Daily Blessings: Day 58- Day 73 February 27

Ok, so my last post wasn't very upbeat, I apologize for that! I've been hit with a lot of things at once and haven't rolled with it very well. The last couple weeks I've spent trying to sort things out and come up with proactive solutions to situations that need immediate and drastic improvement. Most of my efforts have been unsuccessful. The biggest challenge...keeping my faith and trust in God intact. I won't lie, it's been a struggle, but praise God, it's one I believe I am winning!

Here is an overview of what has occurred in the last few weeks, it's a little long I know, but hey, what can I say? I dropped the ball there for a while and have no choice but to make up for it now. Sorry!

Richard - has a more definite date for his deployment which will be either March 24, 25, or 26. (Not sure why they can't be more specific) He has been busy collecting the things he needs to take with him and had a gear inspection today. Wednesday will be the final inspection for which he has to have everything ready. He is excited and ready to go, the sitting around he's done the last few weeks has been more frustrating than relaxing. When he gets there he will spend about a month at his first stop (sorry, can't remember the name of it but it starts with an M.) He'll be getting used to the climate and other aspects of the population and environment. After that he will go to Leatherneck and will get to work with the guys his unit is replacing. I'm hopeful that we will be able to have decent communication with him during those weeks. After that, who knows? In case anyone was wondering, Richard said that where he was they only had two foot swells from the tsunami and that he actually didn't even know about it until it was all over.

Nick - has been training to be a green belt MCMAP instructor. (MCMAP = Marine Corps Martial Arts Program) It is a very intense course. He's been getting battered around and spends more time feeling bruised and sore than not, but he is doing well. He does however suggest you never smack your trainer in the face, even by accident. When he's not getting beat up in the name of earning the prestigious (and it IS prestigious) title of green belt instructor, he's been working on his car. He's even been able to find time to look for parts to keep our sorry fleet at home running.

Tanya - spent some time in Florida recently on a Habitat for Humanity project. What a great girl, we're proud of her!

Tiffany - is wrapping up her internship at Ideal. While parts of the job have really tried her patience and tested her coping skills, it has been a really great experience for her. Right now she is looking forward to the CNA class that starts in a couple of weeks. After that she hopes to land a job as a CNA for the remainder of the spring and summer while she prepares for college in the fall. For a funny Tiffany story, the next time you see her, ask her about the spider that was in her car.

Natalie - has recently completed dissecting a cat at school. It has been a several week long adventure worth of stories that you really should hear directly from her for the best impact. She is looking forward to school being done, but then isn't everyone this time of year? For a funny Natalie (and Tiffany) story, ask her about the precious gift her cat, Angel, brought her.

My parents/uncle - Mom saw the corneal specialist who the same day diagnosed another condition she has (EBMD - epithelial basement membrane dystrophy) in additon to her Fuchs dystrophy. The same day he removed the top two layers of her right cornea. The idea is that when they grow back (which they will) her condition has an 80% chance of being improved. Time will tell. Dad requires and is scheduled for cataract surgery for both eyes. One will be done in late March, the other early April. I have no idea how we are going to get everyone to their appointments since driving will not be an option for either one of them soon. My uncle Herb has offered to help but back-up plan suggestions would be welcome! My uncle was back in the hospital about a week ago with more chest pains. He has voluntarily agreed to look into assisted living arrangements now but at the moment he hasn't looked farther than Beaver Dam. I wish he'd consider something closer to Fond du Lac, but it has to be his decision. He's also saying he doesn't want to move until after the summer is over and he's talking about wanting his car back...

Me - do you remember the yarn pile from my mom? Well, I've been putting my sleepless nights to good use. (Crocheting continues to be an excellent and cheap therapy!)

I decided to make it into an afghan and have been making steady progress...

Next project...trying to remember how I made the jar on the left because I want to make one out of the jar on the right as a gift for a friend by Easter. Wish me luck.

I've been offered a job at a daycare in town and hope to be starting there in the next two weeks. I will have to give up most of the tutoring I do, but I firmly believe it will be for the best in the end. Today I heard about another job opportunity as well. Pray for me on that. I've been really struggling with some things and doing a lot of thinking and praying. I have finally realized and accepted that the only thing that is going to improve/reduce my stress load is a change that needs to happen closer to the "sooner" category than the "later" one. I believe that God will take care of us and it seems that this is the best way to go. May his will be done.

Jim - is finally able to train in a replacement for the woman that was let go at his work. He has been trying to do his job and hers for over a month and the strain is taking its toll. The new guy seems to be great and we are very optimistic that things will be better soon. In the meantime we keep trying to stay on top of things and keep faith and trust in God's plan for us. This last Saturday we did something unusual and therefore really fun. Brian called to say he was at a poultry show at the Fond du Lac fair grounds. We decided to meet him there and I'm glad we did! It was an entertaining experience! Brian was able to add significantly to his livestock collection. Here he and Jim are carrying out to the truck the two adult geese Brian bought.

Brian keeps saying he thinks we should start keeping chickens too. Honestly the idea appeals to me and I wish we could. I LOVE critters. I just don't know where I'd find the time right now, not to mention a place to put them. I also don't think the town of Empire would allow that...still, maybe it's worth looking into, you know just in case, for the future...

Speaing of critters, we've discovered that the rabbit that has been leaving tracks all around our house for weeks has been living under Jerry's car (we've been parking it for him while he recuperates.)

We've had another snow storm but now it is finally beginning to get warm enough for everything to melt. Now we have impressive slush ruts in the driveway every morning, but that's ok!