My New Job Starts Tomorrow

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I get to start my new part time job tomorrow.  Who knew that I could be unfairly fired from the Sears in the mall, then go work for the Sears Homestore in South Bend?  I'm excited about it though.  I already have some knowledge about the stuff I will be selling and it's a family-owned business.  They close at 7pm during the weeks, so I will only be working on the Friday and Saturdays, and possibly some Sundays but not many. It's a pretty new store and they don't feel like the have the business yet for me to be on commission like I was at the mall, so I will be hourly instead.  I don't know yet what the hourly amount will be, but I trust it will be fair.  The new location is on Michigan St, just north of Ireland.  The Grand Opening is April 9th, so I hope all my friends and family can make it to support me and the new store.

I have a second interview next Tuesday for a part time job that would be Monday-Thursday evenings and Saturdays for 20 hours a week.  It's for 4-C's in South Bend and it's a data entry job that feels like it will be very similar to what I'm doing at the YWCA now and they even said I could work some from home.  My mom used to have an at-home day care with 4-C's and the lady I had my first interview with actually remembered my mom.  I feel a little overwhelmed at the thought of potentially working three jobs.  I will definitely have to get my time organized, so I don't work myself to death. 

Am I crazy? Possibly, but I don't see it as my life forever.  I figure if I work like a crazy person now when Steve and I start a family, I won't have to work as much.  I really want to be able to stay home for as long as I can after the child is born.  I also really want to pay off our debt.
I was so stressed and angry when I lost my job at Sears, but it seems like things are really coming together.  It's been a long few weeks, but I'm ready for the next adventure.

Happy St. Patrick's Day: The Prayer of St. Patrick

The Prayer of St. Patrick

I arise today

Through the strength of heaven;

Light of the sun,

Splendor of fire,

Speed of lightning,

Swiftness of the wind,

Depth of the sea,

Stability of the earth,

Firmness of the rock.

I arise today

Through God's strength to pilot me;

God's might to uphold me,

God's wisdom to guide me,

God's eye to look before me,

God's ear to hear me,

God's word to speak for me,

God's hand to guard me,

God's way to lie before me,

God's shield to protect me,

God's hosts to save me

Afar and anear,

Alone or in a mulitude.

Christ shield me today

Against wounding

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in the eye that sees me,

Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today

Through the mighty strength

Of the Lord of creation

Steve and I have One Million Dollars!

Steve got me this puzzle for Christmas. We decided to start when we were sick. We have been working on it for about two weeks now and we finally finished it last night. It has 1000 pieces and all the money on it equal 1 million dollars.

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Babysitting Fun!

I'm so exhausted today. I've had a great weekend so far though.  Friday after work I filled out some job applications and then went home clean the house. Since Sarah is hiring allergic to everything, I had to dust and clean everything. The house looks really nice right now.  Friday evening, Steve and I were on babysitting duty again.  The girls were very excited about having a sleepover at the Pitneys. We let them play in the living room while we worked on our puzzle. For dinner, we had cardboard pizza, carrots, corn, and fruit. Yum!  After dinner, we played some more games  and turned on the Wii.  We played some tennis, baseball, bowling, and some others. I have to say that I like video games like the Wii much better than the games I grew up with or at least people my age since all we ever had was an Atari.  These games involve getting up and being active while playing, instead of sitting on the couch and playing. The girls are pretty good at the games too. Kariana and I beat Steve and Cadence at tennis. Cadence beat Steve at bowling a few times. When Steve got a spare, Cadence always said, "Oh, Steve you were close."
Saturday morning, the girls got up and ready for their mom to come pick them up. Steve left for Chicago to pick up Sarah.  After lunch, the girls came back to our house so Shere could go to work. The girls helped me clean and I took them with me for some grocery shopping.  It was nice out so we played at the park for a little while and then went home for some dinner of turkey, corn, and grapes. Yum! The girls wanted to bake some brownies to surprise Sarah, so the girls helped me make some brownies. I think Steve and Sarah really liked them.  After my sis got off work, we played some more Wii games and then she took the girls home for bedtime. Today we are just relaxing. We  love the girls and they such great kids, but I'm exhausted today.

A Busy Week!



Moments after this picture was taken, she snuggled up with Steve and said, "Is it bedtime yet?"

We have had a busy week this week.  Last weekend, we babysat on Friday.  We played some Wii games and I lost at Connect 4 to a 4 year old three times in a row.  Saturday, I went to a dinner get together and a family friend's house and played some more Wii games.   I had never played the dance game before, but it was really fun.  It felt good to be out with friends since I had been so down all week.  I really needed a good pick me up.  I have spent the last week applying for jobs online for a new part time job.  I have gotten a few calls, so we will have to wait and see what happens.  My old Fazoli's manager is still managing at Taco Bell and he said I could go and work for him. I'm not sure if I want to go back to minimum wage food service, but I'd be willing to do if I have to for the short-term.  It was nice to be home all week to spend time with Steve.  Things are starting to look up.
Wednesday, Steve's mom and step dad came into town, so we went to dinner with them to Red Lobster.  Cheddar Biscuits = yummy.
This weekend is going to busy again because we are babysitting again on Friday and Saturday.  The girls are actually having a sleepover at the Pitney's on Friday night.  That should be loads of fun.  Our friend Sarah is coming to visit us on Saturday until next Wednesday, so Steve will be driving to Chicago on Saturday to pick her up.  So that means, I'll be watching the girls all day all myself on Saturday.  

