Dilemma

I have a dilemma. I really think it would be amazingly fun to own/operate a quilt store, but I am not completely sure if I should go forward with all guns blazing to actually make this happen! I know I am letting fear of the unknown get the best of me, but this is my financial future as well. Any suggestions anyone??? I am very afraid I don't know enough about quilting or business management to actually do this. Number 2, I like my job at the bank and hate to think I'd give that up sometime if my business goes well. Number 3, the security of a paycheck is really nice! Number 4, where do my girls go while I am supposed to be running a store? My list can go on and on, but in the end I still come back to...but should I try???? : )

HELP!!! (Especially financially if you can. : ))

I have taken a first step in moving toward this goal, by the way. Larry and I went to look at a building for sale on Harvey's main street. The building would be really quite cute if painted, etc. The overhead costs seems quite reasonable for the property, and I have talked to a loan officer/friend at the bank for advice. I even made a phone call today to a lady in another town (I don't know her at all...just a random call.) to ask questions about starting a business. SEE! I am quite serious but not sure enough of myself serious!!! Ugh!!!

Fun!

I just loved this picture of the girls playing a game with cousin Amy. The laughing girl, Sierra, is now 3! I'll have to get my pictures of her party on here too if I get time later.

I am freshly returned from my trip to Wichita to visit college friends. We had a great time wandering Hillsboro checking out the new things at the school. They've added some new buildings that are incredibly nice. Way better than when we were there! It'd be fun to be in college again and living in the nice girls' dorm they've put up, a very nice condo style building.

Jenni and I also visited Yoder, KS to take in the shops they have there. Yoder is a very small Amish community, but it has tremendous businesses! I'd recommend a visit to this town to anyone who likes the simple pleasures of life. There is a quilt shop (what more could you want to see?), a couple of gift shops and variety stores, a photographer's gallery, a bakery, a meat shop, a bulk food store, a furniture store, and others! You can top off your visit by eating at Carriage Crossing Restaurant. They serve food up family style if you wish. The whole community is just really neat to see. It completely amazes me that a town with probably fewer than 100 people (if that...it's not even listed on the map!) can have this great a business community. They are really making the most of the heritage and history in their people and land. So cool! They do have a website I guess. It's yoderkansas.com. Check them out!

The highlight of my weekend was, of course, the gathering of the girls (and some guys too) for a night of conversation and reminiscing. I so miss my friends! I sure wish I lived closer and could hang out with them more often. We all have scattered somewhat, but most of the girls live in the Kansas/Oklahoma area. Too bad I can't convince Larry to move to Kansas. : ( But...we did have a super time, and I have been so blessed to have wonderful friends that share the same faith and heritage with me. Even though we lead different lives now, some things are so much the same for us. We all struggle with similar issues, and it is a huge comfort to be able to talk and laugh about all those things collectively. Thank you, God, for my Tabor friends!

Possible Christmas picture?

Here's the latest of Larry's crazes...vintage snowmobiles. It is a good thing, I know, that he has a hobby and a passion...other than that he doesn't seem to be able to pull away from his passions to spend time with the family once in a while. I do try to be somewhat encouraging and share his excitement for the old sleds, but they really do just seem like crappy old junk to me. (Sorry, Lar)

Anyway, his latest goal has been to turn our grain elevator office into his own office/workshop since it is heated, and he could work out there through the winter. So...in order to make his workship feel like home, he ordered pictures to be taken of the girls and us to decorate his walls. Awww, how cute! : ) Here is one of those pictures taken by Amy, our niece.

So fun!

I had a fun idea come to me at work today...Larry and I need to have another theme party this fall. Last year we had a vintage themed birthday party for Larry. That was so fun that I've decided a really cool one would be a Roaring 20's party! How cool would that be???? The ladies would wear their flapper dresses, headgear, and drink flask on their legs. The guys would wear their gangster gear of hats, zoot suits, and a machine gun. I can just picture it. The problem always comes with getting the idea to match the reality. I will, of course, use the assistance of my sister-in-law to help with the decorations so that this can turn out really cool.

By the way, if you're reading this...you're invited! Keep an eye out for the mail, my friends. You should see an invitation coming. We'll have a great time!

Begin thinking speakeasies, silent movies, ragtime...Hee hee!

....

