I need a vacation. I have heard it said that getting away is a necessity, running away is stupid. I think if you don't do the first, you end up wanting to do the second. Anyway, I would love to make a break for it. Maybe even just for a few days. If you could go on vacation anywhere, where would it be?

Telemarketers ...sheesh!!

Phone rings. I pick it up and look at it. I don’t recognize the number but decide to answer it anyway.

Me: Hello?

Telemarketer: Hello, may I speak to Billy Hafner?

Me: I’m sorry he is not available, can I help you?

TM: Can you tell me who takes care of the electric bill?

Me: I do.

TM: Great, you are just who I need to talk to. (Like we are best friends) I am with First Choice Electric and I want to talk to you about your electric service.

Now, this guy sounded so excited I thought I would go with it for a while and see where we ended.

Me: Okay.

TM: Now, who do you currently have service with?

Me: Reliant.

TM: And do you know if you have a fixed rate or a variable rate.

Me: Ummm … I am not sure…I think a fixed rate.

TM: Well do you think or do you know? (At this point I am thinking this guy is getting a little too cocky.)

Me: Well, I am not sure.

TM: Well, do you have a monthly service change.

Me: I don’t think so.

TM: (Smugly) Then you have a variable rate. Which means they can change you rate from month to month.

Me: Ohh.

TM: I think we can offer you a better rate, can you give me your zip code.

Me: 79510

TM: Okay, give me just a second…oh this is the best rate I have seen all day (I am sure he says that to all the girls) 14.1 cent per kwh.

Me: Okay (as I am sliding over to my computer to pull up my current rates and plans)

TM: You would have a $4.95 charge per month plus being billed for your kwh.

Me: Okay.

TM: So, if you used about 1000 KWH you would have a bill of about $140 per month.

Me: (pulling up my account)

TM: Oh, I’m sorry is that too brainy for you (are you kidding me?)

Me: (deciding I am going to take control of this conversation) No, that is not too brainy for me, I was just thinking that 1000 kwh is an extremely low per month average.

TM: Well that is just an average.

Me: Now tell me, do you have online services?

TM: Oh, you would ask me that, I just started…I think so.

Me: Well do you think or do you know?

TM: (nervous chuckle) Here let me ask…(he is mumbling in the background) yes we do, we have a $3.00 charge to pay by over the Internet or phone.

Me: Do you have other hidden fees applied?

TM: Well, we do have a cancellation fee of $295, if you cancel before your contract is up.

Me: That is pretty steep. So I have a monthly charge and a charge for paying online.

TM: Yes.

Me: I am sorry, what did you say your name was?

TM: Bill

Me: Well Bill, this is my problem, reliant has a rate of 13.5 cents per kwh, no monthly service change and no fee to pay online.

Bill: (laughing) Are you trying to talk me down.

Me: Well, if you are only offering 14.1, I can do better than that with my current provider.

Bill: (still laughing) Are you a used car salesman?

Me: No, I am a stay at home mom, but I do a lot of negotiating.

Bill: Well, I guess you won’t be interested in switching.

Me: No, I guess not.

Bill: Well, okay, I guess that is all, have a good day.

Me: You too!!

Update -

I am so tired of seeing that last post, so I decided I had to write something. So...where to begin.

We are in the process of buying a house, yes again. We are waiting to hear something from the seller's mortgage company. If that goes through and the inspection goes well, it should be a go. But, you know as well as I do, that you never know with us. The house needs some work, but could be a great investment property.

Mom's treatments are going well. She has had hardly any side effects from her Chemo. She should be leaving the hospital tomorrow. She has five rounds of radiation left and one round of chemo left. She will go back into the hospital to do the chemo. During this time she is going to be staying with Gary and Andrea Cheek. They have an extra room and bath. She will have some space and quiet to rest and get well. It was such an amazing thing for them to offer. God is going to bless them tremendously.

We kicked off Sunday night training last night. I though it went well. I received some pretty amazing words. Some that I will remember for the rest of my life. I am looking forward to the next 8 weeks.

Everyday I am further amazed at Brandon's leadership ability. The beauty is that he remains humble and transparent. I love how he empowers people to be their best and wants people to have an outlet. He is not interested in holding people down or insecure about what it means to him if they are successful. He wants them to be successful. Everyone is needed, this is the mentality. I love it.

Had a little scare today. I have had two dreams that I was pregnant. Pam had a dream that I was pregnant. I still haven't started my period from when I had Maddie (sorry boys). Billy's vasectomy is Friday. Would that be ironic or what if I were to find out I was pregnant the week of his surgery. Well, all is well. I am not. I was extremely relieved.

We are going through Marriage Life Group. We just started and I have found more things coming to the surface in my heart than I have in a long time. I think it is good though. I want to have a heart that is more concerned about meeting my husbands needs than my own. I know when I truly do this, all my needs will be met too. That is just the way God operates. If we are trying to get for ourselves we lose. But if we give of ourselves we will get. It is a great paradigm.

Avery was asked to be the princess in the homecoming procession at Friday Nights game. She will wear a fancy dress and carry the homecoming crown on a pillow for the new queen. She is super excited. Paige is also going to that game with a boy and his parents. Yikes, I know. We know them well and he is a sweet boy. But we have made it clear they are not boyfriend/girlfriend. But he did buy her a mum.

It has been a pretty hard last few weeks. Billy has been working out of town and with mom gone I have been a single mother. Just a shout out to the single moms I know, Jennifer and Amanda, I don't know how you do it. I only had to do it for two weeks and that was plenty. I pray God would give you strength and endurance to be both mom and dad.

Well, Me and Billy turn 30 on Oct 23 and Nov 29, respectively. I am excited about my 30's. I am believing they are going to be better than my 20's.

Well, laundry is calling my name. I should answer it. That is some of the things going on here.

Faith -

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

For those of you who have not heard - My mother had some tests ran and got back an initial bad report. We are waiting to hear about a biopsy and a ct scan. I am asking all of you to put every bit of faith you have in prayer for her. We hope to hear something soon. I am praying for a good report. Please join me.

Thanks

***Update - Mom got a call with the results. It tested positive for cancer. She will start having app. and treatments almost immediately. Please continue to pray.

I need a miracle in the coming months. I need the heavens to open and the glory and the favor of the Lord to rest on Billy and I. I need resource and laborers and healing and open doors and relationships mended and blessings. I need God to come thru big for me. I am looking forward to telling you how He does it.