Works of Heart

Fall Day Trip!

This past Saturday I woke up to a crystal blue sunny sky, warm temps, beautiful fall colors and a day with nothing on the calendar... what to do?!!  Only ONE thing to do!  Take a day trip!

 

 

So my girlfriend Naomi, the boys, and I hopped in the car for a day of exploring the beautiful fall Minnesota countryside.  We headed south down Hwy 169 through Belle Plaine and then veered over onto Co. Hwy 6 that runs along the west side of the Minnesota River.  What a beautiful drive!

Along the way there is a beautiful old, architecturally interesting church... called St. Jessamine or something like that.  So many interesting angles and corners that Naomi (aka "The Paparazzi") and I just had to stop for some photos. :)   Isn't this church cool?!

The next interesting town we came through was Henderson.  A really quaint main street... antique shops, interesting storefronts, definitely worth a stop.  I have to say, I've never before seen a Red Owl storefront like the one there... brick with blue columns and polished brass lightposts and completely vacant of signage except for the words "Red Owl" on the side-street side of the building.  A unique place indeed!

By noontime we'd reached Minneopa Falls State Park just outside of Mankato.  If you have never been there, it's definitely worth a day trip.  The setting along the river is gorgeous and it is a favorite hotspot for photographers in the fall.  Every time we have been there, there has been a wedding on-site in the park.

This year, though, because of the dry conditions we've had, the falls were essentially DRIED UP!  We couldn't believe it!  Still an absolutely breathtaking place and the boys loved the opportunity the low riverbed provided to climb over rocks and "puddles". :)

 

This photo of the boys was taken under the main bridge in the park that crosses over the river and falls.  I assure you, I would NOT have let the boys climb under there had the water been rushing!

And this is my friend Naomi standing on the bridge... you can see what a beautiful area it is!

From Minneopa we ventured west on Hwy 68 over to New Ulm for their Octoberfest celebration!  What a blast!  The towncenter was barricaded off and the street was filled with festivities... a german band playing polkas and authentic german music, beer stand, brat & sauerkraut stand, dancing... all too fun!

Naomi, the boys, and I sat down at one of the tables for a brat and a beer... the man sitting next to us was all decked out in his lederhosen(sp?).  :)

After our beer and brats we took the narrated historic carriage ride through historic New Ulm.  Very interesting... especially all the old "mansions" that have been renovated.  I've heard that New Ulm is the most "native" German town in America.
Besides all the heritage in New Ulm, the city boasts the only glockenspiel in the country.  It is a 45-50 foot tall clock tower with bells along the top.  The bells tolls out beautiful music 3 times a day -- the sound is almost mesmerizing.  And while the bells toll, there is a platform with dancing dolls (animated puppets almost).  Very unique and unusual!

The last stop of the day (still in New Ulm) was Harmann Park where the 102' Hermann Monument resides.  Despite a little "fear of heights", we all managed to climb to the very top of monument (Naomi, you overcame your fear!  Congrats! :)

What an awesome day it was!  Fall is my favorite time of the year... mostly because I look forward to "daytripping" and seeing the beautiful colors and countryside.  Not sure where we'll go next year, but I wouldn't be surprised if we swing a trip to the New Ulm Octoberfest again. ;)

Pics taken with my new camera!

Downloaded my pics from Christmas and I am thrilled seeing them on the big monitor!

This one of my Dad was the very first shot taken with the new camera.  Love how soft the light is and how nice his skintones came out.  I actually think this is the nicest photo I have of my Dad.

And these taken without flash of the beautiful table my sister set for Christmas dinner.  (Yes, that's her in the background :)

These pictures of the horses taken outdoors in the magical Christmas snow.  The first is taken from fairly close in.  But the second two shots are taken from quite a distance ... the third is at full 300mm zoom, no tripod even... can't believe how sharp everything is.  The VC (vibration control) is awesome!

This last one is my niece and nephew.  The colors came out so nicely even against the all-white background.  LOVE this camera/lens setup!  So fun to just snap away. :)
   

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU Dad!!!  I'm grinning ear-to-ear with joy over this new camera!!

Reminiscing...

Been so busy lately with Christmas shopping, getting cards mailed, wrapping gifts, etc. that I can barely keep up with it all.  It's so sad... haven't even taken any photos in the past month.  But... got to looking at some old Christmas photos and gosh... they sure bring back memories.

Look at the boys back in 2003...

 

I just can't get over how much they've changed in the past 4 years... wow!  Look at them this year...

Sooo grown up looking.  Ryan's almost 12 (just a couple weeks) and Grant is 8-1/2.  He was just 4 in those earlier pictures.  Wow! 

