It was a good day~

Sigh. I just erased all that I had written in here. Why? Because I can probably say all that I said in just a few sentences - or a paragraph. Let's see if I can.   Yesterday I relaxed (while hubby was gone) and did my quiet time, then straightened up the house, put things away, made a grocery list, did my laundry, then around 11a I took off and washed my car, dropped things off at Good will, went to grocery store, and then came home.  As I had not told hubby I was taking it off, until I left him a note where I would be while out, he had a comment to make about me just taking the day off.  As in 'who do you think you are that you can just take a day off just like that?'  I ignored him and informed that I did request permission and received it.  After watching me put the groceries away, he finally came in here and sat down.  

Met up with my youngest son later in the day for a little while, he had bought us brisket sandwiches from Buc-cees.  Never had them before, but they sure were good!  I think even my oldest son would like them! About $13 each, but 3 different kinds of meat on them.  We didn't eat all the sandwich, but part of it just to get a taste.  I would get it again.

Daughter and family got in between 8:30 and 9p I think. There was a bad accident in Flagstaff and luckily they were able to be directed to a detour rather than just sit and wait it out.  Unfortunately, it took an additional hour for them to get here. Or more.  I had fixed soup for them to have when they arrived so they wouldn't have to stop for a meal. But that late, they didn't eat much.  We ended up eating before they got here as we were hungry!  Our granddaughter and her family were here too.  I thought that way all of us could see everyone.... the grandson went with his sister for the night and my daughter stayed here.  

I awoke early this morning with pain in my legs again.  Not like before, but this pain is all over my legs and hurts.  Haven't had that in a long, long time.  If it persists, will need to call Dr. Mark's office and see what to do.  When you can't 'see' what is causing the pain, it is hard to figure out what it is.  I am afraid it will create testing.... and that testing may not be pleasant.

Everyone is still in bed - even hubby - and it's 5:30a. I love my early mornings, but I would have tried to sleep too if my legs didn't hurt so bad.  I imagine they will all start to get up soon.  It was decided that breakfast will be here this morning. Granddaughter bringing eggs and bacon; I'm going to whip up some eggs ole shortly and get it ready for the oven.  At least we aren't eating until about 9-ish so there is no rushing about.  I had bought bagels and cereal.  Looks like we are having a meal instead. And that's ok.  I've already told the daughter and granddaughter that Saturday and Sunday they need to spend time together; we don't have to be included.  Monday the granddaughter has to teach school so Monday will be a bit different.  My oldest son asked for my daughter and I to meet him for lunch - but we also have others here that will want to go, so I don't know how we can get that to happen.  Our loss!  My daughter wants to, but she even is concerned about leaving the others here while we go out to eat.  It probably won't happen.  

Hubby only got after me a couple times last night.  He just doesn't like for me to 'correct' him when things are not important....  but don't get involved with my children or grandchildren or the snarling will start!  Right?  LOL  We both survived.  He was tired, and he is a control freak. Me, I just don't care if a piece of paper is left on the table; what does it matter?  Sigh.  If he brings it up, he and I WILL have a discussion about it... but I'm not going to 'start something' by bringing it up myself. It isn't worth it.

Romans 15:7 (NLT):  Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.

I think that could be an 'ouch', don't you?   How often do we accept people?  Just as they are?  I certainly don't always want to accept people 'just as they are', and yet, I want Jesus to accept ME just as I am.  Can I play both sides of the fiddle?  I think not.  Each of us are made in Christ's image.  Each of us are loved by Him.  Jesus died for even the most controlling person, the most irritable person, the most annoying person, .... and he died for the most loving person, the most caring person, the most... and we should accept each other in Christ.  Sometimes that is hard, but when we remind ourselves that Jesus died for them too, it should make a difference.

And with that, I'm off here.  Hubby just got up, and I may still have some time of quiet before the others get up. Want to get some reading completed.  

Have an amazing Saturday.  

Blessings!

 

And here I am....

 Although I'm not really 'late' in typing this, I'm running around this morning trying to get things done.  My daughter and some of her family will be here some time tonight, and I have this room to pick up and other things I want to get done. Now whether I will really get it all done - who knows! But, I decided yesterday afternoon to go ahead and take today off work to get it done.  Didn't want something given to me to do and then I couldn't get done what I want to.  Although, I have plenty of time, hours really, to get anything done, but I just didn't want to work today. So I took it off and here I am.   No, I didn't tell hubby I was taking it off.  He won't know until he gets home from bible study and visiting Chuck - and then he is going to do something - probably get lunch somewhere) to use up the next hour or so before going to get his shot at 1p at the cancer center. He didn't want to drive home and then turn around and go right back to the same area.  And I get that.  

