Where the heck has the summer gone? It'll be August in a couple of hours and I have yet to sit and relax!! The summer has been great so far. We started dog sitting in early June and haven't really stopped till now. We have only been home a week and a half for the whole summer. It's been AWESOME!!! We've made several trips with the teens from church...that's always fun. They definitely keep us on our toes. We counseled at camp for a week. GVBC never let's us down. And finally, our good friend from college came to visit us this weekend. We took her to Eureka Springs and had her chaperone a teen event today to Lambert's. I'm still digesting that food. When you stay this busy time really flies. It's nice, but not at the same time.
Since all of our dog sitting days are over (for the time being) we are going to be heading back to the place we have to call home. It'll be nice to sleep in our own bed, for sure, but we're going to lose a lot of the serenity...and maybe sanity. *sigh*
My brother turned 25 this year...crazy. And I just found out he's got a lady friend. A very cute one at that. Don't tell him, but I'm already planning a wedding in my head. :) My mom won't admit it, but I know she is too.
I have a vacation for 2 weeks till school starts but I'll still be sitting on kids to earn an extra buck. I'm currently also trying to get a part-time job in the elementary schools. So be praying about that.
Me and Scotty are exhausted from doing so much so hopefully the month of August will be slower. Who knows.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
6 down 14 to go!
I heard that it's okay to sit on your pity potty every now and then, just be sure to flush when you're done. So I'm flushing that last post and posting a MUCH happier one. :) Things have been really busy lately! I don't know how that happened. I thought I'd have time to sit out by the pool and catch some rays (with my SPF 50 sunscreen, of course) and have plenty of time to clean but no. Not at all. Since June began I've only seen that house twice. CRAZY! But good.
We've been busy spending time with the teenagers at Flagstone, dog sitting, baby sitting, and our usual daily jobs. It's been a lot of fun! But that's not the best part. Three amazing things happened this month. First, we got another car! Second, we celebrated 2 years of marriage!! Third, my loans are PAID IN FULL!!!
Before I get into that I want to tell you about our sweet car. :) It's a 1999 Crown Victoria. That's right, don't be too jealous. It was owned by my grandparents. If you haven't driven one, they're a smooth ride but also very large. My grandfather is the one who usually drove, but since his passing last year my grandma drives it. Well, my uncles didn't want my sweet little grandmother driving it around so they bought her a smaller car. But she wouldn't drive it because she was used to the crown vic. So they decided to sell it. Just so happens that my father was visiting her when this conversation happened and he told them me and Scotty could use it! So we bought it from her! I don't know about Scotty, but I feel a little more free. It's a serious puzzle when you have so many things going on and only one car. One of us was bound to get stranded somewhere. Thank you to anyone who gave us a ride somewhere! We appreciate it!
In case you're wondering, Scotty is driving it around. He even bought some aviators to complete the look. People have to look twice to make sure he's not a cop. Lol.
Now, onto the other exciting part of the month....I AM DEBT FREE!!!!! We paid the last payment early this week. It feels so good! Scotty told me I need to pick what I want to do to celebrate...but I haven't a clue. I just want to keep paying hard on his! Then we can really celebrate!! I remember last summer we were making 5 different payments and now we are down to one! Of course, that one payment takes care of 14 different loans...but I don't even care...as long as it's one payment, I can deal. Thank you to everyone who has kept us in your prayers. Those prayers are definitely being answered. Me and Scotty are overwhelmed with your encouragement and love!! We truly feel blessed!
Needless to say, June has been a great month!
We've been busy spending time with the teenagers at Flagstone, dog sitting, baby sitting, and our usual daily jobs. It's been a lot of fun! But that's not the best part. Three amazing things happened this month. First, we got another car! Second, we celebrated 2 years of marriage!! Third, my loans are PAID IN FULL!!!