An item to note... you might think the boys cooperated for that photo I used in the Christmas card above.  But oh no... not my boys... could not, would not even touch one another for a photo together (these on the 1st day of school).  [Little terds!]  Sooo... a little PS magic and who'd know (except me and you now) that it's actually two photos merged together. :)

Do you take the same photo, same place every year?  I always take one of the boys at the top of the stairs before they come down to see what Santa brought.  Will be fun to pull them all together into a scrapbook page and see how they've grown and changed.  What other suggestions do you have for "same time next year" photos?

During this busy time, don't forget to fill your heart with the Spirit of CHRISTmas. 

And remember... it's not the presents that matter, but your presence. :)

~Christine

Girls 21st Annual Gift Exchange

Got my pics from our girls' get-together downloaded... fun stuff!  LOVE these girls!  We have all been friends since 1982 (25 years?!  Eeks!), some of the girls even went to kindergarten together... talk about lifelong friends. :)  Through the years we sure have been through alot together.  And I know we'll be going through alot more.  It's so awesome to have friends who "knew you when". :)

We got carried away with too much chatting and somehow missed getting a group shot this year. :(  Boo.  I did get a pic of everyone individually...

Marys... sorry I didn't get better pics of you two.  Maybe next year you'll cooperate? :)

Thanks for a GREAT, FUN time girls!  I luv ya!!!  I'm already looking forward to next year. :)

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

Oh my heck!  How did an ENTIRE month go by since I last posted?!  Egad!  Will someone e-mail me next time I slack so long?  Please?!!

Life... rolling along.  Lots going on.  Been in training for work all week last week and the week before T-Giving (C# & ASP.NET for you geeks out there ;).  Had to drive an hour+ each way to the training center... ugh!  Sure made me appreciate my 25-30 minute drive that I sometimes complain about. ;)

And Thanksgiving was wonderful!!!  Spent some time with my brother & sister-in-law and also with my sister & her family.  Lots of yummy food & fun family time too.  I LOVE Thanksgiving!!

Also managed to hand-make 80 Christmas cards over the past week or so.  Still need to get the envies addressed & sign them all, but the assembly line work is done at least. :)  I'll share a sampling here... all just variations on a theme using Basic Grey holiday papers, Art Warehouse stamps (kinda hard to see the white ink stamped on the red velvet in the scan) & a few jewels.  Fairly simple, but as time-consuming as I'll go when I'm making 80. :)

   

Oh!  and I have a TOOOOT to share!!!  Can't tell you much about it, but got a special assignment from CK last Tuesday for the March 2008 issue!!!  Yippee!!! :D :D   Here's a little sneak peek. ;)

 

Enjoyed the first big snowfall of the season this weekend at my sister's house... played a little Scrabble, drank a little hot cocoa... love hunkering down with family during a storm.  And the boys even got to go snowmobiling today!  They were THRILLED!!!  I so wish I'd have gotten pictures.  Bummer. :\

I have to share yet about our 21st annual "College Girlfriends Holiday Party" on Friday night too!!!  Always a BLAST!!!  But need to download the pics yet, so will hopefully do that in the next day or so.

I promise not to be so delinquent this month, even with all the holiday preparations... I promise!

God bless your day!! ~Christine

Katching up, sKating & Kitties!

First item of order, my house.  It's now been on the market for two weeks.  I have had 4 showings and two of them have been very interested.  No offers yet, but I'm encouraged by the level of interest so far... a good thing given how slow the housing market is these days.

Had a very busy weekend.  Our friends Kevin (you might know him from my Teaching With Love LO in the  June 2003 issue of CK?!) & Karen came over with their two little girls.  We had dinner, played on the Sport Court & then enjoyed an awesome fall bonfire.  The night was cool and perfect!  (Just one of the those 17 shrubs we pulled remaining to be burned!)

Headed to Stillwater, MN early on Saturday morning to watch my nieces skate in the Maplewood Skating competition.  Karilyn competes at the Intermediate level.  She finished 7th in short program and 6th in long program which she skated as well as I've seen her skate -- nailed all those doubles!  WTG Karilyn!  Kayla competes at the Senior level now (wow!!!).  Unfortunately, there one only one other competitor at the level who scratched due to injury, so Kayla did not get to compete.

I tell ya, the new scoring rules that you hear about on TV are soooo hard to figure out.  It's like a whole new language.  And both competitions I've been to where my nieces skated there have been questions about how things were scored.  Weird how the exact same program/elements skated at two different competitions (with two different technical specialists calling them) results in very different interpretation/possible points.   Seems the system still needs a little work.

Here are pics of Karilyn (13)

and Kayla (16):

They are beautiful aren't they!!  I'm so, so, SO proud of them!!

