Are You Missing the Mark?

I went to morning mass today. When I say that it reminds me of Nana and I smile! I never understood growing up why she went to daily mass, wasn't Sundays good enough? LOL - Well, during Lent I've decided to try and attend daily morning mass if I work from home. Last Friday came and went and I missed it, my friend Carol text me with "we missed you at mass today" gotta love those who hold you accountable. I felt bad that I made a commitment to God, and on my first opportunity I missed the mark. Which brings me to my point.

I often miss the mark (bullseye), I am quick to anger and slow to forgive, I make commitments that I don't keep and I am far from perfect! But, I'm not a bad person, I don't intentionally do these things and I certainly haven't killed anyone!

The reading today was from Ezekiel 18 'if the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die.'
And, the gospel was from Matthew 5 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell."

Of course the scripture says it all, but Fr. Jim's sermon put it in perspective and was aimed right at me!

He equated our attempts to be perfect to hitting the bullseye dead on; we aim for the bullseye, but we will never hit it, as we are human and not perfect. He brought up mortal and venial sins, the seriousness of the offense, etc, everything we learnt in Kindergarten, right? But no matter what the sin or attempt at perfection, we often miss the mark and depending on our offense, we may be closer to the bullseye at times. He went on to say, that if you kill someone or you are angry at someone, same thing, still not perfect (bullseye) but somewhat closer to the mark with the angry part and further away with the murder part. Of course, he said we could try day after day to be perfect, yet that will not save us, only God's grace can do that, but the point... the point is, that whether we are angry with our brother or actually kill someone we are far from the bullseye and far from pleasing our God. So, we should aim at the bullseye, recognize we will never hit it, but the closer we come the better. But, the final judgment is God's and nothing but the love of God can save us or make us perfect.

So, in my efforts to apply scripture and Fr. Jim's encouraging message, I have to forgive myself for missing the mark by not attending mass last Friday or being quick to anger and slow to forgive and continue to strive to be closer to the bullseye.

A boy named Jason

As I wrote my last post, it dawned on me that I didn't blog about a boy named Jason.  So, here it is......

This little boy came into the world very quietly, unlike his sister who made a big deal about her appearance, after refusing to show up on time!  This tiny boy made his debut back in 1981, January 9th at about 1pm in the afternoon, only a few days off the guesstimated due date of January 5th.  Not a lot of fanfare, not a lot of drama.  Jason just isn't about drama.

Anyway, this boy was very talented, he followed his dad around with a baseball bat, ball and glove, then appeared on the sidelines of every tourny game to play catch and hit with him.  He was definitely an athlete.  And, now he is sharing his skills by coaching.  This boy also has a softer side;  he often crawled into my lap just to cuddle and even well into his teens he would sit on my lap and snuggle; he even kissed me in front of his friends!

 

I just want to recognize that this little boy who turns 29 this year has turned into a heck of a young man.   I love that you are sharing your love of baseball, your talent for connecting with others and teaching our youth.  We love you!

Happy Birthday Leanna

Four Generations

Yesterday, Leanna had a birthday, her 32nd.  It was 32 years ago Otto and I were newleyweds and soon to be parents.  It seems so long ago but as a parent I can tell you, I remember almost every moment of my  delivery, especailly when they laid her on my belly and said, 'meet your little girl'!

Otto looked on and our eyes met for a brief moment, his were filled with pride and mine tears.  I wonder if he noticed the apprehension, confusion and fear.  Although I was excited I had thoughts of 'can we be good parents to this tiny baby?'  Well, I barely had time to think these things before she was taken to do 'whatever babies do while they wait for their mommies to recover' and  I was wheeled out of the delivery room to recovery.  I slept for the next 6 hours and it wasn't until then that I was able to hold her again and get the confirmation that I'm reallly a mom now!

  

Me and Leanna out for my 50th

Well, as I said 32 years has past and so much has happened throughout our lives that I couldn't possibly write it all down, but one thing I do know, it has been a wonderful journey! Oh, don't get me wrong there were hard times along with all the great times, but overall I want to remember the joy!  I also have to thank God for the daughter he gave us and for the woman she has become.  So, Leanna, happy birthday and thank you for the joy and love that you have brought to our lives, and others!

Thanksgiving Camping @ Lake Skinner

I never posted after our Thanksgiving camping trip so thought I would today!

We arrived at Skinner late Thursday night and set up camp, had a few glasses of wine then off to bed - a very cold bed!  No heat, something happened with the fuse for the hook-ups, so we froze! Brrr!

 

In the 'spider' tent set up for cards, eating, shelter from the rain, yes, I said rain - that is two years in a row it has rained on the camping trip!

Finally figured out to trip the breaker for the hook-ups, yay there will be heat tonight!  Hung out, went for a run and visited waiting for Corynn and J to go wine tasting.

