Uh- oh - I know we won't hear the "official" announcement until we go back to work next week but a phone call today from a friend at work confirmed that we are going to have more layoff time. We go back for the month of February, are still off the first week in March (Ibelieve), then work til March 30th and have that week and the next three off, work three weeks, off three weeks through the July shutdown. That is a lot of time off! They are keeping 2 shifts for now, if they get rid of the second shift, we may be in trouble:( The Delta plant in Lansing is going down to 1 shift the end of March after having 3 shifts before Christmas... The positive is that, of course, I'll be home with my kids - that's the best part and we will have down time during some good weather months where we can play outside/camp out at the property, etc. So, we can make it fun as well!
The realtor came out again today with comparables, etc. We decided to list at 119,900 and he will be back out in a few days to take pictures, etc. We are going to put some shutters on the front of the house for "curb appeal", though before he comes.
Saturday, we were thinking we were going to pick up a snowmobile at his Aunt's cabin, but she didn't leave to go upnorth til 7pm and that was too late so we decided to go up Sunday morning so we could be home by 6pm. We didn't leave until 11am and got there around 1pm. It was beautiful - she's on the ausable river. Very cozy and warm - watched a movie with them after digging the garage door out of snow to reach the snowmobile in the garage! So, we headed home and talked about stopping at my mom's, but time was ticking away so we kept on for home. Right after the Standish exit, Jeremy started saying "uh-oh, uh-oh" I'm like - what? Uh-oh... Cruise control quit and spedometer started going to ZERO. We pulled over and he got out to look under the hood and the engine quit. Oh no, wouldn't start back up so we started calling for a wrecker/help/ride home since it was only 13 degrees and we had 3 little ones in the truck! So, my brother in law, bless his heart, Brian headed out to get us and the wrecker started coming from Saginaw. We prayed for safety, kept the kids buckled and waited and waited. Seems like forever when you're getting colder and colder... Lyndsay slept through most of it and woke up about 10 minutes before Brian got there. As we were loading the kids into his van and hooking the trailer onto it, the wrecker arrived and put the truck on the flatbed. We got home at 8pm and they put the truck into the garage. We are hoping it's the fuel pump or better yet, bad gas/water in the gas tank, etc. Fuel pump is still expensive, but better than transmission/engine trouble! Today, the truck started up and we moved it in and out of the garage but still are going to have it tested on a computer to make sure nothing more serious... Praise the Lord if it is and even if it isn't for getting us home safe and sound! We should have stayed home and gone to church!
Today, we did the realtor thing again and after the kids came home, Jeremy was tinkering with the sled and we were getting ready to go out and cut more firewood. Erin wanted to go outside, too so I got her dressed and she wanted to ride the sled with daddy. So, I got on behind him and put her in the middle. It's not running great, needs some work so he had to mess with the choke and we didn't lean right at a turn so we fell over. I can still see Erin go "UGH, that was not fun!" and she stood up disgustedly and brushed herself off and told her dad he needed to go slower next time (he wasn't going fast at all!), it was so funny, I keep chuckling about it - the kids think I'm crazy! So, I made her ride again around the yard so she wouldn't freak out and she stayed out and helped us cut wood. She's laying in her bed, watching a movie cuz she's so tired! Fresh air will do it everytime. I'm wiped out after eating supper I can hardly keep my eyes open! Good exercise and it does feel good to get outside even though I really have to talk myself into it! Curt cleared the dinner table and Brooke is unloading/loading the dishwasher for me - wonderful kids they are! So, I will close for now and update as we go! Pray for our house to sell quickly although I will miss how nice it is now - just makes me look forward to our new house - my husband will make it even nicer, I'm sure and the view will just be spectacular!
Have a great night! Chris
Monday, January 26, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Hard to believe - only one more week of layoff...
