I'm switching back!!!

I am switching back to my mac! Further blog posts will be at:

http://web.mac.com/bjborger

More progress

Bob and I put in the backsplash this weekend! Yea! Just in time for Thanksgiving!

Things are happening...still

The countertops have arrived!

Day...Who Knows...

We had a good weekend...finally! We got all the appliances in, new blinds, toe kicks, half the crown molding and painted. It's getting there!

Day TEN and ELEVEN

Well, we are going a bit slower, since we only work on the kitchen after Bob is off work...but every day...a little more!

Day NINE

Our first cabinet and Emily tests it out. And, by the end of the day we had all the upper cabinets in. Hurrah!

Day EIGHT

Sorry. Today ended up being the typical working Sunday. No new progress on the kitchen. But just wait for Monday, Day NINE!!!!!

Day SEVEN

Nothing new to report. We just sanded and measured and marked the walls for the cabinets. We kinda relaxed today. Well, what do you expect??? The Texas/OU game was today!!!! Hook 'em!!!!!!!!!!

Day SIX

We finished the floor! Excuse the mess....just look at the floor!

Day FIVE

Much better today!!!! We finished prepping the floor. Cut, glued and nailed the new subfloor. And even started putting down the new flooring. As you can see, Daisy approves of the new flooring. She just came in and plopped right down on it. ha!!

Day FOUR

Nothing to report....it was a bad productivity day.

Day THREE

Today, Bob got all the new drywall up and taped and floated. Then, we pulled up all the old flooring. hurrah!

Day TWO

We got all the tile off and the yukky drywall off.

Before Pictures

Here are the before pictures!!!!

Kitchen Remodel

Well it has begun. God is good. We woke up this morning with no plan...and God worked quickly.

Here is the simplified update:

Step 1: Take picture of kitchen and appliances.
Step 2: Post pictures and ads on craig's list.
Step 3: Answer telephone 3 minutes later. Sell microwave.
Step 4: Use money to buy flooring.
Step 5: Empty all cabinets.
Step 6: Answer many phone calls during the day.
Step 7: Sell dishwasher.
Step 8: Sell ALL the cabinets.
Step 9: Sell a dryer.
Step 10: Remove cabinets for pick up on Sunday.
Step 11: REST!!!!!!

Whew! What a day!
I will post pictures soon.

Perspective

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, and I thy true son
Thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

(This is my favorite hymn. It says everything I want to say.)

It's been awhile...

Well, it's been awhile since the last time I mused about something...well, on the blog, that is. I seem to muse about things all the time. I was mostly detained from any productive activity because of the Olympics. I am a confessed Olympic junkie. I find myself taping every second I can find. I LOVE watching the OLYMPICS! I wondered why that is...

I think one reason is because I love the spirit of competition in general. But, primarily, I think it is because it is one time that you can get a glimpse into God's amazing power of creating. So many people, so many cultures, so much history...all in one place. Whoever thought of having different countries host the Olympics was genius. Not many couch potatoes get to explore the uniqueness of other countries. I think the Olympics make the world a little smaller. The Olympics simplify the world for just a couple of weeks. The Olympics seem to unify the world for just a short, brief, wonderful moment. Everyone has a common goal: to compete. And every athlete respects that common goal in each other.

Why does competition unite the human race? It seems like an oxymoron to say that competition unites. But, it does. Why else would I cheer for a boxer in Thailand? Or cry to see China win medals in beach volleyball? Or rejoice at a Kenyan marathon runner's triumphant finish?

This was the best Olympics ever...but, whatever, I say that every 2 years...winter or summer. All I can say is that I'm counting the days until the next Olympics...to be united with the world again.

Mini Love

Here is a very unprofessional picture of the Mini. People have been asking for me to post a picture, so here it is! It drives like a dream and has a very nice personality. We all love it!

I forgot to close the sunroof for the picture, so that is what is on the top.

Reasons I love my husband...

