Alright, so I've flirted with the idea of getting a Sizzix cutter of some sort, but I didn't really know much about it. I saw the Sizzix BigKick and decided to look it up. I watched some videos and I was hooked on it! (Lindsay...kind of like the Big Bite Crop-a-dile...) Anyhow, I got one today at Joann's. They had 40% off coupons, and 30% off the other cutting accessories. So...I made a couple investments in the "dies", as they're called.
So, long story short, I'm adding Sizzix stuff to my "Hope List". So far what I bought today include:
* Sizzix Originals Flower Layers #3
* Sizzix Originals Hearts, Tipsy
* Sizzix Originals Puzzle Maker #2
* Sizzix Originals Stars #2
* Sizzix Originals Circles #2
I'm excited about this because I will be using it like crazy for my class (which, btw, starts tomorrow). Our first shape will be the circle, so I will be breakin' that one in first I think. Woohoo!!
Just thought I'd share a part of my day. I'll post tomorrow or soon after about my first day.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
A loss of words...kind of...
Alright, so what do I say? Well, I'm disappointed, bummed, confused, let down, deceived...umm...I think that covers it.
What am I talking about? The house. Yes, "the house". About 5 months ago, Mike said if I made a couple thousand a month, then we could look more into that house. Well, I will be making over $1000, with 40 hours a week, plus saving $1000 from not having the expense of childcare. That would make over $2000/month, which is a "couple thousand" in my book. Which would mean we could start considering it, right? Wrong.
The criteria changed. It changed a couple months ago add on lower interest rates. At the time it was about 6.2-6.7% (depending on 15 & 30 year fixed), and he seemed to be ok with a 30-year loan, if it were a lower APR. Alright, so...yesterday I looked, and mortgage rates are 5.7% for a 30-year loan! That's a pretty good rate, especially considering the rates just months prior. So...that to me would mean conditions are right, right? Wrong...another condition.
Now, it HAS to be a 15-year loan, which yes, makes sense, because you pay off your house sooner and save tons of money, however, the payment would be about $500/month more. Well...this is all pending the price we would buy that house at. If we paid exactly what they're asking, it would be a steep payment. If we countered them, and they had that certain number of $385k...payments would be much more managable.
We saw a sermon over the weekend that talked about God not wanting us to be in debt. Well that may be true, but not very many people can afford to pay cash out of pocket for their home in their 20's and 30's. He wants to know what the urgency is with me wanting to move. The only way I can explain it is that I really think that house would be perfect for us...and who knows when someone's going to buy it. I know if it's for us, it will happen, but if you don't listen to God, you miss opportunities. So he says I'm trying to set our family up for financial disaster, failure, catastrophe. Please tell me what you think. By the way, our gas for vehicles would cost less, even though Mike would drive further in the car, I would drive less in the van, and we would pay off one of my student loans. We could pay off both with the sale of this house, but one is at 1.49%, and 1/3 of the payment of the other, so we're ok with that.
I'm bummed by the constant revision of criteria to meet. It's not fair. Yeah, I know, life's not fair. But imagine you're running a marathon and you're on the marked course and you can see the finish line when all of a sudden, they take it down and move it 10 blocks further. Ok, you get your motivation going again to make it to that finish line. You can do it! It happens...you finally make it you're so close...keep running you're going to finish! And they move it again. How disappointing is that?
Where do I go from here? All I can do is look up. Lord, if this is Your will, you will make a way. Help me to see your way. Thank you God for all you've given us. In Jesus' name, Amen. I am so thankful for my job, and so thankful that the APR's have dropped, and that we got extra money with our early dividends.
What am I talking about? The house. Yes, "the house". About 5 months ago, Mike said if I made a couple thousand a month, then we could look more into that house. Well, I will be making over $1000, with 40 hours a week, plus saving $1000 from not having the expense of childcare. That would make over $2000/month, which is a "couple thousand" in my book. Which would mean we could start considering it, right? Wrong.
