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A New Look and a New Site
12 years ago
Saturday, March 15, 2008
East Point is fine.... we didn't even loose power.....
This was my favorite picture of the Atlanta Severe Storm Damage.... All the roof damage, cars crushed, & houses under trees were interesting.... but water pouring down steps inside a hotel? Now that I would have never predicted... what a gorgeous picture. Kinda makes me think about the Titanic, you know?
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Friday, March 14, 2008
Thanks for sharing this story, Heather!
A teacher's first graders were discussing a picture of a family. One little boy in the picture had a different hair color than the other members. One of her students suggested that he was adopted. A little girl said, 'I know all about adoption, I was adopted..' 'What does it mean to be adopted?,’ asked another child. 'It means', said the girl, 'that you grew in your mommy's heart instead of her tummy!'
Monday, March 10, 2008
What's Up with the Georgia Greenwalds....
Congrats to Dawn and Charles on the birth of their first son, Leif Gordon Spoelstra. That baby was over 9 lbs, and Dawn has a tiny frame. You know, after hearing all my friends and their pregnancy stories, I figure I'm getting a pretty good deal with this adoption thing.... no pregnancy or labor required!
We met with our adoption specialist for the first time this afternoon, and just got home from our first Adoption Education Class with Bethany Christian Services. It was pretty interesting.... They brought in a couple with their 1 year old they'd adopted as an infant. It's pretty comforting, too, to sit in a room full of couples that have gone through infertility and are now in the waiting game of adoption.
My new job is awesome....I like this office TONS more than the one I left. It has its challenges, too, but so far I prefer these challenges to the old ones. So far, it just feels like the managers are just more realistic and supportive. It will take some time to make friends amongst co-workers, but that's ok. Being less social means more time keeping up with my work and making the best impression on my supervisors that I can, right? Ben and I met some former co-workers (Aidie and Suzanne) for dinner last week which was awesome-- sure do miss them. Suzanne was my mentor and a close friend, and our personalities are a lot alike... both the good and bad parts.... she makes me laugh! Aidie had been in Puerto Rico for a temporary detail, and it was great to see her after not seeing her for four months.
Also, the commute isn't usually as bad as I expected, just have to get myself out of the door before 7 AM and then be patient going through downtown Atlanta on the way home. Half the time I've got something going on up on the north side of town in the evenings, anyway.
There haven't been too many people looking at our house, so might as well just get used to the commute. Of course, it will take just ONE buyer to sell it. It looks great, as we did hire a friend to come and paint the living, dining, and kitchen areas a neutral color. He also repainted our Master Bath for us. I spent several hours Thursday and then 4 hours cleaning and stuff on Sunday, then the lady with the Sunday appointment to see it decided she didn't like our street, drove by and didn't even come inside. Hey, at least the house is spotless, right? (AHH!) We're sure God has it all figured out, though, and try not to worry about it too much. If it doesn't sell right away, then we get to put more aside for our Emergency Fund and down payment for the one we want to buy, not to mention the adoption fees should we get "chosen" by a birth mother, so it wouldn't be all bad.
Ben also seems to be doing great in his new position. His "probation" period ends at the end of March, so I am sure he'll feel relieved when he passes that point.
Please say a prayer for my friend Brittany and her little boy Holden. Holden (about 3 years old) has been sick with mastoiditis for at least a good six weeks now, has already had surgery- needs tons of antibotics-- and needs follow up surgery. They are also a long way away from home in Bermuda for the medical care... They had been in Baltimore at John Hopkins and then Britt, Thomas (her younger son), and Holden went to stay with her husband's family so they could be in the US while Holden was recovering and in case there were any complications. Josh (her husband) went back to Bermuda to work. Just not fun to be away from home, without your hubby, and worried about your little one!
God Bless You and Keep You Always!
We met with our adoption specialist for the first time this afternoon, and just got home from our first Adoption Education Class with Bethany Christian Services. It was pretty interesting.... They brought in a couple with their 1 year old they'd adopted as an infant. It's pretty comforting, too, to sit in a room full of couples that have gone through infertility and are now in the waiting game of adoption.
My new job is awesome....I like this office TONS more than the one I left. It has its challenges, too, but so far I prefer these challenges to the old ones. So far, it just feels like the managers are just more realistic and supportive. It will take some time to make friends amongst co-workers, but that's ok. Being less social means more time keeping up with my work and making the best impression on my supervisors that I can, right? Ben and I met some former co-workers (Aidie and Suzanne) for dinner last week which was awesome-- sure do miss them. Suzanne was my mentor and a close friend, and our personalities are a lot alike... both the good and bad parts.... she makes me laugh! Aidie had been in Puerto Rico for a temporary detail, and it was great to see her after not seeing her for four months.
Also, the commute isn't usually as bad as I expected, just have to get myself out of the door before 7 AM and then be patient going through downtown Atlanta on the way home. Half the time I've got something going on up on the north side of town in the evenings, anyway.
There haven't been too many people looking at our house, so might as well just get used to the commute. Of course, it will take just ONE buyer to sell it. It looks great, as we did hire a friend to come and paint the living, dining, and kitchen areas a neutral color. He also repainted our Master Bath for us. I spent several hours Thursday and then 4 hours cleaning and stuff on Sunday, then the lady with the Sunday appointment to see it decided she didn't like our street, drove by and didn't even come inside. Hey, at least the house is spotless, right? (AHH!) We're sure God has it all figured out, though, and try not to worry about it too much. If it doesn't sell right away, then we get to put more aside for our Emergency Fund and down payment for the one we want to buy, not to mention the adoption fees should we get "chosen" by a birth mother, so it wouldn't be all bad.
Ben also seems to be doing great in his new position. His "probation" period ends at the end of March, so I am sure he'll feel relieved when he passes that point.
Please say a prayer for my friend Brittany and her little boy Holden. Holden (about 3 years old) has been sick with mastoiditis for at least a good six weeks now, has already had surgery- needs tons of antibotics-- and needs follow up surgery. They are also a long way away from home in Bermuda for the medical care... They had been in Baltimore at John Hopkins and then Britt, Thomas (her younger son), and Holden went to stay with her husband's family so they could be in the US while Holden was recovering and in case there were any complications. Josh (her husband) went back to Bermuda to work. Just not fun to be away from home, without your hubby, and worried about your little one!
God Bless You and Keep You Always!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Dear Dave Ramsey,
Dear Dave Ramsey,
We’re debt free and doing great with step 3!
When Ben and I got married two and half years ago, we had no problem doing a budget together. We read several books, and were able to talk about finances and come to agreements easily.
I was fortunate to be debt free, but only because I had sold a home, been fortunate to make a great profit, and paid off about $30,000 in debt (from credit cards and a car) just before we got engaged. At the time we got married, our debt was about $50,000 plus our house. That came from Ben’s student loans, credit card debt, and car. The car “debt” was actually a lease, but we planned to purchase the car at the end of the lease with all cash, so we treated the total buy out amount as a debt. Clearly, Ben and I were both in need of a total money makeover, but we got to that realization gradually.
We waited until we said “I DO”, but we paid off the credit card balance as soon as we were married with cash I had from the sale of my house. That left us with $45,000 in a consolidation loan, student loans, and the car. We both agreed we eventually wanted to be debt free, and started with the car “debt”. Since paying off the credit card balance we have NEVER carried a balance on a credit card farther than the next pay day. We BOTH learned how easily that got out of hand during our single days and promised one another, before we got married, that, as a couple, it was not going to happen again.
A few months after we were married, my husband read one of your books. He told me about it, and my response was that I was glad he was “gung ho” about getting rid of the debt, but I wasn’t ready to reduce our savings (I think we had maybe $15,000 cash and I did not want to stop contributing to retirement-- I was convinced it would be giving up free money since I had a matching contribution at my job).
Then two summers ago, while driving in Washington and Oregon, Ben brought your podcasts along for the long car ride, and- of course- got me hooked on your plan just as he was. All the sudden, our financial decisions became even easier as we considered “What would Dave do?”. Giving up a little of the extras was easy because of the success stories we read in The Total Money Makeover and on your show.
