As if it wasn't enough to be moving in 26 days with no real buying prospects in sight - as well as no solid contract on the purchase of another home - wouldn't it be fun to add the theft of our debit card numbers?

Um, yeah. 

We realized Rob's number had been compromised sometime last week.  We immediately canceled it, and he got a new card on Saturday.

Last night we realized that mine was stolen too.

The only place we both go to and use our debit cards with any regularity is a wholesale club's gas pumps.  Our bank told us they have been warned that gas stations are being targeted with some type of skimming software that grabs numbers and creates fraudulent cards.

Oh, and did I mention that Rob used his new card at this same gas station yesterday afternoon, before we realized mine had been stolen also?

Thank God we always used the cards as credit cards and never use our pins, if this is indeed what happened!

(Rob will contact the police today and report our suspicions.)

And thank God we have caught all the fraudulent charges as they are pending and not after they actually took the money from our account.

This week's gotta be better, right?

Totally forgot about MAMM yesterday, so no photo this week.

If time, will try to get my "Things on Tuesday", but who knows what the night will be like.

Found a house we love, but it costs a lot and we still haven't sold the stupid house here.

Gah.

Things that are stressing me out:

- Not having a single showing in almost a week.

- Not having a solid job in our new location yet.

- Not having a contract on our house yet.

- Not knowing if we will really be able to house hunt this weekend because of the house here.  (Dumb housing market)

Things that remind me not to stress:

- Wistful and kind, yet excited-for-us words from folks at work when they hear that I am leaving.

- Lovely recommendation letters!

- Catching up with "old" friends on Facebook.

- Knowing folks are praying with, and for, us.

- The Youngest's unabashed laughter.

- Psalm 77:11-14 ---

What do you find interesting or unique about your family history?

Here are a few things - perhaps not unique, but interesting, at least to me!

• Our great grandparents on our mom's side (our Mom-Mom's parents) were from the same village in Hungary, though they did not know each other and did not meet until after they had both immigrated to the states.  If I am remembering the story correctly, Grandma Meyer was Grandpa Meyer's house help when his first wife was alive.  Some time after his first wife passed, they married, but I seem to remember Mom-Mom saying that he never treated her as he should have - that he favored his first wife and wasn't shy about letting her know that.
• The Meyer surname is not actually accurate - it was Mayer, pronounced like the bologna, but they Americanized it - well, all but our Great Uncle Dominic (who I believe was from Grandpa Meyer's first marriage), who retained the original spelling.  I have no idea what Grandma Meyer's maiden name was - I wish I did. 
  
• Our great grandmother on our paternal grandmother's side married her childhood sweetheart when she was in her 70's, I believe.  She was 98 when she passed, outliving both of her husbands by many years.
• On both sides of our family, the name Charles is very predominant, though only one person goes by "Charles".  Here's the count and how we keep it all straight: my father (Charlie), his father (usually went by his last name), my other grandfather (Buck), his son (Chuck or Butch), my mom's cousin (Charles), his son (Chucky), and one of my dad's uncles (Brother).  Needless to say, no one in my generation - on either side! - has felt the compulsion to use the name Charles for their progeny.
• Our mom's parents eloped on Thanksgiving day.  He was 26 and she was 17 (I think - do I have that right, Janie?).  They won't back "home" separately.  After a week or so, Mom-Mom spilled the beans to one of her sisters, and I believe that is when word got out.  I am not sure what the reaction was or when they actually got a place of their own (maybe one of my sisters can shed some light on that).
• Another "famous" surname within our family tree comes from our dad's side: Hefner.  Do you think we could be heirs to either a lunch meat or - *ahem* - other fortune? (Heh.  Not likely.)
• When our mother was pregnant with me, she wanted to use Patricia for my first name.  Our paternal grandmother thought that was outrageous since our father had been engaged to a Patricia.  A year or two later, our parents reconnected with Pat and her hubby.  The four became fast - and best - friends for years.  I've always found it humorous and ironic that Mom and Pat became such good friends.

