Happy Homemaker Monday 3/4/2013

OOOOhhhh, I'm so excited that I remembered to participate in Happy Homemaker Monday today!  We had a fabulous weekend and I woke up to the sunshine so I'm having a Marvelous Monday!

The Weather:
The sun is shining and it's beautiful today!  The high is supposed to be in the 40's & 50's.

Right now I am:
Talking to my Mother on the phone, drinking coffee and reading my favorite blogs. Yes, all at the same time!  Multi-tasking is my name!

Thinking:
That God is in control of it all!

On my reading pile:
Power of Vitamin D, and Safe Haven

On my TV:
Revenge-I have this in the instant queue on NetFlix

Favorite Blog post this week:
Remembering Granny

Something fun to share:
I don't really have anything this week

On the menu for this week:
Monday - Meeting at church so we'll be eating there
Tuesday - Baked Catfish, bowtie pasta with Parmesan cheese, and broccoli
Wednesday - ?
Thursday - Grilled pork chops, green beans, and carrots
Friday - Chili
Saturday - going to a birthday party

On my to do list:
Finish taxes
Housework
Schedule appointments for Charlie

What I am sewing or creating:
Isaac's Easter pants
Brendia's Easter skirt
Brandon's Easter tie
Hannah's Easter dress
Norah's bibs & burp cloths
Aaliyah's birthday dress

Homemaking tips:
I like to leave the kitchen sink empty when I go to bed at night.  When I wake up to dirty dishes, which I sometimes do, I end up feeling behind all day long!

Looking around the house:
The sun is shining so beautifully through the windows.  I can hear something on the TV (just background noise), I hear the birds chirping, the dishes are done, the laundry already folded, and I'm just enjoying a little break.

From the camera:
This is from last year.  This year they tried to bloom but the cold this weekend killed them. :(

On my prayer list:
My Uncle Alan - He's very sick and my Mother has the responsibility of taking care of him.  His children either aren't able or don't want to and he isn't married.  Praying that God will heal him.

Bible verse:
"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest" Joshua 1:9

~Blessings
Krista

Get back in the swing

of things.

I've recently been laid off from work so I am now officially a stay at home wife/mom. Not sure I can claim 'recently' since it happened November 30th. December was easy because we were so busy with the holidays. Both church & personal events kept me super busy, but then January arrived. Everything I wanted to do overwhelmed me. I had put off so many things until January that I just don't know where to begin. Today it is January 19th and I don't know what I've accomplished. Oh, my house is clean and my laundry is done. Dinner is made every night. I wake up every morning with my hubby to make his breakfast & lunch. However I just can't get into the swing of this. I look at the mountains of things I want to accomplish and I feel like I can't climb over them.

I do better with a plan so I started planning my days with my Franklin Covey and that seemed to help but not for long. Then I remembered Fly Lady from when I wasn't working before and tried to do follow the plan. Cleaning just isn't my problem, and yes, I have plenty to do. My children are self-sufficient, as they should be since they are both in college. From time to time they'll ask me to help them with something but usually I very rarely even see them. They are extremely busy with work & school. Charlie is happy as long as he has breakfast, lunch & dinner, all his clothes are in the closet where he can find them easily and the house is clean. Well, all those things are done and still I feel like I am stumbling along.

This afternoon I found a wonderful post from Abby over at a Feathered Nest. (For some reason blogger won't let me link to her blog) but in this post she talked about getting her groove on. She created and shared a printable for a to-do list and on the top was Prayer. Can you believe I have been leaving this off my to-do list? I talk to the Lord throughout the day, read devotionals, and spend a lot of time meditating on His Word. However, I think I need to go back to the basics and start my day on my knees.

Pray for me that I'll get back into the swing of things.

Blogging

Wow! Has it really been since Trevlyn's birthday that I've posted? I very rarely use the computer at home anymore. As a matter of fact the only time I am online is when I am using my iPhone! I wish that I could blog directly from my phone, but I haven't found an app for that!

I still visit your blogs often via google reader. It is a little difficult to post so I am now more of a stalker than blogger...