Why didn't I tell him?  Same reason I have not told him for the past 44 years when I wanted a day to myself to get things done that I wanted to do.  Or to just be 'alone'.  I don't want my time taken away from me, I don't want supervised, I want .... well, I think you get the picture.  When he was working, many years ago, and I would take a day off, I either would leave at my usual time and wait until he left before I came back home, or I would just tell him I was taking the day off.  When he would ask 'why didn't you tell me?' - I always gave the same reason.  Because you would take the day off to be with me.  I know, I know, most women would love her husband to want to spend time with her.  But they don't have mine.  We are together nearly 24x7 - usually except for Friday mornings and Tuesday nights.  I can't breathe without him asking if I'm ok.  No, I'm not bashing him; just stating facts on why I choose not to tell him when I take a day off work.  Can you just imagine what it would be like if I ever got to retire?  At least I have the computer, right? And he knows where I'm at so he doesn't worry about being alone. Sigh.  He is terrified of being alone.  Seriously.

I have thoughts of lots of things I want to get done.... and I'm sure I won't get the majority of it completed, but my first task is this bedroom so that my daughter and SIL can have it while they are here.  I'm not going to remove my work computer until as I don't need to.  Yeah, I took Monday off too. I think hubby knows that, but am not sure.  A four-day weekend for me and I have high hopes.... just saying.

Need to do a run to Sam's Club some time today, but want to get things done here as much as I can before hubby gets home.  Doing my laundry now, not that it was needed to be done, but trying to keep up on it. That's another story for another time. 

Got my mammogram and DEXA scan done yesterday. I got there about 2:15 (appt @ 2:40p) and signed in. Completed the paperwork they gave me and I was called right on back.  Got the DEXA scan, then the mammogram and was out the door at 2:35p.  Sat out in the parking lot for a bit and talked with my sister.  I had told hubby I probably wouldn't be back until about 3:30p so I wasn't rushing to get back home. After all, I had also signed off for the day for work so there was that! In talking with my sister, she shared a 'treat' she does every fall about this time.  Of course I had to try it.  Off I went to Walgreens - and I can't believe I spent that much on candy and nuts.  Ok, it wasn't that much by some people's standards, but I just don't buy candy as a rule.  But I broke that rule yesterday.  What to make with what I got?

Take a bag of candy corn, and a jar of Planters salted nuts, and mix together.  Sweet and Salty.  I had to try it. You know I love my sweet and salty with my description of how I like to eat vanilla ice cream with saltine crackers.  So I dumped the candy corn and peanuts in a bowl - and it is good!  Different, even.  I ate too much of it last night and will stay out of it now.  I wanted to try it, I did, and now I'm ok.  But it was fun to try. And it is the season for candy corn!

Romans 5:7 (NIV):  Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Some of us just may read that verse and ignore it, or we may say 'ouch', right?  Accept one another.  Really?  But, But, But....  No buts, we are to accept one another as they are, because the mess that we are, Christ has accepted us.  And why?  To bring praise to God.  That is what we are on earth to do.  Worship and praise the Lord and Savior, our God and King, the Almighty, Gracious and Forgiving One. If God can forgive me my sins, who am I to withhold forgiveness and acceptance of others?  It may be hard, but how hard was it for Him to forgive me?  Hmmm ....

I need to run a gift over to a DIL today. Her birthday isn't until the 10th, but they plan to be gone on one of their trips; probably will be a beach stop somewhere.  I think they are leaving the 6th, depending on what is going on with other issues.  She is giving herself a 50th birthday party tonight, but with us expecting company, I don't plan to attend. I don't usually get invited to b-day parties when not at a house, and I do usually attend when at the home.  I don't know but just a couple of her friends and of course her family.  I have things to do here at home.  So, I will get something and wrap it up and drop it off.  As she and my daughter are estranged, to put it nicely, I'm sure there will be a snarky comment or two made about my skipping to be here for my daughter.  But, it IS my daughter... just saying.

I need to get moving and get things done while hubby is gone so need to shut up.  Hope that you have an amazing day - I will be taking my personal computer out of this room so that I can write in the morning - hopefully!  You know my life will be all over the place until I'm back to work on Tuesday! 

Breathe. Take a moment and just breathe.  God is so good, and so faithful.  As I was praying this morning, I was reminded of many answered prayers, as well as unanswered ones.  So I paused to thank God for the unanswered prayers as well as the answered ones.  Why the unanswered prayers?  Because I don't always ask for things the way I should... I want my own way. I want my own revenge. I want my own thoughts made known.  And sometimes God just says 'NO', or He may just say "wait and see what I do with this."  Whatever it is, I trust HIM for all outcomes.  Even when I don't get my way.

Shalom Shaloom

Blessings!