I know, I know.  I have been woefully negligent in submitting a "Me and My Monday" photo over the last few weeks.  To say I've been a bit busy (translation - totally freakin' exhausted) would be an understatement.  Almost every free moment is being spent working on the house, getting it ready for showings this weekend.

I filled the past few evenings with painting...

That is me with my favorite-est paint brush in the world, the 1 inch Purdy nylon brush.  It has a slight angle, so it is perfect for cutting in. Because I am so anal so careful, I don't even have to tape things off when using this brush.

One could also title that photo "Me and my exhausted look" or "Me and my end-of-the-day peaked look".  I can't believe how tired I appear!  Oh, or how about "Me and my bags under my eyes"!?

In other news, we mostly finished the outside of the property.  We still have some sprucing to do in the back, but the front is looking pretty nice.

I didn't get the entire carport in the shot because we hadn't re-sealed the driveway when this is taken.  That was completed yesterday, so I will try to take a better photo on Friday when the caution tape is removed.

Okay, I need to finish getting ready for work.  This working while trying to move thing is seriously cutting into my blog time!

Our home will go on the market around the end of next week.  We have only been here 3 years, and I am sure I don't have to tell you that we bought at the peak (i.e., when everything was through-the-roof expensive) and now, well, it is definitely not peaking (like so much meringue that has fallen!). 

We know we won't walk away with what we've put into this house, but we do need enough for a 20% deposit on another home.  We are meeting with a Realtor team tomorrow morning; the wife was our realtor when we bought this house.  They have a great reputation, and have a home similar to ours under contract even now, with less than 20 days on the market.  

Please remember us (pray if that's your thing!), that we are able to sell this lovely house (by mid August at the latest) and walk away with what is needed to get us into a modest home in our new city.

And I am serious when I say lovely.  If I could pick it up and take it with us, I would.

Over the past 4 weeks, I've been wrestling a lot with God over some issues that I am not at liberty to discuss here yet. Suffice to say, this morning I realized that my struggle hasn't so much been about the uncertainties I've been facing, but about how much I trust God!

I was reading in Luke 8 this morning, and I came to the passage where Jesus calms the sea during the storm. In The Message version, verse 25, immediately after Jesus calms the waves, he says to his disciples:

Why can't you trust me?

Let me tell you - that was like an arrow straight to my heart! Why indeed can't I trust Him? After 22 years of walking with Him, you'd think I'd get this thing right.

(I so relate to the man who asked that his son be healed, exclaiming, "I believe" and then in the same breath admitting, "Help my unbelief!")

Many of you know that the almost-3-years we have been living here have been extremely difficult. I truly felt like God called us here, but it's been a desert in so many ways! I've questioned Him so often - why here, God?

And because it has been so hard, my faith and trust has waned. While in my head I believe without a doubt that God wants what's best for me, my heart has struggled. Why would He let it be so hard?

(Ask the butterfly why it's so hard to break forth from the chrysalis, eh?)

I stopped right there in my reading and confessed my struggle with trusting that God does indeed have my best interests in mind, even in "desert places". Then I read on, coming to the account of the woman with the hemorrhage. She reached out and was healed, and when she came forward and admitted what she'd done, Jesus responded:

Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you're healed and whole. Live well, live blessed! (Luke 8:48, TM)

For a type-A, likes-to-have-things-planned-and-in-order gal, taking a risk is scary at best. But that's exactly what trust is all about, isn't it?

As I came in from the deck to get ready for the day, a song began playing in my head. Perhaps it will encourage you too.

I watch you looking out across the raging water
So sure your only hope lies on the other side
You hear the enemy that's closing in around you
And I know that you don't have the strength to fight
But do you have the faith to stand and...

Believe Me now
Believe Me here
Remember all the times I've told you loud and clear
I am with you and I am for you
So believe Me now
Believe Me now

I am the One who waved my hand and split the ocean
I am the One who spoke the words and raised the dead
And I've loved you long before I set the world in motion
I know all the fears you're feeling now
But do you remember who I am?
Do you..

