Unemployment Update

Resume updated - check.
References contacted - check.
Rough cover letter drafted - check.
Looking for jobs - well I'm looking, but so far there hasn't even been anything to apply for. We're both still feeling fine about everything though. We decided it would be best for me to go ahead and file for unemployment. I figure I've been putting in to the system since I was 14 years old (and no, not that's not a typo! =) so I might was well use it now that I need it.

What shocked me, was that I got my paycheck in the mail today with my separation notice. I couldn't believe it! I thought it would be a huge deal to get this little letter in hand that I need to file my claim with the GADOL. What a blessing that it came even though I didn't ask for it. Just another sign from the Lord that He is in control, and thank goodness for that!

So Monday, after my folks take off, I'll be heading up to Kennesaw to file for unemployment. Hopefully it will be a smooth process. That's all the news for now!

Thanksgiving & Black Friday

So everyone is finally feeling back to normal and so far David's folks haven't come down with it - woohoo! I cooked my first Thanksgiving dinner yesterday, and it was good! I was blessed to have Momma do all the dishes for me while I cooked and Linda showed me how to make her fabulous Apple Pie. Everyone seemed to like it so I guess I did a good job. I only bought a turkey breast since it was alot cheaper, we had a coupon for it, and I was making a ham (my favorite!) and it turned out pretty good as well. My su chefs were very instrumental in helping me get everything cooked and on the table on time by helping me peel and chop all kinds of things. =) It was a fantastic meal with good company and good conversation. Here's a few pictures from our Thanksgiving.

Here we are just before dinner

This morning David & I got up, list in hand, and headed out at 3:45am to go to Kohl's, Target, and a few other places. This was our first Black Friday shopping experience in Atlanta and it went SO well! I was very impressed by the preparations the stores took and how organized everything was. I even called my mom as we were checking out at Kohl's (at 4:30!) to see if she needed anything from the Jewelry counter. I would have never considered hitting the jewelry counter at Kohl's in Norfolk or NoVA, but here it would have been completely plausible! She wasn't out shopping yet and I woke her up. She just laughed. =) Anyway, we had a fun time together and got lots of great deals. Our strategy was to over-buy with the expectation of returning later. I think it worked! We got back home at 7:30 and David was able to get some sleep but I think all the Diet Coke I had was going to make it impossible. I was able to get an hour or so cat nap in this afternoon which was nice but I'll be looking forward to going to bed early. We took a few pictures of our adventures for your enjoyment of our craziness. =0)

The line at Old Navy (we got to Kohl's at 4:01 and the line had already moved inside so we didn't get a picture there)

Me in line at Old Navy - not to far from the door!

Here's David with me at Old Navy

The line at Target (I'm just to the right of the door at TJ Maxx)

David with the door buster redemption coupons for Target - yup it's 5:45am!

We hope you had a great Thanksgiving too!

Pre-Thanksgiving

We have family in town to celebrate with us and it's so nice! My dad & stepmom Linda arrived on Thursday night last week. We had a nice weekend, but on Monday morning we came downstairs to find Dad sick. We are surviving this AWFUL stomach virus that has plagued our household since last Monday, but we've had a rough go of it. Turns out what I thought was food poisoning must have been a stomach virus. Thankfully it's a short(ish) bug. I started having "issues" around 7pm last Monday night and by Wednesday morning I was feeling back to almost 100%. Tues I slept most of the day since I was up most of the night on Monday so about 36 hrs for me. Dad, unfortunately, has had a harder time of it. He started getting sick Monday early morning and he is still not back to 100% yet. Linda, thankfully, is feeling better tonight and has kept food down from dinner which is good news since she started having issues late last night. Whew - how awful! Whoever gave this bug to me can now take credit for 4 people - Bethany came down with it last Friday too...yuck!

These issues in mind, we called David's folks this morning to let them know they were "entering at their own risk". I have disinfected everything in this house, but I am sure there are still germs here and I'm not sure how long this can be contagious. They chose to come anyway, so hopefully no one else comes down with this nastiness and we can enjoy all the yummy food I will prepare tomorrow and the rest of our time together.

We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family & friends! =0)

What A Mess!

So the other day, we came home to this:

Scotty had completely riped to shred 2 of the 3 flutterballs, and the feathers were everywhere! David and I just laughed when we saw it, Scotty has been playing with those things since he joined our family and it was just a matter of time before they were completely destroyed. I'm sure he was proud because on Saturday he did it again. Linda and I had run to the grocery store and he destroyed flutterball #3 while we were gone. Alas, all that remains are the balls themselves - I think we know what he'll be getting for Christmas. =0)

Scotty's 2nd favorite toy is Marty's tail. Marty has gotten so much smarter about it though. When he lays on the ottoman, or anywhere up high, he always tucks his tail in some fashion so it's not hanging off the edge and tempting his little brother.