The last item today is a set of pictures of little kittens that I took yesterday at my sister's.  They have 18 (I think?!!) little kittens running around there right now!  3 separate mamas.  The oldest are about 6 weeks old, the youngest are just 3 weeks old.  (p.s. let me know if you're wanting a kitten, my sister is looking to find them new homes!!  And since her 4 kids are home all day, the kitties are so friendly & used to lots of lovin'.  Because of that, if I ever decide to get a cat, the ONLY place I will get one is from my sister.  Seriously, if you see a kitty below that you want, let me know & I'll arrange it! 

Enjoy the pics of these adorable little kitties!! :)

Have a great day!  And thanks for stopping by! ~Christine

It's Official!

My house is on the market!  The sign went up Friday afternoon.  Woohoo!

Here's the link to the MLS listing if you're interested: 353 Jansen Avenue NE. 

I had my first showing already on Saturday morning and it went great!  The couple who came through LOVED the house!  But they still have their house on the market & didn't want to make a contingent offer the 1st day on the market.  Sooo... not necessarily good news or bad news, but it makes me feel good to have someone interested right away.

Last week was crazy finishing up the last few things (basement, yardwork, etc).  And to make it crazier, I decided Thursday night that I needed to get a different washer & dryer to go with the sale of the house.  Two years ago, under special circumstances, I was able to buy a $2200 set of Maytag Neptunes and I LOVE(!) them.  Decided, NO WAY were they gonna be a "gimme" along with my house.  And after finding out Thursday morning that I would be having a showing Saturday a.m., I decided I'd better get them out and get new, less expensive, ones in...quick!

I still can't believe I pulled it off, but I managed to buy a new $800 set of Maytags at Lowe's on Thursday night and had them delivered NEXT DAY on Friday already!  Best of all, Lowe's had a rebate for free next-day delivery going!  How cool was that!  So now my nice Maytags are hidden under a blanket in the garage (boo hoo for now) and I will be using a not so nice w/d until I move out.  But hey, my nice Neptunes will feel brand new again when I get to use them again at my new house.  Yay!

Excited to FINALLY be officially "on the market" after working on the house all summer long.  Now, here's wishing for a quick sale at a good price!

Sharing pics of my house... almost ready to list

Well, it's been a TON of work... probably 300+ hours over the past 2 months getting this house looking presentable.  Still have 20-30 hours of work to do before it's ready to show... staging the basement after last of the finish work, installation of 2 new windows, cleaning the furnace room, finishing organizing my scrap room/closet, exterior trim paint touch ups, weed whacking, etc, but it's actually "getting" there!

I never thought I'd say this, but I'm SO SICK of shopping... Home Depot, Kirkland's, Kohl's, Target every day for this or that.  And my bank account is one E-E-E-E.  But in this market I need to put the $ into the house to sell... too much competition on the market.

Sooo. here are some pictures of my house.  If you know anyone looking for acreage in the NW burbs of Mpls, please e-mail me!

Front of house (still need to get some trash/good will items unloaded) and 40x70 lighted Sport Court in the back of our 2.5 acre yard:
 

And the great room (12 ft ceilings peaking to 15 w/brick gas fireplace & built-in bookcases) and main level bath:

Dining room w/bay windows & huge kitchen w/TONS of cabinets and kids upstairs bath:

Lastly, the basement family room and the master suite:

I must say, that despite the work that still remains to be done, my house feels so FRESH, and DECORATED and CLEAN!!!  I'm really loving it right now, but there is no way I can afford it long-term so I am anxious to get out and find something new and less-expensive.

Say a prayer for me that my house sells quickly!  Thanks everyone. :)

I'm so delinquent...

Dang!  Life has just gotten in the way lately... sooooo busy trying to finish up all the work on my house.  The good news is that all that's left to clean up is my scrap room (ugh though... SUCH a heap!) and a section of the basement.  Otherwise all the other rooms are pretty well staged & ready.

I never thought I'd say this, but "I'm sooooo sick of shopping!"  I know... can't believe I just said that either!  But seriously, I have been running every single day to either Home Depot or Lowe's for maintenance items or to Kirkland's, Kohl's or Home Goods for new home decor items.  I do really LOVE all the new furnishings I've bought though and they'll all go with me to my new house. 

The style throughout is mostly Tuscan with a little cottage/shabby chic in my bedroom & bath.  And the new carpet looks WONDERFUL!!  I LOVE the caramel-y brown color that I chose... so warm & matches perfectly w/the warm brown I chose for the walls in the living room.

The agent who's listing my house will be out on Friday to take pictures.  So hopefully by early next week I can post the listing here. :D  Yay!   My whole house has been transformed in the past 6-7 weeks!  I'm so mad that I didn't take before pictures cause it truly is amazing.

Not doing too much scrapping lately, but I did create this layout for Becky Fleck at Pagemaps for the August newsletter.  Recognize those pics from over the 4th?!  That my adorable nephew Bryce... .such a cutie!

