Hanging curtains

When did hanging curtains become so complicated!?!?! I remember when all it took was a hammer and a nail to get the rods up and they were simple rods just plain white rods. Today I went to Wal Mart to get some rods to hang my new curtains, the choices were endless but the choices for my window was limited so I could not get the "fancy " rods I wanted so I settled for the plain white rods. I was so excited I got my hammer and stool and tore open the package! What is this? Screws!!! oh great- not to be detoured I went and got Glen's battery operated drill. Now mind you I just learned how to use this thing a few month ago so I really have Idea what I was doing! The last time I used it the proper bit already in it but this time no bit was inserted so here I go. Wait a min. where did it go? Oh it is way down in that hole, ok got it out no I remember Roger telling me that you have to hold on to the bit while you turn on the drill so it will tighten. OUCH that hurts!!! Oh it is this other piece that you hold. Well got the bit in and climbed up on the stool went to put my first screw in and oh shute the bit fell out-where did it go?Ok found it and got it in secure this time, Boy this is hard pushing this into the wood but I finally got all 4 screws in. Now there is this bracket thing that goes in the middle of the window to hold this long rod up in the middle ok I will just hammer it in and I can hang the curtains. Not so fast Baby this thing screws in too. Now I remember that I have seen Glen pre drill holes before you try to put in the screw, so now I have to change the bit again and this time I have to put in a drill bit not a screwdriver bit. Great I have it in not so hard I will turn the drill on to make sure it is tight- WHOOOOOOOO where did that bit fly off too!!!!
Ok I found it now lets try this again everything is tight so lets start drilling got my little hole drilled now how do I get it out of the wall? Oh yes there is a reverse on this so ---- yep that works! now I can screw in the support bracket. Done the curtains are hung you will get to see them later as the room progresses I just want to see what they will look like when the room is finished (It's a girl thing guys!)
You know I was thinking as I finished this little task that life is a lot like hanging curtains, there are so many choices, so many tools to choose from and the instructions are always changing and updating. The good thing is that the instructions for life never change they are in the Bible and it is the only book that never changes or updates or adjusts it stays the same. I am so glad that even though my life changes almost daily and I get really confused I can go to the instructions manual and even talk to the author. The answers are there I just need to read and be patient for the answers to come. When I listen and I mean really listen I can hear God speak, I have learned that to me he speaks many different languages and in many different ways. It may be through a vacation, or remolding, or missing my Jimmy, or even the death of a brother, a friend and a husband but he is speaking and I am learning to listen.

Vacation

Fried Ice cream!! God's beautiful scenery

Watch that flame Holly!!!

" The Girls"

Vacations can be a real stress maker,you go away to get a break from the cycle of stress only to come home to get some Rest! This past few days I had the chance to get away with "The Girls" My best friend made arrangements for the four of us to go to Berlin OH. I have been saving for this trip for months and for the first time ever I was able to relax and enjoy because I did not have to worry about finances-----that was lesson number one that I learned on this trip. I have learned the lesson of tithing pretty well and as hard as it may seem I take my tithe out right away but this thing about SAVING has somehow euleded my brain!!! This trip made me see how enjoyable things can be when you are prepared. You know I can look at life that way too, the things I am doing for the Lord are my savings plan for Heaven, I am prepared because I am a child of God I KNOW where I will spend eternity, I am saving for the crown that God has promised me when I obey him I am adding to my savings! Back to earth now: This is my plan I get paid every two weeks so starting with my next check I will be taking out my tithe first then $10 will go into the credit union feel free to ask me about my savings and help make me accountable!

Lesson #2 I learned is REST. We were on the go for 3 days but in the evening we rested. One evening we just sat out on the veranda and laughed and talked and enjoyed the beautiful view of the rolling hills of OHIO reminds me of the beauty of West Virginia ( that is another story another time) One night we splurged and got 60 min massages OOOOOOOOOOO how soothing! Then later we did a little bit of candle waxing of eachother's ears. So funny, we laughed and laughed.

Lesson 3 LAUGHTER - Laugh alot, let your hair down and enjoy a good ole belly laugh-till you pee your pants laugh!!! Makes you feel so good and relieves tension.

Lesson 4 Tears- Tears can be happy or sad but no matter what they are healing and cleansing. It is so good to have friends to hold when the tears flow. Let your friends in on your feelings they can be an awesome source of comfort.

I am back to reality for a little bit this week is going to be difficult for me among other things I have been summoned to a court hearing and I am not happy about it. I have never had to be a witness for someone much less someone that I feel should pay for their deeds. Please be in prayer for this situation, God is the final judge so I am trying to just be truthful and trust him to take care of the rest.

Oh yes the issue with Menards is moving slowly I have a complaint sheet for myself and contractor to complete, I have not given up yet!!!!

I am hoping to start painting this week tune in for updates and pictures!!

One of the pictures on tonight's blog will be the fried ice cream with the kids I promised. Have a great night and an awesome Monday!!!

door problems

Can't anything go in without a hitch, does there always have to be a problem? Well me and menards may come to putting on the boxing gloves. I am not normally one who files complaints but tonight I had just had enough! Pastor Kris I did fight fair, I did not accuse I just stated the facts!! I complained to a poor guy that had no idea what was going on but by the time my contractor finished with him (and menards even hung up on me!!!) well the problem isn't resolved yet but I have been assured that the one who actually sold me the door will call me in the morning to discuss the problem. What is the problem? We ordered a REPLACEMENT DOOR but got a NEW CONSTRUCTION DOOR!! No problem right just return the door and order the right one not so the old door was already out and no way it was going back in. Fortunately Kevin was able to work with it and get it in without damaging the door (just in case I need to use the warenty) But there is no screen I PAID for a screen and made a point of asking for the screen UGH Well they know that it has cost me labor and more materials not counting the frustration for me and the contractor oh yeh I also have to have some dry wall done and some work on the floor there because of their mistake more $$$$$ I really don't have a really mean bone in my being so we will see how this turns out.