My New Phone

My Palm Treo has been pretty sick lately.  The speaker was failing, so basically, in order for me to hear someone I was talking to I had to have the phone on speaker phone.  Steve found a website online that was selling Droids for $20, so I started reading all the reviews to see which one was the best.  After reading the reviews, we bought the Droid 2 Global.  It had, by far, the best reviews. 
It arrived at our house yesterday afternoon, so Steve went home during lunch to get it.  I know I did not like that I have to pay the extra data plan fee, but I think I'm going to like it.  Usually I just use my phone for phone calls and the occasional texting, but I figure since I'm going to paying for it, I might as well us it.  I downloaded a free audio book application and today I am "reading" The Phantom of the Opera, the book not the play.  There are quite a few free books, so I'll have to decide what I want to "read" next.My mom gave me the first call on my new phone.  It was then that I realized that I was not a big fan of the default ring tone, so I reset all the sounds.  I got my calendar to transfer to my new phone, but I haven't been able to get my contacts from the old phone to transfer yet.  The phone did automatically add all my Facebook contacts on the phone, even though I didn't ask it to.

I'm Waiting for my Crown of Life

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

I don't feel very blessed today.  This week has just been one trial after another.  My spirit feels very deflated right now.  I don't feel thankful and I don't really want to rejoice.  I think I have the right to be angry for a little while.  I'm angry and frustrated.  Sometimes I feel like whenever I start to feel good about myself or when I think good things are going to happen something bad happens.  It doesn't feel fair what happened.

I know that I can find another job and the next job could possibly be much better than the one I had.  I have no ill will towards Sears, my boss, or my co-workers.  They were all just doing their job and what they thought was right.  I unfortunately got blamed for something that I didn't do. 

I'm trying to hard to live by the verses above, but this life is hard.  I can't help always feel like something bad is waiting for me right around the corner.  I have struggled my whole life with that voice in my head telling me that I will never measure up.  That Little voice that tells me that I shouldn't bother even trying because I'm never going achieve what I want.  I know that I have to ignore the voices and rebuke them with scripture, but they get so loud sometimes.

So what do I do now?  I have to lift myself back up, ignore the voices in my head, try to remember all the things I have to be thankful for and move on with my life to, hopefully, bigger and better things.  It's not as easy as it sounds.  Life is a journey filled with stress, disapointments, joys, and laughter.  We have to live life one day at a time until we reach our final destination, our ultimate purpose.

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. Jeremiah 29:11

Celebrate Women: Shop and Support the YWCA

Happy Valentine's Day

Today is Valentine's Day and my Valentine is sick today.  We both took a sick day today. I had a planned doctor's appointment and Steve is sick.  He had been sick all weekend and he finally went to the doctor today and the doctor thinks he has a virus.  So I have to clean the whole house really well, so we kill whatever virus might still be hanging around the house.  We turned on our air cleaner to a higher setting and put out both of humidifiers, so hopefully he will start to feel better soon.  I haven't got sick yet and hopefully I will not get it.  I am starting the get the sniffles, but no flu yet.

I figured since I'm cleaning everything really well and I'm home, this would be the perfect time to organize stuff for our garage sale this summer.  So I'm emptying all the cabinets in the kitchen and cleaning all the pots and pans and putting the ones we don't use very often in the garage sale pile.  I will probably do that with our linen closet too, once I am done with the kitchen.  We have a lot of towels, sheets and such in several different closets.  They need to be better organized. 

Steve is sleeping right now and he will probably be asleep for awhile. I hope he starts to feel better soon. 

Exodus 23:25: "So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you."

I'm Evicting Mickey!

Mickey has decided that he wants to raise his family in our garage.  Actually, there are three empty houses on our street and Steve thinks Mickey's family lives in one of those houses.  Our neighbors all have dogs, so they like to come to our house for dinner.  I am so grossed out by this.  We have tried putting traps and poison in the garage to catch them, but that seems to only discourage them temporarily.  I would think the sight of their dead family members would discourage them from coming back.  I read online that mice do not like the smell of Ammonia, because it smells like the urine of their enemies, so I have been using Ammonia to clean the kitchen.  It does not smell very good at all and it only seems to work if I clean the kitchen every night and spray it around the doors.  I'm not sure how effective it's going to be long term though.  We haven't figured out yet how they are getting in.  I need a good way to make them leave forever.  I am officially giving Mickey and his family an eviction notice.  Please raise your family and find your food in a different house, preferably one very far away.  If anyone has any mouse evicting tips, I am willing to try just about anything at this point.

"You can teach what you know, but you will reproduce who you are."

This is a quote that a mentor of mine used to say often.  She had a lot of sayings like, "You can tell the students all about character and integrity and that God is real, but if the way you are living your life contradicts what you are saying, then you might as well stop talking because they aren't listening anymore."  Students can recognize a hypocrite a mile away.  Quotes like this make me nervous though, because I know that someday Steve and I will have kids or maybe I'll get involved in ministry again.  These little lives are going to be watching the way I live.  Am I living up to the high standard that I have set for myself?  Is my standard to high?  Is it high enough?  I try to keep in touch with as many of my former students as I can and it breaks my heart when I see one of them fall away from God.  I can't help but feel like I failed them as their leader.  What more could I have said?  What more could I have done?  Was I not modeling Christian behavior like I should have been?  Did I miss something in their lives?  I know that the students grow up and have other influences that may have lead them astray, but what could have I said to help them avoid those traps?  How can I love them better now that they messed up?  How can I show them that God still loves them despite anything they may have done?

