Exploring Midland, Texas With the Nerdy Unicorn!

Midland, Texas was nothing like I'd expect it to be. While being a decent-sized town, and perhaps comparable to Waco, it has a different topography and style. We have been exploring little by little, when we can.  I thought that I'd share some of our favorite places around this town. Whether you are just visiting or if you are considering moving, here is a little insight.

Readers need books!

Since first coming to Midland, we started to explore around it. As a home schooling family, there were certain places we needed to establish ourselves with. The library is my favorite place to go to and was the first place we got hooked up for our book needs. While there are two locations, we have preferred the Downtown Plaza location for its distance from our home. The building itself is a work of art. Murals are painted on each side. One side has a metal art installation that looks reminiscent of a steampunk hot air balloon.  My daughters and I love bringing the dolls out to get some new photos. Inside this one, there are also screen walls that sometimes play movies or just have cool changing images. There are historical displays inside too. We even found the old map section in the back of the adult side. Those are so cool! To make things easy, I often just put in hold requests. They hold things for up to 3 days. If we are in a hurry, this makes it easier for us to grab and go. I love our librarians. They are always friendly! And when I have asked for recommendations on books, donut shops or even where to find a park, they were more than happy to share!

Taking time to play

We have also been to the Dennis the Menace Park. This is a large park with multiple sections for various sizes in kids to all play on. I think that is what we love most about this park -  the various sizes in the equipment. They have something for all kids. Even my teenage boys can fit as they chase around their sisters! And they aren't just the run of the mill slides and swings. They are themed to give kids more imaginative play!

Sparking the Urban Explorers in us

Across from the park, however, is some place we have been wishing we could urban explore.

I've had difficulty finding out what it was meant to be. Ever since we arrived, there has been no progress in the build. Sad really. It takes up an entire city block. The only thing I found was that it possibly was started as a housing project of some sort that has faulted on their payments and not done anything since 2019. It may have been recently sold, though. So maybe work will finally resume. It definitely makes us wish we could explore other places like it around town.

This town is in between transitions. From a booming oil town to a shift towards a tech town. They are tearing down old businesses and some new ones have moved in. That is just since we made the move.

Donuts! 

We started going to the local Shipley Donuts when my kids won free donut tickets from the library for a reading program. We were going every Saturday morning while we could. I love how they had a mural painted on the side that incorporated Midland's oil history.

They are not the only donut shop in town, however, and to be fair we had to give other places a try. We went to Jack n' Jill's, but we had gone after 10am so they had hardly any selection left. Despite that, they were the fluffiest donuts I had ever tried! I'm really hoping we can go back, earlier, to try other ones. My husbands favorites were the cinnamon rolls and long johns.  

Wall Street Antiques

I love looking for deals. And this one place has so many! I've found things for the dolls, relatives, husband and even my sons! This place is bigger than you'd expect when you look from outside. So many booths filled with antiques, vintage pieces and even some new items. You could go every week and still find new things that weren't there last week.

This vintage find was from the 90's. Remember the Sleeping Beauty dolls back then? For the entire outfit, brand new in the pack was only .99. Even better was that the corset comes separate so I can mix it with my Steampunk outfit for the dolls. But that is just one thing I've found there! And the employees are always helpful. Don't hesitate to ask questions!

Where's the meat? 

My husband and I gave up eating most meats you get at the regular grocery stores. We can't seem to handle whatever they are adding in, be it the dyes or the gases. So we had turned to farm stores or farmers markets when we could. My husbands coworker suggested Midland Meat Co. for our needs.

He swore their meat selection was not only amazing, but the best quality that could be found around here. After getting some, we are hooked! We have tried their ground beef, hamburgers, Texas antelope steak, lamb and Wagyu hotdogs so far. I would say that the hotdogs received the lowest score among our family members. But the burgers have become a family favorite. We get the ground beef in a larger pack and I split it up for shepherds pie, chili, and even taco night.

