So, I think I have a plan that might actually work and at least pay everyone something each month. I am beginning to send written communication to all of my creditors about this plan. I need your help, now, to pray that my efforts are not only pleasing to God, but that the creditors will be willing to accept it.
I'm so trying to operate on faith here. While reading "One Month to Live", I highlighted the following from the book: "When you're operating on the basis of reason, all you can see is how big your giants are. If you're operating in faith, all you can see is how small your giants are compared to God." It's really hard not to look at them from the basis of reason, but I'm really trying - moment by moment - to see how big my God is and really how small my giants are.
My van has needed inspecting all month because the tags are due. The problem is that my "check engine" light stays on constantly. It has something to do with the emissions stuff and we've had it fixed before to only come back on a week later, so I don't really pay much attention to it until it's inspection time. It won't pass inspection if that light is on. Well, prior to this, the light might go off for a day or two every now and then, but lately it has shown no sign of going off. I told Randy this morning that we had to figure out a way to get the van inspected!!! He set for work, and I set off to get my hair cut. You will NOT believe what happened! Yep! That freakin' little light went off!! I couldn't believe it! I was about out of gas too, so I went and got my hair cut, then stopped by Costco to fill up, and then headed to Jiffy Lube for the inspection. IT PASSED!!!!!! I then came home and renewed my tags online! GLORY BE TO THE FATHER WHO IS THE GIVER OF GOOD THINGS!!! I don't know if God can control mechanical things here on earth, but I can't help thinking He just might have been involved in this! THANK YOU ABBA FATHER!! It is these little things that keep me going!!!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
The Promise of a Post
OK, now that it's a different day, I'll post what I referred to yesterday.
I preface this post saying that I hope you don't think this gross, or inappropriate in any way. It's just that you have to find the humor in these types of things.
As you may recall, my Dad passed away last year on Labor Day, Sept. 6, 2010. His wishes were to be cremated and to have his ashes spread partly on his mother and father's graves in Roxboro and partly at the beach. My Dad's wife, Joan, was going to be "the keeper" of the ashes and we daughters thought she'd call us when she was ready and that we'd all go together to take care of this.
This year, on the anniversary of Daddy's death, we daughters all contacted Joan to see how she was doing on this difficult day. I won't go into all of that here, but she said she thought she was ready to finally spread his ashes and thought that might help her "move on". OK. We thought she'd tell us when she was ready. Well, about a week later, she emailed one of my sisters and told her that she'd gone to Roxboro and spread part of this ashes on his parents graves as he'd asked. Yep, without us. But that was not a big surprise (again, another story I won't get into here). But she said if we wanted to take the remaining ashes and do something with them, she'd send them to us; otherwise, she'd spread them around the house where they had lived. We discussed this and decided we wanted to do that. Well, she decided to spread some of the remaining ashes around the house anyway, but mailed (yes, in the US Mail) the remainder of the ashes to my sister. Now, this is where it gets good . . . you see, I got tickled at the fact that Daddy was being mailed - through the US Mail - to my sister! I don't know why, but it struck me funny, and I got the silly giggles - laughing out loud -right at my desk at work! Oh, go ahead and laugh too. You know you want to!
OK, so a few days later, I get an email from my sister that says. . . wait for it . . .
"Daddy's here!"
OK - I know you just laughed out loud, because that's what I did!!! Ah Ha Ha! THEN . . . oh yes, it gets better . . . she tell us that Joan put the remaining ashes (they are in the plastic bag from the funeral home, mind you) in a checkbook box! Yes!! A checkbook box!! Ok - I KNOW you are laughing now - - because WE did!!!
Well, my sister thought she would be fine with all of this, but she has apparently been pretty wigged out about Daddy being in a checkbook box on her shelf - which is adding even more hilarity to this whole thing.
So, we were going to go to Holden Beach this weekend to spread the remainder of his ashes, but then Wendy's mother-in-law fell and is in the hospital. Missy and I didn't want to go until all 3 of us could go, so we'll just wait on this. After all, Daddy isn't going anywhere!
In the meantime, Wendy is still wiggin' out about Daddy's ashes being on her shelf. I think I'll go rescue her and get the ashes and bring them to my house. If it wigs me out, then there will be another interesting blog post to follow!