This is not an exhaustive list by any means:

1. He LOVES God.
2. He tells people he loves God.
3. He can put up shelves really fast.
4. He can hook up a washer and a dryer really fast.
5. He bought me a Mini Cooper.
6. He doesn't mind burnt food.
7. He gives me a portion of his popcorn before he slathers it with salt and butter.
8. He collects twisty-ties.
9. He's really cute.
10. He thinks I'm really cute.
11. He likes eating out...(hmmmm....maybe he doesn't really like burnt food.)
12. He is a great painting buddy.

More later...

Heeellllpppp!!!!

Help! I'm drowning! Can you please get all these boxes out of my house?

Movers

Today is the day the movers come. Well, I THINK today is the day. They are 2 hours late. So, I am passing the time by telling you that they are not here hoping that while I am typing the doorbell will ring.......okay....waiting........nothing. I am going to go eat a Krispy Kreme.

Sunsets in Kansas

I like the sunsets in Kansas. They illuminate the entire skyline and they last forever. The back of our new house faces the west...it will probably be my favorite part of the day...sitting in my kitchen while the sun sets. I wonder what the sunsets look like in winter....

A Princess Story

Once upon a time, there was a princess living on a Paradise-type island. She loved her home and she loved her favorite trees and flowers and she loved her water splashing beaches and she also loved her computer. One day, she heard the news from the King that she must leave her place of perfection and move to another kingdom. She was willing to obey her King. She was willing to leave her home, her trees, her flowers and beaches...but, what of her computer?

Her computer worried, too, that they may be separated far too long. The princess assured her computer that she would wait until the last possible moment to send it on the long voyage to the new kingdom. And true to her promise, she waited. The village packers came and her computer was the last to be loaded onto the special carriage of transport. "Good-bye, sweet computer! Good-bye!" she called, "It won't be too long until we are together again!"

The journey to the new kingdom for the princess and her family was a long, yet fun journey. She encountered many new kingdoms along the way. But, back in the depths of her mind, she remembered her computer and prayed that its journey was swift and free from obstacles.

The princess arrived at her new kingdom with anticipation in being reunited with her computer. But, something was wrong. Her computer was not waiting for her! Days passed. Weeks passed and no computer. "Oh, where can my sweet computer be?!?!" wailed the princess. She sought out the King for wisdom and presented her petition before him. The King looked thoughtfully at the princess and told her that he purposely delayed the arrival of her precious computer because it had become too valuable to her. She had given too many thoughts to it that should have been for her family and ultimately, to her King.

She listened to his wise words and agreed with him. The next day, she told him that she loved him MUCH more than her computer and whenever he saw fit to reunite the two of them,, she would accept his decree. The King thanked her.

The following day, a courier arrived at her temporary lodgings. He carried with him the news that her computer was to arrive in 2 days. The princess smiled and loved her King more than ever.

The end.

Is Wichita a happening place?

Well, I'm not sure yet. I am usually without a car stuck on base. So, I haven't written anything lately, because there isn't really anything to write. But, I have confidence that one day, I'll be able to venture off the base, on my own, in my car, and be able to explore the wonderful things that Wichita has to offer. Wichita, please wait for me...I promise, I'm coming to visit you.

Home Pictures

Here you go!

Why I love the library...

I love the library. I love to be surrounded by shelves and shelves of the written word. All the different color bindings and thicknesses and heights...ahhhh. I love the children's section where all my favorite titles await me to read again and again and again. But, today, most of all, I love the library because of the internet access. I love the speed and the big screen and the lack of worry that I might drop the "signal." Thank you, library. Thank you.

TLF vs. House

Living in a TLF (temportary lodging facility) has it's advantages and its disadvantages. Advantages include: housekeeping, free utilities, living on base...and I can't think of anything else. Disadvantages: size, size and size. Our countdown for the closing date for our house is clicking away day by day. Hopefully, we can close by the 25th of July. In the meantime, I am going to TRY to post pictures one more time.

Hurrah!

We found a house! It's official! We are very happy and we are excited! We are thanking God for His provision. I will attempt to post a picture or two...

Houses, houses, houses....

All of our time in Kansas is house searching...so far. Our military accomodations are small and cramped, but we are thankful for a place to sleep other than a hotel. :-) I haven't even seen the base b/c we just look for hosues. I'm sure that all will fall into place at some time in the future!

