MELTDOWN!!!

Almost literally, actually! LOL

Indeed the fridge has died and so Jeff and I went fridge shopping on Saturday. That was loads of fun! (not) We found a good deal on a replacement and though it's a bit smaller than our old one (narrower, not shorter), it seems to be in decent shape and working fine. So most of our food was salvaged thanks to the deep freezer (thank you, Mommy! She gave us that as a Christmas present a few years ago) and the ice chest.

We went to church Sunday morning and Ernie preached another AWESOME message on Matthew 18--my biggest pet peeve! The only problem I have with the "go and show" is sometimes you don't know who to "go and show" to! Cowardly tattletales generally like to remain anonymous and their identities are protected by pastors who like to sweep everything under the rug and pretend there are no problems. So I guess I'm stuck with letting love "cover" it. Just when I think I have let it go and have forgiven, something will remind me that instead it is something I have to make a conscious choice to do daily. So I'm working on it. But I'm so glad it appears that our new pastor will not be the type to pat people on the back, just telling them what they want to hear while "handling" it himself. Praise God for him! Now if I could only get Jeff to feel the same way. He's a revenge seeker by nature (as am I) and he isn't to the point where he can make that choice to let go and let God.

We spent most of Sunday afternoon cleaning out the garage and making a place to put our old fridge. If it can be fixed or miraculously begins to work again, I'll use it to store bottled water, etc. Actually, I'm already using it for that, even though it's not working! I just move a few bottles at a time to the "new" fridge.

Cleaning out the garage, even though I do this every few months, was a major undertaking. Dylan and Kayti helped. We got rid of a few things, rearranged everything else and managed to make everything fit pretty well.

The "new" fridge being narrower gives us a few more inches in the kitchen. And I moved my sewing table and cabinet into my bedroom to give us even more space in there.

I must have been in one of my organizing/decluttering moods because then I hit the living room and decided to get rid of my couch. And no, I don't have another yet and no plan to get one anytime soon. (way, WAY down on the Quick Family Wish List). I have a love seat, a queen anne chair and my glider rocker in the living room which is plenty for us to sit on and it makes for more space in that room as well.

I'm trying to reconcile myself to the fact that I am stuck here (probably) for another three years until Dylan graduates. I don't want to buy a house here. We want to move on out to Argo/Springville/Margaret or possibly even Moody/Odenville but we can't do that until Mr. Clay-Chalkville agrees to homeschool or graduates. And we certainly couldn't find anything else to rent around here for what we pay and have as great of a landlord as we've been blessed with so, looks like we'll be calling this place home for awhile longer. That's fine. If it's going to be home, may as well work on making it feel more that way as much as possible.

Anyway, enough of the reorganizing chatter.

I was thankful that for once we happened to have a little in savings to take care of the fridge problem when it happened. Normally, we are always flat busted broke when something major happens. Well, now we are wiped out again! LOL So we're into major penny-pinching mode, eating leftovers and cutting dryer sheets in half! That's okay, too. We'll continue the climb.

Yesterday, Brooke had to dance at a Labor Day festival and then I had to work it. We had a good time but were exhausted when we left so we went home and took a nap. We didn't bother to try and go swimming because of the overcast and threat of rain (in addition to being tired) and now our "neighborhood" pool is closed for the season. :(

Today was CORE and I've been checking on Kayti's grades. She's doing pretty well and the only things that are bringing her grades down a bit are the things that she "forgets". So I attempted a talk about remembering to do what we are responsible for. Yes, we all forget from time to time but we can't keep using excuses when we do. We have to eventually figure out a way to NOT forget. *sigh* that only led to a major meltdown. I swear that child is wound so tight! Of course, now it's MY fault because I signed her up for CORE in the first place. Forget about the last two weeks and how she's gone on and on about how much she likes it! LOL So I'll be playing the role of "mean mommy" for the rest of the evening, I'm sure and who knows how long after that.

Work went well today. We did an experiment/activity on sugar and salt and it was a hoot to hear the things those little ones had to say. I'm sure the parents will get a kick out of it when they see the posters.

We did decide not to do Camp Fire this year. That was very hard to do. We have really really enjoyed the last four years and have had some amazing experiences. But we just can't do everything.

See!? I DO say no sometimes! (actually a lot!)

As much as I hate to see summer come to a close, I'm looking forward to Fall. That is probably my favorite season (except that it reminds me Christmas is around the corner and although I love Christmas, I HATE Christmas shopping and being reminded that I need to get it done soon! aaaaaggghhh!!!) I love the cooler weather, the smells of warm apple cider and pumpkin spice and of pine and burning campfires. I love Halloween and Halloween candy and treats you only see around this time. I love football!!!! Roll Tide Roll!! That was the most awesome game! And you Auburn and UAB fans need to get over yourselves. If your team is so great, why don't you talk about that instead of whining because we are happy with our team and our coach?!

And we did get to see the inlaws new house, which is quite nice, even if it's not my taste. I'm glad they're happy.
I'm off to cook chicken casserole for dinner that no one else really likes but me. But hey, if it's my night to cook, I get to choose, right?


Blessings,