Well, I got the 'job'....sigh

 What job is that?  I get to order the computer and monitors, etc. for my new boss.  I'm glad I remembered to ask!  I was chatting with my boss's boss's EA and asked if she was ordering the equipment or was I supposed to.  No one has communicated anything to me.  So she scheduled a meeting with the big boss to find out - and called me back with the news - "It's YOU!"  Oh lucky me!  I didn't do anything about it yesterday afternoon, but will be contacting HR today and ask them to send me her address, email, and telephone number.  I understand the start date has already been changed to November 9th.  Gives me an extra week to get it ordered - they say it can take a month, but will have to expedite this.  So I may be contacting my new boss today to find out about shipping the equipment to her - or does she want to come down and pick it up at Corporate - and how is she getting her badge, etc.  When one doesn't do these things on a regular basis, who remembers how to do it?  There are times like that that I wish we worked in the office for it made it so much easier.  If I don't know the how to, I can ask a coworker.  Now I don't know who to ask.  And my friend, Velma, the boss's EA, leaves on bereavement today or tomorrow so won't have her to rely on.   And I get the big boss to support while she is off two weeks. Yes, she is taking additional time for the bereavement as they are going to.... I forget where, but another state.

I didn't sleep well last night - not at all compared to the deep sleep I had the night before.  I looked at my 'sleep summary' and it shows I was awake numerous times during the night.  I felt like it too!  Just couldn't get in that deep sleep zone.   I got to stay awake today - have training with Morgan at 3:30p today - shoulders, if I recall correctly.  The other day it was legs - and my legs have been talking to me since yesterday.  

I was lazy last night.  Took some 'stuff' over to my granddaughter's after work, visited for a few moments and decided I wanted Popeye's for dinner.  Hubby had already left for his bible study.  I drove to one between my granddaughter and us - and it had five people in the drive through lane and several cars... so I decided, nope!  Head home for a peanut butter sandwich.  But, ended up stopping at the drive through at Arby's and got a roast beef slider (I like their sliders better than their sandwiches!) and something I never do.... a chocolate shake.  What a rip-off.  They take a vanilla shake and put chocolate syrup in it.  You can taste the syrup.  But, yes, I did drink it all.  Came home and decided to just 'rest' and put on a chick flick on prime video - can't remember the title of it now.  Had a 2nd movie on - Mixed Baggage - when hubby came home and interrupted with what he had for dinner and questioned what I ate.  Does it even matter? Sigh.  I think I have one more row on the baby blanket and I'm done with that one. Have a nice stack to take to Needles of Hope the first Saturday in November.

Without having my two bosses, things have really been quiet over the past month and more.  I mean seriously quiet.  I've done a few clearing out of folders, but not much.  I've spent too much time scrolling my phone.  Yesterday I was able to start on an upcoming message I have.  Hope to finish it today.  May as well take advantage of the 'free' time.  I keep up on my work that is given, but just sitting and staring at the computer is boring so may as well keep myself busy - right?  Oh - about that Lucid training I mentioned yesterday?  I did talk with Velma (the EA) and she isn't taking it, and since I haven't used Visio in years, she agreed that I didn't need to take it.  Good. Guilt in ignoring all the invites is justified.  Now watch me need to learn it.  Oh well. Will do it when I need to.

Still haven't started wrapping gifts on the bed, but I did dig out what wrapping paper I have leftover from last year out and it's on the bed as well.  Hubby asked where I was going to put them after I wrapped them.  I just said I'm still working on it.  Got to get these done and figure out what I need to get yet.  I think I am 'done' with a couple of the little great ones.  I'm really trying hard not to over do it again this year.  Nor do we need much.

Sadly, I haven't been able to get back into my 'Called' study lately.  And, I have another bible study that will be delivered soon by Lysa TerKeurst.  It's titled something about dealing with something you can't change. I could look it up - but will do it another time.  I can't change a lot of things... thought maybe that would help me.  I was telling my little sister about it the other day.... thinking she might want to take it as well.  HAH!  I had sent her a devotional for her birthday in August by Lysa TerKeurst and it is really good; I have already gone through it.  Well, she hasn't read it.  Hasn't even opened it, from what it sounded.  That's ok. It was still a good gift.  What she doesn't know is that I have another book by her that I am sending her for Christmas! Whether she reads it or not is up to her - it's a gift.  Right?  I have found them helpful for me, and I'm sure they would be for her as well.  But we all get set in our own routines of doing things, reading things, and she and I have not always agreed on what we read.  She is more in the 'end times' and although I have read some of those books; I don't dwell in it but look to how I can improve my life (in most cases) or just a good book to sit back and enjoy reading without feeling guilty about my life.  Make sense?  I do enjoy a good, clean romance novel on occasion, but it is not usually my first choice.  And mentioning the new study reminds me of the Serenity Prayer....

