Friday, June 25, 2010

The Floor Project 2010

Back in May, my SIL moved back home with her mom. She gave us her livingroom furniture. I thought out loud, "Well it won't look good with this old, nasty carpet. We're going to have to do something with the floor now."

I said that in front of my, "I'll fix it. I'll take care of that for ya" husband and out went the old couches before I got home from work one Monday & here sat parts of the new stuff in pieces all bagged up on our floor.

Next day, MIL, SIL, hubby & kids tore out carpet and tack strip. I was at work so no pix of the whole crew at work.

What a man!! Be careful what ya say in front of Gary or he'll take care of business. I do love that about him as long as it is my idea, LOL!

That carpet was installed while I was pregnant with my son who will be fifteen next week. The paint as well. We are overdue.

Well actually here he is, he was born on time fifteen years ago. The refinishing is overdue. Just thought I'd clear that up. He has worked hard alongside his dad pulling out nails & staples and you name it.

Eventually the stuff had to go outside and the sun finally came out the day we moved most of our stuff onto the deck. It's covered cuz we're sure it'll rain at least once during this project.

Scraping old, sticky doublesided carpet tape & sanding.



Still finding nails & staples to pull.

So today at 0630 this guy comes in with this machine and sands for hours. Actually he works where my hubs works and he used to be a contractor. His name is Steve.

Look at that beautiful Oak floor! We never knew how nice it looked until today. It has a lot of character and we like it that way. We're very pleased with how things are going.

Apparently we've only just begun. Tomorrow & Sunday, Steve will return for more sanding. The first & second & third coats of Daly's Floorfin. If all goes well, the painter will be here next Wednesday. I'm excited to see the transformation.

To old things that can be made almost new again. Thanks be to God for family, friends and hard workers.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Good News About My Job

Remember my first day of work? Well I finished the school year and have been offered the job for next year with forty more minutes which gives me a four hour day instead of three hours and 20 minutes.

Now that doesn't sound like much, but that means I get medical insurance coverage as well. My schedule has also been changed to compact my day down to working four hours over a six hour period instead of working 3.33 hours over a seven and a half hour day.

One small step at a time and I'll be there with all the others working 6.5 hours with 30 minutes for lunch. It's a start.

I'm excited actually! I will also be working in the lunchroom for 55 minutes with my new schedule. To some of you that may sound horrible, but I think I'm going to like the opportunity to see the kids in a different setting. I enjoy helping them with all kinds of small tasks that they just have a hard time doing themselves. They appreciate your help so much and I just get a kick out of that.

So to the 2009-2010 school, year I say good bye. Hello summer!! See you soon 2010-2011 school year.

Have a GREAT SUMMER everyone!!


Sunday, June 20, 2010

30 Hour Famine 2010

This is the sign board in front of our church. It is calling attention to how many children die of starvation each hour around the world. Our youth to young adult group participated in the 30 Hour Famine April 23 to 24, 2010. This event is sponsored by World Vision.

The committee had a lot of things to prepare for this event to be successful and memorable for the participants.

They made 1208 little orange crosses and some big signs to bring attention to the fact of starvation. They placed them in the grass in front of our church. It was effective because people were coming into the church to donate money before the Famine event even began.



These little crosses are what got to me. When they took their stand in our church lawn I began to get a feeling for how many kids are starving to death and how much money it may take to help just part of that group.

Each link in the orange chain represents a $1.00 donation. It was hung on the wall of the sanctuary so the church members and attenders could see how much money was being donated.



There were about 30 kids & adults who participated. The participants were divided into tribes (teams). They played difficult games to compete for who would get to eat first after the 30 hour fast.

This poster represents the tribe my son was in. It shows the games and their scores. They wore facepaint and a scrap of material on their head, leg or around their neck to identify them.

During the games they had different afflictions and they had to participate with that affliction. Some wore a back pack with up to 28 pounds in it, some were blind, and some had broken limbs. I think my son had a backpack with about 20 pounds in it.



This is the poster describing everything about the real tribe in Africa.









This event not only helped these young people get a glimpse of the reality of hunger and people dieing of starvation, it also brought many of them so much closer as friends. I think they learned more about trust and true friendship while they raised money for starving kids.



The first tribe to be able to eat. These young people were seriously hungry. They hurt, they were feeling very weak, they missed their technology & their beds, they were very tired because the segment when they were suppose to get some sleep, was a mock earthquake and they lost everything they owned except the clothes on their backs. It was a cold night in the church & the floors were hard with no blankets or pillows.

Ms Jenny is giving back their technology and car keys as they come to her at the end of the table. Jenny was very hungry and tired too as you can see in this picture. She & her husband (the guy in the white shirt here) stayed with these kids and ran all of the activities for the entire event which was 24 hours. They all began their fast at noon on Friday & the event began at 6:00pm Friday and ended Saturday at 6:00pm.


This says it all. I think the whole group went through in 10 minutes or less.


My son dives into his meal. Don't get between him & that plate. I am so proud oh him for doing this. He is only 14, one of the younger ones of the group and I know his heart was changed. I am proud of all of them. They shared heart touching stories in church that Sunday and Jenny & Mike shared as well. This group of 30 or so kids who expected to raise maybe $300.00 raised (DRUM ROLL)
OVER $3000.00!!!! We were all so excited by the grace of God. Humbled by the dedication of these young people.



Changed Hearts! Changed Lives! Praise God!