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Woohoo, it feels good to be back. We just returned home from joining dh on his trip to Durham, NC. I like Durham, I have even tried to convince hubby to move to Durham but he has no plans to do such a thing. As a SAHM, I must admit that I love when hubby has trips because they are mini vacations for us. 
When we went to Durham in May, we stayed at The Wingate Inn which is owned by Wyndham. Nice place, nothing to shout from the rooftops about but hey, it had a nice FREE continental breakfast and FREE wireless access in the room. This time, hubby says we are at the Doubletree, you know owned by The Hilton Family (no Paris jokes here). We stayed at a very nice Doubletree in Charleston last year so I was looking forward to some good service and accomodations. NOT!!!!!
We arrive and they are in the process of renovating the 2nd floor – major renovations going on here – so our first room is on the 3rd floor (yes, 1 floor above the renovations). Okay say it with me – noxious fumes. Good job, class…we move to the 5th floor and no fumes – thank God. Rooms are nice and spacious and we settle in for the evening.
My parents joined us on this adventure. My mom has journeyed to Durham twice so this was her third trip and my dad’s first. He can be a homebody or as we all joke – he doesn’t like to leave the Ponderosa. We do breakfast at the Waffle House (not the best Waffle House that I have eaten at but ds enjoyed his waffle). We go to super Wal-Mart and to the Goodwill Thrift Store. Yes, I journey across several states to check out thrift stores and found some nice items. 
Back at the hotel, we decide to hit the pool. Ewww, there are leaves in it and the filters do not appear to work, inform staff who nonchalantly say they will send someone out. Of course, kids do not mind the leaves, insects and other items drifting in the pool, that is just a mommy issue. We meet a nice family from Cincinnati (thought that was funny being that we just returned from there) and her boys are close in age to my kids so they are having a ball in the pool. She and I are pushing debris away from them. Guy comes out and skims pool and we enjoy the water, still the filters are not working. Next day, same issue except the exceptional hotel staff wait until we are all out of the pool to clean – boy, the customer service is awesome.
Besides the noxious fumes and the pool, I had real issues with the fact that wifi was only available in the hotel lobby if you wanted access via ethernet cord (gasp!) in your room, you had to pay $10 for a period that would last you from 12 noon (1st day) to 12 noon (next day). Mind you the America’s Best Value across the street had free wifi in all rooms. If the little guy can do it why doesn’t the big guy do it???????? I refused to pay for in room access and I refused to sit in the lobby so I just went without the computer being that the business center had just 1 computer.
This was not a small hotel so I was pretty surprised at the lack of attention to some key details. They spoke of catering to business travelers and the like but no wifi in the rooms. I was reminded of how far behind we can be when I read about how our net access is behind other industrialized nations in the free USA Today that they did deliver to the room. A lot of thoughts crossed my mind about this topic but we head out tomorrow for our family reunion and I do need to do some laundry and the like so those comments may have to wait a few days.
I missed my regular readers and reads so I will be catching up tonight in between laundry and the like.
I have been involved in an interesting conversation about poverty in New York City prompted by Mayor Bloomberg’s plan to provide cash incentives/bonuses for parents to do certain things with/for their children – take them to the dentist, make sure they go to school, etc. You can read more here.
This morning, I received my George Barna Update and the topic was poverty and the perceptions about poverty among different groups and who should be the entity to take care of the poor (government, church, private, etc.). You can read it at the George Barna website. The title of the report is – Americans are Misinformed about Poverty, But Widely Involved in Helping the Poor.
Give it a read and share your thoughts because the poor will always be with us. Blessings!
I don’t need an actual uniform even though it may help. I find myself easily amused by how quickly a day can go from blessed and oh so thankful to just downright crazy. Hubby and I had one of those pesky disagreements that escalate for no apparent reason, ya know the kind. Yes, I could have just stopped talking, but quite frankly I didn’t feel like having a quiet spirit because my flesh was riled up. Needless to say it wasn’t pretty but just like in Ephesians 4:26, we didn’t let the sun go down on our anger.
We talked about the day and other stuff and it seems that I am not exactly great at encouraging/encouragement, hence my need for a cheerleading uniform. I tend to go into analyze/analysis mode when hubby shares something and sometimes he would just like a “yeah, honey that was (fill in the blank)”. I can have a tendency to be too smart for my own good and need to solve the problem at hand instead of just taking in the information as it is presented.
