True or False?

Zach has been in the long, long process of trying out for a new job with Polk County. It would be overnight at first, but the pay and benefits would be wonderful and allow me to stay home at least part-time. 

First, back in August was the physical tryout -- running, dragging, and lifting.  He did very well in that phase. 

Phase two, was a written psychological test.  That was in October. It took a couple of hours, but he also passed that.  Go sweetheart!

Then, lastly, we have been waiting to hear about going on the third phase which is a polygraph test. Now at first, I was kinda envious.  How many of you have seen those people on TV taking the poly test? When you are innocent...pretty cool, I was thinking.  When you are bad, it can get really intense and fun for the other people on the other end.  Well, we finally got the call about three weeks ago that Zach was scheduled to come in this morning at 7am to take the poly.  He called me at about 10:30am to let me know that he was finished. 

 "So was it like the movies?" I asked. "Not at all." Zach replied, "You sit with the strap around your arm and answer the same few questions in a million different ways.  It was kinda boring". So much for my envy of a Hollywoodized experience.  "I did spike one time though" Zach informed me.  "For what on earth did you lie about?" expecting some weird question had been asked out of the blue of my husband just to throw him off the track since he NEVER lies. :)  (I did actually ask him what was the last lie he told, but I didn't get a response, just a quick contiunance of the drama in play).  Zach -- "The question was 'Are you nervous about passing this test?" Me -- "Seriously?!" Zach -- "Yeah, the guy was kinda surprised since he thought some of the other questions would make me spike since I have a conservative background." 

So that was it. Not as long as I thought it would be. Zach went back to work his current job afterwards. Now we wait to  hear back from them to call him in for the interview if he is to be hired sometime in the next year or whether they are not going to take him at all. So far, I am pretty sure he is up there on their list.  I may be bias, but I don't think that they do bribes from prospective employee's wives.

Orange Juice

Two work days till I can take off with my sweetheart and drive East to IN for Thanksgiving! Today the assistant's assistant comes in to work with me half the day, but tomorrow is flying solo!! Please don't let it be a terribly long day!

It is very drizzly, so I needed a perk up. I tasted some decaff coffee with pumpkin spice, but it wasn't hitting the spot, so I grabbed my OJ. Perfect!! There is something about cold, rich real (not that kiddy flavored "juice") orange juice or grapefruit juice. It isn't a pregnancy thing either. I have always loved it!

I wouldn't of had it though if I hadn't wanted to make the Honey Orange chicken yesterday. We both really like it and and it gets made every month or two. Pretty much just orange juice, garlic, onion, pepper, and honey mixed for the glaze. You pour over the chicken, cover, and bake for 3o-40 minutes till chicken is mostly done depending on how thick or poundage. Then you take off the cover and bake on a little bit of a higher degree and keep basting the chicken with the glaze till the chicken is thouroughly cooked and the glaze has reduced. I usually make extra glaze and then take the chicken out when done and finish reducing on stovetop. It is pretty sticky, but so incredible to taste! Especially this time since they were all drumsticks.

So I am going down the rest of my juice and read some more of the "Husband Coached Birthing" book and keep highlighting the parts Zach will be reading after me. Do I dare go as far as getting the accompanying work book too? Humm...we'll see. Here's to OJ!!

All shiny, shiny!!

Okay, so I don't have much more than a minute, but I noticed that my blog was outdated (go figure!) and that the very possible sad ending to the last blog post needed attention.

For those who would fully relate to the situation, we had my ring majorly cleaned and brushed and then had the annual rhodium dip. I made sure that my finger was all nice and healed and blister free. I held my breath almost all the way the ride up in the elevator to IA Diamond. They pulled out my ring and it was so very shiny!! I was all pins and needles when I put it back on. I prayed that this would be the last for at least 6 months that I would need to return to this jewelry suite. It was beautiful and even Zach commented that he had forgotten how sparkly it could be!! I couldn't stop looking at it!

The real test came as I wore it over night, since after about 6 hours I had been breaking out. I woke up out of my normal morning grogginess remembering the little weight on my left hand. It felt foreign on my finger after more than a month of problems. I checked for redness and chafing...nope, all good. Did it itch or burn...nope!! Yes!! After a full day, I did wear it to work despite the protests of my dear concerned hubby!! I was careful to not scratch and to wear gloves. It was after lunch when I reevaluated and I was doing great!! I decided that I was cured and that I needed to keep up with the regular suggested maintenance of my precious ring!

So the story with all its ups and downs, bated breath (not bad breath) and beating heart moments, came out to be a happy ending after all. Any one need another peak at it, just come up and ask to see it (when I am not at work since it has been mandated and I must obey my husband's good-willed command to not wear it at work anymore).

THE END!!

Oh, my ring! My precious!!

I have been without being able to wear my ring for about 1 1/2 months!!! My wedding ring! My poor ring finger would break out into these small red hideous blisters and itch like nobody's buisness. It was awful!! I put anti-itch cream after cream on and the red and itch would go away for a few days and then I would put my beautiful ring on for a day and voila!! Itchin agony!!!