The boys are getting along much better these days. They bathe each other more regularly and can even share a smaller space sometimes. Marty has rejoined us in the bed each night, though he is still sleeping at David's feet instead of his head. Maybe he has just changed his mind and that's his permanent new place to sleep, who knows. I do think it's super cute that Scotty has taken to sleeping in the pillows on the guest bed - Vinny used to do that. Here's a few updated pictures for your viewing pleasure...

He LOVES to cuddle with his mommy!!

My trip to Richmond

So I headed back to Richmond for my first trip back to Virginia since we moved to Georgia in May of 2005. I had scored a cheap ticket just after my birthday and used my birthday money to buy it (thanks Mom & Momma!!). So on Wed 11/12, I took off for my trip. There are so many things I could share, but I'll try to keep this readable in one sitting. =) It was such a relaxing trip. I went to visit my dear friend Jennifer. She & I have a unique relationship that allows us to just pick up where we left off even if we haven't talked for months...though we try to not go that long between chats. She had come to visit in April after we moved and we had a great weekend then too. It's so enjoyable to get to share with my dear sister, pray with each other and enjoy each others company. We always take time to be silly and I just treasure any time we have together. It was such a great visit!

They had just moved in June into a new home and it was so great to get to see it now that they're settling in. And since I'd seen her last she has had a baby - Victoria (who is now 18 months!!) is just precious and made me laugh alot, though not as much as her older sister Rachel (who is now 5!) who had me in stitches so many times I thought I might wet myself! She is such a hoot and my favorite things were stories about her imaginary family...a family I would very much like to meet from the stories she tells! When she tells stories she also says "and I was like What the?" and the way she says it with this inflection in her voice is just priceless! I wish I had it on tape to share because you would want to meet her based on that alone. Of course, she is her mothers daughter so if you now Jenn, you wouldn't be surprised by Rachel. Jenn is a hoot in and of herself.

I was also blessed to get to see my friend, and former college roommate, Melissa. Jenn's mother-in-law graciously agreed to take Victoria on Friday and Rachel was heading to a friends house after school, so we got to head down to Williamsburg to meet Melissa for lunch and do some shopping at the outlets. We got some great finds (thank to my coupons!) and enjoyed a delicious lunch at Chili's together. Here's Melissa & Jenn at the coolest Yankee Candle store I've ever been in:

The visit was great, but too short. It was so great to get out there and meet Victoria and give Jenn lots of in person squeezes that we miss out on when we can only chat by phone. The only strange part about the visit was being back in VA. I miss it alot sometimes, but just the people - not the place. While we were in Williamsburg we heard the traffic report for Norfolk and they talked about the traffic being backed up to Granby St and I was a little misty - I used to live off Granby Street. I think I was just missing the folks that were so close to me but I didn't have the time to get to see. Who knows. ;) Here's a few more pictures from my trip:

Here I am with Rachel (5) & Victoria (18 mo), Jenn's daughters

Rachel telling Jenn a story at bath time

Rachel thinks she's hysterical, Victoria's not so sure...

This is one of Victoria's favorite things, she did this several times while we were together. =)

Almost big enough to escape.

Jenn & Victoria - that kid loves to be upside down! =)
Jenn & I serious shot. It had rained most of the visit, so we had to put a blanket down so we wouldn't get completely dirty.
Jenn & I being silly - this is actually normal for us. =)

So you may be wondering what David was up to while I was gone. He had volunteered to be a chaperone on the middle school retreat with your church. He had a great weekend in Coker Creek Village, TN...though was almost completely sleep deprived by the time he got home. Something about 40ish middle school boys without parental supervision not wanting to sleep even after the lights were out.

I thought I had food poisoning Monday night so I was out sick Tues & Wed recovering from that awfulness. Turns out it may have been a bug since I think I gave it to Bethany who got sick Friday morning. =( Anyway, by Tuesday night David was feeling pretty sick from the lack of sleep I think, so Wed we stayed home together and with the exception of the whole "you're losing your job thing" we found out about Wed night, by Thursday we were good as new. =)

Unemployment

First, I owe a recap from my trip to Richmond, which I'll do sometime this weekend I hope, but I know there are questions on what's up here, so here's the deal.

Yup, I lost my job. Wednesday night my boss called me and told me that our office was being shut down. Today is my last day and I'm currently finishing up the last minute admin stuff and cleaning out my office. I'm surprisingly ok with it. I'm going to file for unemployment while I search for something else, though I'm not sure what that something else will be. I haven't had the time I had hoped to finish preparing to launch my photography business, so that will definitely be a high priority and I want to find something that is far less stressful than this job has been.

David is doing well with this too, though I think everyone is surprised (me included) by how at peace I am with all of this. I know the Lord has a plan and I rest in that despite the lack of understanding. I haven't shed any tears and I'm looking forward to turning in this blasted laptop and cell phone which have been permanently attached to me since Jan when I started this gig. I also take solace in the fact that Bluegreen (where I was working for the first 2 1/2 years we lived here) closed in Sept, so at least I got 2 more months than I would have had.

