I have wanted a big snow for so many years. I can't count how long it has been. The last big snow I remember was in 1996, when we had snow up to the bottom of our deck chairs. It was January 31, 1996, and I had two bald eagles land in my backyard near the lake. It was amazing. There has not been any significant snow in the 2000 years -- and it isn't because of global warming (or is it climate change now). But I digress.
Right now, it is snowing,and there is about an inch on the ground. If the weather people (are they the same ones who say we have global warming -- or just souped up versions of them) are right, we could have up to a foot of snow when it is all said and done. Yet, I have to drive to Nashville Sunday afternoon, but I think it will be fine by then. I may not be able to take my shortcut through Dutch Valley, Oliver Springs and Harriman, but that will be okay.
I did get some relief, albeit perhaps temporary, for my elbow. Dr. Calhoun stuck a needle in my forearm because it appears I have two issues going on. I hope it works. I am not a complainer, and I can endure a lot of pain, but my arm has been a complete source of discomfort, wincing and just changing my actions for quite some time. It is hard to function when you cannot write, pull on your jacket on or squeeze the shampoo bottle without that previously mentioned wincing.
But I look on the bright side. It is snowing and it looks like it is going to be a good one. I can't wait to wake up in the morning, fix my boys and the poopies breakfast and see if we can find some one in the compound with a sled. We have an awesome hill -- with a wicked curve. We might need to go to the end of the curve and work that hill. I will watch them, not participate. I hope to get some great photos.
Okay, the snow is REALLY starting to come down. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Peace, every one!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
I'm Tired
I'm a tired puppy as I know Joe is as well. I'm playing hooky from church just trying to sit here in thought while Joe is at Volunteer Landing removing the docks and steps from the landing. Yesterday was the Sixteenth Annual Eskimo Escapades Shut Up & Ski! We are an all volunteer 501(c)(3), and we put a lot of hard work into organizing this event. I know the economy is a scary thing for a lot of people and a lot of businesses, but I hear other organizations raise hundreds of thousands of dollars by holding a walk. I know they have paid staff whose job it is to solicit sponsors for the event, and that the bulk of their fund raising for the event comes from sponsor contributions.
We've lost sponsors because of the economy, and we've lost participants although I am not sure why. We only had 60 participants, the lowest number since I've been keeping track. Although we did raise $14000 yesterday. The most we've ever raised the day of the event is $20000, and we had 151 participants. Now that was hard work for all of our great volunteers. The first year at the Landing, there were 82 participants. The water was 38 degrees, and the air temperature was 23 degrees. My hair froze, solid. Last year was the monsoon, we had TVs floating down the river and stopped the event at 1:30 p.m. Yet, we had 72 participants. Usually, we have a lot of people signing up between 1 and 3, but this year we only had a few. A lot of these participants pay $50 bucks to ski, but 60 more people means $3000. The weather wasn't sunny, but it was high 40's low 50's. I will say the water was cold at 42 degrees. Imagine getting into your shower (where the air temperature is around 70 degrees) and turning the water on as cold as you can get it. The skiers get peppered with spray the whole time they are on the water, and they have to plunge in at the start and again at the end.
If only we could have had Friday's sunny weather, it would have made a difference. We had a fair number of new participants. It is funny to see moms and dads who used to participate bringing their kids, and it is the kids who are skiing in the event now. I know that several people, Joe included, did not put the effort into raising money like they can. Steve Cox was the biggest fund raiser (again) with $2700. A lot of his money comes from co-workers and friends --$1 here, $5 there, $10 from over there and it adds up to big bucks. So I want to challenge my best friends to go out there next year and ask every one you know to sponsor you. Carry around your registration form. Steve had a good idea to get prints of pictures of him skiing (he goes in his swim shorts and life jacket every year), and carry it with him. If you have ideas for businesses that might sponsor us, please share them with me. I hope we get all the sponsor money that has been promised, and if we do, we should be able to give $20000 to our three charities. But that is a far cry from the $35000 to $39000 we were giving from 2005 through 2008. I was hoping and praying that some one would come up and give us a big check. But the funny thing is I'm not sure what a "big" check would be because we had lots of generous people give money. One day, we will reach our goal of giving our charities $40000. I would love to see the day when we raise $100000 because we could help a lot of people and benefit some more charities.
