Ahhhhhh

Did you all just hear me exhale? Well if you missed it I did. I just submitted my final project for the class that I am taking. Over the next two weeks I have 5 short...very short essays to write and 2 quizzes then I am DONE! I will have successfully completed my 6th class towards becoming a nurse practitioner.

I hate to say it but I have already started to look ahead. I will not lie I am a bit nervous about the spring trimester because I will be required to take 4 classes...YIKES! That is three more than I usually take. I will also have to travel to Missouri again for a week. Here is the exciting part after next trimester I will be more than half way done! My hope is to get all of my remaining projects done this week. Monday the latest!

I had hoped to post on Turkey day but on such little sleep there would be so many more misspelled words that I am sure you all would not be able to read it. This year turned out to be a quiet year. In attendance was Gerard's parents, my Mother, My sister Joan minus her husband (because he was feeling too ill), My sister Jenny (with a belly full of babies), her friends Bernie, Jessica, Jack and their baby Ryan.

Anna was so excited for Turkey day. Believe it or not turkey is one food that she will eat. When she realized a baby was coming her excitement only grew. I got about 4 hours of sleep because I had worked the night before but the meal was prepped and the cooking was no problem for such a small group.

The house was cleaned up by 8 pm and everyone except Gerard's parents were on their way home. Anna cried "They can't leave. It is turkey day!" I held my baby and just rocked her until she fell asleep. I took a power nap, looked at the advertisements, grabbed my keys and hit Toys R Us! I can not say but I think a certain person will be quite happy on Christmas morning. Now that I got the shopping out of the way I feel like I can really get the Christmas spirit going in our house. Me-Me and I sat down today to look at our calendars to coordinate fancy projects and baking.

I hope everyone had a wonderful turkey day like we did.

Debt and Dave Ramsey

I mentioned a couple of posts back that we have made paying down our debt a priority. Are you curious how we have done it? Well it is no secret sacrifice. the debt did not appear overnight and certainly it will not disappear overnight. Since the arrival of Anna my needs are far less than they were before. Let me explain. What I need it to spend time with Anna. That has by far out weighted anything else that I have ever loved to do in the past.

She is so neat. Just listening to her play with her horses is such a pleasure. I know people think I am crazy when I say that but it is by far my favorite thing to do. She has whole conversations with her little horses or other "guys" as she calls them. Watching her put together a puzzle is amazing.  I guess or at least hope that every mother loves to just watch their children play.

In order to realize my goal of being home more the debt had to go and I mean fast. What I did not understand is how the heck did I get in this situation. Prior to Anna many moons ago I had debt, I worked like crazy to pay it off. When Anna got home it reappeared like a blur. I know some of it was the final travel expenses to Russia so I am completely okay with that  but I often wonder how the heck did I manage all of this?

Today we are on a good track to being completely debt free. Shortly I will completely own my car so that makes me VERY happy. My hope is that I can keep it forever but that may not be the case but at least another 3 years. I really dislike buying a car.

The real truth is I read a book by Dave Ramsey entitled Financial Peace. For us the first couple of steps were easy. We are in the home stretch of being completely free of credit card debt. My goal is to pay for Christmas the old fashion way...with cash! Sounds easy and hard all at the same time. Since September I have been on a budget. I withdraw a set amount of cash from my paycheck and place it into 7 different envelopes. One of those envelopes is for Christmas and the other for my vacation in July. At first it seems silly to put a twenty dollar bill in an envelope and stash it away. Can I tell you that I have nearly 400 dollars saved for Christmas?

My friends are laughing at me because of the ridiculously small amount of money I am giving myself to fun stuff but according to Dave I must be on the right track then. I highly recommend this book to...well everyone. This system works. At first I think Gerard was a little like "She is crazy so I will just nod my head in agreement." Now I have him on board as well.

Our session with LeAnna Fisher Photography

Well I got the pictures back from our first official photography session. A local photographer does short mini session for about 100 dollars within walking distance of my home. Supporting local businesses is a big thing for us. Here is the funny thing my dear friend at work saw the preview pictures on Facebook and realized that she is friends with her mother. What a small world. I highly recommend this photographer because she has high energy but not over the top where you feel uncomfortable. Even Gerard liked how she handled the session and allowed his picture to be taken with miminal fuss. Here is her web site LeAnna Fisher Photography. I have always wanted to have REAL professional pictures taken of the three of us but I could never afford the steep price. Okay, the planning part was always hard too. When both of us worked nights one of us always looked tired.

In all I am very happy with the end product. There was one picture that I really wanted to come out but I feel it is a touch out of focus. I guess it is hard even for the professionals. The one I like the best I am pulling a "Gerard" and have my back to the camera. It is still by far my favorite probably because they are my favorite subjects.

When we were getting ready for our 9 am session. I was rushing around, applied my make up, brushed my hair (I am terrible at styling it), and ran to get dressed (last one of course). Anna walked out of the bathroom and said "I'm ready!" The little dear had applied lipstick. She started to cry when I told her we needed to talk it off. Lipstick is by far her favorite. She made a good argument as to why she needed to wear lipstick so we struck a deal.