Did I really turn it on?

 In the middle of the night?  Did I?  Or did hubby turn it on when he turned down the bed and I forgot to turn it off?  What am I talking about?  A sleep disrupter!! I have a touch lamp on my nightstand.  Hubby sometimes turns it on when he turns down the bed, but I don't remember if it was on or not when we went to bed. Or, did I turn it on?  I don't know - but at 2:15a this morning, I was awakened by a light shining through my eyelids.  I had been in a deep sleep until that moment.  Of course I reached out and touched it off, but geez, it disrupted my sleep and I struggled to get back into a deep sleep after that.  So, do I let that make me be grumpy this morning - or just tired?  Hmmmm  It may be a very long day today cause I didn't rest after that.

I have two tests scheduled for this afternoon that I will be gone for a couple hours. At least it is close by.  Have my bone density which will show the density of my bones.  Duh.  What aggravates me is that two years ago it showed my bone density as going down - after being on Fosamax for two years.  I am hoping it is at least the same or better this time since I have been doing a lot of strength training, but I still refuse to take the Fosamax.  I will take my chances on falling and breaking a hip bone.  What did the pioneers do, right?  They toughed it out!  If I fall and break a hip - God will either take care of me, or take me home - I'm in His hands, not in man's medicine.  You know how they always say an older person breaks a hip and then ends up dying.  Well, my mama had a broken ankle!  Enough said.  I'll trust God for when a bone breaks and when I die.  Not leaving it up to man! So there!  (see what happens when I don't get a good night's sleep?  I get grumpy!) LOL

The other test is the yearly mammogram.  I still remember when Dr. Hollis sent me to one place and they squeezed so hard it brought tears to my eyes - and when I told him about it, he refused to send me there any more.  Or any of his patients. He said there is no reason to be squeezed so hard.  Never did go back there.  Of course now I have to go to a specified place because of my insurance, but that's ok.  I've been there before and they are good.  At least both tests are at the same place and I can get both done today and be done with them. Bone Density for two years, mammogram for one.

I did nothing last night.  Hubby left the TV off so I could read, but, didn't even do that.  I got one of my ocular migraines and it was one of the worst ones I've had and it lasted longer.  I could see my phone, but when I tried to read, several words were blacked out.  But, they say no cure, and it's just something that happens.  I don't agree.  I've had a headache for two days between my eyes; I think I may need to ask for a test - will see if I get any more like that.  I go back to Dr. Mark in January, but if I get a couple more ocular migraines like that I may go back and ask for a referral.  

I know my little sister has in the past, I don't know if she still does, had severe migraines (I used to but haven't had since I was prayed over years ago) which literally disable her.  She said her testing showed she has a cyst between the eyes and when it fills up with fluid, the headache comes on - and when the cyst bursts, the headache goes away.  Something a doctor told her.  She could have surgery to remove the cyst, but she didn't want a scar between the eyes.  Migraine versus scar.... I'm sorry, I'll take the scar, thank you very much.  I don't think that is my issue; I may not even have one.  I just get a dull headache and the ocular migraine usually lasts 20-30 minutes and then is gone.  Oh well.  I just keep living life.

I am so lazy at getting this room straightened up and other things done (I have the dining room table loaded with my diamond art projects) - I keep thinking about taking tomorrow off to work on everything.   I am taking Monday off.  Last full day my daughter will be in town - and it will be her 25th BMT Birthday.  They will head back home Tuesday morning.  I'll check in the morning when they get on the road and then will be able to determine more when they will be in town.  And I'm rambling. As usual.

No trainings on schedule until next Wednesday when Morgan gets back; she's taken time off to visit her brother in Kansas and they will spread her grandmother's ashes in Iowa.  I've got to get some exercising in while she is gone; don't what to lose what I've gained. I guess she and hubby had a chat yesterday and she encouraged him to just go to the rec center to work out a couple extra times a week.  So he is asking me if I can take off some time to go to the rec center with him a couple times a week.  Sigh. At least it is close and I won't be gone as long.  And I do get an hour lunch, which I usually eat at my desk or not take at all.  With these retainers, I'm certainly not snacking like I used to!  They are getting harder to get off and on. Then I have to brush my teeth before I put them back on.  I could stand to lose a pound or two anyway, right?  But the problem is, once I have them off... I try to get all my snacks in before I have to brush my teeth and put the retainers back in. LOL I sure do love food.  Which reminds me, my Tovala order should be coming in today.  It sure has made my life much easier as far as cooking.  But of course, now I'm starting to think about the money.   I could drop it to 4 meals instead of 6.  But I'm not going to the store; we aren't going out to eat as much (well, I'm not), so is it a win-win or ?? I don't know. Haven't sat down to analyze it - but I do know that it is nice to have our meals complete and all I have to do is put together and put in the oven.  It's like having a prepped meal and all you got to do is put it together and finish it.  Only I'm not doing the prepping.  Maybe if I ever retire where I can cook to my heart's content, I can do my own.  Definitely will be cutting Tovala and training out if I retire.  

