Thursday was nuts. Brandon received an email from his main broker... basically giving Brandon the boot, saying that he was making too much money for them to carry leverage on (which means this came from their higher-ups as Brandon's trading size being too big and thus too much risk for them to carry.) At first with all bad news, we were momentarily devastated. This broker and trading system is what we have lived off of for the past year and a half. So, it was basically like Brandon just got a huuuuuge salary cut. We do have jobs lined up at the Christian school, MCA; however, there could be a month (July) with no income; AND, we had planned on making a salary and SAVING a salary... Now, to most people this might be a striking blow that sends them into a tail-spin or downward spiral. We allow ourselves about 24 hours or less to have a pity party. During that pity party we (by we, I mean ME) cry, say a bad word or two, use sarcasm and hand guestures (usually raising our fist to the sky and shaking it at no one inparticular...). Brandon paces while I look through scripture. We cling tightly to each other and pray.
As I have written before, God has called Brandon and me to a crazy faith life. And, I do mean crazy-mad faith. This is only a speed bump. We slow down, creep gently over the bump - front tires, then back tires - then, we move on. We ask ourselves, "What is the worse that can happen right now?" And, for us, the worse that can happen is that we both go out and get full time jobs. This may sound odd to some, but for us we enjoy, savor and work hard to maintain our freedom; freedom from crazy schedules where both of us are running in 4 different directions all at once. Freedom from only seeing each other 30 minutes before bedtime each day. We cherish our life together; we cherish our TIME together. I remind Brandon over and over, especially when we hit speed bumps that I CHOSE to live this way. I'd rather be here toughing it out with him, than with some other man... or single and working on my own all the time.
After 24 hours, we then pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and move forward. Brandon already has a plan. We've been through this so many times that our faith and survival skills kick in. I believe that when things like this happen - something is stripped away - God replaces it with something even better. We have no reason to believe that he will NOT take care of us. All our lives he has provided for us - needs, wants and desires. God knows that we are ready for and are planning on children; and our children belong to him... so he will provide for them, thus providing for us so we can provide for them. (Did you follow that?) We are believing God for a house. A comfy place to live and begin raising our babies. It's coming. Expect good things, and a good report soon.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
On Broadway.
We are house hunting. This is my favorite so far. That's Grandpa with the cane and the wacky realtor on the porch, and of course my sweet hubby with the notebook, ever ready to take notes! This house is over 100 years old, but has been well kept up and renovated along the way.
We love the porch!! And we would use it. We enjoy eating out side, or sitting
on the porch with our morning coffee!!
Here is a pic of the inside. Gorgeous hardwood floor and high ceilings. We both felt at home in this house. It has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, large living/dining area, lotsa porch, small retro kitchen, office, laundry room, small garage, and small yard... The folks that are selling the house are headed to Germany to be missionaries once it sells. I really, really liked this house. We both did. I am praying for this house, or something better. I'll keep you posted!
Oh, and if we did buy this house, it's on North Broadway street.
FINALLY, I'd be on Broadway!!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Not Approved
As I may have mentioned before, Brandon and I are living with his maternal grandparents, (who are divorced, but live together. Yes, they have separate bedrooms. No, neither one of them has dates or brings home a "friend." They argue occasionally, but Grandma takes care of Grandpa, who is in his late 70s and needs her help. It's odd, but works for them.) Living here is actually quite comfortable. Maybe too comfortable. HA! Grandma fixes dinner every night, esp. for Grandpa who needs to stay on a schedule for his medications. They have a wonderful furnished basement, which is where Brandon and I hang out the most, and convert into our "gym" when we work out. He has his office space down here, and there is a flat screen TV. Nice. I believe Grandpa, especially, has enjoyed the company. He does not go out or do much, and I think he has enjoyed having us here to distract him. I know we are here to show God's love to him, as he is not saved. (Please keep Gerry Rugs in your prayers for salvation! We believe it's coming!)
We have been looking for a house to buy. Grandpa has been on that like a duck on a June bug. He has searched paper after paper. Then he researches the distance from here in Warsaw or from our work; gas prices, you know. We tease him that he wants to kick us out, but he vehemently denies it. He just loves puzzles and finding things. Grandma says that if we really want him to drive us nuts, we need to tell him we are looking for a car to buy! ha!!