I am just continuing to pray that God has the perfect house for us...exactly where He wants us to be with the neighbors He wants us to interact with, etc. etc. etc.

Lord, I put my trust in You....again.

Wha-hoo!

We've arrived in our new state of Kansas. It seemed so far away when we first started and now we are so close. We've had some tears in the last 24 hours, especially when we think of "home". We will continue to cling to the promises of God to provide for all our needs as we near our new home. My super husband fixed the computer glitch, so I can post more pictures and video. I edited the last post...and here are more Yellowstone and Thermopolis pics: enjoy!

We are near the end...

Okay! A little behind, but nevertheless, we are making progress on our journey. We finished out Yellowstone. AWESOME! Drove through the Grand Teton National Park. BEAUTIFUL! And spent and extra half day in Thermopolis, WY. Thermopolis hails the biggest hot springs in the nation. We played at the hot springs water park for most of the morning and then landed in Cheyenne, WY that night. A lot of activity, too many words to type. So, I'll just post pictures and video.

I stand corrected!

After 4 years in Hawaii, I guess I had convinced myself that there was no other beautiful place on earth. Well, I stand corrected. Yellowstone National Park is so beautiful, so expansive, so diverse, so breathtaking...God has touched this place with His mighty, creative hand.

Yesterday, we saw geothermal wonders, forests galore, mountains and meadows, streams and rivers and a variety of critters, including: bison, elk, bald eagles, bear and big horn sheep. We hiked--huffing and puffing in the high altitude--down and up 350 stairs to see waterfalls and gysers.

Pictures can not capture the beauty. But, I will try to post some anyway. You will have to fill the gaps with your imagination.

Ever been to Idaho?

This is the view out the van window all through Nevada. All the way. Now, we are in Idaho. A strange thing happened in Twin Falls today. We went to see the Shoshone Falls and a random tornado-like wind came out of nowhere. There was dirt and rain swirling around everywhere! The birds over the falls were flying around haphazardly in a big circle and the water spray from the falls rose out of the canyon into the sky. It was crazy! And then, in about 5 minutes...it was gone. I don't have to tell you that my little Hawaiian children were freaking out and crying and never got out of the car again. The following video was taken seconds before the windy chaos began. Oh, how I wish I got the craziness on video; it would have been much more entertaining...

Days in Sacramento

After initial jetlag, we were able to play a bit in Sacramento. First, the traditional picnic and picture at Fairytale Town and then a first time visit to the Jelly Belly Factory! My tummy is full of yummy-ness! There are reminders of Hawaii EVERYWHERE! It's torture...or maybe it's just God's way of weaning us from paradise! Ha!

Okay, you wanna know about states?

Many friends and family have asked how Emily did at the Hawaii State Championship meet...so here is a synopsis: She did great! She improved in all 6 events. Her best finish was in the 50 Free. She was an alternate for finals; dropped 1.2 seconds and finished 10th! Awesome! Thanks for asking everyone!

Musings in the Sky

Pilots have a great job--the amazing views they see on a daily basis are breathtaking. As we left Hawaii, I gazed out the window and saw a wonder. Three layers of beauty: the top layer was the deep, black sky with the twinkling stars. Below, the thin white haze of the clouds, and the third, the shining expanse of the sea illuminated by a full moon. What a gift from God! Who knew you could see the ocean at night from 30,000 feet?! God's creation is so beautiful; it always surprises me. The beauty I saw from the window of the plane would be there whether I was there to see it or not! But, I'm so glad that I was there...

Four hours later...
Okay, a new surprise! As the new day begins, three NEW layers of beauty: a deep rich blue of sky blending perfectly with layers of yellows, oranges, and pinks of the sun's rays. Then, a perfect horizontal line of impermeable clouds reflecting all the colors above.

I love the idea of the night closing on the end of our time in Hawaii and the new day dawning on our new life in Kansas.

Aloha Pumehana....

If I was a poet, I would write an ode to Hawaii. But, I'm not, so I won't. In a couple of hours, I am getting on a plane to fly away from the place in the world that I love the most. God bless this island and God bless the people on this island.
I have such warm affection (aloha pumehana) for the years that I have spent here. I am grateful to God for the time here. Aloha...