The weather here in Utah is so different than what I've known for the last 23 years. In Washington the summers are cool - most of the time it doesn't get above 80 degrees. There are the occasional hot spells with 90, 95 and even 100. I would not be a happy camper when I heard the weather was going to be above 85. Nights would be chilly getting down into the 50's - almost too cool to enjoy being outside.
It has been 95 every day that I've been in Utah. That is hot! But, because the air is drier, it doesn't feel that bad. I'm actually enjoying it. It feels like summer. Time for lemonade, iced tea, salads, and other hot weather food. But my favorite time of day is the evening when the sun is setting. It stays warm, which makes it so enjoyable to be outside. It's 11:45 PM and it's still 75 degrees. I was just out on the patio, in my bare feet, enjoying the night breeze.
Yup, I'm definitely liking this!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Our First Meal In Utah
The first town we stopped in once we crossed into Utah was Snowville. I had to fill up the car and then we decided to eat lunch. I looked down the street and saw Mollie's Cafe! It was just too cute. It was one of those places that you could just tell had great food. The inside was all done in red and white and had red stools at the counter. The kids both said they'd never been a restaurant like that before. I explained to them that growing up in IL it 's about the only type of restaurant to eat in - at least that was the case in the 50's and 60's.
The food was excellent!!
I Planted A Little Garden Today
I have this empty patio outside the doors to our room. It gets good sun and just needed some plants. I ventured out and found the Wal-Mart. I got a patio tomato plant, some basil and some Greek oregano. It looks so cute but definitely needs some company. Soon I'll add a few pots of flowers for color.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
We Made It!!
800 miles over two days with a car so packed we hardly had room to fit inside - but we made it! The car ran great, got good gas mileage, and at 1:45 PM on Monday we pulled into Layton, UT.
I tried to get a picture of the Welcome to Utah sign for my blog but we were moving so fast (and not allowed to stop by the side of the road) that all I got was the elevation sign. - which is 4500 feet by the way.
The landscape is totally different although still green. I hope I don't offend anyone but I have to say that from Eastern WA all the way here is pretty ugly - brown, dry, and no trees. Once we got closer to Layton it started to get more green. And there are trees. The mountains are absolutely breathtaking. Right down at the end of the cul de sac are mountains and they have snow on top!
But boy is it hot here! 90's every day since we arrived - but we're loving the sunshine. Tonight it has cooled off and there is a strong breeze. I opened the patio door to let some fresh air into our room.
Steph and I are in the basement of a 3 story house. It is one large room with our beds at one end and a little sitting area at the other. Well it's supposed to be a sitting area but right now there are clothes and bags scattered all over. There is no closet so I'm going to get one of those hanging racks to put our clothes on. There is also no bathroom down here yet. So we have to climb one flight of stairs to use the half bath. Then when we want to shower we have our own bath that is up another flight of stairs.
Seems like I'm constantly going upstairs then needing something from our room. So back down I go. I'm either going to lose weight or my knees will give out!
I got my computer set up last night and got high speed internet today. I feel like I'm in the real world again. I didn't realize how dependent I am on the the internet. Not just for casual stuff but for banking, job hunting, applying online, etc.
I went on a job interview today. Didn't get much of a feel for how it went. Sometimes you can tell and sometimes not. I won't know if I'm in the final 3 until next week. I'm continuing to send out resumes to lots of places. Having my computer up will make it so much easier.
The most exciting news is that I found a Hobby Lobby!! I love those stores. When I went to IL to visit my brother I'd always go to the one there and stock up on purse handles. I contacted the corporate office to see if they'd ever be in WA but they said the farthest west they went was Utah. So now you know why I almost drove off the road when I saw the sign. I haven't had a chance to go yet but that's on the agenda for Saturday.
Another revelation I had today is that I'm living in a very warm (hot) climate and I can actually grow tomatoes! There is a little patio off our room that gets sun during the day. I cleaned it all off tonight and am going to get a tomato plant and some herbs on Saturday. Then it's off to the thrift store to see what I can find for planters. I'm so excited!!
Thank you all for your prayers for us while we traveled. I could feel God's protection over us every step of the way.
I tried to get a picture of the Welcome to Utah sign for my blog but we were moving so fast (and not allowed to stop by the side of the road) that all I got was the elevation sign. - which is 4500 feet by the way.
The landscape is totally different although still green. I hope I don't offend anyone but I have to say that from Eastern WA all the way here is pretty ugly - brown, dry, and no trees. Once we got closer to Layton it started to get more green. And there are trees. The mountains are absolutely breathtaking. Right down at the end of the cul de sac are mountains and they have snow on top!
But boy is it hot here! 90's every day since we arrived - but we're loving the sunshine. Tonight it has cooled off and there is a strong breeze. I opened the patio door to let some fresh air into our room.