Heading to WI again this weekend for our 3rd annual "Thanksgiving in August".  I'd share a LO I did about it but you'll have to wait for the November issue of Making Memories. ;)  Can't wait to see all the cousins, aunts & uncles this weekend!

God bless.  Christine

Busy, busy, busy! And sharing some recent fave photos...

It has been the busiest month of my life... trying to get my house ready to sell.  Every Friday & Saturday for the past 6 weeks I've had small crews out helping with various tasks... everything from pulling shrubs (17 of them in fact!), laying mulch, painting, sanding & refinishing wood floors, trimming out the basement, changing out knobs & light fixtures, cleaning the garage, hauling trash & good will items, removing wallpaper, dusting, cleaning, packing... you get the idea! 

I have been so blessed through this time by the many, many hearts and hands all pitching in to help me get ready.  I definitely could not do this on my own!!  God is amazing... how He provides everything in His time.

Thankfully I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel as I'm hoping to have it ready to show by next weekend (8/4 &5).  Hey, if you know anyone looking for a home & acreage in theto the Hanover/St. Michael area, send 'em my way! 

• 2.5 acres w/big flat back yard & wooded on 2 sides
• 3br/3ba + br/den
• 15 ft vaulted ceilings in great room w/full-height brick gas fireplace & 12 ft built in oak bookcases
• huge kitchen w/TONS (really!) of oak paneled cabinets
• master suite w/WIC & corner jacuzzi tub
• Cal Closets in all bedroom + den
• 2800 FSF incl full basement
• HW floors in kitchen, dining & entry; tile in all bathrooms
• lots of big beautiful windows looking out to lighted 40x70 full-sized Sport Court for basketball, short court tennis, volleyball, rollerblading, roller hockey, pitching, etc.
• private camp site & fire pit in back yard
• oversized 3-car garage

I'll post pictures once the listing goes up, but be thinking about if you might know someone looking for acreage in the Hanover/St. Michael area.   Drop me an e-mail if you know of someone!

Other than cleaning/prepping, not a whole lot of time for much else.  The boys have enjoyed a few days with Grandpa & their cousins lately... fun for them (and me! because I get uninterrupted work time lol).

Can't believe summer is dashing by already.  It'll be Au**** (I just can't quite bring myself to say it out loud LOL) already next week.  Yikes!  And then back to school... wow.

Now onto the fun stuff... photos :)  These are a few of my faves from the past couple months.

 

This one of a neighbor boy pitching is my fave!  One of those where after you release the shutter you just know you *got* it!  Love when that happens! :D

The rest are just random photo of family & friends that I really like. :)

Enjoy the last few days of July!  And if you're looking for something to do this Saturday, I could use some painters. ;)

I will not grow weary...

Funny how/where God speaks to us sometimes, isn't it?

Last Saturday the boys and I spent the night at my sister's house and joined her family for church on Sunday morning.

I was a little disappointed to be missing church at home since we have a fabulous new worship leader, Mike Graff, who just started last weekend.  Looking forward to having him with us again tomorrow at New Horizons. 

But it was all good... I think Pastor Steve at Shepherd of the Valley was preaching specifically to me.  The music, scripture and sermon all focused on Isaiah 40:31...

       but those who hope in the LORD
       will renew their strength.
       They will soar on wings like eagles;
       they will run and not grow weary,
       they will walk and not be faint.

This was SO appropriate for me given my current battle with fatigue and anxiety and the overwhelming pressure of getting my house ready to put on the market.  The truth is I *am* so very, very, very tired.  My anxiety keeps me from sleeping... much anyway.  I've just kinda hit the wall.  I'm working reduced hours at work this month to try to get back on my feet.  I'm taking anxiety medications, I've tried every sleep aid known to man including prescription drugs and most recently acupuncture.  It's helped some, but I'm still weary from the road of life.

If you want to hear Pastor Steve's message, you can listen to his sermon here.   Good stuff!

As I soaked in the encouragement of the message, I found myself energized.  And then, later in the afternoon the most unbelievable sign from God that 'He IS with me' and 'He is tireless and watching over me'!  Because in the afternoon when we walked over to the lake across the street from my sister's, a messenger from God was there, soaring and watching over me... and actuation of his message that morning... a beautiful, majestic eagle!  It gave me goosebumps.

As my sister reminded me, an eagle cannot soar without a headwind... just as we cannot soar without resistance.  I LOVE that!  So encouraging... to rise up on wings like eagles we need to trust in the Lord even as we struggle through daily life.  I know with all my heart that I am in God's will and that He is lifting me up on wings like an eagle.  It doesn't get any better than that! 