The first set of pictures she would have no lipstick. The last ones she could wear some lipstick. The photographer is a bit of a retro girl and LOVES red lipstick herself so even she was pleased. I have already decided that we will have her take our pictures again.

 

 

I think I have the picture that I wanted for our Christmas card but I need to get the okay from Gerard first because it is a family picture. If not I will be scrambling at the last minute to get one of her that I like.

Has it really been a week?

Exhausted! That is the theme for this week. I helped Aunt Nel pack what little she could save from her home. It has been exhausting both physically and emotionally. Aunt Nel lost about 90% of her things not to mention every room in her home was touched by the flood water. There are still a few boxes that need to be packed and put into storage. I think we are all trying to avoid that because once it is done Aunt Nel will be moving to upstate New York to stay with her son. She will be greatly missed.

Gerard has been busy every night after work so that leaves me as the only parent available for Anna. Unfortunately, she only was awake one night this week to play with him for about 15 minutes. I finally broke down today and asked him if this was our new normal. He assured me that soon things will be better. I am not sure if I believe him or if he even believes himself.

Most of his parent's house has been cleaned out of the wet sheet rock and things that have been ruined by the flood. They are so anxoius to get back into there home but today Gerard broke the news that it may take some time before that will happen. This man is so much more patience than I do. Today they opted to go to AM's house for Marie's birthday celebration with JM, and I think to get away from us for a few hours.

Progress on the red house pictured in the last post will be SLOOOOW. Our goal is to fix it for cash as to not incur additional debt. Perhaps 6-8 months out we will finally be able to put it back together. AM, Dana (Gerard's cousin) and Phil (Dana's boyfriend) pulled out the flooring, appliances, and additional stuff left behind by the renter. Next will be the removal of the sheet rock. Homework kept me from helping which does not feel good. I have three more weeks of school to complete before my break. My goal is to complete my final major project tomorrow so that I am free to help with removing the sheet rock at the red house.

On the bright side Anna is even more excited to come home than usual. The poor dear LOVES having Aunt Nel, Grammy and Papa here with her. She actually made me call them one night to tell them it was time to come home because it was getting dark out. When the time comes for everyone to return to their homes I fear she will be sad.

In all we are doing pretty good compared to most. I feel blessed that over the past couple of months we have made paying down our debt a priority. Otherwise I would be crazy with anxiety. Thanksgiving this year will hold a different meaning for us. We are planning on a more low key dinner than usual but are thankful for so much more that in past years. Usually, we have about 20 for dinner this year the number may be more. Tomorrow night I will shop for everything I need so that I can start to get a plan together on Tuesday. I know much of this entry sounds sad but really it is just the exhaustion talking.

Our poor little house after Hurricane Sandy

This is the place where Gerard and I fell in love. Sounds silly but a bunch of us used to hang out at this little house which we call the red house (It used ti be red). This is the house where Gerard and I celebrated our first Thanksgiving & Christmas together back in 1990. I have not been in this house in over 15 years. Yes, that is how love the tenant lived there until hurricane Sandy came through.

 

These trucks are picking up the contents of our homes. They barely make it to a few houses before they need to be emptied

 

This was Gerard's childhood summer home. The memories are too numerous to mention. Our hope is that we will be able to fix the house and rent it again. Inspite of this huge loss we are smiling because we are together and safe. So many have lost everything.

Anna's classroom assistant lost everything. Her husband had been laid off. Her home had more water then this. She taking turns living with friends with her two children until she can find something pernmanet. She called us to see if Anna would be able to continue attending school or if we were relocating. Over 500 families have been displaced in my town. Gerard is so sweet and caring that he has offered to fix her electrical issues. See this is the reason why I love him.

We had snow!

Yes a little over a week past the biggest storm to hit my area since 1962 we had yet one more storm on almost the same path. Insert a big sigh. This time it was a snow storm. Crazy weather we are having here. I will tell you this is the first time Gerard has not been home in the morning to make a snowman with Anna. At first I was a touch sad, mostly because I love watching them play together. As I pulled into the driveway I saw Papa shoveling the walkway. I pulled out the snowman kit and together Anna and Papa made a snowman.

To say Anna loves having her Grandparents with us is a severe understatement.

 

these ones were taken the night before when the snow started to fall

 

She just loves the snow!

 

This is where I fine Anna about 75% of the time now...Sitting on Papa's lap.

 

These pictures make me smile and glad that they are with us.

Halloween & New House Guest

Halloween was moved due to Hurricane Sandy to this past Monday. I was so lucky to be off. Trick or Treating door to door was banned so the town did a large trick or truck at one of the schools that is not being used as a shelter. Hans, Me-Me, and Greg were going to meet us at the school while the line was soooo long and it was starting to get cold I just knew we would not be able to do that then I remember the Baptist Church around the corner from my house also had a trick or trunk so we decided that this was a better choice for us. The Pastor has been working all week to help those in need. He had even delivered breakfast to Gerard's parents one morning at the house. We are so lucky to live in such a giving community.

