I don't like the odds

On Monday evening, Davis goes to PREP (religious education) and I teach a 5th grade class.

Fortunately my co-teacher is willing to do the carpool line so Davis and I can leave. One of my students is a cub scout and attends his meeting after class. We always take him upstairs and I make sure there is an official hand off. Last night, he needed to go to our new Family Life Center across the parking lot.

On our walk back, I put my hand down and Davis grabbed it without thought. I asked him if he was ever embarrassed of being with me.

He said "no". (insert a very happy mommy).

I then said ,"do you think you will be someday?"

He said "Probably"

Damn......

Autrey...Are you on your way?

The house is buzzing with the anticipation of our elf's, Autrey, annual visit.

We wrote our letter to Santa requesting Autrey's visit again this year with the promise to take good care of him until Santa comes to get him on Christmas Eve.

The boys ran out this morning when they saw "a candy cane package" on the driveway. It ended up being a newspaper with sales ads.

Then Davis heard the Fed-Ex truck and he said "I heard the brakes and I just knew he would stop here, but he didn't". I asked what he was expecting and he said "you know he (the elf) could come in a PACKAGE".

Autrey tends to be a little mischievous while he is visiting, with his first stunt being the most memorable for the kids....he made pancakes and a big MESS.

He even tried to take the dirt bike out....

Hopefully Santa can spare little Autrey again this year....I wonder when he will come and what antics he has up his sleeves this year!!!!

It Takes Two

Last weekend I heard this twice on two different movies/shows I was watching.

This brings back some really good memories of college for me. This was a popular lip-syncing song that many of my friends would do. I was never drunk enough to get up on the stage....THANK GOD!!

This video was cute and I just needed something light today!!



Matt has been sick since about 3 this morning, he does seem to be a little better now after some soup, applesauce and a nice long nap. I hope no one else gets it.

Please Be Patient...

God isn't finished with me yet

At least I hope He's not finished with me!!

I would be lying if I said "all is well".

I am teetering on the edge

But every time I feel like am going to fall,

I feel the hands of someone holding on to me.

Those hands have come in many forms.

A gift card from an anonymous friend

A phone call from someone who cares.

A short term contract job that provided the "best support group ever".

A job lead.

A prayer on my behalf.

My tough 5 year old saying he wants to take a heart necklace to school because it reminds him how much he loves me.

And so much more!!

Thank you for all the "hands"....I surely would have fallen without them!!

I saw a church sign today that said,

"Give Thanks for the Blessings Yet to Come"

Thank you God for not completing me yet...I am looking forward to what is in store for me.

"Going Out", Letting Go and Enjoying

I am sitting here on a rainy Halloween night waiting for my boys to come back from trick-or-treating. My Pirate and Commando are out filling those bags and enjoying themselves. Hopefully they caught up with their friends. The wagon is filled with juice boxes and beer...wonder if they will ever return?

Hannah is over at her friend's house trick-or-treating this year...kind of tough for this Mommy. I know I have to let her go, but damn it is hard!!! I gave my instructions (no taffy or sugar gum - we are paying too much for those braces to break them for a little candy) and sent her on her way. She is missed so much and hopefully her friend's mom will get pictures so I can post later!!

We did have a wonderful family lunch today that was quite entertaining. We found out that Hannah has a new boyfriend. She is "going out" with Ben, who plays football. How long has this been going on? Since last night when Hannah's friend sent Ben a text to ask if "he wanted to go out with Hannah" and he said YES!! Davis asked her if he was fat....her answer....

"I don't know, I haven't seen him in like a year"

He moved and goes to another school. Pete joked with her and said maybe we can have him over for dinner for ALL of us to meet him!!!!

Happy Halloween...enjoy what you have!!!

The brighter side

I can't believe it has been so long since I updated last. You would think that I would have more time on my hands, but the days seem to fly by.

I am going to give a quick update as I am mentally drained and my heart is hurting.

• Hannah finished her fall softball season undefeated. She has grown so much this season and she really enjoyed it. This past weekend was the end of the season tournament....which they WON the whole thing....stayed in the winner's bracket the entire time. Hannah received the game ball for the second to last game, but really played hard every game!!

• I have a contract job starting on Monday. It is really short term (1-3 weeks) and doesn't have much flexibility. I am hoping it opens some permanent opportunities!! Next week it will be one year since I was laid off.

• I have been trying to prepare for the craft show on the 7th and am not making as much progress as I had hoped. My machine whacked out on me and I ended up having to take it to the shop. I still don't think it is sewing quite right, but I will nurse it through next weekend and then take it back to the shop (the guarantee their work for 90 days). I am a little nervous about the show...just don't know what people will think of my stuff!!

• We are gearing up for Halloween on Saturday. Hannah is planning on going to her friend's to trick-or-treat.....I guess she is growing up and we have to let her fly!! It is Pete's turn to take the boys out, so I get to stay home and drink some wine!!

• I have been volunteering at Hannah's school in the library (shelving books) and the lunchroom (selling ice cream). I am glad I am already done with school and I feel for those teachers!!!

I am sure there is more that I am forgetting. I am going to try to update more often because it is therapeutic for me. I am starting to see the light, hopefully it just continues to get brighter.

Cleaning, Purging, Cleaning, Sewing, Cleaning, Organizing and Cleaning

That is what I have been up to for the last couple of weeks, thanks to the end of our drought here in Georgia.

Our basement flooded....we live up on a hill...go figure. This video was taken from our upstairs above the garage, when we knew that no amount of shoveling was going to keep the water out!!

As soon as the drains caught up, the water left our basement as well!! However, all that "red" you see in the water is Georgia dirt!! The dirt has to be scrubbed off the floors in the basement. We pour disinfecting cleaner and water on the floor, scrub and then suck up in the shop vac.

We spent several days getting everything out that was wet (except for the carpet that does not have padding under it - which we shop vac'd). I have thrown away so much stuff...stuff I didn't need or want. Hannah's baby book was down there on a shelf that was on the floor - luckily I kept it in the box it was given to me in and that kept the important stuff from being ruined.

For my birthday, I got to go to the dump....boy do I know how to have a good time. It was very therapeutic to throw away all that crap!!!! I know Pete enjoyed it!!

Anyone that knows me knows that home organization is not my forte....but now I am going to make it one!! No more cardboard and pictures need to be protected. While I am still out of work, this is a perfect time to get things organized. I am going room by room and am excited when I finish one. I finished my "Christmas" room (where all the Christmas stuff is stored) last night and it feels great - I keep walking in there and smiling!

I am also sewing as I am preparing to join my friend at a craft show in November to sell my embroidered bookmarks and ornaments. My machine is in the basement and I am able to clean while the machine is working.

We registered with FEMA last week and they came out for an inspection on Friday. I wasn't aware that they would need to look in every room of the house (so embarrassed with the mess). We don't know the results of the inspection, but we did receive some money in our bank account yesterday that will definitely help!! The inspector felt our drywall was fine and that we should be able to steam clean the carpets. She said we are doing everything we should be doing, fans and dehumidifier, etc.

Not much going on with my job search. Pete is enjoying his, although I think he is looking for an easier time now that they have finally finished cleaning up after the flood (much of the course was completely under water and the silt is very deep).

The flood was the straw that broke the camel's back for me...I am doing my best to get out of my funk and have Faith that things will change. It has helped immensely that we have a wonderful family that continues to make our rough patch a little smoother.

I guess I need to cut this long entry off now...I am going jean shopping...for Hannah (I know my heart couldn't take jean shopping for me).

Thank you all for your continued prayers!!