tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79727816895290199482023-11-16T06:32:09.591-08:00Rambling ConundrumsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-78924000578596203312011-11-23T13:42:00.000-08:002011-11-23T13:42:35.204-08:00A month without... Anything.So,Jeff has stepped out to start his own business. In a way it's going great. They have won quite a few bids and are keeping busy. In another it has once again streched our faith. They will get paid for their work with the city...eventually.<br />
Everything we bring in <b>MUST</b> go to the business. That is just the way it is.But, since I'm not working we have had to make it on spit and mud. Thank goodness for spit and mud!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6-mIrikrJpiOEpCQI1pOkULQkGhog1bpFZQbqPO5nBsccWegMpuOC3DpxxOYZGI3hnCS0f6E0I7J5vft3Yae-7aXrRktNUNJsORbDvJRWl_SzdYB8M1nAbA-0IMaN9gVwhNL39fWKKFT/s1600/mud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="225" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6-mIrikrJpiOEpCQI1pOkULQkGhog1bpFZQbqPO5nBsccWegMpuOC3DpxxOYZGI3hnCS0f6E0I7J5vft3Yae-7aXrRktNUNJsORbDvJRWl_SzdYB8M1nAbA-0IMaN9gVwhNL39fWKKFT/s320/mud.jpg" /></a></div>We will see what God has in store for the holidays. I would really like to skip the gifts and take the kids to Branson or someplace. I'm just really to the point that the junk is not worth it. But,the memories are.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-11207957260823795082011-11-23T13:08:00.000-08:002011-11-23T13:08:55.009-08:00Yea. Yea. We're Poor. So what?If you start at the beginning you can see that we have had quite a transformation in our attitude about being poor. When I say I despised being poor that would be an understatement. But,when God says blessed are the poor,they shall see God. He wasn't kidding. I really do wish I would have written everything down. <br />
When we were desperate: <br />
Jeff found a gold coin and we got $1,500 so that he could pay a bill that was due the next day. "Or else." (been there?)<br />
I was in a very minor accident that the lady admitted full fault. So the insurance company paid me "Pain and suffering" Just as Jeff was needing it.<br />
We received an anonymous gift card.<br />
People gave us food. (when I literally had half a days worth and was praying "O.k. Lord you provided manna to the Israelites. How 'bout a little help here?)<br />
Found a clothing closet when two particularly rough kids needed jeans.<br />
There have been some other things. But,I can't think of them off the top of my head. <br />
Yea,we're still poor. Whatever. My God has it covered.<br />
So,Happy Thanksgiving.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-17953709818893749632011-11-23T12:42:00.000-08:002011-11-23T13:14:01.419-08:00Vision ForumI have homeschooled for about 10 years off and on. One of my favorite places to pick up historically cool things is <a href="http://www.visionforum.com">Visionforum.com</a> They have some amazing <a href="http://www.visionforum.com">Christian books</a>. <br />
I love that they promote masculinity and femininity. Not many places acknowledge the difference between the two. <br />
<br />
Thank you Vision Forum!<br />
So,Hop on over to <a href="http://www.smockityfrocks.com/2011/11/600-vision-forum-giveaway.html">http://www.smockityfrocks.com/2011/11/600-vision-forum-giveaway.html </a> And register to win up to $300 gift certificate.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-82168416061412393852011-09-26T12:33:00.000-07:002011-09-26T12:33:22.289-07:00Blech...Manna.So we all know the Isrealites wandered around in the desert and the Lord provided for them. <br />
<br />
Manna-<br />
Day after day after day.<br />
<br />
So they started to grumbel and moan."Blech.Manna again?"<br />
<br />
I can so relate.With Jeff being off work I was down to Oatmeal for breakfast and Chicken and potatoes for lunch and supper. I have no money to go shopping. So,what's a girl to do? <br />
<br />
I do what I always do. <br />
<br />
Pray.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-58039507138075973802011-09-26T12:26:00.000-07:002011-11-23T12:54:33.355-08:00Unschooling the type A personality way.With school being in full swing it has taken several transformations. At first I started out very rigid in our day. Everything scheduled and planned. But unfortunately that did not go so well. The kids were at each others throats and fought me every minute. It was too frustrating.<br />
<br />
So,we have gone to a more non-traditional route.I'm letting the kids basically chose the subjects that they are interested in. Then we explore.I'm learning a lot.<br />
<br />
I worry if we are covering everything. Which is why I did not want to do school this way. And my type A personality loves the planning and structre that comes with the more traditional route. But the kids are no longer saying homeschool is stupid or boring. For the most part they are getting along. And When I say "what are you working on?" they usually have some interesting thing they have discovered. I find that they are often sharing with each other their books and knowledge gained. We have many conversations about how one subject relates to another. Or how what they are learning applies to real life. <br />
<br />
I'm wondering if this is how God intended for us to learn?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqXKqYR-CmRJ7fT8xwFa70z6wnLAOCq0xmOwCnWoq6FR-IJFiYw-VBDZJtB3a2u16rGztkrfIn-35c1kSJykxbU6L57w4AKUMNHAKE1UJVhpEP4FQzJFoFmu-MUUVJZOaeoBtBm90GJKU/s1600/2011-9-22+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqXKqYR-CmRJ7fT8xwFa70z6wnLAOCq0xmOwCnWoq6FR-IJFiYw-VBDZJtB3a2u16rGztkrfIn-35c1kSJykxbU6L57w4AKUMNHAKE1UJVhpEP4FQzJFoFmu-MUUVJZOaeoBtBm90GJKU/s320/2011-9-22+085.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I'm still learning how to incoporate math and language arts into our program.Joe is using <a href="http://www.pacsdoctor.com/MathTutor/MahtTutorIntro.htm">http://www.pacsdoctor.com/MathTutor/MathTutorIntro.htm </a>Evelyn and Caleb,I have yet to find a program that I like. We have been using <a href="http://aaamath.com/">http://aaamath.com/</a>. But I am just not satisfied with it. I've been contmplating going back to IXL. I like that it runs along with state standards. And it sends me reports on what the kids are doing. Evelyn liked doing it last year becuase we were able to set goals within the program and she would get little rewards for accomplishing so many units.<br />
