the insurmontable

Wow I was feeling overwhelmed yesterday, but am feeling a little better today, just so many things to gather and do and such.  I am almost done with the paperwork to turn in for the loan and calling to contact the realtor to set up to look at another house.  Have possible two jobs today, right now MLK is better and MDK is down for the count.  The creeping crude continues. 

We have one last meeting (hopefully) with the ongoing bad situation at church.  We are going to urge for their family sake that when we leave they leave also.  If they do not I am afraid Bob will go after them and things will not go well for them or the church family.  I feel right now like I have so many loose ends to tie up.  Well better go for now.

example of my work

some let down

Well yesterday was well let down.  All of us needed some time to just process this big change that is a coming.  Dave and I both woke up at 5 in the morning and got online, we looked up our credit score and our credit report, it was alot better then we thought.  We had two of our church members that urged us that buying right now is a better move that it is a good buyers market, so we started the process of USDA loans or FHA loans..  We looked at a house yesterday, it was too small for its asking price.  We have a few more that we will want to look at.  We are still keeping our eyes open for rentals too.  We are mostly looking at King City area.  Right now we are looking at a four bedroom house in the fifty thousand dollar range.

Steve was over for his birthday and the quilts got done so I gave him his quilt.  He really liked it we also took him out for his 40th birthday.  It was nice to have someone that just knows us as Chris and Dave.

Dave had a deacons meeting on Sunday night and for now Bob will lead the way for the summer and they will make some decisions this fall.  This will be a time for both the church and Bob to decide what is next.  I think this is a good idea. 

Did a photo shoot yesterday, and a interpreting job, didnt do school work as MLK was sick (there is a flu going around again, not as bad as the last strain) she slept alot and felt better. 

Today we have enrichment classes and I finished the photos so I will be able to pass them out a week earlier.  I will put one up so you can see what I did.  I didnt charge enough for all the work I did, but it will give me really good advertisement !

Well better go!

my van is chucked full

Well yesterday we went through all our totes downstairs, went through old toys and pull out only momentos and sent the rest on to Goodwill.  I also sorted through old finicial records, It was amazing I found an old checkbook stub from 1989, Daves first checking account where he made payments on his Mustang.  Got rid of everything that wasnt 2000 or above.  I burned two garbage bags full of that and old taxes of the 90s. We also got rid of a bed frame of gma henderson it went to a family whose house burned down and a old walmart dresser drawer went to them also and now we have old mattresses that we will proably just burn.  I have boxed up a chunk of the office and now I just need to get all these things into Good will on Monday.

Today Steve is coming to celebrate his 40th, Dave has to take batteries to Jamesport (Redbox batteries). He will use that money and take Steve to lunch,  I have a photo shoot.  The quilt I made him is not quite done so we will get that done soon. 

Today will be hard for all of us, but there will be some relief that it will be over.  I also am putting the trim on my afghan so it is almost done.  Well better go.

the stuff we collect

Well we did a big clean on MDK room, wow she has become somewhat of a pack rat!!  We cleared out two bags of old clothes, and we cleared out two boxes of stuff for Goodwill out of her room.  We also got some books for MJ out of there.  MLK is going thru her books and clothes, I helped MDK as MLK has changed alot and is very picky about her room now.  It is wierd MLK use to be a slop now she is almost obbesive complusive about her room. 

MLK had an art lesson yesterday it was good she has three assignments and hopefully we will be able to pick up after we move.  You never know how people will respond.  Also she had a fitting yesterday for her prom dress, I offered to help but Ruth said she perfered to do it herself.  I was great with that.  I think that I will see if Mom and I can do next years dress because fitting her topside is near to impossible with what she likes. 

MLK gown is a dark deep red with a see thru black little coat that goes over it.  A princess waistline, still need to find a purse and jewlery but have shoes and gloves and have the tickets purchased.  MDK is black and it goes to the floor also a princess waistline and it also has sequeins on top, we have a wrap MLK had last  year and we have a purse.  Both girls have shoes.

I got the last of the pictures in today need to sort them out and then give them out on Tuesday.  They came in fast.  I made a profit of 200 not quite enough to cover my equipment but a good start.  I am hoping that this will help me get more business.  Word of mouth is a good thing.  Well better get around and do more cleaning sorting etc.

