So I had this idea and I thought I'd throw it out there for discussion....
What if we opened an ebay-based virtual thrift store for the support of at least one Pastor of Vintage Fellowship and his family? This would be a our bread and butter until Robb could be paid by VF. Lots of people are living on what they make on ebay and my 5 years of experience selling has basically proved that you get out of it what you put into it. My idea gets nuttier...what if people could donate (like they do to Goodwill or the Salvation Army) their household goods and such to Vintage Fellowship? Couldn't we provide them with a tax write-off? Whatever we can't sell (or don't want to sell) we could just go ahead and take to the various thrift stores. I see this as a short-term thing of two or three years.
Here's the list of what we would need that we've thought of so far:
Mac compatible bulk listing tool (Ebay only supports PC users...how much does that suck?) These tools do exist for subscription prices of about 20 dollars a month.
Storage Unit
A clear-cut division of labor so we don't kill each other.
Store subscription fees
Tax information nailed down (where do you start exactly?)
Weekly ad in the paper or other form of donation solicitation.
Purchase our own health insurance.
Here are some of the plusses:
I can't see myself working for someone else.
I don't do 9-5.
Robb and I could work together (we've done it before).
Would actually free Robb up to have more time to work at Vintage Stuff, which ultimately aids the strength of the launch
Flexibility. Of course you have to put in the time, but it's more on your terms.
SOoooooooo.....that's something we are batting around. Thoughts?
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
HOW TO PUT ON A GOOD GARAGE SALE by Someone in a Buying State of Mind
I go to a sale EXPECTING to buy something and frequently doing so. I rarely walk away from a garage sale, and even more rarely from an estate sale, empty-handed. So I think that I can honestly say that I am an ideal customer. From that vantage point, I would like to tell you flat out what to do and what not to do at a sale.
1. If you advertise in the paper, which I always think is a good idea, don't open the sale to collector's the night before and let them walk away with everything. I know you are thinking dollar signs, but I'll be there bright and early at the time you state in the ad, and I think it stinks that you didn't even stick to your own guidelines. I might even just walk away in disgust.
2. Put up some decent signs for pity sake. Don't think I'm going to read the address on the sign outside your subdivision and remember it while I wander down cherry, maple, sumac and oak street. A sign on every corner is what you need....with big arrows. Tape it to a big box and weight it down. Consider balloons...they always catch my eye. Get that neon poster-board...it costs like 3 bucks and will pay for itself 10 times over. Cheap signs tell me you don't have anything good (thin paper) or you don't know what you are doing (brown cardboard). On the other hand, if your sign is "too good" (Wooden, painted, stencilled) I will probably think you are "perpetual" or repeat sale, likely to have high prices and picked-over junque and I won't bother. When your sale is over, take the signs down. It will keep unwanted traffic out of your neighborhood and make your neighbors much happier with you.
3. Tell us what you are: If it is a moving sale, yard sale, barn sale, estate sale, garage sale, porch sale, whatever....their are subtle differences that cue me in on whether or not to chase your sign. I once followed a "Barn Sale" sign for 10 miles expecting stuff peole would put in a barn and ended up at a lousy pole-barn full of cheap packaged flea-market crap. And btw, HUGE sale generally means just you have a bunch of clothes. Consider these for signs: MAN's SALE (tools, fishing gear, oily stuff) HOUSEHOLD SALE* STUDENT SALE* CLOTHING SALE* KIDS STUFF SALE*
4. Bundle. If you are selling kids clothes, bundle up similar sizes, seasons, items (like onesies) with masking tape, mark it clearly as to the size, and price it together. I have 100 sales to go to, and I'm not going to paw through a mish-mash table looking for matching socks. I do that at home already.
5. If you advertise in the paper, put the address in your ad. Seems pretty straightforward, but you'd be surprised.
6. If you are doing an estate sale, I feel for you. I've been there. I try very hard to be respectful because I know that this is your family stuff and your memories. If you don't want to sell something, mark it SOLD. Or set it aside in a clearly-marked off-limits area. Price your items clearly. I went to a sale this weekend where nothing was priced and everything I took to whoever was in charge (which wasn't clear) I was told it wasn't for sale or that they didn't want to part with it, or I was quoted a price that was rediculously high. This is awkward for everyone and doesn't encourage getting rid of the household items you really want to get rid of. If you don't know what you have, get someone outside the family who does know. DON'T GO BY PRICES YOU"VE SEEN IN ANTIQUE STORES!!!! You probably won't get that price. If I want to pay that price, I'd go to the antique store myself at a reasonable time of day, not at 7:00 a.m. when I am pre-coffee.