I preface this post saying that I hope you don't think this gross, or inappropriate in any way. It's just that you have to find the humor in these types of things.
As you may recall, my Dad passed away last year on Labor Day, Sept. 6, 2010. His wishes were to be cremated and to have his ashes spread partly on his mother and father's graves in Roxboro and partly at the beach. My Dad's wife, Joan, was going to be "the keeper" of the ashes and we daughters thought she'd call us when she was ready and that we'd all go together to take care of this.
This year, on the anniversary of Daddy's death, we daughters all contacted Joan to see how she was doing on this difficult day. I won't go into all of that here, but she said she thought she was ready to finally spread his ashes and thought that might help her "move on". OK. We thought she'd tell us when she was ready. Well, about a week later, she emailed one of my sisters and told her that she'd gone to Roxboro and spread part of this ashes on his parents graves as he'd asked. Yep, without us. But that was not a big surprise (again, another story I won't get into here). But she said if we wanted to take the remaining ashes and do something with them, she'd send them to us; otherwise, she'd spread them around the house where they had lived. We discussed this and decided we wanted to do that. Well, she decided to spread some of the remaining ashes around the house anyway, but mailed (yes, in the US Mail) the remainder of the ashes to my sister. Now, this is where it gets good . . . you see, I got tickled at the fact that Daddy was being mailed - through the US Mail - to my sister! I don't know why, but it struck me funny, and I got the silly giggles - laughing out loud -right at my desk at work! Oh, go ahead and laugh too. You know you want to!
OK, so a few days later, I get an email from my sister that says. . . wait for it . . .
"Daddy's here!"
OK - I know you just laughed out loud, because that's what I did!!! Ah Ha Ha! THEN . . . oh yes, it gets better . . . she tell us that Joan put the remaining ashes (they are in the plastic bag from the funeral home, mind you) in a checkbook box! Yes!! A checkbook box!! Ok - I KNOW you are laughing now - - because WE did!!!
Well, my sister thought she would be fine with all of this, but she has apparently been pretty wigged out about Daddy being in a checkbook box on her shelf - which is adding even more hilarity to this whole thing.
So, we were going to go to Holden Beach this weekend to spread the remainder of his ashes, but then Wendy's mother-in-law fell and is in the hospital. Missy and I didn't want to go until all 3 of us could go, so we'll just wait on this. After all, Daddy isn't going anywhere!
In the meantime, Wendy is still wiggin' out about Daddy's ashes being on her shelf. I think I'll go rescue her and get the ashes and bring them to my house. If it wigs me out, then there will be another interesting blog post to follow!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Boring? Old? Tired? Hmmm
I've decided I'm a boring person and must lead a rather boring life. I stop to think about something witty or interesting that happened to me today that I could blog about, and . . . yep - nothing comes to mind. Maybe it's just my memory. I'm getting old and forgetful. No, that can't be it. I'm just boring! Boring can be fixed - right?
Ok, maybe I'm not boring . . . I'm just tired. Too tired for witty, interesting things. Or at least too tired to remember them. Geez, that goes back to being old. I don't like this either. I'M NOT OLD YET!! Am I? Of course not! (Thank you, me myself & I, for this conversation)
Ok, so I do have a great idea for a blog post - it just came to me. . . but you'll have to wait until another day. I can't freak you out by posting 2 posts on the very same day!
I've got your attention now, don't I? Ah Ha! I love this!
Ok, maybe I'm not boring . . . I'm just tired. Too tired for witty, interesting things. Or at least too tired to remember them. Geez, that goes back to being old. I don't like this either. I'M NOT OLD YET!! Am I? Of course not! (Thank you, me myself & I, for this conversation)
Ok, so I do have a great idea for a blog post - it just came to me. . . but you'll have to wait until another day. I can't freak you out by posting 2 posts on the very same day!
I've got your attention now, don't I? Ah Ha! I love this!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
"Just Do The Next Thing" Progress Update #3 & This Saturday's Six
OK, it's time for a "Just Do The Next Thing" progress update.
The only progress I've made since the last update is that I went through a lot of old mail and cleaned off part of the computer desk today. This was really huge for 2 reasons: 1) It just looks better and 2) I now have everything in a spreadsheet that we owe and THAT will assist me in putting together a financial plan to accomplish goal #1! :) Even though I'm a little depressed, I feel really good about this step!
