Will we EVER be done?

I'm not sure. 

Another full day of "arranging" and "hanging." Michael was home today and THIS is why he asked I wait and let him do our room.....Our room is NOT done. 

Hanging pictures for Michael involves stud finders, tape measures, tacks, string and levels..... While he was so occupied, to get me out of his hair make the best use of our time, he sent me to Lowes to get some hardware to fix the sliding keyboard shelf on our desk and pick up a mattress for Stacia. 

He KNOWS sending me to Lowes is like me asking him to go to Bed, Bath and Beyond and pick up a specific item. It strikes terror into my heart. It takes me HOURS and I ALWAYS come back with the wrong item.  However, it was our chance to get out of the house...so the girls and I headed to Lowes and Sam's with Michael's lists. 

I still don't feel comfortable driving the van - or driving at American speeds. I comforted myself by saying over and over, "If I can drive in Tokyo, I can drive in CA." We were on the top of a narrow bridge (and those who remember where I was during the earthquake may remember I really don't like driving on high bridges any longer), when it HIT me. I turned to Arielle and said, "Arielle, I NEVER DROVE in TOKYO! I took the subway." ::snort:: 

She laughed and said, "I wondered about that." 

I was excited to discover a shortcut to Sam's....20 min going and 12 min coming home.....it has been 25 min. I'm not sure why the time difference. 

I found everything at Lowes AND discovered old men like to give me their names and addresses in CA. He promised to come right to my home and help me with these repairs. I really DID look clueless. He also told me he built an airplane from a kit....that did sound intriguing...but...you know...I have the Boyfriend at home. 

Next was Sam's. Lord HELP ME! Arielle proudly commented, as we left the store, that I lasted much longer this time before the stress of over-stimulation and uber-choices sent me scrambling for the peace of the van. I grabbed a mattress we needed for Stacia and slid it to the front of the store....I didn't have to look at anyone or see anything.  I'm pretty sure the flirting at the check out, the wild bench pressing of said mattress and talk of salaries had little to do with me...and much to do with Arielle.  ::gasp:: 

Back at home Stacia was THRILLED beyond measure with her "American Futon."  This is a girl who likes all the wrinkles to be out of her bed. 

Her room mate likes to make a nest that's "all snuggly." 

That hardware I was sent out for? I got the wrong thing...and my man friend INSISTED it was the right hardware. ::sigh:: 

We're trying to be "DONE" before labor day so we can  play. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

TGIF - FOR REAL - T.G.I.F.

The kids and I are making an all out effort to do EVERYTHING we can without Michael's help before the weekend. This not only eases his stress, but keeps us from going stir crazy in the house. We haven't had time to find a car as each spare moment is used for settling in.   My hope is we'll be so unpacked when the rest of our stuff arrives, we can quickly finish and go enjoy Labor Day weekend. 

We didn't touch the master suite. Michael doesn't buy the philosophy of Rose and me: "crooked means personality." He said he won't fuss about anything around the house. I ASKED him if he'd prefer I not do our room. He said he doesn't want 50 lbs of painting falling on him while he sleeps. I then asked about the wall decal and he sweetly said, "Why don't you let me help with that." SO.....I didn't touch our room today either.

I also didn't find the photos from MOPS. I am going to simply go to the photography sites of  friends and order new photos....then I can get bigger ones too.

The day began with two lovely hours discussing how God works in our lives with a sweet friend/mentor. She encouraged me not to rush the work God is doing in my life. It was fun to discuss where we see God calling us after the Air Force. God only knows how He will get us there. It will require more changes in our lives than I really want to contemplate right now. This time of preparation is essential. I am not lazy or selfish. I am carefully following where He is leading so I am able to faithfully  minister to my family and am prepared for the new calling/mission which He is placing on our hearts.

I broke out the moving whip and we sprung into action after the skype.  We had a couple more wall decals to put up.  This one is not a verse....but I know it will make me smile when I'm in the laundry room - and that is often.

I thought this was great for the school room 

Speaking of school rooms - the boys put the table together. I moved a few pieces of furniture into the closet....then loaded big things like globes, microscopes and such to the top of the closet, and I unpacked 12 more boxes. I moved the remaining 11 boxes to the far side of the room in the hopes that the movers will put the coming shelves right in place (remember we started with over 50 book boxes and many others in here). This also leaves room for the coming books to be put on the other side of the room so we don't have to move things twice as we did this time. I really can't do anything else in here....Michael could set up the desk top - but the desk is still broken.

