I got in to work about 20 minutes earlier this morning so that I could get some things done before starting on other things - (like in personal things before business things) and I'm truly grateful and thankful traffic was light. Lots of people taking this week off work due to the Thanksgiving holiday and I love the traffic was not quite as heavy. We have a three day work week with the office closing on Thursday AND Friday. I will be available for any expedited requests that come through that I need to process, but other than that, I will have the holiday.
It was a busy, yet recouperative, weekend. We had original plans to go up north, as I shared last week. We did decide not to go up, especially since the weather was rainy and much cooler up north. Some areas had snow even. It was nice to just be home. I did get out to the grocery on Saturday and spent twice as much as I usually do. Although I did get a lot, I am overwhelmed I spent so much. But, obviously, I needed to get the items. Got my 18 pound turkey free. It's sitting in the refrigerator now, thawing out. I did buy things to start my baking season. Now to find time to do the baking. Still didn't get everything as I knew I didn't need it right away; things like chocolate chips, etc. We have finally, I hope, worked through the colds we have had for over a week. With two people taking the meds, it sure does get expensive as we go through them a lot faster. And that's just over the counter stuff!!
I tried to work on some minutes over the weekend that I need to have completed today - yes, today. For one thing, I couldn't find the example in the folders on the computer - which left me at a loss where to start. So I finally gave up. Which is one reason why I am in the office early this morning. After I finish this, I want to get started on the minutes. I finally got the official offer for the new administrative job I had applied for. Of course I accepted. Now the transition begins. I will have to do two jobs until they hire a temp to replace me and get them trained. I look to be dual-position until the first of the year. I am praying I can do a good job with this new position. It looks daunting, and a challenge, but as long as I do my best and keep an open mind about learning it, I'm sure I can get it done the way they want. I just need to find these folders! People label things the way they think makes sense. Obviously it didn't make sense to me for I haven't found them yet.
Came in this morning to find the coffee pot is broken down again. I'm thankful I keep instant packets at my desk. I probably need to look at getting my stash refilled for this seems to be happening frequently anymore. I usually have one cup of coffee at home, then when I get to work, one more cup. Then I switch to my green tea. Now that it's cooler out, I will probably be drinking more hot tea just to keep warm. Although it is warm in this office this morning to the point I have already removed my sweater! (yes, I have a top on under it).
I have our Ladies Tea scheduled for this Saturday. I will be spending Friday getting everything prepared for it. I need to find out how many are coming - last December when I hosted it, I think we had about 12 people show up. Lots of tea, for sure! Need to figure out the final menu as well. I'm making it easy - salads, sandwiches, desserts - and if anyone wants scones, they can bake them or buy them, for I just don't have time! Friday will be clean the house day and get things set up. I don't do the Friday after Thanksgiving madness. Unless I go out late afternoon to see what deals are out there.
For one thing, who has any extra money? And, I have no clue as to what anyone wants that we can afford. So, they get what I find that makes me think of them. Sure, everyone by now has an abundance of sweaters, jackets, etc. that I have probably purchased for them over the years, but unless they give me something specific, I just don't know. And this year financially things are really tough, moreso than before, so they may just get homemade goodies. Guess that is enough on that topic or they will know what I'm doing! Or rather, thinking about! Thank goodness one son loves cookies! LOL
I'm thankful I have a job to come to. I'm really thankful I have this promotion in which God has blessed me with more money (whenever they decide to start the increase; HR had said when I was full time in the other position, which doesn't seem fair, especially since I will be doing two jobs in this time frame). By the first of the year, though, I will be full time, surely, and things will be falling into place. Learning new things again isn't always easy, especially when you don't have anyone here to show you. One of the women who did this new job before is on vacation this week. That's ok - I'll make sure I get her for instructions the following week, unfortunately, it doesn't help me this morning to find where things are. But I will find them.
Ok - I need to quit rambling, again, and get started on the minutes. They aren't going to get completed with me working on my blog. I actually found some interesting things to talk about on this blog over the weekend. Maybe I will use some of them soon.
Hope you have a good day - and continue to be thankful in all things.