The goal about improving my relationship with Jesus will begin tomorrow as our church starts a 6 week journey through a book titled "One Month to Live". It is said to be life changing. I am praying for that to be the case in my life!
THIS SATURDAY'S SIX! (my version of Friday Five - ha!)
1. "Home days" (that's what Erin used to call Saturdays) are just the best! I love not waking to an alarm clock. I love doing just whatever needs to be done and what I want to do. I love when I have the house to myself - which I sort of did today as Randy worked and Allyson slept most of the day. It's just relaxing!!
2. I love that my baby girl, Allyson, is home for fall break! I've missed her!!
3. I love that my newlywed daughter, Erin, and husband came for dinner tonight! I miss her too!!
4. I was very excited when the mail came today and our group tickets for "WICKED" were here! Now I need to go get some envelopes and divvy them up and deliver them! (Looking forward to that show in May!!)
5. The pork roast I was cooking for dinner tonight was not done in time for dinner, so we ran to Food Lion to get some fried chicken from the deli, but now I have dinner already cooked for tomorrow night! Gotta love that!
6. Saturday night means that Sunday morning comes next! I always look forward to worship at my church on Sundays!!
Now to some chocolate chip cookies with my baby girl!
The only progress I've made since the last update is that I went through a lot of old mail and cleaned off part of the computer desk today. This was really huge for 2 reasons: 1) It just looks better and 2) I now have everything in a spreadsheet that we owe and THAT will assist me in putting together a financial plan to accomplish goal #1! :) Even though I'm a little depressed, I feel really good about this step!
The goal about improving my relationship with Jesus will begin tomorrow as our church starts a 6 week journey through a book titled "One Month to Live". It is said to be life changing. I am praying for that to be the case in my life!
THIS SATURDAY'S SIX! (my version of Friday Five - ha!)
1. "Home days" (that's what Erin used to call Saturdays) are just the best! I love not waking to an alarm clock. I love doing just whatever needs to be done and what I want to do. I love when I have the house to myself - which I sort of did today as Randy worked and Allyson slept most of the day. It's just relaxing!!
2. I love that my baby girl, Allyson, is home for fall break! I've missed her!!
3. I love that my newlywed daughter, Erin, and husband came for dinner tonight! I miss her too!!
4. I was very excited when the mail came today and our group tickets for "WICKED" were here! Now I need to go get some envelopes and divvy them up and deliver them! (Looking forward to that show in May!!)
5. The pork roast I was cooking for dinner tonight was not done in time for dinner, so we ran to Food Lion to get some fried chicken from the deli, but now I have dinner already cooked for tomorrow night! Gotta love that!
6. Saturday night means that Sunday morning comes next! I always look forward to worship at my church on Sundays!!
Now to some chocolate chip cookies with my baby girl!
Monday, October 3, 2011
60 Degrees
(Note: I'm cooking dinner while I type this post -probably not a good idea because I'm in a totally separate room - - hope I don't burn something)
Ok - - FALL IS HERE! 60+ degrees! I'm trying to decide if I like it or not . . .
Pros:
1. Get to bring out the sweaters again. A fresh (even though not new) item of clothing is always exciting.
2. Don't have to run the A/C - that will save some money (sort of - - we're on equal payment plan, so we pay the same amount every month no matter)
3. Low humidity!!!! That's a REAL good one!
4. I like to see the leaves turn their gorgeous colors!
5. Good excuse to go shopping - - I need new clothes AND shoes. Especially shoes. I don't have many that are closed toed.
Cons:
1. There's not as much sunlight - darker in the mornings and darker in the evenings. I don't like that.
2. I'M COLD! - At least in this house! I awoke to 60 this morning. It is VERY hard to get out of a warm bed.
3. No more veggin' in the sun - - not that I did THAT much of it this year, but knowing I can't is depressing.
4. I know that Winter is not far behind - - and I am not so fond of Winter.
So, I guess I like it a little more than I don't (that makes perfectly good sense, I know), but I sure do miss Summer!
(NOTE: I did NOT burn dinner, and am going to eat it now).
Ok - - FALL IS HERE! 60+ degrees! I'm trying to decide if I like it or not . . .
