Just a few things!

Okay, so it's been a week since I posted... I'm a little behind.

I'm sorry, but again, I have no pics to post. I can't, for the life of me, figure out how to get my memory card into my laptop! From what I can tell, there is absolutely no slot, and no additional piece with a slot, for a memory card. So, you'll have to use your imaginations here. :)

First off, I want to tell you about a tutu give-away! Yes, I said a tutu. Maryanne's cousins Misty, Rachel and April have created a blog together. They are going to give away an item each month. This month, being the first, they are giving away a handmade (by Misty) tutu! It's absolutely adorable, and would be fun for any little girl to have! So, check out their blog and sign up to win at:

http://sisters-speak.blogspot.com/.

For all of you mommies out there, they have some great ideas to de-stress, and some great recipes. I'll definitely be trying some of them out!

Next, I have good news on the employment homefront! I have an interview on Wednesday with a sister facility to be an Activities Director. The e-mail that I told you about recently from my Administrator to his fellow Administrators yielded an interested bite, so I set up an interview for next week. I'm nervous, but excited. Nervous because I love the facility I work at (Franklin Hills). I love my co-workers, our residents, our way of life. I love that everything is run very professionally, but we're all very close and can relax and have fun together. I'm excited because it's an opportunity for me to move up. And for those of you who know me, you know that I don't like to stay at the bottom too long. I work hard for promotions!

I've prayed about it a lot, and I'm comfortable with the decision to move to another facility. Here's the way I see it... if I'm not supposed to be there, I won't get the job and I'll stay at Franklin. If I am supposed to be there, I will have my work cut out for me, learning a new position and all! So, wish me luck, and keep me in your prayers!!

Madeleine has learned how to jump. The whole road to successful, airborne jumping has been a comical one! She started out sqealing, "Dzump!" (Jump) and would barely lift one foot off the ground! LOL Adorable! Then she got brave with enough practice to get one foot clear off the ground. Following, she is able to get both feet off the ground. And I'm pleased to announce that she can say "Jump" more clearly now!

Finally, the sheetrock is coming in!! Yes, my long-torn-apart living room is taking shape! We have ceilings that are one foot higher than they used to be, and three new beams that run the width of the ceiling. I wanted something different from the pointed arch that we had in the middle of the room, so my father-in-law and husband talked me into trusting their judgement. I love the result! And it's not even done yet!! But we have insulation up (Yay! Warm winters!) and foamy stuff around the windows and doors. Once the walls are done, we'll put up some new molding, and then bring in the carpet! By the way, if you need carpet at a reasonable price, check the Carpet Warehouse Outlet on Hamilton, just south of Bridgeport. Very, very reasonable prices, and extremely nice customer service! My father-in-law is refinishing my prized china hutch (the feature that took my breath away when we first saw our home!) so it looks better, and we'll put that back in. George has been really patient with me during this process. Sure, there are times when he lets me know that I've grated on his last nerve, but all in all, we're still very much in love, and very much excited about being married. I love my husband, and I'm thankful for the blessing that he is in my life. I love you, George!

Well, that about does it for now... I promise I will upload a ton of pictures of the remodel and Madeleine and anything else of relevance when I either figure out how I can do it on my laptop, or after the living room is reassembled and my computer is back up and functioning!

Oh, and if you're interested, we are having a yard sale at my work tomorrow (Sat., 08-23) from 7am to 4pm. The employees have all gotten together to donate items and there are no prices. It is all done by donation. We're raising money for our Christmas party this year. So, if you're a yaaaaaaaaad saler (ha ha ha! Inside joke with my mom!) then come out to 6021 N. Lidgerwood St. (one block north of Holy Family Hospital, across from Group Health) tomorrow and check out what we have! Whatever's left over will go to charity for donation.

Oh wait, I have another thing to discuss here. I just finished reading, "His Favorite Wife" by Susan Ray Schmidt. It's a book about a polygamist's lifestyle. I know what you're thinking. "Why would you be reading about that? What a waste of time!" But on the contrary. See, I'm writing a persuasive paper for my College Composition class at school about how polygamy is not a part of our church practice, and hasn't been for over 100 years. So, I figured a good place to start, other than in the scriptures, is with someone who has experienced this lifestyle.

Let me tell you, I'm so thankful it's not a practice in our church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The emptiness Susan, the author, clearly felt, was overwhelming! The poverty, the sharing of her husband with (ultimately) 9 other women, the raising of children in meager conditions, it's all too much to bear. And the power struggle between her husband and his brothers (one was the prophet of their church, the other the Patriarch) is sickening. It was very apparent that they missed the purpose of their belief... to spread the word of God. Holding an office, and having multiple wives, was a sign of notariety, not of being called of God.

All in all, I'm thankful that we have the restored gospel here on the Earth today. I'm thankful for Joseph Smith and his willingness to step out of the norm and follow the promptings of Heavenly Father. And I'm extremely grateful that polygamy is not something our church practices. When it comes to my husband, I don't share. Ladies, you'll have to find your own stud muffin! LOL Seriously, this book opened my eyes to the deplorable conditions those members live in, and the emptiness they undoubtedly feel. So, if you're looking for a good eye-opener of a book, check it out!

Good night!