Before I get into that I want to tell you about our sweet car. :) It's a 1999 Crown Victoria. That's right, don't be too jealous. It was owned by my grandparents. If you haven't driven one, they're a smooth ride but also very large. My grandfather is the one who usually drove, but since his passing last year my grandma drives it. Well, my uncles didn't want my sweet little grandmother driving it around so they bought her a smaller car. But she wouldn't drive it because she was used to the crown vic. So they decided to sell it. Just so happens that my father was visiting her when this conversation happened and he told them me and Scotty could use it! So we bought it from her! I don't know about Scotty, but I feel a little more free. It's a serious puzzle when you have so many things going on and only one car. One of us was bound to get stranded somewhere. Thank you to anyone who gave us a ride somewhere! We appreciate it!
In case you're wondering, Scotty is driving it around. He even bought some aviators to complete the look. People have to look twice to make sure he's not a cop. Lol.
Now, onto the other exciting part of the month....I AM DEBT FREE!!!!! We paid the last payment early this week. It feels so good! Scotty told me I need to pick what I want to do to celebrate...but I haven't a clue. I just want to keep paying hard on his! Then we can really celebrate!! I remember last summer we were making 5 different payments and now we are down to one! Of course, that one payment takes care of 14 different loans...but I don't even care...as long as it's one payment, I can deal. Thank you to everyone who has kept us in your prayers. Those prayers are definitely being answered. Me and Scotty are overwhelmed with your encouragement and love!! We truly feel blessed!
Needless to say, June has been a great month!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Warning: Pure Frustration
If you don't want to hear me complain, then you DON'T want to read this. I have had just about all I can take...and we have 2 more years to go. I don't even know where to start...
My biggest issue I'm dealing with right now is our living situation. All me and Scotty want right now is our own place. We don't care if it's as small as a cardboard box, we just want something of our own. The number one response I get to that is "then, why don't you just move out?" Well, the reason we can't is because we pay 4 digits every month to get this over with as fast as we can. Scotty's minimum payment is already as big as a mortgage payment. Can you imagine trying to pay a mortgage payment ON TOP of another mortgage and bills AND trying to find something to put in savings? Some people can do it...but we can't. Financially, we can't. If we decided to just pay the minimum payment and move out we might not ever get these loans paid off, and I'm not willing to be in that kind of debt the rest of my life. His entire paycheck goes to these loans and mine goes to bills/savings. There is no extra spending money. If you see us at a restaraunt or out shopping it's because we have a gift card of some kind. It's never our own money. And we work more than just our daily jobs to earn an extra buck.
Now, when I say we don't like our living situation it's not because it's not our own...it's what goes on here that we don't like. I feel bad for Scotty because there are days when I feel like all I can do is complain to get things off my chest. I, sadly, am one of those people who fester on problems. I poke at it and poke at it until there's nothing left to poke. Thank goodness I married a patient man. Scotty is used to the way this house is ran because he grew up with it. He doesn't like it as much as me, but he's used to it. I, however, am not used to it and I don't want to get used to it. I try to hold my tongue most of the time but there are moments when I can't. I don't think I'm ever mean about what I say but I am very honest.
What I really need is a change in attitude. Scotty is such an amazing example when it comes to attitude. Things that would eat me from the inside-out would just roll right off Scotty's back. I wish I could do that. It's going to have to be a process. A long, long process. I guess I just need some serious prayers for my attitude and my sanity.
On a happier note, next month we will make our last payment for my loans. It's a relief. And there was serious divine intervention there. Maybe someday I'll tell you about it.
Keep me and Scotty in your prayers. We only have 966 days left to go (Lord willing). I'm sorry for giving you such a mean/depressing post. Everyone is allowed to have a moment.