Our debt reduction was doable, so we didn’t feel we needed to be at the “beans and rice, rice and beans” level. We were serious, and committed, though. We got just a little stricter on our budget, and started holding each other accountable for larger purchases. I learned how much I tend to spend on gifts, so we planned our Christmas expenses and baby shower budget ahead of time. A quick call home would help decide-- “should I get a new microwave because I want one and see one I like at Costco? No, honey, ours works just fine” OR “Sure, we do have enough money for it and that sounds like an excellent deal for clothes you need!” We based our budget on having two pay days a month (we’re both on the same biweekly pay schedule), and as if Ben might not get any bonus money. We threw all of Ben’s bonuses at the debt, we used our tax refunds towards debt, and we used a good portion of those two “extra” pay checks in the 26 pay periods schedule toward debt. Since we’d done our budget without depending on those things, we barely noticed!
I remember one day when I got tired of looking at the smaller student loan of about $7,000, and said, honey, I think we should just use some of our savings and pay that off. I have never had a rush as exciting and refreshing as checking the balances on the students loans and seeing that one gone!
Meanwhile, we found out we are infertile. Now, four years ago, I wouldn’t have batted an eye at choosing to try IVF even though it would cause $12,000 or more in debt and might not even work. I also wouldn’t have considered it a bad idea to just charge the expensive tests Ben needed that weren’t covered by insurance. It just so happens though, that we’d already caught the “Dave Wave” so we did think twice. We paid for all the needed tests in cash, and if we couldn’t afford it, we waited until we could. We prayed about what we should do, and we had total peace when we decided adoption was a better option for us. We couldn’t imagine what it would be like to either become parents with a huge new debt like that, or how awful it would feel if we’d tried IVF, it was unsuccessful, and we’d still have to pay on a loan for it! It didn’t fit for us, especially in light of our Total Money Makeover!
I work as a claims representative for Social Security. I can not express how horrible it is to take claims from hard working people who suddenly find themselves too sick to work, but so deep in debt that they will loose their house. No emergency fund, they just bought a brand new car- with a loan- a year before so they will loose that too, and they are not sure how they will feed their family since they lost their job. No disability insurance- or somehow they don’t qualify, their long time job let them go at a drop of a hat when they mentioned their illness or missed too many days for doctors appointments, and now their Social Security decision will take a good 5 or 6 months.
You know what else is horrible? When a 62 year old comes in wanting to retire and realizes there is no way they can afford to live on Social Security alone-- they have 15 years left on their mortgage, no pension, barely any savings, and their spouse just died and left them nothing except one income instead of what used to be two. They can’t even afford their mortgage anymore.
I share that because my work helps me see the reality that people face on a regular basis. Not one of those suddenly disabled people thought they’d be disabled even three months before it happened. And as for those people who want to retire, I betcha in hindsight, they aren’t thinking all those debts were good decisions. You know what I love, though? Taking claims from people who are facing disability or ready to retire and won’t even need their Social Security check. They’re financially ready for whatever happens. These are the happiest, most relaxed people I meet. People who have lived like no one else and now can live like no one else!
Ben was told he was going to be let go effective January 1st. What a horrible crisis that could have been a few years ago. But not for us in the beginning of 2008! We were close to debt free, had been fortunate to see increases in both of our salaries since we got married, and just had one little $70 monthly minimum payment for the last student loan. We’d already purchased the car, and of course we had our baby step 1 $1000 emergency fund in place. We glanced at our budget, saw living on my salary alone was going to be no problem at all, and didn’t miss a beat. Once he got the news, and while he was still working, we just diverted our debt snowball money to savings in case we needed it for living expenses while he was looking for a new job.
Of course, Ben got a new, better job and ended up without a single day unemployed. And I got transferred to a new office doing the same job I was doing, but in a location I am more excited about. We were approved for adoption, but needed to wait until the next round of classes.
Well, here we are, ages 35 and 38, debt free except our house. We’ll have our baby step 3 of saving 4 months of expenses done in less than 4 months! Our adoption classes begin in March, and we are confident we’ll be able to afford the adoption fees when it comes time for us to bring home a baby to our “forever family”. We’ve enjoyed being able to give just a little more to ministries. Our house is on the market, we’ve been able to pay cash for all the expenses of getting it ready, and we’re looking for a new house that will be a better commute for BOTH of us. We are committed not to place an offer on any house without ours being under contract, and we’ve got a much bigger allowance for our next house than I ever imagined possible. It will be no problem to keep on your plan with that new mortgage, because it will, after all, be our only debt. And we won’t be buying more house than we can afford. And no worries, Dave, we can’t wait to get it paid off long before our kids reach college age!
Regarding Marriage and Money: We’ve always gotten along when discussing finances, but gosh. It did amazing things for our marriage as we repeatedly got to look at one another, realize we just met a goal of paying something off, give a high five, and say “Go Greenwalds!” in unison! I am so proud of my husband for leading us to this point! We became debt free just before Valentine’s Day. The love I felt for my husband at that nice restaurant we could totally afford is more amazing and greater than the love I felt for my husband on our wedding day.
What was the hardest part? Letting go of the comfort and safety net of having savings and contributing to our retirement.
What was the easiest part? Sending that last payment to Sallie Mae! Whew, what fun!!!!!
What was the most surprising? How easy it was to rearrange our budget and come up with so much more money.... boy, were we wasting money on needless things! And we don’t miss those things at all now. It is actually fun to be at a store, tempted by something I see, and be able to say: “nope, don’t need that, I’d rather that $25 be in our emergency fund!”
Thanks for your message, Dave. We love your books and your show. Your teaching has made a huge difference to us, our marriage, and our family. We’ve started on an entirely new path for us and our future children, and we’re skipping along on it!
Jennifer and Ben Greenwald, Atlanta, GA
get the podcasts, order a book, or read more about Dave Ramsey at www.daveramsey.com
We’re debt free and doing great with step 3!
When Ben and I got married two and half years ago, we had no problem doing a budget together. We read several books, and were able to talk about finances and come to agreements easily.
I was fortunate to be debt free, but only because I had sold a home, been fortunate to make a great profit, and paid off about $30,000 in debt (from credit cards and a car) just before we got engaged. At the time we got married, our debt was about $50,000 plus our house. That came from Ben’s student loans, credit card debt, and car. The car “debt” was actually a lease, but we planned to purchase the car at the end of the lease with all cash, so we treated the total buy out amount as a debt. Clearly, Ben and I were both in need of a total money makeover, but we got to that realization gradually.
We waited until we said “I DO”, but we paid off the credit card balance as soon as we were married with cash I had from the sale of my house. That left us with $45,000 in a consolidation loan, student loans, and the car. We both agreed we eventually wanted to be debt free, and started with the car “debt”. Since paying off the credit card balance we have NEVER carried a balance on a credit card farther than the next pay day. We BOTH learned how easily that got out of hand during our single days and promised one another, before we got married, that, as a couple, it was not going to happen again.
A few months after we were married, my husband read one of your books. He told me about it, and my response was that I was glad he was “gung ho” about getting rid of the debt, but I wasn’t ready to reduce our savings (I think we had maybe $15,000 cash and I did not want to stop contributing to retirement-- I was convinced it would be giving up free money since I had a matching contribution at my job).
Then two summers ago, while driving in Washington and Oregon, Ben brought your podcasts along for the long car ride, and- of course- got me hooked on your plan just as he was. All the sudden, our financial decisions became even easier as we considered “What would Dave do?”. Giving up a little of the extras was easy because of the success stories we read in The Total Money Makeover and on your show.
Our debt reduction was doable, so we didn’t feel we needed to be at the “beans and rice, rice and beans” level. We were serious, and committed, though. We got just a little stricter on our budget, and started holding each other accountable for larger purchases. I learned how much I tend to spend on gifts, so we planned our Christmas expenses and baby shower budget ahead of time. A quick call home would help decide-- “should I get a new microwave because I want one and see one I like at Costco? No, honey, ours works just fine” OR “Sure, we do have enough money for it and that sounds like an excellent deal for clothes you need!” We based our budget on having two pay days a month (we’re both on the same biweekly pay schedule), and as if Ben might not get any bonus money. We threw all of Ben’s bonuses at the debt, we used our tax refunds towards debt, and we used a good portion of those two “extra” pay checks in the 26 pay periods schedule toward debt. Since we’d done our budget without depending on those things, we barely noticed!
