Certain uncertainty...

I am still a little numb, though Jon and I are both still employed. Thank you for your prayers, I fill in more later.

I am certainly hoping so! This weekend, we are leaving Desert Shores behind for the quieter Green Valley. Instead in 27.5 miles of freeway, our daily commute will be 2.5 miles of bike lane. I can completely understand why people who live in Henderson seldom leave. I can completely see myself becoming one of those people who seldom venture north of Flamingo or west of Industrial. Why should I? Everything is here! Here's the rundown on the new digs: 2 bedroom/ 2.5 bath, detached Single car garage 1300 square feet Backyard is completely enclosed (slump block, so lots of privacy) 2 good-sized pine trees providing lots of shade Fresh and Easy is less than one block away! 2.5 miles from Zappos Closest movie theater is 1/2 mile away Less than one mile from the beltway, so easy access anywhere 45 minutes closer to Yuma Those are the important things, I think. I picked up the keys this morning and am taking a carload of things over this afternoon. Tomorrow, Jon is re...

I am a girl who needs her sleep. My body requires a solid 7 hours to even function well, and I really thrive when I can get 8.5 hours. (I know it is not cool to admit to a need for sleep; I hear those around me bragging about how little sleep they get. Ugh) Needless to say, I am less than thrilled to have my nights interrupted by concerns, both real and imagined. In an effort to purge my overact brain of this junk, I am going to put the crazy thoughts out into the world and look at the rationally. 1) We have to move. The woman who owns our condo defaulted on her mortgage. Ok. Nothing to be done but move. 2) We don't yet know where we are going to live. We filed an application for a cute little house down in Green Valley. It's 2.5 miles from Zappos. Just waiting to hear, so nothing more to be done there. 3) What if we don't get that house? Well, it's not like there is any shortage of homes in the valley. So we will find someplace else. 4) What about A finding ...

It is no secret that I am not a fan of change. Someone once told me that most people who don't like change feel that way because we don't like to be inconvenienced. I am not even going to get into how many ways that is not the case for me. Suffice to say, I will put up with MAJOR inconvenience to avoid change! Two weeks ago, I returned from a walk to find a realtor's business card attached to our front door with a note that read "Unit has been foreclosed on please call 498-xxxx." My first thought was about the poor grammar, but that's another post. So, I called the number and was advised that the owner of our condo had indeed defaulted on her mortgage and Countrywide was offering us relocation money and so forth. I was reeling and asked the very nice gentleman if I could call our property manager to verify everything; he agreed. The upshot is that our unit was foreclosed upon back in July, which means that the owner has probably been collecting rent sin...

My cholesterol is, to quote Dr. Mike, "a bit elevated." 209 total, and the LDL:HDL is "not where we like to see things either." Yeah. I am really not surprised, what with my diet and exercise habits this past month. So back to minding my P's and Q's which I have not done since before vacation. Recheck in 6 months and all that jazz. The win: not passing out when the drew my blood. Don't laugh; it has happened before. In happier news, I will begin my new job with a squeaky-clean gut! I will visit the endoscopy center next Thursday. My husband is taking a rather unkind delight in this. Of course, we don't yet know his results...

There are two people in my household. One of us is faithful in certain areas of his (or her) health. The other has not seen a doctor in more than six years, and has not had a physical exam since he (or she) was required by the US government. No names, though. Ahem. Today, this all came to an end. My Jonathan and I each had an appointment with Dr. Mike, our new internist. Good wife that I am, I made the appointments, filled out the necessary paperwork, and showed my darling man where to sign. (No excuses, you see?) Everything went swimmingly; we each met with the good doctor and did the "visit to establish care" thing. Once we checked out and were in the car, I reviewed the particulars. Hmph. Monday morning is blood work (to be expected), and our physicals are later in the week. This was to be expected. What I did not expect was this: Jon walks out with an order for blood work- four tests, and his phys appointment card. I walk out with an order for blood work- EIGHT...

1) Played Bunco last might with some dear girlfriends from church. Note: dried apricots stuffed with almonds are yummy. Note also: sometimes food can look unintentionally naughty. I brought the snacks in question to the Rock Star for his inspection-- he just shook his head. 2) I was not built for this heat. I have been listless, my gut is all upset, and I am praying for a break. The break should be here this weekend, just in time for... 3) Jon scored us a couple tickets to see Jane's Addiction Saturday night at Red Rock . Concert is outside at the pool. I am hoping this means we can at least stick our feet in the water. My favorite kind of show-- FREE! 4) Before said concert, we are going to grab a bite with a couple of Zappos peeps. I am looking forward to that as much as, if not more than, the concert. Frank and Fina's has some darned good guacamole. 5) Two movies in the last week: Get Smart, which made me laugh so hard that I truly thought I might wet my pants...

