Garage Sale Weekend

This weekend we had our multi-family garage sale.  I really do feel blessed that our family is surrounded such amazing people.  I swear these other 3 families are the greatest people on the planet.  Really, I'm not kidding. If you knew them, you would love them too.  We definitely had more business on Friday than we did on Saturday, but I think that was because on Friday we had a lawn full of baby stuff to attract people.  The baby stuff sold really fast which I guess is pretty normal.  We didn't sell any really big stuff, but we did bring drinks to sell.  I think we probably made more for us with the pop and water than we did with our nic nac stuff. 

At the end of Saturday, the other families left me in charge of all their stuff to do with what I wanted.  The good stuff I kept for the YWCA and the rest I gave to Goodwill.  That was how I spent my Saturday afternoon, driving around dropping stuff off.  It was a beautiful weekend for garage sales. It was a little warm but in the shade it wasn't too bad.  Mom said if it was a neighborhood garage sale and people were walking around I probably would have sold more drinks, but I'm still happy with how much we made.  It was also nice to have the weekend off from work.  Friday I took a vacation day from the YWCA and I requested Saturday off from Sears.  I thought I would have to work on Sunday at Sears, but I had that off too.

I sold two of the dolls we were trying to sell for the YWCA, but we still have 4 left.  Do you know a doll collector?  They need a good home. The blue and red one have already been sold.  Click here for more pictures.

4th of July Weekend

Wow!  I had such a great weekend.  Steve's brother called him on Wednesday night and told us that they were going to visit us for the weekend.  My first thought was, "AHH...my house is not child proof and clean at all."  Steve's brother and his wife have three precious kids.  They are 4, 18 months, and 10 days old.  So Thursday night, I ran around the house cleaning up, doing laundry, dishes and such.  Then our vacuum stopped working so we had to borrow my parents fancy expensive vacuum.  They have one of those Rainbow vacuums and I have to admit it was pretty neat and it did a pretty good job.  I'm not sure I could be convinced to spend 2 grand on it though.  We did get the house looking pretty good by the time they got here though.  They arrived on Saturday afternoon. I had to work at Sears until 9, so I had to wait until I got home to see them.  I so excited though knowing that I would be meeting our newest niece, Casey.  Look at that picture.  Isn't she precious?  She really likes Eskimo Kisses.  I think she slept most of the time we were awake.

Sunday: On Sunday, we woke up and went to the church that Steve's dad preaches at down in Wakarusa.  He spoke up how the road to Christ is a narrow road and the road to destruction is a wide road.  The wide road is easily and often more inviting in the short run, but it leads to death.  The narrow road to Christ is hard to stay on if you don't keep eyes straight ahead, but it always leads to better life. After church and some family time, we headed back home.  Steve put together a new toy for Keegan and Kyleigh to play with.  Keegan "helped" Uncle Steve put it together.  For lunch, Steve made some ribs and I made corn and mashed potatoes.  My sis came over and brought some cake and ice cream.  Keegan even helped me shuck the corn.  He was a very good helper.  Kyleigh helped a little too.  The ribs turned out perfect.
After dinner, we decided to take the kids to the St. Joseph County Fair for fireworks.  We got there with a little bit of time for Keegan to go on some rides and to see some animals.  We ran into some strangers...I'm mean the Radabaughs while we were there.  It's been way to long since we've seen each other.   Cadence and Keegan are only 21 days apart so I think they enjoyed seeing someone that was just their size.  The fireworks were great, of course.  Kyleigh enjoyed watching them from high up being held by Uncle Steve.  When we got home, it was bedtime.  Keegan was excited to get to sleep in the Ohio State room.
Monday:  On Monday, we actually had the day off from both jobs, because it was our Holiday from the YWCA since the 4th was on Sunday.  Steve got up and made breakfast for everyone.  Before lunch, Randy and Alexis and the cleaned headed home.  It was so fun having them visit for the weekend.  They should visit more often.  The rest of the day was not really planned, except for lunch.  We met a missionary couple that we met in Dallas for lunch.  They are actually from Mishawaka so they were in town.  We actually had a pretty productive rest of the day.  Steve cleaned out and vacuumed his truck and I got some garage sale stuff ready for our sale next week.  Then I cleaned out and vacuumed my car and Steve installed my new back seat.  My car looks so clean, at least on the inside, right now.  Now the next task is to re-clean up the house.  We gave Kyleigh some Cheerios for snack, so now we have de-Cheerio our house, put the toys away, wash all the sheets, etc.  It was a tiring weekend, but I loved every minute of it.

YWCA Run Jane Run:

August 21, 22, 23

5kwalk/run, 10k run for women

Saturday, August 21

$25 online registration, $30 day of event

Bike for Women
Sunday, August 22
$25 online registration, $30 day of event

Golf for Women
Monday, August 23
$85 per golfer, $340/foursome

Register Online Now or call 574-233-9491 ext. 324
All proceeds from the events benefit the programs for women and children through the YWCA of St. Joseph County.

Storms Again

Wow, we sure got pounded again with storms again last night.  We lost power for a few seconds, but it came right back on.  The news anchor kept saying that the storms weren't as bad as they were on Friday.  They sure felt worse to me.  On Friday, we were at Bethel watching the Desert Theater play and they never even stopped the show and we couldn't hear the storm at all.  We did watch the beginning of the storm before the play started, but it was all over when the play was over.

Is it just me or does it seem like there are more really bad storms this summer, then in the past? Last night, we got a different view sitting in our living room.  I did get confidence that our large tree could handle the storm though.  In the heavy winds, the large branches were barely moving.  This made me feel much less worried about waking up with a tree in my living room.  We went to be after 10 when the storm seemed to be dieing down a bit.

On a really exciting side note, Steve got a text message from his brother this morning that said, "The baby is coming today."  Do you know what they means?  I am going to be an Aunt again some time today.  This will be number 9 on Steve's side.  Let the spoiling begin!