On a somewhat related but unrelated note, if you love birds and babies and want to see something really, really cool, check this out!  Since 1989, a pair of endangered Peregrine Falcons has been nesting on the Radisson Hotel in downtown Winnipeg.  In 2006, CBC in Manitoba, Shaw and the Peregrine Falcon Recovery Project (Manitoba) collaborated to provide Manitobans with the opportunity to observe each year’s family of Peregrines on the Falcon Cam.  There are four little white fluff balls in the nest and if you watch long enough you will see the mama & daddy falcons come in to feed the little ones.  Just now mama brought a rat to the nest and then big strong daddy brought down a crow!  The little ones are all gathered round filling their bellies.  Soooo cool!

God bless you all!  And may you rise up on wings like eagles!

Inexplicable Joy!

I thought I knew what joy was a few years ago when I did a layout called “Finding Joy”.  But you know what?  I didn’t.  I didn’t at all!  When I found joy before it was because I had found Jesus.  And I was indeed experiencing a new life in Christ, new with his Spirit.  But as joyful as I thought I was, I didn’t yet know what being truly joyful meant. 

The thing I’ve learned these past two years is that joy does not come from happiness.  Joy is a process and it leads to happiness.  But finding true joy is not easy. 

It does not come when you’re walking down rose-lined streets with the sun shining on your face, being cheered on by an adoring crowd. 

It comes instead after you’ve walked many miles alone down a muddy and slippery road that winds seemingly aimlessly through treacherous forests and thorny bushes, an ominous sky overhead threatening to strike you down at any time. 

And that’s how I felt during 2004 and 2005… wondering what the heck happened to my previously “normal” life.  Why did the road become so slippery and where did all these thorns come from?  Why did it seem that there was no sure step anymore? And why was I surrounded by a threatening dark sky in every direction… nowhere leading to clear skies?  It was truly daunting.  There were days I didn’t think I could even get out of bed, much less try to be productive.  I questioned God… Why? How? I can’t do this on my own!  I am drowning!

I will not share everything here, but my challenges included hospital stays, infidelity, drugs, missing persons, bigamy, court cases, divorce, Dad’s heart-attack, financial woes, a big yard and house to manage on my own…all while working full-time and trying to maintain stability for my two dear boys while their world was falling apart around them too. 

In October of 2005 when I finally went to the doctor for help with my anxiety and sleeplessness, and the doctor asked what kind of stress I was under, he was speechless, chin hanging on the floor, as I rolled through what was happening in my life. 

Still, I got through it. Amazingly I did.  With a lot of help from friends and family and many people I didn’t even know.  And ironic as it may seem, it is because of all those trials and circumstance that I am sharing my joy today!

As I said before, joy does not come when you’re walking down rose-lined streets with the sun shining on your face, being cheered on by an adoring crowd. 

Joy comes instead after you’ve walked many miles alone down a muddy and slippery road that winds seemingly aimlessly through treacherous forests and thorny bushes, an ominous sky overhead threatening to strike you down at any time. 

It comes after you’ve cried and prayed and cried and prayed and cried some more. 

After you’ve all but given up… left with no choice but to give it over to God. 

It comes after you’re finally able to look outside yourself, past all the self-pity, hurt, anger and frustration. 

It comes after you open your eyes to see all the ways God is working in your life, even through your circumstances. 

It comes after you finally come to recognize His grace and protection in your life, and the knowing and feeling His presence around you!

I am happy to say, that after all these things, I finally know true joy!!  The kind described in the Bible… truly INEXPLICABLE JOY!!!  Joy that follows you wherever you go and sustains you regardless of your circumstances!

A few weeks ago at my women’s bible study, we were discussing Job and all the trials he endured.  In the end, because of Job’s faithfulness, God rewarded him with abundance more than he’d known when he had previously had “everything”.

I shared with the ladies how horrible 2005 was.  I told them that I never wanted to go through anything like it again, but I would never give it back either.  I am a better person for it and I like who I am more now than who I was before.  I know I have changed too, because people respond to me differently now… I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s just different.

And one of the ladies responded, “It’s because you just exude joy and everyone can feel it.  And knowing your story, it’s such an incredible testimony to see how God has filled you with joy.”

I sat quietly, puzzled for a moment… was that it?  Was that really what was different about me?  I hadn’t been able to put my finger on it.  But the more I thought about it, I knew she was right… it was joy that made me different!

I think that is one of the nicest compliments I have ever received.  And it truly is a testimony of how God uses the trials and sorrow to bring us closer to him, to bring us into his presence, and to bring us great joy.

Regardless of our circumstance, we can know with ALL confidence that if we remain faithful, God will reward us with joy untold!! 

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

If you are going through trials of any kind, hang in there.  God has a plan bigger than you can imagine, and in the end your sorrow will be replaced with joy.  I know, I found it hard to believe in the midst of everything, but it is true.

I pray that you will soon come out on the after side to experience the same kind of joy I have found.  And if you know of someone who is currently going through tough times, please share my testimony.  Let them know that there is great joy on the after side of sorrow.