We looked at a couple houses in South Whitley, which is only about 16 miles from church/work. I really liked this one on Maple Street. It says it has 5 bedrooms and 2 baths, but it's more like 4 rooms downstairs and 4 bedrooms upstairs. It's really old, but has gorgeous potential - for filling it up with babies! and more cats! (Margo, some of the space reminded me of your house... what I've seen...) It has a wonderful privacy fence in the back yard, a porch on front and back. Lotsa good things, but... it would need some work. AND it would cost more gas to drive back and forth. The town of South Whitley is very small and very quaint and cozy.
Wednesday we went to a mortgage company to be pre-approved for a loan/mortgage. No go. We do not qualify because our debt to income ratio is too high. We knew this going in. Our debt is high because Brandon uses debt as leverage when he trades currencies, which is how he makes our income. Plus, he has not been trading full time for two years. They take the average of those two years, which would put his average income to like $15, 000 or less, thus making the debt to income ratio high. So, if we wait til January, after doing taxes, that $15,000 will be more like $35,000... which is way better. ANYWAY, if none of this makes any sense, don't worry about it. I let him keep it all straight; that's what he does. So, bottom line: we did not qualify for a loan/mortgage, yet. But, we do have a plan. I'm not sure how long we will stay with Grandma 'n Grandpa, but I have a feeling it may be all summer, which seems to be fine with all involved.
Tilly and Mareth-Dale have settled in. They are not too sure about Grandpa or Grandma. Both have rather booming voices, so the girls have remained a bit skittish. When Grandpa is in his favorite chair, they both walk waaaay around him, as if to avoid getting too close, incase he may do or say something. He is orignially from Chicago, so he has a tough-guy, gangster voice. I asked him once if he was ever in the Mob, but he denies any connections. I suppose he would even if he were connected. I think he knew or met Al Calpone, but then again, I have a wild and vived imagination.
The other day Grandma was vacuuming. It's a small "Swiffer"-type electric vacuum that is not nearly as noisey as my huge hummer vac. Mareth has never really run from the vacuum; she just merely stays out of it's way. I think the small Swiffer vac made her curious, and jumpy all at the same time. She was watching Grandma vacuum, then turned around and there, right in front of her was Grandpa's tennis shoe-clad foot. Her feline instincts kicked in and before we could all count to three, she smacked Grandpa's tennis shoe-clad foot in three swift strikes with her furry, grey paw: BAM! BAM! BAM! We all laughed really loudly, and Grandpa said to Mareth, in his booming Chicago voice (above the sound of the vacuum), "What did I do to you???" Then for the rest of the day he mused over how she smacked his foot... and how he did nothing to deserve that... Really funny.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
P90X Update: We are still going strong! We are almost finished with week 5! I've lost 8lbs and almost two inches off my waiste and thighs. My arms and back are gaining definition! Other than being a bit sore now and then, I feel great! My plan is to keep doing this even if it takes longer than 90 days to get the results I want. Most people who start this program are already in really good shape. I was totally out of shape, so it will take me a bit longer. Brandon is looking great! He's lost two inches off his waiste, and he is gaining muscle. At the end of the sumer, we plan to go to a water park as a reward for our hard work. By then, I plan to be more comfortable with the idea of shopping for a new bathing suit!!
We have been looking for a house to buy. Grandpa has been on that like a duck on a June bug. He has searched paper after paper. Then he researches the distance from here in Warsaw or from our work; gas prices, you know. We tease him that he wants to kick us out, but he vehemently denies it. He just loves puzzles and finding things. Grandma says that if we really want him to drive us nuts, we need to tell him we are looking for a car to buy! ha!!
We looked at a couple houses in South Whitley, which is only about 16 miles from church/work. I really liked this one on Maple Street. It says it has 5 bedrooms and 2 baths, but it's more like 4 rooms downstairs and 4 bedrooms upstairs. It's really old, but has gorgeous potential - for filling it up with babies! and more cats! (Margo, some of the space reminded me of your house... what I've seen...) It has a wonderful privacy fence in the back yard, a porch on front and back. Lotsa good things, but... it would need some work. AND it would cost more gas to drive back and forth. The town of South Whitley is very small and very quaint and cozy.
Wednesday we went to a mortgage company to be pre-approved for a loan/mortgage. No go. We do not qualify because our debt to income ratio is too high. We knew this going in. Our debt is high because Brandon uses debt as leverage when he trades currencies, which is how he makes our income. Plus, he has not been trading full time for two years. They take the average of those two years, which would put his average income to like $15, 000 or less, thus making the debt to income ratio high. So, if we wait til January, after doing taxes, that $15,000 will be more like $35,000... which is way better. ANYWAY, if none of this makes any sense, don't worry about it. I let him keep it all straight; that's what he does. So, bottom line: we did not qualify for a loan/mortgage, yet. But, we do have a plan. I'm not sure how long we will stay with Grandma 'n Grandpa, but I have a feeling it may be all summer, which seems to be fine with all involved.