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.  Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will; that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever in the next. Amen.

Ok - I looked that up on Google and I will admit, I have never read all this before for the Serenity Prayer.  Usually it is 'just' God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.  Skimming on through Google about the 'prayer', I also find this, which is more true than most of us will admit.  

God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know its me.

Me?  I need to change?  Who says?  Sigh.  I know I have a lot in me that I need to change - for the better, for sure!  The one thing I know is that God isn't finished with me yet; I am definitely a work in progress.  And so are you.  Are you willing to change?  I am.... Lord, please show me what I need to do to change me to be who You have for me to be.

May your Wednesday be full of good things, and if not good things, how do you react to the other?  Maybe talk with God about it?

Blessings!

You won't believe this -

 because I can't!  I can't remember the last time this happened - and whew, I must have needed it!  Now though, I am so far behind my normal routines!  What am I talking about?  Well, let me back up a bit (you know I have to make a big 'thing' out of this!) and just say that around 7p last night I got so sleepy I couldn't keep reading.  Got two chapters read and kept yawning so hubby turned down the bed.  By 8:30p I was in it.  I slept until about 10:30p, I think it was, then back to bed and..... did not wake up until 6:13a!  I kept looking at the clock and hoping it was 3:19a or something like that so I could go back to sleep, but as the real numbers soaked in, I realized I had way overslept into my quiet time this morning!  Got some prayers done and some reading done, and here I am on the work computer, still not dressed.  Which I need to do as Virta will be doing a video call with me at 8a.  So, here I am for a short note this morning.  I'm still not quite awake.

I don't know why I slept so long and so deep - could my leg workout with Morgan yesterday morning be affecting me (my legs are stiff and sore this morning!)?  Naw, it must be the weather.  It is NOT because I'm 'old'!  I reject and refuse that thought!!  LOL

The announcement of my new boss went out to everyone yesterday, so it's official now.  I need to find out if her boss's EA is ordering her computer or am I to do it.  I'm hoping the other.  They know more of what she needs than I do.   I really have not been involved on the 'work' side of work... it's difficult to identify just what I do, other than board meetings, and scheduling meetings and helping others where they need help.  I don't have any special skills.  In fact, the company is doing away with Visio and are switching to a program called Lucid.  I don't want to learn it, and since I haven't used Visio in probably 5-6 years, opted out of taking the training for the Lucid program. Yesterday I noticed that Lucid does more than just diagrams, but can be used in meetings, etc..  Sigh.  I still don't want to take it, but with getting a new boss, I'm wondering if I should.  I don't want to.  UGH.  Maybe I should sit in just to understand what it is?  Maybe I will like it?  But I haven't used Visio in 6 years - and rarely then - so why would I concern myself about Lucid?  But then, it would give me something to do, right?

I did - and didn't - get much accomplished yesterday.  I didn't touch the gifts on the bed. Didn't even pull out the wrapping paper.  I didn't go through my closet.  I didn't work on a message.  So what did I do all afternoon?  I caught up with my little sister on the phone..... and then I called my little brother and we talked for awhile.....rather, he talked and I listened.... and then my work day was over.  I even did a Fry's pick up order and scheduled it between 4-5p so as soon as I checked off work, we went over to pick it up.  Then I asked hubby if he'd want a sugar free Butterfinger meal replacement shake.  He said yes - so off to One Stop Nutrition and we got those - and that was dinner!  Got the groceries put away and I started a new book.

Yes, I started another book.  It's the Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins.  I got to chapter 3 before my eyes and yawning mouth wouldn't stay open and shut - and find it is interesting.  The 'Let Them Theory' is about if people want to do something - whether or not you agree with it - LET THEM.  Then you use the LET ME to follow.  I haven't got to what the 'LET ME' is about - or I read it and didn't comprehend.  Anyway - I had loaned the book to Morgan when she took vacation a couple weeks ago - and she wants me to read it so we can talk about it - so went to Thriftbooks and ordered a couple more copies - and now I'll tell her I'm reading it so we can talk about it while I work out.  Mel Robbins has a couple other books out - one, the 5 Second Habit which I have shared about before that I listened to on audible.  I think I may need to buy the book in the future so that I can really remember it.  Hearing (and being distracted in the hearing, I'm only half listening, you know) may make it soak in.  Give yourself a high five in the mirror this morning!  You will feel better! See, you need to read it to figure out what I'm talking about!  I only did it one morning, and forgot about it.

Psalm 51:12 (NLT):  Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. 