Meat isn't all they have though. They sells seasonings, produce, Volleman's milks and side fixings for your next cookout. We liked their local made cheeses too. So many flavors to choose from! 

Steak Express

Okay, so here's one I'd not have thought worthy of trying. However, we had family visit and decided to order out. After checking options and dietary needs, we all settled on Steak Express. What is it? A steak delivery company! No, seriously, they cook and deliver fully decked steak meals. They offer lots of variety in meats and sides. I wouldn't say this is my favorite place, but for the food being so good, I'm adding it the list. We definitely can't afford it often. A little too pricey for our family.

Having it delivered is a pretty cool bonus too. After all, food like this cooked to perfection after a long day is tiresome.

This is all I have for now. There are so many other places we hope to check out. (I'm keeping a list now!) And as I do, I promise I'll share my results. But I'm curious, so indulge me, if you have time. What is the first thing you would look for in a new town? Let me know and maybe that will be the next place I try to go to.

Another Week of Building in the Tiny House: Roof Progress

Well, having to really step it up on getting things done. So what happened this week? 

Tuesday we installed the door. Normally, that is easy. But we were having a Monday 2.0 that day.

So things were not going smoothly. We also measured and cut the support pieces needed to hold up against my husband climbing the roof to add the shingles later. 

We had found that when we installed the roofing sheets, my husband couldn't support his weight on those. He had to carefully find the beams from the truss pieces to navigate the roof. Well, with adding shingles soon, we don't want to risk him falling through. So we cut those pieces to install and reinforce the roof.

Kinda looks like a messy puzzle up there. But it will be strong! And ultimately, that is all that matters.

Wednesday was when we installed all but 6 of the support boards.

Thursday we finished installing the support pieces. It was good knowing that he wouldn't come crashing down. We started the roofing process. Managed to get as many rows as we could reach without climbing on the roof.

Saturday is when the real work started. When he came home from work, we were all dressed and ready to get to it. Starting the shingle process was scary for us all. First, because it was so high up. Second because the angle of the roof is too steep. Definitely should not have made it so tall. It was an all day affair with just one break for a quick lunch. We finished the one side.

Sunday after church was another day of building. We had to make a stop at Home Depot for more nails. Then when we were nearly finished with the other side of the roof, had to stop again for my husband to go get more. Note to others - just get the bigger box. So what if you have leftover nails? At least you can finish the job uninterrupted. 

After resuming, we soon realized we were out of shingles too. So we raided the other shed and started using leftover shingles that the previous owner had left.  Sadly, even those were not enough. We were about 2-3 shingles shy! We also didn't have enough of the ridge caps pieces.

Not the most comfortable job, but we did get to the halfway point before needing to stop.

What did we learn this week? 

Hmm, strengthen everything! Add more supports, don't be shy. 

If you think you need 8 packs, get 9. Miscounting or misjudging is a pain in the rear. Literally. Just look at that picture above! It also means more stops at the store and less time to build.

The steeper the incline, the more pain you will have in your back, legs, ankles and feet. My husbands ankles swelled this weekend. And I was painfully losing feeling in my hands and feet. 

That is all for this update! We have plans for this week. Each day when my husband gets home from work, we have to do a another task. Until his paycheck, we will be working on completing the siding. Once we have the final supplies, we will be right back on the roof finishing the last bit. Then we can call the outside officially finished! I can't wait for that time.  Our family has been suffering the effects from the stress of finishing this project by the end of this month. Just another week and a half to get this thing livable!

The Tiny House is Getting a Roof

This weekend, we had a lot less time to work. Mid-week last week my husband learned that his work schedule would change. Again. From Tuesday to Saturday he was switching back in a Monday to Friday frame. Which meant we got in a couple hours Saturday evening, and did what we could on Sunday after church. Wasn't as much as we had hoped. But the roof is at least in progress! 

            My sons and I added plastic to the remaining walls. 

Our first task when my husband came home was to add the plywood at the back of the tiny house. This was to finally close it off. My husband also added the plastic to that. Which was great. Winds have been kicking up and blowing dust into everywhere. 