Well, life is about the same. We are a very busy family right now with a high school senior. There are so many events that I don't want to miss. I wish there was someway to record every little detail. I am so afraid that I am going to overlook something and then have regrets.

Trevlyn is still playing high school basketball. He is actual PLAYING this year not just sitting on he bench! It is so much fun to watch him play. He is so intense, and he reminds me so much of his Dad. When Charlie and I first married we were just teenagers. Many Friday nights would find us at the recreation center. Charlie playing pick up ball, and me in the stands cheering him on.

Life goes so fast...

I'll try to post a little more from time to time. Tonight I decided to post while I was waiting on the washer to finish spinning. I just heard it stop so it is time for me to go! A Mother's work is never done!

It's My Life

It's that time again!

If your new to it's my life (a family history project) go here for the details.

If not, welcome back!

Here's the list of this week's questions:

1. Was yours a religious family? Yes, our lives revolved around church. When I was little I remember going to church on Sunday morning, and Sunday night for service, Monday night for choir practice, Tuesday night for band practice, Wednesday church service in Dalton, Thursday night church service at our church, Saturday night church service. The only night we didn't have church was Friday night and that was if we weren't in a revival which I felt like happened every other week! Isn't it funny how you remember things from when you were a kid? Were Sunday's spent together with family? Absolutely! We always went to church together, and ate dinner together in between services.

2. Did your family take vacations? hmmm... vacations....well, do you count revivals as vacation? Usually during the summer Daddy would go somewhere in revival and then we'd extend the trip to include a little vacation time. This is how we vacationed until my parents divorced when I was 12. After that things were very different. My step-dad, who is also a preacher, didn't quite do things the same way. and our Summers were usually spent going between parents. Did you go to the same place every year? Absolutely not! Let's see if I can remember a few of the trips...I remember going to Kokomo Indiana for revival and then we went on a road trip to Mackinaw Island, Detroit, Toronto, back through Chicago, St Louis on our way home to Pampa TX where we lived until I was 12. I remember going in revival to Rockhill SC, and then going to Myrtle Beach. That was lots of fun! I do have 1 memory of a vacation that didn't include a revival...we went from Pampa TX to Colorado Springs, the Royal Gorge, and through New Mexico. I've been lots of places in the US. Some just passing through, others actually spending the night. My Daddy knows his way around the country by restaurants. It doesn't matter where we go, I can always call him and ask do you know of a good restaurant in ______ and he'll tell you right where to go, and what is good on the menu!

3. Do you remember any special stories your grandparents told you? I don't remember any particular life stories that they told me. I do remember a poem that my Mama would tell us..."Little Boy Blue come blow your horn, the sheep are in the meadow and the cows are in the corn, but where is that little boy blue? Behind the haystack fast asleep!" Granddaddy passed away when I was 3 1/2 but I remember him telling Mama to give us candy out of her stash! She would hide candy so we couldn't find it, but he always wanted her to give it to us. Did you sit on a lap when you heard these stories or did you hear them when you and your grandparent would walk hand-in-hand, taking a stroll? I remember one very special memory with my Granddaddy. My brothers and sister think I made it up because it sounds very Lion Kingish, but I didn't! I remember the day. I was really little. He was pulling weeds out of the flower bed around the church sign in Chattanooga, and of course I was helping. He began to talk to me about the brothers in the church who had died before us. He told me that they were wise and were the stars in the sky looking down on us. He also told me that when it Thunders it just God talking, and when it rains it is because God is providing water to the plants and animals that don't have anyone to take care of them. Do you tell any of these same stories to your children? I have told these things to my children. After I became an adult, and my brothers and sisters kidded me so much about it, I looked these things up for myself in the bible to see if they were true....There are several verses that refer to the thunder just a couple are ...2 Samuel 22:14 ; Job 37:4-6. The wise as stars is referred to in Daniel 12:3.

