Sweet Third Child of Ours

Peter is quickly leaving baby land behind.  He has begun standing in the middle of the room and just waiting for us to notice.  With a smile on his face.  A few tentative steps here and there, but nothing captured on film yet!

Today, in the playroom, there was a giant free for all with bouncy balls flying around, all five of us involved.  And then I took the older two to the kitchen to get their dinners and just Matt and Peter played for a few minutes.  While in there, Matt noticed what I have been noticing for a few months now.  Peter loves time alone with just one other person.  He does fine in the rabble, but he sparkles when you get him by himself.  I have noticed that he often leaves the main room where everyone else is and crawls off to play in the playroom alone.  I find him lying on his belly, quietly engaged with playing with a toy of his older brother or sister, one that would surely be snatched away with a cry of "MINE!" (in spite of consequences that discourage this type of behavior) if they saw him with it. 

I used to think that these traits my children displayed were just baby traits and then, as they grew older, I realized that these are the beginnings of who they are.  Yes, to be guided and molded and nurtured, but in a way, who they are is who they are.

And this one, unless I miss my guess, has the makings of being an introvert like his Papa.  Only time will tell.

Like Papa, like Son.

You and Me plus three - A love letter

 

For better or worse
For richer or poorer
In sickness and in health

We said those words together on that chilly spring day, bare feet on a brick path, and little did we know what we were in store for.  It's not our anniversary, it's not your birthday, or my birthday or any other special day today, but this is a day that I tell you how much I love you.

We've had our ups and downs, sorrows and joys, have been broke, living in a one bedroom upstairs apartment where the winter winds whistled in through the cracks.  We've been together.  We've been apart.  We have been crazy about each other and have driven each other crazy.  We have been wildly in love and wanting to spend every moment together and we have come as close to hatred of each other as two people who are married should ever come.  Maybe a bit too close.

We reached an equilibrium after a whole lot of work and had a good life, you and me.  It wasn't peaches and roses all the time, but we were together and it was pretty great.  Then the life we knew and the plans we made got turned upside down.  Babies, losing babies, crappy cars, crappy jobs and layoffs, and a leaky old house that drives you crazy and drives me to daydreaming.  It has been a wild last 4 years!  Sometimes it's seems as if we are just holding on with eyes tight shut until the wind stops blowing and the waves stop pounding us, praying we make it through the storm.  But this storm isn't a storm, really.  It's life.  And without you in it, I would have been swept out to sea a long time ago.

I don't say enough how great you are.  How thankful I am that you have put aside your dreams to take care of our family, even though the way you have had to go about it is soul crushing work.  How I wish it was different for you.  How happy it makes my heart to see you run and play and love on our children because I know how much you love them.  And how hard that is for you and hard earned, since you didn't have a dad around to show you how to love them.  How content I am to just hold your hand as we sit across from each other at our favorite coffee shop, enjoying a stolen moment alone, feet entangled under the table and you open your heart to me just a bit more and I marvel at the things you show me.  You have a deep love for me and our family and for others that I sometimes forget but sometimes get a glimpse of and it wows me.  It shocks me.  It surrounds me.  You love with a fierce love.

When I lay there pale in the hospital bed and you were brave for both of us.  Both times, brave for both of us as I came unraveled.  You were a rock for me.  And then when I got my breath back, you cried for our lost babies.  I love you so much for that.  

We are so different and sometimes it frustrates me, more from a lack of understanding (and a big dose of fear) of how two people who are so polar opposite in occupation and hobbies could come together and stay together.  Perhaps it is the sameness in substance that binds us.  Your joy, even if sometimes it's covered up in the weight of family life.  Your tender heart, even if you hide it, I know it's there.  Your Faith in our Father.  Your loyalty.  Your depth of character.  All those grey hairs you have earned in the last 8 years, caring about things.  Your generosity to not just your friends and family, but to strangers.  Your kindness to find good in me and others when we can't find it ourselves. 

So life may send the 'sickness', the 'poverty', and the 'worse', but I'll take it as long as you are in it with me.  I'll stand by you always.  I'm so grateful you carried my guitar all those years ago and let me ramble on about degreasing my engine.  You pursued my heart and wrapped it up with yours, healing wounds I didn't know I had.  Who you are is a blessing.  Thank you.

