Just On Time

 So many times in the process of this move we wondered at God's timing.

Why didn't God move us while rates were at their lowest?

Why didn't God move us before there were crazy bidding wars on houses?

And yet, He has His perfect timing.

Just this week, we noticed that the base price of our new home had gone up $20,000 since we signed!

Yes, that would have priced us out of the home.

He had us make the decision at the right time.

And how is that house coming along?

Last week, the walls received their first coat of paint

and the cabinets were installed.

This week, the stonework was completed,

vinyl planks were installed,

and doors and trims were painted.

Just 3 weeks until our walk-through!

Another Year Older

 I celebrated another birthday on Sunday.

It seems odd to be in the upper 40s.

I remember when that just seemed so OLD!

And now, I only feel old after I have overworked myself on a workout.

I had a good weekend.

Hubby took me for a Vegan Greek Pizza on Friday night.

The place was close enough to walk and we enjoyed the pizza immensely.

On Friday, my folks made the 3-hour drive to see us.

They took us to lunch at Chick-fil-A, we visited, and they toured our new home.

(By the way - the house did get its first coat of paint inside last week along with trim and doors).

The garage was full of cabinetry and sinks ...so maybe this week.

And the exterior stone was delivered on Monday).

On Sunday, we were down at church all day.

We went to the 3 services and helped on Visitation in the afternoon.

We did take a minute to get free birthday coffee and to enjoy some birthday texts and video.

There are still a few more freebies that I plan to collect on - 

one is a sub ... at Firehouse Sub.

I have a birthday sub ... and, in addition, today, if your name starts with C or U, you get a free sub.

Sounds like hubby and I will only have to pay for our gluten-free rolls and will have lunch tomorrow!

I'm Not A Nurse ... But I Can Dress Like One

 With age, comes change.

Changes in style.

Changes in preferences.

Changes in shape.

For years, I have "googled" modest skirts when shopping for new clothes through the seasons of life.

Often, I will be bombarded with attire from Middle Eastern religions (not exactly what I was looking for or who I want to support).

But I have also seen "scrub skirts" come up.

I believe that I mentioned them to hubby over 3 years ago when we still lived in NC.

Recently, I finally tried them.

I placed an order.

There were 2 different styles that I thought might suit me.

I ordered both in neutral colors like pewter and navy.

One (the more "sporty") arrived last week and the other is on backorder.

I absolutely love the one that arrived.

It is a pleasant change from my denim skirts and goes well with a summer t-shirt or even my athletic workout shirts.

It washes well.

It has pockets ... and lots of them!

It is lighter weight than a jean skirt.

And they are reasonably priced.

So, I pass the tip on to you ...

Maybe you would like to dress like a nurse ...

This and That

 It's just a few minutes until hubby gets home.

It is "clean out the fridge" night.

I planned some fried rice

using up some broccoli, a half bag of coleslaw mix,

a few pieces of chicken.

It smells good and hopefully will hit the spot with hubby.

I am enjoying the daily shopping trip that challenges me to use up what is in the house.

Tonight, we will have our "house tour" date.

Typically on Thursday or Friday, we take a look at the progress of our home.

It can be exciting or discouraging,

but in either case,

we have a finish date and trust that they will meet it.

Today, I resumed my "wogging" - an interval run of 2 minutes walking and 2 minutes jogging for 6 -8 cycles.

I hadn't really been running because there were far fewer sidewalks than we expected

(though our new development has plenty).

The other day, we walked around the perimeter of the mall next door.

It was nearly a mile.

SOOOOO - 

I thought,

why not "wog" it before the mall opens.

No traffic,

no people,

just flat sidewalks.

And it worked swimmingly.

It also gets my workout done in a timely manner.

Most of the mall opens at 11, but one store opens at 9.

If I beat the 9:00 opening, I also beat a lot of heat as well.

Since it is "Thankful Thursday,"

I will sum up this blog with thanksgiving.