Ah... Psalm 51 is a great psalm and I love to go to it and meditate upon it when I have time to just be with God.  Why?  Well, you remember the story of David and Bathsheba, and how Nathan, the prophet, confronted David about his sin.  When David realized the story of the rich man and the lamb that Nathan the prophet had told him - was about him - he was broken.  This psalm is David bowing and confessing before God his sin and well, you need to just go and meditate upon it yourself.  If you go through it slowly, not just reading it, but meditating on it, you will find God bringing things to your own mind that you may need to confess and be set free of.  Our God is a good and loving Father and we need to go to Him with all our confessions, our needs, our wants.  He is over us, in us, and around us.  Holy He is and to approach Him, we need to be Holy.  Meditate upon this psalm and see how it frees you.

I've taught a class years ago on the Disciple's Prayer Life and a couple of the men in that class said that this psalm was so freeing for them.  God brought things to their mind that they had forgotten about, but needed to confess and be free of; little things, to be sure, but still, we are to have nothing between us and our Heavenly Father.  I encourage you to take the time to just sit with God and go through this psalm. Give  yourself time to let the words sink in and truly let go of all that you hold in.

And with that, I need to get to work; Virta will be calling soon and at least I'm dressed now!  Maybe I'll grab a Premier Protein Shake for breakfast.  That's easy to 'down'.  Salad for lunch again.  I can sure make a 'mean' salad and I love salads!

Have an amazing day, spend some time with Jesus, and be kind to yourself as well as others.

Blessings!

The start of another week!

 Monday.  It dawned on me late yesterday that I have an 8a with Morgan this morning - legs, if I remember correctly.  I'm not real fond of these 'somewhat early mornings' at the gym, but glad to get it done and done, if you know what I mean.  The trainings, being paid for, force me to go to the gym and work out.  THAT is what is keeping me moving and healthy, I believe.  For if not, my life is so empty and so boring that I would do exactly what hubby does - sit and do nothing.  I want to keep my body moving; after all, I am 12 years younger than he is, I should be moving more, right?

Yesterday.  We ended up not going to church.- hubby was still crouping, and I was some as well.  We did watch it on You Tube @ 10:30a and Pastor George talked .... and you know what?  It was really good.  He talks slow, but he has great insight into the scriptures and I really do enjoy his messages, when he does speak. He isn't on staff, but is asked to speak occasionally.  His title was 'What if I didn't get it right?' and he shared about in Luke where John the Baptist had sent his disciples to ask Jesus 'Are You the One?' and Jesus responded about healing the blind, the deaf, the crippled, etc.  John could have been thinking, 'is He really the One?  Did I get it right? Or did I miss something?  And that is something we all can ask ourselves at one time or another, right?  What if we interpreted a scripture and it was .....? 

We pretty much stayed home yesterday - and had a sorta impromptu wedding ceremony around 4:15-ish in our living room.  No, not for us, but for friends that wanted to repeat their vows.  It was emotional, comical and we did it, and then we all went out for dinner at Applebee's afterwards.  It was an enjoyable time and I am honored they asked me to take them through it again.  

Made a decision about Thanksgiving this year.  Discussed with hubby and he is in agreement.  As I love to cook, we will be having our oldest son and some of his family over for Thanksgiving lunch this year.  It felt like everything has been up in the air and well, there is just something about staying home and cooking. 

And.... I'm back.  Reviewing my emails for work before getting back on here, I see they have made the official announcement for my new boss.  She's an RN as well as having her Master's and PhD.  And you know me, just a few college courses.  Do I feel somewhat lacking in skills?  Yes I do.  My biggest fear is that she will give me an assignment for which I have no clue how to do.  Sue has been my boss for over 35 years.... she did a lot of her own work; yes, she gave me assignments to do, but things I could do.  Will see how long I last!

I had 'legs' at the gym today and Morgan definitely worked them!  She had me stepping into this 'thing' on which she put 85 pounds that I had to squat and lift 3 sets of 10.  Then there were lunges, holding 12/5 pound weights, then flat on my back with sliders under my feet and butt in the air.... I keep reminding her my butt weighs too much for me to lift.... sigh.  and lastly, a sit position against the wall.  Yes, she worked my legs hard today and they were shaking a bit when I walked out.  And I will need to keep them moving today, although at my desk, so that I don't get that sore.  My next appointment is Wednesday and it's shoulders.   Of which I have none, so she's trying to build them up.

Well, I still haven't done anything with the gifts on the bed.  Will be trying to work those in some this week.  Got to keep my list up.  I think on one or two I may have the two gifts I limit myself to.  Except for my kids and their spouses; they always get more.  Oh, and the girls, sorry guys.  Girls are so much easier to buy for.  