I remember one day when I got tired of looking at the smaller student loan of about $7,000, and said, honey, I think we should just use some of our savings and pay that off. I have never had a rush as exciting and refreshing as checking the balances on the students loans and seeing that one gone!
Meanwhile, we found out we are infertile. Now, four years ago, I wouldn’t have batted an eye at choosing to try IVF even though it would cause $12,000 or more in debt and might not even work. I also wouldn’t have considered it a bad idea to just charge the expensive tests Ben needed that weren’t covered by insurance. It just so happens though, that we’d already caught the “Dave Wave” so we did think twice. We paid for all the needed tests in cash, and if we couldn’t afford it, we waited until we could. We prayed about what we should do, and we had total peace when we decided adoption was a better option for us. We couldn’t imagine what it would be like to either become parents with a huge new debt like that, or how awful it would feel if we’d tried IVF, it was unsuccessful, and we’d still have to pay on a loan for it! It didn’t fit for us, especially in light of our Total Money Makeover!
I work as a claims representative for Social Security. I can not express how horrible it is to take claims from hard working people who suddenly find themselves too sick to work, but so deep in debt that they will loose their house. No emergency fund, they just bought a brand new car- with a loan- a year before so they will loose that too, and they are not sure how they will feed their family since they lost their job. No disability insurance- or somehow they don’t qualify, their long time job let them go at a drop of a hat when they mentioned their illness or missed too many days for doctors appointments, and now their Social Security decision will take a good 5 or 6 months.
You know what else is horrible? When a 62 year old comes in wanting to retire and realizes there is no way they can afford to live on Social Security alone-- they have 15 years left on their mortgage, no pension, barely any savings, and their spouse just died and left them nothing except one income instead of what used to be two. They can’t even afford their mortgage anymore.
I share that because my work helps me see the reality that people face on a regular basis. Not one of those suddenly disabled people thought they’d be disabled even three months before it happened. And as for those people who want to retire, I betcha in hindsight, they aren’t thinking all those debts were good decisions. You know what I love, though? Taking claims from people who are facing disability or ready to retire and won’t even need their Social Security check. They’re financially ready for whatever happens. These are the happiest, most relaxed people I meet. People who have lived like no one else and now can live like no one else!
Ben was told he was going to be let go effective January 1st. What a horrible crisis that could have been a few years ago. But not for us in the beginning of 2008! We were close to debt free, had been fortunate to see increases in both of our salaries since we got married, and just had one little $70 monthly minimum payment for the last student loan. We’d already purchased the car, and of course we had our baby step 1 $1000 emergency fund in place. We glanced at our budget, saw living on my salary alone was going to be no problem at all, and didn’t miss a beat. Once he got the news, and while he was still working, we just diverted our debt snowball money to savings in case we needed it for living expenses while he was looking for a new job.
Of course, Ben got a new, better job and ended up without a single day unemployed. And I got transferred to a new office doing the same job I was doing, but in a location I am more excited about. We were approved for adoption, but needed to wait until the next round of classes.
Well, here we are, ages 35 and 38, debt free except our house. We’ll have our baby step 3 of saving 4 months of expenses done in less than 4 months! Our adoption classes begin in March, and we are confident we’ll be able to afford the adoption fees when it comes time for us to bring home a baby to our “forever family”. We’ve enjoyed being able to give just a little more to ministries. Our house is on the market, we’ve been able to pay cash for all the expenses of getting it ready, and we’re looking for a new house that will be a better commute for BOTH of us. We are committed not to place an offer on any house without ours being under contract, and we’ve got a much bigger allowance for our next house than I ever imagined possible. It will be no problem to keep on your plan with that new mortgage, because it will, after all, be our only debt. And we won’t be buying more house than we can afford. And no worries, Dave, we can’t wait to get it paid off long before our kids reach college age!
Regarding Marriage and Money: We’ve always gotten along when discussing finances, but gosh. It did amazing things for our marriage as we repeatedly got to look at one another, realize we just met a goal of paying something off, give a high five, and say “Go Greenwalds!” in unison! I am so proud of my husband for leading us to this point! We became debt free just before Valentine’s Day. The love I felt for my husband at that nice restaurant we could totally afford is more amazing and greater than the love I felt for my husband on our wedding day.
What was the hardest part? Letting go of the comfort and safety net of having savings and contributing to our retirement.
What was the easiest part? Sending that last payment to Sallie Mae! Whew, what fun!!!!!
What was the most surprising? How easy it was to rearrange our budget and come up with so much more money.... boy, were we wasting money on needless things! And we don’t miss those things at all now. It is actually fun to be at a store, tempted by something I see, and be able to say: “nope, don’t need that, I’d rather that $25 be in our emergency fund!”
Thanks for your message, Dave. We love your books and your show. Your teaching has made a huge difference to us, our marriage, and our family. We’ve started on an entirely new path for us and our future children, and we’re skipping along on it!
Jennifer and Ben Greenwald, Atlanta, GA
get the podcasts, order a book, or read more about Dave Ramsey at www.daveramsey.com
Friday, February 22, 2008
Better day today
Just in case I had you worried from yesterday's entry, today was a pretty good day. No, I am not going into a depressive episode... just a little PMS, I'm afraid. Just had a hard week, and I appreciate you being there to read my "journal" entry. It helped a ton, and helped me release those negative thoughts and get back to positive thinking.....
Today was a productive day at work. I love that on a Friday, you know? It makes it feel like the whole week was successful! Not that it wasn't, but you know what I mean.
Have a great weekend, everybody!
Today was a productive day at work. I love that on a Friday, you know? It makes it feel like the whole week was successful! Not that it wasn't, but you know what I mean.
Have a great weekend, everybody!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Assumptions, Judgements, and Gossip
Apparently last week I was feeling a little TOO positive about life in general. Time for a little spiritual warfare I guess. In the past week or so, I have come up against some seriously negative comments about me and my house and my work. Well, you know what, too bad. I know that God created me the way I am, and that I am created perfectly in his image, as we all are. I know that I am loved deeply by my husband and my God. I also know that what PEOPLE think is simply not important. Boy do I have to remind myself of that, though.
In my new job, I keep hearing people whispering about people. You know what I mean-- where they know someone is in earshot, but they want to gossip and talk behind someone's back, so they whisper. (Don't cubicle environments do wonders for us all?!) I don't know if all or some or none of the comments have been about me, I do suspect some have been about me-- I am a new person and good at my job and I'm probably a threat to some and an annoying person to others. It's hard to fight wanting to fit in and make new friends with what I know is right. I do NOT gossip, and I also don't pass judgement on others until I know the full story. I also feel it is important to give others the benefit of the doubt. Loving people unconditionally is something I can often do without a second thought. I have to remember to take things slowly, know my identity in Christ, and not rush into relationships assuming I can trust people. Bottom line is there are lots of people out there, especially in the work place, who care nothing about others and think of themselves first, middle, and last. Trick is to go little by little. The true colors will always shine through.
We had realtors go through our house on Tuesday. Unfortunately, I wasn't mentally or emotionally prepared for them leaving comments and ratings about our house. Just never occurred to me that was part of a caravan. Well, they left them all right. My self admitted pride about our adorable house that I've poured all sorts of effort in for the last month went straight out the window, and now I just feel sad and embarrassed and that my house may never sell. WHY? Cause some dumb realtors don't like my gorgeous green walls, and think my de-cluttered kitchen needs more de-cluttering, and one even said our curb appeal was only "fair". I just wanted to crawl into a ball and cry. Our house is gorgeous. And if they really want boring neutral colors in the living room, I guess we'll get some paint. At least according to them, that should mean we won't have to live with beige walls long, right??
A girlfriend called and canceled something with me that she'd planned for us. It probably wasn't personal, but it kinda felt like it was more that she wasn't interested in hanging out with me and less about not feeling up to our plans.
A long time friend voiced her concern that my husband and I are too overweight to raise children. Thanks. That's what I needed to hear in the midst of infertility and waiting to adopt. That I wouldn't be a fit parent unless I do lots of work to loose weight and somehow earn such a privilege. I know in my heart that God created me to be a Mom. I'm not denying that less weight would be a good thing, or saying I'll never loose weight. I am saying that being "fat" does NOT automatically mean you will not be able to "keep up" with your children. So, she's WRONG!
