Shame on me for taking so long to share this. Remember a few months back when I tried to take Michael's Honda Civic 4 wheeling, only to end up air borne and then sand locked?
Well, we used our tax return to order the parts so it could be fixed. When the parts came the bumper was the wrong color. The parts people told Michael that the bumpers were always that color. So off to the body shop place he went to get it painted. The first place quoted him over $400. Then on the way home he stopped at another place he had seen advertised. This lady quoted him a price that was about $100 cheaper and said she'd put the parts back on for him. He was so excited! So he left the parts and we took the car back later. When we went back to pick up the car the lady told him he didn't owe her a thing. We were over whelmed at her generosity. She told us that she appreciated what our service men were doing for our country. Because he is a Marine his car was fixed for free. Not just fixed but cleaned. Such a small thing on the surface. Of course we have told every one we can think of. She isn't just generous, she's a good business woman. She knows good business comes by word of mouth. :) Oh, please don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to undermine her generosity. She gave a gift to a service man, God gave a gift to His children.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Tangerine Marine and The Ghi-Ghi car
I so wish I had pictures to share! Bare with me here as I tell THE. Whole. Story. Not just the little bit that inspired the story.
When we lived in Virginia Beach, Va my Marine bought himself a Volkswagen Karma-gia. It looks like a Volkswagen bug that has been flatten a little bit. It was orange, hence the nick name, Tangerine Marine. He looked so cool in his cammies driving to work in this car. It needed much work. It is very hard to find a car on the East coast that isn't full of rust. There were huge holes in the floor pans. Then we got got orders to the Drill Field in South Carolina. Do you know how much it rains in SC?! By this time there were no floor boards in the car. If you didn't take the corners slow you'd be wearing the mud puddles. Ask me how I know! Kevin was the one that coined the car Ghi-ghi car. One of those cute kid things that stuck.
My favorite story about the car and my Marine happened while he was a Drill Instructor. He was at work and I found this huge balloon. No kidding it was as big as his car. So, I bought it and took it to tie to the mirror of his car. What I didn't know until he got home LATE that night was he was actually outside with his recruits while I was putting the balloon on his car. He had his boots lined up facing the parking lot and his back was to me. He was madder than a hornet at them for something and was giving them heck. Well, they all knew what car he drove and they could see what I was doing. They are all trying not to laugh. Finally I got the job done and left. At that point one of his peers came to him and told him to go take care of his car. It was great.
Then we got orders to come back to 29 Palms and the ghi-ghi car had to be sold. We sold it to another Marine and handed him the floor pans that were bought but never put in the car. Over the years Michael has wandered about the car and the 'kid' that bought it.
The last couple months he has been admiring another karma ghia in the neighborhood. The other day the owner was out in the yard and we stopped so Michael could talk cars. Michael told this guy that he had and sold an orange Karma-ghia. The guy asked what he sold it for. After Michael's answer he said wait right here. He went in and came out of his house with his wife. He was the one who bought our car!! What I small world it is. He isn't a kid any more. Maybe you have to be a military family to understand the uniqueness of this story. We were all just amazed. He resold the car shortly after he bought it. Like I said it needed a lot of work.
When we lived in Virginia Beach, Va my Marine bought himself a Volkswagen Karma-gia. It looks like a Volkswagen bug that has been flatten a little bit. It was orange, hence the nick name, Tangerine Marine. He looked so cool in his cammies driving to work in this car. It needed much work. It is very hard to find a car on the East coast that isn't full of rust. There were huge holes in the floor pans. Then we got got orders to the Drill Field in South Carolina. Do you know how much it rains in SC?! By this time there were no floor boards in the car. If you didn't take the corners slow you'd be wearing the mud puddles. Ask me how I know! Kevin was the one that coined the car Ghi-ghi car. One of those cute kid things that stuck.