My biggest issue I'm dealing with right now is our living situation. All me and Scotty want right now is our own place. We don't care if it's as small as a cardboard box, we just want something of our own. The number one response I get to that is "then, why don't you just move out?" Well, the reason we can't is because we pay 4 digits every month to get this over with as fast as we can. Scotty's minimum payment is already as big as a mortgage payment. Can you imagine trying to pay a mortgage payment ON TOP of another mortgage and bills AND trying to find something to put in savings? Some people can do it...but we can't. Financially, we can't. If we decided to just pay the minimum payment and move out we might not ever get these loans paid off, and I'm not willing to be in that kind of debt the rest of my life. His entire paycheck goes to these loans and mine goes to bills/savings. There is no extra spending money. If you see us at a restaraunt or out shopping it's because we have a gift card of some kind. It's never our own money. And we work more than just our daily jobs to earn an extra buck.
Now, when I say we don't like our living situation it's not because it's not our own...it's what goes on here that we don't like. I feel bad for Scotty because there are days when I feel like all I can do is complain to get things off my chest. I, sadly, am one of those people who fester on problems. I poke at it and poke at it until there's nothing left to poke. Thank goodness I married a patient man. Scotty is used to the way this house is ran because he grew up with it. He doesn't like it as much as me, but he's used to it. I, however, am not used to it and I don't want to get used to it. I try to hold my tongue most of the time but there are moments when I can't. I don't think I'm ever mean about what I say but I am very honest.
What I really need is a change in attitude. Scotty is such an amazing example when it comes to attitude. Things that would eat me from the inside-out would just roll right off Scotty's back. I wish I could do that. It's going to have to be a process. A long, long process. I guess I just need some serious prayers for my attitude and my sanity.
On a happier note, next month we will make our last payment for my loans. It's a relief. And there was serious divine intervention there. Maybe someday I'll tell you about it.
Keep me and Scotty in your prayers. We only have 966 days left to go (Lord willing). I'm sorry for giving you such a mean/depressing post. Everyone is allowed to have a moment.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Marathon...and other things.
Scotty, his former professor, Jody Jones, and Jody's son walked the half marathon Sunday. I am SO proud of them!! 13 miles!! That's a lot! Lisa (Jody's wife), their daughter and myself were their cheerleaders. It was a lot of fun and incredibly inspiring. My favorite part was getting to cheer my husband on as he went across the finish line. It was awesome! I am so proud!
Speaking of my husband...we had quite an adventure last night! Not one I would like to experience again. Scotty loves softball. Any chance he gets he'll play. Last night he had a game with his coworkers. Last week there was an incident where one of our players got creamed in the face with a softball. He was slightly conucssed and his eye swelled shut but he was back in the game last night. This week, it was Scotty's turn to get hurt. I didn't appreciate it. He was the first to bat. He hit a grounder out to the left field, ran to 1st and headed his way to 2nd. He slightly passed 2nd so he dove back to tag the base before the guy tagged him. Well, I guess the guy tagged him because the ump called him out but the guy also stepped on his hand. Scotty stood up to walk off, but he paused and grabbed his hand. Sometimes he does that just to be silly but it was different this time. My thought process was "is he joking?.....yeah....no...no he's not!" So I ran over to the dugout where I met him but he wasn't showing me his hand! I'm thinking something is broken. He had his back to me and showed a coworker...his coworkers face was priceless. "Uh..Scotty, I don't think your finger should bend that way." So I said WE'RE GOING TO THE ER NOW! He still wouldn't show me. Scotty was pretty calm, a little shaken because he's never seen his finger bend that way, but he was calm. As we were walking to the car a caught a glimpse of his hand and yes, his pinky finger was bent the wrong way. I picked up the pace and drove him to the ER. He was being his usual self the whole way there. I, of course, was in a panic. I knew it was just dislocated and that's an easy fix. But I didn't want MY husbands hand to look like that. I never want to see my family in any kind of discomfort or pain. He really only experienced pain when it immidiately happened which is what keeps flashing in my mind like a nightmare. At the ER he was just shootin' the breeze with all the nurses and doctors. Instead of asking him if he was okay they were asking me! So when they went to set it I stepped out of the room because I didn't want to see him in pain! But they numbed it so he didn't feel a thing. Praise the Lord! Today it's pretty swollen and he said it's sore. He asked the doctor if he could have just set it himself, and yes, he could, but something could have been broken. Thankfully, nothing was! I've decided that when we have kids, they are going to live in a bubble. It was just a dislocated finger, but I was a hot mess. Someone called me a sissy for not looking at and that irritated me. I've seen worse...but this was my husband. It's different. He was a good trooper and the x-ray tech gave him a spongebob sticker. Precious.
