something new. Third, Karen had just called out in her good-hearted best, "Shelagh's on Fire!" Ugh! i feel old.

But i truly am not the least bit competitive. not i!

i manage to pull rapidly aging self off asphalt and try to get legs working forward and backwards. This is always tough part. Your legs really protest. They cry, "i have just been moving up and down for 25 miles -- we can't move front to back. That's really hard for us legs and in case you've forgotten, you're really old."

But i trudge along. And about mile 1, my legs decide this running thing is inevitable so they somewhat warm up to idea of moving forward and backward. This happens about the time i see Elizabeth running by. Correction -- i notice her -- because she very sweetly cheers, "Hey Jamie" as she motors by in other direction. i do smile. She is so cute and nice. and she is just fast. and i am just slow.

One foot in front of other to finishline. Finally done. Yeahhhhhhhh!

Here we are. All happy and proud as we should be!

Now think Sage has run for a drink of water and Elizabeth was so far ahead of all of us that she is taking a shower in her hotel room.

Yes, we are all so happy. Ready to go up to pool for annual post race libation and picture...







Then it finally hits us.... the original Cotton-Patch crew. We forgot David!

How could we have made such mistake? Was he sitting in drive on Skyline with bags packed and bike along side with sad little face. Wondering how -- oh how -- we could have left him. Jeff and Rick were hopeful that he had somehow made it down alone. John and i felt like we let one of the Praise Team down -- now that's bad. Dan was so upset -- he just couldn't even look at anyone of us. He knew how much David was looking forward to a slice of the strawberry birthday cake his mother always fixes for us Patchers. oh dear!

Ok -- we really didn't forget you David. We knew you were in SC at Sarah's parent's 50th -- but we so, so missed you!

How could we forget you David -- for it was so fun to give you recap of race Saturday night! Yes, we were out having most excellent feast.

Triathlons and day at pool and on beach can really, really take it out of a girl!

Yes -- David -- true Cotton-Patch compadre that he is had slipped one of us plenty of fundage to provide for lots of rehydration fluid for us spent athletes and cheerleaders. What a guy!

Then he had to suffer through lots of individual highlights by cell -- as the phone was passed round.

Jeff mentioned to David that he thought TEAM Cotton-Patch should, "do more triathletes" next year. Hmm?

i remarked that it was so great "there weren't any Goldfish this year!" i think i meant to say jellyfish. Not really sure what Jeff meant?

Goldfish? Look at this guy. He's a man-eater i'm quite certain. Yes, thankfully there were none of them lurking out in the depths of the Gulf.

Cheers to you David! Cheers to the Cotton-Patch! Many, Many thanks to Coach Karen for all the pictures. Dorothy or Carrie... you know one of you (if not both) has to do this next year. Dan has already asked all back for his big birthday bash next August 26.

am sure David will be there.........who else out there is in? Want to see lots of new faces !

So this humble reporter,

and even more humbled aging athlete is signing off from Sandestin for another year.

Ok -- really think about it: who else is in? The Few, The Proud, the Cotton-Patch!

Mstones 8.20.06 "Here's the church..Here's the steeple..Open the doors.. and See all the people."

See all the people.

or our guest-Mstone teachers might pose..."Where's all the people?

hmmm. Guess there are always tons of people worshiping in this place pictured above.

And there was an extremely enormous crowd of Mstones in attendance in our place -- Mad FUMC.

Lots and Lots of visitors on hand as well.

In fact, the gathered had the great pleasure of our class discussion being led by visitors.. imagine that!

i wonder what church they belong to -- oh most confident and brave of Christian souls -- willing to face the large Millstone crowd.

Well, Natalie and Mark (opps, i mean Bill) Bhame were on hand to most ably lead us in a discussion geared to get us to think outside the box -- or outside the church, as in church building or that dreaded word......the institution of church.

Personally, i often feel institutions can be comforting entities. Yes, there are the institutions of ...... marriage, mental health, higher learning and government. Structure, structure, structure. i love structure!

and really i am being silly.

Think the way new Mgal Natalie started class discussion it was something like...."We are here to talk about ways to attend church not affiliated with any organized group or denomination."

Which sounded totally interesting and totally cool. Very undeserving of the introduction Pete gave his friends..hmm.. let's see it went something like, "The topic of discussion today will be an opinion that no one here agrees with."

What do they say... with friends like that?

Seems like our president had forgotten one small fact..........we are Methodists. All that Open Hearts Open Door stuff totally applies to the Mad Mcrowd as well. We are a pretty easy Mflock. Not much gets us ruffled or our wool fluffed, except maybe the occasional shearing that nicks a little too close to our skin.