He could try to deny it, but the proof is there each time I look in the mirror. It's in the deep-set eyes, the high cheekbones, the long face that runs to hollow-cheeked when I am tired. It's all there. It is in my hands and feet- the fingers and toes so long and straight, the instep high. Many who know me say I am my mother all over again, or even "Little Madge," but that is mannerisms. No, I may act like Mudder, and hold my head like she and Gram do, but much of the raw material is Dad. Dad gave me his love of history, poetry, and Poe. In fact, he wanted to name me Lenore , a fight I am eternally grateful he lost! It is a lovely name, but I am not sure I could handle the knowledge that I was named after "the queenliest dead that ever died so young". (I never said the man was always practical!) We both tend to favor American History, though he prefers the Civil War Era and I lean more toward The Revolution. One summer, our travel plans included a day...

Appetizer How much money do you plan to spend this upcoming holiday season? Our budget is really tight this year, but was always pay cash for Christmas. See, Mom, I did learn something! Soup What was the last television show you watched, and was it good? I watched The Unit online yesterday evening. Yes, it was very good. Salad If you had to paint the walls of your living room tomorrow, what color would you choose? I would go with a nice sage. I have a thing from green these days. Alas, we are stuck with Dover White. Main Course Name something clever or practical you have thought of that should be invented, but hasn’t yet. I had an idea for something the other day, but it has totally left me. Dessert List 3 things you would like to receive as gifts this upcoming holiday season. 1) The King Arthur Flour Whole Grains Baking cookbook. I checked it out from the library and am completely enamored of it. I looked for some of the recipes online, but no such luck. 2) Visits from family....

I apologize for causing undue stress (Charm City Kelly) with my earlier post. I cannot go into too many details as yet, but I will elaborate. For some time now, I have felt a certain disquiet. Never sure what it was, and VERY NERVOUS about asking God for clarification, I just simmered. I really do not like change, and I know that this disquiet is usually the precursor to change. Recently, a chance conversation with a friend brought some possibilities to light. I feel a little better prepared for whatever God has in store for me, which is a big deal for a girl who really likes to dig in her heels. See, even when I am too chicken to ask, He is ready to answer.

I maintain that October is Las Vegas makes up for the nasty summers. This week was our annual "turning off of the central air" ceremony. Windows are open (with security bars in place, Dad) and fans are running. I love autumn. I love waking up to a cold nose and snuggling into Jon (I am married to a furnace); I love the smell of woodsmoke in the air as the fireplaces get going; I love the distinct aroma of rotting leaves. I am an autumn kind of girl. Sweaters and soup and the end of daylight savings time. At the end of summer's oppressive heat is the cooling. Seasons are, quite possibly, my favorite part of God's creation. Right now, Jon's and my life is in a summer; it's hot, sticky, and uncomfortable. There are brief moments of artificial cooling, but we always have to get back into the heat. Fall is my reminder that summer is not endless; at the end comes the cool. God will send a cooling season for our summer, just as he sends the cooling season f...

There is pretty much nothing good about unemployment. I wanted to get that out of the way. It has, however, afforded me some reading and watching time that would otherwise not exist. This week's offering were pretty diverse: The Simpson's Movie I'll have to give this one a C-. If you love the TV show (which my husband does), you will love the movie (which he and millions of other Americans obviously did). There is pretty much nothing more to be said. I laughed a bit, but I really don't dig the humor so much. Beside, I was distracted by the inordinate number of CHILDREN IN THE THEATRE!!!! Big Love (Season 1, pilot and episode 2) I really want to like this show, truly. I have read nothing but good about it, and I want to be the type of person who "gets it" (how vain is that?). Confession: I don't "get it." Seems to me that the entire show is an excuse to show Bill Paxton having sex with three different women. I have the rest of t...

So much is rattling around in my brain these days that I need to purge... -Togetherness is beautiful, and I not only love my husband, I also enjoy his company and like him. Having said that, I look forward to his return to full-time employment soon. Jon was laid off right before vacation (that is, the day we left) and I was laid off right after. Some more income sooner than later would be appreciated. -My being laid off is really just a kick in the pants from God. I had been very unhappy there for months, but really liking the money. Now I will be back in school full time and working part time. -The above hinges on Jon's working situation. He has an extremely good opportunity coming up, but we are playing the waiting game right now. We covet your prayers. -The waiting game is taking its toll on my mental health. IRL friends know that I have battled severe depression in the past. I am fighting its hold over me. I refuse to be ruled by irrational thinking!!!...

