POISON IVY AND OTHER FUN THINGS....

Good Morning!  Well we've down here a month already..time flies when you are having fun and living back with your family all in the same state.  It has been a "different" month, to say the least.  Adjustments to be made, in more ways than one.  But we are managing.  Poison Ivy, Doggie "Accidents", Storms, VERY hot temps...

Living in an RV, even one that is 30' long, with your husband and 2 dogs can, at times, be a tad stressful but I think the fun out-weighs the stress any ol' day.  Although I am doubting that this morning after having been up most of the night with our oldest dog, Booger.  At 10:30 last night she went out and did her nightly "doggie duty" and then at around 2am she started whining and could not get up in the bed so I came out and laid on the couch bed with her. Then...3:30 am I found myself walking around outside with her and my little guy Jack..they both did their "doggie duty".  I think Jack did his duty because we were, well outside, and that's what you do.  So back inside we came and then at around 4:30am I found myself cleaning up Booger Doggie Poopy..  Not sure what she ate but it did not like her.  So we are all just a tad stressed and tired today, but hey the dogs aren't..go figure.

I have lived my entire life, up until 16 years ago, without ever getting poison ivy.  My first encounter with the wonderful plant was up in Michigan in our yard.  I never ever got it while we lived down here in Oklahoma so I remember the good laugh we all got, at my expense, when I got it in Michigan.  However, I sure managed to find that darn plant again down here within 2 weeks of arriving in Oklahoma.  Not sure where "we" met..it could have been out back here when I was walking the dogs or maybe at one of the many property's I've been walking around with our realtor.  Of course I was not dressed properly, flip flops and shorts, HEY it was over 100 degrees that week I was a tad warm.  Needless to say that made for an interesting week and a half.  Just getting down here and having "alone" time with the hubby and wham I've got  creeping, itchy, yucky spots on my legs.  Yeah baby the sex appeal was out the door and running down the street.  I am still wondering why I didn't look like "POISON IVY" from the Batman comics...hmmmm

At least we managed to miss the tornado season!  We've had a few big thunder-storms roll thru but no twisters.  Chris got to experience those this past spring...I had enough of those when we lived here.  Guess I better get prepared for next spring!  But a good strong storm can be fun in the RV..like one night it was blowing so hard it rocked me to sleep, literally!  Or the other time the soft patter of rain drops on the roof lulled me off to dream land..I LOVE sleeping when there is a nice soft rain.  The dogs on the other hand..they don't seem to enjoy the natural wonder of a good rain storm.  Jack has found his hiding place under the swivel chair and Booger will shake and push up against whomever is around.  If it is bed time Jack will be under the covers and up against me, I think he is trying to crawl inside of me!  Booger she lays right up next to as close your face as she can get OR she lays on your legs.  So if a "twister" did come I'd be safe and sound with all the protection they give me!

All in all it has been fun, even with all the "issues".  I do look forward to finding our new home but for the meantime we are making the best of it!  And I am always looking for my new friend..the Poison Ivy Plant..and not too be mean I am avoiding it at all costs!

Have a great day!!

WOW I've been busy!!

Yes once again I have not kept up on my blog.  Shame on me!!  But I have a really good excuse; I've been busy.  Yes really I have been busy.   I've been working in the office w/my hubby, I've been watching movies at night w/my hubby, I've been enjoying the wonderful Oklahoma weather..yep you guessed it w/my hubby AND my daughters.  And, last but not least, I've been looking at homes and property trying to find us a place to live.

No luck yet...but like Chris and I said; "when we walk on the property we will just now this is it".  Although we've found more that we REALLY like that would work out perfect for our needs BUT....we can't get a mortgage since our home did not sell in Michigan.  We have to find a lease/option OR an owner carry.  When we first started looking down here no one did either but I've noticed that a lot of the homes I saw for sale at the first of year have dropped their prices AND the owners are considering lease/options or owner carry.

Looks like Oklahoma may be, finally, starting to feel what other states have been feeling for the past several years.  A decline in home sales. Although, if that is true, it is not really that bad down here.  There is a diverse industry down here from cattle to cars...so Oklahoma has not been touched by the "depression" that bad, which is a good thing.  But like any trend, it has to make it way thru each and every state, the slow housing trend is creeping it's way into the state.  That is a great thing for us, the home buyer.

Chris and I are just praying and know God has a plan for us.  We are going to see a "good ol' guy" at a local bank down here that gives loans.  A friend told us about him and said to stop in and have a chat with him and see what he can do...he really loves to help people out.  So we shall see.

The office is going good...I know Chris is feeling so much better having his whole family down here and I like being able to work with him and take the load of everything off of him so he can concentrate on what HE needs to be doing; building the business!

So today I've taken the morning "off".  Just put 2 loads in the dryer here at the RV park and am making myself a late breakfast.  Cassie will be here soon, after she gets done feeding and riding her horses, to pick me up and we will head into the office.

Life is good..it really is.  Is it easy, nope it sure isn't, but I am not going to complain.  Having a good time enjoying myself and my family.  Being in the RV is a good thing.  Makes you learn to appreciate life so much more.

Have a happy day everyone!!

RV Living..Close & Comfy

So 2 weeks of RV living life while we try to find a place to live.  Most people would probably be ready to be DONE..but I'm not.  Yes the quarters are tight, even though it is 30' long, but you learn to adjust.  

I do have to confess; I browsed RV's on line the other day.  Gotta say I am a HUGE fan of those with the slide-outs.  It would sure save us having to step over, around, behind and in-front of the dogs.  But than what would we do for fun?

Seriously I love our RV, it has truly been a "life saver" for us.  But saying that I know my husband would really like to be living in a home.  His "home", for the past 11 months, has been the RV.   30' does tend to get a tad boring after all that time.  I know he'd love to stretch out in his big comfy recliner, take a shower w/o out worrying if the hot water will run, sit at a real dining room table and all that.  But I have to give him HUGE kudos' what a guy..he has done this ALL for us, his family. 

I know of many men that would have washed their hands of our employement situation a long time ago.  Would have refused to live in an RV for longer than month and given up and gone back home to TRY and find work.  But not Chris! 

So here we are, together finally, living in the RV all close and comfy.

SOMETIMES YOU JUST GOTTA SIT DOWN AND LAUGH....

2 Weeks tomorrow..yep 2 weeks..we will have been moved down here to Oklahoma 2 weeks tomorrow.  Time has FLOWN by.  The new renters are all moved into our "old" home up in Michigan.  And yep, I'm still living in the RV with Chris and our 2 dogs...while Cassie is bunking with Brittany in her apartment with their 2 dogs.

All in all I am NOT complaining.  Actually last night, while sitting here alone (again), I was thinking how very lucky I am and I found that even though my "home" is in storage I am very happy and at peace.  I just know God has the right place for us..maybe we've not yet found it or maybe we have we just need to LISTEN more to what He is saying.

Now mind you, these 2 past weeks, have not gone without a few trials.  For instance let's talk about this evening.  Get ready to laugh!!

I got back to the RV, alone, Chris is up in Ponca City judging a rodeo.  I unlocked the door, tossed in ALL my stuff and grabbed the dogs for a much needed potty walk.  I also have Cassies' dog, Bootz, with me.  So off we went, all 4 of us.  Jack and Bootz were running around and playing then wham Jack got a scent and was off.  So I stood there on our side of the fence, calling him.  Finally he showed up and we headed back to the camper..all of us panting.  After all it is 104* outside.

I reached the camper door pulled on the handle and heard the lock slip into place...yep you read it right..the lock SLIDE INTO PLACE!!!!  So I stood there and thought oh crap.  All 3 dogs looked at me like "hey lady let us into the camper with nice cold air and cold water are you crazy we don't want to stand here!".  Well neither did I thank you very much.   Just so happened there was a father and son setting up their tent camper and I borrowed their phone. Brittany was on her way to help..but no tools to help.  While waiting on Britt I just sat down, in the shade, and had myself a little giggle.  Saw another regular RV'r, Tony, a young guy about Britts' age.  Hmmmm maybe a date fix up.  Nope he didn't have anything either. 

In the meantime I found 2 water bottles, empty of course, but I filled them and got the dogs some water.  As we were all standing around, all 5 us plus 3 dogs, trying to figure out what to do in rolled our next door neighbor Randy on his HARLEY!  Duh Dah Randy to the rescue.  Tony instantly said, "if anyone can get you in the camper Randy can."  As Randy dismounted from his Harley I gave my best "help" look and he said, "uh oh what's wrong?"  He walked around the camper once stood at the bedroom window and whipped out his pocket knife.  Britt popped her hand in thru the screen and cranked it open all the way.  So who was going to fit thru that little window. Darn Cassie she went with Chris to the rodeo.  Light Bulb went off in my head "hey the new people across the way, the boy is really skinny he will fit" and sure enough we shoved him thru (well his dad did) and here I sit sharing my story.