I need more boxes

Well it is going to happen.  Dave and I have finally come to a decision after much soul searching.  April 30 will be our last day in Fairport.  He will be announcing on Sunday.  We have known this was a decision we have needed to make for over a year and a half. We thought we would be going into a different church but that has not been what God wants us to do right now.  In fact we feel that ministry may have a very different look to it. 

Dave's MS has been giving him fits again and so we come to this decision not easily.  We also know it is time and have peace about it.  MS will take Dave on a downward trend as we age but we are trying hard to not extrabate it.  We both feel for now that Dave will do puplit supply in the near future and then as we both have time to get refreshed and revivied he may look into being an interm pastor.  He needs short stints, long time pastorates will be a thing of the past for the near future.

We are looking to continue to stand in this area due to the fact that is where I work and where Redbox is.  Money will be somewhat tighter and the next few will be really really tight. Looking to rent maybe in King City. 

I am not looking forward to packing this whole house.  Ugh!  Well better get off for now.

taxes ugh

Well we got our taxes back and we owe 3133 to federal and 1113 to state.  We have saved up 3600 for taxes so we are just a tad short but should be able to get it done by April 15.  I will send off federal today. Then we will save up for state and send it off on the due date.  It was a tad discouraging but when you have two self employed jobs it happens that way. We had a little mopey party and then we got over it. 

This looks to be a light week for Dave and he said he hopes to do some extra cleaning on the machine.  The situation at the church is still ongoing but got over some of the big stuff.  I think the family is finally getting to the point where they are willing to let go and let this girl mess up big time.  The girl is determined that meeting her birth parents (which are druggies) will fix all the problems inside, I am afraid they will make deep new ones.  We will wait and see.  The prodigals usually have to go all the way to the pigpens. 

Today I take pictures again.  It looks like I might clear about 300-400 on this photo shoot.  We will see how it goes.  I had a rather smooth time last Tuesday so I hope it goes well again.  My first batch of pictures should be in this week.  Well better go.  I have to get MLK up to work on one of her assignments and then iron my backdrop.

the ongoing saga

Well the saga continues, we still have alot of problems with the rebellious girl and family.  Bob and Dave has had to have alot of talks.  They both have different viewpoints but are respectful to each other.  I think they both agree that both sides want to "win" at any cost.  I tend to agree with that.  Today the deacons and them will meet with the parents after services.  Bob and Dave have both wanted to quit and this situation is the type of powder keg that splits churches.  So alot of prayer about this would be good.  Both Bob and Dave have good points.  They both agreed as much as this is driving them nuts that the deacons are to help their pastors and that they must lean on them hard and heavy in this situation.  I personally think that this child wants so desperatly to be an "adult" let her.  Sometimes with teenagers you have to let them have exactly what they want so they can figure out it wasnt what they wanted.  Anyway lots of prayers about that for our family and Bob and the situation.

I couldnt believe the snow, how yucky, I am so tired of winter!!!!!   Today I have to write out the assignments and it looks like MLK will be going with P this Thursday to the capital.  Well better go for now.

college of the ozarks

We had a good trip with nice weather.  MLK seemed to really enjoy the college and felt it would be a good fit for her.  It is a hard process to get in however as it takes only about 1 in 10 kids that apply.  If  it is what God wants it will happen.  It seemed also to give MLK a broader view of her future and what is coming around the bend.  While we were there we toured the grounds and went to an interesting musuem and saw the beverly hillibys car.  That was cool.  Right now I am working on all the photos uploading them so I can get their prints done.  Well better go for now.

getting ready to go

Well my photo shoot went well yesterday.  I got home and loaded them on, they look good.  I will work on them this weekend and get the first order sent. 

The girls are getting around so we can head out soon.  I am looking forward  to this trip.  I am in hopes that MLK will like this college as I know that it will fit some of the things she says she wants.  She said she wants a more rural setting, good Art Dept, not a huge student body, in the state of Missouri.  She is also looking at Missouri Western and Haniball La Grange.  Plan to go see Haniball next fall. 

Well better get around.

well a semi clean house

We finished to a certain stage yesterday on the house and then we put the house back together kinda.  We got two coats of primer on last night then put the room back together, kinda.  We didnt put everything back in there last night just some of the big pieces and reclaimed the kitchen.  Both girls have stuff in their rooms and we have stuff in the basement.  Next weekend we plan to finish it off I hope.  It will be two coats of brown paint and then poluterine three coats.  It will be a long stay to get all that done. 