Looking around my house, I am reminded that my Mom repeatedly told me how my house had too many things in it. If it was her, she would have done better. Now that it is de-cluttered and ready to be put on the market, she's given us her approval and thinks the house looks great. She means well, and doesn't mean to be hurtful, but sometimes her extreme truth feels awful. I have to admit that the one compliment meant tons to me, though. In case anyone wonders about my perfectionism, it is in fact a perpetual attempt to gain approval of myself and others. My family does value perfect things, and I do as well. I suppose that needs to be done in moderation, huh?
I'm so thankful for my encouraging friends- and I do have a several! They are the ones that love me as I am, and appreciate me where I am right now. I'm also thankful for my identity in Christ, and pray that I can be reminded of that when I start to care about what others say and think. Unconditional love is hard to come by, but when you find it, know that it is from God. And remember when people say judgemental things, or assume incorrect things about you, or even gossip about you that those things are NOT from God. Doing my best is always enough, and even at my worst, I'm still valuable and loved!
Galatians 2:16 yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.
Galatians 2:21 .... if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.
Galatians 2:19&20 ... I have ben crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.
In my new job, I keep hearing people whispering about people. You know what I mean-- where they know someone is in earshot, but they want to gossip and talk behind someone's back, so they whisper. (Don't cubicle environments do wonders for us all?!) I don't know if all or some or none of the comments have been about me, I do suspect some have been about me-- I am a new person and good at my job and I'm probably a threat to some and an annoying person to others. It's hard to fight wanting to fit in and make new friends with what I know is right. I do NOT gossip, and I also don't pass judgement on others until I know the full story. I also feel it is important to give others the benefit of the doubt. Loving people unconditionally is something I can often do without a second thought. I have to remember to take things slowly, know my identity in Christ, and not rush into relationships assuming I can trust people. Bottom line is there are lots of people out there, especially in the work place, who care nothing about others and think of themselves first, middle, and last. Trick is to go little by little. The true colors will always shine through.
We had realtors go through our house on Tuesday. Unfortunately, I wasn't mentally or emotionally prepared for them leaving comments and ratings about our house. Just never occurred to me that was part of a caravan. Well, they left them all right. My self admitted pride about our adorable house that I've poured all sorts of effort in for the last month went straight out the window, and now I just feel sad and embarrassed and that my house may never sell. WHY? Cause some dumb realtors don't like my gorgeous green walls, and think my de-cluttered kitchen needs more de-cluttering, and one even said our curb appeal was only "fair". I just wanted to crawl into a ball and cry. Our house is gorgeous. And if they really want boring neutral colors in the living room, I guess we'll get some paint. At least according to them, that should mean we won't have to live with beige walls long, right??
A girlfriend called and canceled something with me that she'd planned for us. It probably wasn't personal, but it kinda felt like it was more that she wasn't interested in hanging out with me and less about not feeling up to our plans.
A long time friend voiced her concern that my husband and I are too overweight to raise children. Thanks. That's what I needed to hear in the midst of infertility and waiting to adopt. That I wouldn't be a fit parent unless I do lots of work to loose weight and somehow earn such a privilege. I know in my heart that God created me to be a Mom. I'm not denying that less weight would be a good thing, or saying I'll never loose weight. I am saying that being "fat" does NOT automatically mean you will not be able to "keep up" with your children. So, she's WRONG!
Looking around my house, I am reminded that my Mom repeatedly told me how my house had too many things in it. If it was her, she would have done better. Now that it is de-cluttered and ready to be put on the market, she's given us her approval and thinks the house looks great. She means well, and doesn't mean to be hurtful, but sometimes her extreme truth feels awful. I have to admit that the one compliment meant tons to me, though. In case anyone wonders about my perfectionism, it is in fact a perpetual attempt to gain approval of myself and others. My family does value perfect things, and I do as well. I suppose that needs to be done in moderation, huh?
I'm so thankful for my encouraging friends- and I do have a several! They are the ones that love me as I am, and appreciate me where I am right now. I'm also thankful for my identity in Christ, and pray that I can be reminded of that when I start to care about what others say and think. Unconditional love is hard to come by, but when you find it, know that it is from God. And remember when people say judgemental things, or assume incorrect things about you, or even gossip about you that those things are NOT from God. Doing my best is always enough, and even at my worst, I'm still valuable and loved!
Galatians 2:16 yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.
Galatians 2:21 .... if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.
Galatians 2:19&20 ... I have ben crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
God Rocks
I started my new job on Tuesday. I like my new location a lot. There are lots of subtle differences between the new office and the previous one, but I'll write more on that another time.
I was still tired most of the days this week, but I felt a lot better. Thank goodness for Tamiflu. It definitely sped up my recovery, and it also prevented Ben from getting sick.
We found out that our first required "education class" for our Bethany adoption will be on March 10. That is so much earlier than we expected, and we are absolutely thrilled. God has lined up so much for us in the last six months and now it's just all falling into place! As Dave Ramsey says on his talk show, if you ask us how we are, our response should be "better than we deserve"!!!!
We went house shopping today. We looked in Dunwoody. After my first week at my new job location, we are thinking perhaps Norcross won't be our best option. I stayed at my parents' house on Wednesday and the commute was heavenly. Heading north on I-85 in the morning is opposite traffic and very easy-- but we are guessing that the trip between Norcross and Ben's work near Perimeter Mall will be pretty yucky. Granted, I don't ever want to have to say I live in Dunwoody- because as a Chamblee HS student, I must admit that I have a distinct impression based on personal experience and hearsay that everyone in Dunwoody is a snob. BUT, the schools in Dunwoody are actually rated higher than the ones that feed into Chamblee. They are both in the Dekalb County school system. That's great for our future kids- we're looking at this house purchase as a really long term decision- like 20 years, but it is also great for the investment value of the property. It also occurred to us that Dunwoody will be a better commute for getting to church, Lifegroup, and our friends in Marietta and Decatur.... We'll see!
Tomorrow we are having an Open House and Tuesday our Realtor is including our house in a Caravan Tour of Properties. We've just shown it once so far, but we're hoping for lots more "traffic" in the next week!
Jasmine came over this afternoon and we played with Photo Booth on my computer. Here are my favorites:
I was still tired most of the days this week, but I felt a lot better. Thank goodness for Tamiflu. It definitely sped up my recovery, and it also prevented Ben from getting sick.
We found out that our first required "education class" for our Bethany adoption will be on March 10. That is so much earlier than we expected, and we are absolutely thrilled. God has lined up so much for us in the last six months and now it's just all falling into place! As Dave Ramsey says on his talk show, if you ask us how we are, our response should be "better than we deserve"!!!!
We went house shopping today. We looked in Dunwoody. After my first week at my new job location, we are thinking perhaps Norcross won't be our best option. I stayed at my parents' house on Wednesday and the commute was heavenly. Heading north on I-85 in the morning is opposite traffic and very easy-- but we are guessing that the trip between Norcross and Ben's work near Perimeter Mall will be pretty yucky. Granted, I don't ever want to have to say I live in Dunwoody- because as a Chamblee HS student, I must admit that I have a distinct impression based on personal experience and hearsay that everyone in Dunwoody is a snob. BUT, the schools in Dunwoody are actually rated higher than the ones that feed into Chamblee. They are both in the Dekalb County school system. That's great for our future kids- we're looking at this house purchase as a really long term decision- like 20 years, but it is also great for the investment value of the property. It also occurred to us that Dunwoody will be a better commute for getting to church, Lifegroup, and our friends in Marietta and Decatur.... We'll see!
Tomorrow we are having an Open House and Tuesday our Realtor is including our house in a Caravan Tour of Properties. We've just shown it once so far, but we're hoping for lots more "traffic" in the next week!
