Hunybea's Open Journal

A must watch Video!!!!

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:01:34 GMT

Fall brings changes.. not just the leaves...

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 02:43:33 GMT

Excuse me.. I am shocked, surprised, and I may cry just a little bit. This just shows how far behind I am.. I read this tonight along with a few postings in friend's journals about this latest kiss off from AOL:

Dear AOL Journals user,

We’re sorry to inform you that on Oct. 31, 2008, AOL® Journals will be shut down permanently. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

It’s very important that you save your Journals content before the shutdown. We're working on a way to easily move your Journal to another blogging service -- you can expect an email within the next week with more details about how to do it. We want the transition to go as smoothly as possible for you, so you’ll have two choices. You can either save your information manually and find another place to blog on your own, or choose to automatically transfer your Journal to a different blogging service we’ve selected.

In the meantime, please bookmark the People Connection Blog, where you can find out more about AOL Journals. You can also subscribe to the People Connection Blog RSS feed to stay informed about any changes. We’ll be updating the People Connection Blog often, so please check it regularly.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we make this transition.

Sincerely,

The AOL Journals Team

For the last 5 years I have put almost my whole life in the pages of this journal.. ya there was some bumps but all in all it is a good community and a constant in my life that I have taken so much comfort in over the years. Why oh why is this being dropped????! My last holding on with AOL beside my e-mail.. I have no other reason to do anything with AOL. Yes I have not blogged like I used to in the last year.. working and life has held me up.. but dang!! Surely God knew and he has helped decrease my desire to be as into AOL Journals or anything with the net lately so this change would not hurt so so bad? Not sure what I am doing.. I do mirror blog on my MySpace page.. so if anything you can find me there, ~Oh Mary~

Now an update that I am most excited about....JOSH IS HOME PERMANENTLY as far as we can tell right now! He has been home since last Friday. It is an ajustment but a good and very welcome one. God has been vastly blessing me these last few weeks.. I am not sure I would even have the space to list all the wonders that have been going on. But having Josh home is so awesome.. you don't even know.. but God did. He knew I was almost at my breaking point with out my hubby and how badly I needed him (and a good deep back rub). The timing is perfect.. I was about to tell him it was time to come hometo stay after the elections to hunker down and get ready.

The last year has been rough.. the last 3 he has been on the road back and forth home.. but the last year brought alot less home time.

The down side.. he came home because he was laid off. BUT I am not going to fret.. I am trusting that he will find work here in town and we will get threw. TV is already cut.. and I really am not missing it much. The only thing I truly miss is the news channel and keeping up with the campaigns and all the crisis going on with the country. But the Internet and talk radio are a good substitute.

Friends you know I have been open and honest about my Faith and World View and my longing for the time the Lord Jesus Christ will return. I believe all that we see and hear and go threw is for a purpose and part of God's Plan. I am pleading with anyone who reads this.. get ready.. get prepared.. mind, body, soul, Give your whole life over to God and trust him NOW. It's going to get hard and serious out there in the world in a very short time.. use the time you have now to be prepared... look up.. our redemption draws neigh!!!!

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Labor Day Camping trip pics

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 03:23:27 GMT

We had an awesome time.

The long weekend was just too short.

What in the world is going on?

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:05:48 GMT

I dislike coming back to my journal and seeing previous entry's pics messed up... gurr. That is what I get for taking a month off lol.

Just dipping a toe in here for a few.. will take a full plunge back in soon.. promise.

AND OMG!! How could I miss my blog birthday??!!! It turned 5yrs old August 25th.

long over due update.. Sophia's 7th birthday, flowers in bloom, Weird Al concert.. ect..

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 07:51:45 GMT

Sophia's birthday was last month and we have been consumed by the Webkinz website ever since.. ya that's my excuse for not being online.. the kids have taken over the puter lol na.. I'm still just bla about being on the computer. But I do think I want a Webkinz of my own.. Sophia doesn't like sharing so much. AND if You don't know what I am talking about.. then you are way out of the loop.. google it lol.

