I lost a dear friend several years ago to a horrible car accident and I always get melancholy around Christmas. Josh was a friend to everyone, and I do mean everyone. He'd give the shirt off his back for anyone that needed it. I remember him being there for me several times I needed him. When one of our other friends had a bad car wreck on his graduation day, Josh rushed to Vanderbilt to be there. I could go on and on about the wonderful things he did but this blog isn't that big!
One of the hardest parts is that I pass by the spot where his accident was twice a day going to and from work and sometimes more. There is a lovely cross with his name on it. Some days I pass by and have happy thoughts and smile. Some days, like today, I pass by and get sad. Christmas gets me every time. You see, Josh was in his 20's when he died and he never got the chance to celebrate Christmas as a parent. He never will get that chance either. I look at my kids and think about how I'll slip Santa gifts in and what I would do if they woke up and found us "being Santa". My friend will never have that joy. He'll never see the wonderous smile on a childs face when they wake to see what Santa left and the cookies eaten.
His family... Oh, that gets me too. There are loving parents and 3 sisters that have to celebrate each holiday without their son and brother. There are neices and nephews that don't get to play with their new toys from their uncle. As a parent, I cannot fathom how empty it feels to see that empty seat that the Thanksgiving table. As a sister, I cannot imagine not having my sis to call when I'm having a bad day. As a friend, I cannot begin to understand why I can't call Josh when I need a shoulder to cry on.
Yes, I miss my friend but I will smile through the tears because I know that he is happy. He is in the presence of our Lord! He will celebrate Jesus' birth WITH JESUS!!! How amazing is that thought?! And it's that thought that puts a smile on my face when I begin to get sad. Yes, I miss my friend but I know I'll see him again someday and what a joyous day it'll be!
To Josh- I miss your smile, your laugh, your kindheartedness. But I'll see you soon and I'll hug your neck when I do! PS...tell Jesus happy birthday for me!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thanksgiving lunch with Kenzie
Today, my mom and I went to Kenzie's school to eat Thanksgiving lunch with her. It was pretty good food and even better company!
As you can see, she was pretty happy to see us
I believe the pie was her favorite part! lol
As you can see, she was pretty happy to see us
I believe the pie was her favorite part! lol
Monday, November 16, 2009
My beautiful daughters
Here are a few pictures I took of the girls last Sunday. They are wearing pillow case dresses that my sister had made for them from pillow cases her Grandmother made years ago. Cassidy is the little blonde, she's 5 and Kenzie is the dark haired beauty, she's 8.
The weekend
Finally, I have something good to post! I had a great weekend and honestly, there wasn't anything spectacular about it.
Starting with Friday, I was off work (I work 4 10's) so I got some housework and the grocery shopping done. I just love getting that done child-free! Then I went and had a nice lunch with my mom and sister at O'Charleys... shameless plug! lol. Friday night we had Girl Scouts which went nicely. Then home where we had lasagna roll ups for supper... yum-o!
Jim finally got a weekend off so Saturday we got up and just hung out at home for awhile. Then the girls and I ran errands while Jim rested. Kenzie went to her friend Isabella's to spend the night and we got Nana to take Cassidy... Yippee, a date night with my hubby! We went to Lebanon and ate at Outback. We were both somewhat disappointed and decided Outback isn't our fav anymore. Texas Roadhouse or Longhorn are much better. Then we saw Couples Retreat- very funny, a must see! Another shameless plug...
Sunday was church for the girls and I then home to work on the rental property. Ah, let me explain alittle more. We decided since we spent so much on the last contractor and got ripped off not to hire another. Jim has several friends that do carpentry and offered to help us finish it ourselves. We tried to call the old contractor to ask about our tubs and guess what? His phone is disconnected... Ahh, lovely! lol. So, anyway our recommendation for Christopher Michael Robinson aka Wildwood Builders out of Westmoreland/Gallatin area is NOT a good one. They had stomped several rooms ceilings before they quit but done it wrong so we spent yesterday scrapping it off to get ready to restomp it ourselves. Hopefully if we can work on it this week and weekend, it'll be move in ready in a few weeks. We got the painter lined up and just need to pick out the tile and a chandelier for the dining area.
What about that weekend was so great, you might ask? Working sounds like no fun at all, you say. But to me it was a perfect weekend with my family which is a rare occurance with the hours Jim's working lately. It's nice to stop and appreciate all the wonderful people God has blessed me with sometime. Everyone should do it... won't you now?