We have three great charities that we support. The Dream Connection which provides dreams to seriously ill children. The Patricia Neal IRC is near and dear to most of us at EEF. The IRC provides recreational opportunities, including water ski clinics, to people with disabilities, primarily spinal cord injuries, brain injuries and amputees. The summer water ski clinics are a source of joy and inspiration for all of the volunteers. We repeatedly are told how much what we do means to the people we teach to ski. But they don't realize how much it means to us to share something we love to do with some one who otherwise would not be able to have that opportunity. The kids, in particular, just tug at your heart. To teach an 8 year old who is confined to a wheelchair to water ski sets him free and lots of times gives him some bragging rights because a lot of his able bodied friends can't do it. We added the Adventure Amputee Camp as an official benefactor of our event last year, but we've all been volunteering and having fun with these kids since 2000. Last year, without our contribution, a fair number of kids would not have been able to go to the camp. The Camp is open to amputee kids from across the country, and they just have to pay a registration fee of $25 (if they can), although the camp costs between $500-700 per kid. There are usually around 30 or so kids. So we paid for the costs of camp for 10-12 kids last year. We've been volunteering since 2000 to provide the fun water day on Fontana Lake which is the last day of camp. Just imagine you are an 8 year old child who was born missing part of an arm or a leg or sometimes both. Or imagine you are 16 year old girl who lost a leg in a boating accident. Most amputees live in a world where they are unique. They usually know no one else who they can relate to from a disability stand point. Then, throw 30 other kids into the mix who are in the same boat so to speak. Some of them have never been on a lake or in a boat. Then, again, it was most amazing to have the teenager injured in a boating accident -- and who was dreading the last day of camp -- come away smiling and having fun at the end of the day. You have never seen anything until you see a grocery cart full of various prosthetic arms and legs -- and some of them quite colorful and individualized -- because most of the kids have to leave their limbs on the dock before we head out on the water. Most prosthetics don't float and they are expensive, so they stay on the dock. I get a unique perk from the camp because my birthday usually is within days of the camp day -- twice it has fallen on my birthday. So every year the kids sing me "Happy Birthday" and it makes me want to cry.
Eskimo Escapades is a dedicated group of people who love the water and want to help. If you look deeper, you just might learn we try to operate as a ministry because our faith is important to those that organize the event. So if you think that Shut Up & Ski! is a bunch of crazy people, that might be accurate. But they are crazy people who care and want to make a difference in people's lives. I just hope we can continue, re-build, grow and make a difference in East Tennessee. If you have ideas on how we can grow, raise money or if you want to help, please let me know.
We've lost sponsors because of the economy, and we've lost participants although I am not sure why. We only had 60 participants, the lowest number since I've been keeping track. Although we did raise $14000 yesterday. The most we've ever raised the day of the event is $20000, and we had 151 participants. Now that was hard work for all of our great volunteers. The first year at the Landing, there were 82 participants. The water was 38 degrees, and the air temperature was 23 degrees. My hair froze, solid. Last year was the monsoon, we had TVs floating down the river and stopped the event at 1:30 p.m. Yet, we had 72 participants. Usually, we have a lot of people signing up between 1 and 3, but this year we only had a few. A lot of these participants pay $50 bucks to ski, but 60 more people means $3000. The weather wasn't sunny, but it was high 40's low 50's. I will say the water was cold at 42 degrees. Imagine getting into your shower (where the air temperature is around 70 degrees) and turning the water on as cold as you can get it. The skiers get peppered with spray the whole time they are on the water, and they have to plunge in at the start and again at the end.
