We’ve got some pics!
By Mr. BlackSheep | November 5, 2009
We’ve updated the pic gallery for our October pics, which include Baby BlackSheep’s Fall Festival costume! Check it out right here!
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So What Have We Been Doing?
By Mr. BlackSheep | October 15, 2009
Man, the time is flying. It’s been over a month since my last post here, and I said at that time that I would update all the things we’ve been doing since we first came to Tennessee. It’s difficult to believe that we’ve been here nearly 3 months already. It has passed me quickly… too quickly.
We’re fully unpacked, of course. Thanks mostly to the Mrs. for that fact. She worked hard every day, knocking out the boxes room by room after we moved in. Between watching our Little Lamb and getting all that accomplished, she pulled it off rather well. She even had time to totally repaint the kitchen and pantry, getting it just about done for decorating. Looks pretty sweet! A few more details, and it’ll be done. We still want to paint and decorate the great room, dining room, master bedroom and master bath yet. Those will all be great winter projects… you know, when the temperatures dip into the 40′s!
We started recaulking all the windows outside. The caulking is original, which means 12 years of heat and cold. It’s a pain in the butt, but we’ll keep at it. We’re using really good poly caulk, which means it’ll last a long time, but it’s application is difficult. Anyways, we don’t want to do it again anytime soon, so we splurged on the good stuff. I think I need to buy some scaffolding though… a couple windows are high, and the great room will need scaffolding to paint anyways. We’ll have to watch CraigsList for a deal or something.
I built some shelves along one garage wall. Without the storage in the basement, we were forced to clean out a lot and bettor organize the rest. I sold a bunch of my big shop tools before I left, and the garage shelves here make it all work. We have a standard 2-car garage, and coming from our 2 1/2 car extra deep with heated shop, it’s a challenge. But we get one car in, the lawnmower, the Harley, the bikes, strollers, all that other stuff that takes up floor space. I leave my work vehicle outside, which is no big deal.
We also sealed the aggregate driveway since we’ve moved in. They look so much better when they’re sealed up… like wet river rock. It took the better part of a weekend, pressure washing, crack filling, then sealing and waiting, but the results are beautiful. Mrs has continued her work outside, trimming the hedges, removing others, and pruning trees as she sees fit. Give it a couple of years and she’ll have the place shined up quite well!
My work is going rather well for me. I’m learning a little bit each day, but I find most of the time that I’m training others on codes, practices, and techniques. I’ m enjoying the overall pace of my work, and the challenges of starting over with business relationships. So far the response has been positive to my taking over of Operations, so I’ll continue to let the customer be the judge. My job, in short, is Operations Manager of Vulcan Fire Systems Nashville. We’re a branch office, so Operations is smaller in scale than Louisville (the head office). We offer a broader array of products and services though, so that presents certain challenges. Right now my focus is getting on top of my warehouse inventory while continuing to keep the wheels turning with installations and service. Overall I’m enjoying the challenges, and couldn’t ask for a better place to work. I don’t regret the decision to work at Vulcan for one minute.
We’re highly disappointed about our Titans. 0-5 to start the season? That must be the absolute biggest disappointment in the NFL right now. But the Packers… they’re doing better than expected, although I don’t expect them to do much if anything in the playoffs. Their O-line needs a LOT of help! Maybe if the NFL lets Favre win one more super bowl, he;ll go away for good. That is what everyone wants, isn’t it? For him to just go away? Amen.
The girls are both doing well. Momma had a bout with kidney stones again… three of ‘em we think. And Little Lamb is running around the house like she owns the place! Lots of talking, lots of copying Momma, and even catching on to a few choice words that Daddy shouldn’t say. I never thought the day would come this quickly that I would have to watch what I’m saying for fear of little ears. Wow, they pick stuff up so quickly!
We’ll keep you posted if anything more exciting comes up. Otherwise, it’s life as usual for us, which suits us just fine. Keep in touch ya’ll!
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Afterthoughts…
By Mrs. BlackSheep | October 13, 2009
So, our Life Group is reading this book, “The Reason for God – Belief in an Age of Skepticism“. Honestly, I can barely pronounce half the words, but I do remember the discussion we had Monday night regarding the “world’s” rightful criticism of Christians. The topic of discussion revolved around Christians that give us a bad name because of their actions and therefore we rightfully deserve the criticism. This morning I had a few afterthoughts…
I couldn’t help but to get slapped in the face this morning during some time with God about the discussion that took place. I sat with this group of people who carried on (and I took part) essentially about Christians that give us a bad rapport because of bad outward actions. It was kind of carried out in the third person. Talking about they and them. The word self righteous came up quite a bit too. I’m humbled today, because I believe it’s the actions that took place in the room entirely that put us Christians in this position. At no point did I or anyone else admit any of our own sin that would react in the world’s criticism. I can’t imagine that I’m the only one sinning daily. But I spoke of those other Christians… as if their sin was a different kind of sin. And it wasn’t so much that I was pointing fingers or judging others (trust me, even though it sounds quite the opposite), because I don’t think that was the case. I ask myself: Why couldn’t we have a real discussion about ourselves and our own sin that allows this judgment from the world rather than a superficial one about someone else?