I must write once again...I'm sure you've noticed there is no picture to match the cute spiderweb cupcakes Hannah took to school. As I am not known for my patience, I gave up trying to figure out why my camera just plain stopped downloading the pictures to my computer. Maybe I'll get up the energy to try that again someday soon. The cupcakes really were cute! It may well be worth my time to sit at this blasted computer for yet another hour of my life just to show you.

Speaking of whiche, have you noticed how utterly addicted so many people are to their technology???? It's almost sad how many people cannot go a full 15-minute stretch without checking if someone sent them a text. What could possibly be SO important???? We would have all out panic and mania if cell companies would shut down. I mean, please, who is so incredibly important as to need their phone every minute of the day?! There are also people who must check Facebook every 15 minutes in between their cell fixes. Gone are the days of simply being...and not "worrying" if someone has tried to reach us. It used to be that people did not want to be reached. They go on little get aways, sans phones! I'm probably one of the most irritating people to my family because I actually do leave my phone in the car almost always. The way I see it, I've gone to Minot, Bismarck, etc. to get away and do something. I don't want to be bothered some more. I know...people might need something important. Right. When was the last real emergency on your phone???? : )

OK, enough ranting and raving. I'm off to dreamland I hope. I am pretty sure I could just get fired from my MT job. I only did an hour of work tonight. I'm just too worn out. (OK...then why are you up typing on a blog site?) Enough said. Good night all!

The first "official" snack

Today is the first time Hannah had to take snacks for her kindergarten class milk break. We saw a picture of spiderweb cupcakes in Country Living magazine, and she just had to have those for her class. It was actually pretty easy once I figured out what equipment worked best for making the webs. The cupcakes were just plain old cake mix, so you can't get much easier there. Ta da!

(My camera was not cooperating when I wrote this...picture to follow!)

Beth Moore event

I got to go to a Beth Moore simulcast last weekend on Friday night and Saturday morning, and she was once again a wonderful breath of fresh air and lots of learning! So many times I wish I could broadcast her messages to my family, friends...everyone! There is so much to learn from God's word, and she makes it all so much fun and lively. (We do cry a bit too...)

The weekend's theme was about understanding and getting our heart's desires. Her 7 main points were as follows:

1. Nothing dictates our lives like our desires.
- A legitimate heart's desire is a sustained longing that is unaffected by our mood or our
surroundings/circumstances.

2. Beneath the desires of our heart is the heart of our desires.

3. Delighting in God adapts our desires into inevitabilities.
- Pray God grants me a heart that delights in Him!

4. Nothing external can steal our right to delight.
- There are 3 things that we certainly do allow to steal our joy/delight, however. The acronym
she used was JAW. When things start to chewing on you, look at your own JAW -- the why
behind why you are not "delighted."

J: Jealousy - comes from a heart of insecurity
- It is desire tinged with resentment.

A: Anger - Really a fear of no control -- brings out resentment and distance in relationships
- Polar opposite of delight/pleasure
- The problem is NOT about them (the other person); it's about YOU!!!!

W: Worry

5. To make room for delight we have to commit (to change, to seeking God, etc.)

6. Nothing is passive about patiently waiting for desire to turn into delight.
- God has a reason He has not given you your heart's desire....YET.

7. Until faith becomes sight, trust God and do GOOD.
- Not "right" but GOOD.

I could go on and on, but these are the main points. So powerful.

Fall and stuff...

Boy, does it feel like fall is in the air! It is about 9:00 p.m. and already darkness has set in. I sure like the longer days of summer and wish they would last longer than they do. I do need to remind myself that we are very lucky in the north that we get these longer days since the southern states do not have this period of time where the days are this long. BUT...(notice the BIG one...) we lose all of the advantages of our long days when the winter hits us so long and hard. I'd trade shorter days for a longer summer for sure!

One nice thing about the end of summer is the easier time of getting kids to bed though. It's sure easier to convince a 5-year-old that she should hit the sheets when it is dark out than when the sun is still blazing. Can you tell I'm trying to find the benefits of losing summer yet???? : )

A goal I have this fall/early winter is to begin spending more regular or scheduled time with God and in exercise. You'd think I'd have had so much more time in the summer to do so, but NO! Maybe with the setting in of a routine during the school year, I'll actually make time more easily to do some of the things I'd like to do. My plan is to join the intramural volleyball team and then also set a time each day for just reading the Word. Keep me accountable folks! I'm going to give it a good try!