Blessings!
Monday, November 25, 2013
Friday, November 22, 2013
Day 22 - Where has this month gone??
Today I am thankful I arrived at work dry, safe and sound. We have rain - and lots of it! It rained all the way in to work this morning - and I had to walk in the rain (thank God for umbrellas and raincoats (yes, I have one of those))!! Still, it took a little longer than usual to get to work - for no other reason that everyone is a bit more cautious... well, most of us anyway, let's say. I saw two police cars with flashing lights at two accident scenes on my way in.
I survived yesterday. I sat in on a big management meeting for which I had to take minutes on. Thank God for tape recorders! I did tape the meeting as well, and I need to transcribe the notes sometime today or this weekend. I would prefer doing it on company time, but don't know that can happen. And I can't ask my current 'boss' for overtime, for it isn't even her stuff, although she did attend the meeting. I haven't gotten the offer yet, so I'm doing the double work, but am still in limbo. Surely I will hear from HR sometime today! It would be nice going into the weekend to have time to think about it and process it. Regardless of if and when - I have another huge management meeting I am to attend next Wednesday - and that one is going to be tough. It's hard when I don't know the people IN the meeting, let alone exactly what they want in their minutes. Yes, I've taken minutes for years for different organizations. However, this mone seems to be the most detailed and focused. But how do I know what is the most important? Guess I will learn over time. I've already told the ones in charge of the meeting, that when I get the minutes completed, they need to review before it is finalized. Hopefully I can catch on quickly as to how and what they want.
This week has been a tough one as I also haven't been feeling real good. I have "caught" hubby's cold and been doctoring it all week. Last night I didn't take anything before I went to bed, hoping that I have gotten over the worse of it - but it has hit me hard this morning. Made sure I took everything before I left for work, which left me nauseated somewhat as I hadn't eaten yet. But now my oatmeal is in my belly so my body should start settling down. I have my green tea and water as well. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate - got to so that I can flush this out. But now I have the sneezing and runny nose.... Need to get some more musinex DM - that seemed to help a lot to clear that up - but we are out of it right now.
I am so looking forward to the weekend. Our original plans had been to go to Prescott Valley tomorrow morning and help with the community Thanksgiving dinner they are preparing. We have been so looking forward to going up and helping - but this morning I'm not so sure we should attempt it. With both of us sneezing and coughing and blowing our noses, they may not appreciate our coming up and infecting not only them, but the community as well. I have a feeling we will be staying home and trying to recouperate. Especially as bad as I feel this morning. But, being able to rest this weekend after such a tough few weeks here at work is going to be rewarding.
I need to figure out some good soup recipes to make this weekend. Maybe I will make up some beef stew. We had our last Thursday evening group last night until after the first of the year and and our hostess prepared a hamburger type stew - lots of peas, corn and green beans, potatoes, and ground turkey, I imagine it was. It was really good with fresh warm cornbread. I ate like a pig. Sigh.
Need to stop eating so much processed food - that could be part of my problem (getting sick) too. I usually am a healthy eater, but the past few months I have gotten really bad on eating processed stuff. If I can get myself back on track and eat more like I need to, I know that I will feel more energy and much healthier.
My time is gone and the others are arriving for work so guess I need to quit rambling and prepare for my day. Who knows what the day may bring me. Hopefully some good news. Hope you have a blessed day!
Blessings!
I survived yesterday. I sat in on a big management meeting for which I had to take minutes on. Thank God for tape recorders! I did tape the meeting as well, and I need to transcribe the notes sometime today or this weekend. I would prefer doing it on company time, but don't know that can happen. And I can't ask my current 'boss' for overtime, for it isn't even her stuff, although she did attend the meeting. I haven't gotten the offer yet, so I'm doing the double work, but am still in limbo. Surely I will hear from HR sometime today! It would be nice going into the weekend to have time to think about it and process it. Regardless of if and when - I have another huge management meeting I am to attend next Wednesday - and that one is going to be tough. It's hard when I don't know the people IN the meeting, let alone exactly what they want in their minutes. Yes, I've taken minutes for years for different organizations. However, this mone seems to be the most detailed and focused. But how do I know what is the most important? Guess I will learn over time. I've already told the ones in charge of the meeting, that when I get the minutes completed, they need to review before it is finalized. Hopefully I can catch on quickly as to how and what they want.