7. Unless you are a finalist on The Apprentice, don't suggest things I might like. I HATE that and nothing will send me scurrying away faster than you telling me what might interest me. You don't know me and you don't know what I want. If it is that hard to find what I want, your sale is a disorganized mess and you are better off spending your time and energy making it neat and easy to scan. And while you are at it, don't offer my kids big, loud, obnoxious toys. If you would like to busy my kidlets with a box of free toys from McDonalds, that's great. I can throw them in my free box when they get tired of them. But when you offer them something I don't want them to have, you are infringing on my rights as a parent. That's not cool.
Lastly: Decide what you are trying to accomplish. Are you trying to make money? Or are you trying to get rid of stuff? One of these has to be the guiding principle that characterizes your sale. If you are trying to sell a high-priced item, list it in the paper, take it to a consignment shop, or have someone sell it for you on ebay. Don't ever expect to get more than 30% of what you paid for something at a garage sale. I go to your garage sale to help you get rid of stuff. If I think you are trying to make a rediculous amount of money, I'll just walk away. I don't know why, but it is a huge turnoff. I guess because I believe Garage Sales should be for fun, for you and for the buyers. If it is fun and cheap it's much more likely that I will buy a lot, which will ultimatly bring you more cash than if I bought one high-priced item or nothing at all. Consider making this very clear to your buyers. I frequently put up a sign that says "I want to get rid of this stuff...make me an offer!" Although my items are already priced, I want buyers to know what the general idea is at the beginning. If you are trying to make money on your high end antiques or clothing, say something like this in your ad: "High end sale."
okay...time to read the ads. Have fun out there!
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Off the Beaten Path
It's been no shock to Happiness readers that this fam has been limping a bit. (Emotionally and physically....it looks as though my poor hubby has heel-spurs that make walking incredibly painful). A friend mentioned that psych test where you get a certain number of points for the stressors you've had in the last 12 months and I looked it up: A high number is 300. I scored a 356.
So this morning, I woke up with a whim, or whatever is exactly one notch up from a whim, maybe a yen. We had some french toast, got dressed and went to church. Not a big , fancy-schmancy church. Not a user-friendly church where you can slip in the back and anonymously warm the pew. Nope. We went to a Primitive Regular Baptist, established in 1883, little white church in the Wildwood on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere.
I found it a couple of days ago while scouting out an estate sale; in fact, true confessions, if we didn't make it the service, I knew that the estate sale was still going on.
So we drove about 45 minutes to get there, and Robb popped in a CD called "The Longing " and between the music and prairie-clean quality of the mountain views, I didn't know if I was worshiping or if my heart was breaking or both.
I was pleasantly surprised to find it air-conditioned, but unpleasantly surprised to find that it had been redone inside and therefore had completely lost the "old church smell." Of course, we added to their number by at least a third and they all stopped whatever they were doing to greet us exhuberantly. We were led in singing from the Heavenly Highway Hymnal, including a hymn I actually didn't know. Though almost everyone was kissing-ancient, a very sparkly magnent of a little girl, about Mattie's age, came to greet us. She had a rare quality of being very much a little girl with a charming simple innocence, all the while seeming curiously like a polite old lady. She came down the aisle to us after the singing to ask if she could sit with Mattie. Her father was filling the pulpit that morning, and they sang a duet. She had perfect pitch. The sermon was completely extemporaneous, and we were assurred by the preacher of two things: our children were completley welcome in the service, noise and all, and that it was no accident that God had brought us there that day. I found that rather refreshing.
It reminded us much of our "just starting out" days at South Baptist Church, where everyone had grandchildren that were older than us. And what headaches and heartaches we had there. And how we loved them.
I guess it was homesickness that took me there this morning. The wave of nostalgia when we stood to sing "Just As I Am" at the end might have knocked me over if it weren't for a firm grip on the back of the pew in front of me. A longing for something simple, where the bar is low and expectations for success are non-existent....truly...we called my father-in-law for a refresher on what Primitive Regular Baptist are and found that they are so hyper-Calvinistic that they don't believe in missions, evangelism or tracts. It's all up to God according to them. Well...yeah...sort of.
We asked the kids what they thought and Vin declared it "BOOOOORING" but Mattie liked it. She has an old soul too sometimes.