My favorite story about the car and my Marine happened while he was a Drill Instructor. He was at work and I found this huge balloon. No kidding it was as big as his car. So, I bought it and took it to tie to the mirror of his car. What I didn't know until he got home LATE that night was he was actually outside with his recruits while I was putting the balloon on his car. He had his boots lined up facing the parking lot and his back was to me. He was madder than a hornet at them for something and was giving them heck. Well, they all knew what car he drove and they could see what I was doing. They are all trying not to laugh. Finally I got the job done and left. At that point one of his peers came to him and told him to go take care of his car. It was great.
Then we got orders to come back to 29 Palms and the ghi-ghi car had to be sold. We sold it to another Marine and handed him the floor pans that were bought but never put in the car. Over the years Michael has wandered about the car and the 'kid' that bought it.
The last couple months he has been admiring another karma ghia in the neighborhood. The other day the owner was out in the yard and we stopped so Michael could talk cars. Michael told this guy that he had and sold an orange Karma-ghia. The guy asked what he sold it for. After Michael's answer he said wait right here. He went in and came out of his house with his wife. He was the one who bought our car!! What I small world it is. He isn't a kid any more. Maybe you have to be a military family to understand the uniqueness of this story. We were all just amazed. He resold the car shortly after he bought it. Like I said it needed a lot of work.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
I just have to ask: Does any one else have trouble with those letters for word verification? I never get it typed right the first time.
Tyke the Beagle has almost dug to China. Beagle stew is sounding better and better.
Gab is 18 years old! She made it. She has been so pleasant the last couple of days. I have meant to post a post in regards to her birthday. You know, a picture of birth and a current picture. Takes mega time for me to do that. Eventually, hopefully before her next birthday. She did not graduate on time to walk with the class. She had been asked to speak at the ceremony, but decided that it was just too much. Then she didn't finish in time to even participate. The good news is she is talking to and working with the counselor and is registered to finish her classes this summer. I believe she'll do it in less than 2 weeks. She was stressing herself out so bad that I told her I didn't care WHEN she graduated just so long as she DID graduate. She is off with a friend and her family for the week end.
Michael and Kevin are off to the movies. I have the house to myself. It is so nice. I am supposed to be cleaning. Yea, right. I was going to spend the day cleaning the house, doing laundry, cleaning my car and writing thank you notes. I have collected the laundry and got it started. I can not believe that 4 people can create that much laundry!! In fact I went through my dresser and threw out most of what I had. By threw out I mean bagged for the local thrift store. My closet is next and Michael will be asked to go through his stuff.
I will hold off on Kevin's clothes because my prayer is he'll have to have a whole new wardrobe by the end of this summer. I think he has agreed to be my maid this summer. Oh to come home to a clean house once a week. We'll see. I scared Gab off. She did a good job, I was just too picky!
OK, I must be off to do the cleaning. It must be done!
Have a great Sunday!
Tyke the Beagle has almost dug to China. Beagle stew is sounding better and better.
Gab is 18 years old! She made it. She has been so pleasant the last couple of days. I have meant to post a post in regards to her birthday. You know, a picture of birth and a current picture. Takes mega time for me to do that. Eventually, hopefully before her next birthday. She did not graduate on time to walk with the class. She had been asked to speak at the ceremony, but decided that it was just too much. Then she didn't finish in time to even participate. The good news is she is talking to and working with the counselor and is registered to finish her classes this summer. I believe she'll do it in less than 2 weeks. She was stressing herself out so bad that I told her I didn't care WHEN she graduated just so long as she DID graduate. She is off with a friend and her family for the week end.
Michael and Kevin are off to the movies. I have the house to myself. It is so nice. I am supposed to be cleaning. Yea, right. I was going to spend the day cleaning the house, doing laundry, cleaning my car and writing thank you notes. I have collected the laundry and got it started. I can not believe that 4 people can create that much laundry!! In fact I went through my dresser and threw out most of what I had. By threw out I mean bagged for the local thrift store. My closet is next and Michael will be asked to go through his stuff.