If you have integrity, nothing else matters.  If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters.  ~Alan Simpson

 The right to do something does not mean that doing it is right. ~William Safire

I Hate Taxes!

I'm sitting here working on our taxes.  This is not an enjoyable process for me at all.  We usually do them ourselves because we are too cheap to pay someone to do them for us.  We were hoping to use our refund to pay off some debt.  It looks like this year we are going to get a small refund from State and we are going to owe to Federal.   I guess we can just think of it as us doing our part to "spread the wealth around."  I think for next year we are going to change our W-4, so more gets withheld out of our checks.  Sears never seems to take our enough.  Apparently, we didn't take out enough extra in 2010.  It also didn't help that we apparently jumped into the next tax bracket.  I am looking forward to one day moving to Texas where there is no income tax.
But I guess I can be thankful that we pay taxes because that means we have a job.

Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. Proverbs 10:4

Recipe: Oreo Cookie Cake

This was my first attempt at making an Oreo Cookie Cake.  I made it for my friends for our Super Bowl party.  At one point, it looked like a really big Oreo cookie with Oreo cookies around the bottom and a few on top.  I drizzled some chocolate sauce on top too.  I forgot to take a picture of it before it started to get eaten.  The cake was a little crumbly so it was hard to frost on the top, but it tasted really good.

WHAT YOU NEED:
1 pkg. (2-layer size) devil's food chocolate cake mix

4 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

12 OREO Cookies, coarsely crushed

MAKE IT:

HEAT oven to 350ºF.
PREPARE cake batter and bake in 2 (9-inch) round pans as directed on package. Cool cakes in pans 10 min. Invert cakes onto wire racks; gently remove pans. Cool cakes completely.

MICROWAVE chocolate and butter in small microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Cool 5 min.

MEANWHILE, beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Gently stir in COOL WHIP and crushed cookies. Stack cake layers on plate, spreading cream cheese mixture between layers. Spread top with chocolate glaze; let stand until firm. Keep refrigerated.

Super Bowl Fun 2011

I'm the Child of a Cheese Head!

This was a good weekend.  I'm not really a big football fan, but I love being around great friends.  Steve and I hosted the Super Bowl Party again this year.  The weekend started out with both of us having to work Saturday, then cleaning when I got home.  Our vacuum cleaner did not survive the cleaning of the house, so we had to get a new one on Saturday.  Sunday, after church we finished cleaning the house and started making food for the party.
My sis wanted this year's theme to be cheese due to the Packers playing the game.  Normally, I don't really care who wins, but this year the Packers were in it.  One half of my family are Packers fans and the other half are Bears fans, so that makes for fun competition.  The Super Bowl is really about great food, great friends, and commercials, right?  Most years the game is just what happens between the commercials.  Some of the commericals were kinda lame this year, but some were really creative and fun.  I think this was my favorite, but it was hard to choose.
Since Steve and I hosted, we are in charge of the main dishes.  I made a Tuscan Beef Stew in the crock pot, some Honey BBQ and Spicy chicken wings, and an Oreo cake.  I thought they all turned out really well.  Our friends brought some great food too.  I seriously have the great friends every. I am so thankful that I have these people in my life.
Final Score: Pittsburgh Steelers: 25 - Green Bay Packers: 31

Slow Cooker Tuscan Beef Stew - I added some red potatoes and did one can each of red and white kidney beans.
Chocolate-Covered OREO Cookie Cake - I just used store bought chocolate frosting for the top, instead of making my own frosting.  This was heavenly.

2011 Blizzard Update: Snow Day

So, Steve and I got a snow day from work today because of all the snow.  I didn't think it was that bad out when I was starting to up this morning, because they were actually plowing our street.  We live on a dead end road with mostly rentals, so our street doesn't get plowed very often.  Steve and I both got calls from our bosses this morning telling us that we didn't have to come in.  Steve thinks he might still have to go in to shovel the sidewalks around the YWCA for the clients, but South Bend has declared a "Snow Emergency" so I don't think he will have to shovel. I don't anticipate the clients wanting to go anywhere in this mess. My uncle that lives in the south east corner of Wisconsin said they have about 5 feet of snow in their yard, probably due to snow drifts  We don't have that much yet, but it is still snowing.  It is supposed to continue to snow all day.  It's crazy out there, but it does make me want to go ice skating or something.

On the bright side, the ground hog did not see his shadow this morning, so that means only 6 weeks until Spring. :o)

Blizzard Warning Issued

So, all over the news they are threatening that we are going to get another big snowstorm over the next few days.  I've heard anywhere from 6-8 inches to two feet.  Good thing I went grocery shopping yesterday.