So this morning, I woke up with a whim, or whatever is exactly one notch up from a whim, maybe a yen. We had some french toast, got dressed and went to church. Not a big , fancy-schmancy church. Not a user-friendly church where you can slip in the back and anonymously warm the pew. Nope. We went to a Primitive Regular Baptist, established in 1883, little white church in the Wildwood on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere.
I found it a couple of days ago while scouting out an estate sale; in fact, true confessions, if we didn't make it the service, I knew that the estate sale was still going on.
So we drove about 45 minutes to get there, and Robb popped in a CD called "The Longing " and between the music and prairie-clean quality of the mountain views, I didn't know if I was worshiping or if my heart was breaking or both.
I was pleasantly surprised to find it air-conditioned, but unpleasantly surprised to find that it had been redone inside and therefore had completely lost the "old church smell." Of course, we added to their number by at least a third and they all stopped whatever they were doing to greet us exhuberantly. We were led in singing from the Heavenly Highway Hymnal, including a hymn I actually didn't know. Though almost everyone was kissing-ancient, a very sparkly magnent of a little girl, about Mattie's age, came to greet us. She had a rare quality of being very much a little girl with a charming simple innocence, all the while seeming curiously like a polite old lady. She came down the aisle to us after the singing to ask if she could sit with Mattie. Her father was filling the pulpit that morning, and they sang a duet. She had perfect pitch. The sermon was completely extemporaneous, and we were assurred by the preacher of two things: our children were completley welcome in the service, noise and all, and that it was no accident that God had brought us there that day. I found that rather refreshing.
It reminded us much of our "just starting out" days at South Baptist Church, where everyone had grandchildren that were older than us. And what headaches and heartaches we had there. And how we loved them.
I guess it was homesickness that took me there this morning. The wave of nostalgia when we stood to sing "Just As I Am" at the end might have knocked me over if it weren't for a firm grip on the back of the pew in front of me. A longing for something simple, where the bar is low and expectations for success are non-existent....truly...we called my father-in-law for a refresher on what Primitive Regular Baptist are and found that they are so hyper-Calvinistic that they don't believe in missions, evangelism or tracts. It's all up to God according to them. Well...yeah...sort of.
We asked the kids what they thought and Vin declared it "BOOOOORING" but Mattie liked it. She has an old soul too sometimes.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Lost and Found
So, while getting ready for the first Vintage service, between bringing in electrical cords, holding a sleeping baby, and wandering around in a dark theater, I lost my glasses. Checked with the lost and found at Malco and the mall...no dice.
So while rooting around in my ebay stock, I found a stash of old glasses I got at estate sales (I always buy these, even the freaky 80's ones because you never know...) So for a dollar (and some other charges for retro-fitting, changing the lens shape, and grinding holders in the side) I got some new ones. I wouldn't have picked them out in the store, but hey...they work. I have to readjust to them all over again, and my computer screen looks like a trapezoid to me. Hopefully that will improve.
I also got a box of really fun doo dabs yesterday at a garage sale for 50 cents. In it, I got a stack of old papers, maps, letters, a scrapbook and Christmas cards. One set of letters was regarding a man who had been discharged from his job. The author wrote,
"Dear Sir and Brother, in conference with Mr. Worman yesterday, in handling the case of Brother C.L. Atwell, I assured him that Atwell would go straight and that our boys would see to it that he does, and would report to the proper official if they could not straigten Atwell out in the event that he did not go straight with reference to the thing for which he was discharged."
Further letters revealed that he had harbored a bootlegger, his brother, while in the employ as a fireman.
Letters in response stated that he could not have his job back because "men having connection with liquor and dishonesty could not be given any consideration."
Three more letters debated back and forth. Finally, in the last paper of the stack, I found this:
" To whom it may concern,
On account of the fact that he has been out of work for a long time, during these hard times, and with a family to support, has had a hard time making a living for them, we the undersignd hereby petition you to re-instate Mr. C. L. Atwell to his former position or some other one in order that he may provide for his family. We are citizens of ****** and are well acquainted with his condition."
Then, a list of all the townsfolks, and where they worked.
They are dated 1933.
Also in the stack, a picture of an old house with the family standing on the porch. I have decided that this is something I will collect. I already have several of these kind of pics...and I love how proud these people are to stand outside their home and have it photographed.
The Christmas cards are an absolute hoot: Each one is from the "Holy Land" and includes mustard seeds, vials of Jordan River water, a rock from Calvary, and dirt from Bethlehem. All of the cards state that "the tiny fingers of orphans collected" these artifacts and one card even has a picture of the little mites climbing up a rocky hill with little buckets collecting the stones....WHAT kind of Orphanage is this????? And oh, by the way, Merry Christmas!