I can't believe next week is the last week off and then back to work - atleast until the next layoff in March! Someone called yesterday with a rumor that they are going to put us on 4 10 hour days when we go back?? That has it's pros and cons - three days off is nice, but 10 hours is a long day when you have 2 hours of driving as well... Long time away from the kiddos! Gas and daycare would be cheaper though. We are waiting to see if we are going to make a trip up north to get a snowmobile from a relative at a great price!:)
I think I forgot to mention that Erin got her ears pierced! The week after Christmas, the girls (Amber, Brooke, Erin, Lyndsay) and I and Fransisco went to the Great Lakes Crossings Mall to finish up my shopping for my mom's Christmas. We were sitting at the food court eating and the girls pointed out that Clair's was just over yonder and we should let Erin get her ears pierced! She had told me numerous times that she wanted to get her ears pierced (wierd for a 3 year old, I know but we're talking about Erin:) So, I asked her if she still wanted to get them pierced and she was all for it! So, we went over, filled out the paperwork but the lady was real slow in getting the process done. Apparently the store had been shoplifted while we were standing there. Anyway, Erin got cold feet just as she was getting started so Amber took her to the bathroom because when you get cold feet you apparently have to go potty! When she came back, she was ready to sit on Amber's lap on the chair! Amber kept her entertained while we waited for the ladies to get ready. I told her I'd get her some ice cream afterwards if she did good. So, I hid from her behind some shelves as did Brooke and Fransisco. I figured if she could see me she'd chicken out again and want mommy. The ladies asked her what kind of ice cream she was going to get and BAMMM, piercing done! Erin's mouth and eyes were wide open. I ran over and hugged her and warned everyone it was only going to be a second until "WHAAAAAAAH!". She cried for about 3 minutes and then was all better! She was then very excited until we got in the van to go home and she wanted them out so she could go to sleep! I had to threaten her to leave them in! All in all it made for a fun evening and she's liking her pierced ears now! Shopping was fun although it was never enough time to just "window shop"!
Isaac is funny - his teacher told me he was praying in class one day and thanked the Lord for his mom being home - he liked his mom home so much! Give me a better buyout offer GM PLEASE!!! I like being home, too!
I was just putting clean clothes away and just organized Curt's drawers last week and low and behold what did I find in the food monster's top drawers? Oreo cookies (double stuffed, doubled again by him) - yuck what were you saving them for, Curt??? I guess I need to check on the side of the bunk bed for wrappers again:( He is getting so big - his voice is changing and he is sounding so different. I love his laugh! He loves to rush through his chores and the other day only brought in 1 egg from the chickens so I told him I hope you're sure that was it because I'm going to go out and check! He ran out and came in with 6 more eggs! Funny boy!
Brooke just got home and is going to be babysitting for a couple from church tonight.
Fast forward - now it's Sunday we are on our way up north to pick up the snowmobile - enjoy the pictures! Last night we had a fun "date night" We went out and took Isaac with us...
I think I forgot to mention that Erin got her ears pierced! The week after Christmas, the girls (Amber, Brooke, Erin, Lyndsay) and I and Fransisco went to the Great Lakes Crossings Mall to finish up my shopping for my mom's Christmas. We were sitting at the food court eating and the girls pointed out that Clair's was just over yonder and we should let Erin get her ears pierced! She had told me numerous times that she wanted to get her ears pierced (wierd for a 3 year old, I know but we're talking about Erin:) So, I asked her if she still wanted to get them pierced and she was all for it! So, we went over, filled out the paperwork but the lady was real slow in getting the process done. Apparently the store had been shoplifted while we were standing there. Anyway, Erin got cold feet just as she was getting started so Amber took her to the bathroom because when you get cold feet you apparently have to go potty! When she came back, she was ready to sit on Amber's lap on the chair! Amber kept her entertained while we waited for the ladies to get ready. I told her I'd get her some ice cream afterwards if she did good. So, I hid from her behind some shelves as did Brooke and Fransisco. I figured if she could see me she'd chicken out again and want mommy. The ladies asked her what kind of ice cream she was going to get and BAMMM, piercing done! Erin's mouth and eyes were wide open. I ran over and hugged her and warned everyone it was only going to be a second until "WHAAAAAAAH!". She cried for about 3 minutes and then was all better! She was then very excited until we got in the van to go home and she wanted them out so she could go to sleep! I had to threaten her to leave them in! All in all it made for a fun evening and she's liking her pierced ears now! Shopping was fun although it was never enough time to just "window shop"!
Isaac is funny - his teacher told me he was praying in class one day and thanked the Lord for his mom being home - he liked his mom home so much! Give me a better buyout offer GM PLEASE!!! I like being home, too!
I was just putting clean clothes away and just organized Curt's drawers last week and low and behold what did I find in the food monster's top drawers? Oreo cookies (double stuffed, doubled again by him) - yuck what were you saving them for, Curt??? I guess I need to check on the side of the bunk bed for wrappers again:( He is getting so big - his voice is changing and he is sounding so different. I love his laugh! He loves to rush through his chores and the other day only brought in 1 egg from the chickens so I told him I hope you're sure that was it because I'm going to go out and check! He ran out and came in with 6 more eggs! Funny boy!
