So... I have committed myself to learning how to knit. My potential closest friend in town emailed me about taking a pumpkin class at the local knit shop: Imagiknit... so, I marched down there on Thursday; picked up the basic tools (knitting needles, yarn and "How to Knit") and came home rather satisfied at my adventure... I have committed myself to attending hte shop on Monday nights, when Karla, the owner; holds "How to Knit" classes... So there. I will learn something new. I will meet new people. I will put myself out there.
And then, Steven and I attended The Listening Room on Friday night. Fantastic musician named Leesha Harvey performed. Check her out on youtube.com; or at leeshaharvey.com. She's fairly local and rather good. It was a new experience for us... and we were not disappointed!
And, I'm going to learn how to bead... from Carla at Beads and Botanicals (beadsandbonicals.com); because, as she says, "Sometimes you just gotta bead." And she creative, and has great ideas that will become amazing Christmas presents!
So... we're getting out there... and meeting new people... have met another clergy family... Valpo grads and LCMS, but I think they might play well with others! And today, we recieved and invite from another clergy couple to come over this Friday and get acquainted with others around our same age!
Things are going well... I'm a bit scatter-brained to getting my chores done... need to tackle the bathroom... MUST tackle the bathroom!
New Washer and Dryer arrive in 11 days and counting. Happy 3rd Anniversary to us!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Catch Up
Although I'm not sure I can completely play catch-up; as I didn't realize it'd been so long since I last published a post... let me do a quick summary...
We've moved to Hastings. The move went incredibly smooth... no complaints from me, yet!
Day after the move occured, we flew to North Carolina for a week's vacation to see Steven's family. Got back, and reacclimated to our new world.
Mom, step-dad and sister have all gotten through town already... let's just say that we were glad to see them; but after five days of family, we shooed them off and returned to our version of normalcy.
Steven's dove right into work... we've been to church twice, two Ladies Circles for bible studies, numerous other meetings and even taken in the local high school football game...
the cat has adjusted... I'm getting my resume out to the locals and having fun meeting a million people.
I'm totally taking in the yoga that is offered at church twice a week... love the health benefits...
it's been cold and rainy the past week or so, not to mention the wind and the fall weather is quickly turning to rather brisk and chilly... trying to get out into the sunshine and exercise is a priority...
last night we made our 2nd largest purchase in marriage history: the washer and dryer. I'm totally stoked about them... we went with the Kenmore Duet Washer/Dryer. Top loader washer, without the center agitator and thus, 4.5 cubit feet of room... and only uses 18 gallons of water per load (compared to the conventional 40 gallons). And it holds a formerly typical three loads of laundry. The dryer's biggest selling point is the steam feature, which we deemed very necessary after Steven came home in his cleric from a home visit some months ago, and was smoky smelling... eek!
So... they will be delivered on our anniversary... happy anniversary to us!!!
We've moved to Hastings. The move went incredibly smooth... no complaints from me, yet!
Day after the move occured, we flew to North Carolina for a week's vacation to see Steven's family. Got back, and reacclimated to our new world.
Mom, step-dad and sister have all gotten through town already... let's just say that we were glad to see them; but after five days of family, we shooed them off and returned to our version of normalcy.
Steven's dove right into work... we've been to church twice, two Ladies Circles for bible studies, numerous other meetings and even taken in the local high school football game...
the cat has adjusted... I'm getting my resume out to the locals and having fun meeting a million people.
I'm totally taking in the yoga that is offered at church twice a week... love the health benefits...
it's been cold and rainy the past week or so, not to mention the wind and the fall weather is quickly turning to rather brisk and chilly... trying to get out into the sunshine and exercise is a priority...
last night we made our 2nd largest purchase in marriage history: the washer and dryer. I'm totally stoked about them... we went with the Kenmore Duet Washer/Dryer. Top loader washer, without the center agitator and thus, 4.5 cubit feet of room... and only uses 18 gallons of water per load (compared to the conventional 40 gallons). And it holds a formerly typical three loads of laundry. The dryer's biggest selling point is the steam feature, which we deemed very necessary after Steven came home in his cleric from a home visit some months ago, and was smoky smelling... eek!