One other ironic little tidbit: I needed some new duds, so at each of my fourty seven stops while thrifting and garage saling, I looked for some things for myself. I ended up with three of nearly the same shirt. At least I'm consistent.
So while rooting around in my ebay stock, I found a stash of old glasses I got at estate sales (I always buy these, even the freaky 80's ones because you never know...) So for a dollar (and some other charges for retro-fitting, changing the lens shape, and grinding holders in the side) I got some new ones. I wouldn't have picked them out in the store, but hey...they work. I have to readjust to them all over again, and my computer screen looks like a trapezoid to me. Hopefully that will improve.
I also got a box of really fun doo dabs yesterday at a garage sale for 50 cents. In it, I got a stack of old papers, maps, letters, a scrapbook and Christmas cards. One set of letters was regarding a man who had been discharged from his job. The author wrote,
"Dear Sir and Brother, in conference with Mr. Worman yesterday, in handling the case of Brother C.L. Atwell, I assured him that Atwell would go straight and that our boys would see to it that he does, and would report to the proper official if they could not straigten Atwell out in the event that he did not go straight with reference to the thing for which he was discharged."
Further letters revealed that he had harbored a bootlegger, his brother, while in the employ as a fireman.
Letters in response stated that he could not have his job back because "men having connection with liquor and dishonesty could not be given any consideration."
Three more letters debated back and forth. Finally, in the last paper of the stack, I found this:
" To whom it may concern,
On account of the fact that he has been out of work for a long time, during these hard times, and with a family to support, has had a hard time making a living for them, we the undersignd hereby petition you to re-instate Mr. C. L. Atwell to his former position or some other one in order that he may provide for his family. We are citizens of ****** and are well acquainted with his condition."
Then, a list of all the townsfolks, and where they worked.
They are dated 1933.
Also in the stack, a picture of an old house with the family standing on the porch. I have decided that this is something I will collect. I already have several of these kind of pics...and I love how proud these people are to stand outside their home and have it photographed.
The Christmas cards are an absolute hoot: Each one is from the "Holy Land" and includes mustard seeds, vials of Jordan River water, a rock from Calvary, and dirt from Bethlehem. All of the cards state that "the tiny fingers of orphans collected" these artifacts and one card even has a picture of the little mites climbing up a rocky hill with little buckets collecting the stones....WHAT kind of Orphanage is this????? And oh, by the way, Merry Christmas!
One other ironic little tidbit: I needed some new duds, so at each of my fourty seven stops while thrifting and garage saling, I looked for some things for myself. I ended up with three of nearly the same shirt. At least I'm consistent.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
It happened in Walmart...
Had a couple great moments yesterday...you know those moments you look back on and just shake your head because they are so....
embarassing.
So I tried on a pair of those cute little crop pants everyone is wearing....got 'em half way up around my child-bearing hips and my darling son opened the door on me. I was in the end stall which faced about half of men's-wear including some old guy showing how his new khaki's fit to his wife. Nice. (and oh, yeah, insult to injury, the pants were too small).
Soooooo...went on shopping and headed to check out, where I leaned over the cart to empty the contents onto the belt and dropped a huge jar of applesauce on my foot where it smashed to pieces, cut my foot a little bit, and brought a gaggle of employees all being extraordinarily nice to me so I wouldn't sue them for....I guess allowing gravity in their store. (And shame on them for that...because if it weren't for the darn gravity, maybe the pants would have fit....)
The kids were super impressed that the employees cleaned it up, not me. They thought that was really interesting.
So I went home and took the groceries in, propping the door open to make things a bit easier. By the time I started to put the food away, a literal SWARM of flies was about to carry off my purchases. Folks, I am telling you...the fly thing is BAD. I spend about 1/2 hour every day around 4 o'clock killing them, just so I can make dinner in peace. Then I have to wipe down the table again (for obvious reasons) and I've washed the windows twice already since moving in. I've dismembered two fly swatters already from hitting the darn flies whilst they crawl around weird angles of the windows. I have the sticky fly tape hanging over my dinner table...yum. I even have the kind of fly tape that has some kind of fly-sex-pheremone on it....and apparently the little buggers have a headache, because I only have like one fly on that thing, and I think it was one I smashed with the flyswatter first and then flicked it on there just to start a body-count.