News Story

"Storm seen as worst since '99"
I remember the storm in 1999. That was my Senior year of High School and we got an extra week of Christmas Vacation.  All the other grades had to make up the days, but we didn't because we were graduating. :o) 

"The weather service said the storm, expected to arrive Tuesday afternoon over much of northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana, could be "dangerous, multifaceted and potentially life-threatening."
All told, forecasters expect at least a foot of snow over much of the warning area. White-out conditions are expected at times Tuesday night, with snowfall rates of at least 2 to 3 inches per hour possible with northeast winds of 25 to 40 mph and even stronger gusts."

Well,  we may be stuck inside for the next few days.

Mandisa: Voice of the Savior

I heard this song on the way to Sears yesterday and I really liked it, so I'm sharing it with you.



Mandisa-Voice of the Savior

Some people try to listen, to the bottom of a bottle
Some people try to listen, to a needle in their arm
Some people try to listen, to the money in their pocket
Some people try to listen, to another’s arms

{Chorus}
You and I are not that different
We got a void and we’re just trying to fill it up
With something that will give just a little peace
All we want is a hand to reach to
Open arms that say I love you
We’d give anything to hear
The voice of a Savior

Some people try to find it with blind ambition
Some people try to find it where no one else has gone
Some people try to find it in the crowns of victory
Some people get defeated and lose the strength to carry on

{Chorus}

Some people try to find it in the shadow of a steeple
Some people try to find it in the back row pew
Some people try to find it in the arms of Jesus
That’s where I found it, how about you?

Remodeling Fun

I am really ready to have my house back.  We have been in construction zone since Christmas.  We drove all around town on Sunday looking for a mirror that we liked to put in the bathroom.  We didn't find anything, so the search continues.  We found a really great shelf online at ikea.com but it is only available in the store. The closest Ikea to us is 106 miles away. :o( Luckilly for us, my Aunt lives near there and she is amazing and she is willing to drive to the store and pick it up for us.  I love my Aunt.  It's not a fancy shelf, but I really like it.  Then ikea also has some little white wicker baskets that we are going to put on the shelf.  You have to buy those at the store too, so we are hoping we can find some that we like close by.  Now we just have to find a mirror that we like to put over the sink and the bathroom will be almost done.
Last night, I started getting the living room cleaned up.  I folded some laundry, vacuumed the floor, and put the exercise bike back where it goes after we got home from Trivia Night.

I Feel Productive Today

I feel really productive today.  The past month has been so busy at work with all the monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual grant reports that have to be done by January 15th.  Since I've spent the last month working mainly on those reports, there are other projects and other work that has had to be put on the back burner.  I also have to do the semi-annual data report about all the services and clients we have served in the last 6 months.  That report is about 50 pages long.  I actually enjoy working with data and statistics though, so it's kind of fun.  I think it's interesting to see how many clients we have served and from what walks of life they are coming from.  It makes me feel like even though I don't actually meet personally with the clients that my work is making a difference in their lives.

Today, I have spent the morning trying to catch up on everything that I have been putting on the back burner for the last month.  I'm very happy to see my big pile getting smaller.  Hopefully the rest of the day will be just as productive and hopefully this productive feeling will continue when I get home.  I have a bunch of housework, ie laundry and dishes, that need to be done.  The laundry is actually all clean.  It just needs to be folded and put away.

• Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards. Proverbs 12:14
• He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done. Proverbs 19:1

God's Promise!

“God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.”



Budget Cuts

The YWCA is having to cut back the budget again due to the loss of some grant money, so that means my hours are being cut again.  Starting this week, I will be getting off at noon on Fridays, so I will go from 40 hours a week to 36 hours a week.  I still will be considered Full Time and my benefits will not affected, so praise God for that.  Luckily, so far Steve's hours have not been affected.  Praise God for that too.  The last time the YWCA had to cut staff hours, Steve lost 8 hours a week, so I'm thankful that has not happened yet.
I trust that God is going to get us through this temporary set back in the budget.  Hopefully, the YWCA will get some new private donors, so we will not have to rely on government funding so much.
We are going to make some changes to our budget in the coming months and that will probably mean that we will have to slow down a little on our debt snowball, but I believe that we will make it work.  God has always provided for us in the past and I am trusting that He will continue to do so.

Goals for 2011

I decided that I didn't want to make a New Years Resolution this year.  I want to have a plan and a goal.  Resolutions without a plan is just a dream. Successful people reassess their lives and then start living intentionally, in writing, on paper, on purpose. Goal setting is how you win. Once you've made your resolutions, they will drive you forward. The goals will motivate you to seek activities that will help you succeed. It's not always fun, but those exercises bring you closer to your goal and make you a winner.

To Make Goals Happen They Must Be:

1. Specific
2. Measurable
3. Your Goals
4. A Time Limit
5. In Writing

My Goals for 2011:

1. Financial:
1. We are going to pay off more in debt by the end of the year, than we did last year.
2. Intellectual:
1. I am going to read one non-Fiction book a month. 
2. At least two of those books, will be topic I know nothing or not much about right now.
3. Family:
1. I am going to make a commitment to having a date night at least once a month, without the TV.
4. Spiritual:
1. I am going to make a start receiving a daily devotional online or Bible reading.
2. I am going to read at least one Christian book this year.
5. Career:
1. I am going to read at least one career book this year.
6. Physical:
1. I am going to exercise, either on the Wii Fit or by walking, at least 3 times a week.  I want to get my BMI down 2 points by the time I turn 30 (6 months).