The criteria changed. It changed a couple months ago add on lower interest rates. At the time it was about 6.2-6.7% (depending on 15 & 30 year fixed), and he seemed to be ok with a 30-year loan, if it were a lower APR. Alright, so...yesterday I looked, and mortgage rates are 5.7% for a 30-year loan! That's a pretty good rate, especially considering the rates just months prior. So...that to me would mean conditions are right, right? Wrong...another condition.
Now, it HAS to be a 15-year loan, which yes, makes sense, because you pay off your house sooner and save tons of money, however, the payment would be about $500/month more. Well...this is all pending the price we would buy that house at. If we paid exactly what they're asking, it would be a steep payment. If we countered them, and they had that certain number of $385k...payments would be much more managable.
We saw a sermon over the weekend that talked about God not wanting us to be in debt. Well that may be true, but not very many people can afford to pay cash out of pocket for their home in their 20's and 30's. He wants to know what the urgency is with me wanting to move. The only way I can explain it is that I really think that house would be perfect for us...and who knows when someone's going to buy it. I know if it's for us, it will happen, but if you don't listen to God, you miss opportunities. So he says I'm trying to set our family up for financial disaster, failure, catastrophe. Please tell me what you think. By the way, our gas for vehicles would cost less, even though Mike would drive further in the car, I would drive less in the van, and we would pay off one of my student loans. We could pay off both with the sale of this house, but one is at 1.49%, and 1/3 of the payment of the other, so we're ok with that.
I'm bummed by the constant revision of criteria to meet. It's not fair. Yeah, I know, life's not fair. But imagine you're running a marathon and you're on the marked course and you can see the finish line when all of a sudden, they take it down and move it 10 blocks further. Ok, you get your motivation going again to make it to that finish line. You can do it! It happens...you finally make it you're so close...keep running you're going to finish! And they move it again. How disappointing is that?
Where do I go from here? All I can do is look up. Lord, if this is Your will, you will make a way. Help me to see your way. Thank you God for all you've given us. In Jesus' name, Amen. I am so thankful for my job, and so thankful that the APR's have dropped, and that we got extra money with our early dividends.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Sponsor a singer...yes...me
As you may or may not know, I am a member of the Anchorage Concert Chorus. This is my second semester. Every semester, we are responsible for raising funds to help keep the Chorus going. There's a lot involved in keeping an organization together and operating smoothly. Here are some of the expenses that our dues, and your donations pay for:
♪ Pay the conductor
♫ Pay the pianist
♪ Pay the orchestra
♫ Pay for weekly rehearsal time
♪ Pay for dress rehearsals in the Performing Arts Center
♫ Pay for concert in the PAC
♪ Pay for marketing
♫ Pay for licensing of music
♪ Pay for all scores (Orchestral, Piano, vocal parts)
♫ Our CD, recording fees, printing, etc. (I am posting one song from the CD...one of my all time favorite holiday songs, and Mike's boss solo's in it. O Holy Night right below my other media player on my main page.)
So with this, I ask for your support. Upon generous donation, it would be safe to say you will have an extra gift for Christmas. No...I'm not bribing you...I'm simply letting you know your donation will be appreciated and reciprocated. ;-)
What do you get for donating? You get the satisfaction of knowing that you helped put on the show for all of the Anchorage area to see. You get your name or business in the season's programs as a supporter (if you desire, or remain anonymous), and your name on a Supporter board in the lobby for the year at the PAC. AND....eh hmmm...you get a write off on your taxes, as ACC is a non-profit organization.
How can you help? There are two ways: you can either sponsor me as a singer, or place an ad in our programs. There are two programs this season, and you'll be in both (one for the October 11th concert, and one for the December 21st concert). You can donate any amount you'd like. Ad costs are as follows:
Full Page = $400 6 1/2" W X 8" H
1/2 page = $235 Horizontal (6 1/2" W X 3 7/8" H) or vertical (3 1/8" w X 8" H)
1/4 page = $135 (3 1/8" W X 3 7/8" H)
1/8 page = $70 (business card, horizontal only)
Just be thankful I'm not going on the Chorus tour to America del Sur (South America)...otherwise I might go door-to-door to solicit funds.
