Isn't it funny how time has a way of changing people. I am doing ok with school, but the classes that I thought would be a problem were a breeze, and the ones I thought would be easy I am struggling with. One of my classes is already over for the semester and I made an A in it; much to my surprize. The other two are pretty tough, but I think that I'll make it fine. The other thing that is interesting is for years I had this idea of what kind of job I should have, but I am now doing a job that even a year ago I would have told you that you were out of your mind if you said that I would be in this kind of position. The last one, that even makes me a little upset, is that for years people, even close friends, have told me that I struck them as a computer and video games city boy and not an outdoors type ountry boy. I actually blame it on the navy cause since I went in the service I haven't had the free time that I used to have, and neither do my friends. Of coarse, living in a new place makes it hard to make new friends. I apologize if this sounds depressing. I am actually quite happy, but just reflecting on how my circumstances have changed over the years. I do appreciate all the friends keeping in contact over the years. I will leave you all with a favorite quote of mine and see if any of ya'll know where it is from. "only the journey is written, not the destination" Good luck, and may God bless you in all that you do.
nah-i knew you when you lived on a farm-i know you're not a city boy-lol. i still remember that time i went over to your neighbors farm and I got to hold a lamb and play in the hayloft-i think i was like 8!
I am so proud of you Stephen! I burst my buttons when I think about and talk to Jehovah about you two. Y'all are one of the things on my list for "things to be thankful for..."
i firmly believe that only God truly knows what we are capable of, and He has a way of showing us how wrong we can be about ourselves sometimes. you're in my prayers this holiday season that all will be well with you and yours.
Our lives transitioning out of the navy have been very good to us. Rachael had just recently been promoted with walgreens and is now working only three miles away from our new house that we have only been in for a few months. Well new for me is that I was just promoted at work about a week and a half ago, and I am now the Quality Control Manager at one of our main pipe factories on the north end of b'ham. So I am working full time there, and now I have just started to go back to school. So I am taking three classes this semester. I am also teaching a class at our church during the week, trying to keep up with projects around the house, and of coarse keeping my better half happy. Whew.... There is still a small part of me that wonders if I have over extended myself. Well, so far so good, but the future will be able to tell us better. So in the meantime I will just say that I am blessed with work and thank Him for giving me this initiative.
You think you're too old? I feel like I'm stuck halfway between 'A' school and college. And I'm almost 30. Just took the 1st class exam for the 2nd time, wish me luck.
I would say you need to suggest Jon sell you that polaris, it needs a little TLC but it is a good rig. Thank you for the phone call again, sorry we missed you.
Stephen left not too long ago for Atlanta for his duty weekend. I already miss him, but it does give me a chance to catch up on some deep cleaning I put off when he's here. I really don't know the last time I washed my shower curtain liner (it used to be white). There's also a lot to catch up on at work- the holidays are coming, and our weekly shipments are getting steadily bigger. Inventory's in 2 weeks, and I've been having to sent out 2 employees every day to help with a new store down the road that opens on the 31st. My venting is over, thanks for listening.
I slept a little late today, so I didn't have time for breakfast. I rarely skip it, it's my favorite meal even if all I have is Fruit Loops. At work one of the girls bought a honey bun and it looked soooo good. Only $1! I bought one, and it was delicious. It really filled me up too, I could barely finish it. When I went to throw the wrapper away, I saw that this one little pastry had 42 grams of fat. What? I could have had a quarter pounder with cheese for breakfast instead. That honey bun lasted until dinner. A big achievement for a dollar. We should figure out how to dry freeze and shrink wrap them, then the astronauts could also use the spectacular qualities of honeybuns.
On the plus side, my sister and I are planning on going to the Southern Bridal Show at the BJCC on Sunday afternoon. Vendors come from all over the Southeast to show their stuff, and they bring samples and coupons. Good clean girl fun, and even though I'm already married, I look forward to all the fuss and flowers.
Hi Ray Ray!!! Miss you two like crazy. I am jealous of your pastry. I don't know how it is possible to eat 3 ounce pastry and gain 5 pounds. BUTT, sorry, I mean HOWEVER, I have lost 10 pounds over the last month and I am feeling so much better. 10 down, 20 to go. I read your blog and thought, holidays? What Labor Day is a big deal in Alabama?
It's been way too long since we updated- we have been so busy, we just got our Internet hooked up again last week. Stephen has been working a lot in Tuscaloosa, which is about an hour's drive away. Today was his first class at the local community college. He'll be taking 3 classes this semester and working full time, but the management at his company has been really great to accomodate his schedule. I got my promotion last week and am managing a store 3 miles from the house. So much better than the 50 miles I had to drive when we were in Cali! I now make my own schedule, so it's wonderful to have all my Sunday afternoons back to spend with the family.
Our "puppy" Bear is now a bear- at his 5 month checkup, he weighed 63 lbs compared to Dakota's 58 lbs. They have so much fun wrestling with each other, and it's a little funny to see Dakota give up so easily when he was the one attacking Bear just a couple of months ago.
Every so often Stephen sees turtles on his way to work. The first time he saw one in the road, he pulled over and helped it into a nearby stream. The second time he saw one in the road, he got off his bike, but had to wait for a car to pass before he could cross. Unfortunately, he had to witness a turtle casualty. He was pretty depressed for a few days. Last week, he was eating breakfast when he heard Bear attacking something in the backyard. Rather than have to clean something up later (eww), he decided to intervene before the situation got out of hand. What was in Bear's mouth? A cute little turtle, scared out of his little mind. This turtle had been shaken and rolled around and gnawed on and who knows what else... Stephen took him in the kitchen and put him in a bucket of water. A few minutes later, the turtle poked his head out. On the way to work, Stephen got to redeem himself by placing the turtle in the little stream. So according to Stephen, he's 2 for 3.
We have a friend that is a vet specializing in radiology currently that loves turtles. Well apparently one of his dogs years ago decided the turtle would be a good chew toy. He saved the turtle, but now has a turtle with a dent in its side.
Poor turtle! Although, I must admit the mental picture of Bear using the turtle like a chew toy is kinda funny. :)
So glad everything is going well for you guys!
Well, We officially did it, and bought our first house. Yesterday at about noon we closed on our new(well new to us) house. The whole day kind of went by in a blur and today is going to be no exception. It almost seems wrong that the years we spent saving money for the house and now all that money is pretty much gone. And that was only in just a matter of hours. So the last half of the day was spent getting supplies at lowes and then I was in the back yard doing a few projects and Rachael started painting the kitchen. We will try to get some pictures up soon. Wish us luck.
I looked at your house pictures - below - NICE! I'll trade you my house for your house. :) The money you saved for a house was certainly worth it! Sure hope all goes well with your painting, etc. Actually, I think you are pretty much done with that part. Hope all goes well with the rest of your moving in.