If only we could have had Friday's sunny weather, it would have made a difference. We had a fair number of new participants. It is funny to see moms and dads who used to participate bringing their kids, and it is the kids who are skiing in the event now. I know that several people, Joe included, did not put the effort into raising money like they can. Steve Cox was the biggest fund raiser (again) with $2700. A lot of his money comes from co-workers and friends --$1 here, $5 there, $10 from over there and it adds up to big bucks. So I want to challenge my best friends to go out there next year and ask every one you know to sponsor you. Carry around your registration form. Steve had a good idea to get prints of pictures of him skiing (he goes in his swim shorts and life jacket every year), and carry it with him. If you have ideas for businesses that might sponsor us, please share them with me. I hope we get all the sponsor money that has been promised, and if we do, we should be able to give $20000 to our three charities. But that is a far cry from the $35000 to $39000 we were giving from 2005 through 2008. I was hoping and praying that some one would come up and give us a big check. But the funny thing is I'm not sure what a "big" check would be because we had lots of generous people give money. One day, we will reach our goal of giving our charities $40000. I would love to see the day when we raise $100000 because we could help a lot of people and benefit some more charities.
We have three great charities that we support. The Dream Connection which provides dreams to seriously ill children. The Patricia Neal IRC is near and dear to most of us at EEF. The IRC provides recreational opportunities, including water ski clinics, to people with disabilities, primarily spinal cord injuries, brain injuries and amputees. The summer water ski clinics are a source of joy and inspiration for all of the volunteers. We repeatedly are told how much what we do means to the people we teach to ski. But they don't realize how much it means to us to share something we love to do with some one who otherwise would not be able to have that opportunity. The kids, in particular, just tug at your heart. To teach an 8 year old who is confined to a wheelchair to water ski sets him free and lots of times gives him some bragging rights because a lot of his able bodied friends can't do it. We added the Adventure Amputee Camp as an official benefactor of our event last year, but we've all been volunteering and having fun with these kids since 2000. Last year, without our contribution, a fair number of kids would not have been able to go to the camp. The Camp is open to amputee kids from across the country, and they just have to pay a registration fee of $25 (if they can), although the camp costs between $500-700 per kid. There are usually around 30 or so kids. So we paid for the costs of camp for 10-12 kids last year. We've been volunteering since 2000 to provide the fun water day on Fontana Lake which is the last day of camp. Just imagine you are an 8 year old child who was born missing part of an arm or a leg or sometimes both. Or imagine you are 16 year old girl who lost a leg in a boating accident. Most amputees live in a world where they are unique. They usually know no one else who they can relate to from a disability stand point. Then, throw 30 other kids into the mix who are in the same boat so to speak. Some of them have never been on a lake or in a boat. Then, again, it was most amazing to have the teenager injured in a boating accident -- and who was dreading the last day of camp -- come away smiling and having fun at the end of the day. You have never seen anything until you see a grocery cart full of various prosthetic arms and legs -- and some of them quite colorful and individualized -- because most of the kids have to leave their limbs on the dock before we head out on the water. Most prosthetics don't float and they are expensive, so they stay on the dock. I get a unique perk from the camp because my birthday usually is within days of the camp day -- twice it has fallen on my birthday. So every year the kids sing me "Happy Birthday" and it makes me want to cry.
Eskimo Escapades is a dedicated group of people who love the water and want to help. If you look deeper, you just might learn we try to operate as a ministry because our faith is important to those that organize the event. So if you think that Shut Up & Ski! is a bunch of crazy people, that might be accurate. But they are crazy people who care and want to make a difference in people's lives. I just hope we can continue, re-build, grow and make a difference in East Tennessee. If you have ideas on how we can grow, raise money or if you want to help, please let me know.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Spring loaded and in the PO position!
I invested my hope, trust and faith in Tennessee Football with Coach CLK, and his entourage. He wanted to give his all for Tennessee. He is full of you know what. Just to show you what his faith, his values and his morals are, because they don't exist based on his actions and other things.. I wish I could say what I want, screw you, fly away (our little flying bird symbols) and more. This is a total joke. CLK you are a disgrace. Just wait til I get the time to tear a new one for you. Good riddance if you don't care for Tennnessee football like we do. GO AWAY!!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Manna From Heaven
I can say first hand I know what it means to receive Manna from Heaven. Joe and I bought a 1995 Nissan in August of 2008. Our neighbor had it for sale as it was his dad's car, and Steve decided to sell it after his dad died. So we told him we wanted it in the summer of 2008 for when Ms. Di came back to school from Kazakhstan. Being Ms. Di, she changed her mind because she was going to live on campus. We decided to go ahead and buy it because at the time gas was $4.50 a gallon. We haven't put 1000 miles on it, so I put it up for sale on Craigslist. A guy called me and the funny thing was he was a dealer we had noticed on Callahan Drive. We sold him the car last week.