Seriously though, I have been singing in choirs since I was in 2nd grade, though ACC is much better than my 2nd grade choir, I assure you. Singing with a great choir is one of my favorite things to do. I would appreciate any donations you would give. If you would like to sponsor me, visit this link for the form. Please fill it out and send it back to me or just email me the info and I'll fill it out for you. You can even PayPal me the money instead of sending a check, or using a credit card. My email address is skeeter_alaska@hotmail.com for PayPal transactions. If you'd like to place an ad for your business, let me know on here or email and we'll arrange that.
If you would like to buy tickets to the concert, or read more about us...or buy our new holiday album, please visit us here.
Thank you for your support, and God bless you.
-Stephanie
Friday, September 12, 2008
Updates
I've decided that when I make an update to a blog, I will post a new blog such as this indicating where the update was made (because I don't know if it shows up in emails or on followers lists or what not).
So I've updated the Idioms post. Check it out...
Have a blessed day, and be a blessing to others.
Stephanie
So I've updated the Idioms post. Check it out...
Have a blessed day, and be a blessing to others.
Stephanie
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Truly blessed!
Well...Yesterday was my meeting with my boss, turning in my letter of resignation for my last day of work to be on October 3rd. So I gave them 3 weeks notice. One of those weeks I will not be working because Mike and I will be at a retreat in Soldotna.
Today I met with Farrah, my new boss! Yes! I got the job! I am so stoked. Not only do I have a job that I can take my kids with me, but I obeyed God (in leaving GCI, before I could move on and up), and He has already blessed me. I trusted that God would provide for us. I had faith that what He was telling me, to let go of GCI, that if I did that He would provide. And indeed He did. Before I am even unemployed, I have my next job. Praise God for His faithfulness.
So here's what's amazing: It's 30 miles from my house, but it's fine because for the time being, I will be driving against traffic, for the most part. So it took me about 35 minutes to get there. When I worked at GCI in Anchorage, it was 24 miles or so and took almost an hour every day to get there, and if there was an accident, closer to 2 hours. Here's the kicker...it's 8 miles from my mother-in-law's house (in Big Lake), which yes, also means it's about 8 miles from "the house"!! I am so excited. God is aligning things, whether it is for us to be in that house or not, I don't know yet, but it seems that we are headed in that direction.
So what will I be doing?? I'm a preschool teacher!! I will be teaching 3-5 year olds basics like numbers, letters, colors, shapes, animals and more. I am so excited and blessed to have this opportunity. I have a couple weeks to build lesson plans and get my classroom set up. It doesn't offer any benefits at the time being, besides childcare being included. That's pretty darn tootin' cool if you ask me. That saves $1000/month right there. Which, for me working 4 days/week (Monday-Thursday), and from 7:30-2:30 (is the current expected time for me to work, but may change depending on how the scheduling for the kids works out), that right there, would add $7.81 to my wage. That is awesome! I am so excited for this and what God has ahead of us.
If I had a job that was 8 hour days (9 hours in daycare), 5 days a week, this is what it would be...$1000/20/9=$5.55. But based on the hours that I will be working, this is how it works out:
$1000 (daycare for 2 kiddos)/16(days/month working) /8 (hours/day in daycare)= $7.81/hour.
So I'm off to start my lesson plans!
God bless you. Be obedient.
-Stephanie
Today I met with Farrah, my new boss! Yes! I got the job! I am so stoked. Not only do I have a job that I can take my kids with me, but I obeyed God (in leaving GCI, before I could move on and up), and He has already blessed me. I trusted that God would provide for us. I had faith that what He was telling me, to let go of GCI, that if I did that He would provide. And indeed He did. Before I am even unemployed, I have my next job. Praise God for His faithfulness.