Putting on the roof boards was a nightmare. First off, we had the angle way too steep.

3/4 of us builders have some level of acrophobia. If you don't know what that means - it is a fear of heights. My sons and I had to be on ladders while my husband balanced precariously on top of the truss pieces.

It was a long and slow process, but it is finally finished! My husband and I hope to never have to redo this roof. We hope to hire someone next time. For now, we are grateful that no one fell (though we had close calls), no one crushed or sliced fingers and all the pieces fit into their proper places. 

In the end, we managed to complete 4 rows of shingles. Which meant an entire pack of the shingles we bought. 

What we learned - don't laugh! 

Okay... we are completely doing this from what we have researched and what I remember from helping my dad with building projects. But doing shingles on the roof - I never really had to do. So after getting to the last piece of shingle we were placing on this round, my husband realized that there was a plastic strip on the back of the shingle that was coming off. He started peeling it and came to find that it covers a sticky strip to help hold the shingle in place as you tack it down! We felt like fools. Could have been working so much smarter, but we naively worked harder this time. NEXT time, we will peel that strip as we continue to work on the roof. 

Because of the steep angle, we decided the best way to do this would be to work bit by bit. We measured and cut the asphalt paper strip (can't remember what that is called). After attaching it, we can put up 4 rows of shingles before needing to put the next strip in place. Working in this pattern will give my husband the grip he needs to keep balance and not come tumbling off the roof.  

That is all for now. If we work only on days when my husband is off, we have about 5 days left to have a fully livable structure for my in-laws by our deadline. However, we are looking at putting in work hours after my husband finishes a work day. Guess we will see how that goes! 

Until next time! 

About Halfway Done... Right?? Tiny House Update 4!

Wow... I think I can officially say we are halfway finished. At least I hope I can say that. I'm so ready to be finished with this build! We are getting fried. Really, really fried. And I'm not talking just in getting so much sun. You can see a new tan on most of us. I think the girls are the only ones not really showing a change in color. 

No, we are fried in the sense that we just want to be done with it all. We have sacrificed game time as a family. We have had plenty of nights where sandwiches were all we could manage to make and eat. Just too tired to do more. 

But I digress. Let's look at our progress this 'weekend' shall we??

On Sunday, we finished installing the truss pieces. That was after we had to take care of the newly formed wasp and hornet nests we found. Each with a single bug busy building. 

Once those were cleared, and the truss' in place, we had to decide what to tackle next. We are currently waiting for another ladder to be delivered. We would be able to put the roof on easier with that. We settled for installing siding in the meantime. 

Before putting up the siding, we covered the plywood walls with this plastic sheeting. What you are looking at is a full single piece of plastic. We used this to prevent the dust from getting through cracks.

This siding, called sheathing, was AWFUL to install! Using screws on this flimsy thing had them going completely through. But nails didn't hold it together at all. And we couldn't get the stud finder to work through it and the plywood. So getting them anchored was a pain. We managed to complete one wall (minus the very top), as well as start the other two walls that we had enough plastic for. 

Feral cats rampant around here, using whatever spaces they can for breeding and nursery. We used some fine chicken wire around all the edges to prevent any cats from taking up residence.

Monday, Monday, Monday....

We installed windows! Two sliding windows. Looks fantastic. Always pay attention to the fine print details when buying windows. We made the mistake of thinking the size that the hole needed to be for the window was what size we ordered from the hardware store online. But in reality, we needed about a half inch more all around to make it fit. Since my husband didn't have a jigsaw to cut the hole the right size, he had to use a hammer and chisel to widen the space.

Tuesday wraps it up!

Our final building day was a frustrating one. The wind was near nonstop. No rain has meant that the dirt we call a yard is dusty. Blows into our eyes, noses, ears and yes, even into our mouths. But we managed to at least get one end pieces up in the roof top. And we completed what we could of the siding. Have to get more plastic to wrap the rest of the building before completing that.

