Empty Nesting

It is late…..I should be off to bed, but I’m too keyed up to go to sleep just yet.  This is the pinniacle of “Easter Rush”…..and it seems the days are too short, yet I can see I am making progress.  When it’s over , I will have made over 250 costumes in just over 3 weeks.  I thought I would only be doing a portion of the choir in Biblical costume for our Passion Play, but as it turned out, even those who sew do not want to be bothered with it and it didn’t seem right to tell some yes and others no.  The biggest obstacle at this point is finding enough fabric that is appropriate and getting it in the shop quick enough.  Prayers are very much appreciated over this….me…well I’m looking for a miracle and won’t even consider that this job can’t be done in time. 

Spring is struggling to arrive…..we have freezing temps again tonight but the days have been sunny.  Ken will pour part of his slab this weekend….he had to put it off because of rain last Sat.  I’ve more trees to plant and a friend gave me a nice rose bush.  I’ve 3 brave little daffodils blooming, their yellow “dresses” so bright against the mulch. It is often very hard to concentrate on work when I want to be outside so bad, yet the pollen is really bad now and if I did go out, I’d have a whoopin allergy cold. 

I am excited by the ideas presented by Pastor about moving the ministry of the church forward, renovating some of the buildings, and trying some new methods for Sunday School.  Seems we’ve been a holding pattern for some time and the “natives” are gettin restless. 

Ken is feeling better a little more each day…he has some neck excersizes to do and has been using a traction device….he has to retrain his brain to be convinced the room is not spinning after all.  We are both trying hard to lose some weight and this time I’m the one who is dropping the pounds…..not much, but its usually Ken that is able to lose much faster than I. 

I’ve been presented with a new business opportunity that shows some promise.  It’s still making banners, but with Icon art on them.  It could be something that would carry us during the slow months.  I need to speak again with the gentleman that presented this too me, and so far do not have peace as to if I should do it or not. 

As much as I dislike WalMart, they came through for me this past week.  Ken got a new RX last month and I filled it at Walgreens where I usually do…..generic was 142.99 for 30 pills!   I was not looking forward to filling it again, and since he will be on this for a long time, figured I’d better do some calling around.  Walmart had the same RX for 55.84.  Walgreens just lost a good customer! I think they ought to be ashamed to charge so much….they are a big enough chain that they should certainly be able to buy in vast quanity. I’m hoping our little pharmacy in town can do close to the WalMart price, then I wouldn’t have to go there for anything except T-shirts and jeans for Ken. 

Oh well, this blogging has had the desired effect on me….I can hardly keep my eyes open so off to bed I go.  As Scarlet would say  “Tomorrow is another day!”

Ah yes….it is sooooooquiet.  Today I drove to Tallahassee with Erin and Ruthie to meet Joel.  After having such a wonderful and blessed week with Erin and Ruthie here, it’s now time to wash the sheets, fold up the futon, and get things put back post baby.  It was a beautiful day to drive and when I got home I washed my car, while Ken worked on the first footings for his shop.  We will do his slab in 3 separate pours which will be easier for us to handle.  I have meanwhile nearly 200 more costumes and around18 banners to get out before Easter.  This is all doable, however thrown now into the mix is the need to replace my main computer as it DIED last night while Ken was working on it and before I had backed up ALOT of paperwork done throughout the day.  We are hoping the info is on the harddrive which I hope to rescue.  This is not a good time to replace a computer as I am so dependent on it during such a busy time.  As you all know, all that software has to be reloaded, and all my presets and preferences redone…..that takes a fair amount of time.

My trees all came this week and I am so anxious to get out and do yard work.  I wish I had Andrew here to help me with it.  I am having a vicious battle with fire ant mounds.

Ken is feeling still pretty puny…he will see an ENT this Friday.  He still is dizzy alot and generally feels wooosey.

Last Friday we were informed that the Union 700 building has been sold.  He was pretty tense about that most of last weekend, but this past week has met with the new owners and they have assured him that they want to keep all the tenets happy, and seemed eager to listen to his imput.  I have often referred to Ken as the Mayor of Union 700 as he knows all the tenets and has such a good friendship with most of them. We by the way have been blessed by getting 3 really really good deals on materials for his shop so that has been a big blessing.

Hopefully spring is soon on the way to all.  Congrats to Paul for doing so well with the ice racing. Everybody stay well….OK.   Love ya.

Ah yes country living at its best.  Our local Winn Dixie is the cultural center of town but there are interesting things going on all over. 