Jasmine came over this afternoon and we played with Photo Booth on my computer. Here are my favorites:
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Jen's big adventure
Well, I'm pooped. I was feeling better this morning, so Ben took me out to IHop. I knew I couldn't make it to church. Too much people interaction and I don't want to make anybody sick. Before we left, we got the house picked up - I have a feeling someone will want to see it today- though no calls yet. Then out to breakfast and a trip to the storage unit (I just sat in the car). It's a GORGEOUS day today! 60 degrees with a blue sky and a slight breeze. Well, Baxter loved that I opened the windows for fresh air- I've been homebound since Tuesday so fresh air is incredible, not to mention my beautiful windchimes on the front porch! But he was quick to notice the window with no screen which he promptly jumped out! Then instead of begining my overdue nap, I found myself outside trying to catch a quick kitty. Thankfully, despite my ridiculously weak position my favorite 8 yr old neighbor came to my aide. Jasmine helped corner Baxter, And about the 3rd time we actually cornered AND caught him! Whew! That's about all I'm up for today. Time for a nap.
My doctor's excuse showed up and for who knows why, he just made it for Thurs and Fri. But he SAID during my visit he did not expect me to be able to go back to work until my symptoms stopped which would be Tues or Wed. thanks to the Tamiflu meds (that is when I won't be contagious anymore), so I guess he just really wanted to hear from me first thing Monday asking for another excuse! Anyway, I'm still super tired and have an awful cough but am thankfully doing a little better each day. My hope is that tomorrow (Mon), while I will still need to call in sick, that I can go to my old work for a few hours to pack up my desk and then report to my new job Tuesday, just one day late.
In the meantime, I am pretty bored and - as sweet as Ben has been to me- would love to hear from PEOPLE. Give me a call, y'all!
My doctor's excuse showed up and for who knows why, he just made it for Thurs and Fri. But he SAID during my visit he did not expect me to be able to go back to work until my symptoms stopped which would be Tues or Wed. thanks to the Tamiflu meds (that is when I won't be contagious anymore), so I guess he just really wanted to hear from me first thing Monday asking for another excuse! Anyway, I'm still super tired and have an awful cough but am thankfully doing a little better each day. My hope is that tomorrow (Mon), while I will still need to call in sick, that I can go to my old work for a few hours to pack up my desk and then report to my new job Tuesday, just one day late.
In the meantime, I am pretty bored and - as sweet as Ben has been to me- would love to hear from PEOPLE. Give me a call, y'all!
Thursday, February 07, 2008
DEBT FREE INFLUENZA JEN
HOORAY! WE'RE DEBT FREE EXCEPT THE HOUSE. YUCK. I'M REALLY SICK.
Ben sent our very last payment to Sallie Mae today (that's student loans) which makes us debt free except our house! Hooray! We have worked hard and made lots of difficult and thought-out decisions to bring us to this point. One day when I am feeling better, I'll write out my pretend call in to Dave Ramsey. We love Dave Ramsey's show and books. That was the plan we tried to follow and the source of our motiviation.
I just got back from seeing my doctor. I had to leave work early on Tuesday and haven't been back. He did a nasal swab test which came up positive for influenza. Maybe you guys had flu shots and there is no worry, but in case you didn't, he said I could have been contagious up to four days before my symptoms started (which would have been Friday). My symptoms started Tuesday with lots of achiness, shallow breathing, and a painful dry cough. I had a temperature of 101 last night- and from what I am reading a high temperature is the biggest sign it is the flu and not just a cold. It moved up into my head now so I have stuffiness and a headache. Of course I am very tired, I pretty much feel like resting and sleeping. Everything including taking my shower before going to the doctor or even driving to the doctor was a big production. (Thankfully, Ben worked from home and took me to the doctor and CVS for my prescription.) The doctor put me on a flu prescription and also suggested Ben go on it as a preventative. My doctor wanted me to let people I had been in contact with know so they could watch for the symptoms... apparently if you get to the doctor within 48 hrs the medicine they can give you is more likely to decrease your time of being sick. Anyway, wouldn't wish it on anyone and I hope nobody gets it... but wanted to let you know in case you do.
In other great news, it looks like our Bethany adoption classes will begin in March, which is much earlier than we expected. Very exciting!
Ben sent our very last payment to Sallie Mae today (that's student loans) which makes us debt free except our house! Hooray! We have worked hard and made lots of difficult and thought-out decisions to bring us to this point. One day when I am feeling better, I'll write out my pretend call in to Dave Ramsey. We love Dave Ramsey's show and books. That was the plan we tried to follow and the source of our motiviation.
I just got back from seeing my doctor. I had to leave work early on Tuesday and haven't been back. He did a nasal swab test which came up positive for influenza. Maybe you guys had flu shots and there is no worry, but in case you didn't, he said I could have been contagious up to four days before my symptoms started (which would have been Friday). My symptoms started Tuesday with lots of achiness, shallow breathing, and a painful dry cough. I had a temperature of 101 last night- and from what I am reading a high temperature is the biggest sign it is the flu and not just a cold. It moved up into my head now so I have stuffiness and a headache. Of course I am very tired, I pretty much feel like resting and sleeping. Everything including taking my shower before going to the doctor or even driving to the doctor was a big production. (Thankfully, Ben worked from home and took me to the doctor and CVS for my prescription.) The doctor put me on a flu prescription and also suggested Ben go on it as a preventative. My doctor wanted me to let people I had been in contact with know so they could watch for the symptoms... apparently if you get to the doctor within 48 hrs the medicine they can give you is more likely to decrease your time of being sick. Anyway, wouldn't wish it on anyone and I hope nobody gets it... but wanted to let you know in case you do.
In other great news, it looks like our Bethany adoption classes will begin in March, which is much earlier than we expected. Very exciting!
Friday, February 01, 2008
IT'S LISTED!
Well, the house is listed and we have our first showing tomorrow morning. Hooray! You do all this work to make your house perfect and in as great shape as you can, and then you sell it. Ironic that it takes selling a home to make you do everything you ever wanted to do to it.
Ben has a .Mac photo album of the listing pictures... http://gallery.mac.com/ben_greenwald/100034 The sign and lock box will be put out in the morning.... and the listing should be on MLS tonight or tomorrow.... 3410 Lee St, East Point 30344....
I'm headed to Baltimore on an 8:05 Airtran flight in the morning. I am excited as I'll get to see all my Baltimore girls.... I'm going for Kelly's baby shower and will also get to see Mandy, Heather, and Paula! Hooray!
Ben has a .Mac photo album of the listing pictures... http://gallery.mac.com/ben_greenwald/100034 The sign and lock box will be put out in the morning.... and the listing should be on MLS tonight or tomorrow.... 3410 Lee St, East Point 30344....
I'm headed to Baltimore on an 8:05 Airtran flight in the morning. I am excited as I'll get to see all my Baltimore girls.... I'm going for Kelly's baby shower and will also get to see Mandy, Heather, and Paula! Hooray!
Friday, January 25, 2008
That darn cat!
Well, the house is a crazy mess, but we're making progress. We'd love to get the house on the market next week. The roofer came last week and we have a handy man to do a few internal repairs on Tuesday. Donald, my monthly cleaning guy (yes, I'm spoiled, but he's an excellent deal and visits my Mom and Sister's homes once a month also), was supposed to come today but he graciously agreed to reschedule for Tuesday when the house will be all ready to go and just need to be cleaned..... Mom is coming over tomorrow to help and probably a little on Monday also. Meanwhile, we've gotten a storage unit which is already in use with lots of our books and the TV et al from our Master Bedroom and folding chairs and tables, etc. Richard and Ben will get some "extraneous" furniture over there tomorrow--- thanks, Richard! The market is just bad enough right now that our goal is, well, to do everything we can to make it show like a model home.
Oh, I found out my first day in Norcross is Monday, February 11th. I'm working hard to get all my stuff in my current job all "cleaned up" so I don't leave behind stuff for others to have to worry about when I'm gone. My plan is that I will try to get through Atlanta early enough to avoid the bad traffic.... I've already mapped out an alternative route around I-285 and I'll use my cool iPhone to check out traffic each morning to decide which way to go. They're within a few miles distance of each other so it's just a matter of the clearer traffic route. Anyway, I figure I'll get to work at 7:00 AM and work until 4:30. Hopefully I'll miss some of the worst traffic in the afternoon that way as well. With those hours, I can continue on my every other Monday off which will be great. And perhaps on Wednesdays after Lifegroup I'll stay at my parents' house which is more than halfway between our house and my new office....