Last night reminded me of a song by Casting Crowns.

I'll Praise You in This Storm

29th Birthday Weekend

This year was a great birthday.  Steve and I went to the Bethel College Desert Theater play, "Christmas Belles."  It's a Christmas comedy and it was hilarious.  The deserts were great, of course, too.  My friend, Stacy, was the director and he did a great job on the show.

We actually showed up at the play about an hour early and we were going to walk around the Bethel campus for a little beforehand, but the weather had other plans.  We decided instead to stand under the safety of the dining commons porch and watch the storm.  It was actually cool to watch and the rain misting us felt really good.  We watched several tree branches fall on the Bethel campus.  This made me really nervous that we would come home to fallen branches in our yard (or on our house.) Luckily, we did not lose power at the dining commons though or we would not have been able to watch the play.  That would have been sad.  When we got home, we noticed that all our clocks were blinking, so we must have lost power at some point.  Many people in Michiana are still out power three days later and many had trees/branches come down, so I am very thankful that they tree in our front yard did not fall.  Our neighbor lost the massive tree in his back yard.  If it would have fallen at an angle, it would have crushed his house.

Saturday was my cousin Joe's wedding.  It was a beautiful wedding. Carrie is so awesome. I'm so glad she is officially part of our family now. 

Sunday was Father's Day.  We went over to parents for dinner for the Father's Day/Our Birthday celebration.  Fun times were had by all.

A Must-Try Recipe: Mali Peanut Butter Sauce (Tiga Dege Na)

Below is the recipe for Peanut Butter Sauce (Tiga Dege Na) that we ate on Monday of Total It Up.  It was really good.  The lady who made it sent us the recipe.
If we were in Mali, I would use everything fresh from the market and not use any canned items. However, since we are not in Mali, I use canned food since they are less expensive.  You can use the fresh tomatoes if you like, but I use tomatoes in cans.

1 14.5oz Can Diced Tomatoes
4 Cloves of Garlic-Pressed
1 lg Onion-Diced
1 tsp. Nutmeg
1 Tbsp Chili Powder
about 1/2 of the Chicken (chunks/strips of beef can be substituted)
1/2 cup Peanut Butter with no sugar added
3 Okra Sliced Thin
4 Large Hunks of Pumpkin (or squash)
1/2 Head of Cabbage

Heat the first five ingredients in a large stew pan. Add a fourth of a cup of oil and the raw chicken (or beef). Brown the chicken in the tomatoes mixture for about 15 minutes and then cover the chicken with water. Add salt (I like to use Seasoning Salt) and pepper. Let the chicken simmer until the meat is done. Remove the chicken and set aside to cool and to remove from the bone. Put the Peanut Butter into a cup and then add water until the Peanut Butter looks more like chocolate pudding. Add the Peanut Butter to the Stew. Add the Pumpkin and Cabbage to the stew. Let it simmer until the veggies are done. Remove the veggies and add the Okra. Cook the okra until it has become part of the stew liquid. The Peanut Butter and the okra are the thickening agents in the stew. The Peanut Butter will burn on the bottom if it is not stirred often.  If you think that it is too thick then add water, if it seems to think then let it cook for a while longer or add more Peanut Butter. Put all ingredients in the stew pan and simmer for about 5 minutes. Serve over white rice and eat it with the right hand.
IT IS SO GOOD. I hope you enjoy it.
Serves approximately 10 people.

Total it Up: Thursday and Friday

Thursday was our final full day of classes. We did some more "Fun"etics and "Fun"ology.  In the evening, Steve and I got to eat lunch with a retired couple that lives on campus.  There is a beautiful apartment complex for retired Wycliffe workers.  They both served in Peru.  They met in Peru and have known each other for about 40 years but they have only been married for 4 years.  Don and his first wife served Peru at the same time Lucy was there. Don's first wife died some years ago.  After all these years, they find themselves both living in the apartments and they hit it off again.  Isn't it awesome how God brings people together?  One of the things I think I have loved most about this week is listening to the stories of the missionaries and hearing how God brought them to Wycliffe and what they have been doing.
After dinner, the Total It Up crew had a campfire and S'mores.  It was pretty fun, even though we were getting eaten alive by mosquitoes. 

Today was kind of a closing day.  We talked about what our next steps could be and basically debriefed the whole week.  We all got graduation certificates, so I guess we are officially graduates. :o)

Since after lunch, we have been a little on our own since the program is technically over.  We helped the leaders clean up a bit, took a walk, ate dinner, and went swimming in the pool.  At the pool, we met a missionary couple that is about to go to Papa New Guinea.  They are apparently Financial Peace grads, so it was fun to talk to them about their journey.  Now we are just relaxing in our rooms. It seems way to earlier to go to bed.  "Daddy" Steinbach is picking us up from here tommorrow morning.  We are going to spend the day with him and then we head home on Sunday afternoon.

I was a little nervous about this week at first, because I thought the classes were going to be really hard and way over my head. I don't have skills in Linquistics like Steve does.  I have actaully learned alot. I'm excited to see what God has in store for us next.  I don't think I will be serving in a Language role, but there are so many support/administrative and Computer/IT roles that, with a little more training, I could definetly do.  I'm really glad Steve talked me into going on the trip.

Total It Up: Wednesday

Today was a great day. I even enjoyed the Grammar class.  I'm still trying to figure out exactly where I fit into the Wycliffe organization, since I don't have an interest in languages like Steve does.  I'm learning a little more everyday.  It's been a pretty great week.  The campus is beautiful.  A few of the other girls and I walked the trails around the campus for about an hour tonight.  It was such a beautiful night.  It was a little hot, but not too bad.  It looked like it might rain, but it never did.  We brought umbrellas with us, just in case.

Tommorrow is the last full day of classes.