I got hubby a cheap scale yesterday and told him not to use my scale anymore.  He began to argue with me that he hadn't used it lately - but that isn't the point.  It's a Virta scale, which connects to my phone, which connects to the Virta app, which my coach can see.  So jumping my weight up that high would be disturbing for me, to say the least.  After all, he's a male, I'm a female. (surprise!)  So now he can weigh on his own scale and my scale can record for Virta.  Which, I will be getting a phone call this afternoon from the 'main coach' before assigning me to a regular coach.  I've uploaded the app again so I'm set to go.  I think.  I need to watch my carbs so that my glucose doesn't jump way up there.   Supposed to take ketones in the afternoon, but I always forget.  I don't need to be in ketosis, I just want to be on my way to losing 20 pounds by January 25th, when I see Dr. Mark again.  And lower my blood pressure.  Right now it is still too high.  

Well, I do have work I need to do for the office so am closing this off.  I leave you with this.....

Take some time today to just pause and be thankful.  Think of at least one thing that you can be thankful for.  And if you can't think of anything, be thankful you are breathing.  

Blessings!

I'm not sure what is going on with me....

 Whew - I woke up at 5a out of a deep sleep and came in here and got settled in to read.  I read some; fell asleep.  Woke up, read some more; fell asleep.  Got up and went in the kitchen and got a drink of cold water, came back in here and started reading again.... and fell asleep - and fighting to wake up.  In fact, I am guessing I have spent more of the last 3 hours asleep than I have reading.  In my mind, anyway, and it it isn't just 5-10 minutes - I'm thinking more like 15-30 minutes at a time!  Could it be all the 'stuff' I've been taking for this stupid cold that knocked me out this morning?  No dreams, until this last time... and I found myself struggling to wake up with my 'dream' showing me I am in my recliner, sitting at the edge of a pool and if I try to stand up from the chair, I go into the water.  Now, was that a vision telling me that if I push ahead I'll go underwater?  (like, as I shared yesterday about buying stuff, if I don't quit buying, I'll go underwater? - ok, I always glance at what I wrote the day before to see if there is a conversation I want to continue).  Interesting, right?  Crazy silly, right?  I still feel I could close my eyes and go back to sleep and I think I slept sound during the night - what could be bringing this on?  Complete exhaustion?  But I haven't done anything!  What's up with that?  

I DID actually spend a lot of time praying... but was I asleep praying?  Yesterday I did go to the women's luncheon at church.  The leader was very disappointed only 7 of us showed up, but I reminded her that she did not send a text out to remind the women - and we do tend to push ourselves aside when we haven't been reminded to make ourselves a priority.  My son helped encourage me to go, which I'm glad he did.  It's always nice to know that someone (other than hubby) will encourage me.

The luncheon was nice.  I stopped at Mr. Goodcents and picked up a 12 inch #5 Ultimate sandwich, and had him cut it in to 3 pieces.  And I put MY desired toppings on it. Including the jalapenos. :-)  I ate 1/3 of it at the church; didn't want any more.  (I bought the big one so that I could take the rest home to hubby, cause that is just what I do.)  We sat around and I listened to the women talk about things and people.  It wasn't bad stuff, but I found it interesting that they talked about Walmart shoppers.  LOL We all know about Walmart shoppers, don't we!  One woman shared about a grumpy old woman who was walking with another couple, dressed in a robe, house shoes, and hair in curlers, shopping at Winco!  Anyway, I kept my thoughts to myself pretty much, but I was included.  I wasn't the only quiet one.   I know, it is hard to imagine me being quiet, but I was.  I already knew 5 of the 8 women.  I will share this... this is how diverse this group is..... one women, that I already knew, has always dressed in a lot of bling - from her jewelry to her clothes.  Obviously she knows her way around the church; she turned on the music in the lobby; the floor hadn't been mopped yet for the weekend services so she went and got the mop and started mopping the floor while we were getting set up with the tables.  Then she ran the sweeper on the carpet area while we were sitting there eating.  It was just odd, in my thinking.  Why not wait until our luncheon was over instead of being the one mopping the lobby and sweeping?   In all her bling, no less.  Not that it was a bad thing.... it was just odd to me. It was kind of like she wanted everyone to see her doing it, know what I mean?

I came home after the luncheon and handed hubby his sandwich and told him I was going to Walmart. And I did. I knew they already had some Christmas things out so was thinking I'd get wrapping paper, which inside the store I could not find.  I didn't go out in the garden area.  I bought more canning jars cause I want to get started on some things for Christmas.  Didn't really buy much of anything else; there was nothing I really wanted to buy, the store was busy, and I was bored. So I came home and hubby suggested a nap, which sounded like a good idea in my boredom, so we both took a nap; me on the couch and hubby in his chair; slept for about 30 minutes and it was time for the ND game.  I put a Christmas movie on my Fire and headset on, and I watched a movie while I crochet'd.  Yeah, didn't touch any of the packages sitting in here and will need to turn my focus to them today.  Hopefully.

