where did the summer go?

Here it is, August 21st, and summer is over. Well, it is if you live in Maine. The past few days have looked like fall and smelled like fall. I can't believe how fast the summer went though. Of course there will be days that are warm unntil September around here, and maybe even October, but they will be few and far between. We are moving into another season.

I actually love the change of seasons. It is one of the reasons I love New England so much (the cold winters are not one of the reasons :-)) But, the change to fall also reminds me that winter is just around the corner, and that we are not prepared at all for a cold winter with high heating costs.

I am seriously concerned about heating oil this winter. So concerned that Matt and I have invested in a wood stove. A lot of people say a wood stove isn't a great idea, but I think that it is. We are lucky enough to live in an area with friends who have large amounts of land in which to cut wood. I don't think that everyone should have a wood stove of course, I don't want to completely deplete the woods that we have in the state, but for us, right now, it is a good choice. We have the wood stove, now we have to figure out where to put it, and how to get a chimney in this house.

Our house is old, and the chimney is no good, well, at least it doesn't appear to be good. And the previous owner actually closed up the chimney top on the roof, so in order for us to even use the existing chimney, we need to put up a new chimney top. The part in the basement is completely ruined and really needs to be rebuilt. What is left? The chimney that is in the walls...the walls that Matt and I so carefully sheetrocked. Do we take apart the sheetrock and look to see if we can reuse the chimney? Do we take the whole chimney down and put a new chimney up? And do we build an actual chimney, or do we get one of those metal bestos chimneys (the latter is a much more cost effective option). There are a lot of choices. Not that we have a ton of money to get a chimney either, but I think that after all is said and done, we will have still spent less installing a woodstove and using wood for heat this winter than what we would pay to heat our house with oil (the choice heating fuel for New England).

Along with all of my concerns about keeping the house warm enough, are my concerns about getting a renter for our studio. The studio isn't finished yet, but it shouldn't take us too long, if we can get our butts in gear. I was hoping that my Nana would move up into the apartment, I think it would be best for everyone involved, but she is stubborn, and I don't think that she is going to make the trek up here. Maybe that is a good thing. I know that God will let happen what is supposed to happen as long as we continue to pray and trust in Him. What a process though. I'm still waiting for the *big sign* to know what we are supposed to do.

I know, I'm just a jumble of thoughts this morning. It seems like so much to think about, and it really is a lot to think about. We now have Emma, and I am a stay at home mom, there are a lot of uncertainties in our future. I just need to trust that God will provide, but why is that so difficult?

OK, well I guess that is all the doom and gloom I can muster for 8am :-) I hope that everyone is enjoying there summers! I certainly have been! And although I am concerned about the coming winter, I am looking forward to fall. Apple picking, tomato canning, and fair season! Yay!

stay at home mama

It is official...I am now a full time mama, and I couldn't be happier. I was worried about the reaction from the people that I worked with, and my family, but for the most part everyone has been really positive. Of course my mom just about died, but I figured that would happen. A single, independent woman who raised 2 kids on her own...of course she would worry. I, on the other hand, am not at all concerned. Well, money is always a concern, but I really need to just let it go and give it to God. He has never failed us in the past, and putting our trust and faith in Him is the most important thing.

I am overly excited about the opportunity I have to make my home my mission. I love to spend the days with Emma and have a clean house, so being able to be at home all day is great. Although, with an 11 week old, the house seems to definitely sit on the back burner. That's ok though :-) I am trying to be a litte more organized, and hopefully that will help out as well.

The big thing that I have heard (mostly from my mom) is "you've spent so much money on your college education!" That is the truth...in fact I will continue to be spending money on my college education for the foreseeable future. However, I really do believe that college was worth it, even if I do stay home full time. I majored in Business (which I personally think every person should major in, very useful information), and plan to use that knowledge to work our budget, as well as hopefully do some work from home. I have always enjoyed creating things, and hope that I can make some money off of it. I have been looking into the etsy shops, and think that it would be fun to have a little online business. It would combine a lot of what I love, creating, and organizing a business ;-) Plus, it isn't like I need to be at it constantly, so I can still spend as much time as I want with little miss Emma bean :-)

Ahhhh...new adventures...fun!