Saturday is a workday!

Well today was definately a workday! Between me, Steve and our renter, Shallis, the dust was flying. I'm not sure if we got it all, but there are tired people in the house tonight. The living room, dining room, bathroom and kitchen all got the deep cleaning treatment. It feels good to move through the house without tripping over the boxes or knocking over piles of papers. Above all--Christmas is finally put away for the year. Yay!

Steve and I even found time to file our taxes today as well. We are getting a good refund from the federal and paying a small amount to the state! All is well in the house tonight. Time to relax and watch a movie.

I did get good news on my art program. Seems the school just decided on new policy and I may get credit for previous master's education classes-- which would entitle me to an associated degree for the same price as the diploma. The bad news is I will have to borrow more money than the Stafford loan will pay. I will tackle that when the time comes. Maybe I can get them to list me as a first year grad rather than a freshman. Grad students can borrow more money. I've applied to several grants and scholorships, but no telling if any will come through as of yet.
Blessing and grace,
Rae

Finally feeling human again

Hi there!
it's been a few days since I last posted. The nastiness took over my sinuses and I just didn't have the energy for much of anything. It's turned very cold the past few days as well. Looks like we are having single digits at night and not much out of the mid 20's during the day. I've not had much incentive to go out either. Today I visited the doctor and got some medication to chase out the infection. I also had my annual health screening at the gynecologist as well. Came home after those visits, has a small lunch and went back to bed.

My husband came home just before 6 pm and reminded me we had to do a bit of shopping for the service outreach we organize each month. I thought I'd seen the last of my shoes for the day, but I got them back on and helped with the shopping. One Wednesday a month we try to go down to the county jail and cook dinner for the families waiting in line. here's a bit of history on the matter:

Wednesday evenings down at the county jail is family visitation night. A friend of ours( she's a probation officer) had been telling us about how families have to wait outside for hours until time to get their visit. The system stinks--they have to sign up between 6-7pm and at 8pm the list of visitations is posted. Some families don't get to see their incarcerated loved one until midnight or later! Quite often there are young mothers there with small children and no time for dinner. If you lose your place in the sign up line--you might as well count on being the midnight visitors. Spring , summer, winter and fall, rain, shine or snow these people must wait in a back alley with little or no shelter. We( a group of 5-6 people) try to lessen the wait once a month and cook dinner. tomorrow's menu includes hamburgers, chili, cookies, assorted ships, cookies and hot drinks. Last month we had scarves, hats and gloves and umbrellas to go with the food. it was cold and rainy and very needed.
Tomorrow will be a cold one. I have some hats, glove and scarves for tomorrow--I pray it's enough. Keep me in prayer since I'm a bit under the weather myself. The pictures today include my dog, Chester and the snow on the red maple tree out front of the house.
Blessing and grace,
Rae