Transition and Pictures from Kansas

(Beware - Long Post Ahead)

Have you ever had one of those moments in your life where you say, "Okay God. I get it. You're in charge?" I've had many of those in my lifetime, but none as poignant as last week's.

Brette got in another wreck two weeks ago. She rear ended a guy at a stop sign. I happened come upon the wreck and quickly got on the phone with the insurance company. It turns out the guy didn't want to call the police, because according to him, "They would ask if they had been drinking." He looked at his truck (a Dodge Ram) and decided that Brette's car (a Chevy Cobalt) didn't do any damage. I informed him that we would gladly pay for his car to be cleaned because he had spilled coffee when she hit him. I gave him my business card, told him to call me the next day, and we went on our way with only minor damage to Brette's car. The next morning, I received a call from him informing me that his neck now hurt and that he needed some advice as to where to go to the doctor. I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt and told him I would find out from someone where he should go. When I called him back he asked me if I would make the appt. I quickly said no, because we were not paying for any medical bills unless there was a police report filed. I let him know that in order to file the report, I needed his insurance information. He gave it to me, but called back within 5 minutes to tell me not to use it because he would get in trouble. So...I didn't file the report, especially because he said his neck was feeling better (conveniently). I didn't hear from him for another week. He called to ask if I had filed the report. - HELLO!!! You're the one that didn't want to call the police and the one that didn't want me to use the insurance information. -

I went through that with him and he decided he DID want to file a report, but he didn't have his insurance information. I'm sorry, but what an idiot!! I tried to feel sorry for this guy. I'm an eternal optimist and wanted to believe him. I can't anymore. He's called me 10 times a day at work and has been asking for Brette's information from anyone who answers the phone. The receptionist asked him to stop harassing me at work and told him no one would give him Brette's information.

In the meantime, I was called into my office last week and told that Brette no longer worked for us. I had no idea that it was coming (by choice - I wanted her to get and keep the job by herself). Even though I was shocked, I understood their reasoning (nothing serious, she just needed a little more experience). Throughout the time that I was visiting with Brette's immediate boss, I kept hearing "Just Pray, Just Pray." I was extremely worried about our finances and the fact that even if Brette found a job the next day, it would still be a couple of weeks before she got paid. As I was hearing the words "Just Pray, " I remembered that just a day before, I had received a check from Charter Cable because I had overpaid them. I had also gathered all of my books to sell to Half Price books. They were sitting at the front door ready to go, the day that she was let go. At that point I knew that God was taking care of me. I also received a call from a H.S. friend of mine asking me to meet her and her boyfriend for dinner. In casual conversation, she mentioned that she was looking for a new place to live. At that point, I joked that she could move in with me.

Fast forward to yesterday. Brette and I got into a sisterly tiff (don't we all?) and I informed her that I would like for her to move out. After a few choice words and obtaining a job (thank goodness), Brette let me know she would be moving out on Thursday. In the meantime, I called my friend to see if she would consider living with me. We met for dinner last night and discussed the details. She e-mailed me today to let me know that she will for sure be moving in. I can't wait!!

I must say that a part of me is sad that Brette will be living elsewhere. Even though we have had some rough moments, I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her as an adult, not just a little sister. However, this will be a better situation for both of us. She won't have to pay as much rent and feel like I'm trying to be her mom. I won't feel like I need to "parent" her and will be able to care for myself, not myself + Brette at all times.

I could go on and on about the wonderful way God has worked in my life these last two weeks, even when it seemed like nothing more could go wrong. I am practically in tears thinking about it.

Let me now switch gears to our trip to Kansas. Donny and I left on Friday to spend time with my grandma. After taking two hours to get out of the city limits (due to traffic) and 6 1/2 more hours of driving, we finally made it to Grandma's at 12:30 am. The trip was only supposed to take 5 1/2 hours. Don't you love traffic? Grandma took us to a casino on Saturday. I arrived with $100 and left with $700. I'm not going to go as far as saying God condones gambling, but once again, I felt like I was being taken care of. I'm going to let the pictures now speak for themselves.

Please keep us in your prayers. This will be a big transition for the both of us.

Donny at the Dalton gang museum

Me at the Dalton Gang Museum

Donny, Grandma, and the "Widow Women" playing Bingo.

Donny and Grandma

Me and Grandma