Everything Must Change Tour

My husband Steve and I were privileged to attend Brian McLaren's Everything Must Change Tour this past weekend in Dallas. Through conversation, presentation, art, music, and reflection, we explored how the way of Jesus can bring transformation in our contemporary world...locally, nationally, and globally.In McLaren's new book "Everything Must Change" he says " 'We Are In Deep Shift'--A time of transition, rethinking, re-imagining, and re-envisioning. A time for asking new questions and seeking answers that are both new and old fresh and seasoned surprising and familiar."The weekend attempted to answer these questions.What does it mean, in today’s world, to be a follower of God in the way of Jesus?What does it mean to be a faith community engaged in the holistic, integral mission of God in our world today?How do we, as individuals and organizations, respond faithfully to the crises facing our world?What is our duty to God, ourselves, our families, our neighbors, our enemies, and our planet in light of Jesus’ radical message of the kingdom of God?How can we engage in personal formation and theological reformulation for global transformation?Living in "deep shift" can be exhilarating and energizing, but it can also be disorienting and frightening.Deep Shift was created to provide spiritual guidance for organizations. Deep Shift provides support as leaders make their own personal deep shift and guide their organizations through the transition and transformation necessary to ignite the loving energy of people to work for the good of the world: coaching, consulting, and resources for people leading in deep shift — faith community and church leaders, nonprofit leaders, ethical business leaders and others.For more details, visit the website at: http://www.deepshift.org.There is also a video of Brian McLaren explaining the tour available at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3QpTQfENoYCEA Web Site: www.christianeducator.org
CEA Blog: www.blog.christianeducator.org

The Meanest Mom on the Block…

Im having some parenting struggles lately. My oldest daughter (Ashley) is a great kid. Shes responsible, helpful and is a great friend to pretty much everyone. She just turned 10. Since then shes made a couple of bad decisions.
#1. I looked out my window to see my neighbor driving his truck in fast circles around our cul-de-sac with a couple dozen kids in the back. My youngest three were in the house and I was certain that my oldest would know better than to get in the back of a truck. I watched shocked that an adult would be doing that at all- and then watched even more shocked when he stopped and my oldest was one of the kids in the back. We have pretty strict rules about car safety in our family- mostly hinged on following the law. You know, people wear seat belts and kids sit in car seats until theyre the proper age and size. That law. Absolutely never would it be appropriate to ride in the back of a truck. I called her in and she had to stay in the rest of the evening. Before she could go out to play the next day she had to write I will not get into a car with out moms permission, I will never ride in a car without a seat belt. Fifty times. I know. Im mean.
#2. I got a call from Ashleys teacher yesterday. Apparently shes not turning in completed homework and not bringing her planner signed. I was assuming she was having Steve sign it in the morning but apparently shes not even bringing it to and from school regularly like shes supposed to. She generally comes home from school and goes downstairs for 15 minutes and then wants to go out and play. Thats long enough that she could get homework done except for reading- which she does before going to bed. So that means all last week when I asked if her homework was done before saying she could go outside and she was telling me yes that she was lying. In our house thats worse then not getting homework done. Ive always been able to trust that she was doing or had done what shed said, it really bothers me that now I cant. Shes lost friend privileges for the week and now has to do homework at the kitchen table where she can be supervised- even though her sisters bug her when she does. Tonight was the party for the release of the newest Fablehaven book. Ashley has been looking forward to attending this for at least a month maybe longer. But we didnt go. I was really sad actually- it sounded like a lot of fun and would have been a good time. Being the meanest mom ever sucks sometimes.
#3. Steve finally got out of Ashley why shes stopped doing homework and trying to do well in school. Apparently she feels like she should just give up because she never wins anything or is the best at anything so why try. That breaks my heart. Ashley is a good kid who loves school. Shes not the best but she works hard and trys hard and does pretty darn good- but it doesnt come easily. (Well- except for reading). Steve explained to her that sometimes thats more advantageous in life- learning to work hard to become the best can make you more valuable because you know how to work then someone whos always just had things come easily for them. Its like shes taken a huge hit to her self esteem and I dont know why. I just feel like there is more to this then shes letting on, but if she wont share I dont know how to get to the bottom of this. I dont know how Im going to handle the teenage years.
Are you the meanest mom ever? (Well, besides me)
Do you have rules that other parents think are crazy?
Am I too mean?
Day FIVE

An addendum: My neighbor is a good person who had a moment of lapsed judgment. Ive deleted any comments calling him names. Please refrain from doing so. I hesitated to write that part at all- but this is my blog and this is an honest account of what happened. Part of explaining why Ashley was in trouble included the why- but this isnt about my neighbor, its about figuring out what to do with my 10 year old and her tween angst.

