Roofs

So, we really need to re-shingle our roof. This summer we were going to re shingle it and put more insulation in the attic but after my husband lost his job we had to put things on hold. Sadly out roof can wait no longer. We have the means to pay for it but it leaves little for any other expenses that might come up. We have asked 2 contractors to come and give us bids and a third one will be coming today. We also tried to price it out to see if we could do it ourselves. We are trying to make this decision to the best of our ability. We are studying out our options and then we will take our decision to the Lord for confirmation that this is the right thing to do. I am glad that Chad is starting a new job next week. It will help us out a great deal. We still won't have a lot of family time because he is in his last semester of grad school. I am so grateful that this year for my Christmas present, I will receive the gift of being able to see my husband more. That is my hope, at least.

Gross

This may be too much information, but I have to share. I scrapbook in my laundry room. It's a large room with cupboards, a table and multiple shelves to hold all of my junk. In addition it also holds the cat box. Yep, that's right, the cat box. But it's not just any cat box. It's a high end model that scoops the litter into a little container. All I have to do once a week is snap the lid tight on the container and make sure nothing was missed. It really cuts down on the smell and dealing with grossness of the cat box. However, my cat is a jerk. I think his just an angry, grumpy old man. He seems to think that the moment I sit down to be creative a little bit of cat stink will help my creative juices flow. He doesn't do it all of the time, but it seems like at least once a week he runs me out of the laundry room. Does anyone else have this problem? No! I'm the only one with an evil cat? So now that I have taken the time to share that gross story, I hope you have a fantastic day.

Being Present

So, I'm reading this book about people's relationship to God themselves and food. A friend gave it to me awhile ago and I am just now sitting down to read it. I must admit that it is a pretty good book. I discusses overeating as a mask for emotional problems. Anyway, there is no way to summarize the entire book, but I did want to touch on one point. Part of the book talks about being present in the now. It discusses how often our minds start to race with all of the to do of the future and the regrets of the past. When we do this we are simply not living in the now. I thought about this and realized how true it is. When I wake up I instantly think about the next five thing I need to do and while I am doing those things I am thinking of the next and so on. This book talks about taking a deep breath and coming into the now. Take time to realize that you're not simply cooking another blasted meal but taking time to enjoy preparing it. Today I have made an effort to do that. As I was hauling wood I focused on feeling outside and enjoying the warmth of the sun. I felt the strength in my body and I smelled the sweet smell of grass. While I cleaned the oven today I put on some fun music to dance to. I tried to really enjoy my life. I tried to enjoy every minute rather then simply looking forward to another time. It has been a good day. When I feel my mind start to race I take a deep breath and remind myself that I become exhausted when I do that. I really have felt great today. Come and join me in the now.

Introductions

At church they have 4 random ladies stand up and introduce themselves on Sunday. So far I had avoided being picked and I noticed that the jar with the names was getting rather low. It came as a dismal surprise when my name was picked. As I stood up I honestly didn't know what to say about myself. I rattled off the street I lived on and that I had two kids, but other than that I had no idea what to say. As I sat down I pondered that. Is it because I don't know who I am? I quickly dismissed that. I decided it was because I am simply me. People are not something you can define in quick terms. I have many different sides and hobbies. I have been many things that make me the individual that I am. Also, I so much like every other woman in the world. I am a wife and a mother. While those terms can be stated they are terms that hold so much depth and meaning. A wife shops and stressed over how to make the food budget stretch to the furthest. A wife comforts her husband and tries to keep the home running. A mother settles endless battles between children and runs all day to keep life sane. I guess that I feel that I am much like the ocean (in which I have never seen yet) I am like every other wonderful women in this world. Yet, what makes me unique lies beneath the surface. The true wonders of the soul are not on the surface but underneath. What one sees on the surface is true but the true depth and glory of a person lies in who they are everyday. To introduce myself is silly. I am me. That is all there is and who I am depends on if people take the time to know.

Oh What Do You Do

The sun is shining brightly and I can't wait to enjoy what looks to be a very nice day. Now that it looks like summer is leaving I'm in a hurry to embrace it and squeeze every ounce of warmth out of it like a great aunt with pink lipstick. Hum, how disturbing is that picture. So what shall I do today? Sigh, first I have to iron and wash the sheets. Lots of housework and then I'm free...to do yard work that is. I need to work on getting the wood situated for this winter. Man how I wish we had a log splitter. That would be sweet. I need to make sure that a tarp is over the wood so that it doesn't get wet and snowed on. (It's hard to light a fire that way). The thought did cross my mind to wash the windows but we will see what happens. But in between all of that I think I will be pinching the cheeks of summer and telling it how fast it is going because that's how odd I am.

Booms???

As I sat down to my computer I heard a loud boom. At first I wondered what Ariana had done. I think this is a natural thing to think considering her tack for getting into to things. However, I quickly realized that it was too loud for Ariana and I ran outside. The neighbors were all outside as well. We are all wondering what the noise was. Part of me is terrified at what could make such a loud noise and the other part of me is grateful that it wasn't my kids. Is that wrong?

A Dear Friend

I have a dear friend that lives just down the street from me. She is so smart and can always manage to help me laugh. I was thinking about this friend this morning and I was wondering how she was and if she needed cheering up. That's why I got some pumpkin puree out of the freezer to thaw while I run some errands. My hope is to make her a pumpkin cake just because she is an amazing lady and friend. Therefore, by the power invested in me (by me) I declare it Sarah Sharp day complete with pumpkin cake to be delivered as soon as it is cooked and cooled. I would guess more in the afternoon time. Thanks Sarah for being you!