But not attending church, offensive? Lots of us do that lots of the time........

So Natalie opened class with the thought that God leads us in different directions, into all different areas, during all different times of life.

She stated statistics that supported the notion that a lot of strong believers and lovers of God really aren't happy in traditional church/worship settings. Then there are also the many, many of the unchurched who feel intimidated by a building... and by all the people that parade into these buildings called churches every week.

Those outside who look in and see everyone dressed up in nice clothes, those who know all the words to say, and where the heck to drop their children off.

i must admit, God has such sense of humor. All those funky architectural renderings of our new church space lined up again our mega-classroom wall, and there we were discussing that maybe we are placing too much emphasis on a place, on a building, on a day or on a time.

btw -- i think we did begin class around 10:10:12 a.m. Not that it matters, or is in anyway important, but really is anything i write in these things?

So what is important? and what is "church?"

Of course the very traditional view of church points to a building. A place with four walls where we go to worship. Guess back in Jesus' day that was the Temple.

Natalie reminded all that at the moment of Jesus' death -- the veil to the Holiest of Holies was ripped into from bottom to top. Matt. 27:51.

This was a dramatic representation of our free access to the Father. An Intimacy that is now and forever because of Jesus' sacrifice.

With that closeness comes knowledge -- or at least the availability of it -- if we so choose.

The lesson then turned to the person of the Holy Spirit -- the believer's teacher, guide and source of wisdom. "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth..." John 16:13

Natalie then challenged us Stones not just to sit there... .to open our bibles and spend quiet time alone with the Father.... to be teachable, learning in the presence of the Holy Spirit -- not just waiting to come to a building on Sunday to be fed great bible I.Q. or great chicken BBQ.

(btw -- the latter is totally delicious, and comment is in no way meant to infer i in anyway don't want those Mad Methodist Men to keep char-cooking those birds to perfection. i live for those Sundays, but then i don't get out much.)

The Bhames reminded all Mrocks that we are continually receiving promptings from the Holy Spirit. Moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day -- not just on Sunday or Wednesday night.

As a family, they decided to make a conscious change to leave organized, institutional religion and live each day in worship -- in study of the Word of God and trying to be so in tune with the Lord that when He calls they go....... fyi: go to http://lifestream.org .

All of their energy is not directed toward an organized program, but to where they feel the Lord wants them at present.

Ok -- that sounds hard and difficult. All that centering on God stuff all the time. Then "going when Called."

Who could do that? Would have to be someone with Superduper God power.

Margaret mentioned that she is first hand witness to this "going when Called" stuff. See, the Ligons are neighbors of the Bhame family. She can testify to their commitment to keep their lives and schedules open to be teachable and used by God.

Must say we Miles also have been personal beneficiaries. A few years ago, when one of those storms blew through Mad... the might of Mother Nature took down many large trees. One of these unfortunate beasts, was a large pecan on our lot. After the excitement of "the event" had passed, we were left with a large tree and no way to remove it.

ok -- it costs a lot to move those things. Who would have guessed it? i mean the poor huge thing was already on the ground. We had no money. I mean really no money. i just hate it when large trees fall and there is no money.

Well, Bill and Pete took care of the tree, and i still am embarrassed for the little pittance we gave them. But it really was all we had at the time.

i noticed lots of fallen giants disappearing around town -- some from yards where i can only guess they had even less ability to compensate the duo than us Miles.

Then know of very large scale things http://aidexchange.org that Bill and Jeff are involved. An organization they founded after spending time down in New Orleans immediately after Katrina hit. You guys need to bring Bobbert Jones along and tell us about that amazing adventure.

You were called and you went. You are most excellent and responsible -- poster children really -- for the "unchurched" or relational church.

who would i, who could i be on placard for?

the hobbits. i would be perfect hobbit.

Yes, i am the perfect hobbit -- well, totally discounting fact that i am at least 3 feet taller and not as furry -- i do have the most horribly ugly feet!

i would love to eat all those meals they do. They really are homebodies. They detest idea of adventure or heaven forbid being called to do anything. Yes, i would be great hobbit.

Here i would sit. Yes, this would be my view of the world.

I could have great quiet times with the Lord. Look at that perfect little cozy nook. i can already spy me, cup of coffee and bible -- probably some study aid written by Beth Moore. If she was a hobbit -- that is.

If i was really a rich hobbit, i could send off many of my tiny checks written in large amounts all throughout Middle-Earth doing lots of good. It would be great -- God, me and my safe hobbit hole in the Shire.

Then one day, some day -- you know it would happen -- somebody would appear at my wee door with something. A need. A Call. -- i hate it when that happens.