I should have been born rich instead of just beautiful, right?

2 Corinthians 4:16 (NKJV):  Therefore do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

Once you grab hold of Jesus, you find yourself thinking of what you do and how you do things.  You start to give up things you 'used to do' because you feel they are detrimental to your health and well=being, and to your family and other relationships.  You start looking for ways to change habits. You want to do better. You want to give an example of who Jesus is in your life. You change your words, you change your behavior, you feel like you are finally starting to live life.  

Sometimes, once we get these changes in places, we find ourselves looking back over I lives and what we have given up.  Our outward man has perished and in it's place, we find one that we can be proud of. Our inward person is being renewed. And when we are 'good' in our inward parts, it reflects in our outward parts.  Does that make sense?  Knowing Jesus changes you.  I don't mean knowing OF Jesus, but knowing Jesus with your heart, soul, mind and body.  When we decide to follow Jesus, our lives change; we change.

There is a movie starring Cheryl Ladd made years ago.  I forget who else is in it.  It's called "Tho None Go With Me" (I think).  We have the DVD I think.  It may be a VCR.  But anyway, it is a great movie to renew and refresh who you are in Christ.  I won't give all the details, but this woman (Cheryl Ladd) has to make a decision.  She made the right one, although it was one she didn't want to make.  She often reflected on the words someone had told her - 'Tho none go with me, still I will follow Jesus'.  There is a song as well, saying that, I believe.  Not going to look it up now cause I'm already out of time!  Why does time fly when I'm trying to put my thoughts in here?  Could you imagine me writing a book (which was always my dream growing up) with all the ramblings I do?  LOL Now THAT would be a best-seller, right?

And with that, I need to get off here and get in the shower.  No lotions or deodorant today for certain parts of the body.  Wear no metal pieces on clothes.  All these things for just two tests. But - gotta do it.

Have an amazing day and reflect on who you are in Christ.  Give Him all the praise for a changed life, a life worthy to follow Him.  You are loved.

Blessings!

I forgot to share... part 2

 Yeah, you know how I like to share my day with you, and being distracted this morning, forgot about my afternoon yesterday!  Oh My!

I hear the doorbell ring and hubby went to answer it - it was about 2:30-ish, I'd guess.  It was Ms. Vicky and I hear her ask hubby 'can you fix my phone?'  1) Wrong thing to ask hubby (right?) and even I am not real smart on phones - plus she has a Samsung.  But the make was not the problem.

Ms. Vicky say her friend Crystle had taken her to AT&T that morning about something on her phone.  Now AT&T is the carrier, not the the maker of her phone.  Anyway.... the problem was that with saying her phone had a virus on it, AT&T told her to call a number for them to fix it.  That AT&T person put a password (supposedly) on her phone and although she said she remembered it, when she got home and plugged it in - she could not longer get her phone to open so she could use it.  She was in near panic mode when she came over.  She asked if I could take her to Crystle's house and Crystle could help her.  Sure, I can do that. So I left 'work' and started driving her to where she 'thought' Crystle's house was... but she didn't remember and didn't know the address, and the street didn't look right.  

Sigh. So she wanted to go to AT&T.  In the meantime, I'm keeping my mouth shut cause I don't really know what is going on with her phone.  We get to AT&T and she tells him her story and shows him her phone.  The password the AT&T person gave her didn't work and she couldn't get in her phone.   This guy tried calling the other AT&T store she was at that morning but she couldn't remember which store.  Obviously she doesn't pay much attention around her.

She wanted AT&T to call her friend Crystle.  They explain to her they cannot do that; even though Crystle also had AT&T, they don't keep people's names and numbers in a file.  Ms. Vicky couldn't understand why.  I'm minding my own business.  LOL I let her do the talking, after all, I didn't know exactly what was going on, other than the password she claims she was given wasn't working.  We left AT&T after about 30 minutes.  

Oh - and hubby calls me while I'm there with 'Are you OK?'  Needless to say, I had sharp words for him... and when I got home I told him that he has to quit being paranoid about me being 'out'!  He did that to me the other day as well.  If I'm not back in a specific timeframe, he will call and ask 'Are you ok?' - and although I probably should be appreciative of that concern, if I wasn't OK, I couldn't answer my phone anyway and he was annoying me!  He didn't speak to me until he got back home from bible study.  And that's ok.  Stop calling me if I'm not home when he thinks I should be!   Ok, I know he loves me, but I think it is more he is terrified I won't be here to take care of him and he would be alone.  If you know what I mean, you know what I mean, right?

