Thoughts on the weekend:

• Wow, how I wish all weekends could be three days!
• Ever wonder why we all look forward to weekends, but then are so busy that Monday (or in this case Tuesday) is just hell?
• Weddings are beautiful, and makes one think back on all the good and bad of his/her own marriage/relationship.
• Sunny weather puts pretty much everyone in a good mood.
• God works in mysterious ways.
  
• Why is it that fresh air makes one so tired?
• Movies, parades and putt-putt all in one day - what a great date!
• Seeing kids smile at parades puts a smile on my face!
• Whether old friends or new friends, they are all special people!
  
• Why are kids scared of clowns?
• Las Vegas is calling my name...
  
• Family time is important - and they are fun to be around.
  
• Mad Gab is a silly game that is a riot to play!
• The tent is going to work beautifully!
• The Praise Team is so much fun to be a part of!
  
• The Red Wings played a hell of a game on Sunday! Game 5 on Wednesday!
  
• Love can withstand everything, and makes one glow from the outside.
• Happy babies are all around...must be catching on!
• Hope everyone had a great weekend...and remember,
  
• Only 3 more days til the next weekend!

Long needed update...

What a shame. I started this blog just about a year ago and haven't really kept up with it. I feel like I've let some people down. But, regardless, I can say that I am back - at least for today - with some long awaited updates.

First and foremost - the weather is finally getting beautiful! The sun is shining and for the most part moods are reflecting that.

Second - my headaches appear to have returned in full force. There are days, it seems, that I cannot get through the entire day without either a nap or just outright going to bed at 7:30pm. I've started to realize how much these headaches impact my social life, and that of my husband. He is awesome to be so understanding - but my embarrassment hit a new low this past weekend. Maybe it is time to pressure the doc some more.

Third - my hubby has fulfilled a dream of his in more ways than one, which makes my heart happy and proud. The lease on one of our vehicles is coming to an end, and we had a choice to make. We loved the truck and planned to buy it out right, but in this unstable economy, that wasn't going to be too much of an option. Alas, his decision was made - he would buy a Jeep. And that is exactly what we did.

Now, I can honestly say I wasn't thrilled about the idea, and parts of it still makes me seriously wonder what goes through men's minds sometimes. But, we have had the Jeep for a week, and I can say that I thoroughly enjoy it. I don't get the mud thing - but someday I expect to. Anyway, we have met a great group of people - all Jeep owners with God and 4 wheelin' in mind - and plan to spend a lot of time with the Jeep.

All of this has also brought back one of my passions - CAMPING! We haven't camped in about 8 years because we were over the tent thing, but I have been getting the itch seriously lately. Well, tonight, we made our first reservations for the year at a campground. Yes, it is a Jeep trip - the one Ben has wanted to go on for years - and it is with this great group of people that he is getting to know. The weekend sounds like it will be fun.

Everything that has happened over the past 2-3 months has been somehow a sign. God intervenes in amazing ways sometimes, but the direction He has me pointing right now is a good one (aside from the headaches). Anyway, thanks for being loyal and checking in once in a while. More stories will probably come with all the adventures we will be partaking in, so please check back often.

God Bless and Happy Spring!

It's about time!

We have finally done it! After quite a while saying that we were going to, we have finally accomplished it!! A lot of sweat and tears went into it, but I'm thrilled to say it's about time!

What is it?

Well, a little embarrassing to say the least, but we have finally finished our master bathroom. It wasn't a remodel mind you, just a repair. Unfortunately, it has taken us a long time to complete it.

Some time ago (we can't remember when), the stand up shower in our master bathroom got a crack in the floor. We tore the shower out with the plans to replace it. Then, we remembered that we have a modular home and the shower is a smaller size than usual and required a specific shower (unless we wanted to remodel the entire bathroom). Since we had another bathroom, this was not going to be a big deal for us - we would just use the other shower until we could afford to get the one for the house.

Yet one day, not too long ago, we were shopping and decided to try and patch the crack. The fiberglass sheets and resin that we bought seemed to repair the crack nicely even though it didn't look too good. This past weekend we decided to finally start taping, gluing, screwing and nailing everything back in place. As of about 9:30 tonight, we have a working, operational shower back in our own bathroom that we can start to use again! And....we did it all ourselves. That little fact makes me feel good.

I want to thank everyone who has offered to help in one way or the other. This was a test of sorts for Ben and I, and I am very proud of Ben for not giving in to my whines and demands. He is a much handier guy than I imagined him to be - just one more thing to love about him!