Wed was Valentines day and I needed to make a run to the store to get a couple of things for our “romantic dinner” as we are being very conservative this year and not spending extra money on chocolates, flowers and such.  Well let me tell you, there must be alot of romantic men in Hilliard if one were to judge such by the crowd in front of the flower case, and standing in the checkout line holding all manner of potted plants, bouquets, candy, balloons, and stuffed animals….young, old, and in between, dressed in work clothes, camoflage, and dress shirts and slacks.  Groups of them, all trying to out do the other, not wanting to look cheap in front of their peers.  I tell ya….it just blessed my heart.  However the young man in line behind me didn’t have any of the afore mentioned items and I commented about it….he said he thought he was the smartest man in the store, no offense intended and that he was going home to make a t-bone steak dinner for his mom.

We filed our homestead exemption this week……they have a rule about being registered to vote….if you are registered in another county you must change that before they will file you exemption, but if you aren’t registered at all, you don’t have to be  to have your exemption filed.  So what’s with that????  Anyway, we got our new cards the very next day.  Then I went to the local bank and set up new checking accounts on the business and for our personal stuff.  The only magazines in the bank were Field and Stream, and a couple (no there were actually about 4 or 5) hunters catalogs.  The lady who set up my accounts did so on a typewriter (chicken peck style) even though there was a very modern computer on her desk.  But because we knew someone here in town, (turns out it was her brother in law) and after talking with me about what I do, she waived the waiting period on the business account. 

From the bank I went to the Post Office.  Now I really like our little post office… the ladies there are very nice and there rarely is a line.  But this day, there was an older man ahead of me so while I waited , I was the unwilling listener to a mother and son arguing and loudly fussing at each other while trying to (I assumed) to fill out their tax return.  Then I hear this buzzing noise, and I turn around and watch in amazed, amused, puzzled, and I’m not sure what else, as this 20something thin young man with the smallest of goatees, pull out a very small mirror and battery operated razor and shave his already very smooth face…..he did this for several minutes.

I had to refill one of Ken’s RX’s and instead of going into town thought I would give our little local privately owned pharmacy a try…it cost me $4.00 less here.  And this little pharmacy is like an old time 5&10 variety store….lots of really neat stuff in it!  It will be a regular stop for me when I need to pick up a gift for someone. 

I also found out this week that we have a community center, a branch of the Nassau county health dept. and a lady who has a small business making stuffed strawberries….yum.  She fills them with a cream cheese/whipped cream mixture, then dips them in chocolate.

Tomorrow my trees come, and its supposed to warm up so perhaps I can get them planted this week as well.  Erin and Ruthie are here to spend the week with us.

Friday when they came in, I took Ruthie and was loving on her.  Jaasper, who is not at all a lap cat, but likes to be close by where ever I am, must have felt very insecure as he all of a sudden wanted to be held and put on quite the show.  Erin calls Jaasper and Amos small dogs as they are much bigger cats than her two female cats…….Lily who is very much like the donkey in Shrek….fat body, short legs, tiny feet, and Flala who is thin, lanky but still small.

I am entering into the final 5 weeks prior to Easter so will not have much time to blog.  Hope everyone stays well and that spring comes soon for all.  These are exciting days to live in, and I am expecting God to do great things for all who remain faithful.  Be blessed.

I didn’t realize until now that it had been so long since I posted….the past few weeks were spent getting ready for, going through, and cleaning up from Pastors Conference.  Thrown in was Ken getting vertigo of which he still has but is better, some very very cold days,  the son of a friend who went through major surgery….was just about to have both legs removed when blood flow began……truely a miracle healing.  I had at one moment said to a friend that I felt like my own business was in the ICU at deaths door, when only 5 minutes later had a number of really good sales….reaffirming that God intends for me to continue……really glad about that.  

Ken finished the plans for his shop today…..we hope to have a building permit by end of next week or very soon after.  We’ve had 2 glorious spring like days and it has me chomping on the bit to get bushes and trees planted……of which I ordered several today from a nursery in TN.  One of my dreams is to be able to line both sides of my long driveway with Okame Cherry and crepe myrtles.  I’m hoping to get at least a small garden in so we can put up some produce in the freezer.  I’ve tried spagetti squash and eggplant this week…first time for both but not the last.  I’d love to figure out a way to make a root cellar….or at least some kind of cool dry place to keep apples, potatoes and such but its kind of hard doing that here in Fl.  We are trying hard to eat differently as Ken’s bad cholestrol is too high and the Dr. really wants him to take off some weight…..less redmeat and carbs so good by pasta and taters….hello to more fish and vegies.  He’s a good sport about trying new stuff though…..I just have to limit his portion size and remove the temptation to go back for seconds. 