Total It Up: Tuesday

We have computer access today, so I can actually type in more than 160 characters.  Woo Hoo!
Today, we started with a tour of the campus.  Since there was so many of us, we actually watched a video of a tour, instead of walking around everywhere.  It was such a beautiful morning, so I was a little bummed about that.
Our second class was another Language Learning class.  We have been learning Mandarin.  I actually learned a few words. I'm not sure how long I will remember them though.  The rest of the day was Phonology and Ethnomusicology. Phonology is the study of sound and Musicology is how music and arts are used in Bible Translation.

Total It Up: Monday

Today was full of classes: Phonetics, Anthropology, Literacy, etc...All very good. Dinner was an African Meal. It was really tasty.

Total It Up: Sunday

We landed safely yesterday.
Today, we spent a fun day with the Steinbach family and Lizzy. Tommorrow, the classes start.

One More Day!

Tommorrow, we leave for our trip. I'm not sure if we will have access to a computer while we are down there or not. I'm going to attempt to post from my phone, for the first time, during the trip. Apparently, I only have 160 characters though. That's alot harder than I thought.

Summer 2010

For the past few weeks, I have been working about 60 hours a week.  I know for some that seems like way to much and for others sounds easy, but I'm starting to feel a little tired.  I love my jobs though, so I guess that's a plus.  I'm trying to make as much as I can with the second job, because it's going to be a busy and expensive summer. 

Steve and I taking a vacation during the first week of June down to Dallas, TX.  The Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics is where Steve wants to do his Graduate work to enter Wycliffe.  We are visiting to attend a Total It Up week long workshop.

"This five-day course includes introductory classes on phonetics and phonology, grammar, language and culture learning, translation and semantics, as well as field reports, videos, and personal testimonies. Learn in a relaxed, informal setting with experienced translators from many different countries and language projects. Devotions, prayer time and group living build meaningful relationships between staff and students."

It should be a very stretching experience for me.  We also get to see one of my best friends, Lizzy, and her family while we are down there, so I excited about that too.
 
On top of that my cousin Joe is getting married in an amazing girl named Carrie in June and my brother is getting married in August.  My parents 30th Wedding Anniversary is also this summer.  Not to mention, we have 2 sister-in-laws that are expecting (one of them due very soon), one of my best friends, Tabby, is expecting in October, Steve's cousin had twins last month, my friend Esther is also expecting in the fall, our chef at work is pregnant (also due in October)...This summer/fall is apparently the time for babies.

And...Steve wants to do some work on the house this summer.  He wants to build a porch on the front, so we can sit out there when it's nice.

Happy 3rd Anniversary!

I can't believe it's been three years already.  It feels like just yesterday we were getting married.  I think I learn something else I love about him every day.  We celebrated our Anniversary by going to Ruth Chris's Steakhouse for dinner.  It's an upscale restaurant in Granger.  I had heard some really good reviews about it and I have had also heard that it was really expensive.  Both of those are very correct.
The service was great. I love when I can see the servers helping each other out, working as a team.  The food came out really fast and very hot.  When they warn you not to touch the plate because it's hot, don't touch the plate because it's hot.  We both got steaks and they were REALLY good. 
Would I recommend that you save up and budget and go at least once for a special occasion?  Yes.  It's definitely a once in a while restaurant choice.  My dinner came with a desert and the sugar coma I was in later that night was Totally worth it.

Why does a slight tax increase cost you two hundred dollars and a substantial tax cut save you thirty cents? ~Peg Bracken

“You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that, my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.” --Dr. Adrian Rogers

Source
"In 2009, roughly 47% of households, or 71 million, will not owe any federal income tax, according to estimates by the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center.
Some in that group will even get additional money from the government because they qualify for refundable tax breaks (aka. the Unearned Income Tax Credit Welfare check)."

Fun Tax Day Quotes

Goodbye Sallie Mae!

Today I made the last and final payment to Sallie Mae.  It feels kind of strange actually. I have been making monthly payments to Sallie Mae for since I graduated in 2004.  I don't think I will miss them though.
For the past few weeks, I have been working about 50-60 hours a week.  I have been called a work-a-holic by some and crazy by others, but today it all became worth it.
She has officially been kicked out of our back bedroom FOREVER.
We are not debt free by any stretch of the imagination. We still have Steve's student loans to pay on, but this is a success on the journey.  I'm so excited to finally be done.  During the past few Budget Committee Meetings between Steve and I, I could see the number falling and it started to make me angry that it wasn't gone yet.  A healthy anger, of course.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” – Phil 4:19

YWCA Tribute to Women: May 5th, 2010

Source

YWCA Tribute to Women

Please join us for the 31st annual YWCA Tribute to Women
This year's honorees are:

Nancy Hellyer

Maggie Kernan

Barbara Warner

&
YWCA Women to Watch
Amy Hill

Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Gillespie Conference Center
Hilton Garden Inn
South Bend, IN

Purchase seat/table

Sponsorship opportunities

Go to YWCASJC.org for more details or call 574-233-9491.

The Wealthy are Evil and Must be Punished

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for lunch and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.

The ten men eat in the café every day and seem quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. “Since you are all such good customers, he said, “I’m going to reduce the cost of your daily lunch by $20. Lunch for the ten now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still eat free. However, what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his “fair share?” They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. However, if they subtracted that from everybody’s share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to eat his lunch. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man’s bill by roughly the same bracket of earnings, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.

And so:

The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now paid $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% saving s).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before And the first four continued to eat free. However, once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.

“I only got a dollar out of the $20”, declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man,” but he got $10!”
“Yeah, that’s right”, exclaimed the fifth man. “I only saved a dollar, too. It’s unfair that he got ten times more than I!”

“That’s true!” shouted the seventh man. “Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!”

“Wait a minute,” yelled the first four men in unison. “We didn’t get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!”

The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.

The next day the tenth man didn’t show up for lunch, so the nine sat down and had lunch without him. However, when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn’t have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!