All my Love,
Tiny

My Man is a Motorcycle Man

So my sweet geek is looking less geeky these days.  Instead of a second car, I mentioned maybe he could get a motorcycle.  You should have seen his eyes get wide!  It was pretty cute.  Long story short, (which involved an older bike that couldn't be repaired and an intense learn to ride class) he chose this bike (and was officially certified to ride it!).  A Honda Shadow.

But I gotta tell you this.  I (plus kiddos) took him to pick it up for the first time and my man, who I already think is pretty handsome, climbed on that machine and the very first thought that went through my head was "That's pretty sexy."  Who knew?  I mean, I had seen motorcycle guys before and was never very impressed.  But something about my own sweet hubs on one...hot.  Now he rides it to work every day and I love to watch him pull out of the driveway, a man and his machine riding down our quiet street.

There is a good reason for this, and here it is.  I'm not gonna lie to you, my man is not the outdoorsy, rugged, camping type.  His idea of camping involves a cabin and showers.  I've always hoped his outdoorsy side would develop, but after seven years, chances are looking slim.  I mean, he has a rugged and manly beard, and if he has to, can build a great campfire, but it's not something he loves.  But this, riding a motorcycle, is the most outdoorsy he has ever been.  He comes home smelling like the road, and sweat, and a bit like gasoline.  It's kinda rugged. I like it.  And he loves it.  I'd say that's pretty awesome arrangement!

35 and still my favorite guy

The Geek (aka Matt) turned 35 today.  We celebrated this weekend with a very fun dinner party/rock band party with friends.  It was good to have something light and fun after weeks of hard days.  I won't talk about that any more right now, though.  This post belongs to my favorite guy.

There are so many things I love about this guy.  He's the best Papa ever to our little girl.  You should see them cook in her play kitchen.  Seriously.  I can hardly stand the cuteness.  Let's not even discuss marathon rounds of itsy bitsy spider!  It's a joy to watch him be a father.

I could brag on this guy for ages, but most of it is too sappy for this blog, so I'll just wish him a very happy birthday and show you fun pictures taken by our friend Paul (and sometimes by me with Paul's camera which I seriously covet.  Actually it's the lens that I covet.) And then I'll go write him a sappy love letter so he knows how I really feel about him.

 

Cookie Cake by me. Pillsbury Cookie chub, squish into a cookie sheet, bake at 350 for 12-18 minutes. Decorate. Seriously. That easy!! And the reversed numbers?? I kid! I kid!!

 

My very own guitar hero. Squeal!!

(Cora did the drums for the rock band party.  Ha!)

And a few of the cuteness, because I can't resist.

 

 

A word of caution

photo from here

OK. Second post of the day, but this was too good not to tell you. My dear sweet husband braved single fatherhood this past weekend and just before I left, I said something like this..."Oh yeah! I'm shaking the poop out of her diapers into the potty now. Just FYI."

I returned home to a sightly annoyed husband who informed me that he was NEVER washing diapers again. EVAR! Mystified, I asked why, saying 'You don't even have to touch them, why is it gross?' Apparently my instructions were not very clear and he in preparation for washing the used diapers, had gone through the entire diaper pail (after they had been sitting there for 2 days!!!) and tried to get the poop off of the diapers, one at a time. Poor, brave soul!! This was the first time he had ever washed them and if this is how I had to clean them, I would be RUNNING to the store for a box of 'sposies'. (or I would have said 'screw it!' and just thrown them in.) He was trying to do it right and thought this is what I meant! I'm sure he was questioning my sanity as he gagged through the entire pail.

I couldn't help it. I laughed and then apologised profusely for not explaining it better.

The moral to this story? Communication is key. (and cloth diaper care mystifies many, not just hubbies)

The Papa Bear's day

Today we celebrate the Papa Bear. No words can tell you how grateful I am for this man and how he loves his baby girl, so I'll just say it in photos.
Honey, you are the best Papa Bear ever. Happy Father's Day!

And now for your secret present. Go and look in the Baby Bear's room, where all of her blankets live. Love you!!

Gizmo and the Geek - a man and his cat

Now it could just be that I've never been a grown-up who owns a cat, but in all of my childhood and of all the cats we owned, never did I see a cat like ours.

In the hot summer of 2007, just after we bought our house, we had a rash of kittens in the alley that runs behind our house. I had heard them mewing and so had the Geek. His Spidey senses told him that trouble was on the horizon. Me being a sucker for cuteness, I could not resist when I saw a tiny little fuzzball cleaning himself in a sunspot. On my way to pick the Geek up from work, I picked him up and stuck him in my lap. Fleas and whatever else be danged! As soon as I reached the Geek's office I switched to the passenger side and put that little ball of fuzz in my purse.