Pros:
1. Get to bring out the sweaters again. A fresh (even though not new) item of clothing is always exciting.
2. Don't have to run the A/C - that will save some money (sort of - - we're on equal payment plan, so we pay the same amount every month no matter)
3. Low humidity!!!! That's a REAL good one!
4. I like to see the leaves turn their gorgeous colors!
5. Good excuse to go shopping - - I need new clothes AND shoes. Especially shoes. I don't have many that are closed toed.
Cons:
1. There's not as much sunlight - darker in the mornings and darker in the evenings. I don't like that.
2. I'M COLD! - At least in this house! I awoke to 60 this morning. It is VERY hard to get out of a warm bed.
3. No more veggin' in the sun - - not that I did THAT much of it this year, but knowing I can't is depressing.
4. I know that Winter is not far behind - - and I am not so fond of Winter.
So, I guess I like it a little more than I don't (that makes perfectly good sense, I know), but I sure do miss Summer!
(NOTE: I did NOT burn dinner, and am going to eat it now).
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Randomness
So, no update on "Just Do The Next Thing" this week, because there is nothing to update. Sad to say, I didn't even think about these things much this week . . . but that's OK - next week is coming!
So, what highlights from this past week can I share? Hmmm . . . .
1. I planned menus and cooked dinner every night this week! My husband really likes when I do this - :o) I do too because it really is much easier!
2. The sweet Coconut puppy awoke me barking the other morning. When I finally got up to see what he wanted, I couldn't find his food bowl OR his water bowl. Now it is not strange for him to carry around his food bowl as it is getting close to being empty, but he has NEVER moved his water bowl. But alas, he did this time!! He had taken them both to another room - both empty - - I think we was telling me "I'm thirsty, please get up and get me some water!!!" So I refilled both and he was a happy puppy again! :o)
3. I finished a book! "Picture Perfect" by Jodi Picoult.
4. One of the children in my choir wanted us to pray for "their baby" (her mother is expecting) and she said "Pray that it is either a girl or a boy". I said "Ok." (trying not to laugh and ask "as opposed to what?")
5. Oh - I couldn't think of the word "punctuation" the other day, so I asked a co-worker: "What is that word when you are proof-reading someone's paper and you want them to correct - not the words, but the commas and periods and stuff like that?" (Geez)
I've got a lot on my plate right now - over and above the goals I want to work on: 1) Work is extremely stressful right now. Everyone is just buried and running about 3 weeks behind and there is no relief in sight. I dread getting up to go to work in the mornings. 2) I have children's choir responsibilities to plan and carry out each week. 3) Living Christmas Tree is really not that far off, and I need to spend time sitting down with my CD and book and learning this music!! My biggest stresser is work right now, though.
I'm glad today is Saturday!
So, what highlights from this past week can I share? Hmmm . . . .
1. I planned menus and cooked dinner every night this week! My husband really likes when I do this - :o) I do too because it really is much easier!
2. The sweet Coconut puppy awoke me barking the other morning. When I finally got up to see what he wanted, I couldn't find his food bowl OR his water bowl. Now it is not strange for him to carry around his food bowl as it is getting close to being empty, but he has NEVER moved his water bowl. But alas, he did this time!! He had taken them both to another room - both empty - - I think we was telling me "I'm thirsty, please get up and get me some water!!!" So I refilled both and he was a happy puppy again! :o)
3. I finished a book! "Picture Perfect" by Jodi Picoult.
4. One of the children in my choir wanted us to pray for "their baby" (her mother is expecting) and she said "Pray that it is either a girl or a boy". I said "Ok." (trying not to laugh and ask "as opposed to what?")
5. Oh - I couldn't think of the word "punctuation" the other day, so I asked a co-worker: "What is that word when you are proof-reading someone's paper and you want them to correct - not the words, but the commas and periods and stuff like that?" (Geez)
I've got a lot on my plate right now - over and above the goals I want to work on: 1) Work is extremely stressful right now. Everyone is just buried and running about 3 weeks behind and there is no relief in sight. I dread getting up to go to work in the mornings. 2) I have children's choir responsibilities to plan and carry out each week. 3) Living Christmas Tree is really not that far off, and I need to spend time sitting down with my CD and book and learning this music!! My biggest stresser is work right now, though.
I'm glad today is Saturday!
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