So here's what's amazing: It's 30 miles from my house, but it's fine because for the time being, I will be driving against traffic, for the most part. So it took me about 35 minutes to get there. When I worked at GCI in Anchorage, it was 24 miles or so and took almost an hour every day to get there, and if there was an accident, closer to 2 hours. Here's the kicker...it's 8 miles from my mother-in-law's house (in Big Lake), which yes, also means it's about 8 miles from "the house"!! I am so excited. God is aligning things, whether it is for us to be in that house or not, I don't know yet, but it seems that we are headed in that direction.
So what will I be doing?? I'm a preschool teacher!! I will be teaching 3-5 year olds basics like numbers, letters, colors, shapes, animals and more. I am so excited and blessed to have this opportunity. I have a couple weeks to build lesson plans and get my classroom set up. It doesn't offer any benefits at the time being, besides childcare being included. That's pretty darn tootin' cool if you ask me. That saves $1000/month right there. Which, for me working 4 days/week (Monday-Thursday), and from 7:30-2:30 (is the current expected time for me to work, but may change depending on how the scheduling for the kids works out), that right there, would add $7.81 to my wage. That is awesome! I am so excited for this and what God has ahead of us.
If I had a job that was 8 hour days (9 hours in daycare), 5 days a week, this is what it would be...$1000/20/9=$5.55. But based on the hours that I will be working, this is how it works out:
$1000 (daycare for 2 kiddos)/16(days/month working) /8 (hours/day in daycare)= $7.81/hour.
So I'm off to start my lesson plans!
God bless you. Be obedient.
-Stephanie
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Closing in...
Alright, so here's a quick update. In 4 hours, I have an appointment with my boss to turn in my resignation. Tomorrow, I have a meeting with Farrah, my potential new boss! She had a dentist appointment yesterday, so that's why she didn't call me back.
Though her ad says she wants a preschool teacher with a teaching degree or CDA certification, she said another alternative is to have 12 credit hours of child development courses. I think I have 3 credits and since Mike works for the university, I can, at very little cost, take more courses to satisfy that requirement. She said she would be willing to work with me on that, in allowing me to work there while I get more courses under my belt.
God is so good!
I'm going to see what the university has available for child development courses. I think it's too late to get in on this semester, though I will check.
God bless, and stay tuned!
**** UPDATE ****
The meeting with my boss went well. He said he was kind of expecting it because of the lack of activity I've had. He said the only other thing I could do was come in and answer phones, but he didn't think I'd want to do that, and he is right. I wouldn't mind doing it from home, but when I'm on the phone, the kids usually seem to go wild so I know that would not be a smart decision on my part. So, October 3rd will be my last day with GCI/Westaff. It's a little bittersweet because I've worked for them for 5 years. But, bigger and brighter things ahead, this I know.
Praise God!
Though her ad says she wants a preschool teacher with a teaching degree or CDA certification, she said another alternative is to have 12 credit hours of child development courses. I think I have 3 credits and since Mike works for the university, I can, at very little cost, take more courses to satisfy that requirement. She said she would be willing to work with me on that, in allowing me to work there while I get more courses under my belt.
God is so good!
I'm going to see what the university has available for child development courses. I think it's too late to get in on this semester, though I will check.
God bless, and stay tuned!
**** UPDATE ****
The meeting with my boss went well. He said he was kind of expecting it because of the lack of activity I've had. He said the only other thing I could do was come in and answer phones, but he didn't think I'd want to do that, and he is right. I wouldn't mind doing it from home, but when I'm on the phone, the kids usually seem to go wild so I know that would not be a smart decision on my part. So, October 3rd will be my last day with GCI/Westaff. It's a little bittersweet because I've worked for them for 5 years. But, bigger and brighter things ahead, this I know.
Praise God!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
In hot pursuit...