And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start eating overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

David R. Kamerschen, Ph.D.
Professor of Economics, University of Georgia

Life is Great Right Now!

Life is going pretty great for us right now.  I feel like we are both working like crazy people, but it will all the worth it when we pay off my Student Loan. It has gotten to the point where the loan is just making my angry. I just want it to be gone tommorrow.  Patience is a virtue, right?  I bet Sallie Mae thinks we are crazy. I looked at our statement and since January 1st, 2010, we have sent a total of 9 payments to Sallie Mae in various amounts.  If everything goes as planned, the loan should be paid off my April.  We will have Steve's though. :o(
Work at the YWCA is pretty busy right now.  I was actually awarded Employee of the Month for March.  I feel so proud. I have never gotten Employee of the Month before.
We are still looking for little ways to make extra money and cut our expenses.  We are bringing our lunches to work, instead of eating out, and have significantly cut down the amount that we eat at resturants.  Our car insurance bill came the other day and they still had us worked as "single", so I called them and had a little conversation with them.  They changed it to married and are refunding us for the over-payment of premiums for the last almost 3 years and lowered our monthly payment by $70 a month.  Woohoo!

15 Fresh Brown Bag Lunch Ideas

15 Fresh Brown Bag Lunch Ideas

• Pasta Lover's Lunch Salad.
  Pack a cold pasta salad and a plastic fork, and your pasta lover will love you, too! Make your salad with lean meat or low-fat cheese (so it has some protein), lots of vegetables to boost fiber and nutrition, and use a whole-grain blend pasta, like Barilla Plus. Then just drizzle some light vinaigrette over the top and toss.
• Pita Pocket Sandwich.
  Pack your whole-grain pita pocket with chicken Caesar salad, or any other lean meat or cheese filler mixed with vegetables and dark green lettuce.
• The Fruit and Cheese Plate Special.
  Make crispy cracker sandwiches with whole-wheat crackers, slices of assorted cheese, and lean meats. Don't forget the fruit, which goes nicely with the cheese and adds fiber and nutrition.
• Peanut Butter Fun Pack.
  Pack 1/8 cup of natural-style peanut butter, along with a plastic knife or spoon, wheat crackers, and celery sticks, and you have a peanut butter fun pack!
• Bagel With Cream Cheese, Please.
  Bagels are a wonderful foundation for hardy sandwiches that stand up to being in a backpack or locker all morning. You can toast a bagel in the morning and simply spread some light cream cheese in the middle. Or make a bagel sandwich with, say, a little light cream cheese, some turkey, and cranberry sauce, then top it off with alfalfa sprouts or Romaine lettuce.
• Carry a Cobb Salad.
  Plastic containers can hold the makings of a delicious salad lunch. Fill it with chopped green lettuce, chopped hard-boiled egg, light cheese, and/or lean ham. You can buy packets of light dressing, or just use extra packets of light salad dressing left over from your last trip to the fast-food chain.
• It's a Wrap!
  Wraps are a nice change of pace from the usual sandwich. Use one of the new higher-fiber tortillas, like the multigrain flour tortillas available in most supermarkets. Then fill 'er up with chicken Caesar salad or assorted lean meats, cheese, tomato, sliced onion, shredded Romaine lettuce, and light dressing. Just roll it up and wrap in foil.
• Noodle Soup Cups.
  Many schools offer a hot water dispenser so kids can add hot water to packaged noodle soup cups. Some brands are higher in sodium and fat, and lower in fiber than others. Check out the options in stores like Whole Foods or Trader Joe's.
• Veggie Sushi.
  Not all kids will go for this one, but there are some out there who really like seaweed-wrapped sushi rolls. You can now buy pre-made sushi at many supermarkets, too. Choosing the veggie-filled sushi means there's no chance the sushi will get a little "fishy" while it's in your kid's backpack.
• Toss Some Taco Salad.
  If taco salad is a favorite, you can pack the meat mixture tossed with the shredded cheese, tomatoes, and chopped Romaine lettuce in a plastic container. At lunchtime, your child can add crunchy, reduced-fat tortilla chips and a little light dressing.
• Fried Rice Can Be Fun.
  When made with eggs or chopped lean ham and lots of veggies, cold fried rice can be a satisfying noontime treat. Make your own, or plan on leftovers the night before if you're ordering from a restaurant.
• Talk About Taquitos.
  I started doing this last year, and it seems to have stuck with my girls. I pop some Bean and Cheese frozen Taquitos from Whole Foods into my toaster oven in the morning, then let them cool. Then, I wrap them in foil and make sure they stay cool by packing a frozen juice box or small water bottle. By noon, they are cold, fun finger food.
• BBQ Chicken Sandwich.
  Your child can assemble a yummy BBQ grilled chicken sandwich fresh at lunchtime. Just pack a grilled, boneless, skinless chicken breast (you can make it in your indoor grill the night before) with some lettuce and sliced tomato in one baggie, and a whole-wheat bun in another. Add a packet of BBQ sauce to the lunch bag, and it's good to go.
• Meal Muffins.
  Certain types of muffins work as a lunch entrée. If you bake them over the weekend and keep them in the freezer, you just have to pull one or two out in the morning. By lunch, they are nicely chilled and ready to eat. Try ham and cheese muffins, Mexican Cornbread muffins, or quiche muffins (quiche filling, baked with or without crust in a muffin pan).
• Turkey Jerky.
  You can round off a lunch packed with fruit, vegetables, and maybe trail mix or crackers by adding some high-protein turkey jerky. I found a turkey at Trader Joe's that is made without nitrites, MSG, or artificial ingredients, and the turkey is raised without added hormones. Can't argue with that. A 2-ounce serving of turkey jerky contains: 120 calories, 22 grams of protein, 12 grams of carbohydrate, 540 milligrams of sodium, and 20 milligrams of cholesterol.

Bring on 2010!

I can't believe this year is almost over. It seemed like it went so fast. It definetly was a great year though. I don't think there is any part of the year that I would change.

