Visiting the Dude Ranch

Eleni (aka "The Bug") and I took a trip up to visit our friends Doug and Margot in Columbus, GA this week. She loves her Auntie Margot and Uncle Dougie. Yes, I know she isn't a child, she is a "furkid" and that's how we roll. The bug is so fun to travel with since all she really wants to do is be wherever her people are. She has her own booster seat for the car. This Chi-wa rides in style baby!

We left Daddy at home to fend for himself. So he stayed over on base two nights to work with the students in his block. For those of you who are not familiar with what Rob currently is doing in the Air Force---he teaches weather students who will attach to Army units how to do their jobs without getting shot! His eyesight is improving a bit each day.

Last night he had the students out in jungle doing night driving and getting them aquainted with NVG's (night vision goggles)so they can see things go bump in the night. Rob put them on and was able to see what his vision will look like once his eyes totally heal. I'm not sure how he was able to figure all that out, but he said it was crystal clear. I guess that means he'll be walking around like the guy in Silence of the Lambs with NVG's on during the daytime. I'm such a lucky girl.

Back to the girls in Georgia. I was fortunate enough to be able to go to a PEO meeting for Chapter AI. Margot hosted the meeting at her home and I made my first chocolate cheesecake and topped it with pecan pralines. PEO's and food is always a good combination. The President of the chapter is from the Detroit area so we had a nice time sharing Motown stories. All-in-all, what a fantastic group of ladies! PEO is a great philanthropic organization promoting education for women. It is such a huge relief to know that wherever Rob and I end up, there will always be a chapter of sisters ready to help me get settled.

Since I was in the Ft. Benning area for a few days, and they are #1 on our dream list for Rob's first assignment as a Chaplain, I thought I would try to get familiar with the turf. Margot and I ventured onto base and proceeded to check out all the fun Army stuff. Since I didn't want to jinx anything until we know for sure that all is a done deal, I just took a mental inventory of the things that are now waiting for my return. I was hoping to meet up with a couple of the Chaplains who work with Doug, the Brigade Surgeon for the 3rd ID, but struck out.

Ft. Benning is huge and home of the Infantry! Part of the base is in Georgia and part of it is in Alabama. I have to say it was the first time I actually saw a tank moving...kind of cool. Margot and I were miles away from parts of the base that had artilery going off and it sounded like thunder rolling in. Very cool! Then we continued on our Thelma and Louise day at the base. We went over to the golf course and popped into the pro shop to see what they had to offer in the way of women's wear--NOTHING. Well, one thing let to another and the Head PGA Golf Pro offered me a job if Rob gets orders for Ft. Benning. I didn't see that coming, but it sure is nice to have in my back pocket for right now.

Tomorrow, March 13th, is a big day for Rob and I as we were engaged in St. Augustine four years ago during Bike Week and was an awesome day. We were on a balcony at Harry's overlooking the inter coastal and the Lion's Bridge. It is always fun to see the balcony whenever we are in the oldest city in the country. I promised to be home early so we can celebrate. With that, I will sign off for now. Momma and the Bug need to visit with the Dudewiczes a little bit longer then hit the hay.

Cross your fingers we get Ft. Benning, we are hoping to hear something any day now!

xoxo
Muff and The Bug

Meetin' Deacons & Preaching to the Choir

It has been a very busy week here at the Swamp. On Monday evening Rob met with the Deacons from Crown Point Baptist Church. They asked him a variety of personal and spiritual questions and eventually voted to ordain him. It is wonderful to have people see the goodness in him that I have seen all along. Since this journey to becoming an Army Chaplain started shortly after Christmas, a lightness has been a part of Rob that was missing for a while. Great to have that back!

On Thursday Rob had PRK eye surgery. First lets all be honest here--husbands make lousy patients. Drops four times a day, having to keep the house as dark as a cave, tummy aches and all that other good stuff that goes with a grown man not feeling 100%. Poor guy, the one thing he really lacks is patience and unfortunately, it is the primary thing Rob really needs right now. Four days after his surgery he had the contact lens bandages removed and now just has to wait a bit for the vision to improve as he heals.