Brooke just got home and is going to be babysitting for a couple from church tonight.
Fast forward - now it's Sunday we are on our way up north to pick up the snowmobile - enjoy the pictures! Last night we had a fun "date night" We went out and took Isaac with us...
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
No pictures yet - will post some pictures of my ever so clean house later, but we had the realtor out this morning and he will be back out on Monday morning to crunch some numbers and go from there. He definitely thinks we could get more if we waited a few years, but as long as we can pay off our mortgage, that would be great and he definitely thinks we'll do that no problem (YAY). He was pleasantly surprised when he walked in because our house is much bigger than it looks from the road. He couldn't comment enough on how nice it is, etc. etc... That's what we wanted to hear!
I have been so busy cleaning, decluttering (which is an ongoing process) and cleaning some more. My arms and back were sore before getting out of bed this morning... I have also been exercising faithfully on the Norditrak and have hit my goal in weight again:) I am sore from that as well but can actually start to feel some muscle in my legs again??? I think the kids are wondering why I'm following behind them with a dustpan - especially Curt - the cookie/food monster! I am still amazed as to where I find food wrappers from that kid! He eats constantly!
Anyway, with the market the way it is, I don't think the realtor came prepared to actually list anything and will be back out Monday to do measurements, pictures and paperwork. I am so happy to have gotten this far. Rumor has it we may be off longer than a week in March as well! So, I'll be praying God brings a buyer in the next 2 months because it is so much easier to keep the house clean when I'm home! God has timing for everything! We've gotten so much accomplished this month and couldn't have done it without much stress/tiredness if we'd been working. AND, if He does allow us to sell quickly (which I know would be a miracle!), it would be great timing! I do love being home and am continuing to declutter - we will take stuff to my father-in laws to store. I have a lot of books and stuff I can move over there to make it seem bigger downstairs and stuff. All the big speakers and stereo stuff that was up here is going as well - is in the garage waiting to go! AND, best of all - BROOKE's room is clean again!!! HAHAHA~ I love you, Brooke! I'll post pictures later, have a good one!
I have been so busy cleaning, decluttering (which is an ongoing process) and cleaning some more. My arms and back were sore before getting out of bed this morning... I have also been exercising faithfully on the Norditrak and have hit my goal in weight again:) I am sore from that as well but can actually start to feel some muscle in my legs again??? I think the kids are wondering why I'm following behind them with a dustpan - especially Curt - the cookie/food monster! I am still amazed as to where I find food wrappers from that kid! He eats constantly!
Anyway, with the market the way it is, I don't think the realtor came prepared to actually list anything and will be back out Monday to do measurements, pictures and paperwork. I am so happy to have gotten this far. Rumor has it we may be off longer than a week in March as well! So, I'll be praying God brings a buyer in the next 2 months because it is so much easier to keep the house clean when I'm home! God has timing for everything! We've gotten so much accomplished this month and couldn't have done it without much stress/tiredness if we'd been working. AND, if He does allow us to sell quickly (which I know would be a miracle!), it would be great timing! I do love being home and am continuing to declutter - we will take stuff to my father-in laws to store. I have a lot of books and stuff I can move over there to make it seem bigger downstairs and stuff. All the big speakers and stereo stuff that was up here is going as well - is in the garage waiting to go! AND, best of all - BROOKE's room is clean again!!! HAHAHA~ I love you, Brooke! I'll post pictures later, have a good one!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
My brother, Phil and Lyndsay at my mom's
New Year's - Erin with Onyx - he really wanted that venison stick! He got up on the end table to get a closer look!
Erin with Jade - she was trying to pet Jade, then would get shy and pull away. They were cute together!
Playing board games!
Maggie, Brian, Carly and Heather starting to get tired New Years???
Hi there!!!
The finished product! 
The beginning - gutting it out!
The hallway in front of the bathroom that goes from kitchen to garage...
Sorry - I thought I'd be posting a bit more while I'm off, but we've stayed pretty busy for the most part. I also put these pictures on my facebook, but I will double post them this time as I haven't taken tons of pictures... After Christmas, we started on our main bathroom. We "threw" this bathroom in about 8 years ago when we started majorly redoing the house. So, it needed to be "redone". So, we started gutting and then had New Years, a dinner at a cousins house and Christmas at my mom's fall in between, so we work on it as able and are now almost done! I think all that is left is the floor trim and the door. I have to paint the door/frame and hallway yet and it will be done! I also need to paint the kitchen as well before we list the house. The bathroom is beautiful - my husband is so talented and I did pretty good picking out stuff as well!:) That is the fun part! I can't wait til we can build our new house! Since I've been off, we've been watching those stupid:) shows about redoing your house, etc. It does give you lots of ideas!