<br />
Language Arts is just flying around on their blogs. I would like to incorperated a formal program. But I really believe that the more you write the better you get at being able to put your thoughts to paper.I'm really not sure that we have to identify past participles right now. I wonder what the early English lessons looked like?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-42029259647369173532011-08-14T14:16:00.000-07:002011-08-14T14:16:44.511-07:00dissipation<div>Main Entry: <strong>dis·si·pate</strong> <input onclick="return au('dissip01', 'dissipate');" class="au" title="Listen to the pronunciation of dissipate" type="button"></div><div>Pronunciation: <span class="pr">\<span class="unicode">ˈ</span>di-sə-<span class="unicode">ˌ</span>pāt\</span></div><div>Function: <em>verb</em> </div><div>Inflected Form(s): <strong>dis·si·pat·ed</strong>; <strong>dis·si·pat·ing</strong></div><div>Etymology: Latin <em>dissipatus,</em> past participle of <em>dissipare, dissupare,</em> from <em>dis-</em> + <em>supare</em> to throw</div><div>Date: 15th century</div><p class="d"><!--INFOLINKS_ON--><em class="v">transitive verb</em> <strong>1 a</strong> <strong>:</strong> to break up and drive off (as a crowd) <strong>b</strong> <strong>:</strong> to cause to spread thin or scatter and gradually vanish <span class="vi"><one's sympathy is eventually <em>dissipated</em> — Andrew Feinberg></span> <strong>c</strong> <strong>:</strong> to lose (as heat or <a itxtdid="15343888" target="_blank" href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissipating#" style="border-bottom: 0.075em solid darkgreen ! important; font-weight: normal ! important; font-size: 100% ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important; padding-bottom: 1px ! important; color: darkgreen ! important; background-color: transparent ! important; background-image: none; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt;" classname="iAs" class="iAs">electricity</a>) irrecoverably<br />
<strong>2</strong> <strong>:</strong> to spend or use up wastefully or foolishly <span class="vi"><<em>dissipated</em> the family fortune in reckless <a itxtdid="14302693" target="_blank" href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissipating#" style="border-bottom: 0.075em solid darkgreen ! important; font-weight: normal ! important; font-size: 100% ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important; padding-bottom: 1px ! important; color: darkgreen ! important; background-color: transparent ! important; background-image: none; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt;" classname="iAs" class="iAs">business</a> ventures></span><em class="v">intransitive verb</em> <strong>1</strong> <strong>:</strong> to break up and scatter or vanish <span class="vi"><the clouds soon <em>dissipated</em>></span> <span class="vi"><the team's early momentum has <em>dissipated</em>></span><br />
<strong>2</strong> <strong>:</strong> to be extravagant or dissolute in the pursuit of pleasure; <em>especially</em> <strong>:</strong> to drink to excess</p><div><strong>synonyms</strong> see <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scatter">scatter</a><br />
<br />
I had to look up this word after reading Luke 21. Jesus talks about what we will be facing as we approach the end. I am amazed at how much I read, it seems ad if the whole Bible was written for just this time. <br />
<br />
Dissipate: drive off, break up. I know so many people who have been through a church split. Now they no longer want to have anything to do with the Church. We as believers are becoming spread thin and many are turning from their faith.<br />
<br />
To waste or spend foolishly: Self included I'm afraid. How much time have I wasted because I was fed up with our situation? How much garbage have I sat watching because I was captured by the storyline? Or trying to escape reality?<br />
<br />
Pursuit of pleasure: Isn't this one of our constitutional rights? Of course I'm joking. But we have lost what happiness is. Our pursuit of happiness has been replaced with the pursuit of pleasure. I think some don't know the difference.<br />
<br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-1674012036437135972011-08-14T14:13:00.000-07:002011-08-14T14:13:19.937-07:00Silence.Proverbs 13:12<br />
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.<br />
Proverbs 13:11-13<br />
<br />
I was sick. Sick for worry. Sick of the tension that was in our home. Sick that things would get worse (if they could possibly) I was just plain sick and tired of our situation.<br />
<br />
But I held on to hope that God would be faithful to us. That he would deliver us from this.<br />
<br />
It was only a small tiny sliver of hope. But a sliver is better than none. <br />
<br />
I know of people who are going through much worse than what we did. While we were in the mire I felt so guilty that I was feeling sorry for myself. Yet I just couldn't help it. <br />
<br />
God not audibly talking was the worst part of this whole thing. He has given us promises,then why was He not upholding his end of the bargain?<br />
<br />
He will supply all your needs.<br />
He will provide a way of escape.<br />
He will give us an abundant life.<br />
Ask anything in His name. And it will be given to you.<br />
<br />
Are they true? Do you know how many times I had people quote these verses to me? I had people tell me I needed to be praising God anyway. That I was wrong for not. <br />
<br />
Well,maybe I was wrong. Maybe I was sinning for not accepting our situation.But,I couldn't help it. The silence was deafening. How do you be a godly example to those around you when you feel like you have been trampled on? When God is Silent and you are screaming out to Him from your inner most being? <br />
<br />
I wasn't a good example.I wasn't one to be looked upon as having faith.I was broken and discouraged.I worried.I don't believe in "name it and claim it" It's a delusion. A lie.<br />
<br />
God is God.<br />
<br />