Hubby was in bed by 8:30p last night but I actually stayed up until about 9:30p.  Then the coughing started and I gave up and took some robitussin dm along with the musinex dm I had already taken an hour or so before. Plus my Breo inhaler.  Determined to stop this coughing enough I can go to church. Hubby asked earlier when he brought my coffee in if I thought we were 'well' enough to go.  Hearing him continue to cough, I'm not so sure.  I still have the occasional coughing spell, but his sounds so much worse than mine - and I got my cold from him!  I kind of feel we need to stay away one more Sunday because of the coughing - it's loud and gagging. If you know what I mean.  The mucus just hangs there and makes you keep coughing.

And my first preaching at the RV park is November 8th which means we start our 'hit and miss' time anyway.  I need to start carving out time to work on the messages.  Which wouldn't be a bad idea to spend some time on this afternoon.  I have a couple in mind, but need to work on them and get them typed out and get my stories lined up.  I do enjoy doing this, and love the people we see at the RV parks, but hubby is starting to get grumpy about the one up north.... debating if I should make it my last year to go there... but it's only twice a year so I don't see why I need to.  

Here are a couple more ideas for Christmas.... for me, go to Thriftbooks and see if you can find The Joy of Fearing God by Jerry Bridges.  In the book I started today (and kept falling asleep, unfortunately, and will need to start it again....) I will follow You, O God, Embracing Him as Lord in your private worship, it mentions it and you know I want it now.  It's hard for me to 'fear' God, cause He has been so good and loving to me.  But 'fear' in that sense isn't the same as having 'fear' of God because it is more of a reverential fear, an awe, of who He is.  Make sense?  I'm finding I am enjoying Jerry Bridges books.  They are deep, but thought provoking.  Hubby has gone through a few with his Friday group, so we have a couple, but they haven't done these as they are smaller books.  A daily reading, if you will.  I just finished the one on exalting God in my private worship.  It was good.  Anyway - I'll stall on checking that book out to give someone a chance to get it. :-) And if I get more than one copy, no biggie.  Actually, any of Jerry Bridges books would be good to get and he has several.  Although we have some, hubby has marked them up with his study and for me, it is distracting to read. I can mark up my Bible, it's MINE.  I use a pencil to underscore something in a book if it really stands out to me. A pencil can be erased if I choose to give it to someone. Ink and highlighters can not be erased.  And for hubby, he has mentioned he would like some light color t-shirts (for summer) as nearly all his t-shirts are black or red.... and if he is outside, he feels like they are so hot.  Just passing the message on.  And rolling my eyes.  He is in air conditioning all the time; what does it matter what color the t-shirt is?!  LOL  

I like this paragraph in the start of the book I mentioned above I have started reading:  I state that this fear of God is an attitude as well as a mix of various emotions, and that whether we think of it more as a complex set of emotions or as an attitude, the important thing is that this mix is to be determinative. The emotions and attitude should determine the way we relate to God - the way we obey Him, trust Him, and worship Him....the way we follow Him. Properly fearing God is more than just a feeling or attitude, it's a feeling or attitude that changes our lives.

Which makes one think..... the way that we live, the way that we speak, the way that we think.... do these reflect how we follow the Lord?   Or do we need to make some adjustments in our life?

And, since I have a short time left before I need to jump in the shower, I'm going to close this off.  Maybe I can stay awake long enough to read some more, since I slept most of the morning.  I have a second cup of coffee and am hoping the caffeine kicks in soon!

Wishing you an amazing day in our cooler weather here.  We are so loved by the One who loves us best.

Blessings!

And, Good morning!

 I woke around 4a and got up..... then realized it was Saturday, and I could sleep later.... but by then it was 'why go back to bed and toss and turn'.  You know the drill, once your mind starts thinking, you can give up getting to sleep for all other thoughts want to barge into the mind as well.  Right?

However, with that being said, after coming in here and reading one of my devotionals, I grabbed my Bible and started reading and somewhere between 5:30a and 6a, the eyes closed and I slept good!  No, the Bible did not put me to sleep; I think I just hadn't gotten my sleep all in yet, and when I come into this cool room (temperature wise, silly, not decorative) and snuggle down under my cover, another cover over my shoulders, a pillow at my head, and I'm tilted back in the recliner, it's a normal thing on a weekend.  And some times a week day!  I tell you what! I was so tired yesterday morning that I laid my head on my forearm at my desk yesterday and slept for 30 minutes!  Even my 8a HIIT workout with Morgan didn't keep me awake - of course this was around 10a so perhaps I wore myself out?

