Happy Birthday, Valentine!!!

Today is a very special day. For us it's not only a day to celebrate the gift of love, but it is also the anniversary of the day we welcomed our third child into this world, five short years ago.

Yes...Butterfly has turned 5!

And, what a fun-filled five years it has been. Gone is the pudgy, baby face and here to stay is the humorous, fun-loving, intelligent, and all-around delightful child.

It's amazing how each new child born into a family bends and molds it into a previously unknown configuration. Each special character trait brightens our home even as it changes our home. There's just no going back...and we wouldn't want to if we could.

We have been permanently altered, in beautiful ways, by our sweet Butterfly, and this is the day we get to stop and think about that fact.

We'll watch her prance around in delight as she shows off her gifts. She'll bubble over with joy as I bake her birthday cake. She'll repeat her new age to anyone who will listen. We will see her eyes light up as grandparents show up with even more gifts...

And all the while I'll be thinking,

"Butterfly, you're my favorite Valentine's gift."

With all my love,
Momma

It's Raining, It's Pouring...

Sooo... who was that who said, "When it rains, it pours." ...Huh?

I wouldn't necessarily always agree with that statement, but lately it has been a little hard to refute. As I am typing this entry Ron is scouring the local Home Depot for a product known as Liquid Nails, or something like that. This is after our well meaning children (who were moving furniture in order to vacuum the living room) pushed the playpen across the threshold into the breakfast nook and inadvertently ripped the divider thingy from the floor. You know, the part that divides the carpet from the laminate wood floor. Yeah, that thingy. Tonight we shall have the unmerited pleasure of trying to glue it back down. Yes... we... who have NO idea how to do this type of thing.

Oh, but don't feel sorry for us yet. It's far too early for that. I've only just begun. So get comfy...

If you are a faithful reader of Tonya's Two Cents you are already aware that Ron was recently RIFed. (see "Here We Grow Again" for details) If you are new to my blog then... Welcome!!! But I have to warn you-You've come at a bad time.

Anyway, as if the sudden income halt weren't enough, two weekends ago we suffered a pipe break in our front yard. The City was good enough to come out to inspect the problem and to inform us that it was indeed our problem and not theirs. Plus, they were kind enough to leave us a little note to say that they hoped this would not inconvenience us. Of course not! We are not fickle enough to consider a wee little pipe break an inconvenience when we are unemployed. What kind of people do they think we are?

We do have a home warranty on our house and they did send out a plumber. But apparently our warranty only covers the plumbing that is over the actual foundation of the house, not in the yard.

I trust that they also hoped that this wouldn't be an inconvenience.

Well, we hired a plumber and, after four days without running water, he fixed our pipe and we re-entered the 21st Century. It's good to be back! I'd write a little about life with four children and a dog, minus running water, but I haven't reached that point in my recovery yet. I'm sure you understand.

Money spent!

No job.

After my husband lost his job I scheduled last minute dental appointments for Ron and myself (because our health insurance would end at the end of January and we hadn't been in a while. The kiddos were current on their check-ups already.) To my horror and amazement I had several uh...um... needs for tooth fortification, and Ron had two. $$$ Can you say, "cha-ching"? $$$

More money spent.

Still no job.

All was well in our home after that... until Sunday morning. Upon waking we found that our little Jack Russel Terrier looked more like a bulldog than any terrier of any type. The right half of his face was very swollen! I thought someone must have thrown something at him while he was out back. I was horrified!

Then, several hours later, after church, lunch, and a family trip to the library, we came home to a dog whose whole face and neck were swollen---like a balloon! I tossed out my "despicable neighbor" theory and adopted a "severe allergy" theory in its place, pulled out the Yellow Pages and began my quest to spend more money, yet.

I found a vet open on Sundays and rushed out with my dog in one hand and my check card in the other. I was right. Severe allergy. The doc wanted to give him two shots. One anti-inflammatory and one antihistamine. I met him in the middle. I agreed to the first, and gave Samson Benedryl at home, by mouth. (Was that ever fun!) I'd found a coupon for that particular vet in the phonebook and altogether I saved my dog's life for about $60.00.

I suppose I shouldn't complain. I would've spent more on a new dog and I would've had sad, crying children to comfort. ALRIGHT! I would have been sad too, if you must know.

More money spent.

That was two days ago.

As I'm finishing up this lovely, little post... Ron just got home with the supplies needed to fix the floor. Apparently we needed more than we thought. The friendly flooring guy at Home Depot showed him what to do... all for the bargain price of $60-something dollars. More money spent. Oh well.

I guess this is the part where I write about the up-side of all of this. hmm... I'm a little hard-pressed on that one. Let me see here...