And if He want's to be silent,He can be silent. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-18216482570283045372011-08-14T13:46:00.000-07:002011-08-14T13:49:15.508-07:00Lay-off. Round dos.Monday Jeff was laid off. Again.<br />
<br />
I have to say there is part of me that is a little excited.(Of course I'm freaking out a whole awful lot too.)<br />
<br />
I think knowing that we have been through this before gives me a little comfort. Since we made it through all the loss and really haven't built ourselves up yet,I think we will be o.k.<br />
<br />
So,what is my plan of action?<br />
<br />
We have to get on Food Stamps.I don't want to do this. I have been a little irritated with God over the fact that I have to do this.But,our cupboards were already bare. I have children to feed. And I wont use the food bank and here's why:<br />
<br />
I already had to use them. Here in KC they gave my family of 8 three little bags of groceries. There was only one thing in there that would make a complete meal. The only meat was tuna (o.k.) and chicken hot dogs. Who eats chicken hot dogs? I'll throw them in something to hide them. But really???(I know beggars can't be choosers.)<br />
<br />
Let our lender know our trouble.They have already told us that they would not kick us out no matter what happens. So I don't have to worry about our house. But,if you are in this spot,call your lender. They would rather hear from you and try to work something out.<br />
<br />
Pray.<br />
<br />
Tell everyone I know to pray.<br />
<br />
Pray some more.<br />
<br />
I don't know where this round of layoffs will put us. But I have to trust that God does know what's best for us and I just need to accept it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-50852987949570174562011-08-03T09:24:00.000-07:002011-08-03T09:24:51.393-07:00Let them go their own way.My oldest daughter was <b>tough</b>! This kid challenged me even in the womb. For example: I was laying up against hubby. And she kicked so hard that she woke both of us up. I always said that if you would give her an inch,she would take a mile.<br />
<br />
I didn't want to keep my thumb on her all the time. <br />
I wanted to enjoy her. <br />
Go shopping. <br />
Teach her how to be a good mommy.<br />
Be her friend.<br />
<br />
Instead, I resented her. It would make me so angry that I could not give her freedom. I would get so frustrated that she would constantly push the limit. Constantly arguing. Constantly driving up strife.(Yes I realize my own folly in a lot of this.)<br />
<br />
When she was 11 she said she wanted to be an artist. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5sk7G3OPipmpv_tRnYUPhgAiX9u3rzs6GCjI9RS4aJfK4w3nlbONsLzSFqWGY_fkxXQIj3mmlmeQ5g5iRdl65xJD5HlmQJTwcb33rZt1DCNOYgnQuUSTSuItmMQLEWawwyqkbbujC-DX/s1600/andi+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5sk7G3OPipmpv_tRnYUPhgAiX9u3rzs6GCjI9RS4aJfK4w3nlbONsLzSFqWGY_fkxXQIj3mmlmeQ5g5iRdl65xJD5HlmQJTwcb33rZt1DCNOYgnQuUSTSuItmMQLEWawwyqkbbujC-DX/s320/andi+005.JPG" /></a></div>By Andi.Age 17<br />
<br />
I of course told her that there was no way. People who live as artist are very poor and if one would happen to make it,they are few and far between. <br />
<br />
She left. Set out to prove me wrong.<br />
<br />
She left. Under a cloud.<br />
<br />
She left. An opportunity of a lifetime.<br />
<br />
She left. Without our blessing.<br />
<br />
She left. Determined to find her own way.<br />
<br />
I should have helped her get there. I should have told her that she was the most amazing artist I have ever seen. I should have told her more how precious she was to me. I should have let her go her own way.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-89586962214939192692011-07-27T19:27:00.000-07:002011-07-27T19:27:59.502-07:00Joy Comes in the Morning. But What if the Night Last 7 Years?I wish I could say that I endured the last 7 years with wonderful grace and joy. But I didn't.<br />
<br />
<b>I screamed!</b><br />
<b>I moaned!</b><br />
<b>I complained!</b><br />
<b>I groaned!</b><br />
<b>I cried,</b><br />
<b>and cried</b><br />
<b>and cried</b>.<br />
2 Samuel 22:42<br />
They cried for help, but there was no one to save them— to the LORD, but he did not answer.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7oXTT8LRf7x0QUUcEnfVr-UN2-yl2Bj2qx3VBsjIOaBNgNTzQZt6ArnoWWTT9nlQoPrPyEFZCDaF2zc5yDfTiE7UfphTr3jviTXTWKTOZlhbWCSneUiiduFKFaLiy7H-n4CY3fW2oUVz/s1600/cry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7oXTT8LRf7x0QUUcEnfVr-UN2-yl2Bj2qx3VBsjIOaBNgNTzQZt6ArnoWWTT9nlQoPrPyEFZCDaF2zc5yDfTiE7UfphTr3jviTXTWKTOZlhbWCSneUiiduFKFaLiy7H-n4CY3fW2oUVz/s320/cry.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I cried out to God. I yelled at Him. I asked Him why in the heck did He allow this to happen to us? I mean really,hadn't we gone through enough as kids? <br />
<br />
Weren't things hard enough in the early years of our marriage? <br />
<br />
Could He <i>please</i> get us out of this mess?<br />
<br />
And he was silent.<br />
<br />
How do you go on when the creator of the universe,the one you call savior,the one you boast about,ignores you? <br />
<br />
Isaiah 64:12<br />
After all this, LORD, will you hold yourself back? Will you keep silent and punish us beyond measure?<br />
<br />
Where is your hope when all your hope is gone?<br />
<br />
Psalm 39:7<br />
“But now, Lord,what do I look for? My hope is in you.<br />
<br />
We held on. I really didn't think we were going to make it. I thought we were going to lose our marriage. I was sure that we were going to lose our kids. <br />
<br />
So what changed? How did we escape?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-220040130882651482011-07-20T10:11:00.000-07:002011-07-20T10:11:24.188-07:00Bad house. Good house. Part 3To say we were a little broken hearted is an understatement.<br />
<br />
But,we decided to make the best of it and buy the money pit. I had someone from the community tell me that people from my own church were judging us for buying it. I was always in a panic over this. With all our kids in that crappy house. With my humiliation of gaining weight.( Because food really is a comfort). I already felt like we were being called "trailer trash".It was very disheartening hearing that people from my own church were talking about us.<br />
<br />
I wondered where people wanted me to live? In itty bitty? <br />