Yes, These Are Real Haikus From 5th Graders

You know when you see those "letters from kids" or "poems from prison" and you wonder... are those really children (or convicts) writing those? Well, you can be 100% certain these really are haikus written by actual 5th graders.How can you know? Because I'm copying them off the homework they turned in to my wife who teaches them. I'll clean up the grammar and spelling, but will leave the humor un-cut.First, let's start with a few after my own heart.I have a monkeyThat drives a LamborghiniAnd takes people's moneyI have a pet snakeIt eats a lot of rat foodHe eats the food coldDragons are awesomeBlows fire and kills peopleLikable and niceFood is a favorite topic, of course.I love chocolateIts like joy in my mouthIt is also brownI like to eat foodMy favorite food is cheese sliced pizzaIt is hot and warmHere's two from the same girl, who chose to (mostly) rhyme her haiku!Balloon floats so slowThe balloon floats in the skyBalloon floats so highBalloon up you goBalloon you will never growBalloon do not goAnd if you'd like to know why our society is crumbling, I submit this one. Remember: 5th grade. That's, like, ten years old.I saw Kill Bill 2Kill Bill 2 was so awesomeMy dad gave me itHow about something a little sweeter to cleanse the palate?That shirt is as blueAs the sky on a good dayFeeling soft as youSmiling is happySmiling is good and nice tooHappy to be hereHow do you know when your student might have some bi-polar tendancies?I don't know how toI don't like haiku one bitI don't like haikuI don't know how toI like haiku a lot soI don't know how toAnd, of course, the surreal and disturbing is always fun.The human didn't think anymoreShe was nice and very friendlyAnd was in a hospitalI think we've all learned some valuable lessons. Like why use 7 syllables for the middle line when you can use 10? And it's amusing to say you don't know how to do something when you are, in fact, doing it. Actually, they're probably more clever than I'm giving them credit for.Overall, kudos to you, actual 5th grade poets. You've already written better poems than I ever have!

Favorite Things…Knew I’d Forget Something!

