Seasons Change

     I love the time of year when you can roast marshmallows and sit by the fire. I had my first fire in the new house and it was so wonderful and cozy. I love watching the leaves change their colors and feeling the weather get colder by the day. Nature is always renewing itself and it's a good reminder that I can do the same.


     Getting ready for a fresh start to the New Year, I can change some of my colors too! Thinking about all of the possible New Year’s resolutions that I might make...lose a couple pounds, get a new hair style, save more money this year, or find a man. Wait...did I just say that? :) But as I thought about it, I realized that those are all external changes.
   
   This year, I want to focus on the internal changes. What are the things that I want to improve on the inside. Grow closer to God, don't get frustrated so easily, be kinder, be a better friend, be more thoughtful, focus on what's important in life, and determine my priorities. Thinking of all these things, some of my thoughts surprised me. Things that were once important....less than a year ago, not so much now. The important people in my life have also been realigned. This has been such a great exercise of thought. I am feeling more refreshed, confident, and even happier.

     I am even open to your feedback if you feel that there are things that I should think about that I didn't mention. What have you always wanted to tell me but didn't.... More importantly, maybe you will think of change from the inside, out.

Whoa baby!

Sadly, I must admit that I got a confidence boost from the Refrigerator Repairman that came to fix my fridge yesterday. No, he was not the guy in the picture; if he was, I would not be available to write this blog today! There was nothing remarkable or seemingly special about him, he wasn't attractive (to me) nor was he very smooth. He was a little flirty. So either, I'm pretty desperate or my confidence is so low that the repairman made me feel like hot stuff. Alternatively, it could be that I have been "out of the game" for so long that any attention, blew my mind! This is very concerning to me and I think that I need to go out on a hot date ASAP. Gees! So now my challenge is to find a good looking, single man, that's my age and has a good head on his shoulders. Hmmm......daunting task! Anybody know anyone with that description?? Yeah, like your gonna tell me! :) At the very least, I have Ice!

Free Will?

Have you ever wondered how it is that things in your life seem to work out the way that they do. Or, how things seem to come full circle. It amazing how so many times, certain situations seem to complete themselves with or with out your involvement. And in the end, lessons are learned and people...are hopefully the better for it. How is it that this can be such a reoccurring theme in so many people's lives. It begs for discussion....destiny vs. free will. (ha ha- I know funny pic!) I am interested in hearing what people think. More than ever, I have noticed that events in my life have come full circle and that I am understanding reasons for things happening in my life. But I am a believer of free will; I can't shake the feeling that God is in control of my life. How can those two concepts exist concurrently? God gives us free will. I do not want to get to philosophical here cause my heads starting to hurt, but what is the answer! Has anyone thought about this before.....I'm sure you have....speak up!

God is working all around!

I have noticed that even the smallest, most insignificant prayer doesn't go unnoticed! God cares about every feeling and concern we have. He consistently pulls me closer to him! I can see him working in those that I love and pray for.

"Be strong and never give up hope, you're gonna do great things I already know. God has his hand on you so don't live your life in fear. Forgive and forget every day, take time to pray and thank god every day, for each day love will find a way, these are the words I would say."

What is a girl to do?

Okay, so you know that I tossed my hat in the first time home buyer circus....and I do NOT use that term loosely. Buying a foreclosure can be a great financial decision...however unless you have the $ or expertise to fix that puppy up, it can be an overwhelming experience. No doubt that I'm learning to do a lot of things that I've never done, but this is when I miss having a husband around to work on the "honey do" list! Maybe I underestimated that one a little. :) I have changed the title of my to do list to "Holy Crap, how do I do that list!" I think it has a nice ring to it.

Anyway, no more relaxing evenings for me for a while...wait, did I have those before?? Oh well, I have been spending the evenings fixing things, nay, trying to fix things that need fixing but failing miserably most of the time. Daddy, is this what you called character building? Huh, more like a growth of my four-letter word vocabulary. Grandma - I'm not proud of that part! But I am not giving up...I will keep trying to fix, errr...beg my friends with the right skills to come over and help in exchange for food and bev. We'll just have to see how long it takes before they catch on....hmmm....crap that already happened.

I have successfully changed a shower head, installed a shower curtain rod, replaced the air filters and replaced the sprayer on the sink. WOW! I know, I was pretty impressed myself! LOL I have miserably failed to install the dryer cord and vents, install a garbage disposal (well really didn't attempt HA!) and failed at installing the shower head in my bathroom.

The list still includes:
Patching holes in the walls
Fixing two window screens
Removing the door knobs and having the locks replaced
Repairing the waterline on the fridge
Figuring out what wrong with the water pressure
PAINTING THE ENTIRE HOUSE!!!
Installing gutters
Building or buying a dog house and outside storage building
Installing an Invisible Fence
Replacing all of the blinds
Installing towel bars/racks
Making and installing window treatments
So much more that I can even type cause my fingers hurt now.

For those of you looking or thinking of what to get me for Christmas, my birthday, Columbus day - belated, Thanksgiving, daylight savings day, veterans day, or just a care package cause you take pity on me, may I suggest the following:

Paper Shredder (the kind that makes confetti)
Hose and hose wheel/keeper box thingy
Paint supplies....
....or wait, how about gift cards to Lowes or Home Depot!!! They may know me by name in a few short weeks. Better be careful tho....they're gonna want me to pay'em....maybe I'll wear a disguise. Hmmm...more to come on that! :)

Updates Galore

I know that it has been a while but that is just a sign that I have been busy and have many things to blog about. Well I did finally close on the house and that's been the biggest obstacle that I've been dealing with lately. Closing was delayed about a week and a half so that completely threw off all of my plans....which included a vacation to Indiana to visit my family. However everything ended up coming together in the end. In three days time, I closed on the house, ripped up all of the old carpet and pad, cleaned the house, put in new carpet and pad throughout the house, moved a "pod" full of my belongings into the house, helped two roommates move in, bought a new washer and dryer all while still working my full and part time job and lastly and prepared and left for vacation.....which I despretly needed!!!! I think that I was on everyone's last nerve there towards the end. Don't let me full you though, I had tons of help...I am so blessed to have so many friends that threw their hat into the ring to help. I will be working on those thank you cards while on vacation. :)

I'm really enjoying the time with my family. I surprised my dad on his birthday Sunday. He did not know that I was coming up here for his birthday and he was really surprised, although I think that he caught on right there at the end. Oh well, still a surprise...as long as I get credit for it anyway!! :) I love my new little niece....just spent some time putting her to sleep she is such a cutie. Everyone is so wonderful and I have missed them terrribly.

Okay so that is it for today. So take care everyone and I will better at updating my blog more frequently. I know that all seven of my "followers," check-in daily for updates and must be "jonesing" for today's message. :)