Snow Day

Well, our plans for this Saturday changed slightly.

We were going to go to Denver to go to the temple after I got done with work at noon.  However, we woke up to 6ish inches of new snow from over night and it was still snowing.  And knowing what we know about how well they don’t plow the roads in Colorado and how well people here don’t drive in the snow; we figured maybe the 70 mile drive to the temple wasn’t such a great idea.  (And yes, that is 70 each way.)  So pray for good weather so we can go next week and keep our commitment of attending 1x a month.

Anyway, after a morning work out and then 3 hours of light housekeeping for an elderly lady in Loveland, I returned to Derek making lunch.  How nice of him.

After that, we were ready for adventure.  So we busted out the snowshoes and decided to head up Poudre Canyon to a popular trail called Grey Rock.  (We figured the way would be well trekked out because this is one of the most popular hikes around, hence why we haven’t done it yet.)  So we get there and not a single car in the parking area.  Usually the sides of the road is lined with cars.  If this doesn’t bring a smile to your face?  What will?  Knowing we are going to be the only people on the trail.  That my friend, is awesome.

So we set off.  It seemed as thought at least one other person had been there that day.  So we just followed the footprints in the snow.  Unfortunately for us (and our snowshoes), there was only about 3-7 inches of snow on the trail (depending on the height of roots and rocks), so the snowshoes weren’t merited.  We carried them for roughly a mile or so and then decided we weren’t going to need them, so we stashed them.

It was awesome.  Really pretty views.  It started to snow again just after we made it to the top.  Perfect in every way.

After hitting up the store and having breakfast for dinner (aka eggs for Derek and smoothie and toast for me) we did something I haven’t done in a long time.  We built a fort in our front room and watched Shakespeare in Love.  (I have it edited).  Love that movie.  One of the few chick flicks I have ever made Derek watch with me.  And he was a very good sport about it.

All in all.  A good Saturday and a good snow day.

Tender Mercies

I must say, since moving I have been a lot more aware of the Lord's hand in my life.  I guess it is easier when life is harder.  Also, when you are not saturated by people of your faith like I was in Utah.  I guess there was so much I took for granted.

Like I posted earlier.  I was all set to be an insurance agent.  I paid for my study material.  I paid to take my tests.  I studied my brains out.  I passed my tests.  I paid for my license.  I started field training.  I made phone calls.  I set appointments.  I traveled a bunch.  I met with people in their homes.  I worked on memorizing my scripts.  I saw policies sold.  I saw policies not sold.  I was ready to actually start doing it myself with my trainer.

I was miserable.
Derek was miserable.
We never saw each other.
I worked nights, weekends (Sunday included.  But at least I could go to church first).
And I thought, 'This is not worth it.'

So I quit.  I quit before I ever wrote a piece a business which means I gave them a month and a half of my life and didn't get a dime.  I didn't even get my license payment reimbursed because I never wrote business...oh well.  When life deals ya lemons.  Sometimes you just have to suck on them and enjoy the funny faces you make.

So I quit and immediately blessings started to flow.  Instead of being the headstrong, independent, I can do it all by myself type of person I normally am, I let people know about our situation.  And guess what.  People will actually help you if you let them in.  Amazing.

Anyway.

We'll just say I believe someone has their hands in our lives.

We have strengthened testimonies of paying tithing and fast offerings (even when it hurts).  Literally, closed out a bank account that had a balance of $25.  Oh wait, $200.  What?  Selling text books for more than they are worth.  Getting reimbursements we aren't expecting.  Seriously.

Then there was this.

I quit Monday morning (2 weeks ago now) and that afternoon I had a ver part-time job from my home teacher.  I am a caregiver for his home care business.  I provide companionship and house cleaning.  The only problem with cleaning other's houses is it makes me have no desire whatsoever to clean my own house...oh well.

And I landed a bunch of interviews.  One of which I have already had a 2nd interview with.  So fingers crossed and knees bent that that one goes well.

Also, just today, a gal in my ward was like hey, my babysitter broke her arm and I know you are looking for work.  Would you like to babysit my kids for me?  So I will be babysitting for her 4 days a week now.  So that is awesome.  Motherhood training right?

And the best part.  Even though this is pushing us longer with no income.  We are so much happier.
Which goes to show that I have been right all along.  Money does not = happy.  I would rather be poor and happy and enjoying all life has to offer than rich and miserable, missing life because I was working too much.

All I have got to say is life is good.  Life is great.  When life brings you lemons.  Use them.  Lemon is great.  It helps with sore throats.  And has a wonder flavor.  And is anti-bacterial.  And makes you make funny faces when you bite them.  Just as lemons are super useful, so are trials.

Etsy

Ok.

I have done it.

I have succumb to the rantings and railings of my family to share my talents with the world.  What started out as a way to get me through school and church without sleeping or zoning off has finally left my notebooks and entered the real world.

For years my family has tried to get me to do this.  And now, being unemployed, I have all the time in the world to actually do it.

I have opened an etsy shop.  There isn't much up yet.  Emphasis on yet.  So far, everything is freehanded by me.  All original works.  All one of a kind.  Etc. etc. etc.

So feel free to check it out.  www.etsy.com/shop/ktdoodle

Hope you like it.

You Guessed It

You Guessed It.

I quit my job.

Turns out, I do NOT like working in the insurance business.
Mostly because I didn't like the hours.  They were exactly opposite of Derek's hours.  He'd go to work at 8 AM and get home at 5 or 7.  I would go in at 12 or 1 and get home at 9 or 10.  And work Saturday.  And Sunday.  Basically, it was not working out.

Not to mention a long list of other cons.  But I won't bore you with that.

So yeah.  Get ready to hear from me a LOT again, because I am unemployed again....

yay.....