Believe Me now
Believe Me here
Remember all the times I've told you loud and clear
I am with you
And I am for you
So believe Me now
Believe it's true
I never have, I never will abandon you
And the God that I have always been
I will forever be
So believe Me now

I am the God who never wastes a single hurt that you endure
My words are true, and all My promises are sure
So believe Me now
Oh, believe Me now

((c) Steven Curtis Chapman)

I still haven't managed to pin Rob down long enough to read the two personality test results, so I submit them now to you - which is more me, or am I a combination of both?

Here's the first result:

Engaged Idealist (EI)

(Just visiting? Take the free test and determine your personality type!)

Engaged Idealists are extroverted and helpful. Others find them to be very congenial and inspiring - especially as they are always willing to see the best in the other person. Their humour, their energy and their optimism attract other people. Engaged Idealists are very good at communicating and are good at convincing and firing on others. That is why it is a matter of course that they often take over the leading role in groups. This personality type often produces very charismatic persons.

Engaged Idealists have an unusually strong ability to empathise. They are tolerant and generous towards others; they sometimes tend to idealise their friends. They always try to suit everybody and want their relationships to be harmonious and satisfactory. To achieve this, they are prepared to invest a great deal and to put their requirements last. As Engaged Idealists are very considerate, there is the danger of them sacrificing and overexerting themselves for others. In their job, they therefore have to be very careful not to develop a burnout syndrome.

Engaged Idealists are reliable, well organised and love structuring complicated situations. They have difficulty accepting criticism; they quickly feel hurt and misunderstood. Their perfectionism also influences their love life - they look for the perfect relationship for life. Once they have made their decision, they are faithful, well-balanced and loving partners. However, should they get involved with the wrong person, it can happen that they allow themselves to be exploited for a long time before they end the relationship.

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Adjectives which describe your type

extroverted, theoretical, emotional, planning, idealistic, committed, likable, enthusiastic, responsible, helpful, loyal, diplomatic, friendly, inspiring, caring, solicitous, optimistic, effusive, adaptable, communicative, articulate, convincing, energetic, optimistic, open, vulnerable

These subjects could interest you

art, psychology, politics, honorary work, environmental protection, nature, travel


Then I went back, read through again, and altered two of the answers (the two that I struggled with choosing between in the first place):

Social Realist (SR)

(Just visiting? Take the free test and determine your personality type!)

Social Realists are popular persons full of energy. They are reliable, well organized and helpful. Traditional values are important to them. Founding a family also plays a central role in their life. Social Realists have a marked social streak. They are always ready to listen to the worries and problems of others and spare no effort when they are asked for help. With empathy and understanding, they can sense what other people need. Social Realists are always willing to highly regard the strong points of the other person and to excuse that person’s weaknesses. They are the most sociable of all personality types. Social contacts are very important to them.

Social Realists find it very difficult to cope with conflicts and criticism - harmony is their elixir of life. Acknowledgement and esteem are very important to this type. Differentiation on the other hand is not necessarily one of their strong points. At work and in partnerships, they are loyal, committed and always there when needed. They find it easy to make friends due to their open, warm manner and they have a large circle of friends. In love, they are faithful and attentive and care for their partners with a great deal of imagination and sensitivity. Social Realists show their feelings openly and honestly. Should a relationship break up, they tend to blame themselves. That is why they find it very difficult to end a partnership even if it has not fulfilled their requirements for some time.

Social Realists are more conservative types. They have a set system of values and rules which is orientated to the prevailing traditions. They prefer clear, structured surroundings and work processes; they find too much change und unrest unpleasant. Their strong points are carefulness and reliability and not so much flexibility and spontaneity. Social Realists are open-minded towards anything new only to a limited extent. But, should one be looking for someone to fulfil a task reliably and exactly, they are the right persons.

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Adjectives which describe your type

extroverted, practical, sentimental, planning, emotional, temperamental, energetic, tradition-conscious, loyal, helpful, devoted, reliable, caring, objective, thorough, organised, warm-hearted, open, friendly, sociable, chummy, obliging, self-sacrificing, public-spirited, sensitive, kind, demanding

These subjects could interest you

honorary work, parties, going out, music, hiking, cooking, craftwork, nature, literature


~   ~   ~

After re-reading them today, I am leaning toward the initial result, Engaged Idealist.  What do you think?

