Just a Few Things...July 19, 2009

Believe it or not, I have been trying to blog for the past few days even though there has not really been much to make note of. Mostly running around doing errands and preparing for my trip to "Sweet Home Alabama".

Only 2 days away from flight departure. I am beginning to get excited about my trip and a little nervous. I was thinking of dousing my stomach with liquor before takeoff to ease my nerves but our flight is leaving to early in the morning for alcohol consumption....at least for me.

I am looking forward to seeing and spending time with my family...this time hopefully without hurricane's and stomach viruses as part of the itinerary...

Looking back, I have had a very enjoyable summer so far. While we were out running errands today, I was talking to Toby about how well we have been doing for the past several months.

It seems during these tough economic times we seem to be fairing quite well. At least for our standard of "well" anyway. I almost feel a little guilty when I hear about other folks talking about their economic misfortunes since the progressive economic disaster. Folks have been losing their jobs, homes, and their identity associated with their financial status.

I almost let myself get dragged right down with them until I remind myself that during the time when a lot of Americans were basking in the lap of luxury until our recent economic crisis, my family and I were struggling at the very bottom end of an economic crisis ourselves. Hence, having to relocate ourselves to another state.

While everyone else was driving around in their nice newer vehicles, sporting fancy cell phones, owning more credit cards than is even humanly necessary and living in houses that were in neighborhoods that didn't have reputations for drive by shootings my family and I were struggling to make ends meet.

Sometimes I think being poor isn't such a bad thing. When you survive on little or nothing your life is simple....more realistic and in touch.

I am not being smug in the least. I am just saying everyone has their "day in the sun". We just so happen to be having our "sun day" during a time when a lot of Americans are trying to drag themselves out of that dark cave called debt.

We have "been there done that" before and may do "that" again. At least I can say I know how to handle "that".

Here are a few pics of our daily activities for the past couple of days while I have been slagging. (slack blogging)

Summer and Isaac. Summer is cutting up dog food treats for the neighbors dog.



Summer and the neighbors dog...Chloe.



I gave Summer something to be creative with while I caught up on my blog and did prepared for our trip. This is what she came up with. She said she was giving herself a body mask. Not exactly what I thought she would do with it, but whatever works.




Oh, and one last note. I was talking to my crazy neighbor down the street last night. For anyone who does not know the 'crazy neighbor' here is a short description - she labels herself Christian in faith, she is a hoarder of stuff, she is a very poor example of a homeschooler and gives us that are serious about it a very bad name, she has NO control over her 3 boys.

Anyway, I told her about us going out of town for a couple of days. In the past I have done her a couple of favors so she was wanting to reciprocate and asked if she could watch Brandi while we were gone....uh no, I love my dog too much is what I wanted to say. She went on and on about how she wanted to do something for me because that's what GOD would want her to do.

I said "O.k. well I am expecting some packages from UPS this week. If you would just take them off my front porch if you see them and keep them inside your house until I get back that would be nice."

This is what crazy said next..."Well, I hope the packages will be o.k out in the garage, because if I bring them inside the kids will get into them and destroy them." .....I can't even begin to tell you how long it took me to convince her that they would be better off on my front porch for a week than at her house....