I WILL be thankful in everything, even if it kills me! :)

My goal is to have a thankful heart. A heart that sees the needs in others and always seeks to reach out. To "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." To realize that no matter what I am going through, there is someone out there going through something much worse. To get up every day and say, "What can I do for someone else today? How can I be a blessing to someone else?" Why? Because the person who constantly focuses on their own problems and circumstances lives a miserable life without joy. The person who doesn't rejoice when small blessings come will certainly not be grateful for the big ones.

Unfortunately, right now I don't have a lot of money to give others. While I like to be the "giver," lately I seem to be the recipient a lot more often. I am not real thrilled to be on the receiving end. However, that is a bad attitude to have. I want to be a gracious giver and a gracious receiver.

Today I am going to list some things I am thankful for in my life. I want to do that much more often. I want to do it not just on "Thanksgiving Day" but all year. I want to see on paper the good things I have and give God the credit.

1. I am thankful for this temp job at Wilberforce, even if I don't get to stay here. I have met some neat people and some fledgling friendships have begun. I don't know the reason why I was sent here, but God does and that is enough for me.
2. I am thankful for the heart to heart talk my daughter and I had the other day. She poured her heart out, and even said how she is so glad she can talk to me. A "bonding" moment with my teenage daughter! Priceless!
3. I am thankful for the comfortable outfit I have on today. I have cozy socks and shoes that don't hurt my feet...heck even having socks and shoes is a blessing when so many in the poorest parts of the world have nothing to protect their feet!
4. I am thankful that God kept us safe this weekend when we started sliding on black ice in the van. It happened so fast, but in an instant, the van was back in the lane it should be, and all was well.
5. I am thankful for Sue, and the many wonderful talks we've had lately. She enriches my life, all the way from across the ocean.
6. I am so thankful for the birth of my newest nephew, Christian. I can't wait to see him in person and hold him. Children are a gift from God!
7. I appreciate my friend, Brenda, so much. She is constantly helping me in some way. She makes me laugh. I don't know what I'd do without her.
8. I am so thankful to be able to see Eric and his family a lot more often. When we get a second vehicle, I know I won't have to miss church as often, and will get to see him more. I am happy that I got to celebrate Eric's birthday with him ON his birthday.
9. I am thankful that while the van is our only source of transportation at this point, and it IS old, God is keeping it on the road, protecting it...keeping it from wearing out just. He is so good to us.
10. I am thankful that my family and I have never gone hungry this year though times have been leaner than we've ever seen...and we still have a roof over our heads.

My break is over and I need to get back to work. I hope to write more soon.

Oh, the Adventures of the Unemployed

Wow, it's been over a year since I have posted here.

Since then, Robert wrecked our Jeep on black ice.....that was just before Christmas last year.

In February, I was laid off from the company I worked for since 1998.

In June, my oldest son graduated from high school.

Of course, those are just one sentence highlights of the biggest events of the year. There have been many daily ups and downs and highs and lows. However, the biggest part of my day is spent praying and doing my best to enjoy this God given life I live.

One big challenge has been ride sharing. The accident last December was a blessing in disguise. Robert was driving, and I was a passenger. We were headed south, hit black ice, crossed lanes and hit the guard rail, coming to a rest headed north. Nothing was coming toward us, and nothing was directly behind us. I hit my head on the passenger side window, but other than a headache, we both walked away unscathed.

I thank God for our lives, because right after the accident, Robert and I were standing between the guard rail (on an overpass) and the Jeep, surveying the damage. Suddenly, another car started spinning out of control, toward us. It stopped just inches away from the Jeep. If it would have hit the Jeep, we would have been pushed over the edge on to the highway below. I am so thankful we are still here.

As the accident was in progress, I was thinking, "Lord, what about the kids? Who is going to be there for the kids?" So I not only walked away, I walked away grateful. The insurance company totaled the Jeep, and the gap coverage (eventually) paid it off. When I was laid off in February, it was nice not to have that payment to worry about.

However, our back up vehicle is a 1997 Astro Van, which we have put more miles on than the poor thing deserves. We used to never drive it, then Josh drove it for a while. All of a sudden, it's become our main source of transportation. We've put idle arms, tie rod ends, a water pump, a fuel pump and a few tires on it this year. We don't like to drive it in the winter, as it's just not real stable in icy conditions....or windy, for that matter.

Most of the time, Robert takes the van to work and I stay home. When I have an appointment or somewhere I need to go, I get up before the crack of dawn and take him to work. Generally, I take my laptop to look up job postings or visit friends/relatives in town, etc. It saves gas to stay nearby versus coming 12 miles back home, then returning to pick him up.

The big hassle with ride sharing is that both teens work. Josh works at the nearby outlet mall, and Jess works in another town, at McDonald's. We seem to be on a constant go~go~go. Inevitably, someone ends up waiting to be picked up. Josh hasn't shown much interest in driving since he wrecked the van in August of 2008....and Jess is saving a little every two weeks for a car. She plans to wait until next August when she is 18 to drive. That way she doesn't have to pay $400 for Driver's Ed.

