Abundance of produce

I may not have a job but I sure am doing a good job at selling cards for $2 bucks. This week I got a check in the mail from Christine for $100 dollars for the cards that I've made so far. I need to set some of that aside for the maintenance of the cards. If I could get at least $200 a month then that would help Gordon and me. That would mean that I would need to crank out 100 cards a month or 25 per week! I'm not so sure that I'm up for that but we'll see if it becomes viable. Apparently people don't have a problem from spending a gold coin ($1 or $2 NZ) on a card in the shop. I'm glad that they are selling though because it makes me feel better.

Nothing from future job prospects. I've applied for another slew of jobs and hope to hear from somebody in the next couple of weeks but I'm not holding my breath. There was an upsetting news clip about a NZ union saying that jobs in NZ should be for NZ people due to all the layoffs that are occurring. It didn't make me feel hopeful but Gordon says that I am a New Zealander by marriage. Somehow, I don't think the employers see it that way when they review my application. I'm not going to worry about it too much but it doesn't make me feel good about job prospects for the next couple of years. Every time the phone rings during the day I'm hoping its an employer that wants an interview me. Its usually Gordon or a friend from church. I don't like living like that so I'm trying to change my perspective.

The study group that I'm attending Wednesday evenings has been very enlightening about prayer. We just had our second session and it was discussing why we pray. I like hearing other people's point of views on a verse or what a question means to them. I feel like I'm getting closer to my faith and my relationship with God. Then people will say things like "He is infinite and we cannot comprehend His mighty power and scope". I prefer to think that while He is infinite and powerful, He is trying to draw me closer. A personal relationship with God and the Lord helps me to feel connected with them. Our study group also had to do a reading and a short perspective speech in church on Sunday. I was elected to do it and we discussed the passage that I picked and I think we did a good job. It was John 6:33-35 and we were able to connect that like bread, Jesus gives us a strength spiritually to encounter the world. I elaborated a little bit more of course but I don't want to bore you.

My taxes are done and completed and on their way to my mother so she can mail them for me. I was surprised at the refund that I got. It looks like I get a considerable refund from federal and state which will go toward, what else, bills. I also sent out my passport to get the name changed on it to the US embassy in Auckland. I should get it back in week and a half. We are doing a lot better with our money and the low interest card that Gordon switched to has an interest payment of $59 dollars rather than $100; I'll take any breaks we can get. The budget I've set for us seems to be working as well. I plan to use some of the refund for our credit bills and then save the rest. We also got a check from one of Gordon's family members as a wedding present. We were able to purchase a chest freezer with the money because we need more freezer space for all the frozen veggies. It is so nice to put the veggies in the freezer and not worry about space!

Gordon and I are saving up for the tanks of gas that we'll need to get to Tirau for Easter. Some of my card money will be used for that as well. It looks like we'll be able to do it, we just can't go any movie nights. Dinner with the family maybe but that's it. We also get to meet Kylie's boyfriend, Glen! Kylie wants to move out to where Glen is and they are going to try and fix-up a farmhouse that is on the property. I think that once the farmhouse is finished that Kylie and Glen will get married. Kylie is definitely twitterpated with this man and I'm so excited for her. Gordon says its all part of my master plan to move back to America, get Kylie married so the in-laws won't be so shocked when we move back to the States. It should be a good holiday and we'll see what happens down the road. I'm bringing the green bean casserole and dessert for Easter dinner. Glen is bringing some lamb to eat, that doesn't have me too thrilled because lamb seems a bit greasy to me. I'll give it a go because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings but I would love some Easter ham. It also looks like we may be bringing some lamb home with us. We'll see.

Gordon and I have also started a work-out regime because this weight thing is getting ridiculous. We haven't been swimming in a while because he's been gone and on night shift but we're working around everything. I'm still working on my portions and seem to be making some progress. I think to lose the pounds I need to regularly exercise which we are starting to do at least 4-5 times a week. When Gordon is gone playing golf then I'm going to do some water aerobics to keep up the regime. I also have a weight loss penpal from myspace. Sonya and me are going to try and support each other despite being thousands of miles away. I'm trying to be very optimistic and I feel myself filling up on food a lot more faster than I used to. So things are looking up in the weight area, hopefully.

It looks like I'm going to be joining a book club next week. I was reading my numerous books and thinking about how I would like to talk to someone about the stuff I was reading. I decided to look up book clubs in Palmerston North and found that NZ has a book council. There were adverts from women in Palmerston North and I decided to email both of them. It looks like I got the ball rolling on creating a book club because we're meeting next week in Palmerston North. It will be so nice to get a little more human contact. I don't know the ages of these ladies that I'm meeting but it should be a good time.

For the weekend, Gordon and I spent some time in The Esplanade in Palmerston North. It's just like a big park area with pathways that you can walk down and a rose garden and aviary to admire. We rode the little Lions Club training that was operating when we went. It was cute and fun to ride in. I'm definitely going to take Ainsley, Sierra, Dax and Ewan on it when they come to visit. They also had another awesome park that we passed by complete with jumbo tree house, flying fox and endless play equipment. You could entertain kids for hours at the parks in New Zealand. It was nice to spend some time with Gordon because he was on night shift for this week and we don't get much time together now that a painter comes daily to our house to finish our windows on the outside.

Gordon is going to Auckland next week to play Interbase golf. The guy definitely has a lot of luck when it comes to sports for the Air Force. I'm trying to determine a good day to go into Wellington. I've decided that Thursday is a great day because its in the week but its not Friday. I have to drop Gordon off on Monday, book club on Tuesday and study group on Wednesday. Gordon will be back home on Saturday so that will be nice. I'm trying to be busy next week so I don't miss him so much and that I sleep through the night.

Well, thats it for this week. I hope everyone enjoyed reading. I'll keep trying to keep my chin-up despite constant turndowns from numerous companies. Gordon and I are tough, will get through this. I hope everyone has a good week!