Stand!

I just watched part of the FOX News show Glenn Beck and was very enlightened about the associations our President keeps. I know the country is abuzz over the healthcare industry rehab that is indeed needed, but everyone PLEASE listen up over what President Obama's core values are and the associations/advisors he keeps. This is truly a scary path our country is taking! If you can find archives of the Glenn Beck show from Saturday, August 15, please watch! I have never been so on fire about political and social issues as I am since Mr. Obama took office. I am utterly amazed at how quickly he has been able to "change" (his campaign slogan) this nation's laws. I have even contacted my own state Senators about the healthcare issue, and I am now seeing how crucial it is for EVERYONE to write, email, or call these people and express ourselves. They WILL NOT just do the right thing. They will do what gets them the job another term or earns them buddies in Washington. It's a far different world there than in the rest of the US. Don't assume anything. CONTACT them! : )

Of course, you may agree with his policies and beliefs. That is your choice, for sure. Please think through these issues very carefully, however, and logically conclude what happens to our nation as it is on its current course.

On a lighter note... : ) School is only 11 days away! Hannah begins kindergarten this year, and she is so very excited! I am also getting excited for the event just getting her ready with school clothes and supplies. Wouldn't it be fun to get that same joy and excitement about our days again?

Jae, of course, says she does not want school to start, but I am quite certain she is bored and ready to see her friends on a daily basis. I know I'm ready for the more organized home schedule that school seems to bring. Funny how all mothers are ready for school by August 15 but not kids! Hmmmm....

I am excited for a Beth Moore event that I'm planning to go to on August 28 and 29. She is so good to hear, and God truly uses her in awesome ways. I have no idea what the topic if the conference is, but I just know it will be good. If anyone else is interested it is being held in Carrington, ND at a Baptist church there. (I'm not sure of the name yet.) I can certainly get you lined up to go to it too if you wish. Just get in touch with me! She is not there live in person, however. This is just a teleconference, and it is of free will donation to those attending.

Off for now! Great day all!!!!

I wait too long!!!!

Oh goodness!!! I just simply wait too long to sit down and write! I don't know why I can't simply make it a matter of spending 10 minutes a week and then this would be updated and current....oh well.



Goodness sakes, what has taken place in the last four weeks? Well, of course, more than I'll put in just tonight! I am back at work online after a blissful week off! I really did not miss sitting still for four hours a day, even though the learning that takes place on the job really is fun. I am putting in more hours at work at the bank too since we have some people taking days off for holidays, vacations, business trips, and maternity leave. The extra money will sure be nice, but with the time on the computer at night, I'm anticipating a bit more STRESS!!!! : )



One exciting thing we just got is a BRAND NEW CAR! My dad bought Larry and I a new 2009 Chevy Aveo. He just wanted to something nice for us, feeling a bit sorry for us, albeit. We really do appreciate the car. It will be much too small for the whole family to travel in together, but I am using it now to go back and forth to work in order to use less gas and save some money. It has its downfalls we are finding out--there is no air conditioning being the biggest thing. It is extremely hot inside on these warm summer days. Since we live on gravel, we can't really keep the windows open for the whole trip home either since the dust just blows in and makes a big mess, not to mention crappy breathing. But...we'll survive. After all, we only have about 60 warm days a year in ND anyway. (OK, I'm being sarcastic.) We don't have a CD/tape player or cruise control in the car either, but unless we go very long distances that will be fine too. THANK YOU DAD!!!!


All of the girls are now home again as of tonight. Hannah and Sierra were in Fargo with Lisa, Amy, and Destiny and Jae had been at camp. Our house was very quiet with just Maci running around. The minute the two little girls got back, our world got much noisier! Larry was commenting though last night that while we wish for a break from the girls/noise, when they were gone...we missed them! It is really nice to hear the giggles, squeals, and even screams outside this door right now. There is just a peacefulness about it, like all is well with the world right now. My girls are a true blessing even when I don't feel like they are somedays. Shame on me!


Well, off to finish my last hour of work. Busy week starts right now!


Wells County Fair -- Fessenden, ND June 25-28, 2009.