This week has been a tough one as I also haven't been feeling real good. I have "caught" hubby's cold and been doctoring it all week. Last night I didn't take anything before I went to bed, hoping that I have gotten over the worse of it - but it has hit me hard this morning. Made sure I took everything before I left for work, which left me nauseated somewhat as I hadn't eaten yet. But now my oatmeal is in my belly so my body should start settling down. I have my green tea and water as well. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate - got to so that I can flush this out. But now I have the sneezing and runny nose.... Need to get some more musinex DM - that seemed to help a lot to clear that up - but we are out of it right now.
I am so looking forward to the weekend. Our original plans had been to go to Prescott Valley tomorrow morning and help with the community Thanksgiving dinner they are preparing. We have been so looking forward to going up and helping - but this morning I'm not so sure we should attempt it. With both of us sneezing and coughing and blowing our noses, they may not appreciate our coming up and infecting not only them, but the community as well. I have a feeling we will be staying home and trying to recouperate. Especially as bad as I feel this morning. But, being able to rest this weekend after such a tough few weeks here at work is going to be rewarding.
I need to figure out some good soup recipes to make this weekend. Maybe I will make up some beef stew. We had our last Thursday evening group last night until after the first of the year and and our hostess prepared a hamburger type stew - lots of peas, corn and green beans, potatoes, and ground turkey, I imagine it was. It was really good with fresh warm cornbread. I ate like a pig. Sigh.
Need to stop eating so much processed food - that could be part of my problem (getting sick) too. I usually am a healthy eater, but the past few months I have gotten really bad on eating processed stuff. If I can get myself back on track and eat more like I need to, I know that I will feel more energy and much healthier.
My time is gone and the others are arriving for work so guess I need to quit rambling and prepare for my day. Who knows what the day may bring me. Hopefully some good news. Hope you have a blessed day!
Blessings!
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Day 20 of being Thankful.....
So how's it been going for you? Have you remembered to think of something each day this month to be thankful for? My youngest son did it all in one swoop. He, on facebook, named all those he wanted to name and was thankful for them. He should have done it 30 times to get through the month - but the fact he did it once - is good enough for me.:-)
It has been interesting to read, on occasion, the different things people are thankful for as they post it on facebook. I know, you are surprised I have not been posting it on facebook. But, who has time. And, I don't always post everything on facebook. Some things I'm sure people would rather I didn't post on facebook (but what that would be escapes me). I post funny things (on occasion). I post (in the past) places I'm at. I post an occasional statement. Sometimes I will post a photo - but NEVER have I posted a photo to be degrading - in spite of what some people may think it is. Photos are what they are (does that go along with 'it is what it is?'. Trust me, my daughter has shown some photos of me that I don't care for, but, it is still me at that time of my life. I just shrug and go on with life. Most people won't remember anyway.
Sitting here this morning eating my crockpot oatmeal. It sure is good, especially when I add walnuts to it. Gives it more of a crunch. Soooo good. I think I will create my own recipe for it (much of what I'm doing now), but I want to experiment and maybe then I'll post the recipe for you. I'm improvising from another recipe, but it is so nice to put it in the crockpot the night before and come morning my oatmeal is ready for me to eat. Already hot and cooked. We put the rest in a container in the refrigerator and then the next morning just take out what we want to eat, heat it up, add what we want to it, and there's breakfast with little preparation - and it's healthy for you!
Tonight is our last Wednesday evening class at church. And I'm thankful for that. I'm ready for a break for the holidays. And tomorrow night will be our last Thursday evening class. Since I've been facilitating both, I'm really looking forward to some 'time off' until after the holidays. I still need to decide what I am going to do come January on Wednesdays. Thursdays - well, it's a 'co-lead group' so I don't need to be the facilitator always. And I'm happy to sit back and let others teach. It doesn't always have to be me.
