I've been tagged!
Here's how this one works...
1. The rules are posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and ask them to read your blog.
What I was doing 10 years ago:
Getting ready to graduate from high school, getting ready to move to Middle Tennessee, dating the WRONG guy.
Five things on my to do list for today:
1. Go to church
2. Nap
3. Spend time with my boys
4. Think about my interview tomorrow
5. Clean up the kitchen (didn't happen)
Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Travel, buy nice things for people who can't buy nice things for themselves, donate, save, have lots of babies
Three of my bad habits:
1. Caring too much about what others think
2. Eating when I'm bored
3. Not keeping in touch like I should
Five places I have lived:
1. Bridgeport, Alabama
2. Murfreesboro, Tennessee
3. Bowling Green, Kentucky
4. Lafayette, Indiana
5. ?? I've been working my way up the country. I guess Michigan's next. (Don't
worry though, Mom.) ??
Five jobs I have had:
1. Accountant's assistant at an electric cooperative
2. Afterschool care worker
3. Sprint salesperson
4. Bank teller
5. Middle school teacher
Five People I Want to Know More About:
1. Teresa K.
2. Sister Jess
3. Jeanne
4. The Burtons
5. Gilbert
4.20.2008
4.19.2008
It's Done!
The house in Bowling Green is officially sold. I've been in denial for a while about it actually being sold, because I didn't want to get my hopes up in case something fell through. But the ink is on the dotted line and we have a nice check that will wait in the bank for the purchase of our new home, hopefully before too long. Thanks for thinking of us and sending your well-wishes on a successful few days in Bowling Green.
Next on the list of things to do: Gilbert has informed me that a new vehicle is in my future. I've actually seen him shopping online a time or two, which means he must be serious. As much as I've said all my life that I won't be a van-mom, regardless of how large my family is, I'm starting to like the idea of not having to stoop into a car or strain to reach up into an SUV to put a baby in a car seat. On top of that, when we get with family, we won't have to drive separate vehicles because we can't fit everyone, and there will be plenty of room for long trips. All of these things have helped me get over the "I will never drive a van" state of mind. So we're van shopping. I think I might be a little embarrassed, but I'm getting over it.
Also, I'd like to put in for another prayer request, since you've all been so willing to help pray for other things. I have a job interview on Monday morning. It's at a high school here in town, and they have both an opening for a counselor (which I would love) and an English teacher (which I would not mind having either). I'm praying that God will put me in the perfect place.
Thanks for loving us and for keeping up with what's going on in our lives. We love you all.
Next on the list of things to do: Gilbert has informed me that a new vehicle is in my future. I've actually seen him shopping online a time or two, which means he must be serious. As much as I've said all my life that I won't be a van-mom, regardless of how large my family is, I'm starting to like the idea of not having to stoop into a car or strain to reach up into an SUV to put a baby in a car seat. On top of that, when we get with family, we won't have to drive separate vehicles because we can't fit everyone, and there will be plenty of room for long trips. All of these things have helped me get over the "I will never drive a van" state of mind. So we're van shopping. I think I might be a little embarrassed, but I'm getting over it.
Also, I'd like to put in for another prayer request, since you've all been so willing to help pray for other things. I have a job interview on Monday morning. It's at a high school here in town, and they have both an opening for a counselor (which I would love) and an English teacher (which I would not mind having either). I'm praying that God will put me in the perfect place.
Thanks for loving us and for keeping up with what's going on in our lives. We love you all.
4.10.2008
The Good News and the Bad News
Normally I like to start with the bad news first, so I can end on a good note, but today I'm going to start with the good news.
Good news: We are coming very close to selling our house in Bowling Green. Some of you, Todd Gibbs, may think of this as the bad news, because it means that we're severing our last material tie to Kentucky. But considering the financial strain that awaits us if we don't sell it, Gilbert and I consider this good news. This has been about a month in the making, but I haven't taken the opportunity to write about it yet, which is a good thing, because it allows me to write to you about a much more edge-of-your-seat story today, after you take into consideration the bad news.
Bad news (which, thanks to our realtor, Mark Miller, might not be so terrible in the long run): #1-We went to Italy knowing that our inspection would take place while we were gone, but certain that all would go well and we would pass inspection. Little did we know that our patio was slowing sliding down a hill. Really, it sounds worse than it is, which I enjoy, because I like to imagine that you're gasping right now. We knew that the patio was cracked and that it had pulled away from the house a little (it had separated from the siding just below the back door), but we thought that was just because it was brand new when we bought it and things had settled some. No. The hill that the left of our house teeters on is causing the patio to scoot away from the house. Nice. So we're spending more than we hoped on getting the patio ripped up and re-done. At least I think that's what's happening. At this point, I don't care now it's done, as long as it's done.