Starting with Friday, I was off work (I work 4 10's) so I got some housework and the grocery shopping done. I just love getting that done child-free! Then I went and had a nice lunch with my mom and sister at O'Charleys... shameless plug! lol. Friday night we had Girl Scouts which went nicely. Then home where we had lasagna roll ups for supper... yum-o!
Jim finally got a weekend off so Saturday we got up and just hung out at home for awhile. Then the girls and I ran errands while Jim rested. Kenzie went to her friend Isabella's to spend the night and we got Nana to take Cassidy... Yippee, a date night with my hubby! We went to Lebanon and ate at Outback. We were both somewhat disappointed and decided Outback isn't our fav anymore. Texas Roadhouse or Longhorn are much better. Then we saw Couples Retreat- very funny, a must see! Another shameless plug...
Sunday was church for the girls and I then home to work on the rental property. Ah, let me explain alittle more. We decided since we spent so much on the last contractor and got ripped off not to hire another. Jim has several friends that do carpentry and offered to help us finish it ourselves. We tried to call the old contractor to ask about our tubs and guess what? His phone is disconnected... Ahh, lovely! lol. So, anyway our recommendation for Christopher Michael Robinson aka Wildwood Builders out of Westmoreland/Gallatin area is NOT a good one. They had stomped several rooms ceilings before they quit but done it wrong so we spent yesterday scrapping it off to get ready to restomp it ourselves. Hopefully if we can work on it this week and weekend, it'll be move in ready in a few weeks. We got the painter lined up and just need to pick out the tile and a chandelier for the dining area.
What about that weekend was so great, you might ask? Working sounds like no fun at all, you say. But to me it was a perfect weekend with my family which is a rare occurance with the hours Jim's working lately. It's nice to stop and appreciate all the wonderful people God has blessed me with sometime. Everyone should do it... won't you now?
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Contractor update
Okay, here's the latest with the contractor drama I blogged about earlier. I did get ahold of him on the phone last week and it wasn't pretty at all. Several of my friends were in the car with me at lunch when he called. At one point, they were laughing so hard they couldn't breath! I'm pretty sure I threatened to kick his a$$. Real mature, I know. My excuse is that I'm a Taurus and we are mean and bull-headed. lol So I tell him off then my husband calls and pretty much does the same. He's saying his crew doesn't want to finish until they are paid. Seriously? This less-than-stellar guy wants me to pay everything without the job done? I didn't just fall off the turnip truck.
Then there's a discussion between him and my husband about the $3,000 worth of concrete we've already paid for that he's not poured in my driveway yet. Let me explain something here. We had a 24' wide garage built with TWO doors. We discussed the driveway being 10' wide until you get to the garage then it would widen to get in the doors. DUH! He says we never discussed that and he's only doing 10' wide all the way up which has it ending in the middle of each door. Who, I ask, in their right minds wants a driveway not wide enough to get in their garage? Do ya see how stupid this guy is being? All that is a civil matter as we had a contract so that'll be a long, drawn out process.
The remodel at the rental isn't in a contract though. This is where it gets good. We paid for most of the items needed for the remodel, including two tubs. What does the genius do but buy the wrong size. Um, ever heard of measuring first??? So he says he'll exchange them on the right size and took the tubs a few weeks ago. As you can guess, he never brought them back or the new ones. Soo, technically that's theft. (I work at a police dept so I know this technical stuff! lol). Guess what I'll be doing in the morning since I'm off on Friday? Yup, filing a report with the sheriff's dept and having them take out theft warrants on him.
Oh, will the drama ever end????? Check back to read the latest as it develops!
Then there's a discussion between him and my husband about the $3,000 worth of concrete we've already paid for that he's not poured in my driveway yet. Let me explain something here. We had a 24' wide garage built with TWO doors. We discussed the driveway being 10' wide until you get to the garage then it would widen to get in the doors. DUH! He says we never discussed that and he's only doing 10' wide all the way up which has it ending in the middle of each door. Who, I ask, in their right minds wants a driveway not wide enough to get in their garage? Do ya see how stupid this guy is being? All that is a civil matter as we had a contract so that'll be a long, drawn out process.