4. Did your grandparents live nearby? When we lived in Chattanooga TN, my dad's parents lived their too, and then when we moved to Texas, Mama moved with us. She kept her house in TN, and sometimes she'd go back and forth, but she always came back! My mother's parents lived in Knoxville, and we didn't see them very much. How often did you visit their homes? Their house in Chattanooga was like a second home. Mama would go back home many summers and I'd go with her. It was always lots of fun. The back bedroom was officially mine! Did the house have any special smells? Mama was always cooking. I think she spent most of the day in the kitchen. So, the food always smelled of food. When she passed away I was given the stove that she always cooked on. As a matter of fact it was the first stove that I had in mine & Charlie's apartment. Every time I cooked on it I would think of her! What did their couch feel like? The couch was brown & orange tweed. I think all couches were like that in the 70's. It was so soft though, and it seemed huge. I can remember laying on it, and 2 people still being able to sit on the other end. How big was their kitchen? The kitchen was huge! The kitchen and dining room were all 1 room. She had two big tables end to end so it felt like we could all sit in the same room and be at the same table. When I was about 6 I was running in round and round one of the tables chasing one of my friends and I fell. I hit my head on the rung of one of the chairs. I had to have stitches! I'll never forget it because Mama was in the shower getting ready for church, and she was so upset with me. She had to call Bro. Ray Smith, a deacon at the church, to come and get us to take me to the hospital. She couldn't drive because she was so nervous. I still have the scar on my forehead. Now that I am an adult I can imagine what she was going through because I was gushing blood, but then I could tell she was so nervous I just kept saying "I'm okay Mama. I promise I'm okay" At my Mamaw Brewer's house I can always remember a table with a bench behind it, and the bar stools. I remember Mamaw Brewer always had nuts that we could crack and eat. Funny thing I remember is that Mamaw always took her ice cream out of the box and put it in a Tupperware dish. My Mamaw Brewer is the only grandparent that I have that is still living. She turned 82 last week and she we all went to Aubrey's for her birthday. You know I think Mamaw Brewer still puts her ice cream in a Tupperware dish! She also had plastic cups that came out of oatmeal! When I first got married they still sold that oatmeal and I bought it just so my kids could have the same kind of cups that I drank out of as a kid!

Memories....You know what is so funny...as I'm writing these things I think about how different my sister's memories of our grandparents probably are. She is 8 years younger than me, and things were so different after our parents divorced. She was only 3 when they divorced so she doesn't remember the life "before" as we call it. She only remembers the life after.... They were both great, just different!

I've Been Out of Pocket

Have you heard that saying before? My mom uses it all the time, and it means simply I've not been available. She also says "back of this..." but that is a whole different story. True southern woman!

Anyway...my point to this title is that I've been unavailable for the last week and a half. It all started with jury duty last Monday, and then it just hasn't stopped. I've just been extremely busy, you know how it is, nothing important just one thing after another! To make a long story short...I'm back!

I have been reading your blog posts, here and there, but I've not had time to sit down and write one. I have so much that has happened over the last week that I want to share (starting with jury duty) but I still don't have time to share today. I wanted to drop in and say Hi and tell you all that I am not dead, as some of you have sent me emails wondering... Things should be back to normal by Monday, and I'll post about the "goins' on of the Singleton family"!

Have a great weekend, and enjoy the spring like weather! You know warm, then rain, then it is cold again, and then it starts all over!

I'll leave you with a picture of Hannah & her quilt!

The Mail

The picture from the top of the subdivision this morning!

Do any of you still get that excited feeling when you go to check the mail? You know the feeling that I am talking about. That feeling that we all had as children when our parents would tell us to check the mail, and we thought maybe just maybe something would be there for us. That feeling left me about the time that I realized the only thing that came in the mail with my name on it were bills! Then this last year I started receiving samples in the mail and I started getting excited when the mailman came.

My daughter loves to check the mail. She usually checks the mailbox everyday on her way in from school. Lately she has started getting college invitations, I guess that is what you call them, you know the letters that say "Come check out our school", so checking the mail has a whole new feeling for her now. Let's just say she is super excited about checking the mail!