God would be needing me to do something -- and i would be so removed from it all -- Would i go? Could i go? For i really am so weak and timid.

What would i do?
i would have to call on all my Mad fellow Mstone MHobbits.

After making the call, would most definitely have to hand off main MResponsibility of Call to another. Ruth, Rick -- Bob? Don't know, but someone else would most MAbsolutely have to be the MRingbearer.

But all i know is i would leave the safety of my hole and The Shire only if:

a. He Called,
b. you MHobbits were with me........

ok -- last point, was just for drama effect. i guess ultimately i would go it alone if He called -- but i would be terrified and i know it wouldn't nearly be as much fun.

Will do something novel and end on a scripture....

"Come to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,

you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house , a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2: 4-6

See, here we are. the wall.

i see Julie and Steve. Stephanie and Laree. Poor Krisitie is getting squished by Joe Cardwell. There's Susan peeking through-- if look quick you can see her -- every now and then. Mark and David. Jeff -- you are there too -- think have to have Chanin sit on you to keep you still.

Some are big, some are small -- some are misshapen, troy ( luv u -- totally kidding!)

i'm one of those really, really flat ones.

But all together -- whether MHobbits or MStones -- we rock! and are really, really strong.

Ruth said it all so eloquently -- so i had to get silly with my commentary. like i really needed an excuse.

But i think our little Mad MShire is tops!

Would hate to think of going it alone without you.

the bottom line:

Church is very, very important in my life. ( now that Ruth made me think about it.)

It is so much larger than life -- Big Time/Peter Gaberial -- is on my iPod right now.

In the chaos that we all live, it is increasingly more important to bond with believers. We need each other. We were re-made in Him to serve and help each other. We need the wisdom and stability found in something so much larger than us as individuals.

The church does ask commitment. eek! We vow to support her with our Prayers, our Presence, our Gifts and our Service. But guess nothing ever worthwhile in life didn't require our best -- not what would best fit into our weekend plans.

and that is about as bottom-line as a hobbit can get.

"and i will pray to a big God, as i kneel in a big church........."

thank you Bill and Natalie. if you ever decide to join a "big" church, we are very fun group.

and you might conclude we are ( or someone is) in need of some help if you ever read this.

Prayer Requests and Annoucements

Please keep Alleyne Womack in your prayers. We are so thankful that all the treatments of her doctors are working. Master Healer please continue to work an amazing miracle in her life.

Please remember the family of Grace Gnehm as she recently passed away. We especially keep her husband Don in our prayers.

Let us all keep Savannah Angel in our prayers. Her surgery is scheduled for September 1. We pray everything goes perfectly with the procedure. Please give parents Alisa and Larry peace.

SURPRISE! we love you -- Alisa.


God Bless. Good Week.

and Good Grief! got so busy, think i must have missed 3 rd breakfast! bummer!

"You have the Right to Remain Silent..."

I picked up HK from school last Thursday.

Correction -- has it already been 2 weeks since school started? I picked up Hannah Kate on Thursday, August 2, two weeks ago after her second day of kindergarten.

She had been spending afternoon with 2 of her many "favorite boys" -- Austin and Peyton Hoopengardner. As we all settled in for the trek back up 441 toward Mad, i harmlessly asked, "How was your day?"

Was somewhat turned around in her direction in car for i was trying to navigate Hoopengardner mountain -- backing down in reverse. Michele -- have no idea why i just don't turn the car around and proceed forward down hill? Maybe i just like the adventure of trying to navigate perilously down cliff in reverse and still stay on drive? i like a challenge -- what can i say?

From this turned-around vantage point, i saw HK unzip Pink Pony purple bookbag, reach in, draw out white slip of paper and say, "Here, Mommy -- you have to sign this before i can go to recess."

Sign this? hmm. Maybe some form i forgot to turn in? field trip permission needed? IOU for school lunches dished out, but payment never received when Jake was a Primary Panda six years ago?

Glancing down, it was none of the above -- in fact it was something i had never seen before.

A note from the Asst. Principal. On the 2nd day of kindergarten, HK had been sent to the office!

Panda Prison! Ling-Ling or Sing Sing -- or whatever they call it?

After i picked my jaw up off the stained carmat, i said calmly -- think composed manner more from shock than any attempt not to get overly upset -- "Hannah, this is bad......." oh dear.

So the whole ride home, we discussed the infraction. Got a lot of "You don't love me-s" and "i don't love you-s" thrown my way all the while trying to get to bottom of the said "incident" that resulted in the incarceration.

Well, we finally got home and i said, "Go to your room -- i need to tell your father about this." As defiantly as she could -- and she can be extreme (remember the reason for this post) -- she marched all 38 inches of her wee self through back door.