Snow Day!

So Michiana got dumped on by lake-effect snow last night and since the city didn't plow our street after the last snow the foot or more that we got overnight just added to the snow we already had, so as you probably already guessed it, we are stuck in the house today.  Steve tried to leave this morning to get a free sandwich from Chick Fil-A, but he only got a few feet past our house and had to come back.  He is pretty disappointed in his lack of free sandwich.
I had to call off from Sears today because there is no way that my Focus is going to make it down the street and I don't have very high hopes that the city is going to be plowing our street anytime soon.  My dad is borrowing the truck, but I'm not even sure the truck would make it through.  Our neighbor tried to get out with his truck and gave up after about 30 minutes.
Steve has actually been wanting a big snow like this since he moved here.  Hopefully, we will be able to get out and play in it, since we won't be going anywhere today.

A Year in Review: 2010

Wow, I can't another year is over.  It seems like every year goes by faster than the one before. 

In April, we made the final payment on my student loan.  That really felt good.  I do not miss having that payment in my life.  Six years after graduation, I figured it was time to kick Sallie Mae out of the house.  Steve's family grew with the addition of twins.  Steve's cousin and her husband had one boy and one girl, David and Elizabeth.

In May, Steve and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary with dinner at Ruth Chris in Granger. I love him more every day.  We also took a week trip to Texas for a Total It Up training during the last week of May.   Total It Up is a five-day course that includes introductory classes on phonetics and phonology, grammar, language and culture learning, translation and semantics, as well as field reports, videos, and personal testimonies.  It was fun and we also go to see my best friend, Lizzy, and her family while we were there. 

In June, I celebrated my 29th birthday and the next day my cousin got married to his long-time girlfriend, Carrie.  She is awesome.  I'm so glad she is part of our family now and I'm even more excited that they are going to have their first child in July 2011.

July and August involved a lot of family time.  Over the 4th of July weekend, Steve's brother visited us and we got to meet our newest niece at 10 days old.  In August, my little brother got married and my parents celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with an Alaskan Cruise.  We also welcomed another niece in August.  We got to meet her at Thanksgiving.  She is very cute.

The fall/winter was busy with October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  Steve participated again in the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Event.  He raised $251 for the cause.  Our great friends, Tabby and Greg, welcomed their first child, Grant, at the end of October.  My friend Esther and her husband also welcomed a son and the chef at the YWCA and her husband welcomed a daughter.  This was the year for babies around our world and next year is looking to be another baby boom for us too.  For Thanksgiving, we got together with Steve's family.  We are both still working at Sears and the Christmas season is the busy time at work.  We survived the craziness though.  After Christmas, Steve and I took a week of vacation and Steve used the week to renovate our bathroom.  We are getting a new tub, a new toilet, and a new vanity. Steve did a really great job and it's almost done. 

We were blessed beyond belief this year.  I am so thankful for the amazing friends and family that we have.   I'm so looking forward to great adventures 2011 will have in store for us.

"To God be the glory, great things he hath done! So loved he the world that he gave us his Son, who yielded his life an atonement for sin, and opened the lifegate that all may go in."

"Stay-cation" 2010

Steve and I both took a week of vacation time this week from the YWCA.  I had to work a few nights at Sears, but Steve had off from both jobs.  Steve and I decided to use our vacation time to fix up our bathroom.  It's been on our to-do list since we moved in, so we figured we had the money saved up, it was as good a time as any.  The bathtub was chipped and really dirty, so it is being replaced with a Whirlpool tub with tile on the wall around it.  The toilet is being replaced with one that is more water bill-friendly and will not leak.  We are getting a new vanity and sink too.  The cabinet and mirror, we are keeping because we like them.  My dad put in the tile floor new when we moved in, so we are keeping that too.
Steve spent Tuesday, with the help of our friend Stacy, planning the project, taking measurements and ripping out the dry wall.   Stacy helped with the drywall part mostly.  I think they had some fun doing that. The drywall had to be replaced because there was some mold behind the old tub that we have to get rid of.  Wednesday and Today was spent going to Lowe's and Menards way too many times to get everything we need for the project.  Steve is working on the electrical right now, so we can put up the dry wall tomorrow and put everything in where they go. The plan is to have the project completed by the end of our vacation.  I'll post pictures of the finished project when it's done.

Interesting Stats

I was looking at my blog stats for the past 30 days and I thought that is pretty interesting what countries people are coming to my blog from.  I wonder how they are finding it.  I work with numbers and statistics all day, so statistics are fun for me.  It does make you realize just how interconnected we are with the rest of the world.