Well, we've been able to do what we've needed to do and we are happy and together. That counts for a lot, right? Of course it does!

Also, the job search seems to be going well. There have been some offers, just not "feed a family of six" type offers, but I am encouraged. I feel that the right offer is just around the corner. He is certainly being diligent about getting his resume' out there.

Ron is also stretching his business muscles. He is self-employed but since he had been at a full-time job had more-or-less taken a break from that. Well now he's back, and he's good at what he does! I know we'll be seeing some impressive income from that avenue as well. He is a marketing consultant... just in case you were about to look for one when you finished reading my blog.

It's only a matter of time! God is good and He hasn't forgotten about us! He will see us through.

Thanks, dear reader, for letting me vent. I am very much relieved. You should charge for this type of therapy.

Now for a bit of carpentry! Wish us luck!

Signing out,
Tonya

Shortest Personality Test Ever

For this test I just had to click on one of nine pictures...whichever appealed most to me at the time. Here are the results:

Your Personality Profile

You are dependable, popular, and observant. Deep and thoughtful, you are prone to moodiness. In fact, your emotions tend to influence everything you do. You are unique, creative, and expressive. You don't mind waving your freak flag every once and a while. And lucky for you, most people find your weird ways charming!

The World's Shortest Personality Test

Cyborg Momma

Day 5: The first phase of my transformation is nearly complete. I am adjusting well to the new metal chewing apparatuses, although my bite feels slightly off center since the fourth installment yesterday. Notwithstanding some slight laughing gas complications on day three, I am holding up well. For the time being I have been instructed to floss daily and prepare mentally for the final installment which is to take place next Wednesday.

I am told by my practitioner that this first phase of transformation is the easiest and that I should hope to make the transition with no further installments. I understand that the need for hip and knee replacement as well as heart function and hearing apparatuses are best avoided, whenever possible. It is my goal to heed this advice. As it is, I have already had to be fitted with sight enhancing instruments and have had to have them upgraded almost yearly. Nevertheless, I hold on to my dream of remaining as human as possible.

On the up side---my hair follicles seem to be keeping pace with the demands of life and I have, as yet, found no need for artificial intelligence (although, with my final mouth installment Wednesday, I will have enough metal on board to maintain a circuit connection should this become necessary in the future.)

I find the experience is effective for teaching the need for proper oral health to the young ones as I need only show them my teeth to remind them of the pitfalls of failing to floss. Like myself, they could go 30 (almost) fully human years without regular flossing only to have it backfire wildly when they are in their prime. The possibility remains that they could inherit their father's perfect dental record, but it's better to anticipate the pitfall and avoid it just in case...

In the event that this is my last log update please know that I have come to terms with my predicament and am seeking to step up my efforts to keep my natural human components in tact.

I am only one in the war to save natural humanity, but I am one of many...and we are strong! To my fellow strugglers, "Take up your brushes and fight on!!!

May the floss be with you!"

Tonya

5 Things You Don't Know About Me

1. During my senior year of high school I was the JROTC Battalion Commander of three cross-enrolled schools. As a freshman, JROTC Private I set a goal of becoming Battalion Commander my senior year and, although I went to four different high schools (due to being a military brat), I succeeded! I had so much fun. My Junior year I was the Drill Team Commander and I LOVED that, too. I loved to compete. I learned so much about myself through those experiences. I wouldn't trade it at all.

2. I once attempted to water ski on a beautiful lake nestled in the mountains of Zell Am See, Austria. Let's just say...it was the first AND last time I attempted to water ski. In the end I settled for a trip behind the boat in a big inner tube.

3. During my Freshman year at the University of Tulsa I was invited by the Student Association president (a senior) to be his date for the university's formal Centennial Celebration. It was taking place at the Adam's Mark hotel in downtown Tulsa and would be attended by distinguished alumni, faculty, and guests. We were the only two students invited. I decided to have a martini from the open bar and, because I was only eighteen, my date instructed me to say I was a senior if anyone inquired.

As it turned out, my place card had me seated directly next to (then) Congressman Steve Largent, who had attended TU, with my date on my opposite side. It wasn't long into the meal before the pleasant Congressman was striking up a conversation with me...one of the first questions being, "So, Tonya, what year are you in?" I fibbed, as instructed, only to find out that the dear Congressman had majored in the same subject as me. He launched into talk of courses and professors I'd barely heard mention of. I was sooo very stuck. With the help of friendly interruptions by my, very nervous, date we stumbled through until at last the subject was changed. To this day I wonder if we really pulled that off or if our Congressman was just gracious enough to let us slide on by. Phew...was I glad when that was over!