Next weekend, we should have the ladder needed to hang the roofing! Once that and the door are added, we can officially declare the outside done. I think of that as being quite the monumental moment for us all. And I'm hoping that will bring back our second wind.

Any lessons for this portion of building? 

Hmm, paying attention to measurements of windows is crucial. Not just by the size in bold on the website. But how much room you will need to fit things around it. 

I'm beginning to consider the possibility of wearing swimming goggles while we work... okay, no. That won't work for someone who is blind without glasses. But seriously, we need some kind of idea for how to keep the dust out of our eyes. I wear my glasses and a ball cap to no avail. 

That is all until next weekend! See you then!

The Birthday Clock

I received quite the unique gift for my birthday this year. One that challenges me and required assistance from my husband. It was a wooden clock that had more pieces than I would have thought possible. And instructions that needed instructions to read. But it turned into a fun experience that my husband and I got to enjoy together. Especially since he loves clocks and engineering projects. 

This was the clock pre-build. ROKR Romantic Notes Wall Clock. There are many options to choose from when you run a search. The one I got has a counter weight mechanism. But also comes with the battery-operated clock piece. Lesson to the wise - the counter weight part requires weights to be added by you. They suggest coins. My husband and I laughed at this. Being in America, there are still issues with coin shortages. I'm thinking this product was most likely produced in another country that uses coins a lot more than we do here. But enough of that. Let's check out the clock, shall we? 

First things first, you can find this one on Amazon for about $60. So if you like what you see, get one for yourself! It really is fun. 

My husband kept entertaining me with his jokes and funny faces while we built the clock. I'd poke out the pieces and he put them together.

The kit comes with all the pieces you will need, plus a few extras of the more difficult pieces. Those are in case you pull them out and they break. There is white glue as well to help hold the pieces in place stronger, but we chose to use Crazy Glue to make it stronger. Those gear pieces you see in the above photo actually turn if the weight balance function is working. 

Like I said, they expect you to find something that will fit into the delicate weight capsule. It has to be a certain amount of grams though. We couldn't find anything to make that work, so ours is just for looks now.

As nice as it looks, these colors aren't my style. So I gave it a makeover. A little paint can make the big difference, don't you think? I tried to work in colors that make it really Steampunk style.

Overall, it was pretty cool. It is categorized as a wooden 3D puzzle. The pieces came out pretty easily. I think I had only 2 break, but there were replacements. And others just had a corner chip. Sturdy build once completed, and also includes a mount that you make. 

After I finished painting it, we decided to go ahead and remove the counterweight system. It was useless and just got in the way. I don't think the clock loses any of the aesthetic. What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear from you! Until next time <3

Slowing Down and Taking a Breath

If you have been following my blog, you may have noticed that I've been posting less often and certainly not in a regular pattern. I apologize for that. I've just been slowing down lately. 

My world has been speeding up. Even on days when we aren't going anywhere and all I have are the regular chores, I'm still going on a routine that fills the hours and keeps me offline. Most people think that homemakers have it simple. Even homeschool moms might seem like their life is a breeze. But you'd be mistaken in this thinking. Fact is, there are papers to grade, lessons to explain, lessons to print or plan. The house doesn't clean itself. I wish it did. Even though I do require the kids to do chores, there are things that I still have to do myself. And what of meals? Now, in my mind, these are all simply my life. Tasks that I should be able to do without exerting myself. If I was in the best of health, that is. Which I haven't been.

The cold causes a physical reaction that slows me down. I've been so tired. Fighting pain and migraines. Some days I lose the will to even try much. My projects piled up. I told myself that if all I could do was check homework and cook dinner, then I had done enough. Of course I kick myself later for being lazy. Which my husband likes to say isn't the correct term to describe my inactivity. Agree to disagree on that one. 