In the midst of all this activity, Rob had to prepare a sermon for Sunday night service. Keep in mind he couldn't read anything all week, couldn't really focus on any print smaller than about 2 inches and needed to make an outline just for reference. Guess who got recruited to prep the preacher for his sermon. I had never heard Rob preach before. Wait, check that, he preaches "at me" all the time, this would be a new setting for me hearing him. I was really excited and nervous for him. Rob has really found his calling as he prepares to enter the Army as a Chaplain. With that said, it is interesting to watch how the Word of God effects him in a more powerful and emotional way lately.

As Rob went on to preach last night, he told the congregation his trials and tribulations of the week. When he told everyone that he couldn't read the Bible because of his eyes, he said he simply held the Book over his heart to help him find the words and place them in his memory so he could do a good job. Of course I got choked up, as did our friend Candace who joined us last night. A beat passed and he was well on his way to a fabulous sermon. YOU ROCK BABY!

His "Run For Your Life" sermon will soon be available on the Church's website for those of you interested in watching or listening. I mentioned "preaching to the choir" in the title of this posting. As Rob went in to some of his anecdotes and stories, he had a couple of the choir ladies cracking up. It was great feedback since he couldn't really see anyone's faces as he was preaching. He shared a funny story from his childhood that I had heard several times and I was laughing to the point of tears. All I can say is that it is a miracle that Rob's younger brother, Rick, survived and is somewhat normal. By the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY BROTHER! I say somewhat normal since neither of the Patterson boys are quite right. Another great example of God's sense of humor.

Today Rob wrapped up his final packet for endorsement and we eagerly await our next step in this journey that we have embarked upon.

The more I talk to God each evening the more comfortable I am becoming with my role as Rob's partner in this mission. There is much that I still have to learn, but I'm good with jumping in with both feet. Our friends and family have been a huge support and for all of them we are so thankful. Even those that have joshed about us (mostly me) going into this new venture. All of that helps to keep things normal. And, for those who haven't changed the way you are with "Pastor Rob" we thank you. He is still the same weather geek, Trekkie and general nerd he has always been.

More soon.

The Inaugural Pebble

Welcome to the first of many "Pebbles" to keep you updated with the goings-on of the Patterson Family. With family and friends scattered around the world we wanted a way to prattle on without running up phone bills, using up cell minutes and sending out e-mails to those who don't really feel like getting a running commentary on us.

First we wanted to let you know how we came up with our blog name. As many of you know, Rob is a former Special Forces dude. On a casual day back in 1988 while on a little "walk" with some of his new SF buddies, someone selected a 'little rock' for him to put into his backpack to remember this day. Rob named this rock the Patterson Pebble. It is not a small rock, but something that can withstand hurricane forces.

In addition, as Rob embarks on his new venture in the Army as a Chaplain, we thought the name still fit. As we go forward with our missions, each time we toss a pebble into the world we look forward to the ripple effect it will have.

As this first edition is going out into web-world, Rob is being interviewed by the Deacons at Crown Point Baptist Church. Rob has found a wonderful mentor in Pastor Steve and Muffy is so excited to have Pastor Steve's wife Gloria as a sounding board. Soon, Rob will be ordained and will be awaiting his commission in the Army. It is an exciting time and a nervewracking one as well. We look forward to the challenges that are ahead as we know this is God's plan for us. Many of you are now thinking "Muffy? A chaplain's wife?" I thought the same thing and continue to have my fears and doubts. Rob has been a great support and our friends are cheering both of us on.

I am still hopefull that things with ESPN and ABC will pick up again and I can get back out on the road doing what I love to do. Live broadcast televised sports. It is always fun reconnecting with my 'tv family' in fun places around the country. Stay tuned for more info. In the meantime, I'm still decorating cakes and will soon be adding an on-line dog treat bakery to MySweetDiva.com! The website is currently under contruction with only a one page welcome for now but I'm enlisting the help of talented friends to help me get it off and wagging.

Until next time--EAT CAKE!