It started out with us getting settled in our new house.  Having a house is a lot of work.  I had no idea how much work went into fixing up a house. It's been exciting though.  The biggest thing we did this year on the house was new windows.  We saved up the money and got bids from different companies and with the help of some great friends and my dad, Steve put in the new windows. I love them.  The house seems much brighter with the new windows and our electric bill is definitely happier.

We celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary this year in May.  We also made the final payments on our vehicles this Spring. It feels so good knowing the cars are paid for. It's just one less debt to worry about.  The next task is to tackle the student loans. Besides the house, the student loans are all we have left.
This summer, my High School class celebrated our 10 Year Reunion.  Liz traveled up from Tulsa to spend the week with us, so I was happy about that.  It was good to see some friends I hadn't seen in awhile and catch up with others I see all the time.
This summer, Steve, our friend Damian, and I took a road trip to Philadephia to visit Steve's cousin, Meredith.  We spent a day walking around Philly, then we went to the a Phillies baseball game.  We also visited Delaware and spent a day in New York City.  I think in total we visited 5 different states.  The trip was pretty fun.  I rode on a train and a city bus for the first time. I love history, so walking around all the sites in Philly was really exciting.
God blessed us at every turn this year.  It seemed like everytime we felt discouraged or stressed, He had something for us right around the corner.
We are back working a second part time job at Sears for Christmas.  We are both hoping they keep us after the season is over. 

We ended the year with a trip to Chicago with some amazing friends.  It was a bit on the chilly side, but great fun anyway.  These two have been two of my best friends for almost 20 years. I would not trade them for the world.  Our husbands all get along too, so that's great.
I made a New Years Goal last year of reading one non-fiction book a month, for a total of 12.  As of today, I'm working on number 11.  I didn't reach my goal, but I figure 11 books is more than I read last year. 
I can't wait to see what God has in store for us in the next year.  Bring it on.

2009 YWCA Christmas

YWCA Wish List

Thank You to Everyone who Donated to the YWCA this Year!

The need continues all year: Become a Women of Vision today!

If you have any questions please call Peggy King at 574-233-9491 or email her at pking@ywcasjc.org.

My Reading Goal: 10 Down, 2 More to Go

I had a goal this year to read one non-fiction books a month, for a total of 12 books, because I heard the average millionaire reads one non-fiction book a month.  I just finished my tenth book, so that means I have one month to read the last two.  I'm not sure what books I'm going to read yet.  This was much harder then I though, probably harder than it should have been. 

Proverbs 18:15 (New International Version)

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.

Here is a summary of the books I read so far:

1. The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
2. Financial Peace Revisited by Dave Ramsey
3. Who Moved my Cheese by Spencer Johnson
4. Bridges Out of Poverty by Phil DeVol
5. Rhinoceros Success by Scott Alexander
6. The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley
7. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Richard Kiyosaki
8. Your First Two Years of Youth Ministry by Doug Fields
1. This was actually the second time I read this book.  I loved it again this time too.  This book is full of little tokins of wisdom.  I recommend it for anyone working with kids, not just in Youth Ministry.
1. "God is much more concerned by your being than your doing."
2. "Failure to see the difference between loving God and loving others can result in a ministry-focused life rather than a God-focused life."
3. "Faithfullness to the first commandment (loving God) results in obedience to the second (loving others).
4. Accountability: "Be courageous enough to invite a friend to lovingly ask you about your consistency, your desire, and the quality of your times with God."
5. "God doesn't need you to be a spiritual giant to lead students toward maturity."  God is mostly concerned for your heart.  As you walk on the journey and grow closer to Jesus, drag some students to follow you along the way.
6. When students start to follow you, it is very important that you are leading them in the right direction though.  Students will follow where you go more than they will ever listen to what you say.  It may feel like a burden, but it's actually a calling.
7. (1 Corinthians 11:1)  Students are like sponges. They soak up everything you say and do.
8. "Student leadership can allow them to use their skills of God's kingdom, interact with full-time ministers, and open their eyes to a unique way of spending their vocational lives."
9. "Effective students leaders advance the church, reach more people, grow in their spiritual journeys, and relieve adult leaders of some of the work load."
10. "Student leaders will challenge you with their readiness to serve, inspire you with their faith, and convict you with their pure motives...Invite them to serve, and be with them when they face trials in the future." "Most teenagers are dying for an adult to believe in them."
    
9. The 21 Irrefuttable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell
1. The ideas in this book are pretty simple.  This is a must-read for anyone that is a leader or plans to become one.
1. "Character makes trust possible. And trust makes leadership possible. That is the Law of Solid Ground."
2. "People listen not necessarily because of the truth being communicated in the message, but because of their respect for the speaker."
3. "Champions don't become champions in the ring - they are merely recognized there."
4. "The Law of Sacrifice says you have to give up to go up."
5. "When the right leader and the right time come together, incredible things happen."
   
10. QBQ: The Question Behind the Question by John Miller
1. "What to really ask yourself to eliminate blame, complaining, and procrastination."  This is a book was a really huge smack in the face.  This is probably the place in my life that I struggle the most.  The lack of personal accountability is a problem. No organization or person can achieve goals or compete in the marketplace without personal accountability.
1. "Stress is a choice...Yes bad things happen: The economy sours, our business struggles, the stock market tumbles, jobs are lost, people around us don't follow through, deadlines are missed, projects fail, good people leave. But still stress is a choice...we choose are response." We choose to become angry.  We choose to worry.
2. Blame questions solve nothing. "They create fear, destroy creativity, and build walls."  Instead of brainstorming and working together to get things done, we "blamestorm" and accomplish nothing.
3. "Ownership: A committment of the head, heart, and hands to fix the problem and never again affix the blame."
4. "Managers don't change people. They can coach, counsel, teach, and guide, but no one changes another person. Change only comes from inside, as a result of decisions made by the individual."
5. No matter our role, someone is watching and emulating our behavior. "Modeling is the most powerful of all teachers."
6. Taking action may seem risky, but doing nothing can be an an even bigger risk. "Action, even when it leads to mistakes, brings learning and growth. Inaction brings stagnation and atrophy."
7. "Humility is the cornerstone of leadership."

Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Day Proclamation

Source

Proclamation Establishing Thanksgiving Day

October 3, 1863

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.

A. Lincoln

Thanksgiving 2009

This year has gone by so fast.  I can't believe it almost over already.  I have blessed so much this year.  This has been a tough year for many with job cuts, layoffs and the downward economy. Steve and I were not even immune to it when our Sears closed.  We refused to participate in the Recession though.  We were not going to hang our heads and feel sorry for ourselves, as so many have.  We looked to the future.  Sears was supposed to help us pay off our car loan and it did just that. We are now debt free, except for our Student loans and the house. Not much longer after Sears closed, the YWCA decided to bring us both back up to 40 hours, so any income we lost from Sears we got got back from the YWCA.  Praise God!
There have been some tough times for us this year. It wasn't all roses, but everytime I felt discouraged I remember all the things that we do have.  We have so much.  We are so lucky.

For those that don't know, Steve and I back working at Sears again after taking the Summer off.  We are now just Christmas help, but they may keep us on afterwards. We will just have to wait and see.   If anyone is having out at the mall at Oh-dark Early, I will be at Sears from 3:45am to 4pm.  I'll be in the Hardware Department. Pray for me!  It will be a long day.
Thanksgiving is just a day to day eat way to much food and watch football. It's a day to think about what you are thankful for.  It's about family and friends.

1. First, I am thankful for a God that is patient. We serve an amazing God and I think sometimes I forget that. He has done so much for me that I know I will never be able to thank him enough. He blesses us at every turn. Even when I don't feel like He is there, He is.

2. Second, I am thankful for a husband that is patient. I have the greatest husband ever. He is such a hard-worker. He was even willing to work two jobs this year to help us reach our goal of car debt-freedom. I know some nights he was really tired, but he stuck to the schedule. On top of that, he did work on the house. We got new windows and they are gorgeous. Steve, with the help of friends (Thank you Dad and Bobby and Josh), they installed the windows themselves.

3. Third, I am thankful for my family. My parents are just great. They have been married for 29 years and after all these years they still love to hang out together. With so many marriages ended in Divorce, it is nice to have such a strong example to follow.

4. Fourth, I am thankful for my friends. I have the greatest friends anyone could ever ask for. Some of the best friends that I have right now have been my best friends since Elementary school. We have been through so much together. I truly am thankful for you guys. I hope you know that I would not be who am today without you. We have laughed together, prayed together, and cried together. I am thankful that my friends are forgiving and patient. Sometimes I don't I deserve to have as awesome friends as I do. I can count on them and I hope they can count on me.

5. I have a job that I absolutely love. How many people can say that they actually enjoy going to work everyday? Sometimes it's not all fun and games. It's a lot of work sometimes, but I believe in the mission of the YWCA. I don't see my job as just paperwork and data entry, I am helping victims of Domestic Violence by making sure we have the data for grant billings and reports. My bosses (yes I have two Supervisors now) are supportive, encouraging, and just great to work with.

6. I have a warm place to live. We bought our first house at the end of last year. Maintaining and fixing up a house is hard work, but it been a fun adventure.

It's Getting Cold Outside!

The YWCA is currently in need of winter coats, hats, gloves, scarves for both women and children.
Warm twin-sized blankets and comforters are also needed.

Any donations can be dropped off at the YWCA at 1102 S. Fellows, South Bend, Indiana, 46601.
You can also make monetary donations at http://www.ywcasjc.org/. Thank You!

TLC Cooking: 10 Meals That Are Proven to Make You Happier

Source
10 Meals That Are Proven to Make You Happier
by Alia Hoyt

• 1. Macaroni and Cheese
• The dairy products standard in this recipe (milk and cheese) contain high levels of vitamin B, which has been shown to heavily impact the brain.
• 2. Fish and Brown Rice
• Multiple studies have linked depression to imbalances in omega-3 fatty acids, found abundantly in fish [source: Melone].
• 3. Scrambled eggs and Oatmeal
• Remember those helpful B vitamins found in dairy products? Eggs are also rife with the critical substance.
• 4. Spaghetti with Meatballs
• We've already spelled out the benefits of whole-wheat pasta: It's high in folic acid and helps increase serotonin levels.
• 5. Mashed Potatoes and Turkey
• Turkey and mashed potatoes need not be reserved for Thanksgiving, thanks to the mood-boosting vitamins and minerals this main dish and savory starch contain.
• 6. Banana Split
• This is my favorite of the list. Yum! The two main components -- ice cream and bananas -- are both rich in B vitamins, which are effective depression-thwarters [source: Carper].
• 7. Chili and Cornbread
• Beans are a terrific vehicle for ingesting selenium and increasing levels of magnesium, a deficiency of which has been linked to depression [sources: Magee, Melone]. 
•   The perfect complement to this wintertime favorite is cornbread, which contains gluten, known for its ability to stimulate endorphin production [source: Cohen].
  
  
• 8. Sweet Potato
  
• Complex carbohydrates, such as sweet potatoes, are packed full of energy and mood-boosting vitamins and minerals.
  
• 9. Beef Stew with Veggies and Potatoes
• Lean red meat is an excellent source of tryptophan and protein, both of which are critical to mood regulation. Dial down the unhealthiness quotient by trimming any excess fat before putting the meat in the Dutch oven or slow cooker.
• 10. Anything Chocolate
• Multiple studies have revealed that chocolate (gasp!) is actually healthy in moderation. Although it's still high in calories, chocolate contains a myriad of beneficial nutrients that help regulate mood. The sugar that gives chocolate its rich taste helps increase serotonin levels, while the fat content releases mood-elevating endorphins [source: Carper].

