A Reccommended Blog

I was recently made aware that there is another couple more 'happily-ever-after' than Popeye and me. In fact, their blog sounds like its going to be inspiring and educational all in one. With that, I highly recommend that you bookmark this upcoming blog address for your personal enjoyment and reading pleasure. :O) I'm sure the Bahlers will not disappoint you!

http://bahlersmorehappilyeverafter.blogspot.com/

First Year Anniversary

Tuesday was the day marking Popeye and my first year wedding anniversary. We decided to hold off until the weekend b/c of everything else that was going on. What did we decide to do, you might ask?! We bought season passes to Wild Adventure, an 'amusement' park in Valdosta. We can go back now all year long (and bring friends w/complimentary friend tickets) ! Popeye's brother even came with us and bought season passes! Today we went to the water park portion. They had water slides, a wave pool, lazy river, and some huge playground contraption for little kids that shoots water out everywhere.

The best part of the day though wasn't even the water park or one of the many rides there. It was the bridge you cross over after riding the wettest log ride I've ever seen. The bridge passes right over where the boats fall and if you're standing there, you get BLASTED with a wave of water that beats even the ride! It was amazing! Popeye, his brother, and I stood there and experienced that for at least two turns! A refreshing afternoon in the heat, but for when we don't feel like driving there--there's still the water hose outback :O) -Olive

Officially Moved Out

So today we are officially moved out of our apt.... that has a pool.... that's open due to the fact its 90 degrees and extremely humid here. Somedays, when I step outside I think we were a little crazy to move out until we had to but, God provides and his parents have a hose hooked up outback :O) It's a little sad to see the apt go. It really starts to feel like home after awhile, though I'm admittedly glad the first leg of moving is over... and that any more moving we have will be going DOWN two flights of steps instead of up them! Once we have our new address I'll send out an email to everyone. If you could, everyone please pray for a quick and speedy deal/closing when our Realtor gets back. :O) -Olive

Scary New Realization

So with the moving comes a lot of unexpected 'chores'. Popeye and I don't get the paper at our apt. Never really thought about it much. He sees CNN at work during his break and I listen to Fox News now and then during mine- enough to keep up on things. So when I started packing up the plates and needed newspaper.. let's just say I have to pay for boxes, I'm NOT paying for newspaper. So...... I went 'dumpster' diving. When I say dumpster, I mean recycling ben which I try to reason in my mind as being cleaner than a dumpster but regardless the dishes will all be washed when they come out of storage.

The scary realization however is that I loved looking through what I got. (Mind you, I NEVER when in daylight. It was usually close to midnight and I just grabbed what I could and left!) I actually found some GREAT stuff. For instance... some lady threw away a 'gift card' that had been sent to her for $10 off at Kohls during a short time frame. The next day was the last day it was good and it just so happened I had to go anyway. The 'gift card' had no minimum purchase required (just the kind I love!). I ended up walking out of Kohls with a new shirt and belt and a present for someone at a whopping $.49. Thanks to 'dumpster' diving.

Not to mention all the great coupons I find in the paper (which I'd get if we bought the paper anyway) but I didn't have to. And... slightly old but completely good catalogs that I don't mind sitting back and glancing through briefly for free.

Okay, so Popeye would probably not want to me to make this a regular habit. And true, it's a little embarrassing to admit that yes, I really enjoyed it and its very, very tempting to go back again. Interestingly enough to say, the bag lady Halloween costume from long, long ago was apparently NOT that far off. -Olive

Memorial Day Week

What a crazy weekend it was to start the week off with. We flew up for Josh Lindberg and Bethany (now Lindberg)'s wedding in Leo, IN. It was very beautiful by-the-way. Getting there and back was the.. we'll call it 'couple bonding' part. We drove four hours to Atlanta, GA, flew to Chicago Midway, drove 3 1/2 hrs to Leo. Then reversed that coming back a day later. Phew. It makes me ever so slightly cringe thinking about it but my bum contests the most. Poor Popeye drove all of that but 1 hour, in which I drove b/c he was really just too tired to keep going.

It was a sad parting on Sunday as Popeye's brother and sister-in-law moved to the midwest. We're going to miss them but they're family... they can't go to far without coming to visit. We do wish them the best and pray that God blesses their new job and home!

This week though has been good, really. We've found 'the house'. For those that don't know we have to be out of our little apt at the end of the week. We got evicted... okay, just kidding. We're moving in with Popeye's parents until we find and close on a house. (We're buying a house.) So we've found 'the house' and when our realtor gets back from his holiday we're going to put down an offer. As it goes, if we can't work anything out, we'll go to the next one on our list and make it 'the house'. We're motivated :O).

Seriously though, its a great house. Three bedroom, two bath, two master walk-in closets which I would need 1 1/2 of them :O). I'll post a picture if we actually get it for ya'll to see. It's been crazy trying to get everything packed away (phew, who needs the YMCA!) and stored (I didn't know we had that much stuff). That's been my job this past week, since I quit working at BudK a week-and-a-half ago. Decided to really try to make a go of it with photography and invitations (see my online portfolio at rlstudio.squarespace.com ) I praise the Lord for Popeye's many brothers. They swooped in and bam! the apt was emptied and everything big hauled to storage.

Other exciting news... Popeye got a job promotion. He's now management and loving his new job. It's challenging in different ways than before though at times he thinks he will miss working with his hands more on the machines themselves. I'm proud of him that they recognized his God-given talents and promoted him.

On less than exciting news, no baby come October. This actually happened in April but for those who don't know... a quick update. Popeye and I have been so thankful for everyone's prayers and cards. We're staying very positive for a family in the future and God really has provided on so many levels. His grace really is sufficient and I really pray He was glorified through it all.

So that was a not-so-quick update on our lives. I'll try to sit down at least once a week if not more to post you on the happenings of Popeye and Olive Oyl. May God bless your day! -Olive

Starting This Blog

Now, not that our lives are interesting but Popeye and I have a lot of friends and family all over the place and honestly, my memory isn't that great. I forget who I've told what to and who really wants to know what's going on. Simply, if ya'll want to know you can just read this blog since neither Popeye or I likes phones much or are real reliable communicators. This way no one gets left out.

Of course we'd still like to hear from you guys.... feel free to email us or call and just tell us what's going on with you. I can't guarantee a speedy response or... maybe even a response at all but, we get to hear what you're up to!