On Sophia's birthday I got a big present. I finnaly after over 3years, got back in touch with my BBF Consuelo. Another long lost friend reconnection thanks to MYSPACE. I can't even tell you how much I have missed her or how happy and excited that we are talking again. She was my best friend threw all those wild teen years and while our lives have taken different twist and turns and directions I still feel like she is my sister. If only we could afford for us to meet up in person.. I tried tempting her out here with those New Kids On The Block concert tickets (November whoot whoot) but while she would LOVE to go with me (one of those childhood things we share) she is just as broke as me lol. For now phone calls and e-mail will have to do.. but I am blessed even to have that.

Another little joy in my life is the garden we have going. The roses from last year are doing well and the new red climbers we planted this year are starting to bud and bloom. The wild flower seeds and sunflowers are finally taking off too. Every day I come home from work and walk to the side of the house to look at them and pull weeds that always seem to pop up. I few moments to myself before I walk in to the kids all over me or see what ever mess they have made that day. Every now and then I send josh pics with a note saying Thank You For The Roses. He is the one that did all the work and it is sooo much better then getting flowers delivered anyway.. they come back again and again.

Last Friday I splurged and took Zane to the Weird Al concert. It was not planned so being able to get floor seats was a nice surprise. And they were awesome seats. Zane is still very thankful and doing little things with out being asked... he had such a good time and loves bragging to other like minded friends that he was there and with in feet of the stage.. He really really likes Weird Al.. that sarcastic humor, and he knew and sang along with EVERY Song.. I had a good time too even though it was not nessicarly my thing.. OMG.. It really was a nerd convention but funny as heck.

School is starting next week and it is so hard to get the kids back into a normal routine. This year they have changed the schools hours and how they do busing, so they will have to be up even earlier than last year. But we have just about all the back to school shopping done, just need to lay out first day clothes and go to meet the teacher night and see if there is some tweaking we can do to the older two's class schedule. I can't believe my youngest is going into 2nd grade and my oldest in 8th.. it just doesn't seem right!!!

And as always counting down the days till Josh comes home. Labor Day weekend seems so far away but getting closer. We are planning a family camping trip and maybe a float on the Meramec River. We are so excited because its been a few year since the last time we have gone camping all together.. I mean real camping.. in a tent with a fire pit! LOL

As always I will try to catch up but don't be surprised if it is awhile before another entry.

When it rains... it pours : (

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:50:19 GMT

And I'm not talking about today's rain storm. gurrrrrrrr

Yes a car accident, the crowning event that put a dark high light on an already gloomy day.

To start, it was laxative day at work ugh.. I always dread that but some one has to do it. Another reminder I am not paid enough (my client is a quad). All day I was looking forward to getting off and making my way to the book store to pick up book #11 in The Wheel Of Time. And time went by fast today until I got to my car. It wouldn't start.. dead battery...again!! I had already planned to go to Auto Zone to get a new one but we had charged it up last night and normally that would carry me out threw the next day. It was on my list of To Do's today. Josh has been using his car since he has been home and he was at the docs getting an MRI done. None of my friends were available to come and jump me or pick me up. I normally keep jumper cables in the car but I guess I left them in Josh's or in the garage. But my client's sister called some one to come over and jump me thankfully.. I guess she didn't want me sitting around her house anymore lol.

I went directly to Auto Zone after the jump. I am not ashamed that I am ignorant of cars and such and think that is a man's job lol that is why I hate having to deal with car stuff. I had them test the battery and the alternator (some one suggested that it may be the starter draining the battery). Thankfully I just needed a new battery, $75 that I really didn't want to spend this week. But I soothed my self by thinking it could of been worse. n I hate to imagine how much a starter or alternator would cost to fix.