See sometimes you just gotta sit down and laugh.   Gotta get Randy a 6-pack of Dr. Pepper tomorrow and another 6-pack for the skinny kid.

                                                                          

THE DAY WE TRIED TO LOAD THE U-HAUL....

I've not been on-line much since we started loading the U-Haul a week ago tonight.  So I'll bring you up to speed.  Now be patient, it may take a while.  Day 1, Wednesday; picked up the U-Haul w/the auto transport trailer.  That evening Kit and Rich loaded a lot of bins and family came over to say goodbye. 

Day 2, Thursday;  Rob, Michael, Mark & Kit worked at loading the U-Haul..not sure everything will fit but we had faith.  Guess I should have asked for more help... but I didn't want to impose.  Kit worked so hard, in between going to his own job.  Rob, Michael and Mark worked hard to until they had to leave. Julie came over and took me out to find MORE boxes..yes more boxes.  Dumpster diving for boxes..too much fun I can't handle it!!   Cassies' friends came over Thursday night and Friday night, yes I said Friday night, and those boys helped a lot as did Liz and Lisa!!  Anyway back to "Day 2"...8pm at night Rich came back and helped Kit somemore..realized yep it is not all going to fit..what to do what to do.  My good friend Ellen was there, helping, and she offered to drive down my car to Oklahoma in October if we needed to trade in the auto-transport trailer for an enclosed trailer.  Hmmm will U-Haul have one and will we be able to trade?? 

Day 3, Friday; well we were supposed to be on the road heading to OKC..but I found myself at the U-Haul store at 8am (took over an hour because of the computer) trading in for a 6' x 12' trailer.  Yep I left the BMW behind!!  But we got it all loaded.  Cassie was a huge help each day and her friends helped load.  Kit finished with the last item around 11:30 that night (he had to take time off from loading to go work his job too).  So at 11:30 on Day 3 the kids were in the empty garage, well I lie about that part, we did leave a few things in the garage that would not fit.  But the kids were in the garage listening to music and having a party...a treat since Cassie got one extra day in Michigan. 

Thru it all I never broke down!  I never yelled, I didn't even throw on single thing.  I did, I admit, finally break down and cry a little on Kits' shoulder.  I felt so bad it was so late Friday and he was still working hard.  Good friends are awesome!!

Ellen was shocked that I had not pulled out every single hair on my head...I would never do that..I'd pull out someone elses!!  But no it went okay.  I just knew some things would not make it.  All my outdoor plants in my big beautiful planters.  I asked my friend Jane to come get them..I hope she did..I know she would appreciate them and take care of them.  The plow for the truck, who needs a snow plow in Oklahoma anyway?!?!  I've got it on craigs' list.  My copier and cabinet..it worked BEFORE we moved it out to the garage but when I tried to copy some papers it wouldn't work..oh well someone can have it or trash it.

As we pulled away on "Day 4" I did cry a little.  Mainly I cried for those that I will miss.  I think I will miss my little niece Emily the most.  See she is ONLY 3 and I don't want her to forget me.  Adults and older kids won't forget..I know she won't but I still tear up thinking about her..darn it!!  But other than that...as I drove that HUGE U-Haul alone, with Cassie following behind with the horses, I didn't feel sorrow, I felt joy.  Joy at being able to start a new adventure even though the start got delayed. 

You just never know what will happen on the day you try to load a U-Haul.    TO BE CONTINUED.....

ARE WE THERE YET?!?!?

All I keep thinking is "ARE WE THERE YET".  Don't laugh at me, laugh with me.  You know when you are younger you think hour to hour or day to day.  I never "looked" ahead when I was younger but man oh man I sure do now.   I keep thinking; okay by Friday at this time we will be on the road to Oklahoma; okay next week at this time we will be in Oklahoma and I will be with my husband and oldest daughter; okay in 2 weeks we will be somewhat settled in our new place.  If you are in my age "group" you'll totally understand....

90% of the house is packed and now I'm just praying it will ALL fit in the U-Haul truck.  I've been re-packing some things to make less boxes.  So far it is working, a little.  I've managed to down-size and give away quit a few things.  Thru the years I've learned if I've not used it in over a few months, worn it in a few years it is time to give it away.  But there are few things I just can get rid of yet.  But then again we are not at load the truck day.  So a few of those things may not be that important anymore.

So this coming Friday it is me, Cassie, 2 horses and 3 dogs making the trip to Oklahoma.  Chris wanted to be here to help and drive us down.  But he can't.  It is just the way it worked out and I understand.  If only everyone else could understand.  So as I'm driving the U-Haul w/the company of only 2 dogs and a walkie-talkie I'll chug on down the road and I know I'll say it over and over ARE WE THERE YET?

HOW TO TURN OFF YOUR BRAIN?

If ONLY we knew how to turn off our brains at night...we'd all sleep a tad bit better.  I've tried the deep breathing techniques, I've tried Yoga, I've tried praying but alas nothing worked. UNTIL...I found out I have insomenia, wow who would have thought?!?!?!

Years and years of not sleeping right OR sometimes even sleeping too hard, due to lack of sleep, finally came to a head almost 2 years ago.  Thank goodness for my family,  a great Doctor and all the help and guidance and, even though I was hesitant, the medicine.  God sure knew what He was doing when it all came to head..there is NO WAY I would have made it thru the past 9 months w/o knowing what is wrong with me and how to handle it.  I know, for sure, I'd have gone off the pervirbiable deep end.

However, as of the last few day, with "THE FINAL COUNTDOWN" starting I find myself running around inside my brain when the lights go off.  Do you know how tired running in brain can make you?  You can't even think when the lights come on and you generally feel like crap all day long.  Who has time for that, I sure don't.    So what's left that I can do.  Well I'm praying A LOT more and I just keep saying over and over "IT IS ALL GOING TO WORK OUT".  Trust, in ourselves, others and God, is one of the HARDEST things to do.  So I think instead of praying for a goods' night sleep I'm going to pray for TRUST that it will all work out.  I sure won't pray for patience because we all know what that can lead to! 

So with TRUST will come relaxation and I just know I'll be able to sleep better..that and I won't stop taking my prescribed medicine for my insomnia.  It is amazing how many people have the same problem I do that go undiagnosed.  I never even thought I had insomnia..if you think you do talk to your Doctor about..don't diagnose yourself.  We all know that diagnosing ourselves can lead to "issues". LOL

It may be a few months before my brain learns to "turn off" again when the lights go out but I'm praying that, at least, in the meantime it will slow WAY down when the lights turn off.  Moving can be so stressful, exciting, scary and so much more but we need to have ALL of our wits about us.  Prayer, deep breathing and peaceful thoughts are on my agenda each and every night! 

Here is hoping you can get YOUR brain to TURN OFF too and get a great nights sleep!

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN....

4, 3, 2, 1...It's the Final Countdown...Okay~Okay I won't sing, promise!  80's flashback..sorry...

But seriously it dawned on me yesterday that we have 2 weeks before we move down to Oklahoma.  WOW  Good thing I started packing oh back in February LOL!!!  

Each day, for me, is a count-down.  A count-down to not only the big "move day" but a count-down to what is yet to come.  A new place to live, new friends to be made, a new church to find and so much more.  But I think, at this point, the best will be having MY family in the same darn place for the first time in OVER 9 months!!  Myself, Chris, Brittany, Cassie and let's not forget the dogs (Booger, Jack & Bootz). Well Brittany has her own apartment but I know we will see her a lot.

It is very exciting, and scary, at the same time.  I have been in this home for over 13 years and in Michigan over 17 years.  In my entire life this is the longest I have stayed in one state!  I started out in California, birth 1965, then Ohio while my father was in Vietnam, then down to Oklahoma, then up to Illinois for high school, then down to Florida in 1984, married in 1988 and moved to Michigan in 1993.  Wow I really "got around" (that's a joke). 

You just never know what God has in plan for you.  As I look back, on all the places I've been, I can see that God had His hand in each and every move.  For instance, had we NOT moved to Florida in 1984 I would have NOT met my husband.  Of course I very well could be saying that if I had moved to Florida I would have not met my husband.  But I Chris is my husband and as much as we fight or argue we love that much more.  As much as the hard times we've gone thru we know the good times will soon be upon us and we've had so many good times.  So I really can't imagine another man in my life..at least not today (another joke).

So in honor of the "Final Countdown" I am still awake at 1am!  Instead of being in bed, getting a good nights sleep, I'm on the computer!  I should be in bed sleeping so I can get up tomorrow, run out and get some more boxes, and keep on packing.    But........