<br />
<b>NO WAY</b><br />
<br />
This house saved our marriage and my children. Itty bitty was too much. I couldn't go back.<br />
<br />
So when the first of the year rolled around,we set out to buy it. We spent our income tax money on the supports and the laundry/bathroom. Then the first of March we got a phone call. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVarvQpfong8IH6lPFrCJu-WDGIUePoob9C88I86fGuGp8PCGPxvlBPu_BYa5OzCPV_tTbf5w9iW1Kth4MzvWwq2KohkFQxKxjZW96o5nQ3ZJ4fiQsYSpMEhRHbCnHv-sCP78BZAfjlYDS/s1600/phone_telephone_266159_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="231" width="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVarvQpfong8IH6lPFrCJu-WDGIUePoob9C88I86fGuGp8PCGPxvlBPu_BYa5OzCPV_tTbf5w9iW1Kth4MzvWwq2KohkFQxKxjZW96o5nQ3ZJ4fiQsYSpMEhRHbCnHv-sCP78BZAfjlYDS/s320/phone_telephone_266159_l.jpg" /></a></div><br />
4 months after Jeff's interview they called him back and said they had a job. Did he want it? <br />
<br />
<br />
We talked about wage and decided it had to be this much.<br />
<br />
<b>He took the job.</b><br />
<b><br />
He gave his 2 weeks notice.</b><br />
<b><br />
He left. </b>(I'll talk about that another day. Boy I have a lot to catch up on.)<br />
<br />
We then had to address where were we going to live? Jeff wasn't going to make much more at this job. But,we figured expenses would be more in the city. So,I knew we would not be able to get into much of a house. I had a friend that offered for us to live in a duplex they owned. Ugghh. not that I didn't appreciate the offer. <br />
<br />
Jeff was staying with a friend. So,one day I came down to see him. And when we went on a drive he saw it. He saw our house. It was beautiful. I couldn't believe that God would really let us live in something so beautiful. I told Jeff sarcastically good luck with that. These homes are $150,000+. Our friend told us that homes like that one were $.200,000. I knew there was no way we would get it.<br />
<br />
Jeff called the realtor and they said it was no longer listed. But when it was listed the lady wanted $95,000. Definitely out of our price range. Especially since we had spent all our income tax money on the dump.<br />
<br />
But,Jeff felt that this was our house. He was going to call her anyway. We talked about how much we thought we could do. That was the exact price she said she wanted. I still did not believe that we could get into it.<br />
<br />
<br />
Well,I can't go into all the details. But through a very amazing circumstance we were able to get help. Let me just say I think my kids <b>really</b> <b>really</b> believe in God.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyNVdjOw_aJfMXW8xajOkO7vX6hHR3-YjyQ3KXrHaV94fE8bXn2rXWSxGZAtp0sTaHlQqoK0O2wMeoB6OjJhXKNdcv6eGO2y_U929X4KxVvnPdJywi1itROZsOFWql8uf8n-cioheNL-0/s1600/256030_1807889606010_1503057192_31465272_7676177_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="213" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyNVdjOw_aJfMXW8xajOkO7vX6hHR3-YjyQ3KXrHaV94fE8bXn2rXWSxGZAtp0sTaHlQqoK0O2wMeoB6OjJhXKNdcv6eGO2y_U929X4KxVvnPdJywi1itROZsOFWql8uf8n-cioheNL-0/s320/256030_1807889606010_1503057192_31465272_7676177_o.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<b>He is the reason</b> <br />
We are here.<br />
Have this house. <br />
Have our marriage. <br />
Have happy children.<br />
Have our faith.<br />
<br />
In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul.<br />
Psalms 138:3<br />
<br />
It's been a long road getting here. I sure wouldn't want to go through it again. But let me tell you,I tell God every day thank you.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-28472704874914646612011-07-19T15:43:00.000-07:002011-07-19T15:43:44.852-07:00Bad house. Good house. Part 2For my friend Teresa Rhoades (Robinson). Who peaks at her Christmas presents too.<br />
<br />
So,when I say things were bad. I can't express how bad they were. In fact,it's why I stopped blogging. I couldn't stand that every time I went to write something it was such a downer. I figured that there was no point in putting into words what we were enduring because I was so resentful. And I didn't want everyone to see that. Because that's not really who I am as a person. And I hated who I was becoming.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcqfWBGs7w8fsF-mdmGNyH45WEduAHLEfRU5bj5ILC4dj2BQciDbHIPdQWxMUfY_4VWp7H5AbzKlKh7bUb1Loc3w3RnIsNjjU5bje862E_YgK8Vj037f60-gOBrH2zF7JbipcK6EEWfEM/s1600/100_4815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcqfWBGs7w8fsF-mdmGNyH45WEduAHLEfRU5bj5ILC4dj2BQciDbHIPdQWxMUfY_4VWp7H5AbzKlKh7bUb1Loc3w3RnIsNjjU5bje862E_YgK8Vj037f60-gOBrH2zF7JbipcK6EEWfEM/s320/100_4815.jpg" /></a></div>(this is not me. It's a friend of Chis')<br />
<br />
I will say all this has given me more grace for those who may seem bitter. <i>That</i> bitterness didn't just get there overnight. It grew out of deep hurt. And they probably just couldn't get through whatever that might have been. <br />
<br />
We were poor-rich. Man it was so much fun all the money Jeff made! We wasted it all. So that's why I say we were poor-rich. We did not save. We did not give. (much anyway) We were always on the financial brink of disaster. But,like I said, it was so much fun. We went places. I bought what I wanted when I wanted it. We ate out all the time. I should say it was fun until about 6 years ago when Jeff was laid off. I would have given anything to have even a small portion of what we squandered back. <br />
<br />
So Jeff went from making $75,000 a year to 7.50 an hour. Talk about a lifestyle adjustment. Sometime I'll blog about everything <i>that</i> entailed. <br />
<br />
Let's get to the good stuff.<br />
<br />
I had a friend in October of 2010 say to me have you considered moving back to Kansas City?<br />
<br />
I had not. It was too painful.<br />
too much loss.<br />
<br />
But I looked at jobs for Jeff anyway. I knew he could not get back into computers. I thought maybe an extruder job since that's what he was doing. Not more than a few days looking one appeared. And it was perfect. So I told Jeff to apply for it. What was it going to hurt? <br />
<br />