#2-Mark called today while we were having lunch. I could tell by the way Gilbert was talking that it might not be good. When I gave him the third-degree after he got off the phone, the news was this: We have termites. Good grief. The good-news aspect of this bad news is that we have been diligent enough to remember each year to get the exterminators out to check for these little critters. How, you ask, in this case, is it possible that we have these new tenants in our home? Good question. I wish I had an answer, but I don't. But I'm certain that we've had annual inspections every year since we first moved in, so we're sure that the cost of evicting these creatures will be covered by the pest-control company. Until I get home and I can find every receipt for inspection from 2003-2006. Anyone picked up on the problem yet? Yep. Last year was 2007. I can't find the receipt. But I remember vaguely not wanting the inspector to ring the door bell because Cole was napping. So surely he came. After a little searching and a little panicking, I find the check register that shows that they had been paid. Whew! In the meantime, Mark is making phone calls and checking on all this for us, but I'm too anxious to wait and hear it from him. I must research myself. When he does call back, however, everything seems to be fine. The company will make a trip to the house and work on getting things cleaned up.
Thank goodness for Mark Miller. He has been awesome in all this, especially since our need to work long-distance has made it hard for us to do many of these things ourselves. When I got off the phone with him this afternoon, he said, "See you next week" (which is when we're set to come to Bowling Green for closing). Again, whew. I'll be glad when it's all done. But don't be sad, Bowling Green friends. It just means that when we come down, we'll follow the example of those cute little termites and find homes not ours to invade.
Good news: We are coming very close to selling our house in Bowling Green. Some of you, Todd Gibbs, may think of this as the bad news, because it means that we're severing our last material tie to Kentucky. But considering the financial strain that awaits us if we don't sell it, Gilbert and I consider this good news. This has been about a month in the making, but I haven't taken the opportunity to write about it yet, which is a good thing, because it allows me to write to you about a much more edge-of-your-seat story today, after you take into consideration the bad news.
Bad news (which, thanks to our realtor, Mark Miller, might not be so terrible in the long run): #1-We went to Italy knowing that our inspection would take place while we were gone, but certain that all would go well and we would pass inspection. Little did we know that our patio was slowing sliding down a hill. Really, it sounds worse than it is, which I enjoy, because I like to imagine that you're gasping right now. We knew that the patio was cracked and that it had pulled away from the house a little (it had separated from the siding just below the back door), but we thought that was just because it was brand new when we bought it and things had settled some. No. The hill that the left of our house teeters on is causing the patio to scoot away from the house. Nice. So we're spending more than we hoped on getting the patio ripped up and re-done. At least I think that's what's happening. At this point, I don't care now it's done, as long as it's done.
#2-Mark called today while we were having lunch. I could tell by the way Gilbert was talking that it might not be good. When I gave him the third-degree after he got off the phone, the news was this: We have termites. Good grief. The good-news aspect of this bad news is that we have been diligent enough to remember each year to get the exterminators out to check for these little critters. How, you ask, in this case, is it possible that we have these new tenants in our home? Good question. I wish I had an answer, but I don't. But I'm certain that we've had annual inspections every year since we first moved in, so we're sure that the cost of evicting these creatures will be covered by the pest-control company. Until I get home and I can find every receipt for inspection from 2003-2006. Anyone picked up on the problem yet? Yep. Last year was 2007. I can't find the receipt. But I remember vaguely not wanting the inspector to ring the door bell because Cole was napping. So surely he came. After a little searching and a little panicking, I find the check register that shows that they had been paid. Whew! In the meantime, Mark is making phone calls and checking on all this for us, but I'm too anxious to wait and hear it from him. I must research myself. When he does call back, however, everything seems to be fine. The company will make a trip to the house and work on getting things cleaned up.
Thank goodness for Mark Miller. He has been awesome in all this, especially since our need to work long-distance has made it hard for us to do many of these things ourselves. When I got off the phone with him this afternoon, he said, "See you next week" (which is when we're set to come to Bowling Green for closing). Again, whew. I'll be glad when it's all done. But don't be sad, Bowling Green friends. It just means that when we come down, we'll follow the example of those cute little termites and find homes not ours to invade.