Maybe this verse that was my “rock” as I was floundering in the turmoil will give some of you reassurance too:

When the storm has swept by, the evil will be gone

But the righteous stand firm forever.  Proverbs 10:25

And I want to leave you with this verse also:

I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that you shall weep and grieve, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.   John 16:20

God bless your day!  And may you be filled with inexplicable joy!

Favorite Halloween Memory

When I think about Halloween's of my childhood, I think of Mom.  She was always the creative spirit behind all the wonderful costumes we had. 

I especially remember the year (don't remember how old I was? 9 or 10 maybe?) that Mom surprised us all.  Even the night before Halloween, as we went to bed, we had NO idea what we were going to be.  But somehow, magically so it seemed, when we got up in the morning there were three AMAZING costumes lined up, one for each of us!! 

My little brother, Forrest, had this most adorable penguin costume, made from a pillow case(?) and with the cutest eyes and beak ever...SOOOO cute!  And Mom had hand-drawn/colored the king and queen of hearts playing cards onto large pieces of white corrugated cardboard for my twin sister and I!!  The "card" pieces (a front and a back drawn onto two separate pieces of cardboard) were tied together & worn over our shoulders.  We added wigs & crowns & black tight & a skirt (queen) or pants (king).  They were amazing! 

That night at the costume party, Cindy & I won 2nd PLACE in our age group!  And Forrest won 1st PLACE in his age group!   Okay... so just how DOES a Mom pull this off?!  I am to this day amazed by how she pulled it off.  I know it was a late night for her... but still!!  WOW!  Thank you Mom!  I so wish I had the pictures to share here... Mom has them at home somewhere?

As to current Halloween plans, nothing homemade this year. :P  Grant is going as Scooby Doo and Ryan will be Anakin Skywalker... the costumes suit each boy to a T. :)  I will share pics tomorrow.

Fall-ow Up

Been too long since I last posted... phew!  Why does life always seem to get in the way of all my best intentions to keep up this blog?

First, a followup on my last post...

I am moving forward with the advice the financial planner gave me... yippee!  That's all good.  BUT... on the downside, it looks like *I* will have to suck up almost $20k of "junk" debt left by my ex.  It really irks my hide since I didn't see any of this.  Aargh!  Even after talking to attorneys, it seems that's about my only option right now in order to get my credit score back on track so that I can get out of the balloon mortgage I'm in. :(  So... looks like my financial happy path will have to wait a little longer....  :\

On a more positive note, I LOOOOOOVE fall!!!  The boys and I drove up to the North Shore of MN (up north of Duluth along Lake Superior) a couple weekends ago and have the time of our lives!!!  I had never been up there before.  And can I just say WOW!!!  If you EVER get the chance to go, ESPECIALLY during the fall, TAKE IT!!!!  It was so amazing... the glory of God truly surrounds you up there!  That whole area is full of state parks... we visited Gooseberry Falls and Split Rock Lighthouse state parks... so gorgeous!

Also went on a fieldtrip with Grant's 2nd grade class last Tuesday to Elm Creek Park.  We got lucky and had an absolutely perfect day... the group the went on Wednesday got snow!  The theme of the day was "bugs" and the kids had a blast catching both field and water bugs.  The Elm Creek staff did a really great job with the kids... very worthwhile.   

I feel like I won the lottery!!!

I just have to share because I am floating on cloud nine!!  Praise God for small... er LARGE!!!... miracles!!

So... Friday afternoon I got an e-mail from a girlfriend of mine who works at WCCO TV.  They were working on an upcoming consumer news story about 401k plans & wanted someone who would be willing to have their plan/contributions reviewed by a financial planner, pointing out the rights & wrongs.  Specificially, they were looking for someone who was not contributing much and/or very little.

I thought "Hey, I fit that bill!"  I had stopped contributing to my 401k after my ex- lost his job back in Nov. 2004 and now since the separation  (1/05) have really been living paycheck to paycheck trying to make ends meet on just my income.  I've got a huge(!) mortgage, a big car payment, big daycare expenses, etc.  and have been feeling very stressed financially.  Anyway, I replied to the inquiry that I'd be very interested in having my budget/portfolio reviewed to see if there was anyway I could squeeze a few dollars out so that I could contribute again.

Well, Monday morning I got an e-mail back saying that they had chosen me!!!  My first thought was "uh oh!  be careful what you wish for... now I have to go on TV with all my financials?!"  But on the other hand I'd be foolish to turn down free financial advice.

So... you'll be able to see me on Channel 4, WCCO TV on the 10:00 news next Thursday, Sept 21!!! :D

Terri Gruca and her crew came out already yesterday(!) and shot some video at my work and then we went to see Nicole Middendorf of Strategic Financial Inc.  We spent about an hour and a half reviewing all my financial assets and liabilities and let me just say WOW!!!  The outcome of this meeting will truly be LIFE CHANGING!!!

