Today is a good day for....

Starting projects that have been on the back burner for some time now.

We painted our kitchen back in late 2000. About a year and a half ago, I noticed it needed some touch-ups. About the same time, I went back to work at the flower shop, and between that and taking care of Mary Kay, I was working 6 days a week, and certainly didn't feel like spending that coveted 7th day starting big projects.

Well, with the absolutely gorgeous weather we've been blessed with, I find myself this Saturday with nothing to do outside of the mundane, ho-hum everyday house work. I'm not in the mood for that. I'm in the mood to do something that you can actually SEE.

Jim's up in Riverside County today, and won't be home till later this afternoon, so after he left, and after sitting here for a couple of hours, I decided to get off my duff and actually get something accomplished.

So I pulled out my ever-faithful bucket, grabbed the Greased Lightening and TSP, and got busy scrubbing cupboards. Noticed a couple of needed repairs, so made them. Then got out the handy-dandy spackle and went to work. Took me a couple of hours to repair, scrub and spackle, but by gum I got it done, and now it's ready for that touch-up paint job.

Only drawback is that I have to wait 24 hours for the spackle to harden. Shucks, I'm in the mood to paint NOW...oh well, hopefully the mood will last, and I'll get it done tomorrow.

But for the rest of today, I will bask in the best weather in the world, and be thankful....

A Season Of Testing

I guess that's where I am. The job I was supposed to have started last Thursday fell through. The husband was so depressed that his wife was in the hospital that he stopped eating/drinking/taking his meds, and ended up in the hospital himself. Meanwhile, the wife was doing really good, but in light of this turn of events, their daughter has decided to put them in an assisted living facility. So they no longer need me.
So, now not only am I back at square one, but I've also taken a hit in my hours with Mary Kay. She's doing SO well (That's a GOOD thing), that they don't need me as much as they did. My hours have been cut right about in half. NOT good news.
My Tuesdays & Thursdays are free for now. I still have to believe that God has a bigger and better plan for me. I'm focusing on keeping the faith.
The world tells me that things are bad, and that the prospects of a job coming my way are slim to none. But I serve a God who is WAY bigger than the world that I live in, so I keep reminding myself of the plans He has for me. Plans to prosper and not harm me, plans to give me hope and a future (Jer 29:11). It's hard in this, the eleventh hour, but still I hold out hope that He WILL provide ALL my needs, according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
I'm hoping to post a praise report soon....until then, blessings to you~

Peyton's 1st Birthday Party

Here are some pics of Peyton's birthday party...towards the end she was so tired that she went into meltdown mode...LOL.. but she was SO good overall.

Happy birthday sweetie!

Our Precious Peyton

I just read Auntie Shannon's blog, and decided to follow suit. Everyone has their own story about the day our beautiful little Peyton Marie King was born, one year ago tomorrow. Here's my story:

January 8th, 2008...Brian & Katie were supposed to be at the hospital around 7am for Katie's induction. I woke up around my usual 5am or so, and was enjoying a quiet waking up moment with my coffee. About 5:30am someone knocked on my door. I don't know about YOU, but when someone knocks at MY door at 5:30am, it can usually mean only one thing:bad news! I flipped on the light to see Brian & Katie there! Seems they had just left home for the hospital, and I can't remember if they'd called the hosp., or if the hosp. had called them, but at any rate, there was a delay. So since they didn't have to be to the hosp. until 9am, Brian had a cup of coffee with me, then he & Katie went back home to catch another hour or so nap before things started happening.