The Geek protested at having to drive home, but I said I couldn't do it. When pressed, I let that cute fuzzy head poke out of my purse.

"No way! We are not keeping it!" He shouted, but already the cuteness had begun to work it's magic. He kept up the protests saying how it was going back in the alley as soon as we got home, or how we'd find it another home. Then when I commented how the kitten's ears were bigger than his head and he looked like Gizmo from the Gremlins, he protested again, shouting now I had named it and we'd never get rid of it. I could see that his defenses were weakening.

I borrowed a litter box from a friend and took him to the vet. Fleas, ear mites, the works! You name it, he had it. So much for the free kitten theory. A weird polyp started to grow in his ear later (which we had removed when he was neutered - $200 bucks, yipe!!) and he now has a permanent head tilt from that, giving him a crazed look.

But try as the Geek might, that cat was here to stay. In spite of his allergies (which disappeared with the owning of a cat) and protests. Now the cat is his cat. He follows him around with a 'prrwaw', just like a puppy whenever the Geek leaves the room. They snuggle in the morning and there is a (well used!) cat bed on the Geek's desk. I am the heavy and make him mind, but the Geek and his cat are the notorious pair. Here's some evidence:

(This is how they sleep - feel free to roll your eyes and say "Good Grief!" I know I do.)

Anniversary Photo Booth!

The Geek and I go every year on our anniversary and take a photo in a photo booth. It sometimes takes a couple of tries to find one that is not out of order, so the photo isn't always EXACTLY on our anniversary, but close. Here's this year's photo!


Here's to five years of 'ups', 'downs', and 'all arounds' with arguably the best man I've ever known. We don't always walk the easiest path together, but we stick it out, no matter what. And since we have been together 5 years, here are 5 reasons (but there are many more) why my husband is awesome, in no particular order.

1. You love me so very well and I've never been anything but beautiful in your eyes. (even swollen up and pregnant!) That is a rare thing among husbands.

2. Your sense of humor keeps me laughing through it all.

3. We made the most beautiful baby this year. Seriously. Could your genes be any better?

4. You love God and you show that in the most honest of ways.

5. You are quite possibly the smartest and most imaginative man I know. I love to see that side of you. I can't wait to have you explain how to play board games to our children!

See that twinkle in his eye?

How can I resist those blue eyes?! So handsome.

See where blue eyes get ya? Just kidding! Just another belly shot. This one from last week (32) too.

Oh...that's not right...

Yes, I'm escaping. Don't judge me!

Since this blog is about the Musician (me) and the Geek (my hubs) and the analogy of our married life given is the Mac vs. PC commercials...how we are so opposite, I found it very funny that there are PC vs. Mac commercials. All of them can be found here. I'll add one here, just for a taste. It's a little too close to home with my Geek out earning me on a scale of...oh...let's not talk about it, shall we? It's too depressing. But damn it! I'm artsy!

Dis one's for you Babe.

I have to brag on my sweet hubby for a moment. Today he:
1. Rubbed my back at 4 in the morning when I woke up all hurting
2. Snuggled me in the morning sunshine
3. laughed at my silliness
4. took me swimming (floating) even though it's his least favorite thing
5. saved the last bottled water for me and brought me several throughout the day
6. helped me up and down from the laz-y-boy of death (it sucks me in!)
7. went on a Fat Mo's run to bring me red meat for my protein cravings
8. gave me kisses when I needed a kiss
9. brought me an ice pack in the middle of the night
10. never once got annoyed with me being needy
11. said he thought I was beautiful in all my roundness and MEANT it!

For the million little ways you show me how much you love me every day...thank you! You are the best manservant(hee hee)/husband a girl could ask for.

Things I think my sweet geek will like...Part 1

This was just too funny to pass up. Click the picture to take you to the shop where this is written on a t-shirt. (The geek is an 2XL kinda guy FYI - for comfort!) No, it's not a shot at my sweet hubs, just taking all the things he likes with a dash of giggles.

Wimpathon...2008

I am steadily becoming the wimpiest version of myself. I've always been the 'Can-do' girl. I've moved furniture, done construction, hiked, biked, canoed, swam, cooked, cleaned, plumbed, invented, and watched other people's kids while doing all of that!

