Saturday, August 30, 2008

Home again

Well, we finally got home about 8 or so - we left out this morning heading to Dothan around 6:30 heading for Colors for the Cross. It was a nice ride over, with about ten bikes or so. We stopped at a neat place called Mom's Kitchen in Hartford for breakfast - really good food, and they make a point of welcoming bikers. I had biscuits and sawmill gravy with a side of home-style bacon - delicious! Lil Red had a Belgian waffle (her first and she wasn't really sure what to expect), which looked very good.
The Colors for the Cross was good, but not as many vendors as last year, from what others said. Lil Red got a neat watch which was made to look like a bike on a bike chain. Hubby got some new vest extenders that match his key.
We saw some absolutely gorgeous bikes today, between the bike show at CFC and the three bike stores we visited. Our first stop was American Classic Cycles, then to the Honda/Yamaha shop, then to the Harley place to pick up a friend's bike. I'll have to post more next week.
Here are some snapshots and a short write-up for the day.
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On a football note- we lost to Brantley- again. This was #7 in a row. I think our guys could have beat them, but they weren't sure in their minds they could. Our guys seemed to be in much better condition, just mentally they beat themselves. I'm sure there's a sermon in there, and I'll probably have more about it later.
For now, it's off to bed to watch The Vicar of Dibley- one of my favorite britcoms...

Friday, August 29, 2008

Oil Change

I found an awesome devotional a few months ago that I'd like to share with you. It's called 'Oil Change' and it's written by Pastor Rob at Biker's Church.
I've been in church most of my life, but this devotional teaches me in a way that most others do not- I rank Pastor Rob's writings in the same category as Max Lucado. They both write in conversational tones that are easy to understand and always bring out good points that I might have otherwise not thought about.
For example, right now, we're in the middle of a study on the book of Mark. We just read the story of when Jesus' mother and brothers came to the house where he was and sent in a message that they were there. I've never understood why Jesus wouldn't go out to them, but Rob had a thought- in earlier verses they were still not 'getting behind' Him (I'm paraphrasing); what if this was just another way of them saying, 'stop this and come on home'? He also wondered why they didn't come in to Him, but sent in a message instead. Were they still not supporting Him?
If you're looking for a good devotional, give Oil Change a look...

Here we go...

It's Friday- tonight is the big game - Tigers vs. Bulldogs. I've still got to get my red shirt ready (we're going to 'red out' the Dog House tonight). Not sure if we'll take the bikes to Brantley or not. Probably be easier to find places to park up close, but I'm also not sure that someone won't mess with them. (I don't worry so much about the car, which really doesn't make sense). We'll probably end up taking the car, anyway. much less a chance of getting run over by someone not paying attention in all the traffic.
We've got the boiled peanuts ready - the World's Largest Peanut Boil is this weekend, so we got some yesterday. Lots of things still to do to get ready, and I've still got some work to do on Dimple's website.
Once again - Go Tigers!!!!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

My Main Ride...

Our part of Alabama has been under some pretty dry conditions for most of this year, and we were behind on rain last year too, so I'm always thankful for rain. Hurricane Faye really poured it on us late last week, and the ground is still damp; meanwhile, we're expecting Gustav to visit us early next week.
All this to say that between the weather and tasks around here (plus some minor health problems), I haven't been able to ride my bike as much as I'd like for about a week now. That's not to say that I don't ride in the rain - I love the smell of wet asphalt rolling under my wheels. I just had no desire to scrape myself and my bike across the road during some of the rain we had last week. My husband drove home behind a guy on a bike one afternoon, and even though he was riding on a straightaway, his bike was leaning like he was in a long curve.
I hope that changes in the next few days and weeks - Colors for the Cross is this weekend, and we plan on going over early Saturday morning and spending the day.
Then September 13 is our group's fall benefit ride. We'll tour Crenshaw County on a poker run, with registration at the park. For more information on that ride, see our site. The ride will benefit a 'families in crisis' fund that will help families in and around Crenshaw County who need assistance.
Then in November we'll head out for a weekend trip to somewhere in Alabama. Right now we're talking about Ave Maria Grotto, but nothing is set in stone yet. That's one thing about riding- most of the time, it's about the ride itself, instead of the destination. To see some pictures from last year's ride, see this page.
Of course, I won't wait til those organized rides to get some miles in- sometimes I just have to ride around town to get my mind back in gear.
Meanwhile, I need to go out and crank my bike- she's been pouting the last few days, and she needs to know that I haven't forgotten her. For those of you who don't ride, a bike is different than any other vehicle - most bikes have a name, and most are considered either male or female.
My SUV is just a truck, as far as I'm concerned, but my bike? well, she's my bike- she is mine, and I am hers. Vroom! Vroom!!!!

Dimple's new book at the publishers...

One of my clients has finished work on her second book and we've sent it to the publisher. It's called "Prayers- Breaking Witchcraft Curses" and you can read more about it here. This is an awesome book, especially if you are under attack from the devil, or know someone who is.

Dimple's first book, "Prayers to Cast out Demons, Heal the Sick and Raise the Dead", (if you don't believe God has given us the power to do these things, see John 14:12) is still available through Amazon on this page. We've got a testimonial page set up here. I think you'll truly be blessed by either of these books.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

"Above My Pay Grade"

I don't usually like to make negative comments about anyone, especially out in public where it can come back to bite me, but the current presidential campaign has really gotten under my skin.
I watched the recent interviews that Rick Warren hosted with Obama and McCain. I've seen several folks comment in their blogs that they didn't think church was the place to do this. I think this was a great idea - we need to be having this type meetings in all kinds of places, to encourage everyone to participate and understand what we're voting on. I also loved the way it was set up too. No mudslinging, no arguing with each other and trying to come up with snappy answers, just each candidate having to be as open and honest as possible.
So when Obama was asked at what point did he think a baby deserved to have human rights, I was pretty stunned at his answer... most answers he gave were not short and to the point, giving him time to consider how he wanted to answer, and this one was the same way. And "above my pay grade" was the best he could do?
I think I'm going to market a t-shirt with that phrase on it... woe be unto us if we hire someone for the job of president, who thinks life-changing decisions like this are above his pay grade.

Go Tigers!!!!

Well, it's almost here. School started a couple weeks ago, and our first football game is this Friday night. Our biggest rivals, cross-county Brantley Bulldogs will host the game this week. Luverne has not been able to win in the last 5 years, but I'm hoping and praying we can take a winning team to the doghouse this Friday night, and show them the HAND!!!
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One another note, I'm working towards getting my new website up and ready to go. I've decided, after much thought, to change the basic setup of my business. When I started out 6 years ago, I was geared towards building websites for smaller businesses and churches. At first, I didn't think I even wanted to get involved in the graphics side of the business, but that side has grown more and more, moving into logo and banner ads.
My interest in photography as also grown, and I'm developing a portrait line.
I've also branched out into print design, creating print ads, wedding invitations, book layout, business cards, letterhead and flyer design. I'm also encouraging my younger daughter, Little Red, to join me in designing custom handmade notecards and art pieces. I'm waiting anxiously to see if she'll agree.
I may have more news later today.