Thankfully, there were quite a few other things that were shared and forgiveness and grace extended on both parts and the conclusion was good. A dear friend of mine has shared something similar and the fact that sometimes I can say something or ask a question (after someone has shared something) that makes them feel not as smart. She knows that I do not do it on purpose it is just how I process it and then the questions/comments come but even though she deals with it because she knows me, it isn’t a good thing. I need to make some changes, so prayers are appreciated.
Are you good at encouraging? Can you share any scripture verses, tips, pointers to a sister that is stuggling in this area?
I am blessed and oh so thankful!!! Yesterday, I took notice of some of the things that happen in my day that I may often overlook. I awoke and it was my hubby’s day off so we were all together as I prepared some fresh bacon from the Amish market and his favorite eggs. The kids ate cereal and after breakfast there was no hustle and bustle to get out of the house. That is something to truly be thankful for and I am.
My van needed to go into the shop because on our way back from Ohio we noticed she had a little shimmy shimmy cocoa pop going on when using the brakes on the mountain. God saw fit to bless us to make it home without any problems so hubby was handling that but before we took her to the shop we wanted to take our boat to get a summer check-up before putting her in the water. Hubby took the pick-up to get the boat and he had some brake and muffler issues. His brake line (left) had a leak so of course that took priority so that went to the shop first.
The pick-up had to be left at the shop and then we had to take the van. I am thankful to God for 3 vehicles because we still have transportation. It was a nice feeling leaving the repair place last night all in one car and waking up this morning with noone able to get up and go in their own direction as with 1 car, there is a lot of consideration and humility being extended.
Having 1 car made me think about how often we are going in different directions. Constantly on the move doing this, that and the other…I kind of like the simplicity that comes with 1 car. It did mean no early yard sale hopping this morning but that is okay and with my hubby’s busy schedule the 1 car thing wouldn’t last long but I am thankful that this weekend was not a busy weekend for him and God knew our needs and cleared our calendars and provided his safety and covering while we traveled in less than top shape vehicles.
There is so much to be thankful for in our everyday lives, what are you thankful for?
How many times have you said that after walking into your closet? I have said it numerous times and I have been at a crossroads of late in the fashion sense in that I do like to be stylish (that is not the same as trendy) yet I feel as though my style and wardrobe could use some attention. Being a SAHM, I used to not even go through the motions in the morning. Thankfully, that has changed for me in that I do get dressed in the morning and even do my face (if only foundation).
On the way back from Cincinnati, I found a few cute purchases at the outlet mall and a local TJ Maxx but they were pieces to add to my existing wardrobe and pretty run of the mill in terms of blouses and a cute pair of $5 jeans. I still was feeling a need for something different. Now that I have pulled back out the sewing machine, I felt I needed a challenge to push me in the area of change. I have found just the thing in Wardrobe Refashion. A new group is starting August 1st and I am already drooling like one of Pavlov’s dogs.
I felt it was just the challenge for me in that I always love the hunt of thrift shopping and I will have 1 of a kind pieces that are just for me. Also tonight after watching TLC’s What Not to Wear, TLC had a new show – I’ve Got Nothing to Wear. Three up and coming designers refashion pieces for a client. It was quite interesting and thought provoking. I didn’t really like anything that they made in that most of it was quite hoochie for my tastes, but there were idea sparks that were there and in the look books. I will never look at my closet the same way again.
Of course all of this serves as a sugar substitute for the new season of Project Runway.
Refashion, refashion, refashion
Thank you once again to all of you who shared your thoughts regarding Is this normal? As an update, our friend came to his own realization that it would not be wise to stay with us due to some hiccups during his move. I thank all of you for your prayers as I think God helped him see through his fog.
He has only been over a few times and he hasn’t worn out his welcome. He was a little chatty when I was cutting/interfacing pieces for my 2nd handbag but I let that slide.
Now that the update is out of the way, another question for ya’ll. My neighbor has asked me to watch her son (turned 3 in May) for almost a week in August and yes this includes overnight. Her hubby has decided to take them out of the country but he didn’t factor in childcare and she doesn’t want to nag (remember Proverbs) so she is seeking alternatives. I have watched her son a few times (daytime only). She has asked around but noone else is available and if I can’t do it, she says that they will have to take him to Missouri to family members so that is more $$$ getting there and back.