 I also:

• Ordered beaded curtains and tie backs  for the girls
• Shopped for a patio curtain - really I did
• Ordered the curtain rod and tie backs for the patio door
• Got distracted shopping for patio gazebos with curtains
• and by investigating Japanese style onsens in Northern CA - who knew? 
• and by looking for a Japanese language course at Arielle's request. She's done Rosetta Stone and Pimsleur...she wants one that will make her "fluent"
• Finally, I just clicked and ordered some curtains which should work

Since I couldn't think of a single moving thing to do.....the girls were free to bake a big cookie in Stacia's birthday Hello Kitty Pan. Jamin, she thought of you and told me you gave her this pan. 

We've had pizza and salad. The older ones are all reading which is bugging Stacia. I'm about to put Peter Pan on the big screen and we'll settle down to wait for Michael to get home. 

Shew - we've been busy this week. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Watermelon Frostie

I saw this recipe for Watermelon Frosties here....it didn't work this way for us...but we used the basic idea. I plan to buy more melons now that they are plentiful and cheap and freeze them...just wish my FREEZER was here! Seriously, visit Katie's site and check out her cool photos.

3 C of frozen watermelon
Almond milk - or milk of choice (I used LOTS - enough so it's the consistency you like - original called for 1/3 cup but I couldn't blend at that much)

I did not add sweetener - the almond milk has some and we liked the watermelon taste.

That's it. Blend. Drink. Ah.....

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Today's Projects

I thought we were out of projects the kids and I could do until our final shipment arrives. I was wrong. However, we may now be out of projects we can do alone. 

Roses' encouragement that uneven simply means personality spurred me on to try hanging more of the wall quotes. I still have one for our room, and a couple which can't be placed until our other furniture, ladders and/or appliances arrive. 

Kid's bathroom...put the target on the seat as I just COULDN'T put it in the bowl.  We put the "Put Me Down" on each toilet in the house. LOL 

Still haven't gotten this tub clean enough to use...but someday I will make a nice oasis here....I plan to decorate the master bath with an onsen theme...if I can ever find the photos I had from Japan....Grrrr.

Family Room Wall 

Guest Bath - which we  use a LOT as it's off the family room

Laundry Room Door

Not my DREAM for my pantry door....but it will work for a rental. I need to buy some chalk. 

We didn't have enough to do the whole door; but had some left over....so I copied Dorothy's idea. 

We continued our new habit of a mid-afternoon icy drink break around the fire pit. Today's drink was a watermelon frosty and it was awesome! Soaking up the Vit D. 

Arielle & I love having our wok and veggies back - DINNER!

I'm not sure WHY it took all day to do this much - but it did. We'll see what we can find to do tomorrow. I have a few things in mind:

• Master Suite - at least figure out what to do with the pictures
• Maybe attempt a couple of more wall decals by guessing where furniture will be placed
• FIND the cards I was given as a MOPS speaker so I can get a collage made
• I guess send onsen photos to be printed at shutterfly
• Michael will kill me if I attempt the shelves and big, heavy pictures. LOL 

Michael will be out until at least 9:00 p.m. tomorrow. It's his first week in the office and he was volunteered to do inspections at other units which cost him  three days of work.....he has things to get done tomorrow.....We won't be mobile....so we will find things to do here. Muhahahaha....or maybe I'll put the whip to rest and we'll spend the day reading, watching movies and playing games. LOL

Wall decals were bought from a variety of companies on Amazon.com and from Enchanting Quotes. We had one from Amazon which was wonky - the letters had to be transferred to the sticky film before we could put them on the wall.  All from Enchanting Quotes have been great. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Skinny Shake

We've been enjoying mid-afternoon icy snacks around the fire ring. ::snort:: This one was one that's been going around FB. Arielle tried it...we drank it before I took a photo. 

3/4 C Almond Milk

15 Ice Cubes

1/2 tsp. Vanilla

1/2 Banana

2 T Cocoa Powder

1 T Peanut Butter (Arielle addition)

Blend.

No cholesterol, no added fat (none if you don't do the PB)....yummy.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Starting Again

For eighteen years, I have prayed with each move God would send us where there was an established, strong, thriving PWOC.  God has consistently said, "No."  I have started or been part of revitalizing PWOC's at each assignment.  God has answered with a big, resounding, "YES"  at our last assignment. These ladies are wonderful. I connected with several of them before arriving in CA via Facebook. 

When I arrived the President loaned me a duster and a vacuum as well as dropping off some yummy World Market chocolate and PWOC treats in a cute bucket (which sits on my desk and holds pens and scissors).  

Monday night was LIFT (Ladies in Fellowship Together). This is held monthly and I am going to LIKE it. I was greeted like a rock star and chatted with many ladies. It was fun to put real faces with FB profile pics. 