I’m also making some progress being more financially conservative.  I’m keeping track of every nickel, and doing more meal planning, unplugging things at night, using the lights in the shop only when we really need them (I’ve a lot of sunlight coming in so its been pretty easy that way) and watching how much gas I use. 

I’ve managed to get through a cold without going to the DR……its so tempting to just go and get something, but I’ve been hearing alot about the “super bugs” and how hard they are to treat because people are so quick to get on antibiotics and they build up immunities.  I remember as a kid I don’t think I ever went to the Dr. for a cold except once when I had strep. Of course there is a lot more nasty stuff out there now. 

I think I’m off to a pretty good start this year….hope I can keep on track.  I’m loving this new shop and the peacefulness of country life. Many of my friends and family are going through some tough situations, and I guess since I’m not, its my turn to really keep the gates of heaven stormed with my prayers for them.  As with Katia and Kenneth , God still is in the miracle business and its so exciting when we get to witness it.  I often wonder how many miracles we miss because we are too busy with life to notice.  Perhaps living now where I do will help me to slow down and notice more. 

A note on Anna Nicole Smith……..proof that when you seek after a certain lifestyle, there are certain types of people who will feed off of you leaving you with nothing…….proof that a life without Christ is truely devoid of peace and joy……proof that drugs are not the answer……nor is more money or fame…..she was blinded by her own desires and but for the grace of God and His incomparable mercy go I.

I’ve been thinking alot about Tia’s post “Love is a verb”….trying to remember how it was when I was a young mom.  Not having a good relationship with my mother in law at the time, and my own mom 6 hours away, I didn’t have anyone to teach me or guide me either.  I tried to find help, but was often told that “their children never did that” or “no I never have felt that way” so I guess I must have just muddled along. Problem is that I was so uninformed, no internet, or car to get to a library, a husband working ALL the time, that life really wasn’t very good. Hence I have huge blocks of time when my girls were babies that I can’t remember. Sometimes a photo will help jog my memory, but for the most part, there are gaps, each several months long that just don’t seem to be there at all.

I found all this very frustrating this past week when Erin would ask me something and I’d have to refer her to Tia because I couldn’t remember what I’d done when they were babies….yet I was so thankful that Tia was there with the answer.  And I wonder if my experience isn’t so different from many women my age and if it isn’t alot of the reason we aren’t eager to share with younger moms. So many of my peers(as I) had to work at least part time, and we were “coming of age” during the rise of feminism, the sexual explosion, hippie culture, the Viet Nam war, and being a stay at home mom was more or less frowned on, like we weren’t smart enough to cut it in the real world.  We were told we had to “do it all” and do it well, break the glass ceiling, and not to forget that we have to take care of ourselves first. Trying to be “super women” just about cost me my life.

It is only by God’s grace that my girls turned out so good…their dad says that even though I didn’t teach them many things, I still taught them the method to find the answers. And I didn’t tie worth to performance, so they I believe always knew they were loved unconditionally. The neat thing is though, that I learn from them all the time and they don’t coddle me, but hold me accountable. Its a good thing as Martha Stewart would say.

So all you young moms looking for “an older woman to guide you”, I sincerely hope you find someone….she might have to be actually several women from different generations….one with wisdom, one with energy, one with knowledge. But please don’t give up, we need you as much as you need us.

I’m off to a good beginning for 2007 with a new shop, a new granddaughter, and my creative juices flowing.  I just wish my computer could keep up with the speed of my head…..probably won’t sleep much tonight as its hard to shut the brain off when I’m in this mode.

I spoke with a loooong time friend last night and it always amazes me how we just pick up where we left off…..we only talk a couple of times a year. She shared a deep hurt with me and I feel so bad for her….she was “there for me” years ago and I wish I could be with her now.

My neighbor came down with a problem with a sewing project and I was delighted I could help her out.  Ken is a little concerned about too many people becoming familiar with what we are doing, but I really don’t think we have to worry much. I refuse to close my door to someone who has a need I can meet for fear they will cause some kind of trouble for us.

The “boys” are happy to have Cheryl and Meagan back…and the girls seem to like the new environment as well.  We are working hard to catch up and get product ready for the Pastors conference in just 5 weeks. I had a great answer to prayer about this yesterday and feel excited about it now as before I was rather dreading the whole thing.  Then today I had another unexpected blessing…a customer shared with me that my banners were mentioned in a book written by Ken Davis (christian comedian) and he told of how he was so moved by them when he saw them at Praise Gathering 10 years ago. 