I heard "Hey -- Hannie!" John's very exuberant hello. Then i heard silence for about half a second followed by a meltdown. Tears. Tears. and tons of tears. "Daddy!"

Now HK is one smart cookie. This could have been Academy Award-caliber performance as tactic #1 to avoid major punishment.

"And the Oscar goes to........."

But really think in this case, she was really and truly upset.

A little girl who knows she did something her Daddy is going to disapprove. That was more terrifying than any punitives handed out at Panda Penitentiary.

On the other hand 7 years earlier, Jake made it an entire year through Miss Sally's class with out so much as moving a clip. He never had to transfer his "safety" off green -- never, ever. Toward the end of the school year, i was rooting for him to do something -- anything -- to require clip movement. Challenge authority -- just a little -- please, son.

Well, i guess like Jake i was total first born as well. Didn't want to mess up. Didn't want anything to risk parental or faceless authority figure disapproval.

Can remember long ago nap time in Miss Annabel's first grade at Audubon Park Elementary. We were all on our red-and-blues scattered here and yon over the polished cement of our classroom like some huge cushy primary colored quilt.

One day in particular will always live on in my memory. Robert Miller and Keith Maddox were messing around. Giggling on their mats in that semi-dark lighting tossing some object betwixt them. Then she appeared ....... Miss Annabel. Now she was tall, thin, wore sensible cotton-print dresses with matching thin cloth-covered belts and oozed strictness, discipline and order from every pore of her paper thin skin.

oh dear... poor Robert and Keith. I was in fear for their very existence. Except a very odd thing happened. Miss Annabel came right to my wee mat and looked down. Her pencil thin, very proper lips parted and clipped, "Tracy -- come with me." Gulp!

Then she looked to my left over the metal tables and chairs to another child lying helplessly on his little mat and succinctly snipped, "Steven Brown -- you too."

Talk about "oh dear"..............And before i knew it, little Steven and i were behind her desk getting a talking too. In that darkened classroom, all those numbers and letters circling the room -- there we stood -- totally misunderstood. All the while feeling 25 pairs of eyes were boring into our backs. Everyone else i am sure enjoying all the drama unfolding.

Mistaken identity -- we had done nothing wrong. We both just stood there like little stoic soldiers and took the dressing down. Don't remember exactly what she said -- but i do know that there was lots of disapproval talk. The total and complete injustice of it all made amazingly bearable because at my side was little Steven Brown.

the future Steve Brown. Future Wildcat football star. Future WPHS Homecoming King circa 1980.

ok -- this is not actual picture of his coronation, but he did have curly hair and dimples. those dimples. He really wasn't my type blond, shortish, brown eyes, but even back then he must have had that dreamy homecoming king mojo -- and those dimples. All i know as petrified as i was of Miss Annabel's disapproval, it was still not so bad standing up there with Steven Brown behind her desk -- shoulder to shoulder -- in 1968.

As far as the present day, i am happy to report that things have smoothed out for HK at MCPS. At the Open House, her teacher said she really has become her best little helper. Give that girl a task, and she is happy, happy.

And quite frankly -- though i would absolutely refute emphatically that i ever said this if you tell anyone -- i think it is good to push the boundaries some. One thing is for sure, i know Hannie will never do anything just because the crowd is doing it. Now she might be the one leading the crowd down a crooked path --

Guess that is why she was given to us. Out of the millions of couples out there -- the Lord placed her amazing little self with us Miles. Sometimes i do wonder. Will i be up to it? I already know she is 10 times smarter than me.

Wonder if at the Panda Primer tiny schoolers are read their rights before they are sent on a one way fling to Ling-Ling. the Mirandas...let's see?

"Book-em Brill-o!"

"You have the right to remain silent...anything you say can and will be used against you in Dr. Meyer's office."

Guess that really is the sticking point in little HK's Primary learning curve. She does indeed have few silent thoughts, all wrapped up in a very strong will.

Told friend Steve Stromberg how our children' s first few days of school went -- there was some good, some bad. Jake made football, wee Hannie sent up the river. To which he replied, "She's just social!"

He's right. She's just social and just plain something else.

Don't really think she has a future in fashion design..

No, she'll probably have designs on something else.

the White House?

World Domination?

Guess it's our job as her parents to make sure she keeps going in the right direction.

Please keep us in your prayers.....

thank you.

Rainy days, Mondays and a little Discipline Always Get Me Down...Mstones 8.13.06

ants. they were everywhere..ok, not really everywhere..but they had really taken over one shelf in the kitchen cabinets. Ugh!