All this to say, I'm getting burnt out. Blogging is fun, but it is like a side job. It would be a full time job if I was doing it with the intent of making money off it. And I just don't have the energy to try for that. So... I'm giving you notice. I'm not gone. I'm just a little busy. I promise there are still going to be posts. I'm still working on doing reviews. I'm still working on projects that I will share DIY posts for. But I'm not fighting to meet deadlines unless it is hosted by a company. I'm giving myself time off. I'm focusing on the real life in front of me. Not the computer screen. Hope you guys understand! The Nerd will be back. Just be patient with me. 

Stay well, guys! See you again soon.

Keeping the Faith or Finding the Faith Repeatedly?

Friday night comes around. For most, it is a celebration. The end of another work week. A chance to unwind. For me, it is just another night. Another day done. Only change for me would be that the next two days will not include schooling the kids or two nights of making lunch for my husband to take to work the next day. For the past several weekends, I keep forgetting that nothing is happening of notable exception. I let myself think of hopeful plans before reality kicks in. Then it hits me and I hate my mind for being ridiculous. 

Christmas is coming and instead of being thrilled, I've actually just wanted it to be over. I had thought the Grinch in me had dissipated. I was wrong. I'm starting to be glad we are planning to do it at home with just us. Less stress of how I'm going to get through it. 

So why? Why would I feel like this? Why am I going through these notions? Well, I'm finding it hard to keep the faith right now.

I wish I could say that I'm always "keeping the faith". That I always believe everything is going great. That I never worry. But that just isn't so. A friend asked me how I keep the faith. At the time I told him, that I remind myself that this isn't it for me. This life isn't all there is for me to look forward to. But as time went on from that conversation, I thought over it again and again. And again. 

The truth is, I don't "keep the faith". I continually have to renew it. I have to choose my faith over the doubts and fears that constantly plague my mind. It is never as smooth-sailing as some make it look. I've heard pastors say that as Christians, we are to shine a hopeful light at all times because we don't know who is watching and we want to remind them that hope is out there. And they would be right. In our hardest times, we are to exude the ever flowing knowledge that God is greater than our troubles. However, I'm human. And I'm honest. So I'll admit it. Life isn't roses just because I chose to follow Christ. Because I believed in Him. I have trials and troubles just like anyone else. But I keep reminding myself that He is in control. That my worries are just that. Pitiful worries. This life isn't the end all. After all, read Romans 5:3-4. This is progressive towards something much greater.

The snowball starts

Things happen though.

Last month a chain reaction set off in me. It started just as my parents left and my husband came down with a dreaded virus. I was so thankful they didn't get sick! But I was also worried about my husband. One by one, the rest of us, save one, had symptoms of the illness. I was comforted by the fact that God allowed one of my kids to avoid getting sick while the youngest had a mild sore throat only. Through it all, I could see God's hand. That week, each day went by in a bit of a blur. I was so sick, I wanted to stay curled up in bed and cry. Sickness carries a secondary reaction in this broken body of mine. Every nerve and joint hurts when I get under the weather. But as I told my husband, Mom can't stay in bed. She has cooking. She has kids. Life goes on. I prayed daily. For healing. For strength. Just to do a little more. And before I knew it, Friday had arrived. My husband was finally better and able to get at least one shift in for the whole week. Talk about a tiny paycheck though! And I have a family of 6 to make sure is fed. But God got us through that trial too. Did I freak out? Better believe I did!

Next week comes along. We are back to school. We are back on track. I carefully plotted out meals and we skimmed through with the basics. My husband started driving to a new site. It is an hour one way. So gas bill was a little higher. But it was all going to be okay. Right? His paycheck came through. Only a third of what we had planned on. Turned out the medical insurance double billed to get us for a backdated start on his benefits. I started seething. Who were they to pull this crap without notice?? But no. Back to believing that God's got this. I slipped up in my faith, but the truth is there. It's all going to be okay! 

Week three was now over. And guess what we find? Check 3 is also cut down to maybe a third of what he should have taken home. Again with the insurance. So I sit here thinking, why bother caring anymore? This is life and it will be whatever it will be. We just have to keep skating through one task after another.