Now I am finding at a mere 16 weeks along, I am a weenie. I kind of ignored that rule about not lifting more than 20 lbs while pregnant, a lot, and it's finally catching up with me. There's a reason they tell you not to, but I am a know it all and figured, "I'm tough, I can do this occasionally." Like carrying an 85 lb canoe with one other person this past weekend. The result...painful cramps where there should NOT be cramps, just a baby, having to go to bed while we had company over and letting the guests and the geek shift for themselves on Father's Day, trouble sleeping, swollen fingers, feet and knees (I'm sure other places, but these where the ones I noticed) and lots of other little worrisome pains here and there internally. The trouble with me is, I used to be able to work like a horse and when I was done, sleep and feel refreshed. Any aches and pains were canceled out with a few handy ibuprofen. Now, I find my self wiped out before I even begin to do anything! Then if I press on, I'm over-doing it. I can't seem to find this balance!

The geek is not used to the changes either. He's always counted on me as a strong partner in any undertaking and now he's getting the brunt of the heavy lifting, so to speak. It's a bit of a strain on him though he takes it with more grace than I'd be able to muster. His first Father's Day and I'm in the bed! It sucked, but he was kind and caring and I am grateful. I never understood how people could get divorced while the wife was pregnant, but now I'm beginning to understand. Without grace, understanding and a willingness to put up with my (closely spaced) bouts of insanity and emotional breakdowns on the part of my sweet geek, we'd be through! I'm hard to live with. I can see that very clearly. I hope to find a more balanced place and learn to let go and trust.

We had an great example of that on the river the other day. I was tired before we even put the canoe in the water and due to some previous mishaps on that river with another friend, not trusting of the Geek's ability to steer us through the rougher parts to safety. Any of you who have paddled down a river will know that you can't steer from the front of the boat, but I was trying! Or at least trying to boss the Geek at the rudder. He finally pulled over and we had a mini 'discussion' about who was in charge of the boat and would I let him be the biggest and the strongest and trust him? It ended amicably and I realized I was not even upset about how we were going down the river, I was fearful about being out of control, worried that I was already too tired to be able to go down the river, and upset that I'd had to hike back to the car to get the forgotten life jackets and paddles. When I said all that and admitted where I was weak, it was easy to let him be the boss of the boat. I ended up having a great time and letting my nephew paddle in the front while I relaxed in the middle like the queen on Sheba on the Nile! It was great to see what a great man that the geek could be when I get out of the way, and let him wear the pants (or steer the boat). The geek always has this joke that he wears the pants, I just tell him which ones. Like the woman in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" who says "The man is the Head (of the family), but the woman is the neck and she turns the man whichever way she wants" If I'm the neck, then who is my husband following? Not God. And I don't think I'm a reliable source to follow. So in my wimpiness, I'm asking God to teach me to let go and let my hubby follow the One who has a WAY better plan.

First Mother's Day!

Sunday morning I woke to a sweet 'Happy Mother's Day' from the geek, who then rolled out of bed to make me bacon and eggs - except we were out of bacon AND eggs. So cereal...out of milk. This whole making breakfast for me for Mother's day was starting to look grim, but then, I remembered the $20 in tips I got from the ice-cream shop the night before! We quickly dressed and headed to Noshville (our favorite Sunday morning restaurant) for ham and eggs and griddle cakes! We didn't get to sit at the bar with Linda (our favorite waitress) but it was good all the same and we enjoyed the food immensely (until I ate the silver dollar potato latkes, which were fried, but I've never had trouble with them before - guess babe doesn't like grease in the tummy)plus I got a little corsage to wear! Happy Mom's day to all you moms and moms to be!

In honor of my birthday boy

In case you didn't know, today is the greatest day evar. Thirty-three years ago, in a little town in New York State, a little boy came into the world. I imagine on that day he looked like a boiled turnip, but he outgrew that and now is pretty cute. I call him "Honey", but you know him as "the geek." I am so glad that your parents decided they needed another little boy around. Without you I'd never have grown up, or known what it is to truly love, or be loved. I am so glad you are on this planet with me. Happy Birthday sweet husband!!!

PS. This is actually the geek's 30th birthday picture, photoshopped to make it look like he's 33. In the background on the screen, you can see him turning 4 or 5. Still as cute as ever!!

Evans House update

After much thinking about it and going through the ringer lately, Matt and I have decided that we don't need to separate again. I have been working really hard on not losing my temper over everything and Matt has been really working hard on making time for me. I really have enjoyed reaping the benefits of years of therapy lately. We forgive more quickly, talk about our feelings, practice kindness, take responsibility for ourselves...It's really nice. Yes, there are still the bumps in the road, which sometimes I sit down in front of, sob, and swear they are mountains. But all in all, it's on an uphill climb. Our life together is kind of like the stock market. Dips and peaks with a couple of crashes, but over all and over time, the trend is definitely upward.