The remodel at the rental isn't in a contract though. This is where it gets good. We paid for most of the items needed for the remodel, including two tubs. What does the genius do but buy the wrong size. Um, ever heard of measuring first??? So he says he'll exchange them on the right size and took the tubs a few weeks ago. As you can guess, he never brought them back or the new ones. Soo, technically that's theft. (I work at a police dept so I know this technical stuff! lol). Guess what I'll be doing in the morning since I'm off on Friday? Yup, filing a report with the sheriff's dept and having them take out theft warrants on him.
Oh, will the drama ever end????? Check back to read the latest as it develops!
God still speaks; it's up to us to listen!
I am so excited that I serve such an amazing, loving, wonderful God!!!! I have to share my God moment from yesterday. Jim and I have been having a rough time lately. There are issues that go back years we are still struggling with and the added stress of "the contractor". (see other blogs about that issue) Plus Jim's working 7 12+ hour days. So anyway, I drive past a church every day that has a sign out front that has Col. 3:17 on it but the verse isn't listed. Now, you bible scholars may already know what that verse is. But I didn't and I've been meaning to look it up. Well, yesterday as I'm driving home and praying about the issues at hand, I notice that sign again. I kept driving and praying and something told me to look it up right then. Here I go, pulling over on the side of the highway in the semi-dark. I pull out my bible and flip to it. Col 3:17 says "And whatever you do,whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." What does that have to do with marriage, you ask? Ah, this is where my God gets so amazing! It wasn't Col 3:17 He wanted me to see. As I'm about to close my bible thinking "um, okay God, what was that?", I notice I had previously underlined the next three verses. Wanna guess what those verses say??? Okay, I'll just tell ya. Col 3:18 "Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord." Making sense? Col 3:19 "Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them." Now tell me that my God isn't loving and great! There He was,telling me that all would be okay if we just trusted Him. I immediately called my sister to tell her and texted Jim to tell him. Our issues and stresses didn't automatically go away but I did get such an overwhelming sense of peace. God didn't promise us we'd have perfect lives and always be happy. Matter-of-fact, He said just the opposite. We will have trials and tribulations and hard times, to bring us closer to HIM. I worshipped with my contemporary christian music on the way in this morning and I feel revived! Can I get an AMEN?!
AMEN!
AMEN!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Contractor drama
Okay, so we having some serious drama with our contractor. Let me explain just a little. We (mostly Jim) felt we needed a garage... funny this "need" arose after he bought a nice new Mustang but I digress...
Anyway we find this guy that gives us an awesome price along with sayin he can put the garage up (24' by 24') AND concrete our drive in just over a week. WAA WHO! What a great deal, right? WRONG! We signed the contract 5, YES FIVE, WEEKS AGO and our garage ain't finished. It's up and got the metal on it but the doors aren't hung or even on site and the driveway ain't done. Oh it gets better. We own rental property and about the same time we had to evict our renter because she trashed our house. Like to the point we just decided to gut it and start over. Do you see where this is going? Yes, like dummies we hired the same bone-headed contractor to remodel our rental house. In our defense, he had just started the garage and we didn't know he'd be such a slacker. SOOO, now we have a half completed garage AND half completed remodel job and our contractor is now MIA. We call, he doesn't answer; we text, he doesn't answer. He's removed all his tools.
"Call another contractor to finish", you say. Not so easy considering we've paid him for ALL the materials for the garage (doors included) AND all the money for the concrete thats yet to arrive. We've not paid for any of the labor costs yet but materiels we've paid for to do both jobs is around $10,000 already. We really can't afford to pay out alot more to finish either job. Plus, I REFUSE to buy another set of garage doors or more concrete.
I want to scream and yell at him but it'll do as much good as pissin' in the wind! I do have his business address so my next step is to go by there and see if anyone can tell me anything.
Does anyone know a GOOD, dependable contractor in Lafayette that'll finish my remodel job without ripping me off? I need that job done so I can get my sister moved in and start collecting rent again. Why my sister is going to rent from us is another story for another day.
Anyway we find this guy that gives us an awesome price along with sayin he can put the garage up (24' by 24') AND concrete our drive in just over a week. WAA WHO! What a great deal, right? WRONG! We signed the contract 5, YES FIVE, WEEKS AGO and our garage ain't finished. It's up and got the metal on it but the doors aren't hung or even on site and the driveway ain't done. Oh it gets better. We own rental property and about the same time we had to evict our renter because she trashed our house. Like to the point we just decided to gut it and start over. Do you see where this is going? Yes, like dummies we hired the same bone-headed contractor to remodel our rental house. In our defense, he had just started the garage and we didn't know he'd be such a slacker. SOOO, now we have a half completed garage AND half completed remodel job and our contractor is now MIA. We call, he doesn't answer; we text, he doesn't answer. He's removed all his tools.
