Opinions

I was reading some opinions logged on to websites about various topics and although I often agree with the opinion, especially when it comes to anti-Americanism, I am always dismayed at the way people feel it is okay to generalize people into unflattering categories and call them names like idiot, or to say that one is full of bull shit. ' I can't stand him', is another way of making themselves look as if they don't have enough vocabulary to put forth an opinion in a educated way. What is the difference between one doing an offensive thing and another dissing that person by calling them names. To me they seem all one in the same. Just an opinion of mine.

Today is Thanksgiving. I have so much to be thankful for I don't know where to begin. I am very thankful for my husband and for my children. My son couldn't be with me today because he was being attentive to another family member in need, but he called me and wished me a happy day. My daughter is serving our country in an undisclosed location away from her family but I know where her heart is. I am thankful for my church and my church family. When some members found out I was having a little trouble with enough money for my trip to the trade show in Orlando, they just gave me $60.00 and sowed seed money into my business. I am indeed very grateful.

I am thankful for my awesome friends and for my home that suits our needs so well. Mostly, though, I am grateful that Jesus lives and the Holy Spirit never leaves me or forsakes me. I can always depend on direction that will not steer me wrong. And I am grateful that I live in America and even though sometimes people don't think and say things that could be said in a better way, they can still say them here.
I hope we all count our blessings on this special day.
Happy Thanksgiving to you!

History

I just saw a program on the History Channel about the first head of NASA, Werner Von Braun. That is a well known name in our area. He and his talented group of scientists settled here in Huntsville and made their mark on the world as well as on this area.

As a designer I have been in many homes and have worked on some houses that his team lived in in the late fifties and early sixties. I knew there was history but I had no idea just how critical the migration of these German scientists was to the future and how much they shaped our community. I wonder why teachers don't teach about these historic events that would make history so real to the students. I feel that there is a huge missed opportunity to spur the interest of students who may become more interested in history or space or other life altering topics associated with this part of our local history. Too bad.

I have been working with husband trying to help him meet a deadline to get a room finished so I have been slacking on my own work. I'm trying to get caught up now before leaving on the trip to Orlando on Saturday.
I'm still having some trouble getting my software to be compatible with my old files and I have a presentation for tomorrow. Why is nothing ever easy?
Got to go.

Catching up

This year has been a financial struggle for me since starting a new business. I had hoped to have more money saved before branching out on my own but when God says go. you go. I figure that I have grossed a little less than half than I made last year but the start up expenses have well eaten into that figure. I have managed to pay my tithes and keep up with my bills but I have had to let many personal needs go as things are tight by the end (or the middle) of the month.
So now I'm trying to catch up with some needs to at least keep enough confidence to go out on calls. Yesterday I got my hair cut and colored after over three months between visits. I need glasses but that will have to wait because I had to buy new software for my landscape program. I am going to the doctor because I have been out of my medication for over a month and as with many small business owners, I don't have insurance now. I am looking in to going to work for a clothing store through Christmas so I can have an opportunity to replenish my wardrobe that has been sadly neglected.
All of this has been a walk in faith but being in obedience to the Lord has its own rewards. I know that He is my source and He will take care of me no matter what the circumstances may look like. I had a word of the Lord last week that He is 'tweaking' me and I am confident that He will do a quick work in me so I can reach the other side. I will learn to be joyful in both good times and hard times because, after all,I am a princess in the kingdom of God.

Headache

I have a headache. I received an update on my Pro landscape software and as nothing is ever easy, my old drawings wouldn't show up in the newer version and I had one to change and get back to the customer tomorrow. So I have been on tech support for most of the afternoon. We finally figured out a way to merge the old and new drawings but after making the changes on the drawing, the old plant list wouldn't come up so I had to make the changes by hand. So now you know why I have a headache.

I have decided to make a trip with my sister and niece to Orlando at the end of the month to attend the pool and outdoor living show. I will be gone for eight days which is my hesitation but the things I will learn will be worth the time away. I should be better able to serve my customers, armed with so much more product knowledge

Yesterday was my 3rd wedding anniversary. My husband bought me a journey necklace. You know the one they advertise on t.v. that shows five diamonds that says 'we are on this journey together'. I've always admired the necklace and it means so much that my husband got me one for our anniversary.
He did good.