Very nervous about this first photo shoot hoping all goes well.  I will know tonight.  Well better get around and do the last minute stuff for that.

my arm pits are sore

Well, I havent blogged in a few days.  We tore out our living room carpet.  We have been putting off this project for some time but we had a free Saturday and well we started the destruction.  What a mess!!!!  We tore the carpet out then tore up the pad then I personally pulled out at least 200 staples.  Then we scrubbed the floors with brushes. Then Dave and I went and got supplies.  The floor is not able to be refinished due to water damage that is why they carpeted it the first time.  We decided to paint the floor and then we will polutherine the floor.  We first have to sand it today and then we will kilz it and the cieling too. Then we will do the next step next weekend.  It will be nice when it is done.  However me and the patch of linolmum are having it out.  We got a heat gun and it is heat scrap scrap het scrap scrap.  Ugh!

Nervous about my photo shoot tommorow!  Hope it goes well.  Then off to the college of the ozarks.  Well better go for now.  I feel ore scrapping coming on.

strawberry jello cheesecake pudding is just good!

Yes, I have found a new thing for my sweet tooth that is not stacked with too many calories.  It is really good!  We got our dentist appt., MLK had four cavities and MDK had one, and MOM has none.  I win!!  Got all school work almost completed and half the housework is done. 

I am really going to town with the crochet, worked on v stich, treble stich and now working on granny squares.  We will see how well I do with it all. 

MLK has a doctors appt with her pysch.  It is just routine, I think every six months, and the girls have painting tonight.  Well better go.

another full Tuesday

We went in around 11 and then we got some stuff at Walmart and then to Joanns to get a bigger pattern, the upstairs on the gown was needed a bigger size pattern due to MLK bountiful supply.  I did ten laps in the pool and then to enrichment classes.  This week is getting a little hetic for me.  Tommorow I have dentist appt for us and then dr appt for MLK then the girls paint with the youth group tommorow night.  Then Thursday MDK has a job cleaning to earn money for national chess and then chess boot camp in town again.  Friday MLK has art lessons.  I am trying to not get overwhelmed with stuff, but this is the way of it.  We are either doing everything or nothing.  Also dont forget we have school work this week!  Next week we wont have much due to the college trip and field trip, so right now we are doing extra math lessons.  That is the only thing we cant afford to get behind in, everything else is pretty catchable and plan to catch up on the week after.  MDK will be gone a long weekend for national chess so that wont be hard to get her stuff done. 

Well better get around.  Crocheting like a crazy women.  Bye for now.

he only preached five minutes

Dave had an extremely short message,  it was the cross divided equals less than.  It was what he called church math.  Alot of little squabbles are happening right now, and he just read scriptures about one faith, one spirit, etc.  Also from 1 Cor where it talks about divisions among you.  He did not elaborate it was just scriptures, hopefully it got the point across.  The shortness of it, acted as a excelmation point to the sermon.

I have conquered the double crochet and the half double, today I may fool around and try to make a scruchie and work on the triple crochet.  It should be interesting.  I have enjoyed learning this hobby.  I do it alot when I am watching tv or waiting. 

The girls cooked us a wonderful dinner last night which was esp. nice for Dave since he had a meeting with families involved, the deacons were to hear out both sides.  One side down one to go.  It went well.

Today we do school, visit a church member and I have a job in town.  Well better get off and get around.

last Bible quiz

We had a pretty good last Bible quiz,  MDK quizzed out three times and MLK quizzed out twice.  It ended well, both qualified for regionals I think. However only MDK wants to go.  MLK is trying to decide if she wants to Bible quiz next year, if she does it will be her sixth year and she will earn a trophy for that.  We will wait and see, with it being her senior year I will let it be totally her decision.  I have had to push MLK into trying things, (her DAD is just like that).  She mostly always enjoys it just has to try it. 

Dave was in a bad mood, really tired of squabbling church people.  I hope he doesnt lose his temper today, but he is only human, and he has had his fill of junk enough for a year.  Well more later.

Well another week

This week has been very busy with alot of interpreting jobs, Dave put in around 50 hours at Redbox this week.  This morning we are cleaning up the schoolwork.  We were all tired and done in so we just chilled last night.  Today is Bible quiz and then business meeting tommorow at church.  The thing with the parent and child in our church is still knee deep.  Been working on dishclothes crocheting them.  Well better go do Math.