On another note, this Sunday is our family and friends day at Flagstone! If you're in NWA we'd love to have you there!! flagstonecoc.org
Speaking of my husband...we had quite an adventure last night! Not one I would like to experience again. Scotty loves softball. Any chance he gets he'll play. Last night he had a game with his coworkers. Last week there was an incident where one of our players got creamed in the face with a softball. He was slightly conucssed and his eye swelled shut but he was back in the game last night. This week, it was Scotty's turn to get hurt. I didn't appreciate it. He was the first to bat. He hit a grounder out to the left field, ran to 1st and headed his way to 2nd. He slightly passed 2nd so he dove back to tag the base before the guy tagged him. Well, I guess the guy tagged him because the ump called him out but the guy also stepped on his hand. Scotty stood up to walk off, but he paused and grabbed his hand. Sometimes he does that just to be silly but it was different this time. My thought process was "is he joking?.....yeah....no...no he's not!" So I ran over to the dugout where I met him but he wasn't showing me his hand! I'm thinking something is broken. He had his back to me and showed a coworker...his coworkers face was priceless. "Uh..Scotty, I don't think your finger should bend that way." So I said WE'RE GOING TO THE ER NOW! He still wouldn't show me. Scotty was pretty calm, a little shaken because he's never seen his finger bend that way, but he was calm. As we were walking to the car a caught a glimpse of his hand and yes, his pinky finger was bent the wrong way. I picked up the pace and drove him to the ER. He was being his usual self the whole way there. I, of course, was in a panic. I knew it was just dislocated and that's an easy fix. But I didn't want MY husbands hand to look like that. I never want to see my family in any kind of discomfort or pain. He really only experienced pain when it immidiately happened which is what keeps flashing in my mind like a nightmare. At the ER he was just shootin' the breeze with all the nurses and doctors. Instead of asking him if he was okay they were asking me! So when they went to set it I stepped out of the room because I didn't want to see him in pain! But they numbed it so he didn't feel a thing. Praise the Lord! Today it's pretty swollen and he said it's sore. He asked the doctor if he could have just set it himself, and yes, he could, but something could have been broken. Thankfully, nothing was! I've decided that when we have kids, they are going to live in a bubble. It was just a dislocated finger, but I was a hot mess. Someone called me a sissy for not looking at and that irritated me. I've seen worse...but this was my husband. It's different. He was a good trooper and the x-ray tech gave him a spongebob sticker. Precious.
On another note, this Sunday is our family and friends day at Flagstone! If you're in NWA we'd love to have you there!! flagstonecoc.org
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
It is time....
Hey there, Scotty here...I haven't posted in a long while.
This Sunday morning...EARLY morning...I will embark on my first ever 1/2 marathon. Above is a map of the route that I will running/walking/crawling/be dragged this Sunday. Pray for me...it will be a long 13.1 miles.
This Sunday morning...EARLY morning...I will embark on my first ever 1/2 marathon. Above is a map of the route that I will running/walking/crawling/be dragged this Sunday. Pray for me...it will be a long 13.1 miles.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Duck Season or Rabbit Season..
I'm not sure if it's duck or rabbit season right now but I do know it's allergy season! And it hit with a vengeance this year!! I think I skipped all the usual symptoms and just went straight to a sinus infection. Awesome... Thankfully, I'm recovering after a week of feeling ill. From what I understand because we had that snow in late March it caused some things to bloom later than usual, so now everything is blooming all at once. I don't know if anyone has noticed their cars having a yellow tint to them...but that's pollen. Ick. I've never seen it so bad before.