Well, yesterday, for some reason, she didn't check the mail so I did. She again had several college invitations which I knew she would love, but there was an envelope for me... It said open immediately, time sensitive, who knew can they put bombs in an envelope. As soon as I get in the house, I rush to open the envelope, and guess what was in it?

JURY SUMMONS

You are hereby summoned to appear before the JUDGE of CRIMINAL COURT...

Since living in Tennessee Charlie & I have both now received an invitation to be on a jury. I served on a jury once in Georgia, but it was a civil case. This could be interesting...

You don't appreciate what you have

Until you don't have it anymore.

I never thought that I would say this, but I miss being just a housewife. I didn't work outside the home for almost 9 months last year. Financially it was extremely hard. Our outgoing was more than our incoming almost every month. The stress of paying the bills was almost more than I could handle, and it was definitely more than Charlie could handle. We didn't have a lost of extras. Any discretionary expenses were cut down to almost nothing. Then you think about those things that we did have. The house was always clean. The laundry was always done. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner were made by ME! I felt more of a sense of accomplishment doing those things than I have ever felt working in a 9-5 job, even when I made 6 figures!

So, now we have money to pay our bills, and we can go out to eat every once in a while, but I miss being at home. I miss being there when my kids needed me or Charlie needed me. I miss sewing, cooking, and Yes, even cleaning! We may not ever be to the place where I could stay at home without any income, but I will say that it was an experience that I'll never forget.

I envy those of you who are SAHM, and home school your children. I don't envy you, as some do, because "you don't have to work", we all know that is not true! I envy you because your work is so much more rewarding than just a paycheck!

Some say well, Krista, you can have it all! You can work, keep a clean house, have the laundry done, cook supper, and be there for your husband & kids when they need you. I say, "Do I look like SuperWoman?" My house is clean, we have clean clothes to wear, and I cook supper, but it just doesn't feel the same, and I am always tired! Now it just feels like I have 2 jobs.

Oh well, the moral of the story is...Be happy with what God gives you. If you are always unsatisfied then you'll always be looking for more. Sometimes you are right where God wants you, and doing what God wants you to do. It may not be what you want, but it is what God wants. Charlie & I have talked and we are going to try to pay off our debt with my earnings. That may take years... Who knows maybe I'll be a Stay at Home Grandma or Aunt! I wouldn't mind being either one because I love babies so I'll leave you with the newest pics of Baby Isaac! These were just taken on Sunday. He is in the 90th percentile for both weight and height. He is 17 lbs and 26 inches long! He'll be 4 months old on Feb. 22, 2009.

BLAH!!!!

I am so happy that it is Friday! I need a weekend to catch up on life :) Is there such a thing?

I have so much laundry to do, and our cabinets are crazy...What I mean is they aren't organized and that drives me crazy! Since we started our diet revamp Charlie has been grocery shopping with me. Well, I told him this past weekend that he couldn't go with me anymore. If something looks good then he just puts things in the buggy as we pass by. Don't get me wrong, it is all on our diet, but we have too much of certain things and not enough of others. I just can't tell him No when he really wants something. You should see us in the store...I'm sure that everyone is laughing. He is just like a little kid, and if it is on sale...well, enough said...we have to buy it! Our grocery budget has been blown every week for the past 3 weeks.

I only had a minute to write. I hope all of you have a great day, and a great weekend!

Random Thoughts - Friday - December 12

I haven't blogged much lately because of the new job, and I've had a cold...again! Yes, every night this week (except last night) I've went home, drank a cup of NyQuil and went to bed. My intention was to blog in the evenings once I started this job, but it hasn't quite worked out that way. Usually what happens in my life isn't what I planned to happen. Do you think I am being too hopeful or setting unrealistic expectations? Maybe I am just not trying hard enough!

Can you believe there are only 13 days till Christmas? I still have so much to do. I haven't even put up my Christmas tree yet! GASP.... I know I am horrible! Usually I have my tree up by December 1, but this year my tree is in the attic and I can't get the attic door open. My husband hasn't been home until late every night and when he does get home he doesn't feel like getting it out. AARRRGGGGHHHH... I hope to clean house this weekend and put out all the Christmas decorations. That will give us about 3 weeks because I usually don't take them all down until New Year's Day!

