We are on our Way!

We have arrived safely in Joplin, MO, and are spending the night here. I found the internet in our hotel and so I will drop you all a quick message.

We have traveled approximately 700 miles since we hit the road yesterday (Friday) at about 1:30 PM. Our closing was over in about 20 minutes and then we hit the road. How strange it all seems as last night we were in Normal, Illinois and now we are here. We drove for about 10 hours today and that was it. Mike (Papa) has to really keep an eye on the road and I have to keep my eyes on the map and help negotiate things. It took us quite a while to get out of Illinois yesterday as there was major construction and we kept getting off too soon before our exit and had to backtrack and get back on the tollway. It cost us $9.00 to leave Milwaukee and get on with our journey. We thought maybe we were supposed to go back to Milwaukee (now that would be silly). We can laugh about it now but it was c-r-a-z-y.

Bri, if you are reading this, I hope your arm feels better really soon. I am sorry that you broke you arm before school is out because now you will have to adjust to summer activities with a cast. Ally will help take care of you I'm sure. Don't forget to e-mail me and I will get back to you all when I can.

Well, we are going to get an early start tomorrow, and we are really tired. I may go to bed pretty soon. Have a great weekend and we will keep you all posted. Love and hugs, M&L

Three days and a Wakeup!

Mike started saying that when we were first married and were going on a trip or something and it always made me laugh! When we took Emma and Tobey to Florida last year, we had Emma saying that all week when we would plan something special to do . . .

Anyway, hope you all had a nice Memorial Day. We did some packing up and then spent the afternoon and evening with our good friends Tim & Caryn. We had some great food and fellowship and got to reminisce about our past years.

Today, Caryn and I are going on a 'sister' day to Cedarburg and the remainder of our donated/sold furniture is supposed to vanish from the premises so that we know exactly what we are taking with us to AZ.

We hope to see Angie, Bri & Ally tomorrow afternoon and then Doug and his crew for a little while Thursday afternoon after packing up the truck and finishing up the last odds and ends. We will be spending our final night here on Thursday by candlelight and will just have a good sleep and hopefully be ready for our great adventure on Friday! Mike is a nervous wreck and I am just trying to stay calm and not rock the applecart.

I have actually been pretty busy trying to squeeze in all my final good byes to friends and family and so that has taking some of my time, but he is just sitting around waiting to do the next thing and having way too much 'thinking' time. Poor guy.

The funniest thing happened this AM. We were sitting by the picture window just having coffee and talking (the coffee pot will definitely be the last thing to be packed, for those of you who know I am a coffee freak). Anyway, a male and female duck walked up to our front lawn and just sat there for about five minutes. Then they got up and waddled down the street. It was kind of cool to just see them so trusting and waiting, seemingly without a care in the world, before they took the next step. That is sort of like we are trying to be, patient and resting in the arms of the Lord as we wait for the next event to take place in our lives. Proverbs 3:5,6 says: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Here is a wonderful promise: "He, the Lord, will make your paths straight". (He shall direct thy paths.) That is the hope and promise that I am claiming today and for our journey. So, as I focus on that, I am off to get ready for my 'sister' time with my dear friend, Caryn. Have a blessed day everyone.

Here are some going away gifts for the Grandys!

Today is Saturday and we are just relaxing for a change. My sister and her husband stopped by to pick up the table that they wanted and so we had a good excuse to just sit and visit for awhile. I also decided to make a little project for the girls as I was missing stamping and scrapping and I wanted to make something special that the grandbabies could use while I was out of town.

I got the idea from Stamping Academy on their web site. I used assorted paper and baubles that I found lying around (as most of my stuff is already packed up). Thanks for looking at them. Tomorrow is my last Sunday at church and that will be a hard time for me as I will be seeing alot of people for the last time. I will just say, "see you later rather than good bye". Well, gonna go watch a movie with Mike. See you all around!

It's Thursday and We are Almost Done Packing!

We have made it almost to the end of the week. One week ago today, we were rummaging and now our house is almost empty. We have worked very hard this past week and today finished packing most of the kitchen. We are waiting for people to come and pick up their purchases so that we will have some room in the garage to finish putting our stuff out there. Our goal is to pack from the garage and not have to treps all through the house on moving day. That sounds like a good plan that Mike had.

Last night I went to supper with some friends and we had a nice time. It is always sad seeing people and having to say good bye for now. We are slowly but surely getting things in order. We are very sore and tired but we now see that there is some light at the end of the tunnel. Here are some pictures from Stone Fire Pizza the other night. I'll check back in later!

Tobey & Emma
Bri & Tobey
Jack & Ally
Elijah The Grandbabies

Well we only have 10 more days to pack!

We just got home from dinner with the kids at Stone Fire Pizza and had a really nice time. I will send some pictures once I find my cord to download my pics. Well, we are moving things out of the house into the garage and little by little we are on the move.