So, after another meal with one hand on my fork and the other swishing the flies off my daughter's face, Robb went to WALMART (insert sound of angel voices) and returned with an electronic fly and mosquito indoor trap. It looks like a coffee maker and has a little fan inside. They are attracted to the light and then get sucked inside, where the fan dehydrates them...or of course, I can pull the drawer out and take them outside if being humane to flies is important to me. Trust me...it isn't. Kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out, as far as I'm concerned.
Ah, Walmart. Where would we be without you?
embarassing.
So I tried on a pair of those cute little crop pants everyone is wearing....got 'em half way up around my child-bearing hips and my darling son opened the door on me. I was in the end stall which faced about half of men's-wear including some old guy showing how his new khaki's fit to his wife. Nice. (and oh, yeah, insult to injury, the pants were too small).
Soooooo...went on shopping and headed to check out, where I leaned over the cart to empty the contents onto the belt and dropped a huge jar of applesauce on my foot where it smashed to pieces, cut my foot a little bit, and brought a gaggle of employees all being extraordinarily nice to me so I wouldn't sue them for....I guess allowing gravity in their store. (And shame on them for that...because if it weren't for the darn gravity, maybe the pants would have fit....)
The kids were super impressed that the employees cleaned it up, not me. They thought that was really interesting.
So I went home and took the groceries in, propping the door open to make things a bit easier. By the time I started to put the food away, a literal SWARM of flies was about to carry off my purchases. Folks, I am telling you...the fly thing is BAD. I spend about 1/2 hour every day around 4 o'clock killing them, just so I can make dinner in peace. Then I have to wipe down the table again (for obvious reasons) and I've washed the windows twice already since moving in. I've dismembered two fly swatters already from hitting the darn flies whilst they crawl around weird angles of the windows. I have the sticky fly tape hanging over my dinner table...yum. I even have the kind of fly tape that has some kind of fly-sex-pheremone on it....and apparently the little buggers have a headache, because I only have like one fly on that thing, and I think it was one I smashed with the flyswatter first and then flicked it on there just to start a body-count.
So, after another meal with one hand on my fork and the other swishing the flies off my daughter's face, Robb went to WALMART (insert sound of angel voices) and returned with an electronic fly and mosquito indoor trap. It looks like a coffee maker and has a little fan inside. They are attracted to the light and then get sucked inside, where the fan dehydrates them...or of course, I can pull the drawer out and take them outside if being humane to flies is important to me. Trust me...it isn't. Kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out, as far as I'm concerned.
Ah, Walmart. Where would we be without you?
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Happy Father's Day!
My Dad always made me feel like he was pleasantly surprised by me every morning. That's a lot of love to bask and grow in.
My husband makes me feel like I am the only person in the world who can understand and compell him. That is an empowered way to live every day.
To my Dad and the Father of the my children, I gotta say, "Thanks Guys! I love you so much!"
And to my Big Brother, Brother-in-laws, and dear friends....I salute your faithfullness as Dads. God bless you for it.
My husband makes me feel like I am the only person in the world who can understand and compell him. That is an empowered way to live every day.
To my Dad and the Father of the my children, I gotta say, "Thanks Guys! I love you so much!"
And to my Big Brother, Brother-in-laws, and dear friends....I salute your faithfullness as Dads. God bless you for it.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
recipe for frustration
1 swarm of flies
3 small children going in and out by the minute
0 screen doors
1 pair of lost glasses
Mix all the ingredients repeatedly and then try to swat the fuzzy black dots that keep dive-bombing you while you are squinting. It would be funny if it weren't so dang annoying.
3 small children going in and out by the minute
0 screen doors
1 pair of lost glasses
Mix all the ingredients repeatedly and then try to swat the fuzzy black dots that keep dive-bombing you while you are squinting. It would be funny if it weren't so dang annoying.
A family day of epic proportions
I admit, I'm a little behind on the blog....Hubby had Tuesday off and with his keen instinct for fun and the need for it, planned what he dubbed "A Family Day of Epic Proportions."
Start the day with a good breakfast, we always say: OJ, Bacon and My Very Special Extra Fluffy Cornmeal, Blueberry & Vanilla Pancakes.
An hour to get caught up on the news and events of the world.
Swimming at the Jones Center: This is a family place where you can just call ahead to get free tickets. The pool is perfect for our kids with a 3.5 feet deep-end. It also has a waterslide that all three kids love to have mom and dad take them down.