The Christmas Play at church is this weekend. We have dress rehearsal this Saturday night. My sister and I have coordinated the Christmas Play for the last 3 years...I think. It maybe 4 but I can't really remember. It was always easy because we worked together, and we would brainstorm things at work then put them in action. It isn't that easy now! I miss being able to talk things out with her. Of course, I can hear you all saying "just call her" but it isn't that easy! I just remembered this morning that we need to put the programs together, so I called her. She reminded me that the original we work from is on my laptop. I totally forgot. See, if we were together I would already have the programs done or almost done and we would have done it together like we always do. I guess I have been spoiled, but I miss working with my family.

My job, you all have been asking, How do you like your job? Well, have you ever had a job where you felt like you didn't go to work? Well, that is how I feel. Other than missing my sister, I really like my job. I have specific job responsibilities, I do them, then I go home. I don't think about what is not done or what I have to do tomorrow. I do the same things everyday...deposits, process returns, check in inventory, etc. This is daily work so I get today's done and then tomorrow I do tomorrows! My manager is great. He is laid back, and easy to get along with. The people I work with are all younger than me. I think all but 2 of them are in school at UT. Their lives are full and exciting. I don't see how they get so much done. Most of what they talk about is going to a party or the party they just went to. I don't think any of them go to church so I hope to be a light to them. I would like to be a witness for Jesus. Wouldn't it be amazing if I could make a difference in one of their lives?

You have asked me (Valerie) about my quilting projects, and I hate to say that since I started this job I have not even sat down at my sewing machine. I just haven't had time. I know I only have 13 days to finish.... Tonight is a no go, I'll be at the church. Tomorrow, I have to clean my house and decorate for Christmas. Sunday, in between church services...maybe. Monday, I am not working because I have an appointment but it is at 1:30...maybe I can get up early and sew for a little while, then sew some more that evening. Okay...that is the plan. I'll let you know if it works out. It doesn't sound to unrealistic, does it?

A New Chapter

Today was my first day on the job. I am working in a retail cellular store. My title is sales support rep. Basically I run reports, make deposits, order & check in inventory, and process returns. I was so bored today! I don't think that the manager expected me to learn so much on my first day. He told me that I am going to have to slow down or I'll get all my work done everyday in about 4 hours, and I have to stretch it out to 8. This is going to be interesting... All the people I work with are in their early 20's. Only one of them is married. They seem to be a fun loving group, and they all act like they get along. But that was a first day impression...

Well, I just had a minute to write...I am on my way to a church ladies meeting!

Thank you all for your prayers, and I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days of the year. I guess because it is one of the only days of the year that most of family will be together at my Mother's house. Just like when we were young. Today, I woke up about 8 so I could get started on the dishes I am taking. I am waiting on a dessert to finish so I thought I'd write down my thoughts today.

I have been reminiscing a lot lately. Maybe because I am getting older... Perhaps because of the season... I don't know! Tradition means so much to me. Thanksgiving always starts with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the smells of dinner coming from the kitchen. As a child we would help Mother with whatever she needed us to do, and watch the parade. We would sit down to dinner about 12 or 1. I say sit because I don't remember ever having a table that we all could sit at, but we try. All the chairs are brought to the dining room. Chairs from the kitchen, office chairs, even the piano bench! You see there are 9 of us, plus Mother & Jerry, makes 11. Now we've added spouses, and grandchildren, but we still bring up every chair in the house and try to all sit around the table. As we've gotten older we've added new traditions. The grandkids now sit around the kitchen table. Some of us stand around the table or sit in the adjacent living room. Then after dinner, Jerry & some of the boys will be watching football in the family room, the other boys will be in one of the bedrooms playing some type of video game, and the girls are in the living room going through the Black Friday Ads! My step-brothers & sister usually leave around 3 or 4 and go to their Mother's house, but most of us end back up at Mother & Jerry's that evening.