I guess I should stop thinking so much and stop counting so much and just relax, a tad bit more.  When you put it in Gods' hands things go a little bit smoother...4, 3, 2, 1 ...it will all get done!!!

DECISIONS..DECISIONS..God I am listening..Really I am!!

Just when YOU think YOU have it ALL figured out HA HA HA!   UGH

Let me bring you up-to-speed.  The very first couple that walked thru our door to lease/option our house were GREAT.  I just knew they were the ones..but......at the last minute they had to back out.  Totally understandable and I do wish them the best.  HOWEVER I had to start back at square #1...so this week we've had 1 couple come thru to look at the and 3 single moms with kids.  We've had 3 couples that were scheduled to come NOT show up, NOT call, NOT email, nothing, just didn't show up.  So as of today (Thursday) I've got the "choices" narrowed down to 2.  Easy you say. HA HA HA  NOT!!   I just can't decide.  I don't want to decide.  I'm am so scared to make that final decision!!

I reached out to friends on FB and those that responded had great replies; "pray and LISTEN to what God says", "check their references and rent history", are my two favorite!  I've done both.  References are good for both AND I'm praying!  Do I need to turn up my hearing aide?  That IS a joke I am NOT that old!!

Both of them LOVED the house!  I don't want one to be disappointed.  I am such a softy at heart!!  But it is only Thursday and I has said I would get back to all them by Friday evening with a decision.  So I have a whole day and a few hours to go.  GOD I'M LISTENING!!  At least I think I am!?!

I think out of the whole ordeal, living apart for over 9 months, having to MAKE DECISIONS on my own has been the hardest.  Yes I can talk to Chris, unlike those wives whose husbands are over-seas, but in the end decisions that have to be made up here in Michigan are on my shoulders.  No wonder my shoulders are sore all the time (joke).  But seriously it is hard, very hard.  When you get married the two shall become one and I feel like those cells that "split"..you know when you watch TV and they show stuff under a micro-scope and one cell splits and then there are 2 doing their own thing.  Yep that's me..we "split"..still "swimming" around side by side but none-the-less SPLIT.  I'm am furiously swimming, against the current it seems, to reconnect!!

Now I know we will soon be "one cell" again but my shoulders are sore and my arms are sore from swimming up-stream. Another joke.  Hey you gotta keep the humour thru all of this.

So I guess for today and tomorrow I am going to just release the choice to God.  HE can think it over and get back to me, as I know HE will!!  After-all He has been here for us thru this whole process.  I am just going to LISTEN and trust in Him.

Enjoy your day!!

WHY SO BUSY AT THE GROCERY STORE?

Got your attention didn't I?!?!  And yes it was REALLY busy at the grocery store today.  It is ONLY Tuesday what is up with that....is a major storm coming that I don't know about?  Figured if there was I better stock-up.  I even splurgged and got a 6-pack of the new Bud 55 Select!  A friend brought it over one night for dinner and I was surprised how good it is.  So now it is in the fridge..I really got it because there is this awesome chicken receipe with beer in it!!

Surprise, surprise the realtor called today and wanted to know if we could be ready for a short-notice showing.  We've not had a showing for over a month and I've been meeting with people to do a lease/option on the house.  Well the people need to make up their mind ASAP 'cause it is down to the wire..either they buy it for the bottom price we've got it at OR I've got it leased.  We are so leaving at the end of the month.

Cassie doesn't think we are leaving by then..she keeps saying "...I bet we don't leave until the middle of August..." HA little does she know school down there starts in August!  OMGosh she is gonna be so pissed..oh well her dad can deal with that as I've been dealing with everything else up here w/o him!! 

I can't wait to get down there and be with my hubby..not only to have him by my side for, you know what, but he can be "dad" for a while!  I'm gonna sit back and say..."ASK DAD" ~ "What does dad say about that?"  "Do you think dad would agree with you on that?"  and the list can go on and on.  Ahhh the peace I'll get of NOT having to make a decision or argue with my teen.  I'll get back to you on that and see if it worked.

Maybe that is why I go to the grocery store and hang-out...for the peace and quiet...even if it is busy I can pretend no one is there but me.  Clean up in aisle 4 Clean up in aisle 4.....

DO MEN PMS?!?!?!?!

Seriously..do men PMS?  I've been asking myself that for so many years.  Now don't take this the wrong way I am NOT "man bashing" I just want to know the answer to my question.  Maybe I already know the answer and just want to know that I am NOT alone. Did men PMS back in the day when they dragged women by their hair into their caves?  

I keep saying I am going to mark it down on the calendar and see if there is a pattern.  I have 2 daughters so I know the signs of PMS. Yes yes I know I'm a girl too and I should "know the signs", but don't we tend to think our signs of PMS are different than other peoples signs.  Come on laugh with me now!!

Anyway, back to MPMS.."Men Pre Mood Syndrome"   The warning signs:  #1Cranky  #2Moody
#3Don't laugh at what you just said even though they laughed at it last week   #4Frown A Lot  #5Look at YOU like YOU are crazy (what's up with that? their acting crazy I'm not) #6Don't want "it" even though you are offering  #7Want to be alone in their "cave"  #8Everyone hates them  #9Want "it" even if you don't offer then don't want to cuddle after they get "it".

So if you see any of the above pre-warning signs you know MPMS is starting.  Ladies what are we to do about it?   For years I've tried everything; get moody right back at them, ignore them, fight with them, cry, go away for a few days, give in to them.

Nothing works for MPMS except maybe the following:  #1Don't make jokes, they just won't get it during this "time"  #2Be happy, no matter what gets tossed at you  #3Don't frown back  #4Know you are not crazy it is them but don't let them know it  #5Offer "it" up and roll over and read a good book after  #6Migrate to the other room with your good book after you turn on their favorite TV show and hand them their favorite beverage and snack  #7Agree when they say everyone hates them  #8Leave the house and go shopping. 

If, I feel, you can possibly attempt to complete at the very least 3--4 steps above you just may survive MPMS.  If all else fails just know that they do love you, even if it is down deep somewhere inside of them during this monthly phase.  Smile a lot, and just say I LOVE YOU over and over...as you walk out the door to shop!!

But remember once you get thru that stage, if you have daughters, you then have to deal with their PMS.  If ONLY you can get them all on the same schedule you'd be able to schedule your shopping spree ahead of time.

Looking Thru Rose Colored Glasses...

Well...things change, and we just can't control it.  Last week at this time we had the house leased out to a great couple w/an option to purchase.  They are still a great couple and I wish them all the best, but they had to back out.  So onward and upward.

I've contacted all the people that responded to the ad and let them know it is available to see.  The only thing; they have to do is look THRU ROSE COLORED GLASSES!!  We've been packing this past week and there are boxes stacked all-over the house!!!  The kitchen and the family room will still look great but...the rest of house has boxes stacked in each room.  We've managed to pack up all of the closet except for 2. A lot of the kitchen is done, ALL of the art work/paintings/photos are off the walls and any kind of table top decorations are wrapped.  I guess in the master bedroom I'll shove the boxes back into the closet so the room looks larger.  I'm sure some of the boxes can be stacked a little neater.  But hey we are moving out so be sure you've got those ROSE COLORED GLASSES ON!!!

When ever Chris and I have looked at anything; a home to purchase, a place for Brittany to rent, a barn to keep the horses at, an older vehicle anything at all. We always look thru our very own ROSE COLORED GLASSES.  We see what can be not what should be.  I wish more people could see thru their own ROSE COLORED GLASSES.  It is amazing what feed-back we've received from the showings on our home.  My all time favorite was the wall color..what was it to "off-white".  Things like that can be changed, easily.   Even putting in new carpet or a new kitchen faucet.  Stop worrying about the "surface" and worry more about what is beneath the surface.  The "meat and potatoes" of what-ever you are looking at.

So once again I am putting on my ROSE COLORED GLASSES and looking to SEE what God has in plan for us.  He is our "meat and potatoes", He is the glue that is holding my family together and everything else that is going on is just the surface "stuff".  By wearing my "glasses" I can see above and beyond what is really there.  Like soon we will all be living in the same state and starting on a brand new adventure.  New friendships to build, a new church to find, new and exciting things to do. But most of all just having my husband by my side, holding my hand and cuddling together, walking together, doing anything together with all of us together will be the best.

So anything that comes across my path I'm looking past.  You'll know me when you see I'll be wearing my ROSE COLORED GLASSES with a BIG smile on my face!

Coldstone Ice-Cream..Mixing up Life Like Ice Cream

COLD STONE CREAMERY ....Yummy Yum Yum!  Tonight my youngest daughter treated me to a wonderful dessert by taking me to Cold Stone Creamery.  The last time I went was, oh let me think..., had to be well over 2 years ago.  I just can not bring myself to spend so much on one serving of ice-cream! But hey once in a while we deserve it, don't we?!?!?