Anyway - back to Ms. Vicky.  We were sitting in the parking lot at AT&T and I had an idea. Was she friends with Crystle on Facebook. Yes.  So I went to her profile on facebook and found Crystle (and found she was also giving me the wrong last name), and called her through facebook on my phone.  I explained the problem, and she immediately gave me the password for Ms. Vicky's phone. It worked.  It was Ms. Vicky's 'own' password; that had not been changed.  The phone worked. I brought Ms. Vicky home and suggested she write down on paper telephone numbers of her friends and family - she did not know anyone's telephone number.

Which got me thinking.... I have the majority of passwords in my phone. If I lost it or could not bring it up, very few would I remember.... and as for telephone numbers, I probably only know three or four in my entire directory!  So decided that perhaps, in my spare time, I should also sit down and write out names and passwords of accounts, names and telephone numbers of others.  I used to do that with emails years ago.  But we rarely email people now; it's all text, right?  Anyway, perhaps it is something you need to think about as well, if you haven't already done it.

We are so used to just punching a name on our phone that we never look at the number.  What if we accidently deleted their name out of our address book?  And then needed to contact them?  

Oh well - just had to share that story yesterday.  Ms. Vicky was all over the place with her confusion and she doesn't see well either so that doesn't help.  Glad I could help her, and it took less than an hour. Just wish I had thought about the facebook contact before driving her to AT&T and around trying to find Crystle's house.  I told her to get the address too.

And with that.... I need to add 'write down telephone numbers' on my list of things I want to do. Not to mean that I will do them, but want to, right?

Have an amazing day!

Blessings!

ps - if you are reading this first - look at the next post down.

Feeling distracted this morning.... Part 1

 I wonder if my distraction this morning has anything to do with my laziness last night?  Hubby had his bible study and I decided - although I have much to do - not to do anything but watch a movie, crochet, and eat whatever I want.  Well, that's what I did.  For dinner - I totally 'blew it' in watching what I was eating - I had a bean burrito.  Then I had a Jocko chocolate milkshake.  Then I finished it off a little later with my favorite - vanilla ice cream, with saltine crackers broken on top (don't knock it if you have never tried it - it's the salt/sugar combo that makes it so delicious), and chocolate syrup on top of that. That was dinner.  And I watched an episode of Chosen, and then watched Perfect Match on Up Faith and Family. I was skimming my phone when hubby got back home around 8p.  We talked a bit, skimmed our phones, and before we knew it, it was 9:20p so off to bed we went.  Actually I gave up first, then hubby followed. 

And now this morning I am feeling somewhat distracted.  I slept well, thank goodness.  The night before I had not.  Didn't want to get up this morning, but yet, here I am.  I've done my reading, yet, not as much as I normally do cause I couldn't stay focused.  (headache?) My first cup of coffee is gone and I'm thinking of going for another - it's only 6:10a.  I did take my BP this morning as Dr. Mark wants me to track it for the next 3 months to ensure I do NOT have to have BP meds.  Today it wasn't bad... 137/74 I think it was.  Still can't believe I've worried more about the bottom number and he tells me he is more concerned about the top number first, then the second.  Maybe I ought to read up on what the two numbers identify and then I can understand it.  I obviously did not give up my salt last night - bean burrito and then saltine crackers.  Oh yeah, I forgot, I ate about a cup full of Cheese-its - love them.  I know, didn't spell it right; too lazy to go look at the box. But you get the idea of what it was. The little orange squares with lots of salt on them.

Today I have no appointments to run off to (grateful) so I can hopefully get some work done.  I see they have moved the location for the board minutes (which I have yet to do) so I need to figure out if I have access to that area; I think I do.  UGH  I hate changes when they aren't explained to me!!  I need to get my things in order.  Right now I have one interim boss and 3 others I support (Brett's position has no interim).  Which is why I don't have much work.  I'm wishing they would offer me a severance package for I think I would take it!  I need a few months NOT working to regain my 'self', if you know what I mean.  When I took early retirement from MCP, I got a year's pay for taking it.  I didn't work until I ran out of paychecks. And I called that my one year of retirement.  Seems like that was a true statement, doesn't it?  Actually, if I did retire now, the only thing different is that I wouldn't have to sit in front of the computer all day.  With working from home, if I need to do something, I usually can get up to do it.  But, I still have those board meetings.... sigh.  See how distracted I am?  I guess I'm frustrated because I am getting no information on replacements or what admin changes will be happening.  I don't like being in limbo.

