The Legend of the Monk and the Merchant ~ Book Review

I chose this book from BookSneeze to review for a couple of reasons: First, I was intrigued by the recommendation and thus the forward by Dave Ramsey, and second, I was looking for something less non-fiction to read for a little while that wasn't just fluff.  I feel like I was rewarded by having an easy and pleasant read with some positive challenges, though most are relative baby steps.  Perhaps I felt like this was simple because I am not unfamiliar with Dave Ramsey and some of the basic principles he espouses.  I do think though, for a beginner or for a good way to get everyone on the same path (in a business per se), that this is an excellent book for study and discussion.

The story of this monk and merchant (mostly the merchant) is a tale that helps us see our place outside of the church, for those of us who proclaim faith in Jesus.  It helps us to see that our place is very important and can be pivotal for advancing the Kingdom.  It has been helpful to me to be reminded that our purposes and places are ordained by God and for His Glory, not necessarily for our comforts, and that being in the workplace as opposed to "missions" is valuable.

The style of writing is simple and easy to follow.  We have the opportunity to listen in on a conversation between a man and his grandson.  These flashbacks are entertaining and present several keys to the man's success, pointing always to the blessings given by God.

I enjoyed this read as a starting point.  The book I read has a study guide at the end which I would have enjoyed reading with a group.  I think this would be a valuable resource for a small group wanting to think about financial responsibility and beyond.  It didn't blow me away, but it was a good read!

My Grass is Greener!

Inspired by a sermon years ago, I realized that the grass is always greener on the other side if you never water your own lawn.  This was, of course, a metaphor for life that has been fairly profound for me.  I can extrapolate on that another time, but for today, I am taking this phrase in its literal sense.  The really awesome part is that I have rarely had to do the actual watering this year!

 I began with a space in front of our house with some green plants that were coming out of the ground.  Pat once told me to stay off his nice grass when I went to get the mail, and I replied that I was.  I am not well acquainted with the Kansas weeds, or wasn't at first, so I cannot tell you what it was that was growing.  Whatever it all was didn't seem to be thriving.   

In light of the fact that we had little with which to work, I proposed that we start over completely.  We began to spray the glyphosate over the greenery and impatiently waited for it to die.  It mostly did die, and that propelled us on to do the rototilling of the now brownest front yard in the neighborhood, which is saying something.  Notice I include the picture of myself yielding the tiller even though I might have done only a fraction of the work.  

 The work I did do, however, did amount to quite a bit.  I was the one who took the hard rake and cleared most of the debris, then the soft rake to smooth it all down before spreading the Buffalo Seed and raking it all in again.  I was exceedingly tired of raking that day.

I planted the seed during the first week of June, which was a bit dryer than now.  I tried a series of different sprinklers, and finally bit the bullet and purchased a tractor.  In the case there was any question on the matter, I did not do any fertilizing prior to seeding, or after, as Buffalo is quite content without it, and weeds seem to thrive when it is applied.  Speaking of weeds, I spent no small amount of time this summer on a knee pad in my front yard pulling the devilish roots from my lawn.  Again, I don't know exactly all that I pulled, but it was enough to know if it wasn't Buffalo grass.  

 Fast forward to today and you can see what a month of timely rain on sandy soil will do for Buffalo seeds!  I am beyond happy!  I am border-line in love with my grass.  That sentence could be so misconstrued!  Anyway, I still go out on occasion to pull the grassy weeds from the slender light green blades, but it is filling in so well I believe it will be thick enough to choke the intruding grasses out on its own!

 Interestingly, in my study on the "Grass is Greener on the Other Side" topic, I did discover that when one looks down on grass from the top, the blades are thin and appear less dense than when viewing them from the side, as you would if you were looking at the proverbial "other side."  As the pictures show, this is absolutely true!  Still, I am tickled to see in the more bare spots, the runners of Buffalo with many more starts on them that will quickly fill those holes!  I am sure my giddiness is coming through!

I have now mowed the front grass several times, and I am so excited each time!  Pat suggested we choose Buffalo because of it's inherent drought tolerance as well as the lack of maintenance with fertilizer and mowing.  Lately I am having to mow once a week, but as I am sadly aware of the anomaly of this years weather pattern, I am sure that this will not be the norm!  I really don't mind mowing.  I sometimes think I really should have been a farmer.

 So now I have a much greener space than before.  If you notice the picture at the beginning, I have added a few other touches to the landscape as well.  The transformation has been so invigorating for me!  I am somehow able to manifest a level of patience out in this space that eludes me most other places, even as close as inside the rust-colored door.  There is just something about preparing a plan, starting something so small, doing the tedious work to protect the vulnerable starts, and seeing the efforts come to various stages of maturity that fills my soul.  So yes, now I feel like my grass is on the side that is greener.

