Smile for the Joy of Others

Smile for the Joy of Others

Friday, August 21, 2009

Happenings and Such...

We've been trying to get adjusted to our new environment. I am beginning to understand how sardines feel while living in this 2 bedroom apartment.

The boys' bedroom is also my "sewing room". Some nights we put them to bed our bedroom so I can sew and then transfer them back to their room. It's funny when they wake up and say, "hey, why we in our room?" It's the best we can for right now.

We decided to sign a 6 months lease here at the apartment. We didn't want to rush into buying a house. Things were just happening too fast. I didn't expect to sale our house so quickly thinking I would have a little more time to learn the area. But God had other plans. So we put the house hunting on hold for awhile. Looking at houses, visiting new churches, meeting new friends, visiting preschools for the boys, and running my business...It was just a little more than I could handle at one time. So the apartment it is for a few months.
This is our apartment. And below is the "yard" we play in.


We try to take the boys swimming often to give them a chance to get out some of their energy. Unlike most of the apartments back home, this complex has lots of yard space. So on some evenings we spray down with mosquito repellent and head out to throw and catch a baseball or kick a ball. Anything to run off some energy.

Even Gizmo tries to make the most of apartment life. She enjoys staring out the sliding glass door. She can see the cars go by through the bushes that line our tiny patio. Please excuse the hideous blinds. I wish I could take them down put up of some kind of curtain. Even a shower curtain would look better than those blinds. She's finally gotten use to her halter. She does like the pink with her brown fur.




We frequent TCBY on Wednesday for their .99 waffle cone Wednesdays. This is becoming a favorite adventure for the 4 of us. And it is an adventure. They fill the cones way high, so the boys come home sticky from chocolate ice cream. It gets on their clothes, in their hair and all over their face. But is sooo worth it. Especially since it's TCBY's 96% fat free soft serve.

Speaking of fat free....we've joined the local YMCA. I have a goal of loosing 10 lbs before my annual spa trip with my girlfriends. Hopefully, this recent joining of the gym will help that along. I've worked out every night this week...we will see. JB and the boys also. They play in the gym or run the bases of their little baseball field while I walk or workout. When touring the YMCA before joining, the little girl proudly told us of the "Catfish Rodeo" they hold every fall. She informed us that they put catfish in the pool and let the kids fish. CATFISH IN THE SWIMMING POOL! Not so sure about that one. I tend to think catfish belong in ponds, rivers, and reservoirs. I understand we are near the catfish capital of the world, Belzoni, and there are lots of catfish farms around but I seem to appreciate catfish in their rightful habitat.
We enjoyed an evening dinner with Jeremy's "boss". He's the bank President up here. He and his wife were so gracious to open their home to us for dinner. They even enjoyed the boys coming along. The boys got to feed their horse, Stonewall, a cookie and play with their boxers, Chuck and Kate.

We also enjoyed a "cookout" with other friends. The 4 of us couples are "Transplants" to Greenville. We each have been brought to Greenville for job reasons. That's typical of the area with transplants. If you aren't from here, you are here because your job brought you here. One couple...he's is the Youth Minister at one of the local Presbyterian churches. Another couple, he is the Music Minister at one of the local Baptist churches. The 3rd couple..she is a nurse at the hospital in Cleveland and her husband coaches basketball at one of the local academies. One of the couples also has twin boys. Only they will be 5 in December.
We were invited to a playdate with the other twins this past Thursday. I met another mom. She has a 3 1/2 year old little girl. She, too, is a transplant. The boys had fun playing with other boys and jumping on their trampoline. I enjoyed the adult conversation.

Tonight, I've been invited to eat with a group of girls. I think I may participate. However, they are all going to see The Time Traveler's Wife. Those who know me best, know I don't do sobby movies. I may forgo the movie. Besides, JB wants to go to the Washington vs Jackson Prep football game. Washington is just behind our apartment so we can actually walk to the game.
My business has kept me super busy. This is a busy time for my business as I fulfill fall, Halloween, football, and Christmas orders. The Lord continues to bless my home based business with loyal and new customers.
That about sums it up for the moment. Sorry for the delayed posts. It's been hard to put my thoughts together. They still seem to come in fragments.
Until next time, HB

3 comments:

MASpell said...

Even though I'm sad that you're gone, I am glad that you are meeting new people and keeping busy. Love ya!!

K Storm said...

We miss you too!! I am glad that you are making friends and trying to establish routines in your new town.

Catfish in the swimming pool? Did I read that right? You HAVE to go and make pictures!!

Can't wait for the spa trip...I am trying to lose a bit more before that too...maybe we can shop for new clothes together!

Stephanie said...

I know most all of this from just talking to you this past week but I just wanted to say again that we are constantly missing and thinking about ya'll.

Gizzy's harness looks so good on her! I am glad she has some entertainment with the window to look out of.

I'm counting the days until our annual spa trip. It will be so good to spend a weekend back together.

Love you,
Steph