While I was sitting here enjoying my ice-cream, and thinking of all the calories I'm consuming I started thinking about the process...the choosing of the base flavor you want, and then ALL the things you can mix in.  There was a little boy in front of us and he told his mom he wanted two flavors, I don't remember which ones.  But she said to him "....oh no you don't want those flavors they will taste really bad together."  The little boy was sad but he finally chose one flavor and one "mix" to go in it. 

So I want to know how do we really know that 2 flavors will taste really bad, unless of course we've tried them.  But then again what I like a lot you make not like at all.  For instance I had Mint Ice-Cream w/ chocolate and Cassie had cake batter with a mix.  She doesn't like mint and I don't care for cake batter ice cream at all.  When I tell people that they think I'm crazy..okay so I am but I still don't like cake batter ice cream.  Which brings me to the point HOW DO WE KNOW THAT WHAT SOMEONE WANTS IS ICKY?  We don't, unless they try and make that decision for themselves, then they won't get that again I bet.

Isn't life a lot like a Cold Stone Creamery?  We have our base (flavor) and then we have so many things that we can "mix" in.  By doing that we form and grow and become who we are today.  Sometimes, many times, along the way we will "mix" in things we shouldn't.  We will fall, we will get hurt, we won't like the "taste" but when that happens, when the "mix" is icky we have a way to fix it.  God is our way...He never ever gives up on us.  He doesn't say "don't do that it will taste really bad" He has given us free will.  Free Will to choose what we want to try.  We have His word that is there to guide us, nourish us and hopefully keep us on the right path for "mixing".  But when we do have that "odd-ball flavor" mixed in He is ALWAYS there for us with the right "flavor".

So as I'm packing, wrapping, taping, tossing, and cleaning I am trying ever so hard to be sure that I keep God in my "mix".  The "flavor" we have going on right now is pretty good..it isn't the best but sure isn't icky.  But what I'm most excited about is the "flavor" that is yet to come...God has it, He knows it and He knows I'm gonna love it. 

Don't forget when you have your base "flavor" add in that most important "mix" God...it always "tastes" so much better!!

Can a girl get a little help, oh please God I ask....

Oh my gosh can I take it?  Can I handle it? I keep saying YES I CAN but here it is almost 11pm at night and I am so wide awake you'd think I had just gotten up and finished off 2 cups of coffee.

So MUCH to do..well not a lot of packing..that is almost done.  I have a ton of bins to go thru though and toss stuff we don't need..2 days tops that will be done.  What I can't "settle" on is finding a home for us to live in down in Oklahoma.

I started this process OVER 5 months ago, the looking process.  But now it is down to the wire and we have GOT TO FIND SOMETHING.  I know God has something out there, but can a girl get a little help PLEASE LORD?   Do we rent?  Do I keep trying to find a foreclosure?  I have been looking and looking and looking PLEASE OH PLEASE GOD I pray let something jump out to us.  We can't get a mortgage due to our darn financial issues but hey Chris is working and things are turning around..I just know we will "get a break".

But in the meantime can we maybe, please God, get a break and put that perfect place for US to be in, even if just for a short time, in our path.  And if it is not too much to ask can we find it within the next few days.  Just asking God..I know you are there for us...you've been there thru all of this for us.  Thanks a ton, I know this "girl" will get a little help. 

LEAKY PIPES....

Have you ever had one of those "nightmares" where you wake up and go OH NO!!  And,of course, they come at the worst possible time.   Since we've finally "rented" the house I've had a mixture of thought about everything..will the furnance hold, will the dishwasher keep working, what if if if and more if...LOL  Would I have rather sold the home, of course then we would have "washed our hands" of it.  But it didn't sell and doing a lease/option is the next best thing in this market.

Back to nightmares...So I woke up this morning from a dream that it was our last night in the home and we had family over for dinner.  First off I have to describe dinner; paper plates, real silverware, a TON of food and alot of people in additon to family.  Why on earth I would have a lot of food and paper plates is beyond me.  Anyway...we are eating and someone says"Where is that water dripping from?"  OH NO...In the laundry room I go and look at the ceiling and yep there is water dripping.  Mind you the girls bathroom is above the laundry room.  All of a sudden my husband, his father, his cousin, and his brothers are crammed around the dryer looking at the ceiling and they begin to pull away the ceiling to find the leak.  All the while I'm going NO let's call a plumber.  And while I'm saying that I get "THE LOOK" from all them so I leave the room and go back to table to finish my food.  Everyone at the table asks me if I am going to call a plumber and I calmly reply nope let them handle it..I'll just pray it gets' fixed correctly.

Which brings me to "leaky pipes".  When we have those "leaks" do we try and try and try to FIX them ourselves or do we go to God in prayer and ask Him to help us fix our leaks?  I know that a lot times I forget to go to Him and say HEY I NEED HELP and then TRUST in Him to help me.  I trying, every so much harder, to keep ASKING and to KEEP LISTENING to HIM!!!

Even though we've found a wonderful couple to lease our home and they are as excited as we are I am still wondering if I've made the right decision.  Then I stop and think..I LISTENED to that voice, GOD, and within 24 hours we had renters.  I must stop listening to the negative and nagging from satan..only he can make my pipes leak and I sure don't want or need that right now. 

So, for the past 5 days, all day long I've been telling myself THIS IS RIGHT and I am LETTING GO and LETTING GOD.  So what if the pipes leak, He will be there to help!!  AMEN!!!

A NEW BEGINNING IS APPROACHING...

God speaks to us in MANY ways..we just need to listen.  That is something I've not been doing a lot of lately.  Sorry God.

I had a yard/moving sale last week.  The 1st day was over, it was a great sale, and I was inside relaxing.  I heard a car door, ignored it, then the dogs started barking so I got up with a big sigh and headed out.  A lady was out there, with her 2 sons.  She wanted to know if I minded if she looked around..I had everything covered up.  At first I was going to say no but then I said why not. Now here is the funny part..all day long I kept thinking I was forgetting to put something out for the sale.  Sure enough when I walked in the house after I was done I saw what I had forgot to put a DVD player!  And guess what, she needed a DVD player!  We started talking and for some reason, well we know the reason, we started about God and all the wonderful things He continues to do in our lives.  See her husband died before her eyes without any warning last year from a blood clot. Then she lost her job due to lay-offs. But somehow she STILL, with 5 sons and one of them based over-seas, KNEW GOD WAS THERE FOR HER and would provide.  What a wonderful testamony she shared with me and I shared with her our struggles.  Before she left she prayed for me and she said she just knew God would provide a person for our home and we could move to Oklahoma. 

Later in the evening while watching TV I suddenly knew I had to put the house on Craigs' List as a Lease/Option.  That was Thursday night.  By Friday night I had 4 replies and by Saturday I found the perfect couple to rent our home and purchase it down the road.  You just know it is right when that little voice GOD is saying NOW IS THE TIME and when you DO listen it starts to fall into place.  I opened the door to Greg and Sharon and we all just knew it was going to be okay.  They needed a home for their soon to be blended family and they too are in our situation of not being able to purchase anything right now.

So a new beginning is QUICKLY approaching for us, and for Sharon and Greg.  I am beyond scared but so much more than that I am excited.  Excited to see what God has in store for me and my family, excited to FINALLY be with my husband and my oldest daughter. 

I sobbed, yes sobbed when I realized Saturday night that 'my' house would not be mine much longer.  But like my mother, wise beyond her years said, it is just a structure nothing more a house not matter what it may be is only a home when you are in it with your family.  So our new home, yet to be found (but has to be found by the end of the month), is out there waiting for us!  God has it all planned out..I'm just along for the ride.

OH NO We ran out of BUTTER!!

Hello All..been a while since I've posted anything.  We've been busy; out to Wyoming to see Chris at the CNFR. Back home to continue with packing, getting a very painful test done for my and we just finished a "moving sale".  In between all my "busy-ness" I've been thinking of writing a blog BUT I think of it at night when I am in bed and exhausted.  So I just kind of lay there and think "I'll write about this or that tomorrow..."  And as you can see from my blog I just have not got it done.  Nothing I've "thought" of has hit me just right that I thought I needed to write about it...UNTIL just now as I was putting hash browns in the pan...OH NO WE RAN OUT OF BUTTER!!.