There's been so much on my mind over the past week, but I haven't been able to get it out and onto the screen.  It's summer here, for all intents and purposes, though the calendar still gives us a week or so.  This is the first summer that I've worked consistently since - gosh, since marriage, save cleaning offices a few evenings a week back in Rob's college days.  Oh, and cleaning a friend's home in the early 90s down in Charleston. 

Maybe that's why I feel a bit discombobulated...not having the summer off to be with the kiddos.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, though.  The kids are at an age where they don't need me breathing down their throats every second.  It gives all of us a sense of independence.

And I enjoy my job, though honestly, it's a bit dull at times!  A good dull - none of the drama and stress attached to the previous workplace - but still - and there isn't a gentler way to say it - dull.  I've already mastered the routine, and most days I finish my administrative tasks within 2-3 of the scheduled 5 hours.  But I am there to answer the phone and greet guests also, so I don't feel too bad about the down times.

So, let's see...what have I missed...?

Vacation was lovely.  We spent two nights at the beach, and we had the most relaxing, laughter-filled time as a family that we've had in ages.  The final two nights were spent more inland, and we were able to hang out with some life-long friends, as well as some new ones.  Again, much laughter abounded. 

One of the best parts of the trip was being at our "home" church.  We get more hugs there than we do in a year or more at the church here!  The lead pastor is also a gifted speaker, so I am never bored, even if he tends to be long-winded.  And we were able to tour the facilities and see all the cool changes/additions/upgrades they've made in the last year or two.  It is such a vibrant place, and I still miss it, even after almost three years.

In other news, The Daughter got her permit last Thursday!  She has to drive at least 50 hours supervised over the next 6 months.  I've been letting her drive to and from work each day, and she's doing pretty well, though she has what I call the "wild ass turn tendency".  I had forgotten that it takes some time to coordinate the gas pedal and the steering wheel.

No whip lash yet, but we've come close a few times (heh).

I took that personality test that everyone's been taking, but true to my tend-to-be-Gemini (though I don't "believe" in horoscopes, sometimes I wonder about the "twin" thing when it comes to me), I couldn't quite decide between two different results: The Engaged Idealist or The Social Realist.  EI was the initial result.  But again, on at least two of the four questions, I could have equally chose either answer.  So, perhaps I am a mix of both.

I am going to have Rob read them both and tell me which is more accurate before I post any results.

Speaking of Rob, he's a bit anxious about work.  They've called in all the remote folks for an all-hands meeting on Monday.  The buzz is that the company is being sold (Liberty Media owns them now).  Not sure what that could mean, but I am sure that it will bring big changes in benefits and structure.

He's almost finished with his Associates Certificate in Project Management - that's a good thing, though Project Management Professional (PMP) certification would be better.  I hope that whatever changes are afoot don't include an end to the tuition benefit plan that's allowed him to take courses over the past year.  It'd be nice to get that PMP under his belt.

Let's see...what else...

I submitted a devotional article to Associated Content, but haven't heard anything yet.  I really don't expect any upfront payment.  And if that proves to be the case, I can still publish for page-view payments, which have been equating to a medium coffee a month at WaWa.

Better than a sharp stick in the eye, I suppose.

I think that about covers it!  I guess I had more to say than I thought, eh?

Things I loathe about vacation:

- packing

- obnoxiously high gas prices

- packing

- missing out on my exercise time

- did I mention packing?

Things I love about vacation:

- the beach!  (though I don't actually like swimming or even lying on the beach, but I love being near it - seeing it, hearing it, sitting by a pool a few yards away from it...)

- seeing friends who are like family

- lively conversation over yummy food stuffs

- hearing the kiddos laugh together

- having time to think without normal-day distractions

- souvenirs!

- having someone else to make the bed.

- staying within our budget and still having a blast