My daughter has left on her deployment on the Coast Guard Cutter. Even though I don't live near her, I always feel sad for several days after she leaves. I guess because she isn't as accessible and I know she hates being away from home. I'm feeling that way right now.

I'm cold.

OK, enough wining. I'm getting tired of it myself.

My brother is in town for a month for a school at Redstone Arsenal. He will be in and out as he will try to get to where his wife lives in Mississippi so don't know how much time I will get to spend with him, but I'm glad he will get to see his wife.
Got a lot going on but that is the most of it. More later.

A new life 'out here'

Since moving to the country things have been different than living in the middle of town. Before I had a Little Ceaser's Pizza, A Tuesday Morning, A Police Department and my hairdresser and gym all across the street. Now I have a field across the street, a field to the side, a field in the back and to the left a ways off, a neighbor that has shared his okra with me this summer.

There are good points and bad with this arrangement. I have become very interested in Astronomy since being out here. I visit the 'Seven Sisters' regularly and have seen the moon up close as well as the comet. Our friends have us over and we sit outside on their front porch and visit. They also have horses so we have enjoyed walking out the back door and feeding them apples. There are many other advantages to living in the country. I however do miss not having to drive 12 miles to get to anything. A deer was hit just a few yards down the road the other night. My gas bill is astronomical. And I just can't run to get milk when I am out. So mostly I miss the convenience and so much of driving. The rest is great.

My cousin, Aaron and his family, Heather and Cameron has moved to Madison from Michigan this week. I'm going now to help them move into their new home. They will be a welcome addition to the area.

It is getting cold here. We had frost the night before last. So the okra is gone. :(

Unexpected Trip

I just got back from Arkansas where a great portion of my family is and attended the funeral of my former sister-in-law. She was my sister-in-law for over twenty years so she was more like a sister. As usual my ex in-law family welcomed me with open arms. I sat with the family, stayed with the family throughout the day and fortunately was there for my children and ex husband.
My sister-in-law Kathie was a wonderful person. She will be missed terribly by her family and co-workers. There is a big hole in our hearts now.

Now I have to get back on the wagon to get a whole lot of work out in a short period of time. It's hard because I have been having a lot of dreams and not sleeping well so I can hardly get out of bed in the morning. I think I have a sinus infection, also. I've been around too many cats lately.

We are looking forward to rain today. In Arkansas everything was so lush. They have been getting all our rain! Husband got our sidewalk poured. He had to work it until 1:00 in the morning because of the tardiness of the concrete delivery. But it really looks good.

I'm going to get to work now. I feel so overwhelmed that I have to realize that I eat this Elephant one bite at a time.

I'm back

I looked at my latest post and realized that it was in September. I've been very busy! The week before going to Oregon I was closing out several jobs and trying to make sure that my clients were taken care of and then we set up for the Parade of Homes. I left the Parade to go to the airport in Nashville. But we had a wonderful time In Oregon.

The Parade house didn't get decked out as much as I would have liked but it looked good. The house showed great. The builder, Harris Construction, I believe got lots of work off of the house. I worked the last day of the show which was yesterday and I believe I got some good leads for other work. I really like doing open houses like that. I enjoy talking with people very much.

The trip to Oregon was a welcome vacation for both husband and me. We were would up so tight when we got on that airplane. The time went too fast. We went to Mount St. Helens and got some awesome pictures as well as shooting our way through the area. The Sea Lions were on the dock. Evidently the ones that didn't get mates come up to Astoria and hang out for a while. My daughter's house has an incredible view of the bay and she has a forest in her front yard. The house was old but very charming.

Our dog was glad to see us when we drove up five hours later than originally scheduled from our flight. She was filthy from being outside so much so Sunday morning the first thing we did was give her a bath and comb her out. Daughter thankfully vacuumed the house for us before we returned. She has a long haired cat that has been declawed so if anyone wants a cat we have one. I am allergic to cats so it has to find a home soon.

After being in the cold and wet Northwest, we came home to the dusty and warm Southeast again. Lord we need rain. I don't know how any of the plants are making it.

I have lots to do today to include getting ready for another eight week school session in which I am teaching two classes, one I haven't taught before so I had better get busy.