So, what about that darn cat? Earlier tonight, he VERY QUICKLY slipped right out the front door when I opened it to take a load of clothes to donate out to my car. So he began the evening exploring our front yard, running across the street, and exploring Ed's front yard (he's our neighborhood soldier that made it safely home in November after a six month tour). I finaly coaxed him in with his late night snack .... er, a light dinner that they don't get until 10PM.
Well, in order for me to have clothes to take out to the car, we started with pulling some stuff out of the attic... all part of the major decluttering and donating stuff project we're knee deep in.... and we left the attic stairs down. Now, remember our ceilings are super high 10 ft ceilings and that means our attic pull down ladder is super long (and wobbly!). Here I was sitting in my great "new" office and I hear a noise above me. Hmmm, maybe a box fell over since I was moving things around. Then I hear another noise up there. Either there's a spontaneous burglar that made it right past Ben and myself without our notice OR.... hey, Ben, where's Baxter? I don't know, honey. Well, I think I do..... and sure enough.... can't believe I missed the visual of the stair climbing.... but I couldn't resist the camera for documentation purposes...
(find Waldo... I mean Baxter....)
Ben gave a great sound affect-- imagine the muppets--- doo, da doo, da doo....
Have a great weekend!
Oh, I found out my first day in Norcross is Monday, February 11th. I'm working hard to get all my stuff in my current job all "cleaned up" so I don't leave behind stuff for others to have to worry about when I'm gone. My plan is that I will try to get through Atlanta early enough to avoid the bad traffic.... I've already mapped out an alternative route around I-285 and I'll use my cool iPhone to check out traffic each morning to decide which way to go. They're within a few miles distance of each other so it's just a matter of the clearer traffic route. Anyway, I figure I'll get to work at 7:00 AM and work until 4:30. Hopefully I'll miss some of the worst traffic in the afternoon that way as well. With those hours, I can continue on my every other Monday off which will be great. And perhaps on Wednesdays after Lifegroup I'll stay at my parents' house which is more than halfway between our house and my new office....
So, what about that darn cat? Earlier tonight, he VERY QUICKLY slipped right out the front door when I opened it to take a load of clothes to donate out to my car. So he began the evening exploring our front yard, running across the street, and exploring Ed's front yard (he's our neighborhood soldier that made it safely home in November after a six month tour). I finaly coaxed him in with his late night snack .... er, a light dinner that they don't get until 10PM.
Well, in order for me to have clothes to take out to the car, we started with pulling some stuff out of the attic... all part of the major decluttering and donating stuff project we're knee deep in.... and we left the attic stairs down. Now, remember our ceilings are super high 10 ft ceilings and that means our attic pull down ladder is super long (and wobbly!). Here I was sitting in my great "new" office and I hear a noise above me. Hmmm, maybe a box fell over since I was moving things around. Then I hear another noise up there. Either there's a spontaneous burglar that made it right past Ben and myself without our notice OR.... hey, Ben, where's Baxter? I don't know, honey. Well, I think I do..... and sure enough.... can't believe I missed the visual of the stair climbing.... but I couldn't resist the camera for documentation purposes...
(find Waldo... I mean Baxter....)
Ben gave a great sound affect-- imagine the muppets--- doo, da doo, da doo....
Have a great weekend!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Great News plus a gorgeous house for sale!
I got a position at the Norcross Social Security office!!!!! Hooray! It's the same Claims Representative job I do at the Southlake office, just at the Gwinnett location where I've wanted to work since I moved back to Atlanta! It looks like I'll probably begin at the Norcross office in early or mid- February.
If you haven't heard, Ben was offered a new position as a Jr. Financial Analyst at the Hackett Group. That's the same company he was with near Perimeter Mall, but in a different position that suits "Info Ben" very well. He began on January 2nd. He says he has lots to learn, but likes it a lot. I'm really proud of him.
Great News brings change. We're hoping to relocate to the north side of town. We've loved our East Point time- it's been almost three years now- but our hearts are on the north side. (-: We looked at houses in Norcross over the weekend, and might also consider Chamblee and Dunwoody.
We're expecting to list our house for sale at the end of January. (The market is slow enough right now that even though the house is in great shape we need to get it in model shape before listing it!) Please pass this information to anyone you think may be interested.
Our home was built as a new construction in the Fall of 2004. We're the first and only owners. It is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath one story home. There are 10 ft ceilings, wood flooring with carpet in the bedrooms, beautiful molding, granite countertops, a lovingly cared for yard, and lots of little extras. According to our builder, GD Evans, the exterior mauve color comes from Historic Atlanta. Our neighborhood, Egan Park, has an active homeowner's association. We are at I-85 exit 73, very near Woodward Academy, the airport, and Delta headquarters. The home is not far from the East Point Marta Station, it is easy to get downtown, and there is lots of shopping at East Point's Camp Creek Marketplace. The following picture was taken in April 2007:
We think our list price will be around $249,900. Let us know if you or anyone you know are interested in looking at it! We'd be happy to show it either before it gets officially listed or after.
If you haven't heard, Ben was offered a new position as a Jr. Financial Analyst at the Hackett Group. That's the same company he was with near Perimeter Mall, but in a different position that suits "Info Ben" very well. He began on January 2nd. He says he has lots to learn, but likes it a lot. I'm really proud of him.
Great News brings change. We're hoping to relocate to the north side of town. We've loved our East Point time- it's been almost three years now- but our hearts are on the north side. (-: We looked at houses in Norcross over the weekend, and might also consider Chamblee and Dunwoody.
We're expecting to list our house for sale at the end of January. (The market is slow enough right now that even though the house is in great shape we need to get it in model shape before listing it!) Please pass this information to anyone you think may be interested.
Our home was built as a new construction in the Fall of 2004. We're the first and only owners. It is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath one story home. There are 10 ft ceilings, wood flooring with carpet in the bedrooms, beautiful molding, granite countertops, a lovingly cared for yard, and lots of little extras. According to our builder, GD Evans, the exterior mauve color comes from Historic Atlanta. Our neighborhood, Egan Park, has an active homeowner's association. We are at I-85 exit 73, very near Woodward Academy, the airport, and Delta headquarters. The home is not far from the East Point Marta Station, it is easy to get downtown, and there is lots of shopping at East Point's Camp Creek Marketplace. The following picture was taken in April 2007:
We think our list price will be around $249,900. Let us know if you or anyone you know are interested in looking at it! We'd be happy to show it either before it gets officially listed or after.
Monday, December 31, 2007
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Hasn't the last month flown by? It has been a great month, really. Just crazy busy! I'm playing catch up blogger here, so pardon the length of this one.... feel free to take it in shifts. (-;
The first week of December, Erika and I hosted the Midtown Ladies' Christmas Brunch. Erika provided the location and some helpers and I did most of the cooking. We also continued last year's tradition of an ornament exchange. What fun! I LOVE our Midtown women. What a GREAT group of gals! Dawn took an amazing picture of us all.... Tere had already gone, but the rest of us are in the photo. Dawn posted the picture on her blog: http://dawndorathy.blogspot.com/ in her December 4th entry.
MMM... yummy. Amie gave me some flavored hot chocolate for part of my Christmas gift. This "morning" - that's early afternoon for the majority of the world- I had a great idea. I used it to make my morning Caribou Bean coffee into a raspberry mocha. Yummy. I think I need to go make another one, because I just finished the first....
The second weekend of December, Ben and I had gotten our Christmas Card order back, so I go those mailed out. We were really pleased with the results. I'll come back and post the scanned image of that once my scanner is up and running....
Third weekend of December was spent with Amie and Sonny. Amie's Ben was out of town for a PT continuing Ed class. The three of us went to Lenox which was NUTS! Every time I do that in December, I remember why I always decide not to do it again.... But is was really fun. Sonny has started a thing were he doesn't really like me so much. Apparently he's associated me with Mommy and Daddy leaving him. )-: He didn't even want me to give him his bath because sometimes Mommy and Daddy "sneak out" then!
Sonny is growing up fast. His vocabulary is huge for a 15 month old, especially a boy of that age. It must be about 20 words-- some of my favorites are "Hi", "puppy"- which is any stuffed animal, "fire truck"- which is any red truck including pick ups, thank you, light, and "more please". He had a new cute one at church yesterday morning, but I've forgotten what it was...