If you have any leads or suggestions, I'm open to it. Post a comment for me. If you know someone who needs a photographer, let me know that too...I'll be available - ha! =) I'll keep you all posted as we go through the next few months and we certainly covet your prayers.

So that's it! I'm at peace. I trust the Lord's plan. And most importantly, I am so looking forward to a stress-free holiday!

xoxo,
Red

Halloween & More Fall Fun!

On Friday, we took a 1/2 day so we could vote before we headed out of town. After arriving to a 5+ hour line, we decided to leave and head up early to Dayton to visit with Chris, Carol & all the kiddos for a short trip. Bennett's 6th Birthday was the 27th and we missed his party last weekend since I was on my retreat, so we wanted to head up and visit with them and celebrate his birthday & Halloween together. We got in early enough to hang out for a bit before eating dinner and getting the kids ready to trick or treat. That also meant we were there for the pumpkin carving - we made the boys stick their hands into "the pulp" (as Bennett kept reminding us that's what it's called) which they thought was gross. It was funny though. =)

Here are Bennett & Wilson helping Chris carve the pumpkin:

Afterwards, we had a yummy white chili that Carol had made in the crock pot that was fantastic - now I've got another recipe...woohoo! Then it was finally time for the much anticipated trick or treating.

Here's Tinker Bell, your friendly neighborhood Fireman & of course Optimus Prime with daddy ready to trick or treat.

Trick or treating on their street was kind of a bust, apparently the older folks that live around them just don't participate in trick or treating... At least the downtown was having their Pumpkin Festival and all the kids were welcome to come trick or treat in the stores. So, Chris & I headed down with our 3 costumed kiddos and left David & Carol home with Anne to hand out candy to the whopping 4 kids they had come by. While we were at the festival, the kids saw this train ride they wanted to go on, so we bought some tickets and off we went. They had a great time and Chris & I enjoyed it too...$5 well spent! =0)

Here's Chris & Mae, then Bennett & Wilson in their train seats:

David also wanted to stay behind so we could scare the kids when we got home with his scary outfit. Spoiler alert - it worked, but Carol didn't have her camera to take pictures since Chris had taken it with us!! Oh well. Mae was the only one who was scared, but once she saw it was Uncle David under that mask, she let him hold her and everything. It was great fun!!

The next morning we got up and hung out until about 11. After David had his shower, I went back to get dressed and Wilson & Mae followed me. I, for some reason, decided to toss Mae onto the mattresses, then Wilson and Bennett came running in and jump down - he's not at all one to miss ANY of the fun - and it was on. David then plowed down onto the mattresses too and it was a free for all of "Tickle ME!" and "Stop, Stop, I need a break!" while Uncle David, who ALWAYS becomes a personal jungle gym for our brood of nieces and nephews, played along. Here's just a few of the many pictures I took of all the fun:

Bennett asking for a break

Wilson enjoying a moment of freedom while Mae gets tackled

Mae climbed up into the crib & got her baby out...then wouldn't put her down!

Uncle David, still smiling!

After much wrestling fun, we headed out to Wooden's Apple Orchard for some yummy apples., and we weren't left disappointed...3 bushels later we headed out after we all had a yummy apple treat.

Here's Mae, Bennett (holding Anne) & Wilson at the orchard, just outside the barn:

I just loved this picture of Wilson. David was spinning all the kids around and when it wasn't Wilson's turn he was spinning himself. Too cute!!

We were so close to Pikeville, we decided to head down into the Valley for lunch. It was so beautiful!! The little 50's Retro diner was so fun, yummy, and CHEAP! which is always great. Then after lunch there was this AWESOME park around the corner we hit so Anne could eat and the kids could burn off some energy. I say this park is AWESOME because it was. They had 2 really cool things for adults (well I guess for kids, but totally for adults too)...a zip line type thing and an awesome 4-seater see-saw. We did both and all had fun.

Here is Bennett at the top of the ladder climb

...Mae enjoying the see-saw with me

...and David on the Zip Line thing - too awesome

When it was time to head home, Carol & I drove the Car and the hubby's took the kiddos home in the van. We stopped at various points along the way and captured this beautiful fall glorious-ness...enjoy!!

Before we left, I got to enjoy some snuggling time with Anne. I had to include both pics because they were both too cute!!

When we got home, David & Bennett went for a walk and stumbled upon the Bryant Rugby game which was ending and making way for the Soccer game. Chris, David, Bennett, Wilson & Mae headed out to the game and Carol & I stayed home because Anne needed to eat and I needed to get packed up. They had a great time and Carol & I enjoyed more sisterly hang out time which is always special too. We headed out after dinner and a great time. =) It was a shorter trip than usual since we were selfish and wanted to be in our own beds to "fall back". It was worth it, we both felt great after all that fabulous sleep! As always, we had a wonderful time with our family and can't want to see them again!

BTW - we did vote this morning. We got up at 5:30am and made it to the polling place with blankets, chairs, and books just before 6. At 7:45 we were both done voting - it was far less painless than I thought it'd be!