I have always been a bargain shopper. Always been good at finding “deals” when I make purchases. Almost never pay full price on retail items. So, when it comes time to make decisions about home purchases, I don’t take my best price sleuthing skills for granted. Today we decided to do asbestos testing on the popcorn ceiling in our kitchen since part of it decided to peel off and fall down today. The first guy I called really made me uncomfortable on the phone. I felt like he was trying to pull some scare tactics on me and I don’t like that. I really didn’t like that he said he wouldn’t charge me “much”, only $200 for this testing. So, I called another guy. A much nicer and more friendly guy. His quote was less. A good bit less. Enough that I was pretty much ready to have him come out and do the testing. But, I found one more number and wound up leaving a voice mail for that guy. The third guy called back and his quote was even less. For the same testing. Granted, he can’t come until later today, but he’ll still have the result back on Thursday. So, he’s booked. I really felt bad about backing out on the second guy because he was so nice and courteous to me on the phone. But, hey, let’s face it – money talks. The third guy was just as nice, so I hope he lives up to my expectations. More than that, let’s hope for NO ASBESTOS!! If there is none, we can take down that horrid popcorn ceiling coating ourselves. It’s not our idea of a great time, but it would save us a ton of money. And, no one wants asbestos in their house. Yikes!!
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Do things really happen in threes?!
If things really happen in threes, as the old wives tale goes, then we are 2/3 of the way there with house issues. First, the water problem happened. Well, now we have another issue that has come up this morning. I was boiling water on the stove so that I could use it for cleaning, etc. I had the exhaust fan on, but apparently it wasn’t enough to contain all the steam and the steam caused a section of the ceiling to peel off above the stove. Just lovely. It’s that yucky popcorn stuff on the ceiling and we’ve actually wanted it down for quite some time now, but we just haven’t bothered with doing anything about it. Guess we will now. We are trying to decide if we need to have it tested for asbestos. Odds are, it’s not present, but I’m thinking that’s not a risk to take. I have scheduled someone to come out this afternoon to take a sample to test for asbestos. Hopefully it is not present, but we would always rather be safe than sorry. So, add another thing to our plate. But, hey, at least the ceiling will look better soon. Then maybe we’ll be inspired to do the remaining ceilings.
On Our Home Front…
Well, it’s been a weird couple of days around our home front. This is because we are currently without hot water. We had some sort of leak in our basement which caused the pilot light to go out on our water heater. Mickey called a plumber and he came out to work here most all of yesterday afternoon. He thought he had the leak fixed, but the pilot light wouldn’t relight at that point. We all assumed it needed to properly dry out and THEN it would light. Mickey tried several times through the evening to relight it to no avail. This morning he went to the basement bright and early and not only would the pilot not relight, but the leak was back. Not as big as before, but still there. {{sigh}} So, we have to call the plumber and get him back out here ASAP. Then we have to hope that the leak stays away and hope the pilot dries out enough to finally light. If that doesn’t work, we have to get some sort of technician out here to fix the water heater too. The “joys” of home ownership, right?! Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining too loudly. I know for a fact that we are blessed to have a home. I am grateful for that. I’m also thankful that this problem isn’t any worse than it is. Sure, it’s an inconvenience and a half, but it’s not the end of the world. At least we have the stove to heat water for dishes and we could heat water for bathing if need be. Does that sound ideal? No, but it’s a solution that works. So, we’ll do what we have to do and hope this gets resolved quickly. I’m SOOOO ready for a nice hot bubble bath and a book. That sounds heavenly right about now.