On Sunday night, Doug arranged for a going away party at church and our church family was all together to see us off. Doug sang a song to me and I made his day by crying. Then he, Emma and Tobey sang another song to the congregation. We got a scrapbook and some cards with gas money for our trip. What a neat group of people and I really appreciated all Doug's hard work and effort in arranging this fine evening. I had no clue and Emma and Tobey totally kept the secret from me all week!

We are so t-i-r-e-d. Today, Mike and I gutted the whole office and now the room looks really nice. Tomorrow, we will do the next room and so on and so forth. This Friday, a lot of the furniture we sold and the stuff for Goodwill will be gone and that will free up some space in the garage for the house stuff.

Eli, Tobey, Jack
Tobey, Emma
Doug presenting gift to us!
Singing to Mike & I

We need more boxes and I just can't believe how much stuff one can accumulate in one's life. We still need to downsize some and I just don't know what to do next. I think I will go to bed! That sounds like a plan, eh. Anyway, time is getting closer. Our closing is at 11:00 on Friday and then we will no doubt be outta town shortly thereafter. I will write again in a couple of days when we make some more progress. Love to all . . . L

Our Basement is Empty!

I am glad it is Saturday. Yesterday, was a dead rummage day, go figure! Today, we were up early so we set up early and now I am outside at 7:30 AM freezing to death. It is windy and cool, but hopefully the forcasted rains will hold off until later today. Brian stopped by and was able to help Mike unload a bunch of stuff from the basement again yesterday and now our basement is totally empty, thanks to Mike's persistent hard work and great effort. The only thing down there is my dirty laundry, which I will get to one of these days! What a good feeling that is, and now we can work on organizing and getting rid of the left over rummage junk.

I hope today goes fast because there is so much other stuff to get done, but this is the next thing! Tomorrow night Doug and Emma are singing at church and that is something fun to look forward to. I am also having our stamping group over tomorrow for our last gathering while I am still in Milwaukee. That will need a little bit of prep but I know that all will get done.

So, I guess I will sign off for now. I want to make some cards and stamp and do something besides sit out here and freeze . . . will check back later!

Stuff, Stuff and more Stuff!

Well yesterday was the first day of our rummage sale and we were able to get rid of some of our stuff. Some of Mike's power tools went but we still need to unload some drill presses and a treadmill to name a few things. Man, this a lot of work on top of trying to pack and keep on top of things. What were we thinking????

Brian and Angie were able to sell our car the day after they took it from us earlier this week and that was another answered prayer. So, we have two more days to rummage and then find someone to haul what we don't want to take with us and then pack up the rest. Our basement is empty (almost) but now our garage is jam packed. Is there light at the end of the tunnel? Yes, I know there is but it is so overwhelming that it is hard to see right now. Obviously, I am a little stressed as it is 2:27 AM and I cannot sleep and yet we want to get up early and setup for the rummage. Oh well, this too shall pass.

Angie's mom, Margy, was a sweetheart and brought lunch over yesterday while we were working and that was truly a RAK (random act of kindness) that was very much appreciated. It is little things like that that make me realize how truly we are loved by others. Thanks again, Margy.

So, just wanted to keep you all in the loop. We have 14 more days to get this house in order. I will check back in when I have a few minutes. Bye for now!

Clutter, Clutter Everywhere!

Well, today is Tuesday and thanks to Brian, Mike and he got the basement almost completely emptied of all the heavy stuff. Mike and I worked for like 6-7 hours yesterday just bringing things up from the basement to the garage. We are having a rummage/moving sale on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week. We put Mike's car up for sale yesterday as well at Brian and Angie's place and we think we have a buyer. Great job guys.

Last night we had fun at Brianna and Ally's concert at school. They looked really pretty all dressed up and did a great job singing and playing their instruments for us. It was nice to just sit and chill for awhile.

So, the countdown continues, 17 more days and we are outta Milwaukee. I can't believe how fast time in going. We still have so much to do and it seems like we will never reach the end of what needs to be done, but we will just do the next thing!

"I believe the second half of one's life is meant to be better than the first half. The first half is finding out how you do it. And the second half is enjoying it" - Frances Lear. So, on that note, I am signing off for now.

Let the Countdown Begin!

Well last night we celebrated Mike's birthday with our friends, Tim & Caryn. We had supper at the Golden Mast and got to see the beautiful lake while we ate our meal and then we had some great fellowship. Yesterday was also Mike's last day at his job and that was bitter/sweet for him. He has four weeks of vacation coming up and then he is officially off the payroll after 23 years. That is a scary thought for us, as now we must see what kind of work he can find in Arizona. He is in a specality field and so a job of his capabilities may be hard to find, but we are trusting that the Lord is in control of this situation as well.

