Oh my god. Before we can move into the townhouse that we are going to rent ... we have to paint it. Or more like, I HAVE TO PAINT IT! Ryan is busy with work, and by the end of the day he wants to come home, not stay there and paint. So I have been going to work with him and trying to do most of the painting myself. I am proud of myself because I actually have done most of the painting myself. When Ryan and I are both there, he tapes and edges whatever we are painting, and then I roll it. My back and shoulders are killing me. And we have accomplished almost nothing.

The townhouse is two story, two bedroom, one and a half-bath. Two huge hall closets (one up and one downstairs). So we have all the ceilings done upstairs, including the closets, and now all that is left is the walls, trim, and doors. We have to paint it all! Or ... well ... I have to paint it all.

Yesterday I went and did all of what will be Joey's room, including two coats of paint on the trim, and cleaning up the huge spill that I had. It's mostly cleaned up, but it was in the MIDDLE OF THE FLOOR. Not like I can just put her bed over it, huh? But then again, I CAN give thanks that they are also putting in new carpet. But it could be a little while, because they are waiting till all the painting is done to even order it. Wonder why ...

Today? I am somewhat taking a break. I have taken stock of all the aches and pains and sore muscles, and decided that I am taking a break. Ryan says, "Cool, since you are going to be home, here is a list of people we need to call, and some boxes that I picked up for packing. Have a good day." Then he loads the boxes into middle of the living room floor, and breezes out the door to "work." Grrrr.

But he is right, and in spite of my body's protests, the stuff has to be done. So I packed a few boxes, and now I am chilling for a bit. I am in no real hurry ... it will get done. I am sore everywhere, and so exhausted that my vision is blurry and I have a mild ache in the head. I am planning to get Joey some lunch, get her to bed, and then I really have a lot to do. Most of my days work is squished into the few hours that she is down for a nap, because then I can get it done without her underfoot. So once she is down, I gotta take out the trash, move all the boxes to my room so she'll stop playing with them,, and sometime I need to take shower. Then? Clean the apartment so that I can make sense of what to pack next.


Wish me luck?

I have had tons of things happen to me in the past few years that I wasn't happy with. However, so far they have ALL worked out nicely to better my life and that of my two year old daughter Joey.

BAD: In December 2004, I left my husband with my infant in tow, because he refused to stop doing drugs.
WORKED OUT: It was the first time I was on my own, and I got to really know myself and bond with my daughter. It also paved the way for meet a great guy that I am planning to marry, and he is wanting to adopt my daughter. He already treats her as if she is his own.

BAD: I had one car. As soon as Ryan and I moved in together, and he got a job, my car blew up. Ryan didn't have one, so we just knew that he would lose his job and everything would fall apart.
WORKED OUT: His mom helped us get a newer, better car that has been awesome and very dependable.

BAD: Ryan lost his job a few months ago, due to too much time out sick.
WORKED OUT: He just got a better job a few weeks ago ... it is loaded with perks and he is the General Manager where he works. He loves the authority, and the freedom of not being in a cubicle all day.

BAD: We just found out that since I live in income-based housing, that with his new job, our rent is going to go up to almost four hundred dollars. That is a LOT for where we live, and there is no way that we can afford it.
WORKING OUT? We are waiting for a new apartment that won't be available until November. It is for resident management with the company that he works with. We will pay a $500 deposit and that will cover rent, lights, and water, for as long as we live here! Way batter deal. But what about in the meantime? We are going to be moving to Knoxville from Oak Ridge, to be closer to his job to save on gas, and we have already found a new place to live.

If you could, I am asking everyone to pray that the moves (to our new townhouse, and also to the new apartment in Nov) go well, and that we don't get too far behind on our bills. I am praying that this is another blessing in disguise, and I could use all the prayer help that I can get! Thanks for reading ...

I recently wrote an email to a good friend of mine, talking about how I am always waiting lately for the "other shoe to drop" on me. It is like having one awful thing hit me and then another. She said not to look for that shoe, and that it will be okay, if I just look up and be positive. This is what I wrote her:

"I am trying not to look for that shoe. I am lately trying instead to look for the shield that GOD gave me when I was reborn as a Christian. He promised that it would help in the times when the shoe dropped hard. He said that it would make things seem better because it carries the Hope of Eternity. But I seem to have misplaced it..."

When I read back over what I had written to her, I wanted to post that here ... 1.) For someone who might need to see it, and 2.) So that I can look back later and remember my faith. Maybe at another time when I need it.

O Lord, return to me Your power

That once by grace I knew;

Forgive the sin that grieved Your heart,

And help me to be true.

-Amen

This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School, Kingston, Tennessee, by school Principal, Jody McLeod.

"It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country.

"Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it "an alternate lifestyle," and if someone is offended, that's OK. I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, "safe sex." If someone is offended, that's OK. I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a "viable means of birth control." If someone is offended, no problem...

"I can designate a school day as "Earth Day" and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess "Mother Earth" and call it "ecology." I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depicts people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as "simple minded" and "ignorant" and call it "enlightenment."

"However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to Bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated. This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical. Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except GOD and HIS Commandments.

"Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical... I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression. For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time.

"However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM, in the name of JESUS, to Bless this event, please feel free to do so. As far as I know, that's not against the law----yet."

One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray. They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box!

The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America - the Seat of "Justice" in the "one nation, under GOD."

Somehow, Kingston, Tennessee Remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion. Praise GOD that HIS remnant remains!

JESUS said, "If you are ashamed of ME before men, then I will be ashamed of you before MY FATHER."