The Lord Provides!

Do you ever just need a good day. Not that the previous days have been particularly bad, you just need to have one of those "everything-goes-right-uplifting" kind of days. Well, that's what the Lord gave me yesterday. Nothing so spectacular that it makes the evening news, just things sliding into place.

I had some goals, particularly related to getting a good start with Mary Kay. I spent some time praying about those goals. And as I was praying the phone rang and it was someone to help me accomplish those goals - someone I had not expectation would call. And the phone call was motivating. So, out I went, into the world to accomplish those goals and was met with success in a way I never could have imagined. Really! It was totally cool.

Update on the camera: I'm taking it in today for a cleaning that is estimated to cost $25. That is low enough in cost for me to just do it rather than risk cleaning myself and making a devastating mistake. I don't know how long it will take, but I'm glad to be getting that done.

By the way, these photos were taken on Saturday, and either I used PSE to get the dirt out of the photos, or they are so busy in the areas where the dirt is that you can't notice it easily. Still, I haven't taken a photo since Saturday, and I'm itching to get some taken! Can't wait for the camera to be cleaned!

I'll leave you with one last thing. You know the story in the Bible where God provides flour and oil for the peasant woman who is feeding Elijah? (1 Kings 17: 7-16) He makes her flour and oil last when it didn't seem possible. Well, it seems He's doing that in my cupboards.

Each week I dread making my shopping list for fear we will be out of so many essentials that the bill will be double what I have budgeted. I've really carved that budget back and try to keep the bill for the week at about $80.

And each week I am amazed to see we have enough of so many things that I don't have to buy it yet. For example, it has been three weeks in a row that I have feared the need to buy toilet paper and laundry soap (both usually purchased in bulk at Costco and about $15 each). But each week I do an inventory and what do you know, we can make it yet another week without buying these things. And there are other things that are the same.

God amazes me in how He provides. I'm not saying there is a miracle here, but I'm not saying there isn't either. I'm just saying our supplies are lasting much longer than I anticipated and it is really helping with the tight budget. For that I am so thankful!

Camera Troubles

Bummer!

I've discovered a bit of a problem with my camera. It is dirty! Like really intolerably dirty! And it happened very all of the sudden. I'm not sure how, but let me show you.

This photo was taken on Thursday, and it does not have the problem:

This photo was taken on Saturday, and the problem is huge!

See all the dirt clustered in the upper third of the photo and then more sprinkled all around. Must have happened while changing lenses, but I don't remember doing that in a way that was vulnerable. Very frustrating!

No more photos until I get this cleaned!

Taking it in on Monday! Don't know how long it will take or how long I will be without my camera. Dreading that! Feeling really nervous about this whole process. Considering doing the cleaning myself, but. . . what if I muffed it up and ruined the camera. That would be so terrible that I'm willing to let someone else do it. But the thought crosses my mind that if I did it myself I'd be back to having a camera to use by Tuesday as opposed to some unknown period longer. Something to ponder during those sleepless hours I've been having the last few nights.

Other than that, a fairly good weekend. We did not have baseball try outs as originally planned, because the weather was not good enough. Sounds like last season where every single schedule event in April and almost all of May was canceled due to snow and rain. Hoping we're not headed for another repeat of that!

Today, we got 4-6 inches of new snow, with it coming down all day! That was the setting for moving Andy's office to town. Big drifts on the roads, poor visibility, and generally just the kind of weather you don't want for moving. But, the task is almost done. Andy has to go back tonight and get the computer set up, but that shouldn't take too long.

I hope you have a great start to the week.

Today in my yard

I took a little stroll there this morning.

Very different than on Sunday. On Sunday I saw this:

And I pulled out dead leaves and branches, and cleared two of the beds with great excitement.

But today, this is my garden:

(I can tell J was out there playing - he always leaves little clues that he was there!)

Today's stroll was beautiful in it's own way. Typical of March in Montana. But not offering quite the same excitement as Sunday. It's going to be an up and down thing out there for awhile, I know. What gives me great joy and hope are the little squash and basil plants growing upstairs in my house in little "green houses."

Today I'll be planting some beans, broccoli and cilantro to join them. Come June 15, I'll have so very much to plant outdoors, and hopefully by August I'll have some fruits from these labors.

I think my crafting is going to have to be put on hold until my room gets moved upstairs - too much organizing, moving, and more organizing needs to be done in the next week.

I hope you are having a great Wednesday!

The Plan, At Last!

First, let me say: WHAT HAPPENED TO SPRING?!?!?!?!?! Woke up to 12 inches of new snow this morning. UGH! That's spring time in the Northern Rockies for you! All of you in warmer climates, eat your hearts out! Ha! And think about those poor Sandhill Cranes out there in the frozen white stuff!