So, we had a New Year's Eve get together here this year (we usually do it at Jeremy's Dad's). We had Christopher and Amy and their 5 boys, us, Steve and Cheryl, and Heather and Brian and their girls came over around 11:30pm! Everyone but the Walsh's and Steve and Cheryl spent the night. We played games, ate, played video games, ate some more, visited, ate some more - you get the idea! We didn't start going to bed until 3am (guess who was first - ME). We were up by 8:30am thanks to Lyndsay! Steve made some delicious New York strip steaks and we had mashed potatoes, cheesy potatoes, green beans, etc. Lots of desserts as well. I had made my next goal in weight loss (down to 128) but have gained 5 pounds back with all the good food I've eaten in the last month! The Norditrak keeps staring at me... We had fun and took a day or to to recuperate. Then, on the 4th, we went up to Roscommon and stayed at this little lodge that my mom cleans - she got it for us for free! We stayed on one side and Heather and Brian stayed on the other. It was very nice - clean, spacious and loaded with amenities (even internet and cable)! We spent most of the time at mom and Bill's had supper Friday night, tried to help bake and then went over on Sunday for our big turkey dinner and presents and YES - DESSERTS! Nothing like my mom's apple pies and Heather made cocoa-pies this year with Brooke. I'm surprised I only gained 5 lbs! Sunday morning, I took Amber to church (requirement for college) and the church she had found online was closed (the weather was bad), so we drove all the way to Houghton Lake and found a few more closed ones and finally found an open one (Southern Baptist) she could attend. So, I went to Walmart to pass the time and waited for church to be done. We got to my mom's a little later than planned, but all turned out well in the end. We got home late Sunday night and the kids had school Monday morning:)
Monday I left around 12:30pm to take Amber back to college. We picked up another girl in Flint before heading out and arrived in Hammond at about 5:15pm. We ate dinner, went to Walmart and got them to the college at around 7:45pm. Erin went with me to keep me company on the way home. We got to see a little of the dorm area and the chapel and activity rooms. Makes me think back to my college days... (was that really 23 years ago???). So, Erin and I headed home about 8:30 and she watched Charlotte's Web and her laughing kept me awake. We stopped for gas and treats at 10pm and got home about 12:30pm. She fell asleep about 10:30pm! Her snoring then kept me awake - and the 20oz pepsi I drank!
Last Saturday night we went to Jeremy's cousins house in Macomb, MI for dinner and we've never seen their house. The weather turned sour about halfway there so it took an hour longer to get there:( But, it was worth it - the food was great and their house is beautiful! I thought I was in a magazine! She is very talented in decorating, painting, etc. I wish some of this talent I'm around would rub off on me!
I also went with Heather to pick up horse and chicken feed to Millington. That was fun - we put 500lbs chicken feed and 900 pounds of horse feed in the back of the Suburban and it didn't even squat! We unloaded and stacked the horse feed in her barn and cleaned stalls before I came home. I love the smell of sweet feed!
So, here we are finishing up the house - I've been packing some things away downstairs so far (decluttering) and am going to continue this week and then hopefully call a realtor next week. Isaac was asking me last night if we would be able to take the cat when we move and where would we stay if we sell the house? It's funny, I've been here 15 years, seen many changes, Brooke was only 6 months old... All of my other kids have been born while living here and know no different! What an adventure it will be if our house sells! I'm just worried about keeping 1100 sq feet clean with 7 people coming and going!
Lyndsay is a joy - she hasn't been feeling well the past week (bad colds have been going through the house since the beginning of December). She threw up a few times one night, coughing bad, runny nose and she's got 2 more teeth coming through on top of it! I took her to the doctor yesterday and she has a slight ear infection as well so she's on antibiotics. She slept a little bit better last night thank God! She is walking more and more. Erin is just getting over her cold, Isaac still has a cough, everyone else is healthy except Brooke was complaining this morning of troubles... She has been getting headaches again off and on. I think it's stress! Curt is funny - his voice is changing and you can tell he's going through some "changes". He's very lovable and likes to laugh (I think to hear it squeak!). Amber is sick right now, too.
Well, I'm thinking about exercising while Lyndsay is still sleeping or maybe I'll start painting or maybe just go take a shower to wake up more... The possibilities are endlesss! Have a great week and I'll try and take more pictures and post more often!
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