Life keeps on going

I wish I could say that I took this like a rolling punch. But it was more like a doubled over one. I wish I could say I had no frustration ripping through me. But I did. I'm a planner. I have Christmas to prepare for. I had projects I wanted to work on and places to check out. We moved to this new town and I want to know more about it! I'm a problem solver. But I feel as though there are too many problems weighing me down lately. At the end of the day. I sit back and say, Nothing more I can do. Just gotta make the best no matter what happens. 

But that doesn't keep my anger down completely. That doesn't give me 100% unfailing confidence that everything will continue without a hitch. That we will prevail. 

Instead it has me doing some serious searching. Questioning what is wrong with me. There has to be something wrong with me. I'm the only one having a problem right now. Kids have their moments. After being shut up at home with just each other and me, they get tired of the Monday - Friday grind too. Thankfully, they cheer up during the weekend. Saturday means there is a chance we will go to the library or grocery store. Sunday means church. And that all adds up to an escape. Not so much for me. I seem to want more out of the weekend.

One past weekend didn't have either of those happening. And that dark cloud rolled over me that I just couldn't seem to shake. I didn't even want to try. I just kinda shut down. Answering questions directed at me and otherwise silently went through the daily tasks lined up. I came to a realization. I have an adventurous spirit. I like exploring. Seeing new places. Heck, I even have moments where I think I might enjoy meeting new people and making friends. Not so often these days, but occasionally. Turns out, that is what is wrong with me! I'm physically broken, but my mind hasn't slowed down to join it. And even when I'm physically active, I'm married to a guy that is a home body. He is so tired of driving all week, that even if we have money and/or time he doesn't want to leave home. And even if I'm dying to go out, I can't bring myself to ask that of him. Besides, 3/4 of my kids don't like being away from home for long. My boys would rather sit in the game room, playing or watching their dad play. The youngest gets tired of walking and starts whining about going home, which frustrates me to the point of being done with whatever I'm attempting to enjoy. 

I had hoped that our Thanksgiving Day weekend trip to my in-laws would be a shining reprieve. But the night before our trip, my husband and daughters started showing symptoms of sickness. It blew up suddenly. We got up before the sun the next morning and almost didn't make the trip at all. Let's just say our trip wasn't as glowing as we had hoped. Not quite nightmare stage, but got pretty close. My husband had an asthma attack that scared me. I'd never seen that happen before. He is always so careful with his asthma. And we all came down with symptoms that required around the clock medications.

A choice has to be made

I really don't know how I'm supposed to rectify this character trait in me. But I know it brings me to a choice. The same choice has to be made, over and over again. I can choose to stay in the dark cloud or I can choose to find joy. I can find my faith again. Tell myself that everything is going to get better. That everything is alright. Sometimes it starts as one choice, but later I turn the other way. Sometimes it requires me to accept what I can't change quietly. Sometimes I have to stop myself from getting my hopes up again or having higher expectations on anyone or anything else in my life. Only one has never disappointed me - God. So yes, I have to keep the faith. More accurately, I have to keep renewing it. It doesn't come naturally to all of us. It is an effort that has to be taken. With or without a prior struggle. I remind myself that though I "will have troubles in this world", that I must "be of good cheer" for He has "overcome the world". 1 John 16:33

A Mother's Confession

I have something to confess. Something that I'm angry and frustrated at myself for. Yet, it is something I can't change about myself. Ready? 

I was wishing yesterday. Wishing that I could give up. That I could be done with this life. That is my confession. 

Now here is the story behind it and the turnaround. 

I'm 33 years old and I have the inner skeletal make-up of an 80 year old. And to think, it all started back when I was 15. My Nana Bonnie told me then, "Girl, it only gets worse from here." She wasn't being negative. She wasn't trying to bog me down. She was just being honest. Something I have always appreciated. At 15, I wanted to believe that I was still strong and would come out on top. I lived as though that thought of mine was true until my mid-20's. Then life caught up with me. 

Slowly falling apart...

