Furlough Day Five

I have spent most of Furlough Day Five sitting in a chair under a tree at Grace's Fall Festival, and it was HOT. Oh, I did chunk a pumpkin! I ended the day with a group of adults and kids my family has grown to love in a very short time, our small group. If you are looking for a church or small group, I have a recommendation for you.

Grace had their Fall Festival today. This is not a yearly event, and it was our first time to attend. There was pumpkin chunkin', a candy hunt in hay, a corn box (sand box for kids), face painting, bouncy thingys, a popcorn bar, pumpkin painting, a corn hole game, worship and a baptism. Of course, there was food. Rick help cook over 650 hamburgers. The desserts alone were amazing. I have never seen so many desserts in my life, and I come from a Baptist upbringing! The Shoger family came with us so I needed to "visit" instead of help. How's that for an excuse?

I forgot to mention yesterday that I discovered I do not have to make a payment for swim club in October. My paycheck covers swim club. I paid swim club in September, and thought the next payment was due in October. But...it's not! Since September's payment was due on the 15th, it covers September and October. No payment is due until November 1st. Yippee!! 

Why is swim club important?  Because my G loves it. She may be cranky in the car on the way to practice, but as we walk into the building towards the pool her whole demeanor changes. I can literally see it! Is it always good, mostly. There are times that it is challenging. For instance, the coaches worked more on technique of the breaststroke this past week instead of speed. This frustrated G. Why? Because G loves to swim and wants to do it right.

All that to say, G loves swimming and basketball! We will do whatever we need to make sure this is not interrupted because of money. Speaking of money, I'm glad to see Capitol Hill is working on a bill to pay government workers for furlough time. However, I am enjoying not working far too much. I may have to see about putting more time into my Plan B to make that happen!

Furlough Day Four

I tried to stay in my jammies as much as possible today. I finally put a table at the end of my couch. Now, I have to move all the pictures on the wall and the rug on the floor because they are no longer centered. Yes, I am one of those people. I'll add that to my list and get to it next week.

 

I ordered three swim caps for G before I was furloughed. You should see the one she has been wearing for swim club.  It looks like a shower cap on her it is sagging so bad. G prefers the nylon caps for practice instead of silicone. I ordered a different brand for G to try. It was way too small. I went online to Amazon to send it back for a refund, and they told me to keep the cap. Amazon also refunded the cost of the cap AND the shipping cost.  I received all my money back.  How amazing is that?!

 

Here's G's two caps we did keep. 

I'll be glad to see G in these next week and not her "shower cap".

 

I tried to pay our Verizon bill this week. When I signed in to pay, the balance was $0. I couldn't figure out what happened so I called customer service. Evidently, I paid the bill back in September as soon as it posted. I thought I was paying the September bill when it was the bill for October. Isn't that convenient?! No Verizon bill to pay while I am furloughed. 

 

Ms. Barbara lives a few houses down from us. She calls on Rick a lot for help since he works from home. Rick and I went over to her house Tuesday because she wanted to give me a cancer ribbon lapel pin. We discussed the furlough, and I joked with her we can always afford Campbell's soup for lunch or dinner.  Ms. Barbara did not like that! So, she cooked us dinner tonight.  Homemade lasagna, a recipe from her grandmother, was the main dish.  She also provided tea, water, salad, garlic bread and a made from scratch butter pound cake.  One less meal to think about while furloughed, and it was all delicious!

 

Even the little things are taken care of and none of it is a coincidence! :~)

Furlough Day Three

I have completed two things on my Furlough Checklist.

While going through my boxes I found tons of old pictures.  I have shared a few on FB. I may save the rest for blackmail purposes, LOL!  I also found this little item G is now enjoying.

 

It's been neat to see the way some things have been taken care of for my family.  I'll share those on Day Four.

Furlough Day Two

Well, it's day two.  I have boxes to finish today and will hopefully get them to the Salvation Army before picking up my G.  Rick took G to school today so the Soph and I are chillin' with Pumpkin Spice coffee. The house is open and the fresh air smells wonderful! Maybe Congress and POTUS could use some Pumpkin Spice coffee and fresh air. They can come to my house for some, I have few words for them while they are here. Anyway, the weather has been amazing in the evenings. It's nice to give the A/C a rest. We have hardly used it in the last month. Thank you, Lord!

I think this furlough will last through this week, if not longer. I asked Rick last night if I should feel a certain way about all of this furlough stuff. I'm not upset, but should I be? I'm not concerned about the lack of money, but should I be? I'm not worried about how long I'll be out of work, but should I be? I keep trying to make myself worry to see if that is where I need to go, but I can't. I literally reject it in my mind! It's like trying to go through a door, but being pushed back because the door closes on you. Does that make sense?

Let me tell you why I think this is the case. I come from excellent stock! I have parents who have taught me Biblical truths in all situations. How? I have watched them! My parents have always lived out the Word of God and their belief in front of us. It is the best gift a parent can ever give a child! I know G is watching her parents and taking notes on how we handle this. Plus, if you have never seen a Stevens taking a stand, you have missed out. We are a strong and stubborn lot!

Another reason I am not fretting is because these scriptures keep coming to mind:

For this reason I say unto you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will drink; not for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? Matthew 6:25-26

.....With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26

And the peace of God that surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalms 84:11 

Lastly, I have experience in this area. I've been without a job before, and I've watched my parents go through it when I was a child. Whether it's no pay for a week or months, you buckle down and take it a step at a time. The battle begins in the mind!

Furlough Day One

Made it through 9 of my 17 boxes from the storage unit.

My Furlough Agenda.  I hope to get as much done 

as possible while I am furloughed.

This Nutball (G's nickname) a.k.a. Sophie ate and played
with the stink bugs today.  She was sooo smelly! 
At least she enjoyed herself.

Furlough

Today I was furloughed for the very first time in my government career.  I have mixed feelings about it.  I agree with the shutdown, but my heart is heavy for the government workers, our country, our rights, our Congress and even our POTUS.  Most people in the DC Area work for the government.  They will not receive a check until the furlough is over, if Congress agrees to pay them.  I am blessed, thankful and grateful that Rick does not work for the government.  We will not feel the pinch as hard as others.

Yes, there are things we will have to say "No" to, but that is okay.  I believe the Lord began to prepare us for this moment beginning with a Dave Ramsey class we went through in the Spring.  Going through this class opened our eyes in many ways.  The beginnings of an emergency fund was established, and we began to see which expenses could be cut out of our lives.  The gym account has been frozen.  The cable has been cut.  The extra storage unit is no longer being rented, and no more eating out as much as we like. Of course, paying the mortgage and the bills.  Will Rick's salary cover all this?  Nope, but that is why I believe and trust in a God who owns it all!  One of my favorite quotes from Beth Moore, "There is nothing over my head that's not under God's feet."

One thing we will not sacrifice is Georgia's school.  Sending her to public school is an option we will not entertain.  If push comes to shove, I will home school her.  Georgia is thriving in her school!  The other thing we will try to keep doing is swim club.  I LOVE to see G in the water!  This is her "thing" along with basketball.

Now that I have time on my hands, I have resurrected the old blog.  I decided I would have fun posting something on each day of my furlough.  Come along this journey with me and "Enjoy"!

Conversations With The G...

Grammy helps us out by taking G to ballet every week.  They have some wonderful conversations in the car.

G:  "Grammy...is Momma going to look like you when she gets old?"

Grammy:  "G, what do you mean?"

G:  "Is Momma's hair going to stick up on her head like yours when she gets old?"

My mother has a very cute and spikey hairdo, but I don't think it'll ever be for me.  Love my G!