We are still waiting to hear from our realtor a time and place for the closing on what we are still assuming is Friday, May 30th. We are thinking that now we would like to pack the truck on Wednesday, the 28th so that we will have time to catch our breath a bit on Thursday with any last minute odds and ends. So again, if you are willing and able to help us load our truck, we would greatly appreciate it.

My thoughts for the day . . . A happy woman is one who has no cares at all; a cheerful woman is one who has cares but doesn't let them get her down . . . by Beverly Sills. That about sums up my thoughts on the matter. I would rather be cheerful in spite of all the chaos around me and let my enthusiasm be seen as trusting in the Lord and casting all my cares on him. For he is the sustainer of all that I ask for and all that I need. Have a blessed day!

The Buyer's Loan has been approved!

Hi I'm back, good news! Our realtor e-mailed us this afternoon and said the Loan has been approved. A time and place for the closing is being set up and we should know more in a day or two. Mike will be leaving his job on Friday, May 9th, his birthday actually and we will have three weeks to pack and get organized. We feel good about that, as now we can proceed with the next step. We are rejoicing in our blessing. Now, we are praying that everyone who has expressed an interest in any of our household items will be able to make arrangements to come and get them and help us declutter. So, off I go to do the next thing! Thanks for bearing with me these past couple of hectic weeks. See you all later!

Hello, I'm Back . . . A Gloomy Day Out . . .

So, today is Wednesday and we heard from the builder yesterday and they will be breaking ground next week (yeah). Unfortunately, no news on this end YET and Mike and I are both officially frustrated to say the least. I pretty much packed up the office yesterday and if there is such a thing as an organized mess, I think I have it!

I am going to take a break today and go get an eye exam and new glasses, and maybe that will make me feel better. That will be something else I can check off my "To Do List".

I read this today . . . "Make the least of all that goes and the most of all that comes. Don't regret what is past. Cherish what you have. Look forward to all that is to come. And most important of all, rely moment by moment on Jesus" - Gigi Graham Tchividjian. I agree and I think that is what I need to concentrate on today. I have so many blessings and things I take for granted and sometimes it is there looking at me and I fail to see it . . . so I will give it all to HIM and wait on him for my direction and path on this journey. Bye for now!

Here are some pictures of my "organized mess" . . .

This is my temporary scrap area!

This is what is left of my office stuff!

It is Monday and we are still waiting!

Have heard from the realtor over the weekend and he said all is in order, but the buyer needed an extension until May 9th (this Friday) and so the waiting continues . . . poor Mike, they gave him a farewell party at work last Friday and he is still working today. He will not quit until we are sure that we are closing and moving on the 30th of May (25 days and counting).

I can't believe it is so hard to stay focused and motivated to get on with the packing, etc. I need to remember that just like the spring flowers that are starting to bloom and the little buds that are starting to open . . . that is the kind of hope I need to grasp and hold on to. I know that spring follows winter and dawn follows the night and that is my assurance. I believe that God has a purpose and a plan and I need to continue to remember that he is God and he already knows what tomorrow is going to bring and I just need to have faith and believe that he will bring this move to completion in his perfect timing!

Having said that, I best get on with my packing. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" - James 1:17

Okay, so I really went out on a limb with this one!

My friend called and asked me to make her a B-day card for her daughter who likes Ladybug stuff but I didn't have any product with ladybugs on, so being the creative person I am, I elected to draw one and let me tell you that is not my forte but here is the finished product. I couldn't help the title, as it was very appropriate for the gal receiving the card. Hope it gives you a laugh for the day.

Please take a look at the cool card I made

I found it on one of the scrapbooking blogs on the web. It has a little pocket and you can put a note in it. I think it turned out cute. Thanks for looking!

I used Close to My Heart Stamps

and ink pads.

Well today is the first day of the rest of my life . . .

So, I decided that I would get up with Mike after all at my normal time of 4:00 AM. I will do my chores and then I have some cards I want to work on. I am also meeting a friend for lunch (I gave myself the rest of this week for some down time before I start the process of packing and stuff). Anyway, my phones in the office have stopped ringing and all my lines have been disconnected. I actually cried several times yesterday saying goodbye to clients and stuff on the phone it feels so strange just letting this all go. I am excited though to see what the Lord has in store for us as we begin our travels. My quote for today is really appropriate and is from Elizabeth Elliott - "The God who created, names, and numbers the stars in the heavens also numbers the hairs of my head . . . He pays attention to very big things and to very small ones. What matters to me matters to Him, and that changes my life". So that will be something for me to focus my thoughts on today that yes, God knows me and he knows my heart . . . I truly believe that he will work all out for his glory and I give him all the praise and honor that is due him. So, my friends have a blessed day and remember that I love you all!