James came out  and said he wanted to take our brush pile and burn it for us when he does another pile…and hopes Ken will come over for steamed oysters some night. He is such a nice man.

Ken seems to have found his grove as well…he has had a productive day at the shop….I think he is realizing the faster he can work through some of the jobs he has there, the faster he can free up some time to work here on his building….all though this morning as he was looking out at his pad, he was lamenting having to work in the dirt again.

I enter this year extremely thankful/grateful for all that has happened in 2006 and especially the past week.  Ruthie is such a huge gift to the family….I’m so proud of Erin and Tia….for the incredible young women they have become…for such a beautiful shop to work in, for Andrew (who stepped up and accepted the challenge), for Celia, Wheaton, and our little bulldozer Rowan, For Joel and David and the fine young men they have become, for the best husband I could ever have, and a mom that prays for me. When I stop and recount my blessings, I find I have nothing to complain about…..and that makes for a more contented me.

I’m finding it challenging to think about Christmas in the midst of all the boxes, trips back to the old shop, and sick cats.  I hope that I never have to do something major like a “move” at Christmas time again.  

Jaasper and Amos both have colds now and its my fault. I insisted Ken build wide window sills to accomodate them so they could watch the birds, bugs, and all things ouside.  Well, they picked up all the new pollens and things sneezy that they have never smelled before.  So they are both on medicine (Amos is just sneezing right now) Jaasper has the runny nose and gooey eye.  The Vet said I could put a very small amount of benedrill or contact in their wet food to help with that.

We will install the sewing counters and 9 DRAWERS!!!! today along with at least 2 of the big tables.  We still have all the shipping boxes to move, the commercial sewing machine ( we have to take out a wall as it doesn’t fit throught the old office door) and most of the rolled fabric.  The hardware area is looking pretty good, I’ve got all 3 computers up and running, the kit area is pretty well established.  There still needs to be shelves built for all my office paper supplies, books, catalogs, and manuels, shelves for all the fabric thats in bins, racks for all the rolled fabric, new table tops, hangers for the bubble wrap and popcorn, and file drawers for all the excess files.  So Ken has alot of work yet to do before I am really up and running smoothly. We also have to move the things in the downstairs storage bay to the 3rd floor this coming week.

A friend of ours is leaving his wife this weekend….why oh why can’t he wait until after the holidays….he’s just so focused on his own pain and disappointment.  He has a son about 8 0r 9.  Ken has tried to talk him out of it, has tried to encourage him to get some counseling (why is it that every time you suggest that to someone, they most always say  they’ve tried that, when the truth is they haven’t or they only went once?)

I’m going to make a new breakfast bread, apricot/banana bread today.  Sounds really good, hope it is. I didn’t get Christmas cards out this year even though I bought 2 boxes.  I wish they would make boxed New Years Cards…..I might have more time to get those out.

I hope everyone has a very very enjoyable, loving Christmas, safe and relaxing. Go easy on the sugar, and the self demands.  Lets all try to let the true spirit and meaning of Christmas flood our souls and hearts this year.

Yipee because last Tues we got our CO. which meant we could officially move in. AHHHHH what I kept saying over and over as I snuggled into MY bed for the first time in a year.  The thing about the bed is this….we bought a new mattress in Jan. of 05.  It’s a really firm one but it has this thick layer of memory foam over the top, so it feels like a feather bed but with support. So for the past week and all of this week we are moving, unpacking, putting up shelves, making new tables, and settleling in and I’m lovin every minute of it.  Today I finally got my DSL up and running and I’m so excited as to how this will save me so much time on the computer.  The boys are so happy in their new place, walking around with tails up, purring, sleeping on the bed with us at night….of course Jaasper has to meet and greet every visitor whether they like cats or not….makes no difference to him.  Today the gas man will come out and connect my stove, so hopefully a pie is on the menu for this week.  I have two gifts yet to purchase and will do so tomorrow when I go in to get my hair cut.

It is warm and balmy here. Cheryl brought all my plants back (she babysat them for me for a year) and it felt like old friends coming back home. The bromelliads are gorgeous! I repotted all my african violets and have them in my nice wide window sills. 

Yesterday we got ready for church and Ken says…..I love this bathroom! I can move and find my stuff! 

Yes we are so happy, and sooooooo thankful/grateful to be finally in….and for this leg of the journey. We sorely need a little rest before starting Ken’s barn, but Lord willing, we will begin that process in January.

Can I just tell you how I appreciate the quietness of being here by myself?! I can hear my soul speak. 

