Difficult People

I had a lady come into the store today would was really rude and down right nasty. She had already been in when I wasn't there and was also rude to an employee. I gave her what she wanted to get rid of her and then after she left I got really upset. I frankly was ready to lock the doors and leave. With all the other stress over the business I just felt I couldn't deal with any more. After awhile I did compose myself and then later in the day I just got mad. Why did I give into her demands. I know in business "customers are always right" but really they are sometimes wrong. Later in the day the art class came and I just love those kids. They are fun and loving. So why do I waste so much time and thought on the few people who cause trouble. It does seem like I can only focus on what goes wrong than all the things that go right. There are many people who have been supportive to me.

A wonderful mentor to me who is no longer living, DiAnne, our former pastors wife, gave me scripture for different times in my life. One that comes to mind is "Harsh words stir up anger and a soft answer turns away wrath" (not a direct quote because I'm to tired to get up and look up the verse-its in Psalms) I need to have soft answers and sometimes just be quite. I doubt that lady will ever be in the store again and she probably will tell some others about it but I choose to not focus on her but continue walking where God wants me to.

Biggest Losers!

Kevin and I started our diets Monday and today we dusted off the treadmill and weight equipment. We took turns weight training for 10 minutes and then treadmill for 10 minutes the started over. I'm pretty sure I won't be able to move tomorrow. Our goal is 5 times a week. We watched the Biggest Loser on TV while we worked out. It did motivate us. If they can do it we can. I even checked out their website and might participate on line. I was thinking about getting their book anyway. I just happen to know a great place to get it!

Neither of us want to look like a hippo when Britni gets married so we are setting some goals and helping each other!

The Blues

Boy am I ever having a hard time getting back to some sort of schedule. I just have the blues. I don't feel like doing anything. No real reason. I have a long list of things that need to get done and things I need to get started on but just can't seem to get motivated. Any suggestions?
Maybe part of the reason is some of the stuff I need to do is no fun. Like taking down store decorations, end of the year taxes, and getting 2 wisdom teeth pulled. Need I say more?

Happy New Years!

I can't believe it's already 2009! This year has many changes in store for our family. Our last daughter graduating from high school, college decisions, maybe a wedding, a new baby, great nephew, arriving in just a month. Plus all the stuff we don't know that's coming. Some of these changes are exciting and scary. There is always mixed feeling with change, we know it happens but there is also sadness that life is moving on whether we are ready or not. So the best thing to do is trust God is doing the best for me and my family and embrace the changes. I know from past experiences not everything has gone my way and many things I wish we could avoid but those experiences also make me who I am. I love and cherish my family and look forward to this year.
January also brings some sad memories as I reflect on the past years. It has been 5 years since Kevin has been in church. I miss going to church as a family and sharing this area of our lives. I know he is doing what he thinks is right but my prayer for this year is he would see the need to have God in his life. Not my way or what I think God needs to do but God would meet Kevin where he is. I also pray for all three of my girls and that they would have a closer, personal relationship with God. I have learned my expectations are not always Gods and it isn't what others see that is important but our heart. In the past it has been more comfortable for me to have my family do the right thing in human eyes. But in many ways it is more truthful for them to not live a lie just to please me. God doesn't want us to be luke warm. Either cold or hot but the fact is,at times I would rather them be luke warm. How sad it is I put my needs before those I love. So that is my prayer, and hope I will be trust God for this year.
Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not unto thy own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge Him and he will direct thy paths. Prov 3:5&6

Christmas Eve

My favorite time of the year! I love Christmas Eve fun, and family. Hopefully I get the food made and kitchen cleaned up. I am really disappointed its raining and not snowing. Cortni made it home at about 11:30pm. It took her awhile to get out of the city. She was loaded down with presents and 2 dogs. I need to post a picture of them because it's really funny. Ones a giant and ones a miniature. Guess who's boss? Britni and Sebastian will not come in till really Christmas morning (2am). They will be at Sebastian's parent tonight and leave in time to get here to open presents before Kevin has to leave to go to work. (that part I hate) So I better get to work! have a great day. Cherish you family and friends in your life and remember the true meaning of Christmas would not be without Jesus.

Last Minute Stuff

I have 2 days to get my act together. Here is a list of the stuff I still have to do before tomorrow at 6:30pm.

Bake sweets (I didn't get done on Sunday)
Clean the main living area - done
Clean the kitchen after I bake
Put all of the living room furniture that is crammed in the dining room back in the living room (Kevin cleaned the carpet) - done
Put the rest of the ornaments on the basement tree (don't ask)- done
Put the Christmas decoration boxes back in the closet (not as easy as it sounds) -done
Clean up the basement-done
Make the soups for tomorrow night (finally came up with a food theme - Soup Kitchen)
Hang Lights around the dance floor (this will be fun)
Fix the floor cleaner so I (or hopefully Kevin) can finish the hall carpet - done
Wrap presents -got some done ran out of boxes
Make a quick trip to Lafayette to get a couch - I'm still working on this - not going to happen today
Make supper for tonight - Chili - done
Do a last book order for the store before 11am - done thanks Emily!
and have another cup of coffee!!!! - done and now I am on to Diet Pepsi!!!

Have a great day and if your bored call me . . . . . .

Baking Day!

This afternoon has been set aside to get my baking done/started. Usually I make the same type of stuff each year and take some to Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the Rudolph Christmas. Sometime there is even some left for New Years! I have been making buckeyes for awhile using the same recipe until last year when Kevin (so rudely I might add) informed me he didn't like MY buckeyes. So last year I went on strike and refused to make any! At Thanksgiving Bailie asked if I would make them again. So after Kevin trying to convince me it just must have been a bad batch, I have agreed to do them again this year. So I have a feeling even if he hates them and it makes him sick I wouldn't know!
Last night I tried a pretzel recipe from Brittany and they are great. If you have any ideas for some good easy stuff let me know.
Well I need to go and clean up the kitchen so I can mess it up again. Pictures to follow!

My mom has made these every since I can remember.

Gretchen's Cookie receipe