After 4 kids and a hard work life, my body just can't handle it. I have been diagnosed with so many health issues, all stemming from my back deformities, that I was easily depressed and so ready to throw in the towel when the pain got too hard. I'm too young and not close enough to death to qualify for real painkillers. So instead they offer anti-depressants to try to trick the brain into holding on to happy feelings longer. I'm not about that life, so I've chosen to go over the counter with my medicine intake. I take an Aleve and 1-2 Ibuprofen at a time. Sometimes twice a day, if it is really bad. 

These last several days have been really bad. All day, everyday. I feel as though my nerves are all fighting to have the most attention. As if every part of me is trying to ache at once. The right side of my chest, just under the breast, has an ache that makes breathing painful. So what do I do unconsciously? I stop breathing. Caught myself doing that a few times now. So then I'm battling lightheadedness on top of it all. 

Yesterday was the hardest. I kept having to catch myself from falling. Walking hurt. I lost feeling in my right leg. My chest hurt on both sides. And when my husband went to rub the lower back, he pressed the spot bothering me only to find a lump. When he pressed it, I cried out. I limped into church that morning and kept holding back gasps as pain shot through me. 

Letting it all go...

When we got home, I cried. I made lunch for my family and tried to keep the tears back. I don't cry in front of my family unless I just can't hold back or I can't hide from them. I was angry I ever promised my husband I wouldn't ask God to end it all for me. Pain messes with you in ways you are ashamed of. 

But the pastors message of Sunday came to mind. A reminder that I desperately needed. I have been praying for my healing daily. Praying that I can just be pain free and keep walking. The doctors keep saying they can't do anything. So what else am I to do? Every time I see one, something else has gotten worse. So I pray. 

Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

But that doesn't mean I'm meant to be healed. Only according to God's will does a prayer get answered. Sometimes through natural ways, sometimes through a miracle. It really is a miracle I'm still walking today. Sometimes I feel like the original Little Mermaid. Not the Disney version. The Hans Christian Andersen version. Where she danced for the prince, even though it felt like her legs and feet were full of broken glass shards. What was with story-tellers like him?? Anyway, I sometimes feel the same kind of pain. Can't think of any other way to describe it, but I push on through it. Only by God's grace have I been able to get out of bed every morning. Have I been able to homeschool our kids. Have I been able to take care of my daily duties as wife and mother. It sure hasn't been easy. My determination has been sapped pretty heavily of late. Can't tell you how many times I wished someone else could take over for a bit. But I keep pushing on. I keep praying. My prayers remind me of Desmond Doss of Hacksaw Ridge.

So when I heard Sunday's message, that we have to pray knowing that it is only in God's will and His perfect timing that things happen as they do, that I am reminded to give it all over to God. I could not do anything without Him. I could not go on without His strength. And the fact that I'm suffering is because He is still working on my life. I can't give up. No matter how often I want to. I still have a purpose here. I still have something He needs me here for. I do know one of those things. He is working patience in me. 

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

Light affliction, he says. This coming from a guy who was repeatedly imprisoned and had diseased eyes that caused pain. Who was beaten often and harshly. Light affliction. Why? Because this life is truly fleeting. What comes next is eternity. Free of pain. Free of sorrow. Reunited with loved ones who have gone ahead to the arms of Jesus. Together with them and Jesus!

So no matter how bad it gets, no matter how painful it is, remember this. Remember that this is for a short time. It will pass. And then...

2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Discovering Our Quirks

Human beings have quirks. A quirk is a peculiar trait. I like to think that we all have them. I consider mine to stem from being OCD. Little by little, I'm learning about them as my husband notices and points them out. It has been a fun journey for us both! I thought I would share some of mine. I'd love to hear what quirks you might have, so leave me a comment below!

Eggs

We usually buy eggs in packs of 18 to feed our brood. I have this thing where I have to pull the eggs out in a pattern that distributes the weight as evenly as possible. I also can't cook, say... scrambled eggs, unless they are in even numbers. More on that below... My husband likes to make it a joke when I ask how many eggs he thinks I should cook. When he answers ,"Seven!", he will get a straight up glare from me for a brief moment followed by my response of, "So will that be 6 or 8?"