In two weeks on Wednesday there will be a joining of all the classes for a speaker, who is also a dear friend of ours. However, our granddaughter has a choir concert that night - and especially since we missed the last one, we will be going to this one. I will need to ask to leave a little early to ensure that I can get up there in time for it. Then it is focusing on Christmas after that. This has been a tough year financially for everyone so now need to be creative. Thank goodness one of my boys is happy with my salsa. :-) The other, alas, has decided he likes ghost peppers in his salsa so now makes his own. I should never have given him the recipe!
So to be creative this Christmas I've had to put my 'thinking' cap on. Yeah, I do that once in awhile! It will all work out - it always does. Have already started baking (if I don't give them away) and am looking forward to baking with the grandchildren. Been looking for different things we could make. I think the Christmas Mice are still a favorite - and have found a variation to use with them. Still, they are awfully sweet, though good.
Think I will jump off here and google Christmas cookies while I have some time left. So much for that thought! Started getting emails from Corporate and then a co-worker is passing off her expedite request off on me because she will be in a meeting all morning. Well, no one will review it until late afternoon anyway - she still could have done it. I've noticed she willingly passes things off. Wait until I leave.... then she will HAVE to do it herself...
Ok - time to get to work - hope you have a Thankful Day!!
Blessings!!
It has been interesting to read, on occasion, the different things people are thankful for as they post it on facebook. I know, you are surprised I have not been posting it on facebook. But, who has time. And, I don't always post everything on facebook. Some things I'm sure people would rather I didn't post on facebook (but what that would be escapes me). I post funny things (on occasion). I post (in the past) places I'm at. I post an occasional statement. Sometimes I will post a photo - but NEVER have I posted a photo to be degrading - in spite of what some people may think it is. Photos are what they are (does that go along with 'it is what it is?'. Trust me, my daughter has shown some photos of me that I don't care for, but, it is still me at that time of my life. I just shrug and go on with life. Most people won't remember anyway.
Sitting here this morning eating my crockpot oatmeal. It sure is good, especially when I add walnuts to it. Gives it more of a crunch. Soooo good. I think I will create my own recipe for it (much of what I'm doing now), but I want to experiment and maybe then I'll post the recipe for you. I'm improvising from another recipe, but it is so nice to put it in the crockpot the night before and come morning my oatmeal is ready for me to eat. Already hot and cooked. We put the rest in a container in the refrigerator and then the next morning just take out what we want to eat, heat it up, add what we want to it, and there's breakfast with little preparation - and it's healthy for you!
Tonight is our last Wednesday evening class at church. And I'm thankful for that. I'm ready for a break for the holidays. And tomorrow night will be our last Thursday evening class. Since I've been facilitating both, I'm really looking forward to some 'time off' until after the holidays. I still need to decide what I am going to do come January on Wednesdays. Thursdays - well, it's a 'co-lead group' so I don't need to be the facilitator always. And I'm happy to sit back and let others teach. It doesn't always have to be me.
In two weeks on Wednesday there will be a joining of all the classes for a speaker, who is also a dear friend of ours. However, our granddaughter has a choir concert that night - and especially since we missed the last one, we will be going to this one. I will need to ask to leave a little early to ensure that I can get up there in time for it. Then it is focusing on Christmas after that. This has been a tough year financially for everyone so now need to be creative. Thank goodness one of my boys is happy with my salsa. :-) The other, alas, has decided he likes ghost peppers in his salsa so now makes his own. I should never have given him the recipe!
So to be creative this Christmas I've had to put my 'thinking' cap on. Yeah, I do that once in awhile! It will all work out - it always does. Have already started baking (if I don't give them away) and am looking forward to baking with the grandchildren. Been looking for different things we could make. I think the Christmas Mice are still a favorite - and have found a variation to use with them. Still, they are awfully sweet, though good.
Think I will jump off here and google Christmas cookies while I have some time left. So much for that thought! Started getting emails from Corporate and then a co-worker is passing off her expedite request off on me because she will be in a meeting all morning. Well, no one will review it until late afternoon anyway - she still could have done it. I've noticed she willingly passes things off. Wait until I leave.... then she will HAVE to do it herself...
