new years resolutions or not

Well I am not a big believer in new years resolutions, I have a tendency to get off course in less than a week.  Last year I made a really vague one so it didnt get broken and I dont even remember what it was.  So what do I need to improve in my life would be a better question?  Well lets see,  a little more income would make things a little less stressful, so I have already started working towards my level four test.  I am seeing a lot of photography small businesses go up, and I dont have alot of time to devote to that now so I will continue at the pace I am at and just keep buying equipment and then see if I can make a go of it when the girls are out of the house.  Terping right now works best with the girls and homeschooling. Refocus on homeschooling it has become a duty and not a privelege of mine so need to work on enjoying it as much as I use to.  Have been throughly enjoying doing crocheting and want to get to working on my quilts.  I have kept up with the house well since we moved, the one level house just makes it so much easier with this bum ankle.  Today may not be the most productive day as I feel quesy and hope I am not getting the flu. 

I have been sleeping alot!!!!  I cant seem to get enough sleep,  it is an odd thing. Must just need it, maybe that is why I have been the healthiest of the bunch around here.  Dave is finishing up Redbox today  MDK went to the doc today because she was sick again.  She has a sinus infection so she is taking it somewhat easy at home for the next few days, she has an antiboditic she needs to take.  MLK had another mock interview yesterday and did good, she has to control her fidgeting nervousness.  Pray for her Monday, as this is her wish to get to go there.  She is at a real toss up for her backup plan, whether MO western or Hannibel Lagrange.  We will all wait and see.

Hopefully today I dont get as sick as the other ones, hopefully it is maybe something I ate.  Well better go for now.

girls are home

Well the girls are back and it is nice to have them home.  I have been interpreting some everyday this week but Monday. Monday Dave and I were home alone.  We got all the Christmas stuff down and put away and straightened the house and it stayed clean.

Tonight MDK has Bible quiz practice so I hope it is not too rainy as I dont see well with rain and dark.  MLK has another mock interview and I have a few errands to run in St. Joe.

I have been working on an afghan for MDK and it is looking really cool.  I dont know if everyone likes my creations but I have fun making them so they will just have to suffer.  Well better get on the road.

when it snows it drifts

when it rains it pours doesnt seem right for December so I used this instead.  Our latest curve ball is that our dryer went kerplunk.  It has been a crazy last few weeks, we are all doing fine, it just seems that everything that should work is dying on us. 

MLK is done with Math except for three problems she and Dad are going to work on.  MDK has been working hard. I felt pretty rough last night so I went to bed at 9.  I am up early this morning have a small job this morning.  Then MLK has a mock interview this afternoon.  I have one more job tommorow and then I am done till Monday.  Well I had better get my shoes on and get out the door.  Have a good day.

and there off

This week is going to be nuts.  Christmas is right around the corner.  I have alot of jobs due to most other interpreters taking off and such.  Also have much work to finish strong with MDK, she was gone a week and sick for a chunk of the week before so we have lots to do. 

MDK was IM with the pastors son in Guatemela yesterday, it was funny because they use a translator program.  His name is Rene David.  She was able to share so much more about her trip because she was lucid, but she went to bed early last night because she was still worn out.  We came home and all got in pjs and accomplished nothing yesterday, it was grand. 

Well better get MDK up and get her going today. Bye for now.

She's Home

Well it took them quite a bit of time to make it from KCI to St. Joe, it was a nasty mess outside, and there were alot of accidents.  However the group got in about 10ish.  They has some lost luggage at the airport and bad weather here in MO.  We missed her so much, but amazingly I didnt cry not once about her being gone.

She showed us her pictures from Guatemela it was way cool.  She has alot of stories to tell, but she has way way tired last night.  She didnt get much sleep on the trip.  She said she was very tired of eating McPullo sandwiches (McChicken), they eat at McDonalds alot on the trip.  She said she was in Houston and accidently said McPullo instead of McChicken when ordering.  She said she left part of herself in Guatemela, knowing that her new friends she may never meet again.  She really wants to return someday in the future. 

Today we go to church and then come home, I suspect that Dave may go down and sort his movies.  I have quite a few jobs this week, and MLK has to finish Math, and MDK has a whole lot of homework to get done.  We are going to try to make it to church this morning hope the roads are better than last night they were a mess.  Well take care all.

just random thoughts

Today has been nice and laid back, we have been trying to finish up MLK's math as that is all she has left to do before Christmas.  I dont have a job today or anywhere I have to be.   Dave and I did go get my meds and milk and a few odds and ends.  MLK took a break from Math and deep cleaned MDK room, wow it looks so awesome!!!! 

I have got to message MDK twice in the last two days via Facebook, they were headed to Guatemela City today and will catch the plane tommorow.  Should be in 9 pm tommorow night.  Will give you more details when we get more. 

