Terrible, horrible, no good, very bad shopping time

As I told Gary just a bit ago, if I say I'm going on errands in the next few weeks with both of my children please shoot me. Or less harmful, tie me up.

However stressful the morning may have been, I did get most things accomplished.

I also managed to get all my laundry washed and hung to dry before we left for our errands.

We're moving on

Gary and I signed the papers last night. The ones that disclose things about our house. The ones that allow our realtor to start selling our house.

We held each other and cried after the realtor left. I cried as he jammed the sign into the ground out front, that shouted to all who passed by, FOR SALE.

Here is the link to our listing. He took pictures. Although he took pictures, they aren't posted with the listing yet. I cringe to think what they look like, since our house isn't exactly cleaned up yet. We are leaving in four days for the beach for a week, and our house is lived in.



It is hard to sell our house.



But this little group of people is really our home.










Or maybe it's this group of people.

The garden

Thought I'd throw in this photo of our garden. I think it's looking quite green and not from too many weeds.

A car and what to do with the house

First: Gary's mom has offered to loan us money to buy a second car. She has been able to save up a bit for when she replaces her car. She knows we can't pay her back until our house sells. So we've been looking for a Subaru Outback wagon. We've been looking on line, and yesterday and today we went to look at some. Nothing yesterday, but today we found the one. We made a down payment, and Friday we'll go make the final payment and drive it home.

Second: Gary rides the bus to and from work. Today a neighbor that Gary sees now and then was on the bus today. Gary told her he took another job out of the area and would be moving. She inquired about what we would be doing with our house.

Gary thinks now is not the best time to sell. Our realtor suggested renting in case the job doesn't work out. I say sell. We can't save money and clear out some debt if we rent. But if we did rent our house, we would make it a year lease. So should we sell or rent?

Our neighbor has a friend who needs a place for a year. We met with him tonight and he wants to rent our house. Now all we need to decide is if we actually want to rent it. I think we should just sell it. Then we can save for year and have nice down payment.

The problem with renting is that the amount we can charge is less than the mortgage. So we would still have a monthly house payment. That's not saving. We are meeting with our realtor next week to discuss our options in more detail, so we'll see.

Great Dads!

My husband, my father and my brother. These men love their kids and their wives. Sometimes they are goofy beyond words. They are hard working. They are loved.

Happy Father's Day!

Camping again

Camp Swatara is where we were this weekend. We go every Father's Day weekend with our church. We went swimming, boating, played on the playground, had a fire, made s'mores. Josh and Ellie spent some of their money and bought candy. The kids got dirty - on several occasions. It was a great, family weekend.

And on our way out, we stop at the camp store for our going home ice cream treat.

There are no photos of this trip. Which for me is odd. I forgot the camera I ususally use on trips and just decided not to pull out the other one.

Hand of God

Gary didn't go looking for a job and Kiley Engineering didn't go looking for an employee. But Gary has a new job and Kiley has a new employee.

Here's how: God.

Upon returning home (Monday, Memorial Day) from our weekend away, Gary promptly emailed an engineering firm we saw on our drive. He received emails the next morning (Tuesday) asking for his resume. On Friday he had a phone interview. The next Monday he had an in-person interview. On Tuesday he had an offer of employment. Friday he accepted. All this transpired in two weeks.

And here's my take on their side of it. The Friday before Memorial Day, we're sad to see you go employee, but good luck. Memorial Day - what kind of advertisement should we do for an engineer? Tuesday - what's this? and email from someone looking for a job? Let's get his resume. Wow, look at this impressive resume. Gary has many years experience, he has a lot of experience in different areas too. We have to interview this guy. Friday - This guy has great work ethic, he sounds honest. He's easy to talk to. He knows what he's talking about. Let's meet him. The next Monday - Wow, he looks sharp. He is just as impressive in person. He would fit right in. He is honest. He is experienced. He needs to wear jeans, suits are too formal. Let's offer him the job. Tuesday - Here's what we can offer. What do you say? During that week - Well, what do you think he'll say? Friday - Woo hoo, he's coming to work for us!

Did I mention the job is in Lakeville, PA? If you consult a map you will find it to be two hours from our current location in Lansdale. We will be moving.

Then and Now

Here I am with Ellie, presumably soon after we had haircuts last May. I know I have a photo of us the evening we got the cuts, but sorting through thousands of photos is not on my list today.








Here you see me tonight. Over a year from my last major hair cut. I think my hair grows slowly. I am going to see how long it will be in two years.

Volunteer

I helped Myrtle this weekend. She needed someone to help her make it through the impossible day her boss is making her work through. I took pictures, did tasks, drove, swiped cookies. I even got my own volunteer lanyard. I felt important.

I rented a car so Gary could still have ours. It was cheaper than taking the train. I got to drive a Nissan Cube. They are odd cars. Very open in the front, so if you're claustrophobic, check one out. It also has no pick up. While on the highway, I actually had the petal to the metal and could barely feel the car increase speed.

Through Skype I met Papa Dore and his family, now her new family. I was able to pray Compline with them two nights, and ask some questions and receive some encouragement. We even Skyped with some of the siblings and prayed many Psalms, including Psalm 119, the longest one.

Thanks be to God.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to Myrtle,
Happy Birthday to you!

Our tenth trip

The cabin. (Note the leafless driveway and weedless side yard, we could leave the ferns.)



















Earning our keep weedwacking and leaf blowing.












A factory and foot bridge and City Hall in Honesdale, PA.




















Trying my hand at an up do. I asked my friend to show me how to put my hair up, so I could impress Gary on our trip. I thought it was a good first attempt.