Jim & I left for the hosp. about 9am, knowing that there would be much to do on getting Katie settled in and the pitocin drip going, so no rush. We were geared up for the long haul. A change of clothes in the van for me, snacks, sodas, a blanket, and of course, my camera. We actually got up to her room around 10am, and she was already pretty uncomfortable, and dilated to about 4cm...about 10:30 Katie was very uncomfortable, and VERY politely called her nurse and said 'I think I'd like my epidural now please'...we always have a good laugh about that, because MOST women would be like 'gimme the %&*#@ drugs NOW!!!'...but not Katie. It's just not her nature to be anything but kind. Thats one of the things I love most about her. Anyway...Sandy (Katie's mom) and I decided around 11:30-ish to go down to the cafeteria and have lunch. We got back to her room about an hour or so later, and around 1pm Jim & Brian decided to go have a bite to eat. Not so fast Brian...all of a sudden Katie feel something happening, and feels like she needs to push! Call the nurse....ok. Nurse comes in, checks Katie. She's at 9 cm! So much for lunch Daddy-there's no time now! I get on the phone and call Shannon, who is up at Deer Springs Station visiting:

Mom;Hey Shan, where are you?

Shannon: Actually, I'm just getting of the 15 onto Pomerado Road. Why? What's up?

Mom: Umm...Katie's at 9 and about ready to push...

Shannon:Oh crap! And I'm stuck behind some old guy who's just cruisin' along!

Mom (Laughing): Ok well, just get here as quick as you can.

Apparently it wasn't TOO long till she got up to the room...and you can read HER account of how fast she got there on HER blog...LOL

So Katie starts pushing, and the nurse calls the Dr., who is in surgery, figuring that Katie, with a first pregnancy, will still go several more hours...NOT! Let me tell you something here: Katie was an absolute trooper! With Brian, Sandy and me coaching her on, we soon see the top of Peyton's blonde little head. Keep pushing honey, we can see her head! THEN...."Stop pushing Katie, the Dr isn't here yet" from the nurse. Now those of you who have had babies know that if someone tells you to stop pushing, well, that's almost an impossibility. I know from experience, but Katie, bless her heart, kicked it into high gear, and you could just see the focus on her face, and it was WORK, but she panted her way through another 20 minutes or so before the Dr finally arrived gave her the go-ahead to just pop this baby out. 5 hours, start to finish. Incredible.

Aw man, I cannot begin to tell you the joy of watching a grandchild enter the world. It was indescribable.

Peyton has been such a source of joy in our family, and it's still reeling that tomorrow she turns 1. She's not only beautiful, but she's got this GREAT little personality, and is now coming into her own, temper and all, and it is SO precious.

Happy, Happy Birthday our beloved Peyton! We love you beyond words.

P.S. Yes, she really IS as happy as her pictures show!

He Is Faithful.....

Even when I am not.

I confess, these past few months I've been SO stressed about finances, and my faith has waned. Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow, for today has enough problems of it's own. I forgot that Scripture passage. I've forgotten ALOT. I haven't been faithful to God. And yet, day by day, He STILL carries me. I can't tell you the last time I was in church. I miss it. But I go to church down the hill, and sometimes the money for gas just wasn't there.

But it will be now-God has provided me with another client to care for. Pretty much dropped her right in my lap. I sent out an email late last week, to most everyone I have email addresses for here in Ramona. My Cousin Kathy gave me the idea. She suggested that I email and ask the word to be passed along that I'm looking to pick up another client in addition to Mary Kay. Lo & behold, Saturday I received an email from a lady who works in a care management ministry here in town. I interviewed with her yesterday, and she hired me on the spot. She'd gotten my email forwarded to her by another Christian lady here in town that I'm familiar with, but don't really 'know'. That's how God's Family works-we all look out for each other. Another perfect example of His faithfulness.

So hopefully I'll start on Thur. I'll get more details tomorrow I'm sure. I'm not worried about details. That's God's job. He opened this door for me, so He'll provide the details that I need in time. I feel like a giant weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

In this care giving profession, especially with advanced aged folks, you pretty much live paycheck to paycheck, and you don't count on a paycheck until it is in your hot little hands, but for now, God knows what I need, and He's providing it.

The song 'Great Is Thy Faithfulness' has been going through my mind today. With good reason. He is faithful....even when I am not.

Blessings~