At this stage in my life, all I can do - and should do - is trust God that whatever is ahead of me - He will walk with me through it.  Good and bad.  I need to be listening more so that I hear what He wants me to do, which way He wants me to turn.  

"It's utterly impossible for us to fulfill our divine assignment in our own ability, because God firmly declares that He will share His glory with no one else."     John Bevere.

Isaiah 48:11 (NKJV):  ................... And I will not give my glory to another.

If any of us were to accomplish any divine destiny in our own ability, then God would have to share His glory with us, which He will not do! God intentionally made us, made our calling beyond anything we can do in our own power, so that we have to depend on Him and His grace to complete it.  Any task we complete, is by the grace of God.  All the glory belongs to Him.  Our pride, our ego, is left behind.  Without God we can do nothing.  Think about that for awhile.

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below.  Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Amen.

Yeah, that's the song that came to mind as I wrote that above paragraph.  In all things we are to praise the Lord.  Praise Him for the sunshine; Praise Him for the rain.  Praise Him for work, Praise Him for rest. In all things we are to Praise the Lord.

So I praise Him I have a job still.  I praise Him I need to clean up this house within the next few days. I can even praise Him for my laziness last night, for how do I know that He did not orchestrate my laziness so that I could give my mind 'rest'?  Just saying!  In all things, I do give Him praise.

And, with that, I think I will hush this morning.  I have a few minutes before time to turn on the work computer, and I'm just feeling like I need to sit quietly and chat (more) with my Father in heaven.  Some mornings that is the best thing I can do.  Shut my mouth, stop my fingers from moving over the keyboard.  Just sit and be still.

Psalm 46:10  Be still and know that I am God.

Have a 'beyond measure' day today!  Take time to thank and praise the One who gave this day to you.

Blessings!

Now that was interesting!

 I'll explain that statement in a bit, but for now, got to get my ramblings in. :-) You know you have waited an entire day to read those, right?  

I got through my HIIT workout yesterday and I was feeling it last night!  My entire body was letting me know I moved a muscle in that area - and that is a good thing!  Actually, it was kind of cool how God answered my prayers too!  It was raining when I left home so I prayed that the rain would stop (and it did)  and I could get a 'front' spot, meaning, right in front next to the gym.  So I go down the usual row and the car in front of me turned in the 3rd spot on my left from the door. And I laughed and told God "You gave that person MY spot!"!  But as I continued down that row, the first spot on the right was totally open!  God saved it for me!  "I'm His favorite". LOL

Came home and worked until time to head out to Dr. Mark's office.  And I got to go alone.  I didn't even turn the radio on.  I just drove and relished the quiet aloneness.  Is that so bad?  God also gave me a front row parking spot, but I did have to walk past a few cars to get to the sidewalk, and that's ok. It wasn't raining.  My doctor visit went well.  Weight same as it was last year (sigh).  Can't help it; I love food.  Dr. Mark says my intake of calories is the same as the outgo so nothing is coming off.  My A1c went from 5.6 to 5.7 so he 'suggested' I start watching my carbs and sugar intake... I do NOT want to be put on diabetic meds so it's up to me to prevent it, right?  And I'm not giving up my breads!  But here is what is interesting.  My sodium level was low.  Not by much, but down a number from the lowest range.  I would think no big deal, right?  But Dr. Mark did make it a big deal.  What did he tell me?  Quit drinking so much water!!  My urine was clear and it didn't have any 'specific gravity' to it.  My sodium is low.  Hence, I'm drinking too much water and need to cut back so that my sodium level will go back up.  It's not the salt part like we all would think.  I mean, I thought, ok, I'll just use more salt - but no, it's the sodium retained in the body (unless I misunderstood) from the salt in the foods I've eaten.  If it goes lower, it can cause dizziness, and other things, but I forget what he said.  So instead of my constantly drinking water, I need to allow myself to cut out a glass or two.  Not a lot, he said, don't dehydrate myself, but just cut it back a glass or two.  I can do that.  I think. I love my water.

And - my BP.... I took my monitor with me so that he could calibrate it with his.  I was surprised at the top number on his - and mine!  I've never had that top number that high - but account it to being int he doctor's office.  Ironically, he said my bottom number on my personal monitor is about 10 points too high.  His monitor showed my BP at 147/74.  My monitor showed 147/86.  So he said mine is calibrated pretty good, but to subtract ten points from the bottom number.  But here is what is interesting.  I always have thought the bottom number was what was concerning to the doctors.  Nope. He said it is the TOP number moreso!  At 147 they start prescribing low-dose BP pills.  He doesn't want to.  Now that I know what it really is, he told me that if I would lose 20 pounds gradually, that it would bring that down. Now that is a novel thought.  I've tried to lose weight, but I love food too much I guess.  I've always said my weight isn't coming down because I work out and gaining muscle.  And that's true, but I'm still eating the same, which means the body may be gaining muscle, but the muscle is just pushing the fat out. Do you hear what I'm saying?  Sigh.  So, my new goal is lose the 20 pounds and lower the BP numbers.  I can cut back on my salt (got to watch those potato chips, I guess!), drink less water (he said my body is holding on to the water too, so less water, the weight will also start to fall off).  Who knew? I always thought it was the bottom number, I always thought more water was good, so I guess my thinking isn't always right, huh!  I'm a bit smarter now..... I just need to remember that when presented with salty foods and carbs and oh my, December is coming when I do my baking for gifts - how am I NOT going to be eating them too??  