The weekend before Christmas was craziness. Thank goodness the President made an executive order for Federal Employees to be off Christmas Eve. I was really grateful, because I had been scheduled to work! Isn't it crazy how wrapping the few presents you got multiplies? I mean, I felt like I was wrapping forever. And I didn't get that many presents! Anyway, Ben and I also began our "De-clutter" project. We've been recycling old magazines, getting rid of and shredding old bills and statements, choosing books to give away and just trying to get rid of the mounds of clutter in our house. We made a huge dent last weekend. We also moved furniture out of two rooms so the carpets could get cleaned. The intent was that I would use our steam cleaner, but when it wouldn't work we called Stanley Steamer. They came out within a few hours of when we called Christmas Even morning. Now, THAT was impressive.
Christmas was fun. We spent the night at my parents' house, and so did my sister. I hadn't been home on Christmas day since 2003 (aka since before I met Ben) because we'd spent the last 3 Christmases in Iowa with the Greenwalds. In typical Julyan fashion, the number of animals equaled the number of humans. (Our kitties stayed in our room and bathroom, and my sister brought Eve and Zippy, and my parents also have a Corgi named Owen.) Don't get me wrong- I LOVE Christmas at the Greenwalds because there are 6 nieces and nephews and sometimes even snow, and I adore my mother in law and sisters in law, but it was special to be with my family this year! And, boy, do I LOVE my Mom's Christmas dinner... lucky for me, it is just like the Thanksgiving one I missed, except for the dessert. (-:
Our favorite Christmas gifts were a set of 4 cordless phones from Ben’s parents, and an iPhone for me and a Hard Drive and Apple TV for Ben from my parents. You could say we’re gadget freaks... Have you ever watched Callie Lewis on the GeekBrief Podcast? Great stuff!
This weekend we continued the de-clutter project and expanded to the "create a new office/library and move the Guest Room" project. It started with a visit to IKEA. We chose a new desk and new computer workstation (smaller desk). Then Saturday we got all the new furniture put together. Yesterday after church was spent MOVING FURNITURE between the old office and old guest room (actually, some of it was still in the living room from the carpet cleaning move) to the new office and new guest room. In other words, we swapped rooms. Last night, we got everything into its final resting place, and got the guest room set up. It is nicer- there's a bigger window and just guest room furniture now. The office has all of our book cases- which is why I think of it as a Library/Office now. Both computers have a spot, which is another huge improvement. Originally, we thought we'd get rid of my old PC once I adjusted to my iMac, but it comes in handy sometimes, and I just don't want to part with it.
And now, it's time to get back to work. I needed a break- I've truly been working my butt off- but now I need to get my new office set up and organized. I also need to finish "purging" paperwork and books and office junk--- Ben and I both brought lots of stuff in that category to our marriage and we never really combined and purged it all. IT'S TIME!
So, if you refer back to the "office project" I referred to in my blog - you know, like a year ago, and a year and a half ago- I think I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!
Happy New Year!
The first week of December, Erika and I hosted the Midtown Ladies' Christmas Brunch. Erika provided the location and some helpers and I did most of the cooking. We also continued last year's tradition of an ornament exchange. What fun! I LOVE our Midtown women. What a GREAT group of gals! Dawn took an amazing picture of us all.... Tere had already gone, but the rest of us are in the photo. Dawn posted the picture on her blog: http://dawndorathy.blogspot.com/ in her December 4th entry.
MMM... yummy. Amie gave me some flavored hot chocolate for part of my Christmas gift. This "morning" - that's early afternoon for the majority of the world- I had a great idea. I used it to make my morning Caribou Bean coffee into a raspberry mocha. Yummy. I think I need to go make another one, because I just finished the first....
The second weekend of December, Ben and I had gotten our Christmas Card order back, so I go those mailed out. We were really pleased with the results. I'll come back and post the scanned image of that once my scanner is up and running....
Third weekend of December was spent with Amie and Sonny. Amie's Ben was out of town for a PT continuing Ed class. The three of us went to Lenox which was NUTS! Every time I do that in December, I remember why I always decide not to do it again.... But is was really fun. Sonny has started a thing were he doesn't really like me so much. Apparently he's associated me with Mommy and Daddy leaving him. )-: He didn't even want me to give him his bath because sometimes Mommy and Daddy "sneak out" then!
Sonny is growing up fast. His vocabulary is huge for a 15 month old, especially a boy of that age. It must be about 20 words-- some of my favorites are "Hi", "puppy"- which is any stuffed animal, "fire truck"- which is any red truck including pick ups, thank you, light, and "more please". He had a new cute one at church yesterday morning, but I've forgotten what it was...
The weekend before Christmas was craziness. Thank goodness the President made an executive order for Federal Employees to be off Christmas Eve. I was really grateful, because I had been scheduled to work! Isn't it crazy how wrapping the few presents you got multiplies? I mean, I felt like I was wrapping forever. And I didn't get that many presents! Anyway, Ben and I also began our "De-clutter" project. We've been recycling old magazines, getting rid of and shredding old bills and statements, choosing books to give away and just trying to get rid of the mounds of clutter in our house. We made a huge dent last weekend. We also moved furniture out of two rooms so the carpets could get cleaned. The intent was that I would use our steam cleaner, but when it wouldn't work we called Stanley Steamer. They came out within a few hours of when we called Christmas Even morning. Now, THAT was impressive.
Christmas was fun. We spent the night at my parents' house, and so did my sister. I hadn't been home on Christmas day since 2003 (aka since before I met Ben) because we'd spent the last 3 Christmases in Iowa with the Greenwalds. In typical Julyan fashion, the number of animals equaled the number of humans. (Our kitties stayed in our room and bathroom, and my sister brought Eve and Zippy, and my parents also have a Corgi named Owen.) Don't get me wrong- I LOVE Christmas at the Greenwalds because there are 6 nieces and nephews and sometimes even snow, and I adore my mother in law and sisters in law, but it was special to be with my family this year! And, boy, do I LOVE my Mom's Christmas dinner... lucky for me, it is just like the Thanksgiving one I missed, except for the dessert. (-:
Our favorite Christmas gifts were a set of 4 cordless phones from Ben’s parents, and an iPhone for me and a Hard Drive and Apple TV for Ben from my parents. You could say we’re gadget freaks... Have you ever watched Callie Lewis on the GeekBrief Podcast? Great stuff!
This weekend we continued the de-clutter project and expanded to the "create a new office/library and move the Guest Room" project. It started with a visit to IKEA. We chose a new desk and new computer workstation (smaller desk). Then Saturday we got all the new furniture put together. Yesterday after church was spent MOVING FURNITURE between the old office and old guest room (actually, some of it was still in the living room from the carpet cleaning move) to the new office and new guest room. In other words, we swapped rooms. Last night, we got everything into its final resting place, and got the guest room set up. It is nicer- there's a bigger window and just guest room furniture now. The office has all of our book cases- which is why I think of it as a Library/Office now. Both computers have a spot, which is another huge improvement. Originally, we thought we'd get rid of my old PC once I adjusted to my iMac, but it comes in handy sometimes, and I just don't want to part with it.
And now, it's time to get back to work. I needed a break- I've truly been working my butt off- but now I need to get my new office set up and organized. I also need to finish "purging" paperwork and books and office junk--- Ben and I both brought lots of stuff in that category to our marriage and we never really combined and purged it all. IT'S TIME!
So, if you refer back to the "office project" I referred to in my blog - you know, like a year ago, and a year and a half ago- I think I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!
