I mentioned the other day that we were moving our office into our basement and it seems as if moving is all I’ve been doing. Even when I’m not actually packing boxes, I am thinking about where everything is going to go.

I am loosing 3 rooms in the basement to office equipment, storage, and personnel. Last week I cleaned out the kids’ playroom. They had a lot of questions about what was happening, but for the most part, they thought it was cool that now their toys would be in their rooms. I was worried about running out of room, but after utilizing some empty storage bins I had on hand and sliding them under the beds, everything has a home. Plus it helped that Emery just finished with diapers so he had more space in his dresser for buckets full of toys.

Now the playroom looks like this:

And this:

Another room I’m loosing is the guest bedroom. This doesn’t break my heart as it’s rarely used. When we ended up with a spare room in the basement after building this house, I just threw the bedroom furniture in there that Jeremy and I bought 2nd hand when we got married. I picked up some bedding on sale at Target and considered it done.

That room will now be somebody’s office so the furniture will have to go. I really like the bedding and curtains so I grabbed them, took them up to the spare bedroom over the garage, and replaced that set. It’s like I went shopping and bought all new stuff. Same high, without the impending low in 30 days when the credit card statement comes in!

But here has been the real dilemma. The room that has kept me up at night:

For 3 years this has been MY room. No kids allowed. No husband would dare enter. Only friends carrying scrapbook supplies, unfinished albums, and bags of chocolate. Oh what fun I have had in my craft room.

And it’s okay. I’ll take my memories with me as I say goodbye. But what in the world am I gonna do with all the stuff??? Those cabinets are all full. Stickers, embellishments, paper, cardstock, scissors of every shape and size, stamps, pens, photo albums, etc. The list goes on and on.

The only room I even have a chance of being creative in about this is that same bedroom that sits above the garage. I thought about giving Emery the furniture that’s in there, but decided to hold off and see if I can maximize the minimal corner space that I have in there.

Oh, and do this without spending a lot of money. So far I like what I see. It’s been fun pulling ideas together from books, catalogs, and the internet. One that hit particularly close to home today was posted over at Org Junkie’s Product Review site. Go and visit today and sign up for the book giveaway. If you are friend of mine and you win that book, just know I want to borrow it RIGHT AWAY!!! :)

Emery hopped up on my bathroom scale the other morning. Next thing I know, he jumps off, spins around and shouts, “Yeah Baby…I got four zero BONUS POINTS!!!!”

Wish it were that exciting for me!
—————————————

On the way to church Sunday the kids were bickering in the back seat. I gave them a verbal reprimand and waited for some kind of reply. When nobody said anything, I asked, “Do you guys understand what I said?” Silence. I repeat louder, “Hello? Does anybody understand what I said???”

Savannah gives a half-hearted, “Yes, Ma’am” under her breath.

I look at Emery in my rear view mirror. He is stubbornly staring back at me. “Emery, I asked a question and it’s rude to ignore me. Do you understand?”

Nothing.

“Emery, I am talking to you, Son. Do you understand what I am saying???”

Still silent.

I am now going head to head with my 3 year old strapped in his carseat. “Emery, this is your last chance to answer me. Did you hear what I said?”

He nods. I feel there is hope that this conversation may end sometime today.

“Well, what did I say?”

He sighs and mocks me saying, “You said, ‘do you understand, do you understand?’”

Such a literal little mind.

1. to trade by exchange of commodities rather than by the use of money.
————————————————————————-

I didn’t think bartering was used much these days, but as it turns out, it can be an effective way to settle a debt. As in, “Oh hi, Mr. Plumber, I know we owe you several thousand dollars for the houses you helped us build, but hey, how about some nice playground equipment instead? No? Could I interest you in a lovely dining room set? Or maybe some expenseive golf clubs?”

We’ve tried to keep our building company alive for almost 2 years now in an economy that’s been slowly spiralling downward. Most of the builders we know have already shut their doors. Some by choice, others had no choice.

Jeremy has done a great job of cutting costs and being creative in ways to save money. But it hasn’t been an easy road by any means. Most of the time, in order for us to save, it has meant someone else had to loose. Their job, their bonus, their commission, etc.

It’s the cut throat decisions like those that have been so hard to swallow for the past 18 months. Building homes used to be so much fun. Our employees and subcontractors had job security. If we knew of a family in need, we were able to provide. Sometimes it meant giving them shelter. Sometimes it meant finding them a temporary job. But no matter what, it felt like we had a purpose. And we were all in it together.

Now we’ve resorted to bartering. Our subs need things they can’t buy. We can’t afford to pay them, but guess what? We have some of the things they need. Sofas, bedroom furniture, kids clothes, tables and chairs. The list goes on and on. Our model homes are now up for grabs. All that’s missing is a large neon sign that reads: “FINAL LIQUIDATION!!! EVERYTHING MUST GO!!!”

Two weeks ago Jeremy called me and said he couldn’t take the stress anymore. We are in too much debt and there is no end in sight. We would have to layoff the remainder of our staff and move our office into the basement. He wanted to do everything possible to keep from filing bankruptcy, but that was going to depend on the banks. Would they come after us personally for the more than $25 million worth of property that we cannot sell?

We had no idea what to expect and in the past 10 days we have been extended more mercy and grace than we would have ever anticipated. We decided to keep a few employees, and the ones that we have to let go, are sticking with us until we get moved. Praise God!!! Each and every bank is allowing us to defer our loans for 12 months with no interest due unless and until the house is sold. Thank you Jesus!!!

And our subcontractors seem to be okay with this bartering system we have worked out with them. I guess maybe we are still in this together afterall.

Goodbye Pampers.
Goodbye Huggies.
Goodbye wipes.
Goodbye diaper bag.
Goodbye stinky garbage can in the garage.

Hello extra $20 in my pocket.
Hello economy sized Lysol.
Hello cleaning the toilet daily.
And the walls.
And the tile.
Hello conversations about “aim”.
Hello middle of the night accidents.

And hello to a cute little hiney in tighty-whities!

I didn’t know what it meant either, so I had to go here to find out.

Stephanie at Notes from the Soul gave me the blog award for being one of five “creative bloggers who inspire me”. Wow! That means a lot coming from her since she is one of my favorites to read. Her posts are full of scripture and Truth. Mine are full of potty training and snake sightings! Big difference!!!

Anyways, I am thrilled to be included and will play along. Here are 5 new bloggers that I have enjoyed reading lately:

1. First and foremost is my dear friend Jaime at Green Resolutions. I have been wanting to plug her environmentally safe blog for a few months now. She is the greenest person I know. I can’t even remember to bring in my reusable Publix grocery sacks into the store and she is researching the best way to recycle yogurt cups! Way to go Jaime! You inspire me each time I log on and sometimes you even make me feel a little guilty! But that’s okay…I know I should be doing more to help the planet and with your advice, I’m sure I will.

2. Vicki at Virtue Alert is new fave of mine. Our Pastor did a series of sermons on families and used one of her books when he spoke on Mothers and Daughters. A friend directed me to her blog and I’ve been hooked ever since.

3. Leigh Anne at Lifting Hands. What can I say? She only posts here once a week but I check in each Monday to pray for my kids. It’s something I look forward to reading, so take a look.

4. Jenny at Life in the Fast Lane is another new favorite of mine. She is a very funny writer and her posts usually leave me laughing out loud. What’s not to like about that???

5. Okay, and last but not least, number 5 goes to my hubby Jeremy at I’d Rather be Fishing. He asked me to help him set up his very own blog this week. We added pictures and music, and he even wrote a post! Who knows when he will add more, but I think it’s cute. Just like him! :)