He had been looking at jobs in Nebraska the whole time we lived there. Trying to find a job that would support our family. Because a family of 8 can not live on $12.00 an hour. Just so you know. Well you can.But it's not very much fun. And I'll get to that some other time too.<br />
<br />
Soooo, he applied. He interviewed! We were so excited and really trying hard not to get too hopeful. But we dreamed. We had not done that in a long time. How do you dream when you have no hope?<br />
<br />
He got the call back!<br />
<br />
They said they were not going to open up the job. They decided to buy a dryer instead. Thank you very much.<br />
<br />
Don't let the door hit you on the way out. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqeVN0toV9IvS3vCBPmjzK4oPb_gvU6DFpu-aPWc3BZjozUUHConVBBYoRE_UUk31fQEumvqVUVK-cOtwG46z4lwQEjw95HpXMh-X_bv10YjdU8NdR1Xna_Vc7AxGUbBJpvFli6jb3NZi/s1600/door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqeVN0toV9IvS3vCBPmjzK4oPb_gvU6DFpu-aPWc3BZjozUUHConVBBYoRE_UUk31fQEumvqVUVK-cOtwG46z4lwQEjw95HpXMh-X_bv10YjdU8NdR1Xna_Vc7AxGUbBJpvFli6jb3NZi/s320/door.jpg" /></a></div><br />
So we decided that God must want us to stay put. And that was that.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-63862542165972040412011-07-19T11:46:00.000-07:002011-07-19T12:36:13.521-07:00Bad house. Good house. Part 1.Well let me just say things got bad. I mean really really bad. <br />
<br />
We did get into a bigger home. YEA! But this home was a pit. A dump. A...well it was bad. I got it looking pretty good on the outside. It's amazing what a little paint and some flowers will do for a place. So,I perked it up. On the other hand structurally the thing was falling into the dirt. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KQC1wvlM43_coe-_xgi96pBt9lhlnqLRy7UVWqYA8QJyQBiBIQyj006z2Y8BQLOnPjjWsC4zgr9ezCxb5ozYb87IggES6Ypd_zlLpQQdzHGFNDtemgu7CB7Tk6FOL_330L15IwgtuG3u/s1600/oldhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KQC1wvlM43_coe-_xgi96pBt9lhlnqLRy7UVWqYA8QJyQBiBIQyj006z2Y8BQLOnPjjWsC4zgr9ezCxb5ozYb87IggES6Ypd_zlLpQQdzHGFNDtemgu7CB7Tk6FOL_330L15IwgtuG3u/s320/oldhouse.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Yes. Dirt.<br />
<br />
Literally. <br />
<br />
It was so bad that my husband said that the children could not bounce,hop or do anything other than gently slide over the hardwood surface. And that I had to walk along the perimeter. <br />
<br />
O.k. it wasn't quite that bad but almost. <br />
<br />
At some point someone had taken the main beam of this two story wonder. The wonder is how it was still standing with the main support beam MIA. There was also water damage or bug damage along one of the exterior wall sill plates. So this whole wall could be shook.<br />
<br />
Now, I'm no expert. I'm a girl and I don't know much about construction. But,I would say that a home that does not have it's main support and an exterior wall that is at least 1/4 holding up a roof missing.... is not a good thing.<br />
<br />
Jeff said it was fine. <br />
<br />
He set to work. He rebuild the main support. lifted it with super jacks.<br />
<br />
He lifted. He sawed. He conquered. <br />
<br />
Jeff worked and worked and worked. <br />
Then out of the blue he got the call. <br />
The call that changed our lives.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-7143238400818796062009-12-15T14:47:00.000-08:002009-12-15T15:00:44.509-08:00Well that's annoying!I have had a couple of annoying things brought to my attention. First no matter how many times I edit my posts I still find errors. Second, no matter what I do, somehow I end up looking like a slob?<br /><br />If you see an error let me please let me know. I'd rather not look like a dweeb.<br /><br />Last night my son had a concert. Before we left Olie came up to me with a straw that had been used to drink chocolate milk. She flipped it around. I grabbed it. Checked my person for deposits, found none so left. We had a little bit to wait so I thought I would hit the bathroom before they started. Looking in the mirror as I was washing my hands, what did I see? Chocolate spots all over my ecru Christmas sweatshirt! How is it possible that I could not see those big black dollops that looked like I had devoured a giant hollow Santa, sleigh and reindeer in one sitting? Now I'm going to tell myself that everyone who checked me out was not looking at the deposits but the cute little kitty with a Santa hat on his head.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-13875166867505218772009-12-14T10:43:00.000-08:002009-12-14T10:51:15.349-08:00<div>Main Entry: <strong>dis·si·pate</strong><br />Pronunciation: <span class="pr">\<span class="unicode">ˈ</span>di-sə-<span class="unicode">ˌ</span>pāt\</span></div><div>Function: <em>verb</em> </div><div>Inflected Form(s): <strong>dis·si·pat·ed</strong>; <strong>dis·si·pat·ing</strong></div><div>Etymology: Latin <em>dissipatus,</em> past participle of <em>dissipare, dissupare,</em> from <em>dis-</em> + <em>supare</em> to throw</div><div>Date: 15th century<br /><br />I had to look up this word after reading Luke 21. Jesus talks about what we will be facing as we approach the end. I am amazed at how much I read, it seems ad if the whole Bible was written for just this time.<br /><br />Dissipate: drive off, break up. I know so many people who have been through a church split. Now they no longer want to have anything to do with the Church. We as believers are becoming spread thin and many are turning from their faith.<br /><br />To waste or spend foolishly: Self included I'm afraid. How much time have I wasted because I was fed up with our situation? How much garbage have I sat watching because I was captured by the storyline? Or trying to escape reality?<br /><br />Pursuit of pleasure: Isn't this one of our constitutional rights? Of course I'm joking. But we have lost what happiness is. Our pursuit of happiness has been replaced with the pursuit of pleasure. I think some don't know the difference.<br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-69542433161418984642009-12-13T11:28:00.001-08:002009-12-13T12:35:24.012-08:00Christmas at itty bitty<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ViJe-kmY_nJBuV6Lzp9YLDHo3Mvz2hHcAWERCi3BRCvfNoMdz0XuCB20aFgc8kpivywd6lhk1vBPfJI17Q66vPwSHfl8Kn0LQ34jqCfkJYlOi__MZna3mq4KXoJq3WtrK1h5BQFZP4ef/s1600-h/100_4955.