2 hours later, we stop off at McDonalds for yogurt parfaits, which Vin refers to as Barfaits. Actually, he refers to them as The Best Barfaits in the World!
Next, it's Gator Golf time! Super-fun miniature golf place where Mom handed Dad's behind to him on a platter (and I have to rub it in a little because I always start off well and then he beats my pants off and this time HE DIDN'T). Oh, yeah, the kids had fun too.
Then it was on to try out the regionally fabous AQ Chicken House. We were not disappointed since kids eat free and Mom and Dad ate fabtastic chicken, smokey baked beans, fresh, warm and home-made-tasting rolls with strawberry preserves, corn on the cob and ....man I love Southern Food. I'm seriously a fan.
Then!!!! We headed over to the movie theatre (He wasn't joking about epic proportions, here, kiddo) to see the very funny Cars, which was hilarious and made me think there might be something to that whole Nascar thing after all...Really, really cute. Vin's favorite part: the credits. He laughed so hard we thought they might want us to leave.
Then it was home to tuck in the weary party-animals and take in another new episode of our fav show right now (because it's the only stinking thing on 120 channels) Deadliest Catch.
Thanks, Babe for the super fun day!
Start the day with a good breakfast, we always say: OJ, Bacon and My Very Special Extra Fluffy Cornmeal, Blueberry & Vanilla Pancakes.
An hour to get caught up on the news and events of the world.
Swimming at the Jones Center: This is a family place where you can just call ahead to get free tickets. The pool is perfect for our kids with a 3.5 feet deep-end. It also has a waterslide that all three kids love to have mom and dad take them down.
2 hours later, we stop off at McDonalds for yogurt parfaits, which Vin refers to as Barfaits. Actually, he refers to them as The Best Barfaits in the World!
Next, it's Gator Golf time! Super-fun miniature golf place where Mom handed Dad's behind to him on a platter (and I have to rub it in a little because I always start off well and then he beats my pants off and this time HE DIDN'T). Oh, yeah, the kids had fun too.
Then it was on to try out the regionally fabous AQ Chicken House. We were not disappointed since kids eat free and Mom and Dad ate fabtastic chicken, smokey baked beans, fresh, warm and home-made-tasting rolls with strawberry preserves, corn on the cob and ....man I love Southern Food. I'm seriously a fan.
Then!!!! We headed over to the movie theatre (He wasn't joking about epic proportions, here, kiddo) to see the very funny Cars, which was hilarious and made me think there might be something to that whole Nascar thing after all...Really, really cute. Vin's favorite part: the credits. He laughed so hard we thought they might want us to leave.
Then it was home to tuck in the weary party-animals and take in another new episode of our fav show right now (because it's the only stinking thing on 120 channels) Deadliest Catch.
Thanks, Babe for the super fun day!
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Can I just be honest?
Like, when I am not, huh?
The truth is that planting a church can be really hard on your marriage and family. I just want everyone out there to be really clear on this point. Don't think it's all godliness and great-relating here in this household. One minute you are doing some really great stuff that is directly tied to the kingdom and the next minute, you are freezing up inside because of a dirty dish left on the nightstand (which is probably even more directly tied to the kingdom). This thing we are doing has been incredibly stressful at times, and our marriage has taken on greater strain emotionally, physically, financially, and relationally than we have ever faced before. We've hardly seen each other for months, and when we do there is "stuff" that has to be done, bills to pay, kids crying for attention, etc. etc. We are doing our best but it is really hard sometimes. We don't fight. Sometimes, we just wouldn't even have the energy to, which is bad because sometimes a good knock-down, drag-out fight is just what the doctor ordered.
I'm telling you this for a couple of reasons (not so you will volunteer to babysit)...
1. We have given up the gig of being the perfect pastor and perfect pastor's wife so that we can be "good leaders". We are regular people with "warts and all." We aren't trying to launch a church where we encourage people to be just like us. We are trying to be a church where we all try to be like Jesus because we can be really lousy people left to our own devices.
2. While some might read this and think of it as some nummy bit of gossip to speculate the juicy morsels of just how bad it might be (and I can't control whether or not you are that kind of person) ...some of you might just want to know how we are really doing and how you can really pray for us.
3. You need to know you aren't alone. Other ministry people and non-ministry people know that marriage is a tough gig. I think Robb and I have an amazing love...a once in a lifetime soul-connection that not everyone experiences. But marriage is very daily and very hard sometimes. If you are out there thinking, "what's wrong with us lately?" You aren't alone.