Our Big News!!!!

Just kidding.  We have no big news, I just felt like jumping on the bandwagon of several members of my family lately!  I did feel like I could share more about what has been going on (mostly just with me, not Pat!).  

 Today I legitimately began my new job.  Again?  Yes, again.  If you know me at all, you know how "well-rounded" I am.  Well, it is in this spirit of a new adventure, I began my job at a chemical manufacturing plant.  Sound familiar?  Yes, this is where my husband works as a manager.  And yes, this was instrumental in my finding and getting of the job.  We discussed many of the possible difficulties that this situation may incite, but since I quit my retail job a bit too soon, and it seems there are not throngs of greenhouses hiring in July or August, my options are limited, as are our funds!!

 I am taking the job of the illustrious labeler. I take bottles of all shapes and sizes, as well as 5-gallon buckets, and simply put the correct label or labels on it.  It is a breath of fresh air.  I find myself truly enjoying the mundane tasks of peeling the label off the machine which automatically holds the partially peeled label out for me, and affixing it to the bottle, as straight and smooth as possible, and as quickly as I can.  Did I mention I get to do this job all by myself, for the most part?!  I have little to no interruptions, I don't have to make small talk over and over again, and I get to mark off my to-do list!

 I realize how odd it must sound for me to be so excited about such an entry-level, blue-collar, J.O.B.  After working in a chaotic retail environment (even though I liked what I sold), it is just so refreshing to have such a quiet work space.

 You knew I was an introvert, right?  I love people, but it's just best when I have more control over when they can drain interact with me.  Labels just don't seem to need much from me.  It's kind-of nice.

 Now, don't get the idea that this will be a permanent position.  I have been clear that my intentions are to search out other greener (literally) pastures and find work at a greenhouse next year.  I have an idea of where I want to work, and I hope it will be a mutually beneficial situation.  We shall see.

For now, however, I will be content in my quiet little job, in my little corner of the warehouse where I can play my jazz music and quietly race the boys who are filling the containers that I prepare!

I don't want to give the impression that I am completely turned off by people right now, because that just is not the case.  I have had a delightful time investing my time with others.  I think I usually end up the primary beneficiary in these visits.  I spent about 2 1/2 hours one day with my neighbor across the street, Mrs. Bales.  She is the sweetest little gal I have known in a long time.  She's not afraid to tell you that she is 86 years old!  The first time I saw her, we were both outside, working in our yards, and she had on a magnificent straw garden hat!  I fell instantly in love with her.  I knew we would be great friends.  We are getting there!  We had lunch last week at Braums where they know her by name and start her order when they see her drive up.  I felt honored to be her guest.  I drove her (in her car of course) to Lowes and helped her buy a plumbing piece she needed, which due to the fact that she is not 5' tall, she would have never seen, I was again happy to be able to do something for her.  Did I mention she wouldn't let me pay for lunch?!  She is so special.  I will ask her soon if I can take a picture of us together.  She told me that she was "bashful" so I don't know if she will let me!

 I was also able to visit my grandparents last week with my sister-in-law and her children.  It was such a great visit!  I had been sorely neglectful of visiting, as I had not seen them since Christmas.  They are a whopping 45 minutes or maybe an hour away.  I definitely do not win the grandchild-of-the-year award.  I do find them to be very interesting people, and I regret not taking time to get to know them more.  I plan on doing what I can to connect with them now.  I learn so much from each opportunity.  For example, I did not know that my grandparents really love Chinese food!!

 I often take my dog for a walk in our neighborhood park, a block or so away.  We walk on the leash to the park, and then, depending on the level of abandonment there, we do away with the leash!  Oh freedom!  I find it fascinating that when Rowdy is on his leash, he struggles with the limit I have imposed, but when he has his freedom, he stays relatively close to me and the sidewalk.  Anyway, with all the rain we have had this summer, the mushrooms are in vast abundance.  I find them to be quite lovely.  Perhaps that is because of my Smurfy upbringing!

Finally, I also go to a Senior Living Facility where I read to several bed-bound ladies.  I am beginning to grow quite attached to them as well!  I read to Pauline who told me the other day that she was passing a baby, and to Margie who cannot speak but can communicate when you look into her eyes, and to Patty with whom I read the newspaper!  I bought a mystery/thriller to begin a book-club with Peggy.  I think she can read on her own, but wanted to get involved, and I just can't say no!  I stop and visit with several of the other ladies and gentlemen I see.  I leave every time with a feeling of gratitude.  What an opportunity I have to share in the sweet moments of these wonderful people.