PWOC Bible Study started Wednesday. The kids do not want to go. I told the younger two they needed to try the homeschool room. They ended up loving it. They are doing STEM enrichment....very structured and wonderful program which one lady has taken on as her ministry to homeschooling moms...and she isn't a homeschooler! I'm blessed.

These women know how to welcome a newbie into their midst. Nothing I am about to say reflects on THEM. It's me.

The staff spouses at Beale are wonderful. I can tell I'm going to love Barbara and Valerie and am excited our young chaplain is marrying in October. We've already shared dinners and I feel we are getting to know each others' heart. Nothing I am about to say reflects on THEM. It's me.

At our first assignment a woman told me with tears, "I came here, knowing it was for two years, determined not to make another friend before we retired. It's just too hard to say goodbye to friends all the time. Then I met you...." I sympathized but didn't understand. I've heard the same sentiment expressed differently over the past 18 years. I've always been excited to move and excited at the "friendship dating" phase (which I now see many dread).  Monday I was stunned to realize I was dreading LIFT. I didn't feel like I had the emotional reserves to start all over...to make new friends...deep friends and leave in 2 years. I wanted to just sit it all out until we retired and then begin to emotionally invest again in a place I may have the joy of staying longer than 2 - 3 years.

God has been talking to me since Monday. He wants all of me...even the parts that don't want to emotionally engage....because it's about following Him even in relationships.   It is o.k. to be sad. It is o.k to cherish my "old friends" but I also need to be willing to move forward. It is not o.k. to cling to the past and neglect the present.

I've been sad at the loss of the mentor group I led last year. I so loved those young ladies...and I doubt folks will know me enough to want to be in a mentor group by January. ::snort::

I've been wondering if it is selfish of me not to move out again into various leadership opportunities....

This afternoon, God gave me the gift of being able to connect via skype with MY mentor. This wise woman who walked where I'm walking, successfully transitioned with her husband from the chaplaincy to civilian ministry, has walked seasons of life I'm just entering, has walked in leadership roles I have held....today we talked....and  her words were a balm.

I've only been here a couple of weeks. We've been traveling a lot for a couple of months. I'm tired.  It's not time to end a season of rest until God makes it clear it's time. It's not selfish to rest when He has placed you in a season of preparation for the next mission.  It's O.K. to grieve the loss of dear friends while reaching forward to meet new ladies. God will open up future mentoring doors when it is time.

And....so....I'm praying, with tears, to find the emotional reserves to make dear buddies knowing in two years my heart will break all over again at saying goodbye to them....but that's the glorious sorrow...to have loved well.

I can relate in a deeper way to those who share these feelings with me in the future. I understand.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Begin Anywhere....

We continue to tackle boxes and bare walls. ::snort:: Today we made  "skinny shakes" and took a mid-morning break in the backyard.

Poor Mr. Moose always sits on this speaker....but this speaker has never been mounted above a screen before. ::snort:: 

We found the calendar. Arielle opened it to August and LOOK....hilarious. A much needed message.

Nolan was a big help hanging things

Stacia's big job today continued to be to stomp paper and flatten boxes

We decided to go ahead and move these three cases into place. We are trying to get the history cycle of  Tapestry of Grace books onto these shelves....and we'll unpack the rest of the books when our storage shipment arrives. We're working hard to do EVERYTHING we can during our delayed school start.

Now here's a unique way to flatten boxes...where did I put my moving whip....get crackin! 

I don't know that I've mentioned on the blog how I dislike hanging things. I never get them even or in the spot they should be in.....and well....take a look at my "tea bar."  This is one side of the butler's pantry.

Michael got home from work and put up the first of our "wall decals." Unfortunately, it's going to be a bit tricky on our walls.....

But I.LOVE.IT. This has been an unwanted life verse which I finally learned to embrace in all it's facets last year...and I need this reminder....it's on my kitchen wall.  I know I've blogged the verse over the past 8 years...and while I believe the verse speaks to vulnerability and intimacy, an attitude of rest while going about life....last year God clearly told me it also means, "Stop, desist, cease activity." Stop means stop!  I did. I loved margin. I had time to fight strongholds...I'm not sure what the next two years hold...but I sense I'm to remember to carve out time to BE STILL and experience deep intimacy with Him in the silent solitude. Though chaotic people are still my natural realm.

Ah - Nolan hung the shelf - he even used a level. I nailed up the other stuff.... ::snort:: I can live with it. THIS is why I like to use tacks to hang things...but I'm using little picture hangy things this time. They make bigger messes if you have to move them - so I won't.

I planned to write about Tuesday and Wednesday but this is long enough. I'll write about today - tomorrow....

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...