I will hold off on Kevin's clothes because my prayer is he'll have to have a whole new wardrobe by the end of this summer. I think he has agreed to be my maid this summer. Oh to come home to a clean house once a week. We'll see. I scared Gab off. She did a good job, I was just too picky!
OK, I must be off to do the cleaning. It must be done!
Have a great Sunday!
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Busy-Lazy-Pity-GOD
Busy-- Being back to work has kept me busy to say the very least! Up at the crack of dawn and working til at least 1600, often times it's closer to 1700. I'm supposed to be done at 1530. However, one thing about nursing is you can't just leave if there is still a patient needing care. Could you imagine coming out of surgery, being groggy on anesthesia and hearing this voice say: Your surgery is over now. You are in the recovery room, but it's past quitting time so I'll see ya in the morning. Hope you're not hurting. NOT. So, even though I'm not the only nurse working I can't just up and leave just because you know it's quitting time. :)
Lazy- Now since my wonderful 8 hour job has turned into more like a 10 to 12 hour job, I have become lazy. Once upon a time there was food in the house. So, maybe it wasn't cooked and on the table every night. It was there in the house for any one that wanted to have a go at it! Clean clothes? Sure. Where? Certainly not in the dresser drawers or the closets. Maybe, if your lucky, they'll be in the dryer or the CLEAN laundry basket. The real kicker, the one that made me realize perhaps, just maybe things had slipped a little too far was when I heard: "Mom, why are the paper towels in the bathroom?" "There is no toilet paper" Four days later: "Mom when will you buy more toilet paper?" HMMMM, soon. I have turned into a couch potato. After work I pile up on the couch and watch TV. Sad I know. Worse than sad actually, but we won't go there.
Pity-- My baby girl is turning 18 years old this week. Our relationship is still rough to say the least. She did go to counseling with me last week. I left in tears. If any mother can get an award for trying It's me. I can look back and see all the things I tried that were wrong, but in my heart I was fighting the good fight. Now, I'm still fighting the good fight, however I am trying out a new sword. It's one that I've had access to for many many years and have actually used it from time to time. But, I forget how to use it. See, I'm used to fighting and doing. With this sword all I have to do is close my eyes and let HIM direct the Sword. All I have to do is read and speak this sword. It is so easy. Too easy if you are a doer and a fretter like me.
My son has informed me that his 16 year old, 5'8" frame is carring around 220 pounds. He has always been a solid boy, broad in the shoulders. But a lot of that weight is in his stomach and the Dr. has been watching him for high cholesterol and borderline high blood pressure.
I have made a change in my life--full time work. I love my job and my husband was ecstatic that I agreed to go back. However, there needs to be some fine tuning. Michael helps me quite a bit! In fact his encouragement and happiness at my being back at work helps me to ignore my short comings. He isn't bothered by them. Well, maybe the lack of TP.
GOD-- So I got up this Sunday morning thinking I don't want to go to church! I need to stay home and clean my house! Buy some food and TP and get the clean laundry put away. No my mind says you need to hear the word of God. It isn't your house that has slipped. It's time to come close to God again and trust him with my baby girl. To trust Him in the way He is leading in how to feed my family. So I drug myself to the shower and commenced with the morning routine. When I got to the living room there sat my husband ready for church. God is SO good. Now going to church was a joy not just a ride for my daughter. Then the preacher preached on being in the Word of GOD. Being in the Word and removing the things that are in competition with my desire to be in the WORD. Now, my daughter is a gift from God, so I can't, nor do I want, to remove her. My job is something that my husband wants from me. I spent years fighting this and being angry at him for wanting this from me. This time my heart will be different. I just am so very honestly grateful that I do enjoy the profession that I chose. No, what has to change is my walk with God. It is so easy to live it vicariously through others. To see and admire the strength they have and even be motivated by it. I'm not dealing with cancer, nor have I recently lost a relative that is near and dear to my heart. I just have a family that has needs and expectations. God knows all about it, in fact He created it all to grow us! While He knows it all, I'm sure that He is getting awful lonely waiting on me to talk to Him about it. I know all the talk about putting things in the hands of God, I've even tasted a miniature tad of it. So what is my fear? Where is the balance in being a concerned mom and one that lets go and allows God the space He needs to deal with and grow my child. Where is the balance of being a busy mom and one that needs to relax? Where is the space to meet with the Lord? I can do nothing with out taking the time it takes to draw near to Him and cast my cares upon Him. And you know what?! Talking about it and blogging about it does not count! As I type this I feel like it is the same old song and dance. Yet, a difference. I feel no guilt. Only a strong desire to do what is right!