I love my husband. I love that he is so committed to Jesus that he will figure out a way to relate to me, come hell or highwater.
So there you go. Honest and authentic and all that crap.
The truth is that planting a church can be really hard on your marriage and family. I just want everyone out there to be really clear on this point. Don't think it's all godliness and great-relating here in this household. One minute you are doing some really great stuff that is directly tied to the kingdom and the next minute, you are freezing up inside because of a dirty dish left on the nightstand (which is probably even more directly tied to the kingdom). This thing we are doing has been incredibly stressful at times, and our marriage has taken on greater strain emotionally, physically, financially, and relationally than we have ever faced before. We've hardly seen each other for months, and when we do there is "stuff" that has to be done, bills to pay, kids crying for attention, etc. etc. We are doing our best but it is really hard sometimes. We don't fight. Sometimes, we just wouldn't even have the energy to, which is bad because sometimes a good knock-down, drag-out fight is just what the doctor ordered.
I'm telling you this for a couple of reasons (not so you will volunteer to babysit)...
1. We have given up the gig of being the perfect pastor and perfect pastor's wife so that we can be "good leaders". We are regular people with "warts and all." We aren't trying to launch a church where we encourage people to be just like us. We are trying to be a church where we all try to be like Jesus because we can be really lousy people left to our own devices.
2. While some might read this and think of it as some nummy bit of gossip to speculate the juicy morsels of just how bad it might be (and I can't control whether or not you are that kind of person) ...some of you might just want to know how we are really doing and how you can really pray for us.
3. You need to know you aren't alone. Other ministry people and non-ministry people know that marriage is a tough gig. I think Robb and I have an amazing love...a once in a lifetime soul-connection that not everyone experiences. But marriage is very daily and very hard sometimes. If you are out there thinking, "what's wrong with us lately?" You aren't alone.
I love my husband. I love that he is so committed to Jesus that he will figure out a way to relate to me, come hell or highwater.
So there you go. Honest and authentic and all that crap.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Monday, June 12, 2006
What's for supper?
I'm making my menu for the week and I'm a little sick of everything. What are you having for supper? Come on, inspire me.....
The Star of Vintage Fellowship
Vinny asked this morning (before the big day)
"Dad, are you the star of Vintage Fellowship?"
(I suppose because he just finished watching Veggie Tales' Star of Christmas.)
Says Dad gently, "No, Vin. We'd like to think that Jesus is the star of Vintage Fellowship."
Says Vin, crinkling up his nose and mustering all his four-year-old powers of concrete thought,
"Why? He's not helping."
Oh dear. We have missed something major in our son's theological training.
"Dad, are you the star of Vintage Fellowship?"
(I suppose because he just finished watching Veggie Tales' Star of Christmas.)
Says Dad gently, "No, Vin. We'd like to think that Jesus is the star of Vintage Fellowship."
Says Vin, crinkling up his nose and mustering all his four-year-old powers of concrete thought,
"Why? He's not helping."
Oh dear. We have missed something major in our son's theological training.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
merry happy vintage eve
twas the night before our first Vintage service, and I doubt I'll sleep a wink all night.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
just a quick update...
so the first service for Vintage is days away, and we are just stumbling and plowing our way through. I just have to tell you all about an amazing thing...
up until last night we had NO CHILDCARE lined up. A big secret, but a true one that had been keeping us lying awake at night in a panic. Frankly, the marshalls and ryerses were all booked up with other aspects of the service and didn't know how we were going to cover this massive area of need. We continued to alternately strike out and huddle in fear in the corner until ....
BAM! A guy we met at the info meeting invited us to dinner at his house last night and we met his family who were like old friends. Not only did our kids have a blast playing with their three kids, not only did we have an absofabulous meal off the grill, but they are taking the burden of childcare off our backs for this service. They are skilled, experienced, fun, and oh-so-very capable. Rarely do we meet people willing to do The Crazy for the kingdom.
Yes, God is seldom early and never late.
wheewww. Now pray for the nursery workers.
I'm still just so amazed.
up until last night we had NO CHILDCARE lined up. A big secret, but a true one that had been keeping us lying awake at night in a panic. Frankly, the marshalls and ryerses were all booked up with other aspects of the service and didn't know how we were going to cover this massive area of need. We continued to alternately strike out and huddle in fear in the corner until ....
BAM! A guy we met at the info meeting invited us to dinner at his house last night and we met his family who were like old friends. Not only did our kids have a blast playing with their three kids, not only did we have an absofabulous meal off the grill, but they are taking the burden of childcare off our backs for this service. They are skilled, experienced, fun, and oh-so-very capable. Rarely do we meet people willing to do The Crazy for the kingdom.