3.30.2008
My Good-Looking Boy
I have a couple of pictures of Cole I want to share. Nothing exciting to write about, but regardless of whether or not that saying is true about pictures being worth a thousand words, many of you would rather get a peek of Cole over reading my ramblings any day.
This was his Easter get-up. Look at that slicked-up hair. And I convinced him to wear the tie by telling him he'd look like daddy...
Watching Dave Matthews online with Daddy after a bath. Couldn't you just squeeze that little bottom?
And look at that sweet face.
This was his Easter get-up. Look at that slicked-up hair. And I convinced him to wear the tie by telling him he'd look like daddy...
Watching Dave Matthews online with Daddy after a bath. Couldn't you just squeeze that little bottom?
And look at that sweet face.
3.22.2008
We're Back
Well, we're back home and although we would have been content with having a few more days, Cole is definitely a sight for sore eyes. I think he was ready to see us. Even though Mom and Emily kept him very busy while they were here (trips to the mall, the art museum, and the zoo, to name a few), they said that he definitely noticed our not being there. We were able to video conference with him three or four times while we were gone, but there were days that we were too busy to catch him. On top of that, the time change complicated things too. I think our being gone temporarily traumatized him, because he was not himself this morning. Every time I left his sight he cried for me. We even had breakfast out with the girls before they left this morning and he refused to sit in the high chair. He wanted me to hold him. It is definitely nice to be loved and missed, but I thought we were looking at a very long and exhausting day. After a nap, though, he was back to his normal self, for the most part.
So it's back to the real world, which is usually very hard for me when I return from being away from home. We'll see how this coming week goes. Thanks for thinking of us as we traveled. Here are a few more pictures of the last day of our trip. We spent Thursday in Florence.
The view from our hotel room was gorgeous.
This living statue was very believable.
Awesome architecture
So it's back to the real world, which is usually very hard for me when I return from being away from home. We'll see how this coming week goes. Thanks for thinking of us as we traveled. Here are a few more pictures of the last day of our trip. We spent Thursday in Florence.
The view from our hotel room was gorgeous.
This living statue was very believable.
Awesome architecture
3.19.2008
Time Flies!
Tomorrow is our last real day in Italy! I can't believe it. We thought it would go by fast, and we were right. Gilbert's already asking for another trip. I have thought often this week that I'm thankful for having little expectation and knowledge of what specifically to see and do, because if we had made a list of "must sees" and "must do's," we might have been disappointed this week. Let me clarify: We have had a great time and have seen some really beautiful places. But we didn't come knowing specific buildings we wanted to see. We knew that we wanted to see Venice. I wanted to be able to see some of the beautiful landscapes of Italy. We were excited to have the chance to experience Florence. But as far as knowing that we wanted to see famous buildings or artwork, we didn't. I think that this fact has kept us from feeling too pressured to cram in sight-seeing. For this reason, we've been able to enjoy the sights, to relax, and to enjoy being with each other (Gilbert's parents, his grandmother, and of course his brother are with the two of us).
We have had so much fun. Yesterday we took a train to Venice and spent the day there. We walked what felt like every inch of that place. We even covered the tiny streets that are only the width of two people. We did some shopping and had a great time. It was colder than we expected, but it didn't rain like we thought it would, so we were willing to take the cool winds. Here are a few pictures from Venice.
This baby was sitting in the area of Venice where the pigeons are not in short supply (Piazza San Marco Square, I believe it's called). His mom got some bread crumbs and dumped them all around him. The pigeons swarmed him and he had the best time. It was fun watching him.
We took this picture while waiting on the train back to Prato. After a really long day, we were all quite delirious at this point. According to Randy, this is a "Kate sandwich with Kerrigan bread." I said I wanted it to be close up. Not exactly what I had in mind.
We spent most of today in a gorgeous little town called Lucca.
We finished the day by going to the church here in Prato. We had a small service that was in Italian and some English. We spent the time singing songs in Italian that we Americans knew well. Both times that I've had the opportunity to worship with fellow believers in other countries, singing with them really tugs at my heart strings. I love to know that while we struggle so much to communicate, we can find unity in singing praises to our God. I find this to be such an incredible feeling.
Tomorrow we'll be heading to Florence for one last venture. We'll spend the night there and catch our flight back home early on Friday morning. I'm sure I'll have more pictures to share when we return home. Please remember us when you pray as we continue to travel.