We were rising a little later than normal for a Saturday. Enjoying first cup of coffee on porch, i spied a way too energetic Jeff Davis running along at mega warp-speed. i really didn't have my eyes fully opened yet. At this point of minor irritation with self for sluggish behavior in morning, i heard john exclaim, "Ants -- they're everywhere."

Poptarts. Think he was reaching for poptart to stifle hungry, incessantly begging children. Think when box of fudge-covereds was open, it was discovered that a massive industrious colony of tiny pests had invaded. So the next 10 minutes, the sanctity my Saturday morning quiet was spent dumping, purging -- gasping at how those tiny things got into everything over night. Every open box of anything out. Oreos, Cheez-its, etc. all gone. bummer. All my crackers gone, and i love my crackers.

i know those creatures weren't there the night before. Or at least not a billion of them.

How did this happen? Now i did spot a few Friday afternoon on window sill and zapped them with RAID. Ok -- it was RAID for "flying insects" -- but it did seem to do the job. i really hadn't thought much more about them or that there was a problem. oh dear.

infestations... really guess not much my fault. Maybe if i had been more disciplined about getting rid of the wee beasts at their first salvo on Friday?

Yes, discipline. If there is anything i love more than infestations, it has to be discipline. UGH!

Now i love the result of good discipline -- clean house, trim body, relief from those annoying...."how we can help you get out from debt" phone calls, and not over sleeping on Saturdays. Children dressed out of house and at school on time.

But it always seems so hard for me. Think all those discipline traits were saved for my sister. She who passed her CPA exam -- all four parts, first time -- while working full time at top accounting firm -- not by taking a course, but by reading a book while up at 4 a.m. on treadmill exercising before she went to work.

hmm.. what else? She gained total of 3 pounds for each of her pregnancies. For me add one and times by 10. She was "grazer" years before grazing entered the dieting lexicon. If i see her 3 months before any birthday (husband, child, me) -- she hands me the gift. Ok -- this is really madding -- because i completely forget where i have squirreled the thing away by time birthday rolls around.

Ants and discipline. They really get in my business.

Discipline really.. guess if i was a little more disciplined i could some how make it occasionally to church by 9 o'clock to hear husband preach. Seems that lots of people do it. But it's just that i see him all the time. And Kirk's great too. And it would really require lots of disturbing my 30 minutes of Sunday morning peace that i sooo love........

It is my peace after all, isn't it...........darn it.

Milestone Class, Sunday, August 13 -- year of our Lord -- 2006. (i was so on time, didn't even noticed time we all got started.. just remembered..)

"Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego," Pete said.

hurrah! For even lame biblical scholar that i am, i know that is reference to Old Testament characters. Yeah! Love OT teachings for so clear-cut, no nonsense, yet so applicable. This will be easy to write about.

Ok -- i was fooled. We weren't going to talk about being strong in face of adversity, willing to go to the kiln, and only to be saved by angel or Christ-foreshadowing figure for our trememdous faith. bummer.

i hate it when i have to think while doing these things. that requires discipline. hmmm.

For all those not in attendance, it was quite the large crowd. Everyone very orderly passed around handouts and the discussion began.............

"Are we blessed?" our able teacher for morning asked gathered flock.

The ever timid Ron Lewis jumped right in with.."i am -- because of my wife." Well, he might be timid but he is smart for with admission of Dena's enormous blessing in his life he made her happy, and by doing so first -- he really stole the thunder from any other Mguy.

"Living in America," Steve Speyers.

Laree spoke of the pull we all feel when see others living in very desperately poor situations. "Why have we been so blessed?"

Cindy (Mstone extremely young and gorgeous mother of groom to be this weekend) referred to mission trip to Honduras. Viewing all the unimaginable poverty -- made her realize that being blessed means having choices. How living in the country we do -- we have those choices. Extreme poverty in 3rd world country doesn't allow for many choices in life.

Joe Reitman/Steve came up with the answer of "Jesus."

They got first gold stars for think that was point of blessing discussion. "We are all blessed because we can know Jesus no matter who we are, where we live -- Jesus is the one true Blessing." Pete said. Jesus being right answer again, i guess.

Slavery of Ingrained Habits

was next topic on handout.

Scripture reference: Isaiah 57:20

"But the wicked are like the troubled sea,
When it cannot rest,
Whose waters cast up mire and dirt."

Looking at my bible transcribing class this a.m., i see that at some point in life, i had circled the next verse. Circles are very unusual for me... lots of underlining..but few ink circles in my bible.

"There is no peace, "
Says my God, "for the wicked." Isaiah 57:21.

no peace again. just hate it when that happens.

Love that picture of the water. But guess if one was right in middle of it -- it would be downright terrifying.

Pete asked,"How do we approach and deal with the dirt and mire in our lives?"