Second, let me set the stage for the information below in case you don't remember the general gist of what is going on. Recognizing that we were getting into a financially vulnerable position due to the down-turn in the economic conditions in this country and some unexpected big expenses. We recognized that the law office has seen a decrease in private pay clients because more and more people qualify for the public defender. That means we get work, but at a much lower pay rate than we were averaging before. And, my little job at the Local Scrapbook Store is over because the store is closing this coming Saturday. (There may be some new form of that business evolving, but right now none of that is set up, so we can't count on any income there).

With all that in mind, Andy and I set out to see where we can cut back and how we can make more. We gave ourselves a two week research period, which ended today. Now, we are moving on to taking action so we can relieve the financial stress we feel. I don't want to get anyone in a panic about our situation, but I also don't want to sugar coat it. We need more income and fewer expenses. Plain and simple. I'm sure we aren't alone. It will take a while under any plan to get to back to where we want to be, but all is not lost, and we are going to be able to meet all our obligations, just a little slower than we would like.

We considered everything: selling our home (yeah, like that would be a quick fix in this market!); renting our home out for the cost of our mortgage, and then renting a small cheep place for us in town to save on gas to and from town, heating costs, and a whole bunch of other things (for awhile I would have put money down on us doing this, but no, it is not the plan); as posted about two weeks ago, I considered being a school bus driver, but that was a no go with Andy; and we've considered selling my engagement ring (big diamond would generate a bit of cash to accomplish some of our goals quickly - by the way, this was my idea, and Andy is not at all excited about it, but it remains on the table at this point); cashing out the little retirement fund we've got in reserves (this is also still on the table, although no final decision there yet either).

Here are some things that we know we are going to do.

First off, we are going to become a one car family for awhile. We'll sell the truck and plow to generate a bit of cash to create an emergency fund (our old such fund is used up). So, this is not a scene we'll be witnessing too much longer:

Another thing we are going to do is move Andy's office back into the space we have in town for meeting with clients. That will allow us to save on gas and Andy's time running in and out of town for court appearances. We expect this will make Andy more efficient, and hopefully allowing a net gain in his billings each month. It also will allow a savings on some phone issues because we won't need the business and fax lines at home anymore. I will spend Monday's in town doing office filing and other office work, but I'll still do the office billing out of our home. And I'll spend most of my days at home, which sounds great to me!

Now, here come the really exciting things:

By emptying the home office space we'll be doing some re-arranging in the house: I'm going to move my scrap/craft space into his bright, sunny huge old office, set up tables in the middle, and teach some classes out of my home. The hope here is to replace, and possibly even increase my income from this activity. My plan is to do one or two classes a month, and to invite other teachers who will now be without a place to teach to use the space as well. I'm kind of excited about this. The only contingency on this plan is if the LSS does do activities even after giving up the store-front space, I do not want to be in conflict with that. It was a great gig for me, and I would not want to create any ill feelings there, so I will do my best to always work around whatever might come out of that situation. By the way, this was Andy's idea, proving once again what a super cool supportive husband he is!

I'll also try to make a little money taking senior photos and family photos. Heck, I even have a shoot scheduled for Wednesday afternoon/evening, so I'm feeling like this might be a bit of unpredictable, but welcomed money making opportunity. I'd like to set aside money made here to buy better equipment, but we'll see where the priorities are as these plans all develop.

Then, to have something a bit more predictable than classes and photography, I've also become a Mary Kay Consultant. . . .

Okay, a few of you need to quickly pick yourselves up off the floor so you can keep reading.

All settled back in your chair? Then let me explain.

This is about the last thing I ever expected to jump into as my often sloppy, on the go lifestyle does not always include wearing make-up and taking time to put my best foot forward in the way of appearance. But, the way it all came about, I know this is where God is leading me - believe me, I prayed long and hard before I took this leap. I am so nervous about starting this business - buying an inventory is a lot of money and now I've got to sell it. Booking parties/shows/make-overs takes effort. I don't want to be the friend that you don't want around because you're afraid she'll try to sell you something. All of these things continue to bounce in my mind, but I know that I'm doing the right thing here.

It was a challenging decision. But let me tell you what happened to seal the deal.

I'd been given an invitation to become a consultant and was considering it because it allows me to continue to be Andy's support staff at the office, be a good mom to J, and to make a more regular income. A bit to my surprise, Andy was all for the idea. He didn't think it was crazy at all. He thought it went right to my heart for loving on and encouraging women.

So, I set myself to prayer for God's guidance. One morning I was praying as I cleaned in the kitchen, and I prayed "God, if this is not the right thing, would you please drop something else into my lap before I need to give my answer to my friend next week." Well, just as I ended that prayer request and opened my eyes, a still small voice (a very calm still small voice I might add) said to me "I dropped this in your lap."

Oh!

MY!

I do not get that kind of a response to prayer very often, so I'm not one to ignore it just because it makes me a bit uncomfortable.