Yum. I think I'm going to be putting these foods in my menus.

America Again by Carmen Written in 1993

American Again by Carmen

Listen to the song here

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson
Samuel Adams, First Chief Justice John Jay
Names synonymous with the spirit of our country
Founding fathers of the U.S.A.

Over 200 years ago they shook off the chains of tyranny from Great Britain
By divine call
Citing 27 biblical violations they wrote the Declaration of Independence With liberty and justice for all

But something happened since Jefferson called the Bible the cornerstone
For American liberty then put it in our schools as a light
Or since "Give me liberty, or give me death," Patrick Henry said
Our country was founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ

We eliminated God from the equation of American life
Thus eliminating the reason this nation first began
From beyond the grave I hear the voices of our founding fathers plead
You need God in America again

Of the 55 men who formed the Constitution
Fifty-two were active members of their church
Founding fathers like Noah Webster who wrote the first dictionary
Could literally quote the Bible chapter and verse

James Madison said, "We've staked our future on our ability to follow
The Ten Commandments with all our heart"
These men believed you couldn't even call yourself an American
If you subvert the Word of God

In his farewell address, Washington said, "You can't have national morality apart from religious principle," and it's true
'Cause right now we have nearly 150,000 kids carrying guns
To these war zones we call public schools

In the '40's and '50's student problems were chewing gum and talking
In the '90's, rape and murder are the trend
The only way this nation can even hope to last this decade
Is put God in America again

The only hope for America is Jesus
The only hope for our country is Him
If we repent of our ways stand firm and say
We need God in America again

Abe Lincoln said, "The philosophy of the classroom in one generation
Will be the philosophy of government of the next"
So when you eliminate the Word of God from the classroom and politics
You eliminate the nation that Word protects

America is now number one in teen pregnancy and violent crime
Number one in illiteracy, drug use, and divorce
Everyday a new holocaust of 5,000 unborn die
While pornography floods our streets like open sewers

America's dead and dying hand is on the threshold of the Church
While the spirit of Sodom and Gomorrah vex us all
When it gets to the point where people would rather
Come out of the closet than clean it
It's a sign that the judgment of God is gonna fall

If there's ever been a time to rise up Church, it's now
And as the blood bought saints of the living God proclaim
That it's time to sound the alarm from the Church house to the White House
And say, "We want God in America again"

I believe it's time for America to stand up and proclaim
That one nation under God is our demand
And send this evil lifestyle back to Satan where it came from
And let the Word of God revive our dying land

For Jesus Christ is coming back again in all His glory
And every eye shall see Him on that day
That's why a new anointing of God's power's coming on us
To boldly tell the world you must be saved

Because astrology won't save you, your horoscope won't save you
The Bible says these things are all a farce
If you're born again, you don't need to look to the stars for your answers
'Cause you can look to the very One who made those stars

History tells us time and time again
To live like there's no God makes you a fool
If you want to see kids live right
Stop handing out condoms and start handing out the Word of God in schools

The only hope for America is Jesus
The only hope for our country is Him
If we repent of our ways
Stand firm and say
We need God in America again

Guess Who's DEBT FREE!!!

If you guessed the YWCA, you would be right!!! I love my job. I sent this email to the Dave Ramsey Show and he actually read it on the air.

Hi Dave,


I work for the YWCA of St. Joe County in South Bend, Indiana. We are a non-profit organization that serves about 1300 women and children every year escaping Domestic Violence and going through Chemical Dependency Treatment. We are one of only a few organizations in Indiana that allow women to bring their children with them during Residential Chemical Dependency Treatment. We also have Transitional Housing for women and children and Permanent Housing for women with disabilities. WE ARE DEBT FREE!!! Even on the building. I love my job and I’m so proud.


My husband and I have been working your plan and we are credit debt free. All we have left is student loans and our house. Thank you for all you do.

Go to this link to listen to the call.  Listen to the November 4th show. You will have to listen to about 20 - 25 minutes of the show before he reads the email on the air.

YWCA Christmas Wish List 2009

YWCA Holiday Wish List 2009

For Children
Toys for all ages

Teenagers

Watches, hand held videogames, batteries for toys if required, young ladies toiletry items, hats and scarves, hair accessories, age appropriate art supplies, portable CD players, MP3 players, gift cards, books.

Children Ages 4 – 12

Legos and other building sets, cars and trucks, dolls and accessories, inexpensive handheld video games, art kits, educational games, board games, puzzles.
School uniforms in all sizes always needed.

Infants and young toddlers

Baby action toys, stuffed animals, baby CD’s, early age videos, hats, mittens, and scarves.Diapers, cribs, pack & plays always needed

For Adults

Robes, slippers, pajamas, throws, alarm clocks, portable cd players, CDs-variety of music, cameras, watches, costume jewelry, calendars, organizers/day planners, hoodies, perfume, bath/body lotions, hair accessories, hat/gloves and scarves.

Note: It will be most appreciated if all gifts are non-violent in nature and, if possible, delivered to the YWCA by December 14th.
If you have any questions please call Peggy King at 574-233-9491 or email her at pking@ywcasjc.org.

If you want to give a monetary donation go to: ywcasjc.org
Thank you in advance you for your generosity.

Changing the World

When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered that the world would not change so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it too seemed immovable


As I grew into my twilight years, in one last attempt, I settled for changing only my family; those closest to me. But alas, they would have none of it.

And now, as age has caught up with me and soon I will leave this world, I suddenly realize that if I had only changed my life first, then by example I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would have been able to better my country. And who knows, I might have even changed the world.
- The words inscribed on the tomb of an Anglican bishop in Westminster Abby (1100 A.D.)

Paint the Town Purple: Another Women

Source

Another Women

Today another woman died
and not on a foreign field
and not with a rifle strapped to her back,
and not with a large defense of tanks
rumbling and rolling behind her.
She died without CNN covering her war.
She died without talk of intelligent bombs
and strategic targets
The target was simply her face, her back
her pregnant belly.

The target was her precious flesh
that was once composed like music
in her mother’s body and sung
in the anthem of birth.

The target was this life
that had lived its own dear wildness,
had been loved and not loved,
had danced and not danced.

A life like yours or mine
that had stumbled up
from a beginning
and had learned to walk
and had learned to read.
and had learned to sing.

Another woman died today.
not far from where you live;
Just there, next door where the tall light
falls across the pavement.

Just there, a few steps away
where you’ve often heard shouting,
Another woman died today.

She was the same girl
her mother used to kiss;
the same child you dreamed
beside in school.
The same baby her parents
walked in the night with
and listened and listened and listened
For her cries even while they slept.

And someone has confused his rage
with this woman’s only life.

-Carol Geneya Kaplan

Michael Moore on the Sean Hannity Show

Michael Moore went on the Sean Hannity Show to discuss his new movie.
"I report, you decide."

Part 1:


Part 2:


Part 3:

South Bend intermediate student dies, concerns over swine flu

South Bend intermediate student dies, concerns over swine flu

Shared via AddThis

Domestic Violence Awareness: Why Purple?

source
Why Purple?
Purple was Lisa Bianco's favorite color.
Who is Lisa Bianco?
Lisa Bianco married Alan Matheny in 1977. They lived in Mishawaka, Indiana in St. Joseph County. Lisa divorced Alan in 1985 after enduring eight years of very serious abuse. Shortly after the divorce was finalized, Alan kidnapped their two daughters and fled out of state. Lisa agreed to not press charges if he brought the girls back home.

In 1987, Alan was charged with seriously beating and raping Lisa. He plea bargained to a single felony charge of battery and was sentenced to the Pendleton Reformatory for eight years, with three years suspended. Lisa began to make a new life for herself. She attended a northern campus of Indiana University. She went to work at the Elkhart Shelter for victims of domestic violence. She told everyone she would have to leave the community when Alan was released from prison. She knew better than anyone how dangerous a man Alan Matheny was. On March 04, 1989, after serving two years of his sentence, Alan was granted an 8-hour furlough for a trip to Indianapolis. He headed straight for St. Joseph County and parked two doors from Lisa’s home. He kicked in the back door. Lisa fled through the front door. Alan pursued her throughout the neighborhood. When he caught her, he bludgeoned her to death with a shotgun he had stolen from a friend’s home. He hit her so hard, the handle of the shotgun shattered. Lisa’s brutal death took place in front of their six and ten year old daughters.

Alan Matheny was executed Wednesday, September 28, 2005 for Lisa’s murder. Lisa’s death brought about much change in Indiana and the nation. We now have victim notification laws—where victims are notified when the perpetrator is being released and the “furlough” policy was revisited. We also have the purple ribbon—the symbol representing domestic violence awareness—so that we will not forget Lisa. Purple was Lisa’s favorite color and her family and friends tied purple ribbons throughout St. Joseph
County as they mourned her tragic and violent death.
Today, the purple ribbon continues to be the symbol for domestic violence.

Girls Night Out Project

This is the project I made at Pottery Schmottery during our Girls Night Out. It turned out pretty good, I think. It's a football shaped snack bowl.

Paint the Town Purple: Domestic Violence Awareness

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

National Domestic Violence Awareness Month is observed every October across the country. National, state, and community organizations for violence prevention and victim services, businesses, health care providers, and others mark the month with educational programs, recognition and memorial ceremonies.

To find out about local awareness events click on the purple ribbon.

YWCA Wish List

Donate Online

Domestic Violence Hurts Everyone-Here are some ways to help put a stop to it.

Girls Night Out and Windows Weekend

This weekend was fun and busy. On Friday, Shere, Tabby, my sister, and I got together for our Girls Night Out. We went to Pottery Schmottery in Elkhart. I am so not talented when it comes to crafts, but it was really fun. I think my project turned out pretty good actually. We pick them up next Friday, so I will post a picture when I get it back. After created our masterpieces, we went to an Italian restaurant called Lucchese's Italian Restaurant in Elkhart. Yummy!

We got our windows this weekend. Steve started to project on Thursday created the rough opening for the big window in the front of the house. The orginal window went almost all the way to the ground and the new window was going to be not as tall. That meant that Steve had to create a new opening and put new siding on the outside. Our friend Bobby came over to help him on Thursday. Thursday we also had Mighty Ducts come over and clean our ducts out.

On Friday, Pella came and installed the big window in the front. Since it was so big, we decided to have them install it and Steve installed the rest. When I came home from work on Thursday, I came home to a big whole in our house. I was excited when I came home from the Girls Night Out on Friday to a new window. :o)

On Saturday, my dad, our friend Bobby, and our friend Josh came over to help Steve do the rest of the windows. Steve originally thought that we would have to take the drywall off the walls to make them fit. The side frames of the window on our house are part of the stud of the house, so he thought he might have to create the rough opening. It turned out that after some discussion and testing of some things that we did not have to take off the drywall. Unfortunetly, they decided this after we had already removed the drywall in the middle room and part way in the back room. :o( Oh well. Steve is going to keep the old insullation and put it in the attic and put new insullation in the two rooms, so I guess something good is going to come out of it.
My mom and I worked on the drywall removal and the cleaning up of the insullation and dust that came from all that. Of course, we had the Ohio State and Notre Dame games on while all the work was being done. OSU pulled a huge win and Notre Dame won but it was close.

Thank you so much to my parents, Bobby Athey, and Josh Gulledge for all your hard work to help us put in our new windows. We appreciate you guys a ton.

Sunday, we got up for church and then came back home to finish the job. My dad came back over to help Steve put back on the siding and my mom and I cleaned some more. It was a busy weekend. I was so tired Sunday night.