Steph and I are in the basement of a 3 story house. It is one large room with our beds at one end and a little sitting area at the other. Well it's supposed to be a sitting area but right now there are clothes and bags scattered all over. There is no closet so I'm going to get one of those hanging racks to put our clothes on. There is also no bathroom down here yet. So we have to climb one flight of stairs to use the half bath. Then when we want to shower we have our own bath that is up another flight of stairs.
Seems like I'm constantly going upstairs then needing something from our room. So back down I go. I'm either going to lose weight or my knees will give out!
I got my computer set up last night and got high speed internet today. I feel like I'm in the real world again. I didn't realize how dependent I am on the the internet. Not just for casual stuff but for banking, job hunting, applying online, etc.
I went on a job interview today. Didn't get much of a feel for how it went. Sometimes you can tell and sometimes not. I won't know if I'm in the final 3 until next week. I'm continuing to send out resumes to lots of places. Having my computer up will make it so much easier.
The most exciting news is that I found a Hobby Lobby!! I love those stores. When I went to IL to visit my brother I'd always go to the one there and stock up on purse handles. I contacted the corporate office to see if they'd ever be in WA but they said the farthest west they went was Utah. So now you know why I almost drove off the road when I saw the sign. I haven't had a chance to go yet but that's on the agenda for Saturday.
Another revelation I had today is that I'm living in a very warm (hot) climate and I can actually grow tomatoes! There is a little patio off our room that gets sun during the day. I cleaned it all off tonight and am going to get a tomato plant and some herbs on Saturday. Then it's off to the thrift store to see what I can find for planters. I'm so excited!!
Thank you all for your prayers for us while we traveled. I could feel God's protection over us every step of the way.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Soap Winner
This week's winner is Laura of Harvest Lane!! Congrats!
I won't have a drawing this next week as I am moving and won't have internet. Probably won't be able to find my soap either!
Stop back by to enter in two weeks!!
I won't have a drawing this next week as I am moving and won't have internet. Probably won't be able to find my soap either!
Stop back by to enter in two weeks!!
Moving On
I used to move at the drop of a hat. It was like a big adventure for me. A new place to live, new surroundings, and lots of excitement. I could pack a house in 2 days and off I'd go.
I'm in the middle of getting ready to move to Utah on Saturday. I was going to rent a truck but when I found out the truck only got 6 miles to the gallon and it was going to cost almost $600 in fuel, I changed my mind. That would have been almost $1000 including the truck rental. I can buy a lot of good used stuff for that much money.
I've sold a few things, given lots away, and thrown away a little. Now it's down to sorting closets and deciding what to keep and what to donate. You'd be amazed at all the stuff that you keep thinking you're going to use it "someday". Then when you realize that you only have a minimum of room in the trunk of you car your perspective changes a lot!
As excited as I am for a totally new start, new job, new place to live, I've decided that I don't like to move anymore. It must be an age thing. Familiar is better to me now. But it's too late to turn back, so off I go to a new state. I promise to take pictures and update you on the move.
Now I'm off to go sort more closets!
I'm in the middle of getting ready to move to Utah on Saturday. I was going to rent a truck but when I found out the truck only got 6 miles to the gallon and it was going to cost almost $600 in fuel, I changed my mind. That would have been almost $1000 including the truck rental. I can buy a lot of good used stuff for that much money.
I've sold a few things, given lots away, and thrown away a little. Now it's down to sorting closets and deciding what to keep and what to donate. You'd be amazed at all the stuff that you keep thinking you're going to use it "someday". Then when you realize that you only have a minimum of room in the trunk of you car your perspective changes a lot!
As excited as I am for a totally new start, new job, new place to live, I've decided that I don't like to move anymore. It must be an age thing. Familiar is better to me now. But it's too late to turn back, so off I go to a new state. I promise to take pictures and update you on the move.
Now I'm off to go sort more closets!
Friday, June 13, 2008
WIll You Pray For My Friend?
God has brought some really special friends into my life via the internet and blogging. Cora is one of those special friends. She is such an encourager and prayer warrior - a true woman of God. In my times of struggle these past months the burden was lightened because of her friendship and prayers.
Now this dear lady is having to deal with a diagnosis of possible breast cancer. You can read about it on her blog. Would you please join with me, and many others, as we pray for Cora? Would you leave a note of encouragement on her blog and let her know that you are praying?
Now this dear lady is having to deal with a diagnosis of possible breast cancer. You can read about it on her blog. Would you please join with me, and many others, as we pray for Cora? Would you leave a note of encouragement on her blog and let her know that you are praying?
Moving Sale In My Etsy Shop
In one week I'm moving! I need to travel light so I'm selling everything - including my soap inventory! Everything in my Etsy shop is HALF PRICE through Wednesday, June 18th. Take advantage of the sale and stock up!
Soap Giveaway
Sorry it's taken me a week to post the giveaway! I've been dealing lots of pain in my jaw where I had a tooth pulled. Green, Tea & Willow is one of my best sellers. It is clean "green" scent - perfect for guys too.
Just leave a comment and I'll draw for the winner on Sunday!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Soap Winner
Sorry I'm late with this! I had a tooth pulled on Friday so I've been kind of out of it today.