Deals

Over the past couple of weeks, Ben and I have had some time to get some running around done that we don't normally get done when we are both working so much. One of these errands resulted in us hitting the Steve & Barry's that is going out of business. We were both looking for just some T-shirts and when the sign at S&B said "5 for $10", I figured - what the heck! We spent probably a good 3 hours in the store looking through their HUGE selection of T-shirts, and came away with shirts to last us for quite some time, and spending less than $25.

In addition, we went to JC Penney's today to spend a gift card that we had gotten for Christmas. Technically, the card was for both of us, but I was donating it to Ben since I have one for a store for my clothes. We spent some time at Penney's looking for more dress shirts for Ben, and again, came away with a steal! Especially for Penney's! He ended up with 5 dress shirts - all of which are long sleeve so he doesn't have to be cold at work again - for just over $50. The original price of these shirts was just over $210.

For us, these deals are big. We usually don't spend much money on our own clothes, and ask for cards for birthday's or other celebrations. To be able to get good quality clothes at the prices that we are getting them is incredible. I'm hoping to use my card in the next couple of days and get a few more deals. Hope everyone else is successful as well in their ventures!

Special People

Many people have touched my lives, and I don't think that I appreciate them as much as I should. All of you mean a lot to me and I love you all very much:

• My husband, Ben:Thank you, honey, for all you are and all you do. You mean so much to me!
• My Mom & Dad: Thank you both for being you and never giving up. You've taught me more than you may realize.
• My brothers : You are both very special to me and have always been there for me. We may have our differences at times, but our bonds are strong. I'm proud of the men that you both have become.
• My sisters-in-law: Both of you are more than just my brother's spouses - you are both my friends and I'm proud to call you both my sister!
• Carol: A surrogate mother welcomed into our family. Our lives are all blessed to have you in it.
• David: The greatest nephew in the world. What else can I say??
• My Best Friend, Barb: You know, by now, how special you are to me. I don't know where I would be without you! Your family, all of them, are such a bright light in a sometimes dark day. Thank you so much for being there, no matter what!
• My In-laws: I married more than just Ben more than 10 years ago, and I can honestly say that I am glad to be a part of your family.
• My business team: Ok, we are obviously more than business associates - we are all friends. We make a great team. We have such a great time together, and all of you are extremely special to me. Thank you all for hanging in there with us!
• My church family: Helping with the Contemporary Service and joining the bowling league has allowed me to realize how many special people are in the St. Mark family.
• To everyone else who has made a difference in my life. Some of you may not realize that the "small" impact that you believe you made, actually made a huge one.

I thank you all, again, from the bottom of my heart for being you - and being special. Some pictures of all of you (sorry I don't have pics of everyone):

Dearest Lord God...

We come here today to thank you
For the blessings you’ve given
When you sent Your only Son
To us from up in Heaven
This day of Jesus’ birth
Let us remember the reason
For His coming to us is the
Greatest gift of the season
We are grateful for those who
Are gathered here today
And ask for more blessings
To those who are away
Thank you for our family and
The love that holds us together
And keep Your hands upon us
As we face the severe weather
Help us all to remember
Your Son’s humble birth
And that many are struggling
Upon this great Earth
And that the challenges faced
In today’s society
Is causing a lot of
Unnecessary anxiety
We pray for peace in families
And world nations throughout
And that Your Spirit will reach
To those who are without
As a family we ask
That we continue to draw closer
In the Spirit of Christmas
Today and Forever
Help us make today memorable
As we celebrate again
In Your Holy name
We all say “Amen”.

I hope everyone had a great and blessed Christmas!

I hope I did the right thing...

**For those of you who will worry about this post - don't, please. It's okay, really. Just venting and letting off some stress. I worry often about things that I've said or done and most of the time they pass by without a thought (hence, wasting my energy in the worrying). Thank you though for your concerns! Love yous! Please read on...***

Most of you who read this know me pretty well. I am someone who second guesses everything that she does or says. Sometimes, it pays off. Other times, I've exhibited a lot of stress on just simply worrying about something for no reason.

Today, is one of those days...

You know, sometimes things just happen. I have to believe that there is a reason for that thing to happen, but that never helps stop the worry. I had a discussion with my boss today...and I told the truth. Why is it that the truth is the right thing, but sometimes seems like a really bad thing???

Anyway, I worry now just simply about my boss misconstruing what I said. He and I are always pretty open and honest with each other (ooohh, he HATES to be lied to) and he really is a good guy. Yet he always watches out for himself, just as we all do, and what I said may be something that could hurt him in the future. I worry that this potential hurt will be something that he safe guards against now in order to not be hurt in the future.

But, I told the truth. I told him what I felt he needed to hear. I told him what I KNOW I needed to say. So, is this where the belief in God comes in that He is watching over and supporting what I have done? That this is all happening for a particular reason?

It'll work itself out somehow, I know that. I believe that. I just needed to share....