Literally we did RUN out of butter, not just yesterday BUT over a week ago.  Yes I have been meaning to go to the store but alas that store run keeps getting put on the back burner (no pun intended).  So as I sit here writing this blog and my hash browns are browning in my non-skillet pan I am writing about being out of butter.  It is okay, go ahead and laugh, I am.  We have survived, grandly, w/o any butter.  We've had popcorn, we've made toast and eggs and we have not even thought about what we are missing.  Which makes me think that BUTTER is not the only thing we can run-out of and live without.  BUT there is one thing we CAN NOT live without and that is God.  So while I am thinking about being out of butter I am thinking that God is ALWAYS there for me, even when I "run-out" on Him.  WOW how cool is that?!?!  VERY I must say.

He does not care if we "stick" or if we don't to our pan of life..He cares that we LOVE Him and we honor Him in all we do.  Have I been doing that lately..nope I have not, I must admit.  But isn't it wonderful how He puts people in our lives JUST when we need them and need to be reminded HE IS there for us.  Thank you God for putting that random person in my life during my sale and God please bless her and her family and keep YOUR arm of protection around them.  See she lost her husband almost a year ago w/o warning to a blood clot, then she lost her job and they have 5 kids!  She NEVER ran-out of her "butter" and she gave back to me so much as we chatted.

So thank you God for being MY BUTTER and NEVER running out of me.

When did parents STOP being parents?

Yesterday I watched the news in awe about the missing 16 year old girl, Abby.  She is sailing around the world alone, at the age of 16.  Her parents are defending "her" decision and theirs.  Are they totally nuts is all I can think.  I have had a lot on my shoulders with my husband living and working in Oklahoma..sometimes I feel I am raising our youngest alone.  Sometimes it would SO MUCH easier to JUST SAY YES.  But I know I can't...I don't want to look back years form now and say "....wow if only I had been stronger and not given in to her."  I am HERE to guide her..I am her friend but I am her MOTHER!!

My youngest daughter is 16 and I would never dream of letting her sail alone or do anything else even somewhat similar to that w/o ADULT SUPERVISION!   Although Cassie is mature and soon to be 17 she would in no way be ready to anything like that, even if she did have the skills required.

At that age their brains are not ready to handle ALL that alone time.  The trauma that will come with being out there on the open seas alone, fighting the waves, the boredom, the terror that you KNOW will come.

I watch these reality shows on TV.  Real World, Road Rules, Jersey Shore and all those...what have we done to our children with these shows?  We've shown them that sleeping around, swearing, drinking and pretty much doing anything you can to get on TV is the way to go.  Can you really, honestly, blame them?

I can't blame the teens for alot of what they do these days.  Both parents work, parents are divorced, parents just "give in" due to threats; ...."If you don't let me (go out, see him/her etc.) I'll run away".."If....I'll kill myself.." the list of threats go on and on.  Why?  Because we as parents let them.

Both of my girls, at one time in their lives, threatened to run away when they were not allowed to do something.  So we grabbed a bag and handed it to them and I said go ahead I'll help you pack and walked away.  The look on their faces was classic.  There was NO discussion!   Or the time they threatened to call the police on us if we spanked them....so we handed them the phone!  Of the time my one daughter told me she was a "cutter".  Why?  Because her friend did it to get attention from her parents.  That is so sad and I felt so bad for her friend...I do blame the parents for that.  But I told my child..no way it won't work with us.  Of course as parents my husband and I had a discussion and we did sit afterwards and talk with our daughter to get to the root of the problem.

So, again, I ask when did we stop being parents and start being friends.  When did we stop saying OKAY to everything our CHILDREN want?  Do we not see the harm we are doing?  Our children are growing into a ME generation.  It is all about ME.   I hear, all to often, "well I have to let them express themselves"!  Yes I let my children express themselves but I do NOT let them express themselves in harmful ways, or in adult ways.  I think some parents are taking the easy way out and just saying YES way too much...and that is sad.

If my child wanted to sail around the world, alone, I as a loving, caring parent could not have let it happen.  Because my brain can understand ALL that COULD happen...she would only see what MY happen with the out-come being "I'll be famous, I'll be on TV..."

So to my girls; I want to be your friend but more than anything I want to be your mom.  I want to honor you as your parent because God gave me YOU.  He gave you to me to keep you safe, to teach you right from wrong, to let you learn and grow but to NOT let you make decisions that could harm yourself or others!  To not let you, hopefully, choose a path filled with immoral wrongs.  I'm not perfect, I know that.  But just like my mother said when I was your age..."trust me I've been there I know what is best for you" and she really did.  Thanks MOM!!

24 HOURS~~"IT"......

24 HOURS ~~ That is all it takes, sometimes less, for things to change.  You've got a plan...everything is "lined up", "layed out" according to YOUR plan...and WHAM 24 hours later your "plan" is gone.  Well let's not say GONE GONE let's say it your plan has been deviated, way-laid, post-poned, you get the idea.

Monday night, I had a plan, I really did.  I knew what was coming up (well sort-of if it went "my way").  I just knew what was going to happen, when it "would" happen and how it would happen. Tuesday night WHAM plan change.  I still knew "IT" was going to happen, but "IT" got delayed.  So another "IT" took the first "IT's" place. 

So then Wednesday rolled around...and guess what?  Another 24hours and "IT" changed again.  So my first "IT" is STILL delayed, but delayed even further and now I have a new "IT". Unfortunately.

As much as "IT" changes some of "IT'S" stay the same.  The house is still on the market, my husband and oldest daughter are still in Oklahoma waiting.  There at still alot of  "IT'S" that need packed and things to do around here.  But the BIG "IT"..the really BIG "IT" in my life right now has to happen.  Even that "IT" has changed.  I knew I had to get my big "IT" fixed, that is my back.  I knew it would probably be surgery but I had NO IDEA it was going to THAT SURGERY!!  I had no idea I was going to have to have 2 rods, 4 screws and a plate put in!  UGH UGH UGH   So I got home, read over all the paperwork.  Told Chris, told Cassie, told Britt and told my mom.  Oh yeah I also talked to my sis-in-law and she knows :-)  I didn't cry, I wasn't worried I just knew by other "IT" was delayed but alot of "IT'S" were still going to happen, somehow.  I did good UNTIL I sat down last night and read the paperwork they give you.   You know the one, the one with ALL the "this could happen to you" descriptions.  I know, I know they have to give it to you...but by the time I finished reading it I was like this "IT" is NOT going to happen.  So I called Chris and cried to him and yes "IT" is going to happen.  I need, no I must, get back to normal. LOL What is normal?  Well at least I'll be able to, next year at this, time have a garden, ride horses, and do all the things I love to do PAIN FREE.  Of course in the "paperwork" they do tell you that you could still have pain or more pain or diff. pain.  I won't...if anything I have ALWAYS been positive about the outcome of any surgery I may face..and "IT'S" all been good.

So the date is set and now I wait and do what I need to do to prepare for my new big "IT".  Of course there is another 24 hours that will go by and who knows what "IT" will change.  Only God knows and as much as I would like to keep my "IT'S" in order I can't...I just have my "free will" from God and that can be my lists' of "IT'S" and as I make my list I know, deep inside, HE is in charge of the "IT" LIST and I'm okay with that, I really am.  Because God is there holding my hand, standing by me, looking over my shoulder and every once in a while when I make another one of my hundred "IT LISTS" I will hear a little chuckle.  God does have a sense of humour, thank goodness!!

Broke or Not Broke..That is the Question

You get that phone call in the middle of night, when your spouse is out of town, and you know the minute you say hello something isn't right.  The ton, background noise or just that "feeling" inside tells you something isn't right.

My husband, Chris, was a professional bull-rider for over 15 years.  He has broken over 20 bones in his body and had a few concussions.  Everyone always asks me how could I stand it? How could I let him?  Well first off he had been riding over 6 years when we met, I couldn't very well tell him to stop.  I was young and it was "exciting" to date a bull-rider.  Second I stood it because it was part of his life and I gave him up to God each and every ride to keep him safe.  I knew there would harm, not a question of if he gets hurt but a question of when and how bad.

Chris retired from bull-riding about 15 years ago.  He went out on top, winning a local rodeo here in Michigan.  I remember clearly a phone call I got one night.  Usually I would attend each and every rodeo but with the girls and the cost it was cheaper to have him jump in the truck with a group of guys.  I remember the night so clearly.  I put the girls to bed, picked up around the house and I went to bed.  Knowing that I'd get a call later in the night from Chris telling me how he did.  So I didn't jump when the phone rang.  I said hello and this is what I heard on the other, mind you the caller DID NOT give me time to talk;  "Chris had an accident, he got bucked off his bull and hit the ground hard and passed out, they took care of him in the arena and put him in the ambulance and we are here at the hospital and they think he broke his collar-bone but he still not awake and we don't any more than that" (breath).  I said okay do I need to get down there?  (They were in Ohio).  Caller: "No I don't think so but we will keep you posted we are going to find out more and we will call you back" CLICK.  UGH  Well I knew, just knew, that he was going to be okay so I didn't really get to upset.  A little later another phone call; "Chris is awake, yep his collar bone is broken, they put a figure 8 on him and he is juiced up on pain medicine, we will be leaving soon and bringing him home, do you want to talk to him?"  That was a funny conversation, he apologized, sounded so "out of it" and I told him I loved him and would see him later.