I am thankful for the nearby shopping.

I am thankful for the idea to "wog" around the mall.

I am thankful for the progress on our new home.

I am thankful for hubby - who just walked in the door.

And She Was Silent

 One of the stressors of buying a home right now is watching interest rates climb.

When we began the process, rates were great ... slightly ticking up, but still historically low.

We had to have a closing date in order to finalize a rate.

Yesterday, the lender called with the rate of the day now that we have a closing date.

It was quite the change from when we began the process,

but then again, the Federal Reserve had already met 2 times to raise rates..

I took the information knowing that rates would change by tomorrow,

but I had to talk things over with hubby.

Did we want to cut our losses (relatively minor) and run?

After a long day, the rate given was an additional blow to hubby.

He agreed that we needed to bite the bullet and lock it in, but it was a little discouraging.

So I called the lender back today ready for another increase.

But the lender was dumbfounded.

The rate had dropped a half of a percent.

She said she hadn't seen that in this season of inflation.

I was astonished too,

but only to marvel again at God's great provision.

We serve a mighty God.

He cares about truck rentals.

He cares about mortgage rates.

He cares about it all.

Just like the verse that most 4-year-olds learn in Sunday School.

"...He careth for you."

Circumvent

 Every dollar counts.

They always have,

but they seem to be harder to hold on to these days.

Of course, with a home purchase right around the corner

and raging inflation,

I am trying to be wise in spending.

But in the effort,

I don't want to forget others.

I don't want to cease to be a giver.

Of course, this weekend is Mother's Day.

It is a strange day this year.

It is the first year that I have only sent one Mother's Day card in 20 years.

It is a Mother's Day tinged with sadness, especially for hubby.

It is always a difficult day as we rightfully honor mothers at church,

and God has continued to have other plans for me.

But it is a day when I rejoice with 3 ladies who are celebrating as first time mothers this year (all in the last 3 months)

and remembering and being thankful for my own mother.

I am so glad that I will get to see my mom next week,

but I did want to honor her with a gift this weekend.

But I was torn...

I wanted to send some live plants,

but the delivery fees were crazy.

So I circumvented the system.

I had her local "Kroger" deliver a hanging basket and some tulip bulbs.

I signed up for Instacart and received 3 free deliveries.

Not only were the plants cheaper than the florist,

but the delivery was free (there was a small service charge and I could tip the driver).

And if the weather is bad in the next 10 days and I don't want to walk for my groceries,

or if I want to send flowers to another recipient,

I have two more free deliveries.

If you want to look into it,

they sent me this link to pass along.

Supposedly it will give both of us $10 if you desire to use it.

Still Making Progress

I went to work with hubby for a little while today.

He was getting a truck to use when running to different stores,

but no one was available to take him,

so I drove with him.

We drove about an hour and a half north so he could get the truck,

and then I headed home. 

Since I had to pick hubby up,

we stopped by the house tonight.

Last week, they taped and mudded and did a lot of sanding inside.

They also cleaned out the sanding dust and the red mud throughout the house.

We were thinking that this week would be exterior and possibly the first coat of paint inside.

While nothing was done inside, the exterior did have progress.

The other three sides are completed,

and the part where the Tyvek still shows will be a form of stone work.

Plugging away - and planning away in my mind for each room - 

which furniture will go where, what furniture may have to go, how to set up large closets,

and making a long list of ideas for hubby.

The Fight is On

 We woke up today to a swarm / troop / herd of sugar ants enjoying a pyrex container full of muffins.

I guess that the Pyrex lid did not have a tight seal.

So the muffins were drowned and then thrown away,

and I had a definite purpose in going to Walmart today.

Today, I had to kill ants.

Since our time in NC,

I have found that the Terro traps are just the best.

In less than a day, the ants will be under control.

And now the muffins will be stored in the refrigerator or in the microwave.

No more leaving things on the counter.