So tonight, we accepted an invitation from a local Presbyterian pastor and his family; to come for dinner and hang out with other 30-somethings... who are also pastors.
So, the crew was John and Meg with Robbie and Ellie; and Paul and Emily, Moses, Phoebe and Oliver. (eliminating last names for the privacy of them... not necessarily myself!)
We had a delightful evening... the only requirement was to not wear "Preacher" clothes... Dinner, conversation and lots of laughs due to either life situational stories (gotta tell about yourself so your new friends will know a bit about you) or the kids who spent the evening playing very well together and then dressing up the parrot puppet with Robbie's clothes.
The best conversation went something like this.
"Momma, I'm four now... can people who are four use a knife?"
"With parent supervision, yes."
"Well, I cut the cake into pieces for me and the other kids.... and I put my hand on the end, not the sharp end, but the other..."
Like we all say, it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission... right?
Now, that conversation was preceeded by Robbie telling us that they were playing house and he was the baby, so he was coming out for plates, so they could eat dinner... and asking us for suggestions of what to eat... Silly me, threw out this elaborate menu (totally thinking they were planning a pretend meal...) His mother, the much wiser of the group, knew better... and was attempting to steer him away from the leftover cake that he really was planning on serving.
And so... we're making friends... slowly and one dinner date at a time... coincidentally, 4 of the 6 at dinner tonight are 34!!! Nice to find a group of young pastors in the same town... how often this group gets together... one never knows... we don't have the kids yet, to drag to a play date... but again... in time, in time!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Fall/Winter
So... the first threat of snowfall came and went this week... we survived... received a blowing of it; but nothing that deemed worthy of calling all of the relatives in to see it.
Good news this week... have a job offer. Most likely will be taking it.. will report in, once it's official! Unemployment fortunately/unfortunately ended earlier than I imagined...
Had my first Pampered Chef party in Hastings... it went great... met a handful of great gals and utilized the new style of PC show, where you gather around and make the recipe together... allowing folks to try the tools in 'real' time. We made a divine orange/cranberry bread pudding. I must admit that I only had 3 nibbles of it... that catch-22 of having to watch the waist line while watching the wallet line!
Kim was an awesome host... and I found out about several other PC consultants in the near area... which is nice to know of, especially in times of needing catalogs at the last minute, or hunting for discontinued items that they may have in stock!
As it's a Friday, Steven and I are going to run separate errands this morning; and then take in the Hastings Museum this afternoon... the Kool-Aid museum, the Lied Planetarium and the IMAX.
This weekend is the opening for Arsenic and Old Lace at the Hastings Community Theater (hastingscommunitytheater.com); and we'll be there for the Saturday performance. Very excited to see the quality of community theater that is here... stay tuned for my debut on the stage in Hastings... it will come, I assure you!
Good news this week... have a job offer. Most likely will be taking it.. will report in, once it's official! Unemployment fortunately/unfortunately ended earlier than I imagined...
Had my first Pampered Chef party in Hastings... it went great... met a handful of great gals and utilized the new style of PC show, where you gather around and make the recipe together... allowing folks to try the tools in 'real' time. We made a divine orange/cranberry bread pudding. I must admit that I only had 3 nibbles of it... that catch-22 of having to watch the waist line while watching the wallet line!
Kim was an awesome host... and I found out about several other PC consultants in the near area... which is nice to know of, especially in times of needing catalogs at the last minute, or hunting for discontinued items that they may have in stock!
As it's a Friday, Steven and I are going to run separate errands this morning; and then take in the Hastings Museum this afternoon... the Kool-Aid museum, the Lied Planetarium and the IMAX.
This weekend is the opening for Arsenic and Old Lace at the Hastings Community Theater (hastingscommunitytheater.com); and we'll be there for the Saturday performance. Very excited to see the quality of community theater that is here... stay tuned for my debut on the stage in Hastings... it will come, I assure you!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Learning and Trying New Things
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!
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!
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!
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