Mstones did manage to figure out that the dirt reference was "sin." Kristie added we can, "recognize it." Ron stated, "justify it." Julie added, "Look at others and think -- well, at least i haven't done that."

KT -- reminded all that this dirt, as harmless as it might seem does do one thing that isn't so benign -- results in major separation from God.

Handout then had this thought..."As long as we think we can save ourselves by our own willpower, we will only make the evil in us stronger than ever."

Pete then queried, "What is the common problem with our will and the law?"

"We on our own can't transform the inner person." Think this must have been Joe R. or Steve because you both were on fire yesterday. Mary, "it has to be a continual transformation -- like the sea that is always changing."

Then we get around to point of whole thing, i think. "What is a spiritual discipline?"

"How can i engage in the path in spiritual discipline?" Pete asked all.

Yeah, i'm thinking. How can i? Question should more likely be..Why would i? i mean please?

ok -- i am bad.

Next up on handout, Difficulties in Path to Spiritual Discipline. Difficulties -- see i told you this was going to be hard.

Pete Speak:
a. Pervasive materialism left us without an understanding of ability to reach beyond the physical.
b. We don't know how to explore the depths of the inward life.

"Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, nor for gifted people, but for deep people." Richard Foster.

i like this thought. Now this i can do... for i am not intelligent, nor gifted. i think i have much more potential to become a deep person, rather than i disciplined one . So come on Pete.. tell us Mstones how we can make this deep/peace/transforming stuff happen right now!

Maybe this will be the point of this Celebration of Discipline stuff. To become transformed deep people, we have to deeply pursue and thirst for all that is good.

These Disciplines are a means of placing ourselves before God to be changed.

i was kind of kidding about all the hating discipline part. For only in the true disciplined pursuit of righteous will we be able to ever glimpse the amazing, overwhelming truth and perfection of the Father. That is indeed worthy of a celebration.

But the Choices. as Cindy said, by virtue where we live we are afforded many different avenues in life.

Guess same is true of our spiritual life as well. We have lots of choices. The choice to be disciplined in our pursuit of Godly living or not so discerning.

Seems i sometimes lean to the not-so-discerning side, because isn't it more fun to test the waters a little. This is where my friends the ants taught me valuable lesson. You see they are really quiet, tiny and harmless as individuals, but you let a few in here -- a few in there. Then you go to sleep..........and wake up and there is a full-fledged war going on. They have permeated and infiltrated everything. All that was good (and great to eat) had to be destroyed and thrown out in garbage.

A little sin. All so tiny, yet once massed together takes over all that is good in us before we know it.

Just like a perfectly good box of Cheez-its. Out in the trash. What a waste.

"What a waste." i can only guess, but think the Father must think that about us sometimes. For He and only He can see all that we could be without these infestations of the soul. So here's to learning about celebrating some spiritual disciplines -- which i guess we will be doing for a while?

Great job, Pete!

Prayer Requests and Announcements

A praise from the Cookbook committee that "it" is indeed in the mail to the publishers. Yea! Thanks for all you hard work. Stephanie, Laree, Margaret, Kristie, Shelly and Shelagh. Our Mstone culinary book has 450 recipes. We have ordered 300. Surely they will be flying off the shelves at Cracker Barrel.

Please keep the Craig family in your prayers -- a young man was involved in a bad car accident that has left him with severe head injuries. They are hopeful that he will be able to regain his normal mental capacity.

Praise -- Cindy's son Daniel and future bride Lindsay are getting married this weekend. All our prayers go out for a wonderful day and that God will always remain at the center of their marriage.

We pray for the Angel family as they are looking for buyer for their house. Please be in prayer for daughter Savannah and the procedure needed to repair small opening in heart. btw -- word on street is that Larry will be in Mad Labor Day weekend. Wonder if that has anything to do with UGA opener?

ok -- Larry, my reluctant inclusion of picture of a bulldog in this thing is true testament of our love for you. Of course, it is a rather small and weakish pup -- which is also true statement of how i think of them. Kidding. Kind of.

He (the dog) seems tad frightened. Must be Western Kentucky. Yes, if i were Mark Richt most of my nightmares would revolve around playing the mighty "Hill Toppers." Good Grief -- Larry -- what is a hill topper? or "Topper" for short?

Don't even know who the Gators are playing? Must look........


Now this guy is worthy opponent. A dang golden eagle. Massive intensive game film review by me has just learned he feeds on small animals..turtles, snakes, skunks and helpless bullpups left unawares on blue blankets in middle of backyard by hapless coaches...oops, i mean owners.

Southern Miss. hope my gators are up to it. Just glad they don't have to face the "toppers."

oh dear... Must end all this silliness.

