Well, we decided to keep "Dog." She definitely grew more comfortable with us... you could notice the difference every few hours! She and Murphy get along splendidly and I hadn’t thought how important that would be. She’s just so responsive and yet not wild and excitable. Her intense curiosity about the goats has died down somewhat after I tied them (the goats) out yesterday and she got to be around them as much as she wanted. She’s barked only twice this whole time and that only while sitting and watching the goats. Anyway, she goes in Monday for her little operation and shots which we really can’t afford right now... but as per usual, we’ll find a way. Oh, and though she nearly got stuck with the name "Dog," (I told Bobby we could use the excuse that we’re saving our creative naming energy for the baby - everyone has such high expectations, you know) we did settle on the name "Lucy" last night. So, Lucy it is.

We’ve had so many vehicle problems around here lately. Bobby’s car has been in the shop, refusing to act up for the mechanic. No sooner did we pick it up last night then it died on Bobby. Seriously, like within five minutes. He went right back to the mechanic and they drove it together. Sounds like the torque converter in the tranny, he says. Ugh. But try some much-needed routine maintenance and see if that helps. So, we spent the money on plugs and wires and a fuel filter and it is running smoother, but we have yet to see if it solved the stalling, hard shifting problem. I’m so tired of vehicles! The van’s been running a bit funny and sure doesn’t like Bobby driving it to work. Unfortunately that has been solved by him plum running out of work!

He talked to his boss yesterday and he has no local work. The next out of town job starts (tentatively) Sept 8th (it was suppose to be in a couple weeks). He said he probably could put Bobby to work around his house near the end of the week. Well, that’s what’s killing us! What little he makes doing that he spends in gas to do it. So, we filed for unemployment yesterday. It won’t be enough, but it’ll be something while he looks for fill-in stuff. It’s not as hard on me as it used to be... but I still struggle with discouragement.

His boss had wanted his house washed and Bobby has tried three times to go up there and wash it. Each time there’s been some mechanical difficulty and he’s come home without even getting started. He’s fixed it each time only to have something else go wrong. Little things, but time consuming. We’re still working on the latest... maybe today will be the day. The good news is that he’s finally decided it’d be wise to sell the machine. I ran the profit and loss figures on the business and since we bought it three years ago we’ve gone in the hole about $8,000. Ouch. Now I’m praying he’ll decide on a fair price (hard to pay for something new and sell it at a used price!). I’m thinking $3,500 (he's thinking much more) and it should go easy if we advertise in the St. Louis area. We could pay down half our debt with that (our debt is entirely from the original purchase! DO NOT borrow to start a business!  Or for any reason, for that matter). We’d save $80 a month right away in finance charges, not to mention how much we’d save overall by paying down the debt faster. Anyway... surely there’s something more interesting to write about... Just one of those mornings I have a lot on my mind...

Okay, the best news is that my one and only blood sister, Galidee, is expecting her first baby in March. How wonderful is that??? We have oodles of pregnant women around here. Well, five I can think of right off, due Nov through April. We need a midwife!!!! Please! If you’re a CPM it is now legal for you to practice in MO and we desperately need you here in the SE corner of the state!

There is one midwife just a ways down the road from me (haven’t ever met her, but I’ve met some of her family and friends), but she’s moving to TX. There are no laws in place yet to protect midwifes (we’re working on that). The opposition is still so strong that the law that passed last year really doesn’t mean much, apparently.  So what, a CPM won’t get thrown in jail... but she’s not likely to be patted on the back and welcomed to the hospital with smiles should she have to transport her client. It could only make matters worse, fueling the opposition.

So, we (all us ladies) have been talking and talking and praying fervently about what we’re going to do. The nearest homebirth/natural-birth friendly doctor is just over an hour away. She’s an MD who’s open to out-of-hospital birth, but I don’t think she’ll travel (which leaves RVs and motel rooms). She doesn’t have hospital privileges so in-hospital birth isn’t an option either. But I hear she's fantastic.  For myself, I’d be happy to get prenatal care from someone who doesn’t mind Bobby and I being in charge of my health (that power struggle is soooo stressful) and then birth at home with the experienced friend we had with us last time. But, it’s not a good method for a first time mom and I really want my sister to have the best and I want to help her in anyway that I can... It really would be nice to get prenatal care somewhere together so we can carpool. I don’t even have the faintest idea how to shop for a doctor. I sure don’t have the time or money to drive all over creation interviewing them. Pray for us!

Yeah... my poor sister started off her pregnancy with a stomach bug so she wasn’t sure if her symptoms were from that or morning sickness. Now the bug is gone and she still feels awful! We’re in agreement that boiling chicken is the one of the worst smells while you’re pregnant. I’m so excited to share this experience with her! She’s pretty glad to have me, too, I think. How nice to have a sister who’s been through it five times already and is just a couple months ahead of you with number six, huh? I can’t say why, but I get the feeling Vince isn’t keen on us sharing this experience. Pray with me that he’ll relax and let us be sisters. I’m so excited for both of them... just a couple days after she told me I happened across a great yard sale and bought them a crib and a pack-n-play. A little early, but I couldn’t resist!

Well, the kids are all up now and just about done with breakfast. Guess I better get to work! We've been harvesting green beans and squash and now the tomatoes are really coming on.  Today is salsa day.  Yum!

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Posted by gabbie427

Glad you are keeping the dog!!!! Sorry hubby is having so many mechanical problems it seems with vehicles as well as other stuff!! And work being so far between, it is hard to have to file unemployment, but as you said, at least it is something rather than nothing!!!

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo

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Posted by dukygurl

Neat post it is good to know what is going on...My spouse is here with me reading about your life and all that is going on and has a question..."why doesn't Bobby get a job anywhere it is possible when he is laid off? It would pay more than the income unemployment provides wouldn't it?" I am glad that you and Gal get to be pregnant together that will be fun. I hope that Vince can realize how much it will help to have the encouragement of a seasoned MOMMY!
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Trish, you can share this with Tim.... B's last day with Kelly was Thursday, but he didn't know that until yesterday morning. He had an odd job Sunday and again Monday. Now that he knows just how far out the next out of town job is he will be looking for something more regular to fill that time. But might as well file unemployment until then.

Edited by Daisyblend on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 11:25

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