Family Time!

Yes, I'm back!  I have taken a little hiatus from bloggy world.  Things got so busy and there were times that I was confused and not sure what was going on.  I'm still there a little, but I miss my documentation.  Strange that I want it to be online, but honestly, I can't think of a better way to share pictures and save this for posterity.  I have thought of starting a new blog, but that seems a bit drastic.  Someday I'll actually get my old Alaska stuff put into a book, and then it will be worth it.  

So, back to the title; Family Time!  I have been so thrilled to be able to spend time with family this year.  Just this weekend we had our family over for a Shop Party, and I just sat back and enjoyed having almost everyone over.  The yard was filled with the sounds of boys wrestling and girls bossing each other through other activities!  My heart was happy.  Instead of posting a ton of pictures and posts about it, I'll try to recap the reasons that I am happy to be back in Kansas!

 Baseball games with nephews and T-ball with neices!

 Boys night! (Uncle is a verb, you know!)

 Playtime in the water! (I think Aunt is a verb, too!)

 Drive-in Movies!

Baptisms!

 General silliness and fun!

 And of course, the Shop Party!

Happy

Today at church I had a new friend of mine tell me that I seemed really happy.

I've been thinking about that all day.  I think I am happy!

The last few months have been a whirl of activity and change.  Most of it good, some of it hard.  We have moved into a house, I started working, and we have begun to reintegrate ourselves into our surroundings!  We have met several of our neighbors, and even bought a dog-barking deterrent (we haven't told the neighbor).  We are still working on furnishing the house, and though Dad just brought some of my stuff, we still have plenty to regather.  And we need to find the perfect chair for the living room.  I scour Craigslist regularly.  Important things like this have been keeping me busy.

I am also trying to be available for more family activities.  Right now is not my best showing, as I am working a lot of hours, sort of (8 hour days don't seem that tough since the oil-field experiences!).  I was able to go to my oldest niece's play this weekend, and it was so great!  I may have been a bit tired after going to a women's retreat and then to a sleep-over with my small group gals!  I have missed the spring soccer season of all the little N&N's, but I am hoping they do the fall season again!  I am thrilled to have been able to be at all family functions like Easter dinner!  I can't wait until we have our first BBQ with the fam at our place!

All this to say, I am doing pretty good and feel pretty happy!  Busyness suits me.  I am blessed, I recognize it, and that makes me happy.

If only I can get my internet connections to be solid...

Homecoming

I am debating on sharing pictures of the house on which we have just signed a contract.  I don't want to jinx it!  I am really excited about this place.

This house totally fits our "Need Less Project" that we self imposed years ago.  Actually, I think it has even more than we technically need.  I have a sneaking suspicion that many will wonder why we aren't choosing to live in a "nicer" neighborhood.  I wonder if some will think we didn't qualify for a loan.  In case you are wondering, we did.  We qualified for a loan way bigger than I ever want to be strapped to. Basically, we don't want to be stuck.  This will be a way for us to remain mobile if God takes us somewhere else again, be able to do what we enjoy, be able to share our blessings, and hopefully, maintain a home base!  No more pawning our belongings to others for unknown periods of time, though I'm not sure that was a bad thing for some of them!

O.K., then, I'll show you a little, but I want to make it ours before I post everything.  I hope I can do as good a job of decorating as the current owners.  They have done a beautiful job!

 A quick peek of the inside; I totally love the orange cabinets and creative tile work!!

Hopefully our closing date will be the 18th of this month!  I can't wait for this homecoming!

House Hunting

We have begun hunting for a house.

Oh yes.  Be afraid.  Be very afraid.

And yet, I feel that we may be up for a fight.

We have some pretty strict limits on what we want.  Mostly, we don't want to take out a loan, but it looks like it may be unavoidable for some of our wants.  In the long run (there may be a long run this time), we want to make a good choice.

We think this would do.  Unfortunately, this is only in our price range in photo form.

This is what we want to avoid.  Fortunately, my husband is pretty awesome and I know he could take this guy.

Since we can't live here,

I suppose we can make it here!

But who am I kidding?  These are the reasons I will love being here:
Cousins Supporting Cousins

 KU Games!

 Other games with family!

 Passing on skills,

 Watching lots of games in person!

 Eating together!

And really just living near family.
The last couple of weeks have confirmed this blessing, but that's for another day.