Off to the wineries for some wine tasting today with J, Corynn, Gabe, Lorielle, Jamie and De - we visited several wineries; Keyways, Wilson Creek, Robert Ronzoni and Leonese - it was a gorgeous day!

wine perspective!

Gabe and Lorielle!

Our first stop was Wilson Creek, J and Corynn are still members there and get special attention and discounts, so we drank, shopped and drank some more!

Here's a pic of all the girls, it was Krammer's first time tasting!  

After Wilson Creek we headed to Keyways.

Otto and De at Keyways

On to Robert Ronzoni where we had a little picnic w/ salami, cheese and crackers and of course, a cigar and some vino!

Otto, me, J and Corynn at Robert Ronzoni

We got in trouble for having beer here, the owner, Robert came out and scolded us!  He just told us to put it in cups as he could get fined for allowing alcohol, other than what was bought at the winery, consumed on his property.  He is a really nice guy and we felt bad!  I didn't realize that, well, you learn something new every day! 

We left Robert Ronzoni and headed to Leonese for our last tasting of the day.  We ordered some appetizer pizzas, purchased some local flavored honey and took in the magnificent view!

Looking out back behind Leonese winery

 

What a view!

Heading back to the campsite for dinner, cards or whatever else the evening brings!

De, Jamie, Gabe, Lorielle, J, Corynn, Otto and me at Leonese before heading back to camp.

Back at the campsite, we grilled steaks, ate and drank some of the wine we purchased at the wineries.  Then headed over to the campfire for some good times.

J and Spike

Corynn and J by the campfire - it was freeezing!

Enjoying good friends - Gabe and Lorielle

  

No caption necessary!

As we packed up, hating to leave this beautiful spot, we are thankful for the time we had with friends and family and look forward to the next camping trip together!

 Parting is such sweet sorrow!

Happy Birthday Tina!

We all headed out to Ah-So for teppanyaki last night to celebrate Tina's b-day.

Tom, Tina and Linda

Dallas, Bea and Ken


Eden, Framma and Kaya

After dinner we came back to the house for some coffee, cake and ice cream, oh yeah, and a celebratory cigar!  We watched the Olympics and visited with the cousins!  What a fun night.  We were very happy to be able to celebrate with Tina and the girls this year!

Me and Otto----Kaya and Tina (back at the house)

Strength For Our Hearts

Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord 
Psalm 31:24

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and as I sit here and reminisce on Valentine's past I am reminded of that first Valentine's Day as Mr. and Mrs. Stuck and a homemade cake with red hearts and i love you written on it.

Life seemed very simple then.  Most of my thoughts and time were spent on having a child, preparing the nursery and setting up a house for our new little family.  We lived for the moment.  But, sadly without allowing God to guide us or lead us.  There were so many times I cried out to him for help, or to complain without really wanting to let go and let Him help or guide the situation.  I never recognized how He was working in my life.  I was the fixer and cruise director of this ship, I tried to do it all myself and didn't hope or really trust in the Lord.  Over the years, when my heart was bruised, battered or broken, I didn't acknowledge that it was my heavenly Father who gave me comfort, healing or the strength I needed to carry on.  Even without recognition  He continued to work in our lives. With those days behind me I can smile because I now know who is the one who was so present in my life then and still strengthens my heart!

My earthly valentine (Otto) has always been there to physically comfort my aching heart, but my Father is and will always be my heavenly valentine!  He will strengthen our hearts beyond what anyone else could do if we let Him!

A Lily From Nana

When I first moved to Arizona, I brought a wooden planter full of my Nana's cybidium orchids and a few calle lily plants.  Well, neither lasted long and that first Arizona summer put an end to these beautiful flowers and they all dried up.  I was pretty disappointed since I felt so much joy seeing these plants bloom, and they brought back such great memories of Nana's beautiful flowering gardens.  Since I lost the flowers, I just couldn't part with the wooden planter, so I mixed up some new soil and planted some aloe, something that I knew would grow in the AZ sun.  These plants thrived and multiplied over the years and I transplanted them to my yard as they grew to adult plants - aloe grows like wildflowers so I am constantly passing them along to friends and family.  A few years later, I was removing some plants to another pot and I dug up some old bulbs that I had forgotten about.  Could these be the orchids or lilies from Nana's plants?    I was excited to see what they were so I planted them in a raised bed on the east side of the house and waited for spring.  Lo and behold the next spring some calle lily leaves popped through the soil and I had one beautiful bloom!  My Nana's lilies had lay dorment in the wooden planter and when I planted them in the mulch enriched soil in the raised beds, they came back to life!  What a lovely surprise and delight to see these lilies growing again.  Over the next few years, the lily's multiplied and now each year produce more blooms than the year before. I've given bulbs to several family members and I hope they are still growing.  I sometimes wonder if this lily started way back from the garden on Flower, or Olive Street, but regardless of the origin, they bloom on and   constantly remind us of Nana and her 'green thumb' - I hope she is smiling down as she sees her family planting these and passing on her love of flowers to future generations!