I. Can't. Odd.

I can't stand odd numbers. Maybe 5. And on the very rare occasion, 3. But that is all. Those two are only because of how well I can split them. In my head. Hard to explain, it just makes sense in my mind... As much as possible, I try to keep with even numbered things though. My husband and I had a conversation about this the other day that had him laughing so hard, he almost wet himself. Let's see... Even numbers to me are "pretty" while odd numbers are "ugly". In my head, 3 and 5 can be split in half in a pretty way. Other numbers can't. Can't describe it any clearer than that. But there it is. I'm not ashamed to admit this at all. I tell him all the time he just has to deal with it.

Media in order

All my books will have to be ordered according to series or authors. Granted, this can only truly happen when we live in our next home. At that point, I'm planning to have at least a library wall. And yes, books will practically be in library form. Just without the Dewey system. 

All our movies have to be by series or alphabetical. When the kids start messing up that order, I can't seem to resist the urge to fix it for long. It doesn't look right. I don't feel right. This is why I have to avoid looking at the shelves that have been dedicated to the children's things. My husband laughs, because when the kids were little, I used to sort their toys too. I had toy cars in one bin, stuffed animals in another, action figures - you get the picture, right? I think is one reason why I loved working for a library in my early career years. 

Vacuuming or sweeping in a grid

Bear with me on this one... I annoyed my coworker to no end with this one at Target. But when I sweep or vacuum, my mind can see a grid. And I work in that grid. I can't move diagonally across the floor. I go back and forth in lines. 

So lay it out there. Do you have a "weird" quirk that others might notice? Do you twist the doorknob 3 times before opening it? Do you open the cabinet doors multiple times before getting something out? 

Rock Painting to Spread Smiles

Have you seen the news lately? So much anger. So much hatred. So much violence. Stupidity. Ignorance. It has exploded since the pandemic began. My theory is that people were shut up in their homes, took social distancing to mean all forms of contact, loneliness crept in, and when the doors started opening - people lost their ever-lovin' minds! Just my theory, mind you. Seems fitting though. For example. People forgot how to drive in the town we live in. They didn't know how to use blinkers before, but now they forgot what the lines on the roads mean too. Or that red lights mean STOP. I thought they were a little crazy when we first moved here, but in the past month that level has reached the roof. 

So how do I cope with all this? 

For me personally, I have been pouring my spare time into working puzzles. My mom sends them. When I finish them, I trade them with others around town. Okay, some of them I trade. It can be a little annoying to others here though. I work them on the dinner table, which means I have to keep covering them for meals. Still trying to figure out how to work them without getting in the way of our daily routines.

I also read a lot. I have quite the reading list laid out for me. It fuels my imagination, which helps me escape the reality. 

My current book list includes:

The Monster's Legacy by Andre Norton (Currently reading)

Witnesses to War by Michael Leapman

Alfred Hitchcock Presents Stories NOT for the Nervous

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson 

The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

Writing has slowed down. I finished writing a non-fiction book and my first children's story. I've started the second children's book , but haven't been working on it as much as I should. My illustrator is working on the pictures. They are beautiful! I can't wait to get it published. I really had fun with it and my goal is that it will be helpful for others. 

I have a new hobby though. Can you guess by the title what that might be? Yep! Painting rocks. I had no idea it was such a popular thing these days. Having tried it myself, I can see why. I told my husband today, it is like therapy. Coming up with creative designs. Attempting to put them on a rock. Then add your clear coat to seal the deal. But the best part is hiding them. You never know who will find them. Or who's day you will brighten with them! I need to get some more acrylic paints. I have seen them at the Dollar Tree recently.

My toddler has even helped me paint some of them. We get out the supplies together and go to smearing paint in ways that look beautiful together.

It gives me a good way to bond with my little darling. Together, we are spreading kindness and smiles.