Today, we are expecting that 7 of the kids will be there. 2 of the boys won't be. Dabreon is in Florida, and DeWayne is in Alabama; neither were able to come because of work obligations. I am very excited because my sister, Nakia, will be there today. She doesn't always join us, but today she is going to be able to. So, total we will have 23 people for dinner today! That is our 2 parents, 7 children/siblings, 5 spouses, and 9 grandchildren! Sounds like a lot but we will be missing 2 children/siblings, 2 spouses, and 9 grandchildren... When we all get together there are 36 of us! Isn't that amazing...

Well, I just heard a timer go off, and I hear my husband & children stirring. I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

I've Caught the Bug!

I woke up this morning sick! My throat hurts, my head hurts, my ears ache, I can't breath, and I've been running a fever off and on all day! Chills one minute and sweating the next. I have been in the bed all day. At least our house is warm. I am so thankful that Charlie was able to fix the furnace yesterday. He had to replace the ignitor. I am glad that he is mechanically inclined otherwise it would have cost us several hundred dollars to have it repaired. I was planning on going to Trevlyn's first basketball game tonight, but I guess now I won't!

I just made a big pot of potato & onion soup. I call it the feel good soup! Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow.

Tuesday, November 4th - A Historic Day

I hope all of you go and exercise your right to Vote today! No matter who you vote for, please go vote! I don't like to talk about politics because I believe that everyone has a right to believe according to his/her own heart. For the first time ever we will either have an African American President, or a female Vice President. We are a part of history! Our children and our children's children will be talking about this election for ever. It will be entered into history books... exercise your right, Go Vote!

A depressing note... I received a call from the company that I was interviewing with tomorrow. They are postponing opening the office in Knoxville until the Spring of 2009 so they have postponed the interview. I was told they would call me in a couple of months to reschedule the interview. AARRGGGHHH.... I have applied other places but I haven't received any calls back. We are praying, and I am getting things together to start selling on ebay again! I know the Lord will take care of us either way!

Happy Halloween

Thank Goodness for Friday! This week has went by really quickly. Today is Halloween. We won't be giving out candy this year. We have 4 free movie tickets, and my wonderful hubby decided that we would all go watch a movie as a family. I am not sure what we'll watch. I hate scary movies, and refuse to watch them. The kids think it is silly to go out on Halloween and not watch a scary movie. I think they just really wanted to go out with their friends tonight, but they won't say that. It is so rare for us to spend a night out with just the 4 of us that they are happy no matter what we do! As it stands, it should be only the 4 of us! Plans have been known to change though. One time we had plans to go out to eat at my favorite restaurant for dinner, Olive Garden, just the 4 of us. During the course of the day, my wonderful hubby had talked to several of the youth, and told them of our plans. When we arrived at Olive Garden our party numbered 22, not 4. So, you can see how plans change!

This past Wednesday night we had Trunk or Treat following our service. It was so much fun. We had over 90 people during our worship service. 30 of them were children under the age of 14, and then after service more people came. We probably had between 125 & 150. I'll have pictures later. I am on my husband's computer and he doesn't like it when I upload pics to his computer. Brendia has mine till tomorrow. She doesn't have a home computer, and since she is out of work for a few weeks on maternity leave, she borrowed mine to work on the church Christmas play.

Sherri at A Quilting Life told me about this wonderful website called The Fat Quarter Shop. I love it! They have charm packs, and jolly packs that you can't find anywhere; for example Amy Butler Jolly Packs! I have been looking at a Moda Jelly Roll called Butterfly Fling. At my local quilt shop it is $37 + tax, which in TN is 9.5%. On this website it is only $30 + shipping, and no sales tax. The shipping via USPS Priority Mail is only $4.95. Right now they are running a special for free shipping on orders over $50! Thanks Sherri for this website! They will have my business!

I hope everyone has a fabulous day! I must work on my house today. Tomorrow we have a busy day, and I like to spend Saturdays with my wonderful husband. Saturdays are really his only day off. So, tomorrow we are going to be running around all day. We already have a full day scheduled. I am excited! I love to spend time with him, and the kids.