He does play well with my kids but I guess it is awkward for me as when I have gone away with hubby, my kids have stayed with my parents. I am not completely retentive but I am used to my kids kind of rolling with our flow. When I saw my neighbor at story time she quipped that her son goes to bed at 11 p.m. and is up at 4 a.m., that definitely wouldn’t work in our house.
Ministry, hospitality, neighborliness or just plain craziness….would you do it?????
We departed on Sunday afternoon for our trip to Cincinnati (really Kentucky) as dh had a conference to attend in Cincinnati. Our journey took us through the mountains of Maryland as we journeyed west. It is such a beautiful trip and the mountains are so majestic and a wonderful reminder of how awesome God is and how His hand was involved in everything. Of course, the travel can also be difficult with all the ups and downs and ups and downs and ups and downs.
Here are a few pictures of the mountains:
We arrived at our hotel safe and sound and even though the trip was long (over 9 hours), the kids did great.
Today we visited the Creation Museum. What a blessing it was and the kids thoroughly enjoyed it as did my parents (they are on travel with us). I was truly amazed at the level of detail in the exhibits and how lifelike…I really could go on and on about the exhibit and just the walk it takes you through the Bible and backs it up with science. If you are ever anywhere near Northern KY, you should make it your aim to go and visit. If you are a believer, it will solidify your beliefs, and if you are not, you will see the gospel for yourself and my prayer is that you will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Here are 2 of the exhibits – Isaiah and Moses:
There is an exhibit on the Garden of Eden and what takes place after the fall, Noah’s Ark, and one of the most compelling was how we are all from one blood.
More pictures are on the sidebar at Flickr and I really encourage you to visit and see for yourself. I have more to share as our trip has been cut short because dh has to return home for some important meetings on Thursday that just came up so all of my thoughts are not gathered. We will return home tomorrow so we will not be able to visit the Underground Railroad Museum.
The morning started out quiet and I liked it because I was able to ease into my morning after staying up past 1 a.m. The kids are engrossed in a dinosaur puzzle that has bone pieces (not real bone) of different dinosaurs and they had just come to show me their progress and my son was quite excited by his accomplishment so he ran with enthusiasm back into the family room. Mom has a habit of barefooting it in the house and kids have been doing the same and the next thing I hear is a thud (indicative of a fall) and then there is the scream. Ya know the one that is blood curling, so I run into the family room and my son is holding his foot which is starting to bleed because it has a hole in it caused by this
The longest horn of what when completed is a triceratops had gone into his foot. Luckily the outer skin was still hanging on so I carry him upstairs to rinse and clean with peroxide and the like and began the examination of the hole and after the call to the pediatrician decide urgent care isn’t necessary because the skin is still there to cover the hole and help the healing process. Reassuring words and a band-aid later, he is walking on it and having no problems. Before dinner he had walked to the park and ran, jumped, did the sliding board and more, so I think he is just fine. I tell ya, he has bruised both knees (1 twice) and now this within the last week, raising boys is so different than girls.
I had a huge bag of clothes for the local thrift store so we took that and of course went inside…and we were pleasantly surprised with our findings, some cool vintage finds especially the Raggedy Ann and Andy pillow cutouts (to cut or not too cut, that is the question). I see a fall purse, an apron, and a skirt for daughter or who knows what, check it out:
I also found some Holly Hobby and Coca-Cola and some apples, check out the flickr pics on the side bar.
I had a yarn crisis last night in that I had a few projects that I was trying to stock up for and being thrifty, I try to stay out of my local yarn store and go to my local craft stores for yarn but when I went to my local craft stores, I couldn’t find the things that I was looking for so I *had* to go to my local yarn store for what I needed. I did purchase some yarn that is quite cute (Bigga Multi in Tungsten).
I feel like I am at a yarn crossroads in that I really liked going to my local yarn store and touching and feeling and the like…woe is me and my purse strings. 
I also found some yarn goodies at the thrift store..the whole bag was $5.95 with 25% off and while fondling the bag, I saw 3 balls of Jaeger yarn in gray (obviously a color that I like). There were quite a few items in the bag mostly wools or wool/mohair blends and even though not used, I would like to wash them…do I just hand wash in cool water and hang to dry or what???????