I still haven't made a firm commitment in my mind to go to the ladies lunch today at church, but I probably will.  One, I need to get to know some of the women, and two, hubby is bugging me about going and he won't let up and if I don't go, I will have to deal with him and 'what are you going to do today'.  Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating.  I know he wants me to have women friends, but (in my thinking) they can't interfere with my time with him.... does that make sense?  

My cold is much better; thank you for the prayers.  Hubby sounds like his is still lingering.  Of course, again, in my opinion only, to get the yuck to come OUT, one needs to move around some.... right?  I think I'll leave that there.

I bought some Acacia wood utensils yesterday. I know, that was stupid and I shouldn't have. But I am trying to not only cook more healthy, but use things that I'm not putting in to the food. Watching the video, and seeing where plastic seeps into food, etc., I put in an order and now I'm asking myself - what are you going to do with all the utensils you have in the drawers?  Many, I'm sure, I haven't used in years!  I need to clean out and take to Savers  -  perhaps someone can use some of these. Or not.  Project for another day - not today.

I sorta/kinda cleaned out my closet yesterday and brought into this room and put on the bed all the 'stuff' I have for Christmas gifts.  More than I thought I had.  I am hoping to get busy wrapping some this weekend and put in a large box (so they will be off the bed and out of sight - only I need to find a place to PUT the box....) and make my lists so that I know what I've bought for whom.  And I know there are a few more things I need to get out of the closet as well.  Too soon to start wrapping?  Not when you have a family as big as mine! I keep telling myself to cut back.... maybe this is the year.  I usually start the list of what I've bought - and then I hear them say they want this or that or need this or that, and of course I feel the desire to get it for them.  And I've been told by several "you are so hard to buy for!" so I will try to think of things as the year comes to an end so that you will have some ideas. Those who read this will have an idea anyway, right?

Just sitting here thinking..... gift certificate for pedicures at Tommy's (19th Ave & Greenway) is always a good gift; we don't go there often (yes, hubby likes them too), but sometimes we do go there because we like Mehn and Lia who work there.  When we lived closer we were always going there.  Had my nails done there for years - until I stopped that cause I don't like having to go every month to get refilled/fixed.  Oh well, it's an idea for both of us, really!

I finished reading one devotional this morning - Jerry Bridges' I exalt You, O God, Encountering His greatness in your private worship.  Some things I have quoted in here as I went through each daily reading.  I've pulled out another one of his devotionals titled I will follow You, O God, Embracing Him as Lord in your private worship.  I'm hoping it is as good as the first one I read  Jerry Bridges has written numerous books that help you in your walk with Jesus.  

For example, Day 31 is titled In Grace I stand.  All true believers acknowledge that we are saved  by grace (see Ephesians 2:8-9).  We also stand in grace (Romans 5:1-2).  We stand before God in that same grace.  So what is the definition of grace?  God's favor through Christ to people who deserve His wrath.  Yes, I definitely deserve His wrath, but by His grace, He has released me from that bondage to sin.  And He has you as well.  Our best deeds are polluted with sin and are made acceptable to God only through Jesus Christ (I Peter 2:5).  Even as Christians we can never ear favor with God by our performance. ALL His favor still comes to us through Christ.

God loves each one of us so much, we have His unfailing love, and there is nothing we can do to earn it.  And nothing we can do to forfeit it.  His love in Christ is eternal and unconditional.  Notice the key words?  IN Christ.  We are so loved, don't you think? And I am so grateful for His grace. So very thankful.

Psalm 119:12 (NKJV):  Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me your statutes. 

What if we started each morning putting this verse before God?  Telling Him how awesome He is, how blessed He is.... and then ask Him to teach you His statutes..... have you ever wondered what He would tell you?  Or show you?  We all ought to try that for a week or so - and just see what we are shown!

I've still been reading through 'Lord, Change Me' by Evelyn Christensen.  Written back in the early 1973's, I think.... but it still holds true today.  I think I have mentioned before that the first time I read it (and I've read it several times), it has helped me change within and without.  One of the things she tells people to do is read Colossians 3 until God stops you.  Don't keep reading when He identifies a word to you.  Honestly, I got to where I REFUSED to read Colossians 3!  I still deal with some of those things!  But I do make myself go through it.  I think another was Galatians 5.   Men and Women have benefitted from her books, although this particular one started with women.

