infuriating and spirit growth

A certain satellite dealer in the Quad Cities has infuriated Jeremy and I today. I'm now trying to get perspective. We've recently cancel our service with the provider. All was going well, and amiable. Then $175 was charged to my credit card, by the dealer. I first had Jeremy call them, thinking he would be more meek and wise. He was the dealer wasn't. As calm as anyone has ever seen me I had a list of questions and request for them. I talked with a lady, and she just kept talking and never let me get in a word. And when I finally asked a question, she went off the deep end screaming and yelling and hung up on me. I can't believe it. I was just shaking by the time I was done. I've never been that controlled myself though, so I can give God credit for that. Then, I prayed for her. I think she really needs it. Maybe she'll come to her senses.
I would love to here anyones wisdom on how to solve this without paying $175 on the card.
We put the transaction in dispute with the Credit Card, and contacted the BBB. But what else short of a lawyer? We can't afford that either.
Pray for angry people.

Women's retreat

Wow, my friends and I are home safe and sound.

This is from the newspaper in that area- Alexandria Echo Press.
Picture is courtesy of the Fergus Falls Daily Journal

A sudden snowstorm on Friday afternoon sent vehicles careening into the ditch – and into each other.

More than a dozen crashes were reported throughout the Douglas County area in a one-hour span that started shortly after 1 p.m.

Most of the crashes happened on Interstate 94 between Alexandria and Osakis. At least three other accidents occurred on Highway 29 near Miltona and Carlos.

All of Alexandria’s North Ambulance crews were busy responding to the scenes. Two ambulances from Parkers Prairie were also called in to help.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is advising no unnecessary travel in the area today, Saturday, as snow, combined with high winds, is causing hazardous travel conditions. Interstate 94 has been closed from Alexandria to Fargo.

Yeah, that is where and when we were! It was white knuckle, no where to turn, just pray kind of driving! My very trusty friend Pam was driving. We were going about 25-30 mph down the middle of the 2 lanes. And did you know, they have so many lakes in MN that they don't put guard rails along the county roads? If you don't stop, you swim. Luckily we were able to stop.

So now I've seen the winter weekend, I think I'll try to go to the spring retreat. Oh, wait, that was spring. We ended up with about 18" of snow all around us, plus drifting around the buildings and cars.

But the camp was great. Despite the snow and short staff, it was a wonderful God filled weekend. I heard many times why I should love myself, that is still sinking in. And got help with finances and forgiveness (Separate seminars) . I loved spending time with my friends too. I feel like I've married my church, and they have a whole life before I was part of it. I want to know every detail.

Now I'm off planning a small church thing. And actually my brain is still back in the chapel in MN.

Bless you all.

Please pray for our countries. May they embrace and turn to God.

quickie

I wanted to do a quick update to let you all know we haven't fallen off the face of the earth. There isn't a lot new here.
But I'm getting ready to go on a church retreat. I'll be going with 4 other women up to Minnesota. So I've been preparing for that, and just getting outside again is where my time is going.
I have a lot of new pictures I'll get up soon. And I'll blog when I get home about my trip.
Bless you all.

One of those moments...

Last night we had one of those times, that make you forget the bad mommy day. It was one of those that you hope God has on his highlight real.
While trying to find my kindergarten pictures to show Anora, which I still can't find, I came across my old flower girl dress from when I was her age. Later when Anora decided to have a tea party with Daddy, I got her dressed for the party. She in the "wedding dress" and Jeremy in a vest and "tie". I had to take pictures of them and all the guests.

an un-busy weekend

We had a little exciting news on Saturday. We received a letter from Anora's future teacher, saying that they want to have her in their pre-k Jump start. So we basically now know that she will be heading to school in the fall. It's a huge relief that we have a plan and something to look forward too. I have a lot of things I'm hoping to teach her over the summer yet.

We also made some poor (pun intended), but fun choices in our house. Since we've gotten rid of our satellite, our tv's were pretty disappointing. So we moved to digital. We received our coupons from the FCC, and purchased 2 digital boxes and one new tv. and a cheap vcr/dvd combo. We have a lot of channels, and we're happy with the great picture. I feel so high tech and at the same time, I feel clandestine, off the grid. (cloak and dagger)

Then the funnest part of the weekend was a bike ride Anora took at a local park. She rode up and down hills with very little help. She had a great time, and was very daring! Also, on the Anora topic, I bought her the cutest little "nap" rug. So now that we have a place, we'll start taking 'school" naps. Shorter and without stuffed animals and tuck-ins. But she gets to hear a book. So it's all a big trade off. I set my timer for 40 min, and she sleeps right through all my calls to wake up. It's a nice combination.