My darling sister and I have begun "The Great 30-pounder"- a race to see who can lose thirty pounds first. Jon is going to lose with us, but he is not allowed to compete. This is just between us girls. Not sure what is at stake. Any prize ideas??

Four days until a hug from Mandy, a Caleb laugh, that chicken smell. A morning with Dad (since he and I will be up way before anyone else), an afternoon jaunt, a late night cribbage game with Mom. Family vacation is upon us, and that means some surf fishing with Uncle Jim, pool time with Tara and the boys, and hanging with my baby brother . I have a few predictions for the week: 1) My nephews will be completely taken with my Uncle Jim, as he is simply the coolest uncle ever. (Sorry Jon, but it is true. You are second coolest, if that helps) 2) I will forget sunscreen on my feet and ears at least once and end up looking like some strange Vulcan-Hobbit cross. 3) It will take four hours before Mandy and I are rolling our eyes at one another. (Sisters are fun for that, right?) 4) After 24 hours, Jon and Matt will be itching to get away from so many women folk. Uncle Jim will already be on the beach with his fishing poles. 5) At least one Wolske (legal or biological) will end up with a...

Karen . Really, Karen and her family have been such a blessing to (Jon and) me. Teaching is one thing, music is a nice bonus, but what turns a church into a church home is community. Karen "does community" in everything. She calls out of the blue to see how my week is going. She brings smoothies and coffee at just the right moment (when I am liketwosecondsaway from pulling out my hair). She also knows pretty much what I am going to say before I say it (a little scary for those of you who know me IRL). And you know what else? Karen knows when to not even ask. She just knows. My plate is full this week and hers is even more full, believe me. Yet she knows that the healthy thing for me is to not add something else. Knowing full well I would say, "sure, I'll do it", she just doesn't ask. I love that she has my back where I am lacking good sense.

1) For the first time in my memory, our gas prices are actually BELOW the national average. I filled up for $3.159, which while far from ideal, is much better than much of the country. I still cannot understand the perpetual desire to see conspiracies in all of this. ExxonMobil posted record profits because- say it with me now- they are THE LARGEST COMPANY IN THE WORLD . If they didn't have larger profits, I would be worried. Wouldn't you? 2) We have twenty-six days until vacation in OBX. I am really looking forward to spending good beach time with my mum, BIL, SIL, sis, and whomever else makes their way down to Corolla. Mum has let a house for a week and I am cooking for the crew. Some sun, some cards, some beer- good times. 3) Jon and I took in a movie this afternoon- Hot Fuzz , a cute British spoof of American action flix. Laughed. A lot. I love Bill Nighy any way I can find him. He was hilarious in Love, Actually and freaking brilliant in Notes on a Scandal . 4)...

Jon's civic accomplishments since Friday: Civil unrest and riots in City Life Body count in Sims : 1 mother (within first day of play) 1 drummer (again within first day of play) Both Sims deaths were kitchen fires. On a lighter note, I was able to witness the demise of the drummer, and Sims do a rather funny burning to death dance. Stop, drop, and roll was apparently not an option. I think that I will be doing the grilling from here on out...

I love numbers. I love how numbers can tell a story; I love how numbers sing a song, I love that numbers can paint a picture. But the stories told, songs sung, and pictures painted vary. Numbers can be, and very often are, manipulated. After reading this , this , and our power bill for March, I decided to do a little digging. Nevada Power has a "green power" program which we can choose to support (min $5 each month, but we can give more). This doesn't say how much guilt is allayed on the dollar , but I can pretty much bet it ain't much. See, this is where the money goes . Wow--three whole houses! (Mom, I know you can hear my eyes rolling, but please understand that it is totally justified.) Thankyouverymuch, I will save my ten dollars each month and use that money to buy something useful, like a programmable thermostat or water heater blanket. On to our numbers: Last year's average daily usage peaked in July and August at 57 KWH and 50 KWH respectively...

Neil Simpson has a great analysis of a recent Time Magazine article . This paragraph particularly resonates with me: The author probably doesn’t realize it, but there is something perverse about asking the money question after the women are pregnant. They are assuming what they should be proving, namely that the unborn aren’t humans worthy or protection. If they want to use costs as a reason for birth control, that is one set of arguments. But once the human being exists we shouldn’t be debating whether or not to kill her to save money. After all, if we are just after cost savings, why not kill poor people outside the womb? Amen. What makes us fell the need to place an economic value on a life? Anyway, Neil says what I would like to have the eloquence to say. Go. Read.