And.... I think I will pause here for today and start getting the body moving.  Maybe I can actually get something done this morning before I decide to head to the women's lunch.  We're to bring our own lunch and drink; dessert will be furnished.  I'm thinking of stopping at Mr. Goodcents and getting me a sandwich there to take.  Hubby laughed and said I'd probably fix myself a peanut butter sandwich to take - which isn't a bad idea!  I love my peanut butter sandwiches - and I don't even have to put jelly on it! LOL    Ok - enough writing!  

Have an awesome day - and laugh today (not necessarily AT someone) - have a good belly laugh! You will find it will bring joy to your soul.

Blessings!

So little time - and now done!

 Good morning!  I have about 15 minutes before I need to head out for my workout this morning so will see how much I can get typed.  If I type fast, will thoughts come to me to write about?  One can hope, right?  I'm supposed to do HIIT this morning, but I'm not 'feeling' it .... but may just push through.  I'm dressed and ready to go, but need to grab my water yet and head over that way.

Today is my youngest son's 52nd birthday - I' was thinking 51st but 2026-1974 is 52... right?  Math was never my best subject.  In fact, I flunked one period of General Math - not that I couldn't do it - but because for some reason, I let others influence me (as teenagers often do) and let my grades slide.  But I survived that class and graduated - without ever having to take Algebra.  I think that was the last year it was not a required subject.  Grateful!

Hubby and I are still coughing - he said he felt good enough to go to Bible study this morning, but he is not going to Chuck's.  I suggested he check with the wife, and she said that Chuck is too susceptible to anything so to stay away again this week.  I'm dong much better and getting rid of a lot of the yuck that I've been forced to cough with.  Still, it isn't all gone.  But working on it.

I have a ladies thing at church tomorrow that I am tentatively planning to go to - will make that firm decision tomorrow morning.  At least I have someplace to go 'alone', and be with other women, right?  Will see how my coughing is in the morning.  I'm doing all I can to get rid of it.

My sister and I are already throwing out 'Christmas Ideas' I try to find something small for her to get me... I know they are tight on cash and she can't manage money well.  And the post office has raised their package rates again.  It costs so much to ship anymore; more than the gift itself costs in most cases!  But I have found that if I go to another post office around where we used to live - the postage is a bit less?  Why?  They told me it is because the cost is from post office to where it is going.  And we live 'way out here' in the boondocks.... so of course they will charge more.  I'm closer to the main county post office if I go to the 'old' post office.  Will have to figure that out. Of course when you use the PO boxes, they do have a set rate on those.  I still can't get over our post office wanting to charge $8 per 4x6 envelope with it weighing less than a pound when I was going to mail those items to the nurses.  

Did I tell you I re-signed up for Virta the other day?  It doesn't cost me anything, but I'm hoping it can help me lose the 20 pounds that Dr. Mark said I could lose and it would help my BP come down.  I don't want to take pills, so if I can lose 20 pounds and NOT have to take it, well, I need to do my part, right?  I have read too many AI articles and don't want to be a casualty, right?  And I do need to lose about 40 pounds, so little by little I will lose a pound or so.  Not going to starve myself or deprive myself either way!  LOL  I love food too much!

Yes, this is short, and I apologize, but I do need to run to the gym.  When I get back, if I can think of anything to write about, I'll add to it.  But, don't want you checking all morning and wondering where I am.  In the meantime, I'm heading to the gym - and then back here to work (and maybe have something to say).

Well, boo!  I had added some words to the blog and inadvertedly (big word for a Friday!) closed out the blog without saving and it's gone.  Oh well, continuing on....

I sent all my current bosses a Boss's day card via Blue Mountain this morning.  I thought they might get a kick out of it - it starts out by stating "Happy Boss's Day from the most hard-working, loyal, employee.... and inside it says something like "what do you mean who is this card from?"  At least it may give them a chuckle. :-) And I remembered.  

And since I've already dredged through my mind to say something and have now lost and forgotten it, I will close this out.  I should go to the ladies lunch tomorrow at church - and still might - but I'm being lazy in my thinking right now.  I tell myself I have so much to do - and yet I don't do it either.  UGH. I don't like it when I'm lazy for nothing gets done!   I really need a nap.  Hubby is on his way home (thanks to 360 I can see where he is!) so need to get off here. When he gets home, he always has to come in and sit and tell me what all the guys talked about, who was there and who wasn't, etc.  I know all the guys and most of the spouses, but still....  

May the Lord bless you today and keep you in the palm of His hand.

Blessings!

This silly cold keeps me awake at times....

 and some time in the wee early hours this morning I awoke coughing.....and coughing....and coughing.... and just couldn't get it to stop.  Finally getting up and heading to the bathroom to finish coughing so that I didn't wake hubby up (but did), it only took a few moments and he was standing at the door with his question of "are you ok?"  And of course I replied I was.  Was able to sleep for a short while before it was time to get up again.  I DID try to grab a few more minutes of sleep in here, but alas, I could not.  This morning I am able to cough up big goops of yuck so hopefully this coughing will stop.  You needed to know that didn't you?