Today we laugh about the entire incident and the phone calls.  Well this past Friday night I got a phone call, from Chris, at 12:30am.  It went something like this "Hello",  Hi honey it's me (really)..."Hi how are you?"  "Well I'm okay" (ding ding the light bulb goes off and I'm wide awake)..."I kind of had an accident and I think I re-broke my collar-bone." (dead silence) "Okay, well what happened?"  The horse he was riding decided half-way down the arena to start bucking.  Chris is a great rider but this caught him off guard and the ground caught him, just right on his bad shoulder.  I don't call that a kind-of accident I call it an accident.

Once again I am not there. I didn't see it happen.  I did, however, get to see photos from the first time he broke his collar bone.  I saw him laying in the arena w/EMS around him and cowboys kneeling to pray.  I did cry then as I've never seen him passed out.   But with age comes wisdom...so instead of checking out his hotel room Saturday he stayed another night...he was smart enough to know he needed more "rest" before heading home.  Today, Monday, he went to the doctor.  Another one of those moments...I didn't even have to push or suggest it to him...with age comes wisdom.  So they are saying it is not broke just badly bruised and a possibly a torn muscle.

Broke or Not Broke...that may be question but what is the answer?  Will the x-ray show different once it drys and a tech reads it?  Will the swelling go down soon?  Will he be able to judge the College Nat'l. Finals next week?  Guess time will tell. 

Broke or Not Broke I still wish I was there with him.  To help him, even though he would say he doesn't need help.  To hold his hand, the good one.  To just be there and be close..I think that is the hardest part of being apart...it is not the lack of sex, the lack of talking and seeing, it is knowing there is nothing you can do for your spouse when they are hurt or are sick.  The only think I can do is pray and let him know I love him.

I love you Chris..you ARE MY hero!!!

Doing it all with a funny laugh!!!

So not having the hubby living here has posed some funny situations.  Thank goodness I am NOT a "princess" and expect things to get done for me..they'd never get done LOL    Friday night I was sitting at the dining table on the computer while it was raining..all of a sudden out the kitchen window I heard a "waterfall".  I went out and looked at that corner and found the rain water gushing out of a seam in the gutter...way above the bottom drain area. UGH  So I grabbed a stick and stuck it up the gutter and out came some gunk..but the waterfall was still falling.  Saturday morning I got up and set out to tackle the clogged gutters because I know how important it is for the water to flow away from the house..not form a lake at each corner.

I took the long gutter part that comes off of the bottom and takes the water away from the house...HUH it was so heavy..guess that was due to the fact that there were roots and dirt growing in it!  Banged it out, yuck.  Grabbed a metal rod and stuck it up the gutter..nope no luck.  So off came about 3 foot of gutter and out came the pressure hose.  Needless to say, the water is now flowing properly.  But YICK  Got the back 2 corners fixed..guess I better work on the front 2 corners?

So last night, Saturday, we had major rain..no waterfalls outside the kitchen window.  Although this morning the back yard looks like a small lake.  That has never happened in June.  So I went outside to survey any damage..lukily no trees down or major branches.  Just a lot of water.  As I'm walking back to the house I hear a little 'chirp' and look down.  Awww a baby robin, not a little little baby but one that looks like it is just ready to leave the nest.  Well it left alright..via the storm.  Poor little guy/girl he was a tad ruffled.  Luckily Jack, my jack russell, did not see him.  I grabbed some gloves, a box and went to the resuce.  As I approached he screamed and tried to fly across the yard...well Jack saw him then.  Quickly tossed the box on top to save him from certain dog death.  Meanwhile the mother bird is screaming at me!! AT ME how dare she I'm trying to save her baby.   Got the birdy in the box and took said birdy to the front yard and placed him under the big tree.  With a prayer he will be okay.

From gutter cleaner outer to birdy saving..I can do it all~~with a funny laugh of course!!!

WHAT A BLESSING!

Saturday, June 5th, just another ordinary day in the Bastien household~~the Michigan location that is!  Got up, got around, had some breakfast and went upstairs to get dressed.  I noticed the mail had come already so I grabbed it out of the box.  A stack of "bills", I groaned.  I proceeded to just drop on the table and thought I'd glance thru real quick as I'm expecting Chris' pay-check any day now.  I noticed a plain white envelope addressed to me.  The return address, I did not recognize.  "A late notice", I thought.  So with a groan I opened it.  Inside a gift, a big gift, one that I would NEVER have expected to find mailed to me.  I started to cry as I read the typed note, "There are angels on earth. Someday give the gift to someone else."  That was it, nothing else, except the gift!  I called Cassie down and handed it to her.  She opened it up, read the note and her hands started to shake.  We tried to trace the return address..no such street here in Livonia.  WOW What a gift.  Whomever sent it to us will never know how I am feeling, still, today.  I will, one day, pass this gift on.  Maybe it is from a friend of mine whom we helped out a few years ago at Christmas time? A friend?  Maybe it is from a relative?  Someone from church?  Someone I don't even know?  I would like to thank them face to face but somehow, someway, I just know they know how grateful I am, how grateful my family is.


WOW ... GOD IS GREAT!   We may never know when, where or even how great things happen, but they do..they just do.  So until I can pass on this gift to someone else I will work on passing on other "gifts"; A smile to someone that looks down, an ear to listen, open a door, help someone...etc.  But as I write this I realize I've been doing those things, maybe not as often as I should have but I try each and every day to do something for someone else, no matter what it is.  A few weeks ago I helped an elderly lady load her groceries into her car. She had a cart-full and was alone.  I felt so good afterwards.  I didn't do it to get a "reward" or a "gift" I did it because it felt right.  Just as I know my "angel" gave me this gift today because it felt right for them.  WOW  


Maybe I shouldn't be sharing this with everyone today?  But how can I not.  I want the world to know that there ARE people out there that simply help others out of the kindness in their hearts w/o ANY strings attached.  So when you are down, feel like no one really cares, just know that out there somewhere someone really does care.  Someone is praying for you, thinking of you and will be there for you.  Don't ever give up on the goodness...it is still there!!! 

So I will continue to do those things that just feel right.  Because somewhere, someday I'll get that ultimate GIFT when the doors to heaven open for me.  Maybe on that day the "angel" here on earth will be standing there (if they've gone before me) and say hey "guess what it was me..I knew you wanted to know".  Or if I go before I'll be standing there with a greeting and say "hey I've been wanting to say thank you to YOU...YOU ROCK!!!"

SO WHAT IF IT IS BROKE...YOU ARE GETTING A GOOD DEAL!!

UGH  Well we had a 2nd showing on the house the other day.  The realtor and the clients asked questions, stayed a long time and seemed REALLY interested.  I was excited..guess I should not have been.  My realtor sent my the email that their realtor sent.  Although they REALLY like the house they have some concerns about the concrete drive and the broken garage door.  Due to that they are going to continue looking.  What the HECK!!!  Okay the door IS NOT broken, it is old, very old.  It still opens and closes.  The concrete, yep it will eventually need replaced like most of the other drives in the neighborhood due to the trees. 

Five years ago we got this house appraised and it came out at $205,000!  Four years ago the same floor plan house with a SMALLER yard sold for $210,000.  We currently have ours listed at $139,700.  PEOPLE and REALTORS wake the heck up the coffee is burning.

If that is ALL they are concerned about then if I was their realtor I'd be like okay well let's see if they will come off the price a little bit or give monies back at closing.  START SOMEWHERE!!!  Even my realtor agreeded with me on that.

Do people NOT understand the lack of jobs out there?  Since when did realtors STOP working for their clients?  They don't drive you around anymore, they don't have ALL the home information BEFORE they arrive.  You don't know how many times I've heard, FROM THE REALTOR, as they are walking in the front door..."oh this has 4 bedrooms?"  WOW it is on the listing sheet. Or how about the one that came in and we were out of their price range...PLEASE STOP WAISTING MY TIME!!!  Most realtors, and I'm sorry if you are one, keep bankers hours. In this market today you CAN'T!!!

Our realtors, the selling one here in Michigan and our one in Oklahoma, start their days at 8am and work till late in the day. They both do alot of phone work, advertising and showings.  We have had over 15 showings since we listed 2 months ago..the most ever.  I know we will get an offer soon.  But the waiting and watching is killing me.