Yes, God is seldom early and never late.
wheewww. Now pray for the nursery workers.
I'm still just so amazed.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
I think.....
I think I am actually caught up "at work." I left feedback on about 50 items and shipped out 10 packages this morning. If I don't get a neg for slow shipping it will be a miracle....
whoo hoo...time to list!
whoo hoo...time to list!
new house, different plague
well, the ants of the Hollyhock House are no longer our problem.
the flies of what Robb calls "Tiny Manor" are a different story. I have two fly swatters and a body-count you'd never believe.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Sunday, June 04, 2006
In America
We finally got around to watching this amazing flick which I had previously noticed on many of my fellow-blogger's fav lists. We were so moved by this story, it was hard to turn it off as the credits rolled for the sweet taste in our hearts. It included three things that simply couldn't fail to charm a movie: Little girls with Irish brogues, the use of The Byrds' To Everything in the soundtrack and most importantly, a story...a love story of the deepest and most profound sort...between husband and wife, parents and children, neighbors and friends. It was a real artists' rendition of the complexity of being human and what love can accomplish when all else fails.
Here's a link to the trailer.
Here's a link to the trailer.
The Dime Tour
Hey Mom (and the rest of the reading world) here's a quick tour of our new digs. Still have lots of cables and cords to corral, etc. but this is basically where stuff goes. My bathroom is my favorite room of the house. Count my mirror collection...and you haven't even seen half of them...
Body and Soul
It occurs to me that my blog has mostly been about body (doing) not so much about my soul lately. There are several good reasons for this of course...moving and getting settled, the first preview service for Vintage, etc. etc. But honestly, my soul has been tucked away for some time now....far from consciousness. It stems back to God saying "no" to selling the house within the three weeks that we all prayed for. I am still stung from that. In fact, it seems that God has been remarkably silent...He sends occasional greeting cards, but He never calls to talk. His plan remain profoundly hidden from us. Never again will I be completely confident that God will do something. I always thought the Psalmist was being a bit dramatic when he described the way he cried sometimes. Now, I think I understand a bit better. Truly, sometimes disappointment with God can be more profound than unruffled faith in Him.
So as we teeter on the edge of getting this thing called a "church" off the ground, I am slated to sing worship up front. I am left wondering if there is a way to be honest about the fact that as I am up there, I do believe these words I am singing. And I believe wholeheartedly in the vehicle of music to soften the heart...God knows how many times in the past few months that the line of a song was all that seemed to keep me tied to Him. And yet...I doubt. I question. I am no salesperson sold on a product. What I am is someone who thinks this God-Person, like electricity, the printing press, the internet...I don't really understand how He works, but I think He might just revolutionize your life.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
"That rolled my belly...."
You know those cool curvy, hilly roads that you fly over in a little car and feel your stomach fly up inside you? My kids say "That rolled my belly." Color my belly rolled.
We are moved in. The dsl is working correctly and I can actually get online whenever. I mowed the grass. We held a garage sale (to make room for the books that are still coming). I am sunburned. We've eaten a few meals together as a family at our own table. We held a gas-buy-down this morning at a local gas station where we pumped a lot of gas (which let me tell you, I'm not particularly adept at!) We also were interviewed to be on the news! After that we had a meeting to talk over the service that is AUGH! NEXT SUNDAY. I'm not sure what we were expecting from the meeting, but it went pretty well, I think. Including the advent of a new team-member who is amazing, energetic and has undeniable "it" factor. Some things are coming together and some things are hanging over the edge of cliff....
What an amazing ride. You'll have to forgive me for the white knuckles and screaming.
We are moved in. The dsl is working correctly and I can actually get online whenever. I mowed the grass. We held a garage sale (to make room for the books that are still coming). I am sunburned. We've eaten a few meals together as a family at our own table. We held a gas-buy-down this morning at a local gas station where we pumped a lot of gas (which let me tell you, I'm not particularly adept at!) We also were interviewed to be on the news! After that we had a meeting to talk over the service that is AUGH! NEXT SUNDAY. I'm not sure what we were expecting from the meeting, but it went pretty well, I think. Including the advent of a new team-member who is amazing, energetic and has undeniable "it" factor. Some things are coming together and some things are hanging over the edge of cliff....
What an amazing ride. You'll have to forgive me for the white knuckles and screaming.
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