Favorite Frozen Indulgence: Kopps Custard (Milwaukee) preferably with lots of chunky bits (like cookie dough, german streusel, butterfingery pieces, etc.)
Favorite State Fair Food: Grilled sweet corn from the Wisconsin State Fair
Favorite Friends Inadvertently Left Off the First List: Ellen, Susan, Nancy, Dale(s), JoAnna, Sabrina, Shell, Monica, Rick and Judy, Bill, Jim, David
Favorite Bands: Tie and a tough call to name favorites, there are so many - The BoDeans (live is better than studio), Fleetwood Mac (but only with Christine McVie!), CSN (particularly if Y is with them), Queen (circa 75), Zeppelin, The Stones (esp. Brian Jones/Mick Taylor eras), Lynyrd Skynryd (only pre-crash - Summer of 77), Mott the Hoople, The Band (The Last Waltz, the perfect concert film?), The Traveling Wilburys (it looked they they were having so much fun&George and Roy, we miss you!)
Favorite Songs for Tough Times: Wont Back Down (Petty with the Wilburys), Ill Stand by You (original Pretenders version only), Heroes (Wallflowers version), Someday (John Legend), After the Gold Rush (Neil Young)
Favorite Burgers: Sollys Cafes Butter Burgers (Milwaukee)
Favorite Shopping Experiences: Any Frys Electronics stores, but preferably one of themed stores like the Tiki-themed store in Manhattan Beach (its always at LEAST a three hour experience, with a shopping cart)
Favorite Rental Vehicles When Traveling: Lately a tie between well-equipped Chevy Malibus and Hyundai Sonatas (both best of the mainstream U.S. rental fleets - the Malibu could be the best all-around vehicle GM has ever built - who would have ever thought)
Favorite Hotel Affinity Program: Hilton Honors because of Double-Dipping with hotel + airline miles.
Favorite Car Rental Program: National Emerald Executive and Alamo Quicksilver because at most larger airports, I get to pick whatever vehicle I want - do you know how much fun that is for car guys?
Favorite TV Frivolity: Mix Tivo with Top Gear, original Monty Python episodes on BBCA and then The Time Tunnel on ALN (or watch the latter on Hulu.com)
Favorite Sandwich Anywhere on the Planet: Schwartzs Viand Fumee in Montreal on rye with brown mustard and a sour pickle, or a Woody Allen at Carnegie Deli with a shared side of latkes slathered with applesauce and sour cream and their whole sours, washed down with Dr. Browns Diet Black Cherry (and then seeing someone you know from across the continent sitting a couple of tables away.
Favorite Street Food: NY hot dogs, Montreal and Quebec poutine
Favorite Sporting Event Food: the best sporting event food, bar none, is found at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Local Lions Clubs serve perfect Wisconsin brats and Wisconsin beer like Leinies and Sprecher all over the trackside venues - the drivers all agree!
Favorite Soft Drinks: Sprecher Root Beer in an ice cold frosted mug, Newmans Virgin Lemonade spiked with bottled Nellie  Joes Famous Key West Lemon Juice, Hawaiian Punch Light, Sonic Diet Cherry Limeades
Favorite Coffee: Starbucks Pike Place Roast - more addictive than nicotine
Favorite Legal Tech/LPM Blogs: tie between Jim Calloways Law Practice Tips Blog (for being so practical), Rick Georges Futurelawyer (for being my muse when it comes to gadget news posting) and Dennis Kennedys Blog (for being insightful)
Favorite National Anthem: Hatikvah - it means so much to me as a Jew, I shiver when I hear it (esp. the Ofrah Haza version with David ben Gurions announcement on May 14, 1948 of the re-establishment of the State of Israel which is free-streamed here
OK, I feel better now .

Blooming on a Rainy Day

These pretty blooms belong to the pride and joy in my garden... My Bella Daylilies. When I bought them a few years back, they were Bela Lugosi Daylilies, but over the years cross-pollination and less-than-ideal soil conditions changed their coloration away from the typical Bela Lugosi Daylilies (which have dark purple petals with a milky lime-green throat), to the colors they are now. So now, I just call them my Bellas... But they're still my absolute favorite ladies in the garden.They're amazing flowers... Each plant produces half a dozen to a dozen blooms, and my clump has about 8 plants in it. When those blooms open, their scent is so strong that if I were to leave the window open, their fragrance would drift through the whole house. They're so exotic and eye-catching, that I get compliments about them every year. I've been asked to divide my clump and swap some of my girls for other Daylilies... A tempting proposition since I love Daylilies, but I just can't part with my girls.The thing about my Bellas... Each flower blooms only once. In the morning, the flower will open and reveal the amazing scent and colors that brighten the whole front yard, and by the next morning, the sweet bloom's petals will lose color and turn almost clear, then drop to the ground. The whole blooming season for my Bellas is only a couple of weeks in late July-early August, so the show that my girls put on is relatively short lived, especially for Daylilies. Then, the grassy foliage turns an emerald green before going down for the winter. The first plants to succumb to frost, the last ones to wake up in the spring. It's a rather short life for my girls each year.I used to think that it was such a shame when my Bellas would decide to bloom on a cloudy, rainy day. Those stunning flowers seem wasted when the sun doesn't highlight them and when the wind is so wet it doesn't carry their scent around the yard. Their short life in bloom totally wasted on a dark, damp, cool day, where their beauty can't truly be appreciated. Since this summer has been incredibly dark, dreary, and rainy, there have been quite a few days where they have opened their sweet faces and not seen a ray of sun.Then yesterday, as I was walking back from the garage after saying goodbye to Mr. Stepford, I saw two of my girls in full bloom. Even though it was drizzling and damp, there they were, wide open and glowing with color. They were bright, vibrant, and alive. If there was ever anything or anybody who made the most out of such a short period of life, it was those girls right there. It occured to me, maybe they were blooming on a rainy day, but you'd never know to look at their smiling faces. It didn't even matter that it was raining, or that it seemed the elements around them were all trying to mute their showy display. In fact, it seems like those two ladies took the elements and turned them to their favor. The dampness of the weather really brought out their color, like water does to an opal and their scent mixed with that earthy smell of wet grass and trees, and that freshness that comes after a cleansing rain.It dawned on me, even though the weather was bad, my girls were just as beautiful as if it was sunny, and that they were more than able to adapt to the conditions around them to further highlight their unique style. It was just that I was unable to see them making the most of their situation, and blooming in spite of adversity. Sometimes we forget that beauty can exist even when our environment isn't perfect, and that sometimes true beauty is brought out by the ability to turn what's around us (which may seem kind of blah or bleak) into something amazing. Just a thought. :)