So... they will be delivered on our anniversary... happy anniversary to us!!!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Reality of Unemployment
Really yesterday was my first day of unemployment, since Monday was Labor Day. And I'm doing the best at maximizing what this allows me to do... sleep in late is the #1 best feature of this predicament!
Never fear, I did go walking with the gals this morning; and I'm doing my best to be motivated to get packing... am cleaning out stuff, finding stuff to pitch/donate/give-away. Which in all reality is my main reason for being home... to prevent us from packing everything that we've had FOREVER!
Last night, I came across the most hysterical box of stuff. Let me preface by saying that I have all of my childhood things... neither parent is still holding onto my most precious jr. high notes from boys; or my homecoming mums, or my letter jacket. I have them all. So, therefore, I am allowed more boxes of never to be unpacked stuff then my spouse. Right? Ok, so last night, I opened up a box and found my cassette tape collection. Yes, collection. Mostly of Amy Grant (when she was a Christian singer); Duran Duran, in the early years, and the Beatles... more entertaininly were taped tapes from B93 radio station in Austin, Texas.
So, I played as if I were on "Clean Sweep" and I only allowed myself about a 1/3 of the collection... things I really would still listen to (as i have a tape player still in my car!). And the rest are headed elsewhere... now, in that box were also a load of 3 1/2 disks for the computer. I flipped through the picture ones on the computer (routing several to my facebook.com page) and will be tossing the rest. I laughed when I realized they only hold 8 pics per disk... and now we have thumbdrives that hold bazillion at a time!
So, today... I continue the cleaning quest... sending more items to the youth garage sale; and more items to Mr. Trashman.
Never fear, I did go walking with the gals this morning; and I'm doing my best to be motivated to get packing... am cleaning out stuff, finding stuff to pitch/donate/give-away. Which in all reality is my main reason for being home... to prevent us from packing everything that we've had FOREVER!
Last night, I came across the most hysterical box of stuff. Let me preface by saying that I have all of my childhood things... neither parent is still holding onto my most precious jr. high notes from boys; or my homecoming mums, or my letter jacket. I have them all. So, therefore, I am allowed more boxes of never to be unpacked stuff then my spouse. Right? Ok, so last night, I opened up a box and found my cassette tape collection. Yes, collection. Mostly of Amy Grant (when she was a Christian singer); Duran Duran, in the early years, and the Beatles... more entertaininly were taped tapes from B93 radio station in Austin, Texas.
So, I played as if I were on "Clean Sweep" and I only allowed myself about a 1/3 of the collection... things I really would still listen to (as i have a tape player still in my car!). And the rest are headed elsewhere... now, in that box were also a load of 3 1/2 disks for the computer. I flipped through the picture ones on the computer (routing several to my facebook.com page) and will be tossing the rest. I laughed when I realized they only hold 8 pics per disk... and now we have thumbdrives that hold bazillion at a time!
So, today... I continue the cleaning quest... sending more items to the youth garage sale; and more items to Mr. Trashman.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Last Day of Work
Today is Courtney's last day at the office. Mixed emotions. Most likely stemming from the fact that the actual move is weeks away; and it still seems rather surreal! And the fact that a job is not lined up in the new city... although most days, I'm releived as I really will appreciate having a few weeks or so to settle in, wander around the locate the important things: bank, post office, courthouse, city offices, coffee shop, grocery stores...
Last night, a dear family friend of mine came over for dinner... happened to be in town making church visits and stumbled upon my office. Absolute surprise and absolute blessing to catch up and show him our village... Tonight is dinner with our cohorts in ministry in Stanton County, the Stewart's. They have two fabulous girls, whom we have had the joy and delight of being around in those milestones of early elementary and getting to babysit when the parents need/want some time away! Definitely one family we're going to miss and wish to see in the future!