We love Tuesday

Today was a pretty productive day, I got up and finished getting the quilts ready to go off to the quilter.  I got a bunch of interpreting calender updates done.  I scheduled everything under the sun, art lessons, sewing the banquet dress, a senior portrait shots, homeschool photo shoots, a cake portfolio shoot.  We ate lunch at home, then headed to classes, I had sign up for photos today, and I have around 40 individuals signed up right now.  I think I may end up with 50-60 individuals.  I am hiring MLK to help out with the paperwork.

The girls are really enjoying their enrichment classes this year.  I am enjoying learning to crochet.  I have amazed myself with the number of things I have learned to do in the last three years.  There is photography, quilting, and now crochet.  What will be next? 

MLK and I have these talks, not always productive.  It concerns me that she doesnt have the driving desire to get her liscense.  It seems I am the only one in the house that seems to be worried about it.  That and a part time job,  Dave says it will happen, in time.  I remember yes I need to let Dave lead on this, and MLK is alot like him, they seem to "get" each other.  She is doing so well, and I am really trying to let go more and more and give her more and more control of her decision.  One area I do that with his her schoolwork and chores, I have a goal of things being done by Friday, how she structures that is fine, Math she does with me and certain things in certain subjects she does with me, but well over half she structures as she sees fit.  She is doing okay, I also try harder and harder to say, well what is YOUR decision, how will You solve this.  It is a hard thing to do as a mom.

MDK is trying to raise money to go to nationals in April.  If she can raise the money I am fine with her going.  It should be interesting.  Well better get off to bed, I have two short interpreting jobs after I finish Math with the girls in the morning. 

More later.

run here and there

Well yesterday I ended up going to town twice,  I went with Dave to do his follow up after his procedure.  That was after we finished Math lessons at home first, then came home worked some more school, sewed a little bit, took a half hour nap and then  back to town to do an interpreting job and then swim and then home.  We had steak last night, and I ate about eight little bites of it.  It was so so good!! 

I had stalled out a little bit on the weight loss, two weeks of no gain and no loss, but finaaly started down again, I lost two pounds last week, so hopefully we are trending down again.  I think this is a little bit normal.  Also, ice cream is banned from my house.  It is tooo easy to eat and too many calories, if I want some ice cream I can order it out and about I just dont need the gallon sitting in the freezer.  The slush pops work so much better for me.  I have also found out dont eat before 11.  It works out so much better, no pucking, and it seems if I start the day pucking I puck off and on all day. 

I have three loads of laundry to fold, I need to get it done, I have the quilts pretty much ready to go to the quilters, I just need to iron them.  I sewed up the backs yesterday.  I am working on a lap afghan with my crocheting, not doing so great with the knitting.  Well better get around.

yes you are a nerd

We had an awesome time in Jeff. City over the weekend. MDK team won 3rd in state.  She and the three boys on her team had a very sucessful day.  The boys called themselves the three guys and herrrrr!  They had an awesome time, MDK brought the trophy home but will give it to the high point guy who gets to keep it on Tuesday.  So very cool.  Anyway we were in the room watching a movie about this college nerd soriety vs. the cool soriety and one line is "well I bet they dont even know who Gandalf is" MDK perks up and says do they mean Gandalf the gray or Gandalf the White, (Lord of the Rings character) and then she stops and has a horrid look on her face. Oh mom I am a nerd.  I respond with you think, you asked that question and you just finished up an all day chess tournament.  We had such a good chuckle from that.

Yesterday and this last week has been a long one, the kid that caused so many problems last fall is at it again.  Her parents took her out of teen challange at Christmas (wrong thing to do), it was not a good thing to do.  Anyway she ran away and ended up at another church members house, this church member put a restraining order on her and the police got involved in this situation, our church name is even on the paper.  The one family who took her in has been talked to and they are willing to resend this order.  The deacons of the church will hear this if both parties agree to it (to keep it out of the courts as the Bible says).  It should be interesting to see how the deacon body deals with them getting their hands this far down in the mire.  Anyway all this to say it will be a long week.  Dave has to also thin a million copies of movies out by hand get 2000 movies in without removing any copies of current movies.  Should be fun, I have a few jobs this week. 

Well better get around.