What is that?
First, and the most important: Make time to be in the Word of God. To search Him out and renew our relationship!
Second, address the eating issue! Make a meal plan, throw out the temptations that will interfere with eating right. Get Kevin and Gab involved in meal preparations! Eating has been an issue in our home for years!! It started with trying to eat gluten and casein free. I have read the Hallelujah Diet for the second time. I truly, honestly believe that God is calling me to follow this plan. Michael and Kevin both are in agreement to trying it. What is it? eating raw fruits and veggies. Sounds simple?! Not when you are entrenched in the Standard American Diet. (SAD) To us a veggie is a carrot or something frozen. Fresh is something we buy and then watch rot in the fridge.
What is heaviest on my heart at this time is my daughter. Please pray for her! She is at the age of transitioning from childhood to adulthood. Verbally she wants; screams for the adult life and adult responsibilities; yet her actions are still those of a child that desires to be cared for. I suppose this is normal to some degree. Well, lets just say we are in counseling for a reason.
Well, now you are up to date. I hope to post pictures soon.
Have a terrific week!!
Lazy- Now since my wonderful 8 hour job has turned into more like a 10 to 12 hour job, I have become lazy. Once upon a time there was food in the house. So, maybe it wasn't cooked and on the table every night. It was there in the house for any one that wanted to have a go at it! Clean clothes? Sure. Where? Certainly not in the dresser drawers or the closets. Maybe, if your lucky, they'll be in the dryer or the CLEAN laundry basket. The real kicker, the one that made me realize perhaps, just maybe things had slipped a little too far was when I heard: "Mom, why are the paper towels in the bathroom?" "There is no toilet paper" Four days later: "Mom when will you buy more toilet paper?" HMMMM, soon. I have turned into a couch potato. After work I pile up on the couch and watch TV. Sad I know. Worse than sad actually, but we won't go there.
Pity-- My baby girl is turning 18 years old this week. Our relationship is still rough to say the least. She did go to counseling with me last week. I left in tears. If any mother can get an award for trying It's me. I can look back and see all the things I tried that were wrong, but in my heart I was fighting the good fight. Now, I'm still fighting the good fight, however I am trying out a new sword. It's one that I've had access to for many many years and have actually used it from time to time. But, I forget how to use it. See, I'm used to fighting and doing. With this sword all I have to do is close my eyes and let HIM direct the Sword. All I have to do is read and speak this sword. It is so easy. Too easy if you are a doer and a fretter like me.
My son has informed me that his 16 year old, 5'8" frame is carring around 220 pounds. He has always been a solid boy, broad in the shoulders. But a lot of that weight is in his stomach and the Dr. has been watching him for high cholesterol and borderline high blood pressure.
I have made a change in my life--full time work. I love my job and my husband was ecstatic that I agreed to go back. However, there needs to be some fine tuning. Michael helps me quite a bit! In fact his encouragement and happiness at my being back at work helps me to ignore my short comings. He isn't bothered by them. Well, maybe the lack of TP.