Now, had we done that, we’d be world changers.
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Out of the Fog…
By Mrs. BlackSheep | September 16, 2009
I think I’m finally coming out of the fog that I feel like I’ve been in for well over 2 years now. Yes, two years. From quitting a job to starting a business, having a baby and then moving well out of state, saying goo-bye to family and dear friends. To say that the last two years have been eventful doesn’t even hit the tip of the iceberg for the way my world has been rocked. I would love to say that I loved every minute of it and that I was having the time of my life but that would be a flat out lie. What I can say is that God has used every bit of this in a mighty way. And I know I don’t even understand it all yet. If only I would have seen all that He was doing in the midst of all that was happening I’m sure I would have been much more grateful throughout. So now what? Here I am in Franklin, TN feeling like I’m actually swimming versus just treading water. Here’s what keeping me busy.
This week I decided that this is the time to put the business back into the mix. It seems that there isn’t a whole lot of cash in our vacation or decorating fund so it’s time for me to use the talent God gave me and get to work. Of course the priority will still be the home front as I believe this is what God created us ladies for. However, it’s time to go out and buy a field and harvest from it. (Prov 31 [show] The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb?
What are you doing, son of my vows?
Do not give your strength to women,
your ways to those who destroy kings.
It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine,
or for rulers to take strong drink,
lest they drink and forget what has been decreed
and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,
and wine to those in bitter distress;
let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
) So, back to business planning and figuring out who all needs to know that I’m running a business from my home and how much taxes they want to collect from me for doing so. In addition I’ve been working on a Mission Statement not just for the business but for my entire life. It’s a technique I learned from Renee Swope with Proverbs 31 [show] The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb?
What are you doing, son of my vows?
Do not give your strength to women,
your ways to those who destroy kings.
It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine,
or for rulers to take strong drink,
lest they drink and forget what has been decreed
and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,
and wine to those in bitter distress;
let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates. ministries. She shared this practice with me the weekend I had the privilege of driving her and her assistant to and from the airport. Without this Mission Statement I know my business would create a significant imbalance in my life, therefore establishing this first will allow God to remain in the drivers seat and limit my backseat driving. It’s keeping me busy.
Another thing occupying my time is this house. It’s huge compared to my last one. Steve did and awesome job picking it out. In fact, I still have moments where I think…is this really my house? Given that the square footage doubled and our stuff didn’t, it’s looking a little bare. Not a problem for me though. I’ve been busy watching CraigsList for the perfect pieces to fill this place. I also have discovered lots of resale shops with some real treasures. And let me tell you about the fabric stores, they are plentiful here in the south, and make me sing hallelujahs. Our color scheme has been picked out and now it’s a matter of going room by room putting it all into place. We are going for a fresh look, something playful and eclectic, and let’s throw in a little shabby chic just because we can. Our last home was so serious and I didn’t feel like people could really relax in it. We want people (you) to come and feel right at home. I won’t have it done overnight, I’m sure it will take the next year.
Baby BlackSheep is definitely keeping me busy. She’s like the energizer bunny and just keeps going and going and going. I don’t even really let her have sugar. I can’t imagine what she’d be like If Mrs. Gallamore was around to slip her liters of Coke and coffee from the bar at church. I’m just starting to take her to story and craft time at the library and trying to take advantage of things out in the community. She’s a sponge right now so I want to feed that, but at the same time I don’t want to create a kid that gets so far ahead of the game that school becomes a challenge, because she’s too smart for her own good. I’m learning most moms around here enroll their kids in some sort of pre-school by 18 months. Maybe I have no clue, but that seems awfully early. I’ll keep her at home, there’s plenty to learn right in the back yard.
Last week we went to a Life Group from the church we have been attending. A pretty cool group of people. We are the youngest of the group, and Baby BlackSheep is to. So, for the next seven weeks we will be meeting and we’ll see where that takes us. We have been quite focused on getting connected and couldn’t wait for the summer break to be over. It’s through church I hope to find other women to hang out with and someone to care for the little lamb while I go out on Sell-Ability appointments. As Mr. Blacksheep and I talked, there were two relationship voids that we feel we have to fill immediately. One being that family we can hang out with and just be normal, one we can fight in front of, where we can come over to their house grungy from a day of hard work and still have them love us. The other is the couple of wise counsel, that has experienced more life that us, that we can watch and learn from and go to in confidence when we have a need. We had these meaningful relationships in Wisconsin and miss them terribly. I’m learning that in a new area, where you know no one (expect the Singletary’s of course) you really seek out your true Christian brothers and sisters for help. There’s a different level of trust there. Although it’s still a little scary putting yourself out there with someone you don’t know.
Then lastly, I’ve been up to the norm, the cooking, cleaning, yard work, etc. All that stuff, day in and day out. All the same stuff just a new location. Doing my best to say thanks to the Lord for the norm.
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