Alright, so on Monday, I did my usual scanning of the Workplace Alaska job page (state jobs), and the AlexSys job bank (regular, state and local government job listing), checked on craigslist for childcare, nanny jobs, etc...I found one that I hadn't seen before. First, let me preface that with this: last Wednesday I emailed my boss and asked if he was available later in the week anytime for a meeting. He didn't get the message until Monday a.m. I now have an appointment with him for 2:30pm tomorrow. Friday, I also sent a couple emails to people that had posted ads on craigslist for child care positions. I still haven't heard back from the one childcare provider in Wasilla, but I'm not sweatin' it. I know if I am to be there...I will be there. They will call. If I'm not, then I won't get it, that will be fine, and I will move on. I love listening to God! It's kind of like a treasure hunt. When you listen, you don't always know exactly what you're looking for or when you've hit the target. But when you listen and obey, and you have the feeling that God is saying "Well done, good and faithful servant," it just makes you light up inside. I had a moment like that on Monday. I don't know if I've hit the target or not, but I'll find out soon. Sometimes you may think you're at the target, but it's really just a stepping stone to the actual target, kind of like a check point to get your next clue.
I found a listing on craigslist today for a preschool teacher. Now...I'm no teacher, in the professional sense of the matter, but I am a teacher in my everyday life, without specific college training, degree or certificate. But I teach my children every day about various things, from why it's important to do what God says, to why the moth dies after a month in a jar. If you know me, you know I'm a detail-oriented, journalistic, type of person. I like to tell stories, setting the scene an making sure everyone understands. I usually can't sum things up quickly, especially if I'm excited...I go through all the steps and elaborate as much as possible. Spider-webbing or rabbit trails as some say. So, anywho...this job position listed "Must be 21 or over with teaching degree or CDA certification." Well, I am over 21, but I do not have a teaching degree or certification. But I pretty much fit the bill on all the other desires of the daycare/learning center owner who posted the ad.
I put together my resume, emailed it to the owner and expected to wait. Well...11 minutes later, I got a response saying that she had no "luck" filling the preschool position and that she was excited I was interested. So I emailed her back asking how many kids she has there and a couple other things, such as whether or not employees get a discount or benefit for their children. Maybe it's too upfront, but I don't want to lead her on to think that maybe she's found someone if there isn't a benefit for my kids to be with me. The wage she listed is a bit more than other places, and it would be driving a bit further from here, but hopefully that would only be a temporary thing. ;-) I think we're going to head out to Big Lake today to help relieve grandma of her load of raspberries, so I emailed the owner of the daycare and asked if she would like me to stop by. We'll see what happens from here.
I feel like I'm definitely headed in the right direction. It's just amazing how the pieces fall together. So with that, I must add what happened to me on Sunday at church. Sunday was Sarah's first day in the 2 & 3 year old group, since her birthday was the Friday before. I brought Sarah down to her new room and had a brief chat with a lady, named Kim, that has worked in there since Cassie was there. She said she's been meaning to ask me if I would consider co-chairing an existing organization with her. It's called Love, INC (Love, In the Name of Christ). It is an organization that assists Christians that need help in some way. For example, if there's a fire and a family loses their home, an email would be sent out asking for prayers and household items, or even a place to stay depending on the circumstances. So Kim said since she's down with the kids most of the time, she doesn't get to share testimonies and needs from the happenings of Love, INC, so she needs someone to help her with that. I was quite shocked that she asked me, but thrilled about it. So I will be praying about that. I'll update this as well.
After that, I headed back upstairs to go to the sanctuary for worship and a woman named Linda stopped me and said she needed to talk to me. She is in charge of the nursery, and I have been working in there with her and some other ladies, so I thought she had a new schedule or something, or was wondering why Sarah wasn't there. After the service, I went and talked to her and she asked me if I would prayerfully consider taking over the nursery! I was shocked! I did let her know I was interested, and that just before the service Kim Shaw asked me to do co-chair with her, which would cause for me making announcements in church, which would mean I would be out of the nursery for a bit during that time. I'm sure it's all possible, if that's where God wants me. I just need to pray about what He wants me to do. Love, INC would be a great service to our community, as would being the lead in the nursery. I actually wanted to jump at the chance to head the nursery because that will give me more experience and credibility as far as a possible business goes. There aren't many kids in the nursery right now, so that would be a good time to get my feet wet in managing it. I felt like Linda's offer in itself indicates that I'm going in the right direction.