We're trying to clean our deck off and seal so we can enjoy it this summer but we can't be outside for too long without sneezing our brains out. So needless to say, it's a slow process. But it's looking good. I'll post before and after pictures.
I think the worst part about having allergies besides the constant sniffling, sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, and pressure that makes your head want to explode is the fact that I'm stuck inside!! Since the weather has been so beautiful all I want to do is be outside! Or if I'm inside I want to open the windows...but that can't happen. I have tried just about every at home remedy you can. I know I'm exaggerating a bit, but I have still tried a lot. I did the Nettie pot for a while but that never worked for me. My sinus cavities are so swollen that the water won't go through. My grandmother told me to snort salt water instead. It cleans out your sinuses but won't reduce swelling. I did that for a while and it really does help! I have also tried drinking apple cider vinegar mixed with water. That surprisingly helps too...but it's not something I could do everyday. I want to gag with every sip I take. I have gone to bed with a warm wash cloth...I drink hot things throughout the day...I let hot water hit my face in the shower...I've used nose sprays...I take Zyrtec everyday...I inhale steam...I eat spicy foods...etc. etc. etc. There's some I forgot, I'm sure. As you can see I've tried a lot. Some work great, some work okay. I think I just want a cure, and as far as I know, there's not one. Hopefully once everything is done blooming it'll get a little better. If you are a fellow sufferer of allergies, I'm sorry. You're not alone!
We're trying to clean our deck off and seal so we can enjoy it this summer but we can't be outside for too long without sneezing our brains out. So needless to say, it's a slow process. But it's looking good. I'll post before and after pictures.
I think the worst part about having allergies besides the constant sniffling, sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, and pressure that makes your head want to explode is the fact that I'm stuck inside!! Since the weather has been so beautiful all I want to do is be outside! Or if I'm inside I want to open the windows...but that can't happen. I have tried just about every at home remedy you can. I know I'm exaggerating a bit, but I have still tried a lot. I did the Nettie pot for a while but that never worked for me. My sinus cavities are so swollen that the water won't go through. My grandmother told me to snort salt water instead. It cleans out your sinuses but won't reduce swelling. I did that for a while and it really does help! I have also tried drinking apple cider vinegar mixed with water. That surprisingly helps too...but it's not something I could do everyday. I want to gag with every sip I take. I have gone to bed with a warm wash cloth...I drink hot things throughout the day...I let hot water hit my face in the shower...I've used nose sprays...I take Zyrtec everyday...I inhale steam...I eat spicy foods...etc. etc. etc. There's some I forgot, I'm sure. As you can see I've tried a lot. Some work great, some work okay. I think I just want a cure, and as far as I know, there's not one. Hopefully once everything is done blooming it'll get a little better. If you are a fellow sufferer of allergies, I'm sorry. You're not alone!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Express 101
I've been getting some questions about the mouse situation so I figured I should give an update! Since our last blog last month we haven't had any more mice. We still have 3 snap traps set up just in case though. I keep telling Scotty we need to take them down because one day I will forget they're there and step on one. But I just have a feeling that as soon as we put them away another stinky mouse will show up. But, no, we haven't had any more mice!