Anna dressed like Ariel and Hans wanted to be the black bird from Sleeping Beauty. JoanMarie had also been staying at our home because they did not have power either. JoanMarie got to wear Anna's Bumble Bee suit from her first Halloween. She looked so sweet.

It's official Gerard's parents will be staying with us until there home is livable again. They considered staying full time at their daughter's house but it is over an hour away and not a realistic choice for them while they work at rebuilding the houses. So this weekend Gerard will be making detailed lists of what work needs to be done in the houses. We will then sit down and make out a time line.

I will not lie it is going to be hard but it is the right thing to do and I insisted that it be this way. I have told them that we WANT them to stay with us. I think the hardest part will be for me trying to sleep and complete my homework while others are home. I have already broken out my noise cancellation head set to read in quiet.

The positive part of this of course has to do with Anna. She is LOVING having her grandparents with her every night. Plus now my Mother does not have to come over at 5 am so Gerard can go to work. With the cold weather coming this is a good thing.

My fears of needing to make a nightly dinner for Gerard is now elevated because I will have Gerard's parents too. So today we have a roast in the crock pot, green beans and mashed potatoes for dinner. I have been following the Fly Lady and guess what the habit is for this month...You guessed it planning ahead for dinner.

I had hoped to get to the one house to take some pictures this week but we have decided to keep Anna away from as much of the destruction as possible. Perhaps this weekend I will show you the place Gerard and I fell in love so many years ago.

Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and notes.

Updated--Video of the destruction of Long Beach Island

Here is a video of my hometown. Many of these homes I recognize from just driving the main street on the island. On the side bar you can view a video that was taken earlier this week of Long Beach Island, NJ.

We were watching it and Anna asked why we were all so sad. She saw the beach and she got sad as well. Anna then asked me "Are all the Daddy's going to fix my beach?" I hope so baby, I hope so. If you click the title the video will fill your screen.

Hurricane Sandy...what a mess!

I can not even begin to count my blessing because they are too numerous to mention. This might be a bit long so I will warn you now. We are all safe. That is the greatest blessing.

It started Friday with a storm warning or at least that was the first the I remember hearing about it. Gerard and I had plans of doing family things with Anna on Saturday afternoon. I was sleeping Saturday morning because I had worked. I woke up to find Anna in bed with me at 11:30 am, Gerard told me then that he thought this storm was going to be bad. He told me that he had so much prep work to do.

Thank goodness he was off. He went around to our various homes, his parent's home, his aunt's home and my mother's home. He was unable to get one of the boats out of the water but was able to properly secure it. The same with the wave runners.

Saturday after fighting the lines at the grocery store Anna and I went to a friends to carve pumpkins. That was a blast. The pictures are so cute.

Sunday he was called into work and his parents and aunt came to my house. Jenny and my mother went to my other sister's house in town. Monday I went to work around 3 because I wanted to drive in the light. I took a very off beat path which was much longer but safer. Anna stayed with Grammy, Papa and aunt Nel. She only got nervous when the lights went out.
I was so thankful to be able to make it home on Tuesday. Gerard did not make it home until late Tuesday night. We knew mostly from Facebook that there was significant damage to where Gerard's aunt, uncle and parents live. The decision was made to send my Mother, Jenny and Anna more west to my other sister's home who had power near Philadelphia. As much as it killed Gerard and I to have her so far away it was the best decision for her. She packed her dinosaurs threw on new pajamas and was standing at the door to go play with Sloan.
Gerard's parents home was flooded about 3 feet. His aunt's home, his uncle's home and a rental all had close to 5-6 feet of water. We believe that they are total losses. I live about 2 miles from the bay with only marsh land separating us. Thank you God we did not get a drop on water in our home. We only have a number of trees that are down. Gerard has not gone into the crawl space yet so the damage report here may change.
As for the area less than a mile from my home it looks like a war zone. So many have lost everything. School is closed. Halloween was moved to Monday.

There is a gas shortage. Everything from my childhood is gone. My childhood home town is just gone. The dunes and beach are gone. Waves are hitting homes. I think my Church is still standing but I am sure the damage is tremendous. Residents in certain areas still have not been able to get to their homes in some spots. We are all in shock. As I was cleaning my bathroom this morning I started to tear up because there are so many who have nothing. Yes we will rebuild what we can and remember what we can not. My mother is devasted. Her family was one of about 10 that settled Barnegat Light.   

If you would like to see pictures of my area I believe if you Google search hurricane Sandy and Surf City, NJ (our favorite beach), Harvey Cedars, NJ (favorite restaurants), Fantasy Island in Beach Haven, NJ (our amusement park) and. Tuckerton Beach our home town you will be amazed and shocked by the damage.
Seaside Heights, NJ is about 5 minutes from where I work. I can not believe how God has watched over us this past week.

In all of this destruction I am amazed by my family. Me-Me is an extreme couponer has donated so much of her stock to shelters. When she texted me I thought "why did I not Thu.k of that?" Something wonderful will come from this destruction. That is what I believe. Thank you for keeping us in Your thoughts and prayers. As soon as I get my internet up again I am going to post a couple of pictures if I can.