So, I have a lot to pray about. Please, if it's on your heart, pray for me too. I'm so excited to be on this adventure with God! I'm going to call the owner of the daycare and see if she'd like me to stop by on my way to Big Lake, since I'm not sure how often she checks her email.
Follow God's heart and you will be blessed!
-Stephanie
I found a listing on craigslist today for a preschool teacher. Now...I'm no teacher, in the professional sense of the matter, but I am a teacher in my everyday life, without specific college training, degree or certificate. But I teach my children every day about various things, from why it's important to do what God says, to why the moth dies after a month in a jar. If you know me, you know I'm a detail-oriented, journalistic, type of person. I like to tell stories, setting the scene an making sure everyone understands. I usually can't sum things up quickly, especially if I'm excited...I go through all the steps and elaborate as much as possible. Spider-webbing or rabbit trails as some say. So, anywho...this job position listed "Must be 21 or over with teaching degree or CDA certification." Well, I am over 21, but I do not have a teaching degree or certification. But I pretty much fit the bill on all the other desires of the daycare/learning center owner who posted the ad.
I put together my resume, emailed it to the owner and expected to wait. Well...11 minutes later, I got a response saying that she had no "luck" filling the preschool position and that she was excited I was interested. So I emailed her back asking how many kids she has there and a couple other things, such as whether or not employees get a discount or benefit for their children. Maybe it's too upfront, but I don't want to lead her on to think that maybe she's found someone if there isn't a benefit for my kids to be with me. The wage she listed is a bit more than other places, and it would be driving a bit further from here, but hopefully that would only be a temporary thing. ;-) I think we're going to head out to Big Lake today to help relieve grandma of her load of raspberries, so I emailed the owner of the daycare and asked if she would like me to stop by. We'll see what happens from here.
I feel like I'm definitely headed in the right direction. It's just amazing how the pieces fall together. So with that, I must add what happened to me on Sunday at church. Sunday was Sarah's first day in the 2 & 3 year old group, since her birthday was the Friday before. I brought Sarah down to her new room and had a brief chat with a lady, named Kim, that has worked in there since Cassie was there. She said she's been meaning to ask me if I would consider co-chairing an existing organization with her. It's called Love, INC (Love, In the Name of Christ). It is an organization that assists Christians that need help in some way. For example, if there's a fire and a family loses their home, an email would be sent out asking for prayers and household items, or even a place to stay depending on the circumstances. So Kim said since she's down with the kids most of the time, she doesn't get to share testimonies and needs from the happenings of Love, INC, so she needs someone to help her with that. I was quite shocked that she asked me, but thrilled about it. So I will be praying about that. I'll update this as well.
After that, I headed back upstairs to go to the sanctuary for worship and a woman named Linda stopped me and said she needed to talk to me. She is in charge of the nursery, and I have been working in there with her and some other ladies, so I thought she had a new schedule or something, or was wondering why Sarah wasn't there. After the service, I went and talked to her and she asked me if I would prayerfully consider taking over the nursery! I was shocked! I did let her know I was interested, and that just before the service Kim Shaw asked me to do co-chair with her, which would cause for me making announcements in church, which would mean I would be out of the nursery for a bit during that time. I'm sure it's all possible, if that's where God wants me. I just need to pray about what He wants me to do. Love, INC would be a great service to our community, as would being the lead in the nursery. I actually wanted to jump at the chance to head the nursery because that will give me more experience and credibility as far as a possible business goes. There aren't many kids in the nursery right now, so that would be a good time to get my feet wet in managing it. I felt like Linda's offer in itself indicates that I'm going in the right direction.
So, I have a lot to pray about. Please, if it's on your heart, pray for me too. I'm so excited to be on this adventure with God! I'm going to call the owner of the daycare and see if she'd like me to stop by on my way to Big Lake, since I'm not sure how often she checks her email.
Follow God's heart and you will be blessed!
-Stephanie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)