We have had so much fun. Yesterday we took a train to Venice and spent the day there. We walked what felt like every inch of that place. We even covered the tiny streets that are only the width of two people. We did some shopping and had a great time. It was colder than we expected, but it didn't rain like we thought it would, so we were willing to take the cool winds. Here are a few pictures from Venice.
This baby was sitting in the area of Venice where the pigeons are not in short supply (Piazza San Marco Square, I believe it's called). His mom got some bread crumbs and dumped them all around him. The pigeons swarmed him and he had the best time. It was fun watching him.
We took this picture while waiting on the train back to Prato. After a really long day, we were all quite delirious at this point. According to Randy, this is a "Kate sandwich with Kerrigan bread." I said I wanted it to be close up. Not exactly what I had in mind.
We spent most of today in a gorgeous little town called Lucca.
We finished the day by going to the church here in Prato. We had a small service that was in Italian and some English. We spent the time singing songs in Italian that we Americans knew well. Both times that I've had the opportunity to worship with fellow believers in other countries, singing with them really tugs at my heart strings. I love to know that while we struggle so much to communicate, we can find unity in singing praises to our God. I find this to be such an incredible feeling.
Tomorrow we'll be heading to Florence for one last venture. We'll spend the night there and catch our flight back home early on Friday morning. I'm sure I'll have more pictures to share when we return home. Please remember us when you pray as we continue to travel.
3.17.2008
A Taste of Italy
Good grief. I didn't realize it had been close to a month since I've posted anything, and I didn't even remind you that our trip to Italy was getting closer. I had a few phone calls on the day of our trip and everyone said, "Oh! You're leaving today?"
So here we are. It's been interesting already. We were dropped off at the airport in Indianapolis and as soon as I got to the ticket desk I got the third degree about my legal name. Many of you probably remember my anticipating this issue back in November. So I had to have completely new tickets issued from the airport. Luckily the lady at the desk was willing to work nicely with us. She even tried to call Italy to let them know of the change, but they were closed, so she warned us that we might have a little trouble along the way. I just had visions of missing planes while trying to make them understand my situation. But I made it. Not without telling my story, but I'm here all the same.
The travel was also interesting in that our flight to London was in the middle of the night. We left our house on Saturday afternoon and didn't have a good opportunity to take my shoes and socks off again until about seven on Sunday night, which was almost midnight here. It was really nice to get showered and change clothes.
So far we've eaten at a cool Italian restaurant, toured the local "centro" (what reminds me of a downtown square), had breakfast at a local bakery (macchiato is NOT the same here as at Starbucks), shopped at the weekly market, and we just finished a delicious meal of Eggplant Parmesan that was lovingly prepared by my brother-in-law. We're having a good time. I'll try to update again sometime soon. We're taking a train to Venice in the morning, so I should have more photos to share, but I'll show you the few I've got so far.
Dinner on Sunday night, still in the same clothes as I got dressed in on Saturday and not having lain down since Friday night. We're looking a little rough.
Some cool scenery
Monday Market
A hunky Italian I noticed on the street--check out the pants and cool hat
So here we are. It's been interesting already. We were dropped off at the airport in Indianapolis and as soon as I got to the ticket desk I got the third degree about my legal name. Many of you probably remember my anticipating this issue back in November. So I had to have completely new tickets issued from the airport. Luckily the lady at the desk was willing to work nicely with us. She even tried to call Italy to let them know of the change, but they were closed, so she warned us that we might have a little trouble along the way. I just had visions of missing planes while trying to make them understand my situation. But I made it. Not without telling my story, but I'm here all the same.
The travel was also interesting in that our flight to London was in the middle of the night. We left our house on Saturday afternoon and didn't have a good opportunity to take my shoes and socks off again until about seven on Sunday night, which was almost midnight here. It was really nice to get showered and change clothes.
So far we've eaten at a cool Italian restaurant, toured the local "centro" (what reminds me of a downtown square), had breakfast at a local bakery (macchiato is NOT the same here as at Starbucks), shopped at the weekly market, and we just finished a delicious meal of Eggplant Parmesan that was lovingly prepared by my brother-in-law. We're having a good time. I'll try to update again sometime soon. We're taking a train to Venice in the morning, so I should have more photos to share, but I'll show you the few I've got so far.
Dinner on Sunday night, still in the same clothes as I got dressed in on Saturday and not having lain down since Friday night. We're looking a little rough.
Some cool scenery
Monday Market
A hunky Italian I noticed on the street--check out the pants and cool hat
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