I finally dragged Zach down to IA diamond to get an answer from experts...or so I thought!! The lady told us after just a few questions for us and for the craftsman in back that if I am allergic to the alloys in the white gold, then it would mean an upgrade to palodium (spelling). Inside I panicked and then my heart fell to my french-painted toenails. After asking if I was attached the original design (okay, lady, how many times have you been divorced?), then proceeded to tell us that it would be about $500 -$700 at least more to replace, I wanted to grab the Kleenex box run out to the elevator hit the basement button and bawl. Well, I did the more mature thing and just paled a little and asked what my other options were though slim they may be. There really wasn't much of an answer, so we left. Zach told me that he wanted me to see a doctor before we ended up paying half a grand.

I was so very crushed, but my dislike of going to doctors was still greater, so I called the school nurse. She gave me some good advice about checking for saudering marks and cleaning and such. I had to give it a try. I started working even harder on healing my finger whilst we took it back to IA Diamond and requested that the saudering areas be filed down more and the ring super brushed and polished and the annual rhodium dipping. All for free too! I was praying so hard for positive results. That lady at least didn't ask the terrible question about changing my ring and she seemed to know more and seem that it wasn't that big of a deal to fix.

I now sit typing these words with my most beautiful shiny ring on my left finger and I have worn it all last evening and through the night and this morning and so far it feels perfect and my finger is the normal color and texture. Yay for maintenance!!! I am so not waiting 14 months for the next cleaning!! I love my ring, honey!!! Sorry for the scare!!!

Homes, homes for sale!!!

For those who understand that entry title is to be sung to the "boy, boy for sale" song from Disney's Oliver Twist.

Well, the Lord continues to show us what to do and it is such a relief to make the next step and the both of us feel full confidence in it. After another weekend at the farm and talking more to Bill and Jeanie and other peoples, we came home and were praying even more about the decision that we have been on the fence about since February. By bed time we had made our decision and believe this is what God wants us to do or at least head. We are going to stay here for a couple more years to pay off bills and to invest in a house. Many things have been thought and thought through again and revisited. We are totally willing to move down to Creston if the Lord shows differently, but that doesn't seem to be the way to go for now.

We meet with a realtor tomorrow to get a better idea of what is out there and what to expect, though we both think that it would be best for us and for the market to wait till January to actually purchase. The realtor is a lady with good experience that is a member of our church, so we are very thankful for that. Please pray that we make wise decisions and are able to find the best little starter home for us. Pray that Zach's job continues to progress well. He still has a couple months before going to nights (we both hope that maybe it would work out to keep him on days, but we will see). Pray that I have patience with my job during the winter as it is so very slow.

We are so thankful for everything that the Lord has done for us and we are so excited to see what He has for us to do for Him!!!

Lesson of Prayer and Patience

This posting is mostly for those who really keep up with my poorly kept current blogging, but that stay faithful.

Life has been interesting once again, but for everyone when does it not. :) This last week or so though has brought Zach and I together for prayer even more so. About a little over a week ago, Bill Saylor wasn't feeling too well. He went in and was treated for a sinus infection. While in there, they scheduled an overdue cardioexam. He let us know that his vision was double and after a couple more days of that and other symptoms of concern continued. He went in again to the Creston hospital and they did a MRI. Finding nothing, they came home. To make a long story somewhat short, they have done several tests, a lot of possible ailments have been discussed and checked. We thought it might be his diabetes, but now after blood work, they have found that his white cells have these black rings around them and they won't know for sure what this could be till Monday the 15th. Please pray for Bill and Jeanie as some of the possible conclusions could be very drastic.

On another note Zach and I are really trying to figure out where God wants us as a partial result of the most recent events, but also it has been a big topic of prayer since the beginning of this year. We really can't make any decisions till we find out more about Zach's Dad and his parents are able to figure out some things. We want to be there for them and help out with their plans for the farm, but so much could take things in several directions. So we are trying to be content in each day at a time and with a willing heart ready to go where and when He leads. That is where the patience lesson has really been hitting. We are also both so very thankful for having each other in this and that we wouldn't be moving or making such big changes without each other.

I found this quote in a devotional book that I just finished up and it is very appropriate to these thoughts:

"God is not in such a hurry as we are, and is not His way to give more light on the future then we need for action in the present, or to guide us more than one step at a time. When in doubt, do nothing, but continue to wait on God. When action is needed, the light will come."

Thank you for your prayers and love!!

Fall is A'Comin'!!!

For those fellow fall lovers, yesterday was the breakthrough of the perfect, crisp, fresh fall weather. Drinking hot spiced drinks, picking pumpkins and squash, crunching colorful leaves, and then later comes the Thanksgiving dinner...ummm...ummm! The summer went by so very fast and was so very busy. I love saying goodbye to the hot sticky, busy summer and saying hello to autumn. I really wanna try to get Zach down to Winterset for some picture takin' fun! I should find another couple to go and we could have a picnic of sorts too and we would get better pics.

Also this fall holds something else special. I was a married a year ago in the fall...Novemeber 24th. It is coming up and I hope it comes quickly! Funny thing is that my brother is getting married a week after that at Thanksgiving. Deja Vu!! It will be hard to not to be reminiscing about my wedding the entire time since it is the same time same church and similar theme. They have good taste, I must say.

To celebrate the season, Maria, my faithful and friendly co-worker, and I went to Panera Bread to partake of some yummy soup and delicioso turkey artichoke spinach sammie!! So I am totally ready to put summer behind me and welcome autumn with sweatshirt-covered outspread arms!! Bring on the sweet potato souffle'!!