Tilly and Mareth-Dale have settled in. They are not too sure about Grandpa or Grandma. Both have rather booming voices, so the girls have remained a bit skittish. When Grandpa is in his favorite chair, they both walk waaaay around him, as if to avoid getting too close, incase he may do or say something. He is orignially from Chicago, so he has a tough-guy, gangster voice. I asked him once if he was ever in the Mob, but he denies any connections. I suppose he would even if he were connected. I think he knew or met Al Calpone, but then again, I have a wild and vived imagination.
The other day Grandma was vacuuming. It's a small "Swiffer"-type electric vacuum that is not nearly as noisey as my huge hummer vac. Mareth has never really run from the vacuum; she just merely stays out of it's way. I think the small Swiffer vac made her curious, and jumpy all at the same time. She was watching Grandma vacuum, then turned around and there, right in front of her was Grandpa's tennis shoe-clad foot. Her feline instincts kicked in and before we could all count to three, she smacked Grandpa's tennis shoe-clad foot in three swift strikes with her furry, grey paw: BAM! BAM! BAM! We all laughed really loudly, and Grandpa said to Mareth, in his booming Chicago voice (above the sound of the vacuum), "What did I do to you???" Then for the rest of the day he mused over how she smacked his foot... and how he did nothing to deserve that... Really funny.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
P90X Update: We are still going strong! We are almost finished with week 5! I've lost 8lbs and almost two inches off my waiste and thighs. My arms and back are gaining definition! Other than being a bit sore now and then, I feel great! My plan is to keep doing this even if it takes longer than 90 days to get the results I want. Most people who start this program are already in really good shape. I was totally out of shape, so it will take me a bit longer. Brandon is looking great! He's lost two inches off his waiste, and he is gaining muscle. At the end of the sumer, we plan to go to a water park as a reward for our hard work. By then, I plan to be more comfortable with the idea of shopping for a new bathing suit!!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Updates & Random Shots.
(above) Mareth-Dale & Tilly in their crates, drugged up for the trip North. (below) Tilly, despite being given meds to calm her down for the trip, made squeaky-meow sounds for the entire 7 and a half hours of the trip. She laid on her back, chewed on the metal cage doors and reminded us why we never, ever take her anywhere! Our car was packed to the brim! We left all our stuff in storage in Kentucky, packed the car full and headed to Warsaw, IN, where we are currently living with grandparents, which is going quite well. We have our own space, and the girls are adjusting, although neither of them are too sure about Grandpa. His booming voice is a bit scary, so when he is sitting in his chair, they walk waaaaaay around him. Kinda funny...
Me 'n my kitty. Mareth-Dale yet again "helping" me with packing.
Our former residence. We both miss this place. We are in the process of looking for a place to live, rent or buy. We are hoping for a really sweet deal on a heavily discounted foreclosure, or a really good rental. We will see what happens....
Mareth-Dale helping me pack.
Adam Stigall. Adam was in my first ever English class, my first year teaching at Williamsburg High School. We practically grew up together. I gave him detention for using sign language behind my back! He was also Benvolio in our amazing production of Romeo & Juliet. He is now 25 and will start his third year of law school this fall. No, he does not make me feel old! It is such a blessing to have former students who remain close, personal friends! (Ladies, he's single!!)
Rachel Patrick and my little brother Luke Edwards sitting on the porch swing at Mom 'n Dad's.
Random shot of my feet.
Rachel Patrick will soon be Dr. Rachel Patrick! She is getting her doctorate in psychology.
I think I will call her Dr. Rach.
Now that we are here and have settled and rested a bit AND have fast internet access, I will do my best to post more updates. A quick update on P90X: we are still going strong. This is our 4th full week and considered our "recovery week", which means that we are not doing any weight lifting, mainly stretching, yoga and cardio. I've lost 6 lbs total, which might be disheartening, BUT I can tell I have lost inches off my waist and posterior, AND I can tell my legs and arms are shapening up! Whoo Hoo! Hubby is lookin' mighty fine as well! Yesterday I sooo did NOT want to work out. It was a new workout, and blah, blah, blah... I just did not want to do it. BUT, I "showed up." Brandon and I worked out together. It was actually a really good workout, and I actually felt stronger than I have before! It's exciting! (More to come...)
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