Tomb Stones, Weigh Scales, and Answered Prayers!

I have been doing a lot of research to find the best location and prices to get a tombstone and plot for my brother. I associate the number 28 with my brother because of a miracle that happened one week after he passed. However, I will save that story for another time.

Since this is the 28th year that we have had the Clover house, I really wanted to lay him in his forever resting spot, but I will not be able to come up with the money in time. It takes 6 weeks to complete everything, and I need between 3-5 grand, depending on where we choose. The burial site that is less money was 2850 without taxes and other fees, so of course, with 28, I am leaning towards that. However, it has its drawbacks. Location is one of them. The more expensive one is more logical, and my grandparents are buried there, as well as my mom's first husband. She has a plot there as well. So, we will see.

I am thinking about taking commissions for portrait drawings only, just one face. It is worth $370-500 if I charge a reasonable hourly price, but if I only charge 10 an hour, it would be about 150 and free shipping. Also included is a free professional digital download of the print, so clients would have the drawing forever (as well as the original), and they could print whatever size they wanted. Some people have even gotten portraits printed on t-shirts, mugs, bags, etc. So that's a huge win.

On to the next topic, I was feeling so much smaller yesterday, and when I weighed myself this morning, I was one pound more than last Friday (aunt flo, retaining water) and I just wanted to take this time to briefly encourage anyone on their own weight loss journey to remember how much weight can fluctuate. I can fluctuate 5-7 pounds more during shark week. It is discouraging to see a number I don't like, but it's not the end game. We have to keep encouraging ourselves to keep going.

The last topic I wanted to talk about is how God has answered two prayers recently. First, we have had a ton of garbage collecting in front of our house. I don't typically ask for help because I feel like people don't like to help me. I'm not sure why I have that negative attitude, but I don't have a handyman in my life or someone with a lot of resources. So, I asked on the town page if anyone could help me, and a really nice man came last night and took away the trash for free. I was SHOCKED!!!!

He said it was a fair trade since his kid has taken a lot of yarn from the Fibrary. I thought that was so cute. Thank you SO much!

Finally, I have been NEEDING a specific size of dresser for my closet, and I have no money right now, due to trying to start a couple of businesses, working part-time, and student loans around the corner. I have decided to take a year off from school for my mental health. Today, after work, I checked the mail and took the scenic route home, only to see the perfect dresser out on the curb for free. I borrowed my best friend's bus (thank you so much) and I loaded it in.

It is going to look so good. Thank you, Lord, for blessing me so well!