Other than that... it's a quiet Labor Day weekend at our house... amidst the boxes!
Last night, a dear family friend of mine came over for dinner... happened to be in town making church visits and stumbled upon my office. Absolute surprise and absolute blessing to catch up and show him our village... Tonight is dinner with our cohorts in ministry in Stanton County, the Stewart's. They have two fabulous girls, whom we have had the joy and delight of being around in those milestones of early elementary and getting to babysit when the parents need/want some time away! Definitely one family we're going to miss and wish to see in the future!
Other than that... it's a quiet Labor Day weekend at our house... amidst the boxes!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Moving... Maybe Not so Bad
Ok, so I must preface this that my best friend and her family have just arrived in The Netherlands for at least two years. That required packing up a house, and a 5-year old and moving items into storage, a 10 x 10 crate to arrive (SOMETIME), and deciding what to do with everything else... sell the cars, etc.
So... that makes a move to a city only 2 1/2 hours away, NOT SO BAD! We can purge if we want, or don't want. We can pack at our leisure (relatively, until the packers arrive to clean up our chaos); and we can take everything with us, if we please... and not worry about converting to European outlets. Now, I suppose that moving overseas might delight the heck out of Steven, for the fact of trimming the fat on what we have... but I do trim with every move!
So far, I've sent a car load to Goodwill; and ton o'clothes to the Youth Garage Sale stash... and don't think I'm done... I know there's much more just waiting to be hauled off... one man's trash is another man's treasure!
The moving company guy arrived today. Process should go rather smoothly and painless. We have an easy pack: two appliances, no boats or other toys of the such; no children and the extreme amount of stuff they bring; no outdoor furniture... good news is that the packer ADVISED Steven to pack his books! (I'm not even going there on that subject... I'm staying out of his office and letting him tackle that project.)
The countdown begins... our calendars fill up... and the anxiety and excitement increase.
I finish at my office this week, allowing plenty of time to get cracking on the house!
So... that makes a move to a city only 2 1/2 hours away, NOT SO BAD! We can purge if we want, or don't want. We can pack at our leisure (relatively, until the packers arrive to clean up our chaos); and we can take everything with us, if we please... and not worry about converting to European outlets. Now, I suppose that moving overseas might delight the heck out of Steven, for the fact of trimming the fat on what we have... but I do trim with every move!
So far, I've sent a car load to Goodwill; and ton o'clothes to the Youth Garage Sale stash... and don't think I'm done... I know there's much more just waiting to be hauled off... one man's trash is another man's treasure!
The moving company guy arrived today. Process should go rather smoothly and painless. We have an easy pack: two appliances, no boats or other toys of the such; no children and the extreme amount of stuff they bring; no outdoor furniture... good news is that the packer ADVISED Steven to pack his books! (I'm not even going there on that subject... I'm staying out of his office and letting him tackle that project.)
The countdown begins... our calendars fill up... and the anxiety and excitement increase.
I finish at my office this week, allowing plenty of time to get cracking on the house!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Moving to Hastings, Nebraska
So, on top of the deployment/non-deployment of my sister; the other exciting/big/suprising news of our lives is the decision to move to Hastings, Nebraska. Steven has accepted a call to serve as pastor at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Hastings. www.lcgs-hastings.com
We have spent the better part of the year in conversation, prayer and relationship with them, in order to best determine what their needs are for a new leader; and our needs for the next congregation for Steven to serve.
We hope, with the help and guidance of God and the Holy Spirit, that LCGS is the place for us to be. The most difficult part was last week, as Steven prepared an eloquent letter to our current members, telling them of his decision and the work of the Holy Spirit which is guiding him in a new direction. I'm incredibly proud to say that he is my husband... it's been a delight to walk with him through this journey!
So, we will depart from Stanton County on September 22, after saying our adieus and bidding our friends and family farewell... The journey never ceases to amaze us... and although we're given a few of the directions to how it will lead us... trust and guidance is about all we can go on... there is not GPS created for the life of ministry in the church.
