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.

I No Longer Live in Oregon

 Another tale for my younger readers who love to see that I am just a real-life human and make plenty of mistakes.

It is said that 

"Those who do not learn from history

are destined to repeat it."

And so ... I guess I did not learn from history.

In June of 2019, we moved across the country.

Right away, we needed a bed and a lawnmower.

Quick as a wink - I ordered a bed and a mower from Amazon.

How exciting that they would be delivered in just a few days!

At least it was exciting - until I realized that they were being delivered to NC!

It all worked out - 

I caught one delivery and turned it around.

And some friends rescued the other delivery and got it returned.

I partially learned my lesson.

When we moved, I changed my Amazon address right away.

... and then I proceeded to order from Ebay ...

... without changing an address.

And so I go through the process again.

I ordered a work bag for hubby

and the next day it was out for delivery ... in Oregon!

A dear neighbor rescued my package and helped to return it.

And a new order is placed.

Maybe I will completely learn from history this time.

On an odd note:

Just last week, we noticed 2 vehicles with Oregon plates in our parking lot.

When we arrived home from church on Sunday,

we saw the family leaving their Oregon car and introduced ourselves.

Not only were they from Oregon,

but they were also from ALBANY, Oregon.

Small World!

Proper Customer Service

 The best customer service makes a promise and then beats it.

Our builder seems to be practicing that vein of customer service.

Our home was slated for completion on July 31.

We just heard this morning that our new home will be completed on June 16

and we will be able to close on June 23!

God has been good to give us a fairly real home while we wait.

We will also only have to pay one unnecessary month at the apartment 

(though we may use it while we are setting things up).

Thank you to those who have been praying for the prompt completion of our home.

Let Me Reintroduce You

 Yesterday, I actually had the car for the day, 

but I have enjoyed my walks each day

and decided to carry on with my walk to Kroger

including my 2 overloaded totes on the way home.

I stepped out at about 11 am.

I was reintroduced to warm, southern weather.

The walk was not really that far,

but I was glad that I hadn't waited until mid afternoon.

I made a mental note to start to get out a little earlier each day.

Hubby also got reintroduced yesterday as we enjoyed walking to 

Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot, and Dicks Sporting Goods in the evening

in search of a more suitable work backpack for him.

We also enjoyed walking for over 2 hours this morning.

One of the perks of living in or near a city is a greenway!

In many places, they have torn up old rail tracks and paved a path for walking, running, and biking.

B.G. is still in the process of fully developing their trail, 

but we did get a good 3 miles (at least) out and back.

We also discovered some nice jigging loops.

After we finished, in the warm late morning sun,

we stopped for an iced coffee.

We are enjoying the "unlimited sip club."

We belonged to Panera's sip club in OR for a 3 month trial,

but it was enough out of our way, that we probably only used it 2-3 times.

It was not worth the subscription fee to continue.

Another free trial came across my emails last week.

Panera is now in my backyard practically,

they offered another 3 months free,

so we are enjoying free date nights

and cold drinks for some hot walks.

The Right Tools for the Job

 Every job requires tools.

Hubby has needed hand tools ... And lots of them.

Sometimes a car is needed.

Sometimes a computer is all that is needed.

In Oregon, my job required reusable bags.

Laws required us to bring our own bag or be charged per bag.

At first, I bought some fairly unstructured ripstop bags.

They were light, easy to throw in my purse.

They worked well around town ...

... Most of the time.

One day, I walked to town.

In my purchase, I bought some eggs, some clearance items, some fruit.

As a walked home, my back began to feel damp.

"I must be sweating!"

But I wasn't sweating.

As I walked, a few of my eggs had broken and were oozing through my bag and down the back of my skirt.

Later, I purchased the right tool ...

A tote box!

I just love them.

I have five tote boxes and 2 less structured cooler bags.

They were easy to pack at self checkout.

They traveled well.

My fruit got home unbruised.

And as I do all my shopping on foot these days, 

They are definitely the right tool for the job.

The Number of Perfection

 If seven is the number of perfection,

Then maybe I only have only one more move.

Today, I received my new license ...

my sixth state.

NY

FL

NY

WA

NC

OR

KY

The residency process is never fun,

But it went relatively quickly today.

It took about 2 hours for license, inspection, and registration.

I was very glad not to have to test at all ... Not even the written part.

A Kentucky standard license plate can say

"In God We Trust"

Which we chose.

What a change from the liberal west coast!

Hubby took the day off,

So we also enjoyed lunch at the best southern fast food restaurant,

Changed oil in an abandoned lot,

And found a beautiful park with walking trails nearby.

I must walk to the store tomorrow since I haven't been in 4 days and I have only been buying what I can physically carry when I have shopped.

I think it will be Aldi tomorrow ... The furthest walk at 1 mile each way.

Little by Little

 The man who did the framing walk through with us last week said that insulation should happen this week.

Hubby and I popped over to the new house on Thursday,

And I am happy to report that they had indeed insulated throughout the house.

Next step ... Drywall.

Once the drywall is up, we were told that they might be able to give us a more definitive closing date.

Little by little.

A great exercise in patience.