I hope to have more on the school front later.
God bless.

nothing to report

So I intended this blog to be a place where I could keep my friends and family up to date on our day to day happenings. But, thank God, there is nothing to report. A little water dripping from the attic door, not too sure if I should be concerned yet. But otherwise, life is good and just flowing smoothly.
I pray your life is as smooth as ours' right now.

Pictures of our trip, yes we're geeks!

We're home and happy!

Well, we’re back and ready to face the world again. The weekend was a weekend of firsts and reconnecting as friends and spouses.

Thursday we arrived early and checked into our hotel. We had a whirlpool suite for the first night. I totally want a whirlpool now, but someone else to clean it. We went site seeing and froze on the beach. We went to a nice little brewpub for dinner and tried new things. I had a hummus platter, pita bread, cold vegetables, and olives, and feta. It was so good and light, but filling. Jeremy had a burger made with a bun of Pretzel dough. Wow, it was good. Finishing the night little walking downtown Michigan City a whirlpool bath.

Friday was neat, we hung around the hotel, had a big hotel (free!) breakfast. Then headed to Elkhart IN to see the Selmer headquarters and see the factory where they make Bach brass instruments. I learned a lot, and Jeremy’s eyes twinkled the whole time. He kept touching things, like a little kid, it was neat to see him that excited. You need to know, between Michigan City and Elkhart, the time changes! We were an hour late! So we didn’t get to see as much as was planned, the 2^nd factory was closed by the time we were done. But we met a great guy Pat, who Jeremy does business with. I was wiped after just a couple of hours of following them around.

Then we had our Anniversary Dinner. Jeremy went all out researching it, and finding a place we wouldn’t normally go. Kelly’s Table. It’s in a B&B in the woods outside of town. It was so nice, the price was like $30/plate, but so worth it. Jeremy had a fish we had never heard of, and I had a beef fillet. It’s hard to describe. But it was probably the best we’ve ever had to date, and probably anytime soon. It better be, it was $101.

Saturday I had planned to do a bunch of little things. Boy was I wrong! There is an outlet mall in Michigan City, right downtown. It’s the biggest one I’ve ever seen, and most of the stores had really great prices. We got a bunch of summer clothes for Anora, Jeans for Jeremy and I. There were a few other things I hate to shop for, and I just bucked up and did it. We spent far too much time there, and we were wiped! I say that two ways, Jeremy got ill and had to make frequent stops. But He wouldn’t let me quit, and enjoyed himself anyway. The day was beautiful, and we got a little sun. We didn’t waste the weather to go putt putt golf inside. And instead we got Chicago dogs and ate them on the beach. After that we were exhausted and went to the hotel and napped. For diner Saturday night I picked a restaurant named Maxines, the advertised Jazz for the night. The food was more expensive than we expected, the waiter was a snob, and his service stunk. I wasn’t happy! So after dinner we went for a walk, and stopped at a chocolate store for dessert. We took a huge piece of cake, and ate it at the hotel with Champaign. It was awesome!

This morning we missed Anora so much, we just went to breakfast and headed straight home. We missed Anora a lot, like when we swam at the pool, or when we walked on the beach. But we got to do things we couldn’t with her. Besides just the quiet and naps, the restaurants didn’t take kids, and no way we could’ve shopped that much with her. And it made me want her when we got home.

I couldn’t ask for a better weekend, or anyone better to spend it with. Now we just get to pay the bills for it ;-)

I’ll make a slide show of the pictures, check it out. We forgot the camera a lot though.

Please pray for a marriage! Your's and a friend's.

Friends and traveling.

I want to thank everyone who e mailed and called to reasure me, I've got a good kid, and she'll be just fine. And Most importantly, that God is doing what is needed, weather it was my idea or not. I hope they will take her at school, but I'm much more relaxed and accepting, remembering God is in control loves her.
Tomorrow we leave on our trip to celebrate our 10 year anniversary! We've made it longer than a lot of people already, and I would do it all over again. I've got the best guy in the world, smart, patient and kind. A man that loves God, and is growing fruit. I can't believe God loved me enough to deliver Jeremy into my life when, I didn't acknowledge God. He has kept me out of trouble and has made me want to be a better woman and wife. Stood by me when I was lost. Wait am I talking about God or Jeremy anymore?

God bless you all you friends and family.