Woosh Saturday flew by!

Saturday morning was filled with a meeting for Mr. E for work, Nigel and his friend visited Grandma's house, Heather was at a bonfire and sleep over the night before and I was up with the birds (not my usual Saturday habit.) to prepare and participate in my first 5k since last August.

I had been invited to sing the Star Spangled Banner by some of the folks that hosted this 5k fundraiser for the Anew Center (an agency that aids people recovering from Domestic Violence). All the night before, I kept running the words and music over and over again the the song. It was to be sung acapella and at 9am in the morning. I grabbed the mic and did my best. The crowd was gracious and cheered me on.

It was a nice run/walk and I met up with a previous co-worker; so I had company on the race. Man, is she a fast walker! It ended up being easier to jog than to walk at her pace, but I finished the race and managed to run a little over 1/2 of it. I kept reminding myself about the principal of practice. The race proved to be another opportunity for practice, not perfection - practice.

After the race, I met my daughter and friends for lunch, then I went for a drive, met a very nice dog, and returned home to find my son and hubby back at the house and hungry.

The late afternoon turned into adventures in toilet repair and many trips to the hardware store. I have to say, I've never been so thankful for 2 toilets in my house than before today.



For silliness sake here is my:

Ode to a broken commode

Water rushing, toilet flushing that is what you're built for to.
The base is leaking, my sock is dripping, tell me what to do.

We buy some wax to seal the leak and in it placement,
the tank breaks from the bowl - things are looking bleak.

Back to the store once more and again (is that four trips in all or more?), to get the parts to put it back together again.

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
and as you did not survive that fall.
I'll work, I'll will and maybe I'll survive this porcelain drill and be able to use that potty again.


I know - how terrible a poem. I think that someone more experienced in plumbing needs to come to our rescue. I'll trade you a poem for your time - and a much better one than above.

What an activity filled Saturday it was. How was yours?

Sherman's pulse

Image found at Flicker.

Sherman noel, what a story you tell -
with dancing feet and eyes that weep,
as deep as a well.

Weary hearts will seek and find you.
Looking for something to fill the space;
of loneliness, of discontent, of wandering time and space.

Sherman knows me well, and my face can tell-
of the people I meet on that dreary street
long as a swell.

Rolling over and reaching out,
arms embrace and wave about.
A wake, a dance and comforts race
to remember a gentle face.

Sherman reminds me well; of the sadness and hell.
That could be erased, never come to this place
covered in love's deep swell.

Rising up and flowing over,
hearts connect and beat as one.
Awake in sync and pounding in life's rhythm and breathing undone.

Wrap your arms around me.
Dance your feet too close.
Lift my heavy spirit,
with your presence, your patience and your pulse.

Wrap your arms around me.
Dance your feet too close.
Push towards my grieving spirit,
with your presence, your patience and your pulse.

In this place of weeping, I need to feel your pulse.
I need to feel a pulse.

T.L. Eastman 09'

This price is right for love

Community Project Series from Jedidiah Clothing on Vimeo.

The story below is posted from the Jedidiah Community about a young man who selflessly gave away something of great value for the benefit of others. If you are inspired by Mark's story - go to the Jedidiah Community Project Series and cast your vote for his story and action of love.

Price is Right Give Away
by: Mark Weaver, Indianapolis, IN

When I graduated from college I was inspired by my faith to explore the world and have some adventures while helping others. I went out to Colorado for a season of snowboarding with an organization called YWAM (Youth With A Mission). Then I lived in Cancun, Mexico for two months and rebuilt some playgrounds and schools that were destroyed by the hurricane. After that I did some skating and surfing ministry out in Huntington Beach, CA. While I was there I won the Showcase Showdown on the Price is Right, back when Bob Barker was still hosting it. I won about $58,000 in prizes including two new cars, a trip for two to Paris, France, a stove, and a nice rug. When I won the Showcase Showdown, I knew I wanted to use the prizes to help others. My YWAM experience and a book called the Irresistible Revolution, by Shane Claiborne, moved my heart to help people in impoverished nations. I was determined to do my part. I saw a documentary film called, “The Invisible Children” that taught about the terrible war with rebel soldiers abducting child soldiers and the high rate of AIDS leaving millions of children orphaned in Uganda, Africa. I sold the two cars I won from the game show and used the money to go live in Uganda for six months and gave away the money to orphanages there. I was able to help them by buying medicines, school fees, and investing in income generating projects. I learned the philosophy that you can give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day, but teach him to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime. So I bought some woodworking equipment, sewing machines, and farming supplies, so that they could work on their own to make a consistent income. I mostly helped out an orphanage called the Canaan Children's Home in Buziika, Uganda. I also traveled up to Gulu and helped the Invisible Children organization to build a school. Then I lived in an IDP refugee camp for a while to help teach students. I lived in harsh circumstances and sadly even saw people murdered by invading rebel groups. It was a life changing experience. I learned that it feels better to give than to recieve. I believe that if everyone decided to use their possessions to help others, then this world would be a better place.

Earth Day Music

This coming Tuesday, I will be performing at my local Hot Topic store to promote my Cd, "Have some love and hope and let it show". If you are in the area on Earth Day, the music starts at 7pm.

Be green!

Sleeping with bread: Progress

Image from makefive.com

Track pants. Check
Comfy t-shirt. Check
Running socks - very important - Check.
Warm as toast hoodie. Check
Faithful Green Windbreaker. Check
Mis-matched gloves. Check.
Asics Gel 1120 with insoles. Check.
Ipod. Check.
Headphones. Nope. Darn.



Progress is sometimes reflected in our willingness to hang in there, even when we don't feel 100% prepared. Progress is carrying through with the action, even when the conditions are not always ideal. Progress is going for the first outdoor jog of the season, in 40 degree weather (ugh!), warming up with a walking lap, and running the next 20 minutes without having to walk, catching your breath for a few minutes, and being able to run the next entire long lap till the end of the run. Wow.

Last Spring when I started this effort to get moving I could only run 2 minutes and walk 1 and run 2 minutes and walk one; over and over again for 30 minutes.
Progress is good.

Progress, even in this small way, knowing that I'm not starting over again from zero - that is my bread today. It will be my bread tomorrow when I get out my shoes and lace them up to try, try again.

Note to self - go get some ear buds. Maybe then I could be even faster!

Decemberists mood music

I was more familiar with the song O Valencia - but this is good as well. Have you heard of the Decemberists before?