Epilogue

Yes, discipline might be worth trying by me on the occasional Sunday morning. Miles household Quote of the Day yesterday.

After 9 o'clock service a very nice woman approached Nancy (my dear mother-in-law) and said, "I so enjoyed your husband's message." her husband?

Discounting any weird incest inference -- Nancy and Johnny. Mad's own Demi and Ashton. very edgy.

john's reply..."what must that lady think of me?"

ok -- that is sad. Poor women thinks john is married to Mrs. John Miles, Sr. Maybe, Mrs. john miles, jr. ought to show her face at 9 a.m. little more.

but i move so slow on Sunday mornings.


dreadfully slow really.

God Bless,
Good Week and oh my goodness..

these things can end up terribly long if:

a. rainy Monday morning, and
b. no desire to bike or run in rain, and
c. no real time to make to Athens for swim.. and
d. no other real choice except to.. .. write away for hours or clean house for hours?

hmmmmm.. now really what's a very disciplined Mgal like me to do?

With You....Anything's Possible!

August 8

Today is August 8, and everytime i dated a check this Tuesday i have thought of you. Great birthday -- 8/8 -- kind of like my mom except she is 7/7.

Wondering what you are doing in Dallas? Is Tom going to take you out some place special? So sorry i was unable to reach you by cell.

You probably were at The Mansion having a 3 hour lunch -- or more likely trapped in some parochial school carpool maze. Metal minivan stacked up against metal minivan all in that blazing Texas heat. Maybe you all haven't started school yet, so you are off celebrating on some fun island with family? Anywho, i was thinking about you and wishing i could be there to have some fun with you on day of your birth.

Had to start with picture of Blue Bell -- for that is how we started -- at least that is how i remember it. We kind of bumped into each other on dormitory hall one Friday night. Think the drinking age had just changed from 18 to 19. You and i were such sweet innocents -- we let all the credible fake I.D.s be snatched up before we knew what the heck was going on.

As we were sorting out our newbie freshman Friday night options you said, "You know what would make this better?" "Blue Bell Cookies and Cream."

"Never heard of it, " i retorted -- still mad at my inability to enter swinging college Greenville Ave. scene.

"NEVER HEARD OF IT?" was your incredulous reply. So nothing would do except to get in the DAVEYmobile and speed over to the local Tom Thumb. Look i found her -- the Daveymobile that is. The only problem is that this model doesn't have TX Plates on front and back declaring -- "DAVEY3." After that inaugural run in her, i remember sitting on the floor in your room devouring that ice cream.

We soon realized that the fraternity boys and their parties didn't worry so much what the fine state of Texas' legal drinking age was ... so thankfully our social life didn't revolving around dorm rooms, Lone Star Donut Cakes and Blue Bell ice cream.

But since that night so long ago-- i have always loved Blue Bell and always loved you.

And really who doesn't love you -- Liz?

My dad said you would be his 3rd daughter if that were possible. I have lots of friends whom i adore -- but there is no one who makes John's face light-up like if we get to talking about you. Honestly, don't think i make his face light up like that -- well, except maybe if i have been gone a really, really, long time. i remember all those dates we used to set you up with Wade when you would come to Atlanta during our Law School indenture-ment. Think one time we suggested someone else to be your escort. Wade -- the most old-man-like young guy -- really came alive and would not, could not hear of anyone else having that honor.

We ended up being in different SMU sorority packs -- Chi-O for you, Theta for me -- but always stuck together.

Lambda Chi Little Sisters. Remember that Lambda smell? So glad i got to see the old gal last fall before she met with the wrecking ball.

How many times did you ferry me to airport? Seems like our trips to DFW always started at Marianos for Happy Hour. I don't know how i got to those flights sometimes -- was dreadfully late.

Remember you dropping me off. I would turn and say "ta-ta" to the Daveymobile then panic. At that point, i was always running -- to the best of my ability at the moment -- down some concourse craning my neck trying to read the departure monitors, dashing to some hinterland gate..... Somehow i never missed a plane. It was so fun!

We always seemed to be running around -- not thinking about much -- but having great time. Remember when your brother Tom was running for Student Body VP, i toodled down to your room. You and roommate Jenny were sitting on floor. Having just done my civic duty to get a Davey duly elected, i glibly asked, "Did you vote for big brother?" The look on your face. Think you had forgotten. As it was about a minute till the high-powered SMU polls closed you asked, "Do you think it matters?"

You and Jenny raced down there and voted. And Tom won by 1 vote.

