Well it's been a while since my last post. So Here's a brief update. Christmas was great! We were able to go to The Bethlehem Walk at Holston Creek Church. Anyone who hasn't been missed a great opportunity to experience what things were like the night Christ was born. It was very interactive. I really enjoyed the special family time.
I did find out I am not Martha Stewart when it comes to making candy. All in all I am a pretty fair cook, but when it comes to candy making I stink!! I had this wonderful idea that I would make treats for each household in our family and give as gifts.
Well... My first mistake was DON'T try a new recipe for the first time the day you plan to give it! I was in the kitchen all day on Christmas Eve I attempted 3 new treats and failed at all of them! lol. Oh well some people just have the art of baking.
We went to Roger's brother's house that night. We had a great time with his side of the Family. On Christmas Day my side of the Family came to our house. We had a wonderful dinner and just enjoyed each others company. Every since I was diagnosed with cancer the holidays and family are so much more important to me. For New Year's Eve we spent a quite night at home watching the Ball drop in Time Square. One day I hope to be there in person.
As for New Years Resolutions I haven't really made any of them. I do want and NEED to lose about 25 lbs. Maybe I can!! Say a prayer for me!! I also need to work on my personal relationship with Christ too. I sometimes get so busy in day to day things I don't give God the time he deserves. I plan to spend more time in Prayer and Bible Study this year.
As everyone knows the economy has been the WORST it's been in years. Some may not have felt the affects of it. But others have been blind-sided by it. I guess it depends on the type of work you do as to how it has affected you (in other words which end of the stick you are on.) Some industries are thriving. God Bless you all!! and may you continue to do good.
But I can speak for the people in the Construction/Housing Industry things don't look good. Whether you are a builder,framer, plumber, etc or as us in the cabinet industry you know the affect it has had. It's terrible!
We have been in business for more than 14 years and we've never seen it this bad. As for our situation we had 4 jobs lined up for the end of 2008 through the first of 2009. They all fell through. Builders are afraid to do anything. About 95% of our work comes from Custom homes ($500,000.00 to $1 million dollar homes). Hence cabinets run upwards of $10,000.00 to as much as $20,000.00+ So needless to say we have felt it!
But I know God will make provisions for us. I have faith in him and I know he will see us through the hard times. We serve an amazing God and he will provide. One of the hardest things for Roger has been to seek other employment until his work picks up again. He has been his own boss for 14 years and He would never give up building cabinets.He has been building cabinets for more than 27 years. God has blessed him with the talent to use his hands and he has the ability to build anything you can imagine. I have always been so proud of him. But he has always done what ever it takes to provide for our family and I love him for that.
I say all this because I want to share all that God has already blessed us with:
1. Roger has been able to find a job as a independent contractor for Spartanburg Herald. It's an adjustment and pay is not very good but he's thankful to have found it! (S.C. is second highest in Unemployment rate)
2. I have also started a new job this week as well. I am a part-time CSR(work at home) agent with West Corporation. I haven't work since 1999 other than helping Roger with our business. I am happy and scared at the same time. I am always ready for a challenge I'm thankful for the opportunity to come my way.
3.We are blessed to have our home paid for and were are not at risk for Foreclosure like so many others.(so many people are becoming homeless) It's really sad.
We are in the middle of a big remodel/addition that we started last November. We gutted the original house and have replaced the drywall and put hardwoods in all most all of the rooms. new paint and cabinets of course. Never made it to the exterior but hope to do it over the next few months. Although we have a ways to go and the addition hasn't happened yet I know things will work out in the end. One day we will finish the way we want.
But unfortunately we do still have people who owe us money for jobs we have done. I don't know if we will ever see that money or not. We've took a big hit but it could be worse.
Looking back I can see where God was preparing Us even before the storm. Our income has changed ALOT! from what it use to be. Its been a struggle. That's a big thing to get use to, but with guidance from God we can make it work. We are still so Blessed!!!!
So as I look to the coming year I pray God will continue to guide us and hopefully things will turn around soon. Until then I will continue praise him for all the things he has done!!
God is Great all the time!