I found a place online called random.org where you can make random lists of number, names, etc. I typed in all the names from the comments, hit enter, and the person at the #1 spot was the winner.
The winner of the blue bonnet soap is Lisa! Congrats!! Thank you to everyone that stopped by and left a comment.
Stop by tomorrow to see what the soap will be for next week.
Hugs,
Kay
I found a place online called random.org where you can make random lists of number, names, etc. I typed in all the names from the comments, hit enter, and the person at the #1 spot was the winner.
The winner of the blue bonnet soap is Lisa! Congrats!! Thank you to everyone that stopped by and left a comment.
Stop by tomorrow to see what the soap will be for next week.
Hugs,
Kay
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
Weekly Soap Giveaway
The day got away from me yesterday! I forgot to post the soap giveaway. So here it is - sweet smelling Blue Bonnet! This is one of my favorites - floral and clean at the same time.
Leave a comment here from now through Friday at midnight. On Saturday I'll draw the winner.
If you'd like to post on your blog about the weekly giveaway that would be great too. Just link back to me at http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com/. Feel free to use the picture too.
Hugs and blessings,
Hugs and blessings,
Kay
God's Blessings
If you've read my previous posts you know that I lost my job a month ago. Being a single mom and sole support of my little family makes that a hard situation to be in. From the very beginning of this journey I knew, and kept telling myself, that God would provide for all our needs. In all my life and all the hard times I've never had to live on the street or gone hungry.
The past month has been hard in lots of ways. I'm a very independent and self-sufficient person. Almost to the point where I try to take control of what I should be letting God do. Sometimes I forget that He is even in the picture. It's very hard for me to ask for help. I was raised that you work hard and you take care of yourself. This past month has been a lesson in true humility for me. I've had to ask for help from many places, I've gone to the food bank to get food for us to eat, and I've not had much money. What I have had is total dependence on God's provisions - something that I should have had completely all along.
It took 3 weeks for my unemployment checks to start coming. I've gotten two checks so far and they fall very short of being enough to even meet half of my rent. I've had more online soap sales this past month than I've ever had - praise God! All those little bits of money have been so appreciated - they've helped to buy milk, bread, and put a little gas in my car. But the rent was due on June 1st. I've been praying for the last two weeks because I knew that I was going to be very short on my rent money.
Saturday was not a good day for me emotionally. All of this has come crashing down around my head. I had not lost faith in God's provisions but was having a hard time because I knew the rent was due the next day and I didn't see an answer. To not be able to have a place for my daughter and I to live is very scary for me. If my rent is not paid by the 3rd I will be served with an eviction notice.
Late this afternoon I went to get my mail. In there was an envelope from a dear friend. I wondered what she had sent me. When I opened the envelope there was a check for $700!!! I just sat and cried and cried. Praise God!!! He knew this was coming but was making me wait - another lesson learned! Now I'm able to pay my rent and will actually have some breathing room. I never doubted that God would provide but I was having a hard time waiting.
This is still going to be a long journey as I still don't have a job and no lead on any yet. I've sent out resumes but not a lot of responses. God does know the plans that He has for me and has reinforced to me again that I just need to be patient. I continue to wait.
Life is good! God is good!
The past month has been hard in lots of ways. I'm a very independent and self-sufficient person. Almost to the point where I try to take control of what I should be letting God do. Sometimes I forget that He is even in the picture. It's very hard for me to ask for help. I was raised that you work hard and you take care of yourself. This past month has been a lesson in true humility for me. I've had to ask for help from many places, I've gone to the food bank to get food for us to eat, and I've not had much money. What I have had is total dependence on God's provisions - something that I should have had completely all along.
It took 3 weeks for my unemployment checks to start coming. I've gotten two checks so far and they fall very short of being enough to even meet half of my rent. I've had more online soap sales this past month than I've ever had - praise God! All those little bits of money have been so appreciated - they've helped to buy milk, bread, and put a little gas in my car. But the rent was due on June 1st. I've been praying for the last two weeks because I knew that I was going to be very short on my rent money.
Saturday was not a good day for me emotionally. All of this has come crashing down around my head. I had not lost faith in God's provisions but was having a hard time because I knew the rent was due the next day and I didn't see an answer. To not be able to have a place for my daughter and I to live is very scary for me. If my rent is not paid by the 3rd I will be served with an eviction notice.
Late this afternoon I went to get my mail. In there was an envelope from a dear friend. I wondered what she had sent me. When I opened the envelope there was a check for $700!!! I just sat and cried and cried. Praise God!!! He knew this was coming but was making me wait - another lesson learned! Now I'm able to pay my rent and will actually have some breathing room. I never doubted that God would provide but I was having a hard time waiting.
This is still going to be a long journey as I still don't have a job and no lead on any yet. I've sent out resumes but not a lot of responses. God does know the plans that He has for me and has reinforced to me again that I just need to be patient. I continue to wait.
Life is good! God is good!
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