The greatest thing about that being that the Daveymobile got a platinum SMU parking sticker -- allowing you free rein to park anywhere on campus. Really like the car's own little "get out of jail free" card. i remember the poor auto had been banished to park permanently behind Dedman -- SMU Siberia basically -- for you and Tom had acquired more parking tickets than anyone in the history of the University. After Tom won, we could park anywhere! Hurrah! Bet even Eric Dickerson, Craig James -- or one of the many other illegally compensated SMU football players -- couldn't do that.

We dated lots of different boys. Don't think you approved of some of my beaus very much in those days. As usual you were right, but guess as stupid as i was with boy choices -- think i won the lottery with you.

I met John Miles....and in moment of uncharacteristic clarity for me -- we decided to get married. You were asked by me to stand up there beside us at the altar. Of course, you arrived in Orlando in true Liz fashion -- coming up the jetport with a tub of Marianos still frozen margaritas in hand. Carried securely from Dallas in the overhead luggage compart of American Airlines, your employer at the time.

Guess it was there -- AA -- you met your great Tom. I remember the first time i saw you both walking out of the gate from some American flight on visit to Atlanta. I thought now there's a great looking couple. I was so excited, and when i heard he was Catholic, i knew it was only a matter of time.

Got the call that 2 months after the wedding -- little Lauren was on the way. Then came Christine, then David. Think at one point i saw you -- Lauren was 3 at your knee, Christine was toddle on your hip and David was getting very ready to make his appearance. You guys didn't mess around -- or guess there must have been a little messing around somewhere -- because very cute Marsans kept appearing.

On other hand, i couldn't get pregnant again if my life depended on it. i had this way, way too indepth book on the how-to's of moment by moment monitoring of the female situation to get pregnant.

Knew you were feeling little overwhelmed -- and knowing you were smart -- thought you could kind of read it backwards and figure out how to not get pregnant. For it sure wasn't working with me -- helping me to get pregnant that is. Remember you saying, "jamie, it's so interesting..."

and after a little book study the little Marsans stopped coming for awhile. That is until young David went to kindergarten. Then i got the call -- about the time we had been blessed with wee Joe -- that another was on the way for you two.

Here we are at the 20th reunion. Brother Tom in back of us with his two -- Stephanie and Tom. "Little" Tom III or IV? looking so cool in his shades. Remember you getting call from big brother at my house in WP that he had been born on our wedding day. It doesn't seem like John and i have been married that long, but looking at young Tom -- he seems quite big.

You, sweet as sugar Christine , and me were cheering on those Mustangs. Query: why am i still only one wearing goofy name tag? It's so white and so big. oh well.

I will always love you -- for thankfully, thankfully -- you just never, ever seem to change. You still are just the funnest, flightiest, smartest -- gal i know. John confessed to not erasing one of your phone messages because it was just so fun to hear you -- he really never got the slightest idea of what you were talking about -- but he loved hearing you try to convey it.

Remember you having the dilemma while i was out there last fall with what to do with your brand new, very large, great Kate Spade tote. Seems as if toddler Brian had dumped his full cup of orange juice in there. In true Liz fashion, you were still trying to use it all the while confessing that it really was hopeless. Anything deposited in there became sticky mess. Then you laughed your great laugh.

You are the best mom. the best friend. best everything else.

and guess i best end all this.....

Think i will include this picture of Christine, David and i in front of the window to my freshman dorm room. btw -- i am not doing bad habit peace sign with slightly crooked fingers -- this is actually what us Mustangs do to symbolize our beloved ponies. Think it was someone's feeble attempt to answer the way cooler "hook-em-horns" thumb and pinky finger deal.

Liz -- remember driving by with you the same spot night before. i had just arrived and we were off once again to Highland Park for Mexican food after 20 years. As we made that turn and old Dallas Hall stood there -- and looking up at my room -- i just had the most amazing flood of emotion. Started crying actually. And i will always love you because you started crying too.

I was totally unprepared for those tears -- but at the time -- they just sprang up. There we were in that darkened car, 20 years later.

I think i kind of started to come alive that freshman year. I changed my name for goodness sake's. Left Tracy behind in WP and started to find out who Jamie was.

No need for more drama in this birthday note. Just thanks for never changing. You and only you -- can make me feel like that girl again. As much as i protest about the lack of interest in growing up , i feel very aged and very mature at times. Yet, whenever i talk with you -- much less be with you -- i am that 18-year-old arriving in Dallas not knowing a soul. I can remember all that was so good in her and all that she has learned -- all mixed together at the same time.

You are the best. One in a million.

i thank the good Lord that He led me into your orbit for part of your ride through life.

It's been pretty much perfect.. but what i wouldn't give for one more spin in the Daveymobile.

But guess with you and eBay anything's possible!

love -- me.