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.