AskPatty Certified Female Friendly Dealers in the News

Are you shopping for a car? Please support these dealerships which have recently become Ask Patty Certified Female Friendly and are offering special programs and features especially for women consumers! And be sure to let them know you found them at AskPatty.com! Roger Beasley Mazda Of Georgetown Supports the March For Babies in Austin, Texas, on May 9, 2009Most of us remember the March of Dimes growing up as an organization that eliminated Polio. Today it is chartered with the responsibility of finding the cause and prevention of premature births, one of the main causes of infant mortality in the United States. To bring the topic closer to home, one in seven -- 13.7% of all births in Texas are pre-term or premature. The effects are sometimes death or life-long illness and can include cerebral palsy, mental retardation, chronic lung disease, blindness, and hearing loss.As an AskPatty.com Certified Female Friendly dealer in Austin, Texas, Mazda of Georgetown aims to provide the woman consumer with the highest level of quality service and support. We value the commitment we have made to the moms, babies, and families of this community. Austin is one of 10 American cities that has exceeded $1 million in monies raised for the Walk two years in a row. Please help support your participating Mazda Dealers or join our team http://www.premiermazda.net/pages/page.cfm?pageid=149849&pagetype=26&featureid=-1 and contribute to this worthy cause. The Austin Area Mazda Dealer's Association is sponsoring a raffle for a brand-new Mazda vehicle. Find out how you might be able to win a vehicle for only $20 per chance at by visiting Mazda of Georgetown at: www.premiermazda.netMarch for Babies is the new name for WalkAmerica. While the name has changed, its mission has not. The March of Dimes champions the needs of moms and babies in local communities and across the nation. The money raised through March for Babies supports lifesaving research, community services, education, and advocacy that help babies get a healthy start. Get more information about the 2009 March for Babies by logging onto: www.marchofdimes.com Midlands Honda Goes GreenMidlands Honda in Columbia, South Carolina, has designated a complete page at their Website to focus on the many ways their vehicles, customers, and dealership are going green! From video of a Honda FCX Clarity test drive, information on the new 2010 Honda Insight, to video footage of their participation in the Earth Fare 2009 on local news broadcast at WOLO, Midlands is showing they are an earth-friendly auto dealership! Way to go, Midlands! Welcome and Congratulations to Community Tire and Auto Service Specialists!AskPatty welcomes Community Tire and Auto Service Specialists, located in the Phoenix, Arizona, area as one of the first Certified Female Friendly tire businesses to complete our educational and marketing program developed specifically for tire dealers! According to Managing Partner, Howard J Fleischmann, "One of our goals is to change the way our community thinks about tires and auto service, one customer at a time. Community Tire is dedicated to providing quality service, products and repair while surpassing our customer's expectations thus building the highest level of trust and integrity within our community."As for congratulations, among their many awards and accreditations, Community Tire and Auto Service Specialists is the proud recipient of the Better Business Bureau Ethics Award 2009! With six full-service locations in Phoenix, Glendale, and Cottonwood, Arizona, they take pride in supporting their local businesses and taking an active role within their community. Community is also sponsoring a special Mother's Day promotion! Bring your car in to the shop for any service between May 4th through May 9th, and they will fill its tires with nitrogen! They're also holding a drawing for a free month of maid service, so be sure to stop by and submit an entry! Welcome and Congratulations to Lone Star Chevrolet!Lone Star Chevrolet -- the Number One Chevy Dealer in Houston, and Number Three in the Nation -- has created an awesome video explaining how proud they are to be Houston's only Certified Female Friendly Chevy dealer! Lone Star is one of only a few dealers in the nation - and the only Chevy dealer in Houston - to have won the prestigious General Motors Dealer of the Year award for seven years and counting. This award is only given to dealers who have demonstrated a commitment to customer satisfaction in sales and service! Congratulations also go to team member Ted Dowell for winning