Dr. Mark asked when I wanted to come back for a follow-up as he wanted to have labs drawn again on the sodium levels and check my BP .... so I suggested after the holidays. He laughed and commented he guessed he would be my 'accountability partner' in that could I get through the holidays with all my baking and still 1) lose weight and 2) get my sodium level up and 3) get my BP down.  Time will tell!  I go back the end of January.  Oh - and I unexpectedly had a UTI I didn't know I had so got antibiotics for that.  I was very surprised to be charged by CVS $16 so I asked if they ran it through my insurance - and they said yes - but it's Amoxicillin!  WHEN did they charge that for that?  Never before!  Either that or I didn't notice.  That just proves I have to remain healthy for I won't be able to afford meds if my insurance doesn't pay more, right?!  but then too, I think he did say it was amoxicillin with a 'kick', meaning something was added to it.

So we went out for pizza last night after I got off work.  Yes, I know, salt.  But it was so good!  I love the thin-crust New York Combo at Streets of New York - and they loaded it more than they have before. Monday nights it is buy one get a second one for half price.  So we got two - and brought home to have today for lunch. :-)  so good!!

Today I have my orthodontist appointment early morning, and then a core workout at 11a.  Then I'm good until Thursday when I have my bone density and mammogram tests done. Then healthwise, I'm done for another year on that stuff. Two years on the bone density.  Oh yeah, Dr. Mark also suggested I walk a bit more every day - at least 25 minutes at a fast pace.  My brother's challenge of 5 miles at 3.5 three times a week by Christmas - surprisingly, Dr. Mark said that was pushing it too much.  My brother is 81 - does Dr. Mark think I can't keep up with him?  Watch this!!  LOL

My son posted a song on his blog that I listened to this morning.  Yes, it cleared out some tear ducts. I am pretty sure I know what he was thinking when he listened to it, and I found myself thinking about it as well... and about missing my siblings and my mama.  Since I was 7 when my dad passed, I don't remember much about him, but I am sure it would have made a difference in my life if he had lived.  I remember my brother telling me that Dad always thought he would be going back home and would be ok.  But that was years before kidney dialysis was in existence...  and he died of kidney failure due to diabetes.  I often wonder what would have changed in my life.

I'm feeling kind of mellow this morning, I think.  Fighting a dull headache too - from the weather - which is raining - outside, I imagine.  May take an excedrin to get rid of it, although I don't like to.  But, I have too much to do today to leave it hanging.  

So here I am.... thinking how to end the blog today as I have obviously made it 'all about me'.... perhaps I can leave you with this....

Hebrews 4:16 (ESV):  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV):  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

We can do all things - even correcting my health issues - through Him who gives me the wisdom and the strength to complete them.  Now to tell my 'don't want to' to 'want to'.  Right?  

Have an amazing day - be the sunshine in someone's life today.

Blessings!

It will be a busy day

 I actually have 'things' I have to do today.  I have a HIIT workout with Morgan late morning, and then I have an early afternoon doctor appointment to review my blood work.  Both are good for my health, right?  And in between all that, I have to work.  I work so that I can go to the gym and have training, and pay for my doctor visits, right?  Got to keep my perspective on why I work. HAH!  I've already done a review of my blood work and I was surprised to see that my sodium was low.  I use salt, but granted, perhaps not a lot of it; it hasn't changed over the years.  Plus, like today, when I have a HIIT workout, I throw a packet of LMNT salt into my water that I take with me cause HIIT makes me sweat!  So that surprises me it's low.  I'm curious what Dr. Mark will say about it.  Hubby uses a lot of salt (in my opinion), and Dr. Mark told him to be 'liberal' with it at his last visit.  He isn't going with me today as today's visit is 'all about me'. :-)  The one thing that is starting to creep up is my BP and I'm concerned he will suggest BP pills - which I do not want.  I've been working on steadying my breathing this morning to lower it, but it hasn't helped much ... it's still higher than I feel it should be.  I'm to take my BP machine to Dr. Mark's if I don't forget; he wants to calibrate it with his (he still uses the one where you pump the pressure) and I am pretty sure mine is pretty accurate.  Will see what he has to say.  But my bottom number has been running in the low 80's.  Sigh.  I told Dr. Mark last time when we talked about it to remember who I live with.  Right?