Happy New Year!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Attitude Quotes - from Dave Ramsey's Newsletter
Of all the attitudes we can acquire, surely the attitude of gratitude is the most important and by far the most life-changing. - Zig Ziglar
Work is either fun or drudgery. It depends on your attitude. I like fun. - Colleen C. Barrett
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us. - Helen Keller
The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life ... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes. - Charles Swindoll
Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. - Winston Churchill
Work is either fun or drudgery. It depends on your attitude. I like fun. - Colleen C. Barrett
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us. - Helen Keller
The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life ... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes. - Charles Swindoll
Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. - Winston Churchill
Grand Prix of Dog Agility® World Championships: Scottsdale, Arizona 10/2007
12" Class - Janelle Julyan & Pembroke Welsh Corgi Eve, Georgia
The fame continues: The post title is a link to the "official" video of the championship run... same run as my earlier post, just a better angle. Janelle and Eve are scheduled to be on "Good Day Atlanta" Wednesday morning around 8AM.... that's LIVE TV! And Janelle also did a phone interview with a reporter from Atlanta Magazine, but we're not sure when that will get published. (-:
The fame continues: The post title is a link to the "official" video of the championship run... same run as my earlier post, just a better angle. Janelle and Eve are scheduled to be on "Good Day Atlanta" Wednesday morning around 8AM.... that's LIVE TV! And Janelle also did a phone interview with a reporter from Atlanta Magazine, but we're not sure when that will get published. (-:
Friday, November 16, 2007
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
HOORAY! I made it to "Thanksgiving Break". I don't have to return to work until Tues the 27th. Then I'm off (to prepare for the brunch) again Fri the 30th and Mon the 3rd. Sadly, I have no extra time off in December as the days off were a fight and I lost for Christmas time... But that's ok.
We're headed to Iowa next week, can't wait to see Ben's family!
Let me sum up the last couple of weeks by saying THANK GOD for Bill and Jean Buffton. They did our premarriage counseling, and in one 1 hour phone call last night, they helped us immensely.
We are probably nearing the end of our infertility rope and will decide to only go for adoption... but we have just a bit more talking and praying for that to be our "final answer". There are so many *expensive* possibilities that it's hard to know when enough is enough. The doctors always have something else they'd be willing to try.
Please pray for Ben. It seems his company re-evaluates his job position every December. Ben is trying to figure out what job would be best for him.
You may have heard I am stepping down from Leadership of Midtown's Children's Ministry effective January. I will still teach a Sunday School class and/or help in the nursery, but I'm ready to let someone else do all the organizing and decision making and details. I've enjoyed what I've been doing, but I feel like I contributed what I had to contribute, you know? And, hopefully, Ben and I will get a child of our own before too much longer, so I feel like it's time to focus on our family for awhile.
I'm thankful for lots of stuff. God really has blessed me abundantly, and I'm especially thankful for my family, Ben's family, my friends, and our Midtown family!
Happy Thanksgiving.
We're headed to Iowa next week, can't wait to see Ben's family!
Let me sum up the last couple of weeks by saying THANK GOD for Bill and Jean Buffton. They did our premarriage counseling, and in one 1 hour phone call last night, they helped us immensely.
We are probably nearing the end of our infertility rope and will decide to only go for adoption... but we have just a bit more talking and praying for that to be our "final answer". There are so many *expensive* possibilities that it's hard to know when enough is enough. The doctors always have something else they'd be willing to try.
Please pray for Ben. It seems his company re-evaluates his job position every December. Ben is trying to figure out what job would be best for him.
You may have heard I am stepping down from Leadership of Midtown's Children's Ministry effective January. I will still teach a Sunday School class and/or help in the nursery, but I'm ready to let someone else do all the organizing and decision making and details. I've enjoyed what I've been doing, but I feel like I contributed what I had to contribute, you know? And, hopefully, Ben and I will get a child of our own before too much longer, so I feel like it's time to focus on our family for awhile.
I'm thankful for lots of stuff. God really has blessed me abundantly, and I'm especially thankful for my family, Ben's family, my friends, and our Midtown family!
Happy Thanksgiving.
Monday, November 05, 2007
WATCH THE CHAMPIONSHIP RUN
OH, YEAH!!!! CHECK OUT THE VIDEO OF JANELLE AND EVE WINNING THE 12" GRAND PRIX FINALS.... THAT'S THE FIRST OF THE FOUR SEGMENTS.... CLICK ON THE TITLE OF THIS POST- IT'S A LINK!
Adoption Update
The update is that there isn't really an update. Thanks for everyone praying for us. I think we've settled in to the idea that we just aren't supposed to adopt until the next class at Bethany. In the mean time, I placed an application at the Norcross Social Security office. The job is technically not for my expertise- it's for a SSI position- but you never know who they'll end up taking. The Norcross/ "Gwinnett" office is where I truly wanted to be placed when I was first applying to SSA in Georgia, and in fact I preferred Gwinnett Schools even when I was applying for Middle School Band Director positions after grad school. Recently, we visited my friend Heather (a Baltimore friend) while she was visiting Simpsonwood, which is a Methodist Conference Center located in a great neighborhood near Pickneyville MS. The homes are larger with decent yards, and fairly reasonable prices.
So, for now, we'll continue to aggressively pay off the last debt other than our house- a student loan that continues to get smaller- and see where God leads on the job changes. Ben is still thinking about a change, and what those potential job changes mean for where we want to live. Do we stay down here in East Point a little longer, or will we get back up to the north side of Atlanta? And, of course, that part of the plan will also take patience since the housing market is not doing well for the seller side of things!
So, we're at a wait and see spot again. We know we just need to rest and trust Him to answer our prayers in His timing.
Hope things are well with you!
So, for now, we'll continue to aggressively pay off the last debt other than our house- a student loan that continues to get smaller- and see where God leads on the job changes. Ben is still thinking about a change, and what those potential job changes mean for where we want to live. Do we stay down here in East Point a little longer, or will we get back up to the north side of Atlanta? And, of course, that part of the plan will also take patience since the housing market is not doing well for the seller side of things!
So, we're at a wait and see spot again. We know we just need to rest and trust Him to answer our prayers in His timing.
Hope things are well with you!
Sunday, November 04, 2007
GRAND PRIX NATIONAL CHAMPION!!!!!!
My sister Janelle took her Corgi, Eve, to Arizona this week. Janelle and Eve participate in Dog Agility. This is definitely not the Westminster Dog Show. This is serious athletic dog stuff, and it requires a "handler" or, in Janelle's case, Dog Mommy who knows her stuff. Guess they meet the criteria.....
Eve ran the 12" Grand Prix Final perfectly clean (no faults like bars down on jumps or wrong turns), and extremely FAST! Janelle said it was the run of Eve's life. AWESOME! Two other dogs were slightly faster (like within a second), but had faults. HAH! EVE IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION!!!!
Check out the commentary from the USDAA website itself.... (for more, click on the title of this post)
"12052 Eve, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Janelle Julyan -
smooth and fast, those little legs are FLYING! 34.73 NEW LEADER"
I'm not an expert, but the article includes a course diagram and I think she had 20 "obstacles" including a tunnel, weave poles, teeter totter, A frame, and jumps... which they had to do in the correct order, as fast and cleanly as possible. (-:
I'm so proud of them! Go Janelle and Eve!
What's Dog Agility? To see a run down, including pictures of a course: look up Dog Agility in Wikipedia-- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_agility
What's a CORGI? Here are some older pictures of Janelle and her dogs. Eve is lighter colored, Zippy has some black coloring. Sometimes when Eve is away for a trial, we get to keep Zippy. He's an awesome dog.
Hooray! My sister and niece are famous!
Eve ran the 12" Grand Prix Final perfectly clean (no faults like bars down on jumps or wrong turns), and extremely FAST! Janelle said it was the run of Eve's life. AWESOME! Two other dogs were slightly faster (like within a second), but had faults. HAH! EVE IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION!!!!
Check out the commentary from the USDAA website itself.... (for more, click on the title of this post)
"12052 Eve, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Janelle Julyan -
smooth and fast, those little legs are FLYING! 34.73 NEW LEADER"
I'm not an expert, but the article includes a course diagram and I think she had 20 "obstacles" including a tunnel, weave poles, teeter totter, A frame, and jumps... which they had to do in the correct order, as fast and cleanly as possible. (-:
I'm so proud of them! Go Janelle and Eve!
What's Dog Agility? To see a run down, including pictures of a course: look up Dog Agility in Wikipedia-- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_agility
What's a CORGI? Here are some older pictures of Janelle and her dogs. Eve is lighter colored, Zippy has some black coloring. Sometimes when Eve is away for a trial, we get to keep Zippy. He's an awesome dog.
Hooray! My sister and niece are famous!
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Sonny's Birthday Party Photos
A few weeks ago, we went to Sonny's 1st Birthday Party and Zoo Adventure..... Ben got some cute photos that I want to share.
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