We have spent the better part of the year in conversation, prayer and relationship with them, in order to best determine what their needs are for a new leader; and our needs for the next congregation for Steven to serve.
We hope, with the help and guidance of God and the Holy Spirit, that LCGS is the place for us to be. The most difficult part was last week, as Steven prepared an eloquent letter to our current members, telling them of his decision and the work of the Holy Spirit which is guiding him in a new direction. I'm incredibly proud to say that he is my husband... it's been a delight to walk with him through this journey!
So, we will depart from Stanton County on September 22, after saying our adieus and bidding our friends and family farewell... The journey never ceases to amaze us... and although we're given a few of the directions to how it will lead us... trust and guidance is about all we can go on... there is not GPS created for the life of ministry in the church.
Shout Out to United Airlines
So, the quick summary is that my sister is no longer deploying to Iraq. Just 2 weeks shy of the deployment, the military had a change of plans...
Here's what we had already decided... we'd all fly into Philadelphia, I'd shoot up to NYC to see old roommates and then meet the family back at the airport when they all got in. As a family, we'd go to Cape May, New Jersey for a few days of R&R before Steph's depature. Hotels, flights, cars, everything was booked/reserved/paid for.
Sunday night, Steph calls to let us know we're not coming to see her; she's heading back to Warren AFB, Cheyenne, Wyoming. Ok.
I was booked on United Airlines. I called in last night to the reservations desk, asked to speak with a manager, and was politely given to Simon. I explained the deployment situation, asked if there is consideration for military order changes in their cancellation policy; politely asked if fees could be waived given the circumstance. He quickly said, "No Problem, Mrs. Peeler. Please use your original reservation number in the future. There will be no fees accessed, no penalty or rebooking fee. Your original flight cost will be put toward your future flight. Should the next flight have a different price, the difference will either be refunded to you; or you would need to pay the difference. You may have to show correspondance for this flight change; but it shouldn't be a problem."
HOLY COW... is this the same airline industry that daily is getting jabbed at/ridiculed/degraded and seems to have the worse press coverage in the history of consumerism? I quickly called my folks to see how they came out with their respective airlines (in which I will not mention by name, as their experience was not quite as quick, expedient, clean and helpful...) If nothing else ever matters again, and when fares are comparable, I will choose United Airlines. If nothing else, but for their respect of our service men and women who have chosen a career in which to save and protect us, and the airline system (HELLO!!!!).
Here's what we had already decided... we'd all fly into Philadelphia, I'd shoot up to NYC to see old roommates and then meet the family back at the airport when they all got in. As a family, we'd go to Cape May, New Jersey for a few days of R&R before Steph's depature. Hotels, flights, cars, everything was booked/reserved/paid for.
Sunday night, Steph calls to let us know we're not coming to see her; she's heading back to Warren AFB, Cheyenne, Wyoming. Ok.
I was booked on United Airlines. I called in last night to the reservations desk, asked to speak with a manager, and was politely given to Simon. I explained the deployment situation, asked if there is consideration for military order changes in their cancellation policy; politely asked if fees could be waived given the circumstance. He quickly said, "No Problem, Mrs. Peeler. Please use your original reservation number in the future. There will be no fees accessed, no penalty or rebooking fee. Your original flight cost will be put toward your future flight. Should the next flight have a different price, the difference will either be refunded to you; or you would need to pay the difference. You may have to show correspondance for this flight change; but it shouldn't be a problem."
HOLY COW... is this the same airline industry that daily is getting jabbed at/ridiculed/degraded and seems to have the worse press coverage in the history of consumerism? I quickly called my folks to see how they came out with their respective airlines (in which I will not mention by name, as their experience was not quite as quick, expedient, clean and helpful...) If nothing else ever matters again, and when fares are comparable, I will choose United Airlines. If nothing else, but for their respect of our service men and women who have chosen a career in which to save and protect us, and the airline system (HELLO!!!!).
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