Counties They Came From United States 528 Netherlands 25 Russia 25 Canada 18 Germany 12 South Korea 8	The Top 5 Visted Blog Posts Currently Reading: Bridges Out of Poverty YWCA Christmas Wish List 2010 April 15, 2010 Biggest Loser and Healthy Snacks: Banana Bread A Must-Try Recipe: Mali Peanut Butter Sauce (Tiga Dege Na)

Six Months to Thirty (30)

Well, I'm sitting here listening to Christmas music and it occurred to me when I looked at the calendar that six months from tommorrow I am going to be 30.  I know to many people 30 doesn't seem like that old, but I remember thinking when I turned 20 of all the things that I wanted to do before I turned 30.  Back then 30 seemed so old, but it's funny how it doesn't seem that old to me now.  When I turned 20 I remember thinking that I wanted to married and at least have a child by the time I'm thirty, but I think that goes back to the fact that I thought 30 was really old.  When I got married at 25, I thought, "I want to be debt free by the time I'm thirty."  Well, we are still working on that.  Maybe by 40, we will be.  :o)
Well, in just six short little months, I will reach to milestone of 30 years old.  As I look back on the last decade, I think I did pretty good.  There may be a few things that I would do differently if I could go back and do them over again, but not many.  I consider myself to be very blessed.  I will be celebrating my half-birthday tommorrow by making Christmas cookies after work.  Yum!

2010 Pitney Family Christmas Weekend



Me with our newest niece, Heiress.

 This weekend was great.  Friday night, Steve went to the YWCA Christmas party and I had to work, so I couldn't go. :o(

Saturday, we both had the day off from Sears because it was the day of Steve's family Christmas.  Steve's family never has Christmas on Christmas and that's nice since my family always have Christmas on Christmas.  It was such a relaxing day of just hanging out with family.  The party was at Steve's brother's house in Bourbon, IN.  He lives out in the country, so he has a lot of space for playing for the kids and the guys had room to shoot guns at targets.  There was only a few minor injuries, so I guess they were successful.  The weather was a little rainy, so we did have to stay inside a lot.  On Steve's side of the family, there are ten kids between all of his brothers, so there were kids playing all over.  The kids range in age from school age to 3 months.  The little cutie in the picture above is our newest niece that was born in August.  It was a great day of family fun and eating really good food.  Steve's brother, Randy and his family stayed the night with us on Saturday night.  When we returned home, it was bedtime for the kiddos.

Sunday, we got up a little early for a normal Sunday.  We woke up and ate some breakfast.  Cheerios with banana was a big hit with the kids.  Steve and I wanted to give his bro and family the gift of Christmas family pictures this year and we were going to have Erin take them.  She had to work on Sunday, so packed up the family and headed to Sears.  Our adorable little nieces and nephew had fun meeting some of our co-workers.  Erin took some great pictures.  Casey kept looking at my funny when I was holding her. I'm not sure she knew what to do with two Aunt Bridget's.  Steve and I even got to get in one with the kids.  They love their Aunt Bridget and Uncle Steve.
They had to leave after we ate lunch in the food court.  It was a great weekend. :o)
We didn't do much else for the rest of the day since mother nature decided to dump tons of tons on us over the weekend.  Steve did rent a movie from Red Box, so we watched G-Force (which is a very cute movie) and ate some popcorn.
Red Box Movies - $1; Kroger Popcorn = $1 for a box; Not having to pay more than $20 for the movie and popcorn at the theater=Priceless. :o)

Reason #5042 I love My Husband!

I got home from work tonight and I noticed that the house looked a little different.  The table was all cleared off.  Then I walked into the bedroom and the bed was made and the floor was clean.  The living room floor was clean too.  My amazing husband hired a cleaning crew to come out today and clean our house for my Christmas present while we were at work.  The cleaners did a spectacular job.  This is the perfect time for this great gift.  I have been feeling so overwhelmed with everything that had to be done before Steve's family came into town this weekend. I had planned to come home from work and start cleaning and hope that I got it all done, but now all I have to do are a few loads of laundry and some dishes.  I love Steve!  I have the greatest husband ever!

1 Peter 5:7: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Hope Deferred Makes the Heart Sick

I feel a little better than I did yesterday.  I just felt so overwhelmed and stressed yesterday it was making my stomach hurt.  Work has gotten really busy and things just seem so out of control.  I know they aren't but I can't help but feel so disorganized.  I find myself getting angry at the really small stuff that shouldn't matter.  I am so thankful that Steve and I have two jobs, so we are able to make some good headway on our debt, but I'm tired.  I really don't like weeks like this week when I work Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights and Steve works Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights.  We won't see much of eachother this week, except for the at YWCA, in the morning, and at bedtime.
On top of that, Steve and I are trying to get our house organized.  We have lived in the house for two years now and there are projects that were started that aren't done and we still can't use our garage.  The house seems to messy and cluttered.  I know I need to get more discipline to get everything done, especially if we plan to have kids someday.   "How do you eat an Elephant?"  One bite at a time, right.
I know that I have no reason to complain.  I have an amazing husband that is such a hard worker.  I have so many blessings.  I have a job that I love, amazing friends, a great supportive family, and so much more.  I am really looking forward to the Pitney Christmas get together this weekend.  It should be a much needed break with family.  Steve's brother and family are going to be staying us over the weekend.   This means we have to kid-proof the house and do some de-cluttering.  I'm exciting that they are coming though.

Lately everytime I feel overwhelmed and just want to quit and take a break from the two jobs, I just focus on this verse.  We are so close.
"Owe nothing to anyone--except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God's law." Romans 13:8

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

I love the first snow of the season.  It looks so beautiful and peaceful when you are looking out the window.  Today is one of the days that I wish my office at work had windows.  I can see outside when I leave my office though.  The picture is the view out of the Admin office window.  It really does look like we are living in a snow globe.