Since then, what God has put on my heart is that I will do this business in the most loving and caring way possible. If someone doesn't buy product from me, but we have a chance to get together, play with samples, and just spend time together I will consider that a success for the fact that it provided woman to woman time in this crazy and hectic world of ours. I will work hardest to connect with women, and use these opportunities to minister to them. So many women are isolated, lonely, stressed, or hurting in some way. This will be an opportunity to love on them. And since the product is good and reasonably priced, I trust God that it will provide whatever He thinks we need in the form or income from this adventure.

So, that dear blog readers, is the plan.

Now, rest your weary eyes from all these words, and have a wonderful Tuesday!

Spring Is Here!

Do you know how I know that? Well, in the Northern Rockies there are certain tell-tail signs.

For example, today we heard the Sand Hill Cranes. A sure sign of spring.

Also, this was my first day in the garden - meaning I went and cut down all the dead stalks that have been the winter garden for the snow to decorate - and in doing so, there were green bits hidden deep in the center of the plants - potential columbine, lupine, bee balm and holly hock waiting three more months before there is any hope of bright colors like this:

I couldn't even find a crocus coming up today, so it is definitely very early spring. But spring all the same!

And the final proof of spring today: it rained and then hailed briefly, and rained some more. All in a good Montana Spring Day. Big sigh!

Just for the heck of it I thought I show you some photos I recently edited - two different black and white versions of the same photo:

I like them both, for different reasons. The first one is so crisp, but the second has a dreamy quality to it. The whites are white, but not completely blown out in both of them. By the way, just to let you know, I've been reading more and more photography posts and tutorials and blogs, and I'm becoming quite dissatisfied with my equipment. That is not good, because at this point the equipment I have is what I'm going to have for the foreseeable future. So, dissatisfaction is not a good mode for me right now. I'm casting it away and making the most of what I do have - an older camera, and whimpy lens and a whole lot of heart when it comes to trying to get better photos.

Plus, I haven't been taking many photos the last five days or so because there has just been too much else going on. But, that is for tomorrow's post - I've got it all worked out in my head but need more time to get it posted, to explain the changes that are happening around here, the options we did not elect to follow, and the ones we did. There are some big surprises coming up for all of you loyal readers!

There, how's that for an intriguing ending to a post!

Have a blessed Monday!

Skate Boarding Has Arrived Here!

A layout I did for the 52 Sketches . . . 52 Weeks challenge sight. It's the first time I've ever worked with one of their sketches, and I did like it.

J got to use his birthday money yesterday, and bought himself a skate board (and at my insistence, also a helmet). He's using it in the house right now because there is snow on what little pavement we have. I'm figuring that as long as those wheels are clean and smooth it won't hurt the hardwood floors. But once he takes that baby outside, well, that is where it stays.

He's wanted a skateboard since he was 4 years old and noticed the skaters at the skate park across from the grocery store. Actually, when I think about it, he would sit for hours and watch the skate park activities in Truckee, and we moved away from there when he was almost three. So, this is a bit of a dream come true for him. He woke up this morning and told me he has achieved great skills just in the 8 waking hours he's had the thing. Yeah for him!

We'll have to see how long I can hold off on having to take him to the skate park in town.

Gotta go! Have a great Wednesday!

Learning! Learning!

I'm continuing to work with the Raw format, and learning. One thing I've learned: I probably need to get a calibrator for my computer screen so I'm seeing the photo colors in the most accurate way possible.

I'm sprinkling this post with a few photos I've been playing with - all shot in Camera Raw and converted to black and white. This is the only color one for today.

My goal for this day is to take some of J in Camera Raw so I can play with the skin tone in this format - the main reason I want to make this conversion is to improve skin tone colors if possible.

This day is not too busy, but has a few chores in it. Hoping to get my Wednesday night class completely prepared. Also need to do a bit of organizing in the upstairs of my house.

It's lightly snowing and in the 20's today, so not quite the typical spring break weather most of us expect. But, peaceful and quiet.

A few observations I've made lately (meaning yesterday since I have trouble remembering much beyond that!):

• My dog is getting way too fat! He looks like a big sausage when he's laying on the kitchen floor. Wonder if this has to do with the new dog food, or if he's getting too much people food (clearing throat and looking at Andy!)?
• J's legs are getting long - like his dad. This gives me hope that he won't be short and round like me! I'm not really that short, but the round part makes me look more short.
• I could scrapbook for probably a year without buying anything more but adhesive - but boy do I go through adhesive quickly. And when I go to buy the adhesive, well, temptations usually set in, and I buy other things as well. May have to start sending Andy for the adhesive because he won't be tempted!
• I love the comments that get left on my blog - so thank you! They are usually affirming and encouraging, and that is always welcome in my day!

Have a great Tuesday!