4. I am a fugitive from justice. Really... but let me explain.

It was my junior year at Frankfurt American High School in Frankfurt, Germany. My friend Anna and I had stayed after school and somehow missed the ASA (after-school-activity) bus. This was a problem because we lived in Darmstadt which was between 45 minutes and an hour from Frankfurt. It was already dark and we had to get home. Anna had a plan. I followed it...and it was downhill from there.

She said we should take the Bahnhof (the major train system in Germany) and, since we had no money for fair, we should hide in the bathroom when the ticket taker came around. She said she had done it before, though she probably hadn't really, and I saw no alternative so I agreed.

It didn't work. He waited patiently for, what he must have assumed was, one passenger to come out. When that didn't work he began banging on the bathroom door and demanding it be opened. Just before entering the restroom Anna had handed me a wrench (I DO NOT know why she had a wrench, but she did), and she had grabbed one of those devices intended for breaking a window in case of emergency for herself. She said that if we were caught we would stay in the bathroom until the train stopped, open the door, threaten the ticket taker with our weapons, and make a break for it.

Well, we were caught. Since I hadn't had the good sense to do it earlier, this was definitely the point where I should have said, "Anna, you are crazy!", laid down my weapon, and accepted defeat. But I didn't. I followed through with the lunatic scheme.

The shocked ticket taker backed out of the way of our upheld weapons and called for the Polezie (police) as we made our break. Lucky for him (unlucky for us) there were two patrolling the Bahnhof station very near our chosen exit and we were quickly apprehended, unarmed, cuffed, and nearly dragged to the polezie station. A couple more polezie showed up to lend a hand. The two uh...gentlemen escorting me were not gentle at all. I could barely walk for the way they had my arms.

Long story, short: My Mother was called, I was fined by the Bahnhof, scheduled to appear in court for my actions, and released into my Mother's somewhat hostile custody.

I had no money for my fine, but my good friend Vanessa cashed in a savings bond and loaned me the money. Thanks again, Vanessa.

It wasn't long before I left Germany to stay with an Aunt and Uncle in Oklahoma because I was having too much trouble at home with my Mother. I can't imagine why...seeing how good I was, and all.

My departure came before my court date and I never looked back.
Let's just say I'm glad I was a minor! (But still...Don't get married in Germany 'cause I'm not coming if you do.)

5. My fifth, and most embarrassing, previously unknown bit of information....

In Junior High School I was madly, head-over-heals in love with Michael Jackson.

Stop laughing!

So there you have it. Five things you would have probably never guessed about me in a million, trillion years. If you are still courageous enough to admit to knowing, or being related to, me...please comment and include five things I'd never guess about you. Since you now know me so well I'd like to get better acquainted with you too. Come on! It'll be fun.

Until then,
Tonya

Here We Grow Again

Once, several years ago, when faced with difficulties of some kind my husband replied to the Associate Pastor to whom we were speaking, "Here we go again."

"No," she responded authoritatively, "Here you grow again."

Her point was not lost on us. We knew she was referring to the fact that during the more trying times of life we have the opportunity to dig deep, press in to God, hold tight to our courage, and...grow. Either that or shrink back in paralyzing fear and take a passive and unproductive stance.

I cannot remember what particular problem we were facing at that time but I do know this: We've faced many problems and have repeatedly made the choice to grow forward. That's just what we do.

It's what we will continue to do.

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

But the LORD delivers him out of them all."

Psalm 34:19

Today we learned that Ron has lost his job due to RIF (reduction in force). The company he was employed with is fairly small and has been struggling financially. They had to make the decision to let some people go. Ron was one of several. This comes at a bad time (although I don't know that there is ever a good time to unexpectedly lose your job).

Needless to say, this is tough. Right now there are a whole host of unanswered questions. We will seek God for the answers and do what we must to get things back on track. All prayers on our behalf are greatly appreciated. We trust that things will work out for the best.

And we know that all things work together for good to those
who love God,

to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

That being said...Here we grow again!

Tonya

Good Eats!

A big "THANK YOU" to my sister, Tasha (see photo), for recording and mailing me a video containing four episodes of Good Eats. Unconventional learning is always on the menu/lesson plan.

My oldest three children and I were fully captivated through three back-to-back episodes as we learned of many things including the function of yeast, milling grains, the role of the nose in tasting, the purpose of curing and smoking meats and, my personal favorite bit of info, the origin of fatback! (I have never used fatback but have wondered aloud, on more than one occasion, what in the world it is.) My husband even came out and joined us for the third episode. We had fun---the best kind of learning!

We will likely watch the fourth episode today and anxiously await our next installments. Thanks Tasha...whenever I think of fatback I'll think of you!

Tonya