At the thrift store, I also got this purse that I am going to reuse the handles…handles for less than $1.50.
I had to buy these books…
Can’t leave you without sharing my 2nd purse….This one even has pockets on the inside…yippee!!!
You ever have one of those days when your mind is just all over the place..that is me today??? I had a few things that I needed to do and I was rather focused (intently) on getting them done this morning before the day ran away from me. I am still not done with one of them but that is a rather large undertaking so I will have to attack it in pieces.
I finished my baby blankets for Skip to My Lou so once the kids wake up from their nap, it is off to the post office to mail them and put in a hold mail form as we are heading to Cincinnati next week. I detailed out some sites with their links to my parents (they are coming with us) so we can narrow down our visits while there. I call it on the road homeschooling especially when we visit National Underground Railroad – The Freedom Center.
5 Kids and a Dog introduced me to Homeschool Tracker and this is my project that is still in pieces because it is more manageable that way. I have a gazillion plans in a notebook and what a nifty free resource it is turning out to be.
I am serving as the wedding planner for a friend at church. Her wedding is in December but outside of my own wedding, I haven’t planned anyone else’s. Mine was planned in 3 months being that hubby and I married within 6 months of meeting each other. We celebrated 6 wonderful and blissfilled years on Saturday, rather low-key with family and ice cream and a quick outing out by oursleves to attend 2 events at church. Needless to say the whole wedding planning over a year is interesting to me. I sent out some correspondence related to that to all the necessary parties and outlined some other things for the bride/groom but Jennifer Lopez, I am not.
I have a cousin that I never met and he was involved in a car accident over the weekend. He plays for the Denver Nuggets and I do solicit your prayers being that his friend was thrown from the car (both were not wearing seatbelts) and his friend died. I could not imagine the guilt that he must be feeling as it relates to the accident. I do not know all of the details but from what my mom has shared (third hand information) and the news reports, he was definitely in the wrong. Yet, God spared his life but he will have a heaviness all the days to come.
I am not obsessed with sports, but I do have a few sports related things on my mind. The second deals with a local star – Gilbert Arenas who has decided to opt out of the last year of his contract, here is the Washington Post Article. Below is a cut from the article:
While he has repeatedly expressed a desire to see the Wizards put together a championship contending team, Arenas made it clear on Saturday that his decision to opt out is based primarily on business concerns. Arenas is scheduled to make $11.9 million next season and $12.8 million in 2008-2009, the final year of his original deal.
Last summer, Arenas said he would consider taking less money on his next contract if it would help the team add high-caliber players to the roster in coming seasons.
However, Arenas said Saturday that the knee injury he suffered in April and the recent birth of his second child has led him to view his financial future in a different light.
“It’s very important that I secure my future,” Arenas said. “Next summer, I will be in a position to sign a contract that will give me 12 solid years in this league. When I came in as a second round pick [in 2001] that’s something I never imagined.”
Now, I am not naive and I realize that those with more money live different lifestyles, but seriously, “viewing his financial future in a different light” and “securing his future”, his financial future should be quite well being that he has been making over $10 million a year. Maybe it is just me, but greed being a deadly sin comes to mind. I believe that people have talents as I know that I can’t play like Michael Jordan, but when athletes (and others) make these kind of dumb remarks it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. If Warren Buffet can still live in his childhood home then why can’t other’s with money live less ostentatious lifestyles?
On the NASCAR front, you all know that my Jeff won on Sunday in the rain shortened race at Pocono Raceway. This Wednesday, that is tomorrow, Dale Jr. will make his announcement as to where he is going. Some say he is going to Hendrick Motorsports, hmmmmm. Others want him to go to Childress to drive the 3, quite honestly, I think the 3 should be the 3 and he should not drive it. Let him be his own man. So, Dale Jr. if you are reading, I support your decision whatever it may be.
I need to get my knitting and crochet projects together as the trip to/fro Cincinnati and the time there will be spent away from my sewing machine so I will seek to accomplish some knitting/crochet. I am thinking of this oh so cute cable capelet
I have a few others that I am thinking about so I will need to go to the store and get my yarn and make sure I have everything that I need.
That is really it for me and thanks for helping clear the pea soup fog in my brain.
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