I have even better news than that though! Early this month me and Scotty paid off 3 more loans!! AHHHH!!! It's getting very exciting. We still have 15 more to go, though. But whenever we pay off a loan (big or small) we like to celebrate! It helps to keep us motivated. Since we paid off 3 at once we decided to celebrate a little bigger than usual. Typically we just go out to eat where ever we have a coupon...which is usually Red Robin (YUM...). We had planned on going to the movies because we hardly ever go. We are both huge Disney fans and Alice in Wonderland just so happened to come out this month so that's the movie we chose. Part of the reason we chose to go to a movie is because we had movie passes. We're cheap...not poor. So any ways... We went to see Alice in Wonderland and it was awesome. That Johnny Depp never disappoints! After the movie we had some lunch and walked around the Promenade. It was really nice. Then that evening we went out with our super good friends Sarah and Mikey. When we go out with them we always go to Taco Bell then Chuckey Cheese. I guess we were feeling a little crazy because after Taco Bell we ended up going to Target instead. Sarah had informed me of some awesome sales going on so I wanted to check it out. Scotty and Mikey ran off to do their guy thing and me and Sarah shopped till we dropped! It was so much fun! My favorite purchase was pair of shoes. I am a shoe fanatic! I used to buy them all the time and Scotty picks on me for having so many. BUT I haven't bought any for over a year now...that's a record. I made a deal with Scotty that if I buy a pair I will get rid of a pair. But what made this pair so awesome is that they were slightly damaged. And when I say "slightly" I mean it. They were just my size and cheap but Sarah told me to ask someone if I can get a discount because they are damaged. So I did...and I got them dirt cheap!! It was awesome. But there was one more exciting purchase that Scotty made and that's the GT Express 101! If you don't know what it is, look it up. It's amazing. It was marked down also because there is a newer version out. You just HAVE to look it up. We made our first meal on it, and it is EXACTLY like the info-mercial. Amazing!
So that was our big day of celebration! We have set out a time-line to see when we will be done and it looks like we'll be done in April of 2013! And that's with paying a TON extra each month. However, we have an expert goal of December 2012. And just a side note, but we are 7-8 months AHEAD of schedule! If we were to pay the minimum amount we wouldn't be done till 2025. LOL! That's a joke. So we're still slaves to Sallie Mae, but not too much longer. Thank you, to everyone for being supportive and understanding. It really makes a difference to us and keeps us going!
I have even better news than that though! Early this month me and Scotty paid off 3 more loans!! AHHHH!!! It's getting very exciting. We still have 15 more to go, though. But whenever we pay off a loan (big or small) we like to celebrate! It helps to keep us motivated. Since we paid off 3 at once we decided to celebrate a little bigger than usual. Typically we just go out to eat where ever we have a coupon...which is usually Red Robin (YUM...). We had planned on going to the movies because we hardly ever go. We are both huge Disney fans and Alice in Wonderland just so happened to come out this month so that's the movie we chose. Part of the reason we chose to go to a movie is because we had movie passes. We're cheap...not poor. So any ways... We went to see Alice in Wonderland and it was awesome. That Johnny Depp never disappoints! After the movie we had some lunch and walked around the Promenade. It was really nice. Then that evening we went out with our super good friends Sarah and Mikey. When we go out with them we always go to Taco Bell then Chuckey Cheese. I guess we were feeling a little crazy because after Taco Bell we ended up going to Target instead. Sarah had informed me of some awesome sales going on so I wanted to check it out. Scotty and Mikey ran off to do their guy thing and me and Sarah shopped till we dropped! It was so much fun! My favorite purchase was pair of shoes. I am a shoe fanatic! I used to buy them all the time and Scotty picks on me for having so many. BUT I haven't bought any for over a year now...that's a record. I made a deal with Scotty that if I buy a pair I will get rid of a pair. But what made this pair so awesome is that they were slightly damaged. And when I say "slightly" I mean it. They were just my size and cheap but Sarah told me to ask someone if I can get a discount because they are damaged. So I did...and I got them dirt cheap!! It was awesome. But there was one more exciting purchase that Scotty made and that's the GT Express 101! If you don't know what it is, look it up. It's amazing. It was marked down also because there is a newer version out. You just HAVE to look it up. We made our first meal on it, and it is EXACTLY like the info-mercial. Amazing!
So that was our big day of celebration! We have set out a time-line to see when we will be done and it looks like we'll be done in April of 2013! And that's with paying a TON extra each month. However, we have an expert goal of December 2012. And just a side note, but we are 7-8 months AHEAD of schedule! If we were to pay the minimum amount we wouldn't be done till 2025. LOL! That's a joke. So we're still slaves to Sallie Mae, but not too much longer. Thank you, to everyone for being supportive and understanding. It really makes a difference to us and keeps us going!
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