GOD-- So I got up this Sunday morning thinking I don't want to go to church! I need to stay home and clean my house! Buy some food and TP and get the clean laundry put away. No my mind says you need to hear the word of God. It isn't your house that has slipped. It's time to come close to God again and trust him with my baby girl. To trust Him in the way He is leading in how to feed my family. So I drug myself to the shower and commenced with the morning routine. When I got to the living room there sat my husband ready for church. God is SO good. Now going to church was a joy not just a ride for my daughter. Then the preacher preached on being in the Word of GOD. Being in the Word and removing the things that are in competition with my desire to be in the WORD. Now, my daughter is a gift from God, so I can't, nor do I want, to remove her. My job is something that my husband wants from me. I spent years fighting this and being angry at him for wanting this from me. This time my heart will be different. I just am so very honestly grateful that I do enjoy the profession that I chose. No, what has to change is my walk with God. It is so easy to live it vicariously through others. To see and admire the strength they have and even be motivated by it. I'm not dealing with cancer, nor have I recently lost a relative that is near and dear to my heart. I just have a family that has needs and expectations. God knows all about it, in fact He created it all to grow us! While He knows it all, I'm sure that He is getting awful lonely waiting on me to talk to Him about it. I know all the talk about putting things in the hands of God, I've even tasted a miniature tad of it. So what is my fear? Where is the balance in being a concerned mom and one that lets go and allows God the space He needs to deal with and grow my child. Where is the balance of being a busy mom and one that needs to relax? Where is the space to meet with the Lord? I can do nothing with out taking the time it takes to draw near to Him and cast my cares upon Him. And you know what?! Talking about it and blogging about it does not count! As I type this I feel like it is the same old song and dance. Yet, a difference. I feel no guilt. Only a strong desire to do what is right!
What is that?
First, and the most important: Make time to be in the Word of God. To search Him out and renew our relationship!
Second, address the eating issue! Make a meal plan, throw out the temptations that will interfere with eating right. Get Kevin and Gab involved in meal preparations! Eating has been an issue in our home for years!! It started with trying to eat gluten and casein free. I have read the Hallelujah Diet for the second time. I truly, honestly believe that God is calling me to follow this plan. Michael and Kevin both are in agreement to trying it. What is it? eating raw fruits and veggies. Sounds simple?! Not when you are entrenched in the Standard American Diet. (SAD) To us a veggie is a carrot or something frozen. Fresh is something we buy and then watch rot in the fridge.
What is heaviest on my heart at this time is my daughter. Please pray for her! She is at the age of transitioning from childhood to adulthood. Verbally she wants; screams for the adult life and adult responsibilities; yet her actions are still those of a child that desires to be cared for. I suppose this is normal to some degree. Well, lets just say we are in counseling for a reason.
Well, now you are up to date. I hope to post pictures soon.
Have a terrific week!!
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Landscape Help Please!
This is one corner of my yard. We had to lay chicken wire on the ground and up the fence. The Beagle loves to dig. I couldn't imagine what he was digging after. My neighbor told me there were gophers. No way I said. Yes, way. My Beagle, Tyke, was ever so nice as to present me with a dead gopher at the back door. So, the digging continues. The chicken wire stopped him from going under the fence but it did not stop him from digging.
This is the present view I see most often from my dining room and living room window. A far cry from the beautiful flowers I long to see.
I have racked my brains trying to think of a solution. The idea of a shock collar was the first idea. However, our fence line shares three yards, all of which have children. The yard behind us has 3 boys that just love our dogs. I love to look out the window and see Little Girl laying on her back with little hands stretched through the fence to scratch her belly. So then the idea of the kind of collar that requires me to push a button to shock the dog. That would work if I were home to shock him. Honestly, the whole idea of shocking bugs the snot out of me. Is there one out there that would sound a high irritating to the dogs frequency? OK, so here's my new idea. You know the barrels that they cut in half to plant flowers and plants in? I could put three in the two back corners of the yard. Then I could plant all different kinds of flowers in it. I want something that will trail the fence too. This idea will most likely be a bit expensive. If you guys have any suggestions please feel free to let me know!