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ViJe-kmY_nJBuV6Lzp9YLDHo3Mvz2hHcAWERCi3BRCvfNoMdz0XuCB20aFgc8kpivywd6lhk1vBPfJI17Q66vPwSHfl8Kn0LQ34jqCfkJYlOi__MZna3mq4KXoJq3WtrK1h5BQFZP4ef/s320/100_4955.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414809933847302658" border="0" /></a> Go Huskers!!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmhn2FiBv138ACWSbGd0HeHuPDlDdT_ceqXuI-R_KkKdoKEaTsXn3clP_yUcxjebdXGPfzgzww2iKP5GoUYCpd2uVgJS-Zm5crSA_Kv64Ofn6RR779GeD33cdpDY66AruLu4r4Z_yqIE0/s1600-h/100_4966.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmhn2FiBv138ACWSbGd0HeHuPDlDdT_ceqXuI-R_KkKdoKEaTsXn3clP_yUcxjebdXGPfzgzww2iKP5GoUYCpd2uVgJS-Zm5crSA_Kv64Ofn6RR779GeD33cdpDY66AruLu4r4Z_yqIE0/s320/100_4966.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414808982435697170" border="0" /></a><br />I was too bummed out last year to do much decorating for Christmas. It was the first year without Grandpa. My brother had decided to not move up. And it was the first year in itty bitty. I could not get it together. But, our town started a tradition last year which we enjoyed. Our community put up Christmas trees around our town square. We really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I did not go down and take our ornaments off the tree. So years of our Christmas decorations went where ever old Christmas ornaments go. I didn't have even one to put on our tree. So, I decided we would just make salt dough ornaments. Everyone has made these. Salt, flour, water. I discovered that you can microwave them to dry them out and if you use self rising flower, they will puff up really cute.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0tu7H2SOUBELwZZTKMhX6dtSGV3lT_gr3bcDB8H3QxHwqOBLA5Np2oNDWQMtlA3jQF0CxeOtab4nh9OtjySJDTblBu01w46WgtubP45eA_A4-lWi5lMKhQhL8pdUxLG5PZgTZVPnOS2s/s1600-h/100_4965.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0tu7H2SOUBELwZZTKMhX6dtSGV3lT_gr3bcDB8H3QxHwqOBLA5Np2oNDWQMtlA3jQF0CxeOtab4nh9OtjySJDTblBu01w46WgtubP45eA_A4-lWi5lMKhQhL8pdUxLG5PZgTZVPnOS2s/s320/100_4965.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414809249687627042" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We just used regular old cookie cutters and some old craft paint I had laying around.<br />Now the biggest problem with us being in this little house is what to do with my rather large Christmas tree. There was only one option.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7d27wfwBmYQfYX473U5EsO8upLaJFt8fnqW4jnyv8admT4z5LhGcu_Ko3hrzIyHuyqiRFtZg6zPfnpKOdcvD752-r6Y0r6NdyNzAyTBNpT_NbQB4z2UubNjKMD3BOrvy08csRKclRL4zL/s1600-h/100_4971.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7d27wfwBmYQfYX473U5EsO8upLaJFt8fnqW4jnyv8admT4z5LhGcu_Ko3hrzIyHuyqiRFtZg6zPfnpKOdcvD752-r6Y0r6NdyNzAyTBNpT_NbQB4z2UubNjKMD3BOrvy08csRKclRL4zL/s320/100_4971.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414810541377691922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHUi47uOv5G-9Ld6bhp3FI9l1fpvbE4ojxMombhq2LoELVSHAejC6dCkdQJY3V4B2EEVWm5_shvC82wq7j1az_xehtt0oQQYTV80cpb67rWn9_quWXyOc2NRDhaBwIhLfitM6RiljtuuL/s1600-h/100_4973.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHUi47uOv5G-9Ld6bhp3FI9l1fpvbE4ojxMombhq2LoELVSHAejC6dCkdQJY3V4B2EEVWm5_shvC82wq7j1az_xehtt0oQQYTV80cpb67rWn9_quWXyOc2NRDhaBwIhLfitM6RiljtuuL/s320/100_4973.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414812760254724546" border="0" /></a><br />Well, you might as well see a little bit of the rest of the house. I was standing by the chair in the first picture to take this one. This cupboard was left in an old house that was on our Kansas property. Someday I will take some varnish to it. But for now, it functions to store the girls toys on the bottom and Andi an my makeup and hair supplies and some video tapes on top. I am learning that in this house, if it takes up space it must be used for some kind of storage function.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu67KHs1nWzd632-PQBNj7thchHpCMMN1XUwJ2SYDwi2-3fdiFNabixN9sagrPV1W8YaAoPd8gWCVxEJd66_9hRWmcLLLqzqy1bpYOxre8rbF7FWzr4eQY8X77OoYHN17R1lNEhiOiv1kr/s1600-h/1122091824b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu67KHs1nWzd632-PQBNj7thchHpCMMN1XUwJ2SYDwi2-3fdiFNabixN9sagrPV1W8YaAoPd8gWCVxEJd66_9hRWmcLLLqzqy1bpYOxre8rbF7FWzr4eQY8X77OoYHN17R1lNEhiOiv1kr/s320/1122091824b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414814130270644130" border="0" /></a>So, this is a lousy photo of the recycled windows by the cupboard. I've had these for at least 12 years. Maybe longer. It's hard to see but the window boxes are actually recycled drawers from an old sewing machine case. I just stuffed them with some clearance greenery. They are covering a little pass through my dad cut in the wall so Mom could see me when I was a baby. I've changed the curtain since this photo. I don't like it either. So, I need to get some more material and try again.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWuz71ioyMp0ExV20X3i0yKWhMMhv8998qiUlEpGBY_OfmL195O9IUOS90mMOjCafyuyYuUFLMl66T5lz-ayWqv14LHtvPKGqAt2QMC7zopnFMGlxgqND6cYGofssHrSXd08vSSP8h6A1/s1600-h/100_4974.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWuz71ioyMp0ExV20X3i0yKWhMMhv8998qiUlEpGBY_OfmL195O9IUOS90mMOjCafyuyYuUFLMl66T5lz-ayWqv14LHtvPKGqAt2QMC7zopnFMGlxgqND6cYGofssHrSXd08vSSP8h6A1/s320/100_4974.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414815256266664882" border="0" /></a><br />Chloe is up to something. The "cookies" are leftover ornaments. The orange and black hoddie was my grandpa's. I'm not sure why I keep it hanging around. I guess it makes me feel like he is still here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1sIl17jGDnCtWQDC4ZHod46-Sa9dRo9wjwRfRol-wzpMRNu4bwwcXhCu5eIyd_oFJp6g-7Ysp7xZNHztWztXn9e2K7nTJ6OvlOEK2vKTq74EggFMxXG5w4HujcErZ6YPyIeM69VG3FVk/s1600-h/1122091830a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1sIl17jGDnCtWQDC4ZHod46-Sa9dRo9wjwRfRol-wzpMRNu4bwwcXhCu5eIyd_oFJp6g-7Ysp7xZNHztWztXn9e2K7nTJ6OvlOEK2vKTq74EggFMxXG5w4HujcErZ6YPyIeM69VG3FVk/s320/1122091830a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414816544346385170" border="0" /></a>Everyone always wants to know how we handle the sleeping situation. Well here it is. When we moved from Kansas City to Miltonvale, I bought these bunk beds. Jeff was really mad at me because They cost me about $2,000 dollars. I knew the boys were