This weekend was pretty quiet I think.  Yesterday we went to church - great message!  If you get an opportunity, go to Reclaim Church and choose the 9/27/2026 sermon.  Find your purpose was the title, I think.  So, yes, it is very good and ironically, it goes right along with the study I'm doing with Called by John Bevere.  What is YOUR purpose?  I am hoping to find mine.  Unfortunately, I often feel that I have to step aside to let hubby be the lead (cause that has what has happened for years) and if he doesn't want to, then it is usually I don't feel he is 'allowing' me to - even if he doesn't say that.  And I think I'll leave those comments alone.  Anyway - listen to Pastor John's message if you want / can - it was really good.

The mission statement at our church is Follow Jesus, Find Freedom, Find Purpose, and Make an Impact. Pastor John has been focused on each part for the past three weeks.  Next week will be 'Make an Impact'.  Should be a good one!  In my thinking, he will share places where people can step up and become involved in different things within the church i.e., helping with the children's classes on Sunday mornings, leading a Life Group, and... well, I can't think of what else.  Anyway, you get the picture, right?  I so want to get involved, I just don't know where.  In time, as I take this bible study and go through it, perhaps I will find where I can be the most helpful.

I finally did go see Ms. Vicky mid-afternoon, and of course she was thrilled to see me.  I mentioned to her that our church was going to start a 4th service at 5p on Sunday evenings the end of October and yes, she would like to go.  I wouldn't mind sitting through some of these sermons a second time.  It would get her out of the house and going to church. Yes, it would take some of my time that I have for 'me'... but all we do on Sunday evenings is watch NCIS anyway.  And if my taking Ms. Vicky to church will cause her to give her heart to Jesus, it is well worth it, right?  I don't know if she has ever been to church on a regular basis. I bought her a large print Bible several months ago, but I don't know if she reads it or not.  When we talk about the Bible and I suggest she read something in it, it's like she doesn't remember my giving her one or she doesn't know where she put it.  When it's important to her, he will remember.  I also got her a page magnifier with a light that she says that she does use all the time as her eyes have something that blocks out the middle vision and she has to constantly turn her head to capture the entire picture. My good deed for the day, right? And yes, I did come home to NCIS on the TV and we watched the rest of the evening. I did finish a baby blanket.

I was awakened at 3:15a this morning and could not go back to sleep.  I think I fell asleep a couple times for a few minutes while reading my bible this morning.  I say I think because it would be very brief, yet, my eyes could not stay open.  I'm more alert now (I think), but that may be because I'm sitting here typing.  It's almost time to get up and check the work computer.  

Have you ever read the book of Jeremiah? He was called before he was even conceived to be a prophet! He was a prophet for 40 years and they were not easy years.  One king cut up and burned a scroll that Jeremiah had produced about what was going to happen if they did not turn back to God.  Jeremiah was beaten and imprisoned, thrown into a muddy cistern (pit) to where he suck in its mud.  Jeremiah repeatedly called for God's people to repent and was treated terribly.  And yet, 

Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV):  "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."

No matter where we are in life, whether things are going good, or if things are very rough... very difficult... crushing.... God says to 'Call to Me'.... what does that mean?  God wants us to seek Him in all things, at all times.  It doesn't matter if our lives are prefect at the moment, Call to Him.  If we are struggling to just get through the day with life.... Call to Him.  God wants us to reach out to Him no matter where we are, or what we are doing.  You know that I am calling on Him - a LOT!  

When I don't feel well. When I have HIIT facing me (Lord, HELP!!). When I have a doctor's appointment and I don't know how that meeting will go.  When I'm angry with hubby. When I've been hurt by others. When finances don't match the situation/bills. When I overspend. When I don't do what I feel I should do and feel guilty..... so many different things... and each time I know I can call out to God and ask for His help, His intervention, His wisdom to undone what I've done.  No, I don't always get what I ask for, but I know He hears me.  Sometimes He doesn't answer cause He knows I know the answer.... I just don't want to do it.  You know what I'm talking about, don't you!  Those times when we want God to just remove the situation because we don't like it.... and He leaves us alone to figure it out. Why? Because that is how we learn to (hopefully) not do it again. To help someone else. To provide the solution ourselves.  He just works through us instead of giving us the immediate help we demand/ask for.  

He is a good, good, good Father!

And... yep, it's that time again.  Have an amazing day and be kind to others.  Life is hard sometimes and we need to come alongside others to cheer them on.  Be the cheerleader today.

Blessings!