As I was pulling out of my parking spot in front of Auto Zone I was sighing with relief and looking forward to getting my book. Then not two seconds out in the isle a truck starts to back out into me.. I tried to swirve out of the way but it was too late. As you can tell by the damage she hit me starting on the driver door so I was already well behind her when she started pulling out.. she says she didn't even see me (my big van must of all of a sudden been invisible) I think I would of been better off if I just slammed on the brakes in stead of trying to swerve.. I think there would of been less damage.. and the truck only had a broken tail light!!! We just exchanged insurance info but in hind sight I should of had a police report done. Especially when she said this is the second time she had a car accident on her birthday and the insurance info was in her parents name.

No book store today.. I headed right home and called my insurance company and now I am dealing with that back and forth and waiting on a claims adjuster and estimator to call me back to set up an appointment for them to come out. And that maybe some time next week.

On a happier note.. Josh went to the doctor yester day with good reports on his health for the most part.. his heart is in top shape and blood pressure is perfect. She sent him to get an MRI today because his shoulder has been messing with him real bad for a few months and they wanted to make sure it was not a rotator cuff or torn ligament. Turns out he has arthritis in his shoulder and he needs to go see a specialist (ugh more money) and his blood results shows his cholesterol is getting high and he needs to switch to a low fat and low carb diet. His 32 Birth day is Monday.. a little young for arthritis I would think but his job can be repetitive. As far as the cholesterol goes.. its not from what I feed him.. I almost NEVER fry food and I never put salt in anything.. I am a very bland cook. So I threatened him that if he doesn't eat better while he is on the road I would make him come home and all he would have is tofu.

We have talked about Josh going back to school.. maybe online. The time he spent in apprentice school counts towards collage credit and it wouldn't take but maybe a year part time in school for him to earn an associates. Still he isn't sure what to go to school for.. not too much would pay any more then what he makes now or enjoy as much. I remember in High School he liked painting and airbrushing but artist don't get paid much unless they are dead lol. Zane suggested maybe go and become a mechanic but that is something you can't do online and it would be full time. I suggested maybe Seminary/ Bible Collage and be a minister.. not that pays well but plenty of rewards in heaven. Ya that didn't appeal too much to him and I know it's not really his calling. I don't know.. but I am sure some kind of change is inevitable.

Tomorrow can only be better.. I hope.

Confession

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 05:06:17 GMT

The sermon Sunday revolved around drawing closer to the Lord and the purpose and meaning of Communion, having a covenant meal, self examination and the benefits of doing it often. The hammer hit and it was as if I was being called out.. Mary you luke warm, pulling away from your first love, stagnant Christian... yup.. THATS ME.

But it's everyone I have been pulling away from and actually I have felt fine with it.. its comfortable, safe, lazy, easy. I haven't felt too compelled in making an effort to go to church.. basically because I just can't take all the questions about when is Josh coming home and oh how hard it must be when he is gone for work so much.. If I don't think about it, I don't have to deal with it and just drift threw till his next home coming... is it so much to ask that people just accept this is how it is right now and stop being so pushy about it.. even in love. There is more to me than Josh and his absence..although it is just a fact of life right now that we have to do everything over the phone or computer and when he is home everyone clamors for his time and I just want him all to myself. And I have let it fester in to anger and complacency for well over two months. Gas is crazy so I let that be an excuse too but really its just a convenient explanation.

And when I feel anger I tend to fall into a rebelous state and backslide into old patterns that keep me away from being close with God. And while that is an ugly place to be, not pretty of me, I haven't felt like reaching out to come out.. I know it's my own choice to be this way. I keep saying to myself.. oh next week I will get out of my stupor, tomorrow I will straighten up and be the Me I know I should be. Monday I will put away foolishness and go to church for the weekly communion service they are starting to do. Monday comes.. I plan to go..but I know.. if I do go I have to really be sincere and let my wall down with the Lord... because you cant take a convent meal with that and if you do with out willing to give up what is impure in your life it is detrimental.

So I hide in my books (been reading the Wheel Of Time series.. waiting on book 11 to come into the bookstore) and catching up online on shows I have missed, avoiding the News because I am so sick of hearing about bad things and about the elections and I yell at the kids for fighting too much with each other and getting into things while I let myself be distracted. I dread going to work because I am feeling like a medieval servant and am paid wayyyyy tooo little for all that I do.. so I skirt on some things and haven't given my all and even not been very good company.