going to need good beds since they were going to have to share a room. I didn't want to worry about someone getting hurt or them breaking. I also got the extra long twin because I knew that boys would need leg room soon. What I didn't know until a long time later that they had messed up our order. They gave us 2 extra beds. Just enough for itty bitty. God knew what we would need. This has worked out for us. Part of me likes having it set up this way. I know that if we were to have an emergency I would be able to quickly get everyone out. Making the beds is an issue though. But, I guess I have to let some things go. <br /><br />Merry Christmas from the Crayton 8. May God bring you Joy and Peace this coming New YearUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-89425497037722465902009-11-30T11:56:00.001-08:002011-07-19T11:49:07.356-07:00Acceptance<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfpoD_D9iz3iWm_tndf7BvNypYbBRV3bZ-1RKikbk028d1RvWMRI8QeuL6G_P1VaBteSriX6J9_G4h5M8NP052nPs6sa7zOyKA7lEM1PrOA7v3_DBtw0_z0u0KY5RbDlbnuZ1i0sr8X8U/s1600/andi+best.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfpoD_D9iz3iWm_tndf7BvNypYbBRV3bZ-1RKikbk028d1RvWMRI8QeuL6G_P1VaBteSriX6J9_G4h5M8NP052nPs6sa7zOyKA7lEM1PrOA7v3_DBtw0_z0u0KY5RbDlbnuZ1i0sr8X8U/s320/andi+best.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409990941261552146" border="0" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I am following Revive our Hearts 30 day gratitude challenge.<br />
Right now (because the waters seem to be calm) I am just accepting our situation. I'm fighting myself to not be irritated with the kids. I'm enjoying how itty bitty is coming together. We put up our very large tree in our very little living room. We made homemade salt dough ornaments. Paint and all. I have decided that Christmas should <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> be the only time my dear friends receive a handwritten note from me.<br />
I've accepted my daughter is an adult. If she screws up, she will have to pay the consequence. I can only hold her hand. My brother gets the farm and that is his home. I accept that my mom will never give me nor my family the attention she gives my brother. And that's really o.k. I accept my role in life is to take care of others. Acceptance is a wonderful thing.<br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-8001342469064996062009-11-23T10:07:00.000-08:002009-11-23T10:18:05.575-08:00An exerpt from Kitchen Klatter<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I would like to share a poem I found int the May, 1959 issue of Kitchen Klatter. This poem struck me because my favorite grandparents are not in this world. With the Holidays fast approaching I miss them more. In fact, I miss them more and more the longer they are gone. When I was young I thought I would grow to miss them less. What a foolish child I was.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Return<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Some day I shall go back again<br />To where my own things are,<br />Although the road is very long,<br />Past moon and sun and star.<br />I shall pass by the gates of pearl<br />And saints who sing of God,<br />And search until I find a street<br />Edged close with golden rod.<br />My mother will be waiting there,<br />Because God understands,<br />In the gray dress she used to wear,<br />With sewing in her hands.<br />And though great saints sit by,to learn<br />The wisdom of her talk,<br />She will forget them, when she hears<br />My footsteps on the walk.<br />She will spring up and drop her work,<br />And run to welcome me,<br />And tell me that my room is there<br />Just as it used to be.<br />she will not see that I am old<br />Or that my hair is gray,<br />But only smile-- "My dear,my dear,<br />How long you seemed away."<br /> --Unknown<br /></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-59524851519459142652009-11-11T21:59:00.000-08:002009-11-11T22:01:32.993-08:00Hummm???Ok, when I look at Rambling when I am logged in I see my cute wally paper. When I am just looking at it not logged in, like everyone else, you can't see my cute blog. I could keep it to myself but I would really like to know how to get everyone else to see it. Any takers?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-7338410492205535742009-11-01T17:39:00.000-08:002009-11-01T21:01:40.923-08:00Take it likie man.So I found out this weekend that we will not be able to put our house on the farm. The property is in CRP so nothing can be done. It really stinks that they just renewed it. In fact we heard if it goes out of CRP the amount paid over the years will have to be paid back plus interest. Now I know that the house looking like this........... should not be that big of a deal to lose. But it is. It was going to be our house. And we would have been able to enjoy my nephews and the property and entertain friends. Now I have to <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirac1yCBCDJ_j5FcHjFSWb60MHCZOR19vX-dHpU2LGh65j81F9uGzJtlQ5FWWLI0ZoQfLlLnMoyIzNVAU72rrTrR82TIBqiY9E8Vp1rMeueKzVKT3KDRZ0BIw10Jv6V85uuOsWqKZwxRFV/s1600-h/100_4473.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirac1yCBCDJ_j5FcHjFSWb60MHCZOR19vX-dHpU2LGh65j81F9uGzJtlQ5FWWLI0ZoQfLlLnMoyIzNVAU72rrTrR82TIBqiY9E8Vp1rMeueKzVKT3KDRZ0BIw10Jv6V85uuOsWqKZwxRFV/s320/100_4473.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399316199717022482" border="0" /></a>move on. I'm supposed to not resent this. I keep thinking, "what is it that I'm missing? Where am I failing?" I keep telling myself that it really is not that bad to be in my itty bitty. But when it is over run with stuff and the baby runs in circles in the front room because there is nowhere to play and no one has toys because there is nowhere to put them and we can't eat together and when someone has to study and another have to practice an instrument and another is yelling for something, I wonder. I appreciate our itty bitty. I don't know where we would live otherwise. <br /><br />Also, I know I should consider myself blessed that God loves me so much because of the things I have had to endure. That I am stronger, wiser and more devoted than many. But I'm not a fakey Christian. I don't pretend things are great when they are not. I don't say I think God will get me through it when I'm not sure. I know I don't have faith. I know that if I had to face something like losing a child I would crumble under the weight. I know I'm a sinner. I know my Jesus loves me. I believe what the bible says. I know I am not supposed to worry. I miss my stuff. I miss my Christmas tree and decorations that I can't put out. I miss having bible study at my house. I know it's all vanity.