Well, for months or at least a year, I have been missing my Apologetics Bible. I looked every where for it to no avail. I kept mentioning it in the months leading up to Christmas, hoping some one, namely Joe, might get me a new one, because I love that Bible. So, how do the Nissan and my Bible tie together? Well, they had the Nissan detailed, and he just called me because they found my Apologetics Bible under the seat. Guess what the name of the dealer is -- Manna Motors.
Now that's good.
Well, for months or at least a year, I have been missing my Apologetics Bible. I looked every where for it to no avail. I kept mentioning it in the months leading up to Christmas, hoping some one, namely Joe, might get me a new one, because I love that Bible. So, how do the Nissan and my Bible tie together? Well, they had the Nissan detailed, and he just called me because they found my Apologetics Bible under the seat. Guess what the name of the dealer is -- Manna Motors.
Now that's good.
Friday, January 8, 2010
End of a Long Week
The holidays are over, and we face the next few months planning and preparing for kids to return to their homes. We had mid-year orientation this weekend, but it was moved because of the weather. Dinara is leaving this week to go to California with her dad. She hopes for some American adventure, and maybe she will get a job in California. I hope she doesn't because they will take almost all of her money in taxes and people there are somewhat, well, leftist crazies. I feel like a mom whose child goes away for a job, far away. I've only had her for 4 years. I can only imagine how a mom feels who has raised a child from birth flys the coup. But I know we will always be together, and I know she needs this time with her dad. But it is a sad time for me. I hope she is back in just a few months, and she can find a job closer to home.
I've had some serious grapplings with other issues, from lots of different directions. Sometimes I wonder if what I've done makes a difference or if any body cares. I don't do a lot of boasting about my "accomplishments" sometimes to my detriment, especially from a professional perspective. I hate arrogance. But that is the way that I am. I think that is what I hope Jesus wants of me. I also hate deceit, meaness, and manipulation, and I've seen a lot of that lately in people I thought were better than that. I really think that God is pulling me in a bunch of different directions, and I'm not sure where that is. I know there is going to be a super sad Uncle Buddy Beagle saying let me follow my girlfriend to California. Can Beagles live happily in California? I can't, but maybe we need to go some where else.
Where is God pulling us and why? What do we do and where do we go?
I've had some serious grapplings with other issues, from lots of different directions. Sometimes I wonder if what I've done makes a difference or if any body cares. I don't do a lot of boasting about my "accomplishments" sometimes to my detriment, especially from a professional perspective. I hate arrogance. But that is the way that I am. I think that is what I hope Jesus wants of me. I also hate deceit, meaness, and manipulation, and I've seen a lot of that lately in people I thought were better than that. I really think that God is pulling me in a bunch of different directions, and I'm not sure where that is. I know there is going to be a super sad Uncle Buddy Beagle saying let me follow my girlfriend to California. Can Beagles live happily in California? I can't, but maybe we need to go some where else.
Where is God pulling us and why? What do we do and where do we go?
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Stomping on Toes
Have you ever felt like some one is upset because you stomped on their toes? I witnessed an up close and personal demonstration of this phenomenon, and it was so ugly. Let me set the stage. On one side, you have some one who works hard, can be a bull in a china shop at times, but has a heart of gold and shows love to every one. On the other side, you have a group of people (all women, unfortunately) who want to do things their way, and don't want things to change at all. You have people who haven't been pulled into the fray who don't realize what is going on, and you have side number one not realizing that he is being strung out to dry because he actually is expecting some accountability and hard work. I know what it means to be accountable. I am being careful in my words, since what I write here, at times, has been criticized. In other words, I shouldn't be discussing this business on my blog. Well, hello, I can say whatever I want. It is my blog, and it's purpose is to express my feelings, my concerns, my thoughts and my hopes. If you don't like it, don't read it. If you don't like what I say, maybe I am stomping on your toes.