So there ya go if you were wondering. My downward spiral laid out.

It's not like we haven't talked about Josh finding a job that will keep him in town but what it boils down to is less money, less security, and we are holding on to the house by a thread right now as it is.. we would have to give it up and we are not to that point where we can just do that yet.

It may be out of our hands soon enough.. Josh is coming home tomorrow (he was just home a week ago) because he needs to see his doctor. Apparently our wonderful UNION insurance doesn't cover him outside our area and he really is scared because he blacked out with out warning at work a few days ago. He says he doesn't think it was because of the heat or being dehydrated and he just hasn't felt right since. It could be something as simple as blood pressure or it could be he has developed a sensitivity to working in the heat.. and that would mean he would prob have to change jobs. I don't know.. I know it puts a kink in some things... he has to use his free ticket we have been saving for me to use to see him because his work doesn't want to pay for his travel unless it does turn out to be a work related condition, and he looses pay to come home. But it will be nice soooooo nice to see him even under these circumstances.

Friday I went to help sand bag out at Winfield Highschool..

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 02:55:41 GMT

I live in Lincoln County in MO. I am not personally effected by all the flooding and the rising water but Winfield, Elsberry and Clarksville is not that far from me and seeing the news all last week was really tugging at my heart, I felt moved to do something on my day off Friday. It was just a bonus that alot of my friends felt the same and met up with me at the HighSchool to sandbag. It was hard work.. a bit disorganized.. and the governor and all coming in was somewhat funny, but the scene of accomplishment and community was amazing. Not sure how much of our efforts will pay off but I am praying for all those who are effected by this years flooding.

Mississippi River threatens more Midwest levees

Tags: Winfield MO, sandbags, midwest flooding 2008

Sophia with the training wheels off

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:57:39 GMT

And it only took a Dollar bribe from the next door neighbor. But once she did she took right off! *sigh* My baby is getting sooooooo big!

Josh: Wonderful Father, Awesome Husband

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:01:53 GMT

I can't tell you enough how blessed I am to have Josh in my life. I know many women who are not as lucky and can only complain about their husband or father of their children. No Josh is not perfect but he always tries to do right or make the best of what he has. Today is Father's Day AND our 12th year anniversary. I must say so far we have beat the na sayers, the odds and statistics, and come threw being even more in love.

We had Zane when we were still teenagers and then got married when we were 19. I can give you so many examples of how my husband puts his family first over himself.. first one was he moved/followed me while I was still pregnant 2000 miles away, changing his plans of joining the navy, preferring to be there for us. Also he would not marry me until I finished getting my HS Diploma and I must say that did help keep me motivated.

As a husband he is a giving lover and excellent provider. As a father he tires to find and use those teachable moments with our 4 children. The last few years he has had to travel alot for work and it has been hard on us all but instead of letting it tear us down we treasure each moment together and let the time away make our hearts grow fonder for each other.

Josh is tender hearted, a good handyman, responsible, passionate, honorable, loves the Lord. If there was a Proverb's Husband as there is a Proverb's wife.. he would fit closely the bill. I often feel undeserving of him.

As you can tell I just adore my husband and that rubs off on the children too lol. Home comings are a big gift and a party, departures from each other are tearful but brave and time apart if filled with longing and faith that we will be together again soon.

This last departure he took our 13 yrd son with him to spend a month with him. I expect Zane to come back almost a man and to of had many adventures with his dad and learning alot of what it is to be a real man. How to work hard, how to put others first, how to honor God and our Country and his family. While Josh is at work Zane is spending his time either volunteering at a local nursing home (and they say they are already very attached to him and he does very well with the elderly) or at the downtown Library or taking care of chores around the apartment. It didn't take Josh long to see what I have known.. it was time for the boy to have a cell phone lol. But Zane bought his own phone with his own money he had earned.

I miss them terribly and am starting to count down the days till we are together again.