Unfortunately the media has killed real-estate sales.  Every day on TV you can hear about.."how to get a great deal", "homes under $???? all across the United States",  "don't settle".  Yes there are great deals out there, trust me I know this, but people always want something for nothing.  Don't forget you are already practically getting that something for nothing.  Our house is $60,000+ below the appraised value..yes I know it won't appraise for $205,000 now but it is still a GREAT deal. 

So what it if the garage door is broken, it still opens and closes.  The rest of the house is great, and I'm not just saying that.  I guess all I can really say is OKAY I hope you find what you are looking for.  I am realistic when home shopping...I want good structure, updated electric and plumbing, and nothing that requires over a $10,000 fix.  All the rest, a broken door, cracked concrete, bad paint..all that can be replaced or re-painted.  With a good strong foundation you can do anything.

7 Month Mark---SERENITY, WISDOM, COURAGE

Yep it is official, we've been living apart for 7 months as of May 28th(ish).  This sucks, big time, still.  AND the last time we were together was over Easter, the 1st week in April.  That has been the longest "not had a visit time" yet.  That suck, big time, too!!  I've noticed over the past few months that people have stopped asking how we are doing, how are we managing, are "we" okay.  I feel like "we" are on the back burner and that is hard to understand.  But in this day and age people are busy, busier than ever and unfortunately we don't have time for others.  And that sucks, big time, too.

I am trying, ever so hard, to stay positive.  Thank goodness for my medicine and thank goodness for God.  I have noticed, as of late, that Chris is not so positive.  How the hell can anyone blame him, I sure can't.  We are still struggling to make all the bills with only 1 income and we are behind on the mortgage.  So all of that is weighing on him.  We still have the house up for sale, we've had showings but no offers as of yet.  He is STILL living in our RV and that is "okay", he really doesn't mind that. But what really sucks is that their office moved, just down the street to a smaller building BUT that owner won't let him keep the RV there.  "If I let you then I have to let others'." As if anyone else around there is living in their RV..they all have homes to go home to..you know the ones with real walls, nice bathrooms, big kitchens etc.  So along with moving the shop, keeping sales up and keeping income coming in he know has to find a place by the 10th to keep the RV and live and that won't cost. HA good-luck with that.  The RV parks want $325 and up a month.  We just can't swing another bill.  If business was doing good then he could justify a "raise" to cover that expense.  But business has leveled out, on the low side of level.  Just like any other business. So he gets down and I can't blame him.  He has the world on his shoulder's, all men do in times like this.  At least those men that are "real men".  Any man put in the position of being unemployed, digging out or whatever will put the weight of the world on their shoulders because that is how they are wired.  They ARE the providers for their family no matter what any women's movement might say.

Yet we can not complain..at least he has a job and we are not living with family and we've not "lost" everything.  Credit cards, as bad as they are, are helpful in times like this.  So he has bad days and that is okay and I am learning to not take them personally.  He is a great guy, the best, and he wants so much for his family.

So how on earth does one stay positive?  Personally I've been, on the inside, so sad.  But each day I look at the glass plaque above my kitchen sink "God grant me the SERENITY to accept the things I cannot change COURAGE to change the things I can, and WISDOM to know the difference."  I have to believe those words and live by those word and just KNOW things will change and things WILL get better for us.  This is just a trial and test and if, no when, we get thru this, things will be better.  For ourselves, for each other, for our girls. The tears I shed will one day be memories of the past.

So it has been 7 months, it will, more than likely, be a few more months.  An offer on the house would be great!  Being able to find a rental down there to live in until this house sells would be great.  But neither opportunity has presented itself, YET!! 

SERENITY, WISDOM, COURAGE...words to live by.

Memorial Day ~~ Being Apart~~Being Grateful

Last night I sat on the deck outside, alone, drinking.  I was feeling VERY sorry myself as I have nothing to do this weekend and my husband and oldest daughter (Chris & Brittany) are in Oklahoma.  Cassie, my almost 17 year old daughter, was over at friends.  Anyway I was feeling sorry myself since Chris has been gone 7 months, my mom just left to go back home to Florida and the few friends I have are out of town.   So I drank a fruity drink and went to bed.  This morning I woke up, still feeling crappy for myself.  Then as I started to write this it dawned on me...my husband and my oldest daughter may be living in Oklahoma and our family is "seperated" due to work BUT we are all still living.

WOW what an eye opener.  There are SO MANY others out there today that will never ever get to see their loved one(s) again due to the wars.  I am not against the war, not totally for it, but not against it.  I value my freedom here in America and the choices that we still have, unlike other countries.  I am VERY grateful for the men and women in the Armed Forces.  I am an "Army Brat".  My brother-in-law is an Air National Guard Reservist.  Brittany almost joined the Army.  I have friends that are in the military.

So as I sit here this morning, feeling "sorry" for myself we (Chris, Britt, Cassie and I) will not ALL be together for another "holiday" I must remind myself that I have SO MUCH to NOT feel sorry for.  My husband is working, my back is getting better, my oldest daughter is doing great, my youngest daughter is doing great, my mother is alive and happy and I am alive & God is by my side.  I am not, today, visiting a grave of a loved one that I lost in a war.

My heart goes out to those families and friends.  May you find comfort in knowing that "your" soldier did not die in vain~~they died for you and for me and for all of us and we are VERY GRATEFUL.

May everyone take a few moments to reflect on what today is really about and be grateful for the people in your life.

Sunny Sunday,,Go Back to Sleep? Lead By Example!!

Today is very sunny already for this great Sunday.  Once again, and shame on me no excuses, I did not make it to church. I was awake at 7:30 and could have gotten up and got around but I chose to go back to sleep.  When I woke up again it was too late..not good.  I know God understands and He will forgive me but deep inside I am feeling VERY guilty.  I am not doing a good job of leading by example to my family...I will try harder to be better at that..leading by example!!
Which brings me to my subject..leading by example.  So many time, each and every day, we see, hear, feel how everyone around us acts.  Are they doing a good job "leading by example".  For the most part no.  While watching these "reality" shows I sit there and laugh and make comments and some of them I'll watch again, some I won't.  We wonder why the youth of today act the way they do?  Well we need not look much farther than ourselves and the EXAMPLE(s) we lead.   We let our children watch these reality shows on TV, while we sometimes sit there with them.  We also let our children, speak their minds, because that is what society says we should do. What I hear coming out their mouths today is what we hear coming out of the mouths of those "reality stars".  We don't "spank" our children anymore, we give "time-outs" or have discussions with them.  For the most part those discussions go in one year and out the other.
Which brings me to an incident that happened at our home.  We had family and friends over and we were all out front playing.  We happen to be lucky with a deep set front yard so there is plenty of room to play and not go near the street.  However one particular little boy (he is now a teen) went near the street.  His parents informed him to not go past the sidewalk again..the cars tend to go OVER 25mph on our street.  Few minutes later he did it again and again he was told to not go past the sidewalk.  The next venture he was just going off the curb into the street.  At that point the dad pulled him aside and set him on the porch for a "time-out" and a discussion.  Now I must state at the time he was about 4-5 years old.  Time-out was over in a few minutes and again a few minutes later he was off the curb.  Again a discussion started..at that point I informed the child if he did it again he would be getting a spanking from ME as I did not want to see him get hit and hurt by a car. Did I overstep my "boundaries"? To some people yes I did but to others I did not because I showed that child that I cared enough, even though they did not understand at the time.  The child did not go past the curb again.
Where am I going with this example:  I was leading by example.  I pointed out that I did not go past the sidewalk, that the cars would hit him if he went out in the street and he would get hurt and lastly because I cared enough if he could not listen I would give him a spanking.  I did it with my kids and one good spank they stayed out of the street.  I not saying to beat your kids...but a good spanking is teaching them boundaries, grounding them as they get older, gives them boundaries.  You can have a discussion when your children get older because by that time they will grasp what you are truly saying!! We have stepped away from TELLING our children what is right and wrong we are letting THEM make decisions too early and that is my opinion!! 
But thru the years I see that I've gotten away from leading by example.  I sleep in, when I should be up, I allow my teens to watch programs I really don't approve of, I swear and complain and more.  And I am seeing what I do and have done come out in them. 
Today I vow that I am going to do better leading by example..getting back to the examples that I lead with when they were younger.  We can't go back, we can only go forward.  We can't forget but we can forgive and understand the errors our children have made..we can and should LEAD BY EXAMPLE.  Even if it means just starting one little example..maybe turn off the TV and play a game.  God is like that with us, he forgives and goes forward with us knowing that we can and will do better.  He continues to always LEAD BY EXAMPLE because He gave us the Bible AND He is also that little voice in our heads that is telling us "hey maybe you need not do that "!!!

Have a great day and find your EXAMPLE to lead by.