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-18442522749147496832009-10-23T21:16:00.000-07:002009-10-23T21:25:06.795-07:00It Stinks!Nope. That's just you. <br />My Hubby works for a pet food plant. I am grateful in this time that he has a job. But MAN! he smells bad!<br />I tell him you smell like dog food when it comes out the other end. poor guy.<br /><br />He applied at the prison. We are really hoping he gets the job. It sounds like he will. We are going to have a ceremony and burn his shoes when he moves on. I told him that we should do the same to his car.... he wont let me. My daughter who is a Senior said that we should let the kids pay to beat it to death for a fundraiser. The moon roof leaks so the car can get rather steamy... and odorous with the dog food and musty and who knows what. The first person to break the window would get a... ummm very interesting surprise.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-583511508071197122009-10-23T20:54:00.000-07:002009-10-23T21:05:07.376-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vsh_OJeJh58j85bX_xT0YftN0Yngtreie3u7FnSgRTgt93gKh2eMHk6gk-H4AKtN0WMUHfo9ruH-QthPExGKVlEY1s5vLklSsPCbzX6KA_KBfCMEjA52xw4sA510Uas6cvr0Bqd0Lh9N/s1600-h/397.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vsh_OJeJh58j85bX_xT0YftN0Yngtreie3u7FnSgRTgt93gKh2eMHk6gk-H4AKtN0WMUHfo9ruH-QthPExGKVlEY1s5vLklSsPCbzX6KA_KBfCMEjA52xw4sA510Uas6cvr0Bqd0Lh9N/s320/397.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396010299574323778" border="0" /></a>Our itty bitty teeny weenie house. Why am I so grateful? Let me count the ways.<br /><br />When my cutie patooties are all grown up, they will say,"remember when we all had to share a room and mom made us all go to bed at different times or Joe would keep everyone awake?"<br /><br />It prevents the opportunity for teenagers to sneak out of the house. If someone gets up in the middle of the night, someone else will for sure have to get up and use the bathroom.<br /><br />I know exactly where the baby is.<br /><br />Birth control.<br /><br />Even when it's super messy it takes very little time to clean it.<br /><br />It's really actually very cute if I do say so myself.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-65026918109129219702009-10-21T16:02:00.000-07:002011-11-23T14:33:37.266-08:00LOUD!It is a rule in our little 2 bedroom house to be loud. Well at least it appears that way. We play loud we talk loud we fight loud. I'm sure it has to do with the fact that at least 2 people are truly hard of hearing.<br />
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But, in those brief precious moments of silence, I know I will one day miss the noise. It will also be the day that I miss my house being a mess. When the PB and J stains are no longer on my walls. At that time I will just have to make a phone call instead of text or facbook my children.<br />
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<h2 id="passage_heading">Psalm 46:10 (New International Version)</h2><p></p><p><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14625">10</sup> "Be still, and know that I am God;<br />
I will be exalted among the nations,<br />
I will be exalted in the earth."</p><a href="http://www.hebrewchristians.net/Meditations/Be_Still/be_still.html ">http://www.hebrewchristians.net/Meditations/Be_Still/be_still.html </a><br />
I like how the hebrewchristian website says surrender so that you know that God is in control. That he is the master of the universe. How hard that is! To completely surrender. To be still and trust that he's got it under control when we are so often out of control. So loud in our activities and worries. Hard of hearing to his quiet calming voice. In the noise I miss what is being said now. <br />
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I'm sure my Jesus will say to me. "Silly child. You wasted so much energy on things I held in my hand." Oh that I may be still.<br />
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</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-47095416919732676422009-10-07T20:42:00.000-07:002009-10-07T20:47:30.059-07:00Cool beans!How wonderful is it to find people who are helpers? That do things just to be nice. I find fewer and fewer of these wonderful angels. But, I found one. It was a simple thing but it made my day. Someone posted how to put a background on my blogger. See?<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I picked it because it reminds me of the wall paper in our maybe, house.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7972781689529019948.post-58402766917985524222009-10-03T12:46:00.000-07:002009-10-03T12:57:29.603-07:00New house.We have been given a house. It must be moved. It is a little rough. But here's the thing. It will be ours. I know exactly how it will look. I have my plans laid out. <span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">I know the plans I have for you...</span><br /> "...For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,<br /> "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future..."<br /> <br /> Jeremiah 29:11<br /><br />I have my plans. The trouble is... are they in line with His? After these last few rough years, the desert years, the years the locust devoured, having a hope and a future is very important.<br /><br />I've thought that heaven for the poor person or people who have suffered greatly will be sweeter than anything a person who has had it easy will experience. Not that it wont be wonderful for them. But the thought of having a home that is fixed, transportation that I don't have to worry about, not to have to worry about how I will pay my bills, my health being restored, and seeing my family that has gone before, and of course seeing my Jesus with my eyes. Wow! What a day that will be.<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0