This week is going to be pretty busy for Steve and me, so it is definitely nice to look outside and see such peace.  I'm not sure if I'll feel the same way when I leave work and start driving to Sears.  Let's hope that the people of Michiana remember how to drive in snow.

YWCA North Central Indiana Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are critical to the mission of the YWCA.  Whether the project is small or large, long-term or short-term, many people or just one, volunteers make the YWCA the best it can be. THANK YOU!

Opportunities Available
* Special Group Projects- The YWCA serves over 1400 women and children each year. We are always in need of sprucing up.  Help the YWCA by organizing a clean up day! Cleaning, painting, minor maintenance, sewing, playroom and toy cleaning, restocking and reorganization.
* Supply Drive- Organize a drive for art supplies, baby blankets, children's school uniforms, diapers, toiletries, food etc with your family, friends, office, church group or other group.
* Neat & Tidy - The YWCA receives many donations and can always use help keeping them organized.  Help us sort and organize donated merchandise.
* Love Books? - Help the YWCA pull together a top notch library by volunteering to organize and clean the library/resource room or having a book drive.
* Enjoy the Kitchen - The YWCA serves over 50,000 meals each year. Help restock the cupboards, prepare, and even serve meals. The kitchen is always in need of help on holidays and special occasions.  Join our staff and help us make the holidays special.
* Bi-Lingual? - The YWCA serves women and children of diverse cultures. Your knowledge of other languages could be a wonderful resource in helping us to translate needed materials for our clients.
* Host a Party benefiting the YWCA - Invite you friends to attend an event and bring either monetary contributions or wish list items to donate to the YWCA. The could be done in lieu of birthday presents or could be a party specifically to raise awareness of YWCA program.

These are just a few opportunities available.  For other ways to help, to get more information or to sign up, contact Peggy King at 574-233-9491 X 307.  You can also donate with a monetary gift online at ywcancin.org.

I Do Not Choose to Be a Common Man (or Woman)

The Honorable Dean Alfange was an American statesman born December 2, 1899, in Constantinople (now Istanbul). He was raised in upstate New York. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I and attended Hamilton College, graduating in the class of 1922.

* It is my right to be uncommon—if I can.
* I seek opportunity—not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.
* I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed.
* I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia.
* I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat.
* It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say, “This I have done.”

By Dean Alfange
"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Phil 3:14

Give Thanks!

GIVE THANKS

WITH A GRATEFUL HEART

GIVE THANKS

TO THE HOLY ONE

GIVE THANKS

FOR HE'S GIVEN

JESUS CHRIST, HIS SON

AND NOW LET THE WEAK SAY

I AM STRONG

LET THE POOR SAY

I AM RICH

BECAUSE OF WHAT

THE LORD HAS DONE

FOR US

GIVE THANKS...

Thanksgiving is Not About Turkey!

Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into God's presence with singing!
Know that the Lord is God! It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him, bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

Thanksgiving
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

YWCA Christmas Wish List 2010

Once again the YWCA has had a busy year with a large increase in the amount of women and children we are serving.  We have also recently merged with the YWCA of Elkhart County greatly increasing the number of families we will be serving.
When you are shopping for gifts for your family this year, consider picking up an extra present for a hurting child at the YWCA.
Below is a list of items that would be wonderful gifts for the many women and children that will call the YWCA home this Christmas season.
Note: It will be most appreciated if all gifts are non-violent in nature.
Teenagers:
CD players, MP3 players, watches for male and female, hand held videogames, music CDs, DVDs (G, PG, PG-13 only), young women's toiletry items, young men's toiletry items, hats and scarves, hair accessories, age appropriate art supplies, gift cards, books, footballs/basketballs/soccer balls, make-up
Children (age 4-12)
Legos and other building sets, dolls and accessories, books, trucks, cars, educational games, craft projects, hats, mittens, socks, transformers, zu-zu pets, hand held games, play sets (such as farms, schools, houses for preschool age), nerf balls
Infants and young toddlers
Baby action toys, educational toys, stuffed animals, books, hats, mittens, socks, teething toys, rattles/small hand held toys, baby wipes, baby lotion, baby powder, baby wash/shampoo, and baby monitors
* batteries for toys are always appreciated and needed
Adult Women
Robes, slippers, pajamas, throws, alarm clocks, MP3 players, portable CD players, CDs, cameras, watches, costume jewelry, calendars, organizers/day planners, book bags, perfume, bath/body lotions, hair accessories, hats/gloves and scarves
In order to ensure that all the YWCA have a wonderful Christmas, it would be helpful to have donated gifts by Monday, December 13th.
If you have any questions, plese call Peggy King at 574-233-9491 X 307.

Newlyweds: What Do We Need To Know About Money?

Unity over money will build a strong foundation for your marriage
from daveramsey.com on 12 May 2010
 
If you’re getting ready to tie the knot, then one thing you definitely want to talk about with your honey is money!

You probably have lots going on, and emotions are running high. But believe us: now is the time to get on the same page about money. Money fights and money problems have been the leading cause of divorce for decades—but the good news is that these issues are preventable! Getting on the same page creates a strong foundation for a healthy, lifetime marriage. Plus, you’re stopping money fights before they start!

A lot of couples find that being unified with their money increases their intimacy overall. Like Dave says, “When you can talk about money, you can talk about anything.” Talking about money is easier than you may think—especially if you start before you say, “I do.”