It's coming up on my 31st birthday soon and I am having a big cookout on Saturday. Last year, I spent a lot of time struggling with being 'old', although I am not old. It was more about leaving the image of youth behind. I didn't know how to be anything BUT young. It's all I'd been, all my life. This year, I am not so freaked out. I am loved as I am, I am smart, I have experiences now that I never had in my youth. Being in my 30's is not so bad. In fact, I feel like I am finally hitting my stride! I dress in a way that makes me happy. I live in the world in a way that makes me happy. I don't struggle with "who am I?" much any more. I find myself to be beautiful, where in my teen years and beyond, I looked in the mirror and saw myself as lacking. I am not so afraid any more. Not that I think I can handle everything, but the knowledge that I can't and that it's OK, is a restful place. I'm no great politico, although I am still terribly opinionated. I am no supermodel, but I take care of my body and don't despise it. I am not one of the most brilliant minds of my time, but I like how I process things and am proud of the music I write and the little blurbs I write here. I like that I am still growing and changing and becoming the woman I was made to be. It's not really such a bad life.

As for the house, we move downstairs so we can start work on the upstairs. For now, the nasty carpet up there will serve as a drop-cloth as we fix the places where the plaster has come off, repair some of the woodwork and paint. No big renovation plans yet. The bathroom will have to be updated (or something! We haven't decided exactly what yet), since it is not very usable right now, but other than that, it's pretty cosmetic work. Then the carpet will come up and redoing the floors will begin. It'll be quite a job, but that's off in the future and for now, it's kinda cozy living on the bottom floor. Like going back to 2 bedrooms!

One last note...Matt has been a contractor with his Employer since February and this past Friday, they offered him a full time position!! He has worked his butt off to make that happen, so praise where praise is due. He is so excited and I am so happy for him. It's a good thing we are staying put this Holiday Season...the changeover in pay schedules will be a little tight! Overall, we are grateful and excited.

See you at my party!

OMG technology!

work, originally uploaded by Ariana in Nashville.

The days are getting colder. It was quite chilly standing at the bus stop today. I was glad for my 2 fleeces and gloves and a hat I made. Once I was actually on the bus, I melted like ice-cream in hell, but that is beside the point. The one great thing about Matt when he sleeps is that his body temp must rise to 104 or something, because it's like having a great, hairy water bottle next to me. I loves to snuggle up in the nites... Plus I can never extol the virtues of the goose down duvet (we don't need no stinking sheets) enough. Perfect for all seasons! Bus activities today included: working on my new knitted Tam. I made one in blue, but it turned out too big and not deep enough. It doesn't stay on! So its back to the drawing board, or needles or scrap paper...whatever it is I use to make up and edit new patterns! I digress.

Anyhoo, back to my post. So my new temp assignment has been, erm, strange, to say the least. Yesterday I sorted and inventoried old electronic equipment, including this:

Thinkpad 300 - with sticky stuff...ick.
Originally uploaded by Ariana in Nashville



and This:

Toshiba Satellite Pro 425CDT-yeah baby!
Originally uploaded by Ariana in Nashville



which as you can see, don't so much resemble laptops as BRICKS!! If not bricks they are of "lappy" fame.



Quite the education. Then I spent the next 4 hours trying to break into a passworded computer, Brand name: Kaypro. Have you ever heard of a Kaypro? I had not. "Large University-Type Institution" must have gotten them on DEEP discount.
So hacking the Windows XP was not so fun, but v. challenging and I beat it!! I was so proud of me. I iz smart too! The reason why I cannot post pics at work is because of the EXTREME oldness of my work computer. Ok, I am being a little harsh. But when the front of my "large Nashville based distributor of computers" Brand computer has 2 USB ports on it, but the 'puter doesn't supply enough power to those ports to run a 256MB FLASH DRIVE, we are verging on obsolete, in my opinion. I miss my old assignment technology. At least there I had a lappy that could run a flash drive, could port in an external hard drive, had a place to insert my wee SD card to upload photos while on "Large University-Type Institution" time (JK if you are watching...I was on a break! Really!)