"Call another contractor to finish", you say. Not so easy considering we've paid him for ALL the materials for the garage (doors included) AND all the money for the concrete thats yet to arrive. We've not paid for any of the labor costs yet but materiels we've paid for to do both jobs is around $10,000 already. We really can't afford to pay out alot more to finish either job. Plus, I REFUSE to buy another set of garage doors or more concrete.
I want to scream and yell at him but it'll do as much good as pissin' in the wind! I do have his business address so my next step is to go by there and see if anyone can tell me anything.
Does anyone know a GOOD, dependable contractor in Lafayette that'll finish my remodel job without ripping me off? I need that job done so I can get my sister moved in and start collecting rent again. Why my sister is going to rent from us is another story for another day.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Hello everyone! I have finally decided to join the 21st century and start my own blog. I never thought I had enough to say to have a blog but have realized that I have plenty to say! I'm sure some people would argue that I've always had too much to say!
Let me start with some personal information. My name is Melissa and I'm 30, married and a mom. My family and I live in a small town in TN, Lafayette. Please, I ask you, do NOT pronounce it like Lafayette, LA. We are country folk and we say it like laf-ette not la-fa-ette. It's 2 syllabols not 3 here. That being said, I type much like I speak so I may have to do a "redneck dictionary" on here somewhere!
As I said I'm married and have been for 7 years to the most wonderful man! He's put up with all my "craziness" like a pro so he's worth keeping around! Plus, he helps keep me grounded. We have two beautiful daughters, MacKenzie and Cassidy. Kenzie is 8 and she's the oldest. She looks just like me and, unfortunetely, acts just like me. She's a tomboy and don't care who knows. Cass, 5, on the other hand is the EXACT opposite! She looks like her father when he was young. Matter-of-fact, as soon as she was born I said "that can't be my child!". LOL. She's the most girlie-girl that I know. She's the sensitive one of the family. My girls keep me busy with school and Girl Scouts but I wouldn't trade it for anything in this big ole world!
I am a career gal. I am a certified crime scene investigator and work at a local police department. It has to be the perfect match for me and I'm thankful every day that I found my dream job! It truly makes getting up every day (or in the middle of the night) to go to work worthwhile. Working with police officers is different than any people I've worked with before but I feel 100% safe with my life in their hands on a daily basis. That fact alone makes us all like one big, happy family.
I think that's all for now... I'll begin posting regularly with stories, funnies and all sorts of goodness!
Blog On!
Let me start with some personal information. My name is Melissa and I'm 30, married and a mom. My family and I live in a small town in TN, Lafayette. Please, I ask you, do NOT pronounce it like Lafayette, LA. We are country folk and we say it like laf-ette not la-fa-ette. It's 2 syllabols not 3 here. That being said, I type much like I speak so I may have to do a "redneck dictionary" on here somewhere!
As I said I'm married and have been for 7 years to the most wonderful man! He's put up with all my "craziness" like a pro so he's worth keeping around! Plus, he helps keep me grounded. We have two beautiful daughters, MacKenzie and Cassidy. Kenzie is 8 and she's the oldest. She looks just like me and, unfortunetely, acts just like me. She's a tomboy and don't care who knows. Cass, 5, on the other hand is the EXACT opposite! She looks like her father when he was young. Matter-of-fact, as soon as she was born I said "that can't be my child!". LOL. She's the most girlie-girl that I know. She's the sensitive one of the family. My girls keep me busy with school and Girl Scouts but I wouldn't trade it for anything in this big ole world!
I am a career gal. I am a certified crime scene investigator and work at a local police department. It has to be the perfect match for me and I'm thankful every day that I found my dream job! It truly makes getting up every day (or in the middle of the night) to go to work worthwhile. Working with police officers is different than any people I've worked with before but I feel 100% safe with my life in their hands on a daily basis. That fact alone makes us all like one big, happy family.
I think that's all for now... I'll begin posting regularly with stories, funnies and all sorts of goodness!
Blog On!
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