the Sonic OBS Award for Internet Sales.And get this: This dealership is run by women! If you visit Lone Star and take a test drive of the new Chevy Traverse, and you will receive a gift certificate for a one-hour massage at Massage Envy! Contact Michelle Shepard at 281-517-7040 for more information and to schedule your test drive. Welcome to Randy Curnow Buick Pontiac GMC!Randy Curnow Pontiac Buick GMC is a family owned dealer, that has served the Kansas City area for nearly 15 years. While other dealers are consolidating and closing, they are continuing to expand and have recently added a new store in Liberty, Missouri. Their recently remodeled dealership in Kansas City offers a new waiting area with plenty of fresh popcorn and a children's play area to keep the little ones entertained while Mom and Dad look. Stop by their website before June 20, 2009, and register for a chance to win a 2000 Buick LeSabre Custom! Check Out "Hersite" at Linnehan's CreditNow Auto Company!Founded by the late Harold (Tommy) Linnehan and John Linnehan, Sr. in 1950, four generations of the Linnehan family have continued the tradition of selling cars to the people of Maine for over 50 years. Linnehan's CreditNow! Auto Company is Maine's only Female Friendly Certified used vehicle dealer and has created a fun website with a special video "for her eyes only" explaining how they are dedicated to making women feel welcome and at home at their dealership.After many years of selling both new and used cars under 15 different new car franchises, the Linnehan family has made the commitment to focus strictly on the used vehicle wants and needs of the vast majority of Americans. The Linnehan family firmly believes that people everywhere need transportation that is both dependable and reliable, and that the future of the automobile business lies in top-quality, value-priced used vehicles. Linnehan's is also honored to give back to their community and helps support many Maine charities, organizations and events. If you're looking for a used car in Maine, Linnehan's CreditNow! Is the dealership to visit! Welcome to Tansky Sawmill Toyota!Tansky Sawmill Toyota personnel have completed more than 120 hours of training so they can better meet the expectations of the woman consumer. "The Tansky Sawmill Toyota mission statement was created by the employees and focuses on how important the customer is to each person at the dealership." Sukey Di Cesare in Customer Relations offered. "Our mission is to build life-long relationships with every customer, delivering value in every transaction through caring, respect, and positive customer interaction. Then, at the end of the day, asking ourselves....'Would I do business here?'"In addition to becoming Certified Female Friendly, Tansky's Sawmill Toyota enriches its communities through its sponsorship and support of local High Schools, Community Events and The Ohio State University. The Tansky Family takes great pride in its employees and loyal customers, and is committed to delivering the highest level of customer service and added value to Columbus, Ohio!An Ask Patty certified dealership guarantees that the experience of purchasing and maintaining a vehicle will be a pleasant one. Ask Patty trained and certified dealers are held to a high level of customer satisfaction with women consumers. Congratulations and many thanks to these dealerships for going the extra mile to create an inviting and comfortable environment where women feel safe and welcome! Connect with AskPatty on: YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/askpatty MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/askpatty Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/AskPatty-Automotive-Advice-for-Women/15290925093 LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/askpatty2007 Twitter: http://twitter.com/askpattyFlickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/askpatty/ Subscribe to our RSS Feed: http://feeds2.feedburner.com/AskPattyBlog

The Mystery of Grace Book Launch

Are you a fan of Canadian fantasy author Charles De Lint? If so, and you live in Toronto (or can get there) you are invited to the launch of his new book The Mystery of Grace next Wednesday night, April 8th, at the Cadillac Lounge (1300 Queen St. West, Toronto) from 7-9 pm. With the theme of 'This Ain't Your Average Book Launch' this is definitely going to be a fun evening! There will be appetizers, an author reading, and special musical guest Sarah Blackwood from The Creepshow. Bring along a copy of the book to be signed (or purchase one there), but definitely come prepared to have a good time!