In life we have lots of misfit doors to work with I can complain, explode, get mad OR I can change gears and make things work. I am working in that direction making my upside down and sometimes very lonely life work and produce something beautiful.God is shaping me sometimes I don't see how this is going to fit and it hurts but I am looking forward to see what he is doing with me. Maybe this week it is courage to stand up for myself, we will see tomorrow.

There are some good things happening these pictures show the improvements on the garage and the new porch pillars these are really great changes!!!

rest of the pictures

Remolding

My life is like my house, remolding is a very stressful thing to go through when things are good but when your life is in shambles-------- well what can I say? Why I started a remolding project just 4 months after Glen died I will never know but this morning as the Jamaica team were telling of their experiences God began talking to me about my feelings and frustrations. I saw my living room, bedroom,kitchen,garage etc. and he said " This is you and just as these rooms are slowly coming together ONE DAY AT A TIME so is your life. I am repairing your heart and life ONE DAY AT A TIME. Just as remolding tears up a room instantly so does death instantly tears up a life. But as those rooms return as brand new rooms so will I restore you to a new life" Wow did that wake me up!!! I wonder if God is as frustrated with me as I am with me? I want my new life NOW I have a hard time waiting but I am learning that waiting is good for some things. I will keep you updated as the remolding continues you will see my rooms as they change and I hope that you will see my life as God changes it. Please bear with me as I struggle through the growing pains, I know there will be many more tears shed some painful and some joyful. I am sooooooooo thankful for the things that I have and the friends that I can love and share with. It looks like I have a lot and I do, so now I have been challenged to be a good steward of all the gifts God has given me.

Stay tuned to the continuing merry go round. By the way I did win with the mattress, so lets see what happens with the paint brushes and furniture!!!

Where does the time go?

I have been sitting here for the last hour and a half reading blogs!!! Mila I love reading your history story! I have been thinking about all the things I have done since Mega Sports Camp is over and all the things I wanted to get done, and the list of things to do------boy am I tired!!

My new job is going great in fact today I printed the bulletins without a hitch, told Pastor Mark that from now on Wed. is bulletin day not Friday!! His computer crashed just not long after we completed things so it is now in the clinic trying to get well! I have started the daunting task of cleaning out Imean really cleaning out do you know how much stuff you can accumulate?!?! I said when Glen and I got married that I wasn't going to hang on to things so long any more well that sure didn't last long!! Monday night I decided that I was going to move the furniture by myself what a disaster!! Ever seen someone wrestle with a queen mattress by them selves? You should see a 4'10" lady with a sore foot moving one from one end of the bedroom to the other, I got the mattress flipped over too but I didn't want it flipped!! I started going through the closet and drawers and how did I get so many clothes especially all those small ones? Anyway you have to be very careful walking back there right now. Saturday they are supposed to put in my new sliding patio door and picture window and if all goes right the new posts on the front porch. I am sooooooo tired of remolding. Tomorrow I have to get the curtans and blinds down and the furniture moved so they can get to the work areas, then before I put it back I get to paint! I don't like to paint but love the new look it gives, it is just another step to making this home my home now. (sorry tears are flowing) ok I am alright now.

A couple of weeks ago I got to introduce my grandson, granddaughter and niece to Fried Ice Cream! What a treat to watch them, kids are just so special. I want to post a picture but not sure how so if ya don't see one just know it was fun. Right now I better tiptoe through the bedroom and try to get some sleep as it is now Thursday morning and time to get up will be here before I even get to bed! Nite All Well as you can see I got a picture but not fried ice cream I will try that one later. I think you can figure out what that one is about recognize anyone in particular?

JIMMY IS HOME!!

I am soooo glad to have Jimmy home safe and sound! It doesn't squeak any more and you can get the hood up and I have air what more could I ask for?!?! It seems silly to get so excited about a car or whatever but I get really nervous lately when things seem to get ready to change my life again. Pastor Kris says that change is good for you, yeh I know, then this week at Mega Sports Camp guess what the first night was about? You guessed it CHANGE, tonight I have my granddaughter Taylor and we were reading Chicken Soup for Preteens and guess what yep CHANGE. Think God is trying to tell me something?!?! I have always been pretty adaptable God gave me a spirit that allows me to Go With The Flow and be happy about it but lately I have been kinda giving him a hard time about all this CHANGE stuff. Tonight we talked about rest and recharging I think I am getting the picture,God is trying to get me to listen to him and let him do the work. God never takes an off season because he cares for us. So I am taking some time to sit back and do what he suggests, I am going to read books that I enjoy, and get into my bible more, I am going to volunteer my time and not worry so much about what needs to be done at home after all it will be there tomorrow. I am going to put the loneliness in his lap(at least try to) and just relax. This week has been full of emotional ups and downs but it is good and I am learning just as much as the kids if not more. Guess who is the coach of our soccer team? Todd Miller!!! Yep he is a great coach and I've gotten to know Big "C" and Little "c" and their really nice mom,( Melissa loves to pull weeds too!) I have pictures to post of our team as soon as I figure out how to get them here. I tried once and they didn't show up must have done something wrong. One other thing update on the toe I am now in tennis shoes, it still hurts like the dickens but at least my shoes match now!!!
Good nite all.