Patience is a Virtue....

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Vacation 2008

This post has been long overdue, please bear with me...it may be a long one!

Day 1 - Day One was spent driving. Ten hours doesn't sound like a lot until you get to Memphis and realize you are not even halfway there! The girls did great in the car. Oddly enough, the worst time in the car for them was the first hour, all of which we spent getting the situated, comfortable, and making sure snacks and drinks were within their reach.
We made a pit stop in Jackson, MS for the night and took advantage of a Chili's gift card Jeremy won at work. Yummy! Why don't we have one of these!?

Once we got back to the hotel, Jeremy and I were going through our luggage, unloading just enough to get us four through until the next day. (Meanwhile, the girls were in the car, watching their movie.) I noticed a man walking up to us, as did Jeremy. He comes up to me, and proceeds to ask us a question.

Man lurking at hotel parking lot: "May I ask you something without you getting offended?"

My thoughts right about now: Is this a trick question. Hmmm.

Jeremy and myself: "Sure."

At this time, the man proceeds to reach out and shake out hand, introducing himself , as we introduced ourselves to him.

Before I continue, I want to all to know I try to be very non-judgmental of people and their sexuality, color, race, religion, etc. etc.

He then proceeds to tell us he is HIV positive.

He then goes on to say he is homeless and trying to get in shelter. His family is non-supportive. He tells us it is hard being an African-American, gay Baptists preacher son. (Got all that?) He tells us he is not trying to take money from our children, understands if we don't have anything, but if we did, that would be great.

Jeremy then goes on to say, "I have some cash but it is the hotel, Can I bring it to you?"

The man waited.

Once Jeremy and I got into the hotel, we discussed how much to give. Here is how we have always dealt with situations like this: This man may be a complete liar and may very well go spend any money on alcohol, drugs...etc. However, that is something he will have to deal with once he sees God's face. We feel we are doing a kind deed, taking what he had to say for face value, no lies or scams.

After discussing how much to give, Jeremy walks back outside, leaving myself and the girls in the safety of our room, and hands the gentleman $40.00.

He started crying, people. I tell myself they were real tears.

I hope and pray he didn't spend it on the above mentioned things.

But I do have a valid reason to think God was watching us while we did that...

Wordless Wednesday

It's Go Time!

Oh my! Last night, we got so much accomplished. Because we are trying to sell our house, even though I wonder if it ever will, we touched up the entire house with paint. It was comical, since every hand print, smudge, or mark was two to four feet high. Perfect height for the girls. All night long, we were telling the girls, "Do not touch the walls!". Zoa walked down the hallway with her arms crossed the rest of the night.

While Jeremy was doing that, I finished all the laundry! This, in case you don't know, is a MAJOR FEAT in my eyes. I literally have no dirty clothes in my house right now. Tonight, I am washing beds so we will have have a clean bed to sleep in once we get back from Gulf Shores.

Tonight, the girls are going to stay the night with the grandparent's. Papa Dave asked Macie to go the the races with him and she is excited beyond words. This morning her first words were "Am I going to the races now?". Have fun dad and I almost guarantee Macie will want nachos.

Zoa wanted to stay somewhere since Macie is so she will be with Jeremy's mom. I am sure she will have fun all night - reading books (which she LOVES!) and playing house with her babies.

That leaves us home alone. What are you going to do, you ask? Dinner for two? Movies? A date?

Nope. Nope. and Nope.

Finish cleaning! We plan on cleaning the garage and painting it, cleaing the laundry room and painting that, running to Target for some more vacation stuff (They have beach toys in the $1.00 section there!), and hopefully, I can start some packing.

Tomorrow morning, we have a showing at 10:00, and it is a second showing so we really need to clean first and then pack. We will tackle our recycling containers at the recycling center while they show the house. Then home to finish packing.

I have a few post scheduled to post for next week so be sure and check back in. We are taking the laptop so maybe I can post a few pictures as well.

Have a safe Memorial Day Weekend!

Nothing like waiting until the last minute...

Vacation plans have changed...but it is only because we are now leaving on Sunday instead of Monday! We decided our goal is to drive halfway or longer if the girls can handle it and stop and get a room. Then we will get up and finish the drive Monday morning. This will allow Jeremy and I to sleep instead of driving through the night and being exhausted that first day. I started making a list last night and it is so long, as you can probably imagine. I am making a list of everything for everyone, then going to Don't Forget Your Toothbrush, and making sure I did not miss anything. (Thanks Whitney for telling me about this!)

I still need to make a run to Wal-Mart and Target to pick up some things and make a phone call to the post office to hold our mail. Oh, and the ever dreaded laundry. Thankfully, if I don't get everything done, I can pack it and take it with us...we have a washer and dryer in our condo.

Anything I am forgetting? Comment me and let me know!

In the coupon world, it has been a slow couple of days. Every Sunday, I get both of our papers, grab the ads and coupons, and see what I can get really cheap. This week - nothing. Such disappointment!

Here are some freebies I have found online though - enjoy!

Free sample of Fizzion Concentrated Cleaner

Free Subscription to 'Focus on the Family' magazine

Free Can of Mighty Dog food

Free Frutista Freeze from Taco Bell with purchase