My dear husband has cooked a to die for pasta dish, so I must leave you to go eat. Have a great Sunday.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Great Day
Today was a great day at work. Tonight we went out to eat. We took a friend out with us.
When we lived in Virginia Bch., Va we met a young single marine. We had him over a bit for dinner. Then the Corps took us different paths only to bring us together again in 29 Palms. At the time he had gotten married and had his first son and expecting his 2nd. Once again the Corps took us different directions. A couple days ago Michael said he was here. He is actually stationed in Okinawa and is here TAD. It was so great to see him and visit. He has since divorced and remarried and has a 4 yr old daughter. Lots of time has passed since we've seen each other. I love to listen to the 2 guys share stories and memories of past duty stations. It was a nice relaxing evening.
I have a new vacuum cleaner! I burned the motor up on my last one. The new one has a light that indicates if the carpet is dirty or clean. It was quite intriguing. My husband finally said that perhaps I should vacuum more regularly and try to get the clean light to come on over a period of time. I live in the desert with two kids and two dogs. LOTS of sand.
I had another flat tire. I'm not used to having flats when the tread is still good. Usually it's flat because there is no more tread.
Funny how when I go to work things start to break. I do tithe, so that's not what I'm missing. Michael used to get so upset. Seemed like every time we started to get a little financially ahead some thing big would bust. (flat tires and vacuum cleaners are not big) He would be frustrated that we would have to spend the $; I would be very grateful that we had the $ to replace the item. I do agree that we are going to have to figure out how to eat at home even though we are now both working. I wonder if I could find a maid AND a cook. If we could agree on the pay and I would accept the quality of the job done I'm sure my daughter would help out. Some how, clean to my standards in exchange for free transportation and food doesn't cut it for her. She did clean for me for a while, but I was relentless in my standards. Always found something that wasn't done quite right. I don't blame her for quitting. Even with pay that gets old and frustrating. Good grief did I get side tracked!
No much going on here. Just work and school.
When we lived in Virginia Bch., Va we met a young single marine. We had him over a bit for dinner. Then the Corps took us different paths only to bring us together again in 29 Palms. At the time he had gotten married and had his first son and expecting his 2nd. Once again the Corps took us different directions. A couple days ago Michael said he was here. He is actually stationed in Okinawa and is here TAD. It was so great to see him and visit. He has since divorced and remarried and has a 4 yr old daughter. Lots of time has passed since we've seen each other. I love to listen to the 2 guys share stories and memories of past duty stations. It was a nice relaxing evening.
I have a new vacuum cleaner! I burned the motor up on my last one. The new one has a light that indicates if the carpet is dirty or clean. It was quite intriguing. My husband finally said that perhaps I should vacuum more regularly and try to get the clean light to come on over a period of time. I live in the desert with two kids and two dogs. LOTS of sand.
I had another flat tire. I'm not used to having flats when the tread is still good. Usually it's flat because there is no more tread.
Funny how when I go to work things start to break. I do tithe, so that's not what I'm missing. Michael used to get so upset. Seemed like every time we started to get a little financially ahead some thing big would bust. (flat tires and vacuum cleaners are not big) He would be frustrated that we would have to spend the $; I would be very grateful that we had the $ to replace the item. I do agree that we are going to have to figure out how to eat at home even though we are now both working. I wonder if I could find a maid AND a cook. If we could agree on the pay and I would accept the quality of the job done I'm sure my daughter would help out. Some how, clean to my standards in exchange for free transportation and food doesn't cut it for her. She did clean for me for a while, but I was relentless in my standards. Always found something that wasn't done quite right. I don't blame her for quitting. Even with pay that gets old and frustrating. Good grief did I get side tracked!
No much going on here. Just work and school.
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