But now work calls as there are more boxes to unpack.  It’s going to be a grand shop!

I wrote a nice long blog on Mon, but see now that it didn’t post….not sure why but probably operator error so I shall try again.

We are so close to finishing the shop/apt. We will paint out the big room this weekend, finish up the electrical and call the inspector. I’ve painted, repainted, and repainted the kitchen cabinets…..am finally going to leave them alone. I got the shower curtain made and up….and willing put down shelf and drawer liner where needed. So if we get our CO this next week, we will move our personal stuff into the apt. and start setting up the shop with shelves, new tables, office counter etc. over the next 2 weeks following.

Ken has a fair amount of work in the shop for other customers but they are all small jobs and he can put them out fairly fast. I am busy in the shop and have to plan carefully so we have the least amount of down time. We have several banners to finish before the end of the year.

I am reading an interesting, convicting, thought provoking book thanks to Tia and am trying to pray differently and more focused. Her experiences this past week have proven how vital and important it is to pray fervently for each other daily as it is certainly true that when a child of God is trying to draw closer, the Lion prowls far more agressively.

Soon Ruthie will be here…..we are so anxious for her to arrive. How thankful I am that E has had such a great pregnancy. I know EandJ will be great parents. Tand D have been good examples of learning how to be and not necessarily raising their kids as they were raised.

We will enter a new chapter of our adventure of Sandy Stream Farm come the new year. I am ready and eager to see how God will develop us and our dream in the coming months. Ken has said that he will find it very hard to continue coming into town to work when he’d rather be out there working on his barn or in it once its finished. I am very excited about getting some of my creature comforts back….like cooking in a real stove, not having to dump the grey water from the trailer, taking a shower-having my clothes right there-being able to climb right in bed, having cabinets I can actually get into without straining a muscle or using a flashlight, having a real toilet, a bathroom sink with elbow room, AND MY REAL BED!!!!! I have found out that I was taking alot of things for granted and have not been near as thankful as I thought I was. This past year has been one of personal growth in alot of areas, and a strong realization of far yet I must go. My sincere thanks to all who have prayed, encouraged, and listened to me whine. I don’t know how I would have gotten through it without yall.

So work continues to progress…..painting, plumbing, electrical, cabinets…..we are so close to moving in yet still a thousand things to do. We will also move all the downstairs storage to our 3rd floor space here at Union 700….it will save us some rent money and we now have enough space to do it. The nights are cooler and stary….so pretty but with the clear nights the train whistles have at times been almost as bad as the concrete plant racket. I’ve been making chili and stew and soup and it has tasted so good….we often sit outside to eat it under the stars. Wish we had our fire pit built. Ken is just about finished with the LIBRARY!!!!! He will install it on Fri. This job has hung on like a really bad hangnail…..it’s beautiful though and the owners are very excited about it. My work is really slow for this time of year, but that has allowed me to do some others things and not be so stressed except about cash flow which I really try hard to leave with the Lord. A friend asked me the other day, did I really trust the Lord with my business? Well yes I do, but I admit there are times when I wonder what in the world is He doing?! Meagan brought in some of her jewelry she’s been making….she is really getting a good hand at it and has some lovely pieces. She wants to develope a real business out of it, but needs to get more aggressive.
We had quite a few trick or treaters out last night….no one came up the driveway…I had thought I would sit out by the mailbox, but when I saw that most of the kids were obviously in high school, I decided not too……to me, trick or treating is for little kids and they are ones I enjoy seeing…..call me a grump, but if a kid is old enough to work to buy his own candy, he doesn’t need to be going around asking for it. They load up pickup trucks with kids in the back and drive them around the neigborhood.
Pat has a new guy working for him (Pat is the woodworker downstairs who is trying to turn a doublewide house trailer into an estate home and has run into unbelievable expense trying to comply with the codes and rules) and this new guy is a piece of work….Ken can get along with just about anyone, but this guy so sooooooo arrogant that he has managed to insult and offend Ken to the max…Ken can’t figure out what his problem is….I think he’s intimidated by Ken but who knows. He’s going to have kittens when we start moving our stuff from that area (its part of the space Pat rents)…He probably will acuse us of spying on him or disrupting his work…..
I’m looking forward to going to Montgomery next week for Erin’s baby showers…gosh little Ruthie will be here before we know it. Every time I see a baby on TV I say to Ken….”ooooh we’re going to get one of those” and he doesn’t say it but I know he’s thinking “yah and we can give her back when she cries.”
Time to go to work….have a good day yall.