Terrific Tuesday

Wow, I have had an exciting week! Yes, since last Tuesday a lot has happened! I have a new nephew...that is the most exciting! I have talked to several potential employers about me, myself, and I. Friday, We took the youth to a presentation of Judgement House. I worked a fundraiser for the church on Saturday. On Sunday we had 2 wonderful church services, and our 4th Sunday dinner. Monday, I spent the day with my sister and the new baby. I helped her run a few errands. Then Terrific Tuesday, I received a call from a potential employer (I've already had a phone interview with them) to schedule a face to face interview with their Director of Operations! I am really excited about this opportunity. It appears that it would be an excellent paying job, and it won't consume my life. I have really prayed that the Lord would send me a job that would allow me to still be a wonderful Wife, Mom, and Church Worker! I know that sometimes as women we spread ourselves very thin, but when I think of that I am reminded of the Proverbs 31 woman. She did it all, and if she can then with the Lord's help, I can too!

The interview is next Wednesday at 10am. I would like for all my friends and family to be praying with me. Since the initial phone interview my Mother has said that this is the job that she wants me to have, of course if it is the Lord's will. So, you know Moms are always right. I've applied for a multitude of jobs, and talked to a few already, but I want to be willing for whatever the Lord wants. If this is it, then pray that it goes well!

Looking for Active Full Time Employment

Well, I am officially actively seeking full time employment! With the economy as it is we've decided that it would be better for me to work full time so we can pay off some of our debts. Then we can reconsider me staying at home at a later date. So, I am asking for your prayers. I want something that will help not hinder our family. Money isn't everything. I don't want to get sucked into a career that takes away from my family, and believe me based on my work history that is exactly what happens. I am an overachiever by nature, and very ambitious when it comes to my job so I need tempered. I am asking God to give me the job that he wants me to have so I can still be here for my family and my church as much as possible.

A Wonderful Weekend

This past weekend was very eventful!

Friday night I took Beth Ice Skating. She started ice skating lessons a couple of weeks ago, and she is able to attend one free public skating session per week. Believe it or not, she is a natural. Beth takes after me in the fact that she is very clumsy, but when she gets on the ice she is very graceful!

On Saturday, I worked the UT game with our church then on Sunday morning me & the kids rode down to Dalton GA with some friends of ours for our national church convention. Charlie drove down on Friday because the convention actually started on Friday night so we met up with him there. I had the opportunity to see my brother, his wife, and children. Their new baby is absolutely a doll. This picture is of him, in my lap, isn't he just cutest baby you've ever seen? No, I didn't pose this picture...He was sleeping that way!

While in Dalton, I had the opportunity to see Val my real life and blog friend! We've known her family for many years now, but we don't have the opportunity to see each other very much. I wish I'd thought to take a picture of us together, but I didn't! Maybe next time!

We went out to eat on Sunday night with my niece and her husband to our favorite Mexican restaurant, Garcia's! As we were sitting at the table my children decided that I looked pretty good that night. It is really funny how it happened. We were talking about my blog, and the kids said I needed a new picture. The one I have posted is several years old, so they decided to take my picture.

To me I just look tired! I felt like my four hours of sleep on Saturday night was exhausted!

We stayed in Dalton until Monday because Charlie's dad was having surgery on Monday morning. He was having surgery to remove 7 skin cancers from his face and neck. The surgery was scheduled to be out-patient, but we didn't know for sure how it was going to turn out. The doctor was concerned over one of the cancers. It appeared that it had grown in to the bone instead of out like the others. Well, everything went perfectly! The doctor was able to get everything. We all left the doctor's office about 9:30am and went to Shoneys! Yes, you know it... we all love to eat. **Update-Charlie talked to his Dad last night and he hasn't even had to take any of the pain medicine!

This is a picture of the kid's with the grandparents!