Ok - time to get to work - hope you have a Thankful Day!!
Blessings!!
Monday, November 18, 2013
Do I write a short post - or work on my lesson....
Tough to decide. The completion of my post is for my pleasure, the completion of my lesson is for class on Wednesday evening. Surely I can work on both! But, alas, I don't have that much time before work time so will have to see how much I ramble this morning.
Day 18 of thankfulness - I'm thankful I got to work on time!
It is going to be a beautiful day. I've loving the beauty of the sky that I can see from my office window. Oh yes, I'm already at work, as usual. Although I must admit, I wasn't sure how quickly I would get here. I have alternate routes I can take to work. Some days I can take the "long way" (which really isn't, but it just seems that way). Some day I can take what I call the "short way" which is jumping on/off different "freeways" (for lack of another term to call them). Or I can even take what would be called an even longer way by taking side streets - depending on where I jump off and on at.
Today I had to take one of the alternate routes. As I was nearly the "curve" to where I take the I-10, the sign above the road flashed "Crash in tunnel, use alternate route". Well, that route would take me straight to the tunnel and since traffic was already backing up on the curve, I decided to go 'straight' and go around the road curve and merge into I-10 several miles down the road, long past the tunnel. But, as I rounded the curve and saw the signs 7th Avenue and 7th Street, I started thinking. Traffic really gets crazy and heavy right around the airport (after these two exits) and that is where I come into I-10 at. Hmmm. I decided to get off at 7th Street. I'm glad I did. I got off just north of University, the next light was Broadway. Turned left and took it all the way to my turnoff to the office. Traffic was light, and although I did have to stop at a couple signal lights, was at work right close to my usual time. In fact, I'm seriously thinking of changing my route! It was so much easier and a lot less stress than people changing lanes all around me and not being real wise in how they do it.
Changing routes are like changing things in our lives. My dear friend, mentor and former pastor, Steve, used to always say "If you do what you've always done, you will always get what you always got". There is a lot of truth in that statement. If you keep overeating, and gaining weight, you will never lose the weight you say you are "dieting' to lose. If you are continuously late for work, but don't leave earlier or change your route, you will always be late for work. And like me today, if I keep going the same way to work, regardless of the 'warning signs' ahead of me telling me to choose an alternate route, I will not get to work on time.
Change is most always good. Quitting smoking is good. Obeying your parents is good. Being nice is good. Getting to work on time is good. Being faithful is good. The key is to make your change a good one and one that you will stick with (watch those warning signs!).
I got to work in good time even though I took an alternate route because I had a 'warning sign' to do so. If I had ignored it, thinking it could have happened hours ago and they hadn't changed the sign yet, I could still be sitting on the freeway. (Memories of taking an hour and 40 minutes to get to work still weighs on me). I would much rather keep moving and take an alterate route, than sit and wait or stop and go.
Ok - guess I've written my post and can now look at my lesson plan for Wednesday and decide how to proceed with it. I CAN get two things accomplished this morning!
Hope that you have a blessed day - and that you will choose your alternate routes carefully - no matter what they are.
Blessings!
Day 18 of thankfulness - I'm thankful I got to work on time!
It is going to be a beautiful day. I've loving the beauty of the sky that I can see from my office window. Oh yes, I'm already at work, as usual. Although I must admit, I wasn't sure how quickly I would get here. I have alternate routes I can take to work. Some days I can take the "long way" (which really isn't, but it just seems that way). Some day I can take what I call the "short way" which is jumping on/off different "freeways" (for lack of another term to call them). Or I can even take what would be called an even longer way by taking side streets - depending on where I jump off and on at.
Today I had to take one of the alternate routes. As I was nearly the "curve" to where I take the I-10, the sign above the road flashed "Crash in tunnel, use alternate route". Well, that route would take me straight to the tunnel and since traffic was already backing up on the curve, I decided to go 'straight' and go around the road curve and merge into