Dr. Wife says take 4 ibupropins and ICE IT

This weekend Matt tried very hard to get to Ohio to play air-soft with his team (the Gun Devils) and after a huge downpour, a busted radiator, and $700 dollars later, he got on the way. A great time was had by all, much manly grunting and tromping around the woods in Camo, shooting at people. Matt sprained his ankle (again, the same one he sprained not a month ago at another of these events) and spent the last day soaking up the cool summer weather (compared to here! 96 and 95% humidity-yuck) and getting sunburned. I got to play nurse when he got home, poor dear. Freckles and I had a quiet weekend and spent Saturday at the Tomato Art Festival with our friends Paul and Christy Nicholson. Christy has a great little shop online and she sold her crochet wares, t-shirts, and cool buttons with tomatoes on them at a booth at the Tomato Art Fest Bazaar.
I also have a little shop online too. I made designs that I think all my grubby hippie friends and family would like. Just for fun. Besides that, I've been playing here and there and working as the Nanny on the Go. I am spending today with a pile of kidos who are feeling a bit sicky and Matt is at home following Dr. Wife's instructions on how to care for a sprained ankle.

Happy Autumn!

I, Ariana, have just returned from a trip home to Texas where I was subjected to my 10 year reunion. Which actually didn't turn out so bad. Saw a ton of people who I was not sure I knew, until I read the name tag and had to go back and look at their senior year photo to make the connection. Wow. You wouldn't think that 10 years makes some people unrecognizable, but it does. AND nearly everyone had kids!!! I am still kid-less. YAY! At least for now that is a yay. Someday soon, don't worry. I saw my squishy little niece for the first time and had a great time talking with Isabel (Emmanuel's soon to be wife) in Spanish. Man! I am rusty. But Fe' is just so delicious. I took pictures and they will be up under the family section soon. Got to hang out with my brother Jonathan and my other brother Emmanuel for a little bit. Sometimes it's weird being back home. I know a lot of people, but they really don't know me. It's like a crazy time warp of acquaintances who my parents have kept up on my current situation and so they know about me, but don't know me. On the way home Is took a travel voucher to get bumped to the next day's flight and went and saw Stephanie Sloane (my maid of honor) and Kris Daily who is by far the best noise maker on guitar I know! We had fun and laughed until we hurt over margaritas and crazy stories. Cats were involved. I swear! And my camera battery died just as I took one photo, so that's no good. So I get to use the travel voucher to go to NYC soon to visit some friends there. I can't wait for that. One has a new baby due and I just love babies. Other peoples babies.
Speaking of...I have been working as a temp Nanny a ton! Even put up a nanny site here so people can hire me, just until I find a full time job, not that keeping' these kids ain't full time. IT IS!! But I am still sending out resumes like mad, but doing shows and writing too. Ah, yes, it's a full life.
Matt has been doing really well at work, has gotten 2 awards of excellence on of which came with a cash award. Can't beat that!! He is very pumped about all that. About time too. He freakin' ROCKS at his job. He has been hanging with two new guy friends a lot and it inice because they are married and I like hanging out with their wives. He is taking me to a Predators (the Nashville Hockey Team) game tonight! Wooo Hoo! Hot date! Just kidding. It should be lots of fun.
The weather is finally turning and it is so cool and beautiful, no ugly gray days for weeks on end. Today was a beautiful 64 degrees F. with Sun and a slight wind. The perfect Fall day. Happy Autumn!!!

Lost bits and bobs

Well, I am still recovering from my tonsillectomy and I can't wait for it to be all healed up. I have been knitting and knitting and we are settling quite well into the new aspects of life. Matt and I are well and happy and love where we live. I am going in to interview today for the onsite apartment management position that would give us a big break in rent. Matt is liking his new job and is still at his old job, but just as a placemarker until the new guy can be hired. He can even check into the system from home!!! That is all he has to do. And he gets paid for it!! I wish I could make a cool $500.00 a month by getting up in the morning, logging into a system and logging out. Ah the unfairness of the computer geekery world. But his real job is going great and we send each other IM's throughout the day.
On another great note. It is wonderful to see that God is still taking care of us in ways we can't even imagine. I went in for my surgery and the insurance was a mess and it turned out that our old insurance through the State of TN covered my surgery, even though we had new insurance through Web MD. It was covered 100%!!! If we had gone through the new insurance, it would have been a hefty $400.00. As it was, it cost us nothing. It was long overdue and a big blessing that we could get this done at no cost to us and that I wouldn't miss much work. (All of the families I work for are on vacation!) It is the little things that amaze me.