Well, yesterday Sue's boss joined our direct reports meeting that the interim boss scheduled.  In this meeting she shared that a new person has been hired (which I had figured out already) and would be starting on November 2nd.  When she asked for questions, and knowing the previous employer had been in Texas, I asked if she lived in state, and she does. I finally asked what city and shared that I wanted to contact her to see if I could meet her in person face to face before or shortly after she starts.  I was told 'that's a great idea!'.  :-)  So I found out she lives in Prescott - and we haven't been up there for awhile so I will see about contacting her and perhaps we can go up for a weekend and I can arrange an hour to meet her.  Prescott traffic reminds me at times of Phoenix downtown traffic although it is a smaller town... but I would like to 'see' whom I will be supporting.  That is a positive, right?

One positive thing is that we will NOT be staying at our usual favorite place.  Room 222 suite at that hotel.  Love the room, but the last two times have not been favorable for me.  The first time (not the first time in the room, but the first of two times ago) the ones who stayed before us must have had a dog and it 'went' in the room.... the cleaning products were so strong (now mind you, I'm looking back on my opinion of what it was) that I literally spent the weekend sick from the fumes - coughing and sneezing and all I wanted to do was sleep.  Much like the cold I have now.  Took about a week for me to get over it.  My nose goes crazy when our cleaning people are here and they use the cleaning products and I have to deal with that odor for a short while.   The second time, and last time, we stayed in room 222.... was when I got bit by 'whatever' 15 or so times and have had issues with my leg ever since.  I remember it well - 2a in the morning, sound asleep and OUCH!  Yeah, if we do stay there, it won't be in THAT room!  We've stayed other places in town and they are nice, but we really liked that room. But obviously, no more!

We did nothing last night - sorta.  Hubby wanted to take me out to dinner - so I let him - and we went to Mercer's.  I did get the salmon. Obviously we have not been there for a few months.  New menus; new prices.  My salmon has gone up from $19.99 to $22.99.  I debated, but went ahead and got it.  Their vegetable soup (instead of the salad) was so good, and it was a huge bowl of it rather than a cup.  I ate half and requested a container... guess what I'm having for lunch today!  My salmon did not disappoint and was grilled to perfection and nearly too much, along with a baked potato and green beans.  Didn't eat all my potato, but all the salmon and green beans.  Wish I had given it some thought and just ate half of every thing and bring the rest home for lunch today.  Hubby got the ribeye steak and ate every bit of it!  After that he wanted to watch a movie so we did, and I just sat on the couch and crochet'd.  It wasn't long before we headed to bed just like a couple of 'old people'. 

I must be 'slumping' way too much.  One of my Hinge Health exercises is to back up to the wall, put my arms on the wall, and work them up above my head, keeping the arms on the wall.  I couldn't do it well.  I'm thinking I slump too much all day long so my shoulders are rounding.  Got to get my posture corrector out and start using it again.  I try to remember to stand up straight, shoulders back.... but I don't always succeed, and often forget.  What about you?  Can you put your back against the wall, and lift your arms above your head?

Oh good, the landscapers are here and the courtyard leaves will be blown everywhere.  I heard a machine; had to get up and look to see what they were doing.  My SIL trimmed our hedges when he was here; and of course they are trimming the hedges, as if there is anything there for them to trim!  Obviously I don't think much of this landscape company.  Over 50 percent of the our neighbor's hedges are dead.  At least ours are still alive.  And here comes the leaf blower in the courtyard.  

I wonder what is the truth behind the copper bracelets (which I wear) and the copper water (which I drink).  I was thinking about googling it yesterday but didn't.  I personally don't feel any difference... but what if it is so gradual that I don't notice?  I've read about copper bracelets years before it became popular.  Could it be true?

I see there is a new bible study starting up on one of my apps I follow... Making Peace with what I cannot control by Lysa TerKeurst.   As much as I enjoy bible studies, I can't always 'meet up' even online every time.  So guess I'm ordering a book!  I did order Kyle Idleman's book Every Thought Captive that groups within our church started this last Tuesday. I should get it tomorrow.  Yeah, I need to hold a lot more of my thoughts captive.  Thinking that might help me?  One can always hope, right?

Today, I will leave you with this....

Romans 15:7 (NIV)   Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Not always easy to do, is it?  But it is what we are called to do.  Christ accepted me 'just as I am', how can I do less.  It isn't my job to change anyone.  That's God's job.  My job is to pray for them, love them, and let God do the rest.

Blessings!