For Robert and me, we have been unable to save for a second vehicle. Every time we think we are just about there, something comes up. Over the summer, we spent a big hunk of money replacing our water well pump and some hardware. Of course, the van repairs I mentioned keep us on our toes. Every unexpected thing that came up made it so we can't buy that much needed second vehicle. However, I firmly believe that if I am doing what I need to be doing, God will do the rest. It's all in good time and patience.

This year has been an exercise in faith and remaining joyful in all circumstances. I am learning to be content in plenty and in want. I miss working. I miss not being concerned about going to the store and spending $100 on groceries. I miss knowing that I can pay the electric bill and phone bill and mortgage, etc without thinking twice about it. I'm not going to say that any of this has been easy. It's just I know I must open my mouth and thank God for every blessing He provides. I get up every day and thank Him for a new day. I do my best to find someone I can encourage and bless in some way. By doing so, I take the focus off of me, me, me and put my trials in their proper perspective.

Most recently, Robert's insurance went up by $30 a week...it was already $1,000 a month. Then, management changed the employee work schedules from 45 hours a week to 32. We thought we had cut as much as we could. We're now finding new and inventive ways to stretch every penny. We are learning to do much more with a lot less.

In the meantime, I am not sitting back, twiddling my thumbs. I am on just about every job website I can think of, applying for any office job I might remotely qualify for in the area. I've used: monsterjobs.com, craigslist, careerbuilder.com, ohiomeansjobs.com, usajobs.com, daytonhelpwanted.com, indeed.com, etc. I think I have applied for over thirty jobs in October.

I know I have the experience, I know I have the intelligence, I know I have the personality. I just need the opportunity. In the past, God has given me favor with people, and I still serve the same God. I know He will lead me to the exact job I need to have when I need to have it.

I figure I will start updating my blog. If nothing else, it will keep my typing skills sharp. I need to be as sharp as I can be....it's quite an adventure, here in the land of the unemployed. :-)

It Feels Like.....

I'm coming down with a cold. My allergy pill isn't working, so I'm using my amazing powers of deduction, and it must be a cold. Yuck.

Although, come to think of it, I have been cleaning A LOT, playing catch up from 11 days without power. I have been putting away summer clothes and pulling out winter clothes. Cleaning out cabinets. Washing down knick knacks. Washing sheets, curtains, comforters, etc.

Perhaps it's just put my allergies on overdrive. That could be it. I hope so. I'd rather it be allergies, because allergies don't usually go in to pneumonia or bad bronchitis for me. Allergies can lead to sinus infections: sometimes. Lung ailments: rarely. ~Crosses fingers.~

Nothing too noteworthy going on here. Josh has three more football games left. Then I can breathe a sigh of relief. No more injuries, I hope! Ugh!

Wyn, my oldest (not age wise) friend, is coming in to town this weekend. Tomorrow, actually. She'll be going to the game with us Friday night. That should be fun.

Nothing else major to see here at this point. Hope you're having a good week.

There is Hope on the Horizon!

There was a crew out yesterday, cutting the tree off the wires.

We have our work cut out for us now.

But not to worry, Sheba will help us!

There is more exciting news! As we speak, the Dayton Power and Light truck is at our house. They are fixing the line. They said it "shouldn't be too hard."

Let's hope the repairman is right!

If all goes as planned, I can clean, do dishes, do laundry, and put our food in a cold fridge! YAY!


There is hope for us yet!

Just When You Think It's Safe To Complain About Your Life....

Okay, I still don't have power. The tree is still precariously hanging on by the threads that are live power lines.

However, it's been one of the first good days since Ike came storming in and shattered our mindless little existence.

It all started with a little financial windfall that came through for us. A windfall that gave us some room to breathe and our mortgage for September paid.

As we speak, there is a crock pot in the back office, slow cooking a pot roast for our family. There is fresh bread and jars of fruit in the fridge. All of this, courtesy of Brenda.

Then, while I was out picking up some essentials during my lunch hour, my friend, Sandy, called. I have been shopping around for a futon mattress. Sandy's daughter, Beth, gave us the futon frame several months ago. It was our intention for Jess to have the futon in her room and use it as her bed. Jess' room is small, and she liked the idea of having a couch in the day and the bed at night.

Right after we received the futon frame, our finances went haywire. We never have been able to find the extra money in our budget for a new futon mattress. We don't use credit cards...we save for whatever we need, so there are times we have to wait a long while for big ticket items.

Anyway, today Sandy called and asked if we were still looking for a futon mattress. I had Sandy and also my friend Deb, both avid yard sale attenders, on the lookout for mattresses at local sales. I figured Sandy had found one at a good price. However, even better, Sandy's neighbor had one that he was going to throw away because they didn't need it anymore! Woo-hoo! How exciting! Sandy got it and brought it home, and all we have to do is pick it up tonight! Yay!

I got back from lunch and sat down at my desk. Lo and behold, the van from one of our local florist shops pulled up. I looked at my coworker and said, "Your birthday isn't until next month. Hmmm."

The flowers were for me....from Leah. I was so touched! Thank you, Leah. Aren't they pretty?

As if Leah isn't going through enough in her own life right now!

I am sitting here, just dumbfounded about all the blessings I have....the treasures....the people in my life. I am surrounded by so many caring friends that I can no longer feel the hurt that a few angry people tried to inflict.

I have far more to be thankful for than I have to complain about.

My faith is renewed. It's enough to get me through another day.