All of this has really made me realize how much we take for granted. I mean, just think about hot water. It’s just supposed to BE there, right? Turn on the tap, wait a nominal amount of time and hot water is supposed to be readily available. That’s what we’re used to and being without it sort of turned things upside down for us. I was talking to my brother Charlie about this just this morning and we both realized that it really could be a lot worse. At least I don’t have to draw water from a well or collect it from a creek. At least I don’t have to heat water over a fire. I mean, really, the inconvience is so slight compared to what it could be. I am so guilty of taking so many things for granted, especially things like “every day conveniences.” We have a climate controlled home. Flip a switch, adjust the dials or buttons and we’re as warm or cool as we want to be. Easy. Start our washing machine, add powder, throw in the clothes, close the lid and walk away. Come back later to clean clothes. Easy. Want to go somewhere? Go out to one of our two vehicles, get in, turn the key and it’s ready to go. Easy. So many things in our life come so easily. We’re spoiled, quite frankly. We’re not even a family of “privilege” by many of the world’s standards, but yet we are absolutely spoiled and pampered. It really makes me stop and think about these things when I lose a convenience that I rely on so much. It’s frustrating as all get out, yes, but I won’t lose sight that it’s temporary and simply inconvenient. It’s not the worst thing in the world.
So, today finds me hoping that the plumber can come over and fix this problem. SOON. But, in the meantime, I am reminding myself to be grateful for the things we DO have which are plentfiful. I’m not always good at doing that, but it does help to make the most out of a frustrating situation.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart…”
Jeremiah 29:11~13 (NIV)
Our Recent Happenings…
Before I post about what is going on in our family lately, I am once again going to point readers over to MckMama’s blog called My Charming Kids. Sweet baby Stellan (aka MckMuffin) is still in need of prayer. So is his family. Please lift up this precious baby boy and those that love him.
In news from my home front…
- As I mentioned previously, my friend Dana and I went to see Kate Gosselin speak on Friday. I had so much fun hanging out with Dana and getting to just talk, share, laugh, etc. That was great! I thought Kate was good. She spoke for about an hour and most of it was about her struggles to get pregnant, their decision not to selectively abort any of their multiple babies in utero and how they handle things at home. So, that was very informative and uplifting, of course. I was just a little disappointed because I had hoped she would speak some about Proverbs 31 Ministries because she sometimes does speaking engagements through them from what I understand. Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable evening out with a friend and I’m so glad that Dana and I got to go.
- On Saturday afternoon I got to photograph a wedding reception. I had so much fun! It was “work”, sure, but it was quite a great time. I am almost done with the final edits of the photos. Mickey and I are also working on a photo montage video for them. I am so hopeful that they like the photos I got for them.
- We went to church on Sunday. We have been trying to go at 9:30, but this Sunday it just worked out better to go to the 11:00 service. I’m so glad we were at that service because not only did we get to see our friends Jessie & Carly (who we LOVE), but the message was incredible! Jody preached on the Acts church and how that is what we should strive to be. Church isn’t about meeting in a building once a week. Church should be about what we do every day. How we live. How we reflect Christ in our lives so that others see and want to know what He means to us. It’s a lot to take in, but wouldn’t that be an awesome way to really live?!
- Yesterday Mickey and I went to Macey’s school for lunch. We thought it was a special lunch for her “Character Education” award. But, no. I had the date wrong. That lunch is NEXT Monday. So, we just got to have a nice meal with Macey for no particular reason other than just because. And, hey, just because is always good enough. 🙂 I hope I will get to go to the lunch next Monday, but I have jury duty beginning that day, so it’s anyone’s guess as to what time I’ll be done.
- This morning I am taking Mariana to the ENT for her pre-op visit. On Friday she is having her ear tubes replaced and her adenoids removed. We hope this will help solve the continuing issues that plague her so often. Prayers, of course, are much appreciated.
Guess that’s it for now. Hope everyone has a beautiful day. Please keep praying for Stellan!!
In Christ,
Kelly
Praise the Lord!
How many times do we say “Praise the Lord” and never really think THAT much about the phrase itself? I know I’m guilty of it from time to time. There’s a parking spot near the door at Target? Praise the Lord. We already got Macey signed up for summer dance camp? Praise the Lord. Mickey gets to come home early today? Praise the Lord. If I don’t say it out loud, I still think it many times a day. But, do I really praise Him? Or, am I repeating a phrase I’m used to repeating? Makes me stop and think, really. I should give pause and actually give Him the praise. God is the fount of all good things. Why am I not praising Him more? That is the question.