I am so dismayed and disappointed, especially in people who I thought were above blatant displays of mean spiritedness and personal attacks. I expected it from some. I also expected some to hide behind others, and not personally address what should be addressed. I was right, unfortunately. I expected the bitter old woman to be just that, but I wonder how the others can actually (and seriously) align themselves with her bitterness. I mean, really, do you have to yell every time you open your mouth in total disgust and bitterness. Why? Because things are not being done the way that you think they should be done? Most of the people who are being dragged into this mess do not have a clue of the history, or the political manuverings of a totally dysfunctional group (side 3) to interject and gain political favors from side 2 to the detriment of side 1.
So I've been designated as a total, unequivocal supporter of side number one, when nothing could be further from the truth. The thing about me is -- when I disagree with something side number 1 says, I go directly to him. We talk about it. We can agree or we can disagree. And we move on. Side number 2 is content to sit among themselves and criticize side number 1, unrelentlessly, and on and on. They want to tell him what to do as it impacts them. They don't want to work hard, and they definitely don't want any change. Change can be good.
Just ask Jesus when you get a chance. Jesus totally upset the apple cart of his time. I feel that side number 2 would be right there yelling on Good Friday -- Crucify him, crucify him! Because he was speaking the truth and stomping on their toes. But you know what Jesus did? After he was tortured mercilessly, walked to his death, nailed to a Cross to die -- he said Lord, forgive them for they know not what they do. I just hope I can do what Jesus did. Because it was a totally selfless act he did for every one, love him or hate him. I love him. I hope, wish and pray I can follow him. I pray for those who think they are, but act in ways that are totally un-Christ like.
Like my favorite singer of all time says -- Christians are really hard to tolerate, I don't know how Jesus does it. -- Bono
I am so dismayed and disappointed, especially in people who I thought were above blatant displays of mean spiritedness and personal attacks. I expected it from some. I also expected some to hide behind others, and not personally address what should be addressed. I was right, unfortunately. I expected the bitter old woman to be just that, but I wonder how the others can actually (and seriously) align themselves with her bitterness. I mean, really, do you have to yell every time you open your mouth in total disgust and bitterness. Why? Because things are not being done the way that you think they should be done? Most of the people who are being dragged into this mess do not have a clue of the history, or the political manuverings of a totally dysfunctional group (side 3) to interject and gain political favors from side 2 to the detriment of side 1.
So I've been designated as a total, unequivocal supporter of side number one, when nothing could be further from the truth. The thing about me is -- when I disagree with something side number 1 says, I go directly to him. We talk about it. We can agree or we can disagree. And we move on. Side number 2 is content to sit among themselves and criticize side number 1, unrelentlessly, and on and on. They want to tell him what to do as it impacts them. They don't want to work hard, and they definitely don't want any change. Change can be good.
Just ask Jesus when you get a chance. Jesus totally upset the apple cart of his time. I feel that side number 2 would be right there yelling on Good Friday -- Crucify him, crucify him! Because he was speaking the truth and stomping on their toes. But you know what Jesus did? After he was tortured mercilessly, walked to his death, nailed to a Cross to die -- he said Lord, forgive them for they know not what they do. I just hope I can do what Jesus did. Because it was a totally selfless act he did for every one, love him or hate him. I love him. I hope, wish and pray I can follow him. I pray for those who think they are, but act in ways that are totally un-Christ like.
Like my favorite singer of all time says -- Christians are really hard to tolerate, I don't know how Jesus does it. -- Bono
Friday, January 1, 2010
New Year's Resolutions
I've never been big into New Year's Resolutions, but I'm starting now. I want some simplicity to my life. That doesn't come easy for any one. I want these kids to have happiness and fun while they experience life in America with us as their American parents. I want them to be happy and have fun while they are here. I want them to learn valuable lessons. Some of the lessons are important. How do you adapt to social skills that a different culture has? That is a hard one, at times. We learn about the kids' cultures and adapt elements of their cultures into our lives. But we need some balance. So my goals this year are important to me. Be faithful, be strong, work hard (no brainer for me), and make a difference in people's lives. God speed!
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