No joke!  Nicole is a genius.  By just moving a couple things around and being judicious with my spending I will be able to:

* Pay off all "my" credit card debt (immediately!)
* Though I haven't contributed this year, I'll be able to max out(!) my 401k contributions yet before the end of the year
* Continue to make significant contributuions to my 401k plan in upcoming years
* Have extra money each month to put into a liquid savings account (no more stress when unforeseen expenses hit!)
* and the thing I'm as excited about as anything... hopefully afford a housecleaner!!!

The whole process of shifting & moving will take a month or so to get set up, but then I'm on my way!  I truly CANNOT EVEN BELIEVE IT!!!  You see why I feel like I just won the lottery?!  I mean, this is life changing stuff!!

I'll still have some "bad debt" issues that my ex- left me with and I need to get my credit score back where it belongs, but Nicole gave me a great referral to help with that.  Even that seems less intimidating and stressful now knowing that the rest of my financials will be in order.  WAHOO!!

Terri, Nicole, Paula and Tom at WCCO, if you happen to read this, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU all so much!!!   I can't even begin to express my gratitude.  And I can't wait to see the news story.  (Please don't make me look like a dork LOL!)

So... if you happen to see me around and I look like I'm not quite "here" you'll know why. .. I'm somewhere between here and Mars :)

This whole thing was so unexpected and happened so fast and just kinda "fell" in my lap.  Praise God for his wondrous miracles!!!!!

Going home this weekend!

It's 2:30a.m. and I can't sleep... already Pea'd and caught up there... read a few blogs.  i just can't sleep.  Guess it's as good a time as any to catch up here...

This weekend I'll be heading back home to Eagle River, WI again.  So excited for many reasons... lots going on there! 

First, my brother, Forrest, will be back home!!!  He lives out in L.A. so I don't get to see him nearly enough.  Can't wait to give him a big hug!  Man do I love that boy :)

I created this layout a couple years ago about him -- was published in Making Memories' "All About Men" idea book.  (Yup, he's as nice as he is handsome. ;)

Next, we're having out 2nd annual "Thanksgiving in August"!!  Yup, Thanksgiving!!  When I was little we always went to my Grandma Everett's house for Turkey Day.  It was a HUGE todo... all the cousins and family for a long weekend.  We lived a ways away so seeing our cousins didn't happen often... much less seeing ALL of them at once.  So four days of cousins was heavenly and MEMORABLE!  Now, since we're grown with families of our own, Thanksgivings together just aren't feasible.  And we all miss "the good old days".  So we've resurrected our favorite holiday at a time of year when we all can make it!!  We'll have the whole enchilada Thankgiving dinner with turkey, stuffing, cranberries, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pies... all of it!!  YUMMY!!!  My aunts & uncles & most of my cousins will be there with there families too -- much to love about that. :)

Third, this weekend is the Vilas County fair!  I LOVE that little fair!  Many fond memories of it as a kid and it's cool that my kids get to experience it now too.   Here are a few pics from last year's fair. :)

It's not a huge fair but it's got a good amount of rides... good ones too... to keep any kid happy.  But it's small enough to be friendly and to bump into people I haven't seen since I was in school.  Love that!

Fourth, well I get to see my brother!  Oh... did I mention that already?  :D

OK... so I should be tired now, right? dang... this isn't working either. :P  guess I just gotta go lay my head down & try to dream about this coming weekend. .. ack, tomorrow morning is gonna come *pretty* early

g'night all...

find your wings...

I just heard this song on my favorite radio station, KTIS 98.5, and it really spoke to me.  These are the lyrics to a song written by Mark Harris for his children.  I am a mother.  But really... aren't we all children?  Today my heart sings this song for you.  I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams.  And that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things.  I pray you find your wings.   

I will be creating a scrapbook layout (or mini-book -- how cool would that be?) using these words.  I will post it when I do, k?  In the meantime, I challenge all you mothers out there (uh... scrapping fathers too ;) to create a layout inspired by these words too.  And then send me a link!!  These words are so powerful... let's share the inspiration!

FIND YOUR WINGS
by Mark Harris

It's only for a moment

that you are mine to hold

The plans that heaven has for you

will all too soon unfold

So many different prayers I'll pray

for all that you might do

But most of all I'll want to know

you're walking in the truth

And if I've never told you

I want you to know that

as I watch you grow

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams

and that faith gives you the courage

to dare to do great things

I'm here for you whatever this life brings

so let my love give you roots

and help you find your wings

May passion be the wind that leads

you through your days

and may convictions keep you strong

guide you on your way

May there be many moments

that make your life so sweet

Oh, but more than memories

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams

and that faith gives you the courage

to dare to do great things

I'm here for you whatever this life brings

so let my love give you roots

and help you find your wings

It's not living if you don't reach for the sky

I'll have tears as you take off

But I'll cheer you as you fly

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams

and that faith gives you the courage

to dare to do great things

I'm here for you whatever this life brings

so let my love give you roots

and help you find your wings

(Go to http://www.buzzplant.com/markharris/findyourwings/ for a downloadable audio version of the song.)