After we got home on Monday we didn't do anything. I mean nothing. We all slept most of the remainder of the day. But the real world came knocking on our door on Tuesday morning! Charlie was off to work and the kids were off to school. I was off to my sewing machine. I finished this blanket yesterday. I'm not sure who I am going to give it to, but it will be a present for somebody. We have several ladies that are pregnant in our church, and so far 3 of them are having boys!

WOW...As I am sitting here writing this post...I hear snip, crackle, crash, BAM!!! then the dogs start barking like crazy. I rush upstairs to see what has happened! I look out the window and this is what I see...

We have 4 trees in our back yard. The one that you see is dead! I called Charlie to let him know and his first question was "Did the tree fall on the house?" Isn't it funny that he knew why I was calling? I told him NO, it didn't fall on the house, but we have procrastinated long enough. It is time for that tree to come down on our terms! We will be having a chainsaw party at our house this weekend if anyone is interested!

I love saving Money!

Charlie gets paid on Thursdays so that is the day I set aside to do my grocery shopping. In the past 2 years I've really tried to save us money on groceries. I cut coupons, I search through the sale ads, and make our menus based on what is on sale or what I have a coupon for. So, today I went into my neighborhood Kroger, and WOW! Kroger is moving over, right next door, to a brand new Kroger Marketplace. I am very excited about the new Kroger, but that is not what I am talking about today. Over the last few weeks, since they are moving, everything in the store has been marked down. Last week I bought my sister a ton of baby stuff for 50% off, and I've bought baking sheets, etc. Today everything in the frozen food section, prepacked deli meat, bacon, sausage, etc, and all dairy items excluding milk and eggs was 50% off. I spent over $200 but I saved over $200 too because YES I used my coupons! Some items I even got for free! I think, with the exception of milk, bread & eggs, that I've bought enough to last us the month! This Saturday their fresh meat & produce will be 50% off too. I'm not sure what else I'll buy but I would like to go in to check it out. I can always fill my freezer full of meat & vegetables.

So, if you've got any good recipes for freezing produce, please let me know. AND BTW, I do feel better today! This is the first day in over a week that I can breath freely!

Another Day in the Life...

The sickness has made it's way through everyone in our home. I have been sick since last Wednesday. The chest congestion has came and went, but now I have a sore throat! I hate being sick! Yes, I am one of those people who whines & complains but doesn't really want anybody around when I am sick. I like to just be left alone to dwell in my misery... Okay that is a little over the top. I am not in misery, but I hate being sick. I just want it to go away. I've sprayed Lysol till that is all I can smell. aaaarrrggghhhhh

On a better note, I think my nephew is going to be born any day. Brendia went to the doctor last Friday and she has already started dilating. She is on the weekly visit plan now so she'll go back this Friday. I think this Friday she'll be 37 weeks. The doctor said she thinks Brendia will make it back for the appointment this week but then it is no holds barred! We hope she can "hold it in" another week so that the baby will only be 2 weeks early, but as we all know that is God's business, not ours! Just be praying for her. We are all extremely excited that the baby will be here soon, but we want to make sure that he is healthy.

and remember, When Life Gives you Lemons....Make Lemonade!

Time Flies

Isn't it odd how sometimes it feels like the days drag by, and then other times it feels like you blink and an entire week is gone?

That is how last week was for me. I spent much of the week attempting to "get over" the fair. We had a good time and made a decent amount of money for our first attempt at being carnies, but the strength it drain from you is horrific! Charlie worked his normal job and then would come to the fair to work with me. Then this last week he had to go to Atlanta for a regional meeting on Tuesday night, and then drive all the way back on Wednesday night to be at work at his normal time on Thursday morning. Needless to say Charlie's immune system was down, and he is now sick. Since Thursday afternoon I've been playing nurse. The doctor said he has pneumonia, and sinusitis. He seems to be doing better today, but he is isn't returning to work until tomorrow.

I don't have much time to post today, but I just wanted everyone to know that I made it through the fair! I am doing well, and just pray I don't get sick next!

This is a picture of our booth at the fair! Isn't my pig the cutest you've ever seen?