Dave and I just taking it easy today as we both have felt rough, the girls have both been sick last week and I think we have tried to dodge the bullet all week.  I finished another scarf and I am now going to try a different project.  Hopefully I will sew some tommorow. 

Well better go for now.

just stuff

Well midweek already. . . MLK seems to be on the mend but the stuff she has had has really worn her out.  It seems to me this year we caught stuff early and that has torn down our immunity to other things.  I have stocked up on oranges and orange juice for everyone.  MLK has a bit of math to finish up and then she is done for Christmas break.  MDK has alot when she gets back.  She got sick the week before and then off to Guatemela so it shall be a challenge when she gets home.  I havent heard from her since Sunday so getting a little homesick to hear from her.  Hope she is doing well, it sounds like they are so busy she wont have a chance to get homesick. 

We are by far having the most low key Christmas ever in our history, and I am loving it.  Without a flurry of church activities it has been really nice.  Hoping to go to a Christmas concert this Thursday.  Trimmed the tree and it is just a really nice simple time around here.  We dont buy alot of gifts so that keeps the stress down too. 

Today MLK is doing a mock interview with one of my interpreting friends everytime she does one of these it seems to improve her ability to think quickly.  That is one of her weaknesses, she cant come up with things on the fly.  Hoping maybe to make noodles today.  Well better get off here for now

MDK in Guatemela

MDK is safely in Guatemela and is doing well, she had a stomach ache last night but the cipro did the trick.  Only talked to her for five minutes on Sunday, she has posted a few times to her facebook.  She sounds like she is doing well.
MLK is down sick.  She cant seem to not catch everything right now. Tommorow is her last class for English 104 pray for her she has a final and she feels awful.
Dave is out doing redbox, we all went in this morning and got our hair cut and now I am about ready to do some more errands.  Hope to get part of the house clean.
Well more later.

must remember the blessings

Sometimes when life throws you a few curve balls, you have to stop and think of all the blessings you have.  Sometimes you get discouraged, but you have to remember what the Lord has given you.  So here are my blessings.

David, my number one blessing, my husband is a faithful, loving, providing, and awesome hubby.  He never complains about going to work and rarely complains about all the different ongoing health problems he has.  He has such a positive attiude about the future even though he knows that this MS thing will not be getting any easier and he is okay with someday being unable to do some of the things he does now. He is such a help around the house and such an awesome dad.

My girls, wow they are so big now, and starting to launch off into the world.  They for the most part are very willing workers, and so very good around the house, they are both skilled enough I could leave them for a week and everything would be fine and clean when I got home.  They are both so smart and loving, and generous in spirit.

My house, a warm place a sanctuary and it has a new roof.  It looks awesome, that was a blessing in itself.  Due to some hail damage this summer we now have a new roof and wont need to worry about it for at least 20 years.    Our house is easy to get around in, alot more space, cozy, we enjoy the ability to feel somewhat countriefied, nice porch big huge garage.

Our new church family, a place to worship, a place to be refreshed and renewed.

I must remember when life is a struggle that there are so many blessings that we sometimes forget.

blah

Menopause is not for wimps!  I have just been going through the blahs.  I just dont care, and I think it is strongly related to my menopause.  I just do what I have to do!  Life is good, it truely is but have a hard time right now staying positive.  It seems like finicially we get ahead and the bam we are behind again.  I quess that is part of having kids.  We made a huge adjustment with our income due to Dave's health and have faired pretty well.  It is just tighter than we like to keep it.  We did however have an answer to prayer with the roof reimbursement for damages, so the house and garage and tool shed were all paid for without expense to us.  I have taken on alot more jobs, and Dave has picked up alot of slack on the homeschooling front.  I quess I need to remind me that this is a season of life.  We truely are blessed to live the life we have.  Well need to get the girls up and get started on the day.

a nice vacation

This last week was nice having Dave on vacation, he got a bunch of little things done around the house, and he played Mr. Mom some.  I would definately say he walked a mile in my moccasions, maybe it was that he drove a mile in my moccasions.  Anyway, he worked on Algebra 2 with MDK, drove with both MLK and MDK.  He worked on home projects, we went to the art musuem.  It has been my goal for us to go to a musuem a month.  We are averaging every other month.

I am needing to seriously get after getting my level four after the holidays.  Things have gotten a little tight here at the Kaster ranch.  We are doing fine, just a little tighter than we like and we have taxes a looming on the horizon.  So pinching pennies it is.  However we only have two things left on our out of debt radar (other than the house), the van and the annuity(we borrowed agaisnt it to get rid of part of our credit card and huge medical bills).  However as of last month we have NO medical debt for the first time in like 10-12 years!!!!  We all have our teeth and eyes checked and shots up to date.  It has been a long journey but wow that feels so good!!!!

Well getting back into coupons so if you get the Sunday paper keep the coupons for me!
Gotta get going on the day have a job today and tommorow (half days) and then that is it for terping so far this week.  Hope to work on Christmas stuff and get MDK ready for Guatemela.