Can't get this out of my head...

I stopped into Scrap & Spa in Rogers on Saturday for the first time in a long time.  The last time I there was back in October, searching frantically for the BG letter stickers I needed to finish up my "Through the Garden Gate" album for the Basic Grey $5000 Be Bold contest.

The same lady (Lane) was working on Saturday who was working last October when I was in the store, but she didn't recognize me (nothing unusual at all, but a point I need to make here).  The store was empty, so we chatted at length about new products and whatnot as I wandered through the store. 

Without knowing anything about me, she mentioned that she was trying to get published and that she had just sent 20 layouts off to a "big" contest.  I smiled knowingly.  "CK's Scrapbooker of the Year contest?" I asked.  She said yeah!  Her bil was a sought after photographer and he had given her the advice to enter every contest that came along... that was how he had finally gotten his break in photography.  Good advice I think.  Cause ya know... you win some, you lose some, but in the end you're always better for it. :)  I told her I'd be looking for her name on CK's finalist list. :)

Then I quietly mentioned that I had won Basic Grey's contest.  She looked at me really funny and then asked "You?  Were you in here last fall?  Are you the one with the broken marriage and all the other stuff going on?"  I told her that I was.  "Really???  I kept watching BG's website, wondering if you had won....... but you look so much different than I remember.  I know you were very stressed.  But you look SOOOO much younger to me now."  She just kept saying it over and over.   { I could've kissed her for that nice compliment!  (Especially since I was in my sweats and hadn't showered :P)

As I drove home I was struck by her comment.  I guess I never realized how big of a toll all of the stresses of last year took on me.  And last October (about the time I came into her store) was when I started having the panic attacks, feeling no good horrible every day, and needing medication for anxiety/depression.  {I am off all of it now :)}  Funny, noone ever told me I looked terrible back then LOL!  But now that I think about it, I have gotten many comments recently about how good and how "fresh" I look.  It's all good :)

I guess I never knew stress could affect your appearance so much?  The point of my long story??  I guess her comment has really stuck with me these last few days and made me feel really good.  It's proof positive that I'm back to my old self.  I have officially recovered from the he** of last year, and I am glowing on the outside to prove it!  Thank you, Lane, for the wonderful comment.  You made my day... my week!!!

A Sunday Of My Own

It was an unusual day for me today... I had most of it to myself!  I can't complain, but being a single mom definitely limits the amount of "me" time I get.  And today I managed to get a nice dose. :)

After church I dropped the boys off with their Dad and Grandma and they're spending the night.  So I met up with a girlfriend from work at my favorite scrapbook store, Artsy Tartsy, for a bit .  Didn't get much done because I was rushed trying to pack things up, but met a wonderful Pea friend (a member of the Two Peas in a Bucket online community)!!  Bonnie is the sweetest lady and is THE blog queen!  I could take a few lessons from her. ;)  Bonnie, hopefully we'll meet up at the store again!

My next door neighbors' son just graduated from high school on Friday night and so they had a party for him and I stopped by.  Spent a LONG time over there catching up with the neighbors.  It was such a treat!  Some great ladies here in Hanover Hills. :)

This past week has been so busy that I haven't even had time to share about my Memorial Day weekend in Wisconsin!  Oh I SO love it there!  I really want to do it justice, so for now I will just post this teaser photo. :)  I took quite a few pics -- I'll try to get them up tomorrow.

Have a great night everyone!

Pampering is NOT Overrated!

Oh man!  What a day of pampering will do for a girl!  I feel like a new woman!  Used my $200 gift certificate from SpaFinder.com to celebrate Mother's Day (early) at MbOasis.  WOW!!!

My fave of the 3 treatments was the foot reflexology which is a Chinese practice.  According to the method, reflex points on the feet and hands are linked to other areas and organs in the body within the same zones. Reflexology can be used to restore and maintain the body’s natural alignment and equilibrium and encourage detoxification and healing

Let me tell you, this stuff sounds sort of wacky, but it really makes sense (the nerves in your feet run up through/past every other organ in your body, through the spinal cord, and finally up to your brain... they touch everything!), and it really seems to work!  I definitely want to go back again for more! :D

The Shiatsu massage (based on the same principles as the reflexology) was heavely too.  She really work these tight shoulder/back muscles of mine!  And had a full facial too.  My skin feels like a baby's butt!  I've been making the boys touch/feel my skin all day cause I don't have anyone else to share my excitement with!!! hee hee  (Sometimes I really do need a little girl. :D)