Today’s post is actually inspired by another Kelly who blogs over at Kelly’s Korner. (BTW, if you get a chance to check out her blog – please do. It’s a great one!) Yesterday she posted an entry called Let’s Give Him Some Praise and that really got me thinking. As Kelly mentioned, it seems like you don’t have to look far to see sadness, struggle, adversity and trials going on in people’s lives. It would be so easy sometimes to get bogged down in the negative and forget all the positives God has laid out for us. But, His perfect provision is everywhere. Even in the things we take for granted like running water, homes that are heated and cooled via climate control, food on our table, clothes to wear, etc. God’s goodness can be found in everything from the tiniest detail to the most amazing miracle we’ve ever seen or heard. So, today I am going to list some praises. By no means is this list complete, but it’s a start at least. And, it’s also a reminder to me to praise Him more. Because He deserves all our praise, really.
PRAISE: I am married to a strong Christian man who loves and values his family beyond words. Mickey is the kind of husband who makes me feel beautiful because of his love. He cherishes me and I feel that every day. He also loves our girls so much and is an amazing daddy to them.
PRAISE: We both come from loving families that are always there for us. We don’t live all that close to any given member of our family, but we know in our hearts that if we ever needed family, someone would be here as soon as they could get here.
PRAISE: We are blessed to have two beautiful, sweet, caring and incredible little girls. They are healthy, smart, strong and full of life & love.
PRAISE: We have a place to call home. Our house may not be the biggest, fanciest, best decorated or even the tidiest there ever was, but it’s home and we are grateful for that. We love our home. We feel so blessed to finally have a house that we can envision our family in for years to come.
PRAISE: Our church is home to us. It’s not just a place to go on Sunday mornings. Mickey goes there to work and enjoys it tremendously. Mariana attends preschool at our church. I volunteer. Both girls enjoy Sunday School and are already looking forward to VBS. Our church family has surrounded us with love and friendship that we value so much. It’s a blessing to be there every time we walk through the doors.
PRAISE: We have some really great friends. Some we’ve known for years, some we’ve met recently and some that we even met online. Such relationships bless our hearts and lives tremendously.
PRAISE: It’s spring and that is such a time of renewal and hope. When the weather warms up, we can get outside and enjoy. Soak up the warm rays of sunshine and have a ball. It’s a great time of year!
PRAISE: I am extremely blessed to get to be home with our girls. It’s a dream come true for me. I am so grateful and need to always remember to be thankful.
PRAISE: I get to enjoy some of my very favorite things like warm chocolate chip cookies, morning coffee made by Mickey, an occasional pedicure, date nights with Mickey, strawberry limeades with extra strawberries from Sonic (whenever we are near one), Chic-fil-A biscuits, shopping, baking cookies for others just because I know they like them, receiving email and occasionally a card in the mailbox, listening to good music and singing along in the security of the van, read great books, have friends over to hang out with us, grill out, watch my favorite tv shows via TIVO so I can skip commercials, dream of being on the Amazing Race with Mickey, jump on the trampoline with the girls, shop, buy pretty things for the girls, catch up with friends on Facebook (now on hold ’til Easter since it’s Lent) and so much more!
PRAISE: Mariana is doing so well with potty-training. I’m telling everyone, this is a PRAISE!! We’re almost a diaper free household. That is sort of bittersweet, but mostly pretty exciting!
PRAISE: I have opportunities to practice my photography which I really enjoy. I’m super excited to have a chance to shoot a wedding reception this weekend. Then I get to shoot the wedding of some of our very good friends in May. Such a joy!
PRAISE: Macey is reading all the time and loving it! Can’t help but hope both girls will be book worms like me.
PRAISE: Several of our friends are expecting babies. We are so excited for them!
PRAISE: My friend Dana and I are going to see Kate Gosselin speak on Friday. I am SO excited about this!!
My life is so full of blessings. Our family is blessed beyond measure. PRAISE THE LORD!! There have been times when I have been guilty of not seeing these blessings and neglecting to be thankful for what I did have in the face of what I felt I didn’t have. I should be faithful enough to praise God EVERY day because every day is a blessing. Even though there will be struggles and trials in this life, the hope of my heart would be that I would be found to be faithful in the midst of it all.
Blessings,
Kelly