Thursday -- Garbage Day

Up early today..YEAH!  Trying hard to get to bed at a descent time and get up at a "normal" time.  But what is normal LOL?  Normal for me and normal for you are probably 2 totally different things!!
Today is 'garbage day' and that is what brought me to the title and subject for this Thursday.

As I see everyones' garbage by the curb, and mine too, I wonder what is being "thrown" away?  Why do some people recycle and others don't?  Kind of like our lives.  What do we "toss" and what do we "recylce". Do we tend to trash things we really should keep?  Do we just give up and sometimes trash our support system or "trash" our faith?  Should we maybe be tossing out more or tossing out less?  Should we be learning how to "recycle" better?

Are you guilty of holding onto your "trash" in your life and you just keep adding to that bag?  I know I can be like that..I let certain things stay with me that I should not.  I am trying really really hard to constantly let those things that really are not important and those things that tend to trash up my life go.  What is really funny is that while I am writing this the TV is on and Dalai Lama just arrived on the TODAY SHOW for his first live interview.  How ironic is that?!?!  He is a person who's entire belief system is one of relaxation, forgivness, happiness and living stress free. He just said that many of todays' problems are "man-made" and yes I do agree with that for many things.  I'm not one to say I am educated on his beliefs but what a calm person he is and one that shares with everyone how we really should live.  Very ironic!!!

So even though my life is not going the way I want it to go, or how my entire family would like it go, I can not hold onto the trash that can cloud it.  When I do let my "trash bag" get full than my entire attitude changes.  My goal is to keep my "trash bag" low or almost empty..I don't think it will ever be empty.  But by keeping it low I know that my entire attitude will change for the best and I will feel better about the situation my family is in.

The situation sucks it truly does.  HOWEVER I have to remember that there is and will always be someone out there in a worse situation we are in.  My husband is working, thank God.  It is not the income we used to have but we are grateful and if we get behind on bills, which we are, it will end up okay.  We've not lost anything and we won't.  He is the man of the family and takes that role seriously and has never ever sat back and said "I can't"...he always finds a way to provide for us.  He does not let the garbage pile up in his bag..he keeps putting it by the curb and goes forward.

I thank God each day for positive things in our life and positive people.  I thank God each day for my family and for the gifts we've recieved and the opportunities He has put in our paths.  So today I vow I will not let my garbage get full anymore, I will let any trash that comes into my life get tossed out and I will recycle those things that need to be recylced that will help me become a better woman, wife, mother and daughter.

Have a good day and take your trash out!!

Wednesday AKA "Hump Day"...Shame on me?

So it is Wednesday and SUNNY & WARM (well soon to be warm) out.  Off at 11am to pick up my mom at the airport for her 10 day stay!!

Since I talked about "sex" on Monday I can't very well talk about it again on "hump day".  Although a friend from high school pointed out I should have waited to talk about it today LOL.  That was a good one!
Got up early, sloppy joes are almost done for lunch today.  Think tonight we will have grilled chicken and enjoy this great weather with my mom on the deck.
I went out to dinner last night with my wonderful sister-in-law Tracie.  We always have such a nice time together when we go out to dinner.  We can talk about everything and anything and I love that about her.  She knows exactly how I feel being apart from Chris for so long since Rich, her husband, is in the military and has been over-seas.  And of course they had to deal with basic training and his continued training after basics.  At that time I was not very supportive of her because I had no idea what it was like to be seperated from the one you love for such a long time.  Shame on me for not taking a more pro-active step and being there for her and just assuming she was fine!  Shame on me for not listening to her and listening to what others were saying about the "situation". 
Isn't it funny I started writing about something totally different..didn't even have a title past "hump day"..but then I found myself writing more..something I feel so much more important.
Back to "shame on me"...yes I should have done more for her, I should have called her more, offered to do things with her etc.  But we can't go back and change the past we can ONLY LEARN from our PAST mistakes.  So that is why I am trying to learn to reach out to those people that are in the same situation I am in, being apart from their spouse/sig. other for such a long time.  I've not found anyone yet, at least not anyone that is willing to say HEY I AM IN THE SAME BOAT AS YOU.  But if you are please let me know...And if you are someone that knows someone don't become a SHAME ON ME or a I SHOULD HAVE...reach out to that person...you don't know how much of an impact you will have on that person.  Even just a quick visit during the day to sit and chat.  It does not have to be anything huge..a cup of coffee and a fun chat.  A quick run to the farmers' market..anything. 
I vow to NEVER again be a SHAME ON ME and think that the other person is doing fine..why do they need my company.

Enjoy your day and thanks for reading..I hope this touches your life and others.  Hugs, Donna

Tuesday...Rain (again) BUT BUILD MEMORIES!!!

Welcome to spring in Michigan..unpredictable weather.  53 and rain/wind today but 79 and sunny by Thursday.  Went out with friends last night, Julie and Mark.  It's hard, isn't it, when you get invited to go out with friends and you are the "single" one in the group.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed myself, but again it is so hard to be sitting there w/o Chris.  I know he feels the same way but hey he is not blogging about it I am!! LOL
Tomorrow my mom arrives from Florida.  Her fiance surprised her on mothers' day with a ticket to come up and visit us for 10 days.  He is a great man..it has only taken her almost her whole life to find a man that appreciates her and loves her as a women should be loved!  But she is totally enjoying herself and her health is so much better.  It should be...they are constantly out doing things and they go dancing so much..she has always loved to dance but my dad didn't like it.  She sure is making up for all those "lost"years.  She is 76 years old and looks like and acts like she is in her early 60's.  Good for her!!
I am so happy that my girls have a great relationship with her and look forward to spending time with her!  I never had that closeness with my grandparents, either side of the family.  Both my girls will randomly just talk about things they've done with her..trips we've taken, food we've eaten together, things MeMe does with them.  It is great.
I heard someone say in a seminar that I attended that our kids will not remember all the toys and "stuff" we buy them but they WILL remember the times we spend together and the trips we take together.  I thought, at the time, yeah right.  Both girls were very young at the time.  But now that they are in their teen years that statement is so true.  Every once in a while they will talk about somewhere we've been, something we've done and inside my heart just glows and outside I smile.  What a great feeling.
So I guess what I am saying that even though our family is living apart during this trying time we are still building memories with our girls and each other.  The time we've spent together during our visits, traveling down to Oklahoma, things we are doing up here. Even sitting out on the deck and talking.  Even though your family may be split like ours is during this trying time don't forget to STILL BUILD memories.  Don't sit each day and feel poor me this sucks.  Yeah it might suck but don't get caught up in it.   Keep enjoying each day, remember it is the little things that count.  So sit on that porch and talk..your building memories.

Monday--Monday Let's Talk About Sex!!

Monday, May 17th...windy, cloudy and cool. Is it really May?  It is going to be in the high 70's later in the week.  My mom arrives from Florida on the 19th for a 10 day visit. Yeah.  
Well today I want to talk about something that I am SURE many of you out there, that have not seen your spouse/sig. other in a while, are thinking about...SEX!!  Yep I went there..I sure did. 
What brought me to this subject you may wonder...I must be honest Johnny Depp &  Mark Wahlberg!  I know you are laughing.  Seriously though..when you are apart from the one you love, sometimes for even a few days, you start to miss the little things.  After watching a few movies over the weekend with Johnny D. and Mark W. I realized that while I was seeing the guys w/o their shirts on, or kissing another person, or even just giving the actress that "look" (you know the one) that I realized how much I am missing that closeness.  Not even the SEX but the closeness.  The look your special someone gives you that makes your heart, even after 20+ years, skip a beat.  Or that touch, the one when they reach out and maybe grab your hand, or as they walk by just brush your skin.  Or the smell, yes the smell, of the one you love.  It rips your heart right out of your chest when you see others feeling those feelings you are so missing. 
It is hard, very hard, for others to totally understand the depth of our feelings~~unless they to are in the same position we are or have "been there".  I know for men it is probably different on some level, but come on guys you know deep inside you get "those feelings" when you are apart from your special girl.
Some would say to those of us missing that feeling to get over it (ha) others would say go buy new batteries (ha ha) and then some would say Yuck.  Those that say YUCK are those that have not felt what we have felt with our special someone, or are what I like to call the negative ninnies. Stay away from those people. 
It is OKAY to have those feelings, it is okay to cry over those feelings.  There are times I want to just crawl inside of Chris when I've seen him, so as to keep that feeling of closeness with me when we part again.
So it is Monday, another week ahead and another day of not knowing when we will be together again.  Just relying on God and the plans He has in store for us.  Just know that when that days come that the house is sold, the new one purchased and the move is complete we WILL NOT be entertaining company for at least a month..the doors will be locked.    Have a great day and keep those feelings close to your heart..they are after-all very special.