The process of bringing your money together doesn’t have to add stress to a time of pre-wedding bliss. It can actually be fun! Here is a quick five-step checklist to get you started building a solid foundation for your life together:

1. Put It All on the Table
   Transperency is Key!
2. “Marry” Your Accounts
   When you get married, combining your money into joint accounts is a crucial step.
3. Start Budgeting Together
   Get tips for uniting over the budget.
4. Make A Plan
   Set priorities together and make a plan for moving through Dave’s Seven Baby Steps as a team.
5. Put Your Relationship First
   Whatever you do, don’t stress! It’s just money. Your relationship is so much more important.

Financial Peace University (FPU) is Dave’s class that is perfect for newlyweds! Take a break from the hassle of wedding planning for a couple of hours each week to have a great time connecting over money. FPU classes are offered at locations all over the nation. Learn more about this life-changing class and locate one in your area as you prepare to say “I do.”
Source

Join a Special Group of Women!

I love this time of year. The leaves are changing into beautiful colors and there is such a spirit of giving everywhere.  People wake up every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas and seem to realize there are poor and hurting around us.  They will go out of their way and give and I love it.  I sometimes wonder though, if those people realize that the poor and hurting are with us in this community the other ten months of the year, as well.
I would like to suggest that this year be different.  Become a Women of Vision for the YWCA North Central Indiana.  Join a select group of women who are changing the world one family at a time. YWCA Women of Vision help provide the resources needed to care for women and children in need in our community.   You can give a one time lump sum donation or you can spread your pledge monthly throughout the year.  If you can't give much, that's ok because every little bit helps to provide a safe shelter and resources for the 1300 women and children we serve every year.

If you have any questions, please contact Peggy King at 574-231-9491 X307 or email her at pking@ywcancin.org.

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
2 Corinthians 9:11

Recognizing Domestic Violence

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month!

Domestic violence crosses all ethnic, racial, age, national origin, sexual orientation, religious, and socioeconomic lines. Domestic violence can happen to anybody. In fact, studies suggest that one-fifth to one-third of all women will be physically assaulted by a partner or ex-partner during their lifetime. In heterosexual relationships, 95 percent of all victims are female; and 95 percent of all perpetrators are male. In same-sex relationships, domestic violence happens with the same statistical frequency as in heterosexual relationships. Find out how to recognize domestic violence by clicking here.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) is always open.

Overcoming Domestic Violence: There is Hope!

Source for video

Amy Grant: Ask Me

I see her as a little girl
Hiding in her room
She takes another bath
And she sprays her mama's perfume

To try to wipe away
The scent he left behind
But it haunts her mind

You see, she's his little rag
Nothing more than just a waif
And he's mopping up his need
She is tired and afraid
Maybe she'll find a way
Through these awful years
To disappear

Ask me if I think there's a God up in the Heaven
Where did He go in the middle of her shame?
Ask me if I think there's a God up in the Heaven
I see no mercy, and no one down here's naming names
Nobody's naming names

Now, she's looking in the mirror
At a lovely woman face
No more frightened little girl
Like she's gone without a trace

Still she leaves the light
Burning in the hall
It's hard to sleep at all

'Til she crawls up in her bed
Acting quiet as a mouse
Deep inside, she's listening
For a creaking in the house
But no one's left to harm her
She's finally safe and sound
There's a peace she has found

Ask her how she knows there's a God up in the Heaven
Where did He go in the middle of her shame
Ask her how she knows there's a God up in the Heaven
She said His mercy is bringing her life again

She's coming to life again

The Cycle of Violence



The cycle can happen hundreds of times in an abusive relationship. Each stage lasts a different amount of time in a relationship. The total cycle can take anywhere from a few hours to a year or more to complete.

It is important to remember that not all domestic violence relationships fit the cycle. Often, as time goes on, the 'making-up' and 'calm' stages disappear.
For more information

Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence. If you are concerned about your relationship, please do not hesitate to call the YWCA's 24 Hour Hotline at 1-866-YES-YWCA.

October is a Month for Celebrating Woman's Issues!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month!
Did you know:

• Every 2 minutes, someone in the US is sexually assaulted.
• 1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape.
• About 2/3 of rapes are committed by someone known to the victim.
• Domestic Violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44 in the United States.
• Every 9 seconds in the US a women is beaten, usually by her male partner.
• Between 15 and 25% of pregnant women are battered.
• 50% of homeless women and children in the US are fleeing Domestic Violence.
• 80% of children from homes where partner abuse occurs will become an abuser or a victim as an adult.

October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Did you know:

• Breast Cancer is the number one cause of death in Hispanic women.
• The risk of breast cancer increases as a woman grows older. The risk is especially high for women age 60 and older. Breast cancer is uncommon in women younger than age 35, although it does occur.
• Breast Cancer accounts for 1 in 4 of cancer diagnosis in women.
• The risk of developing breast cancer increases for a woman whose mother, sister, daughter, or two or more close relatives have had the disease. It is important to know how old they were at the time they were diagnosed.

Both of these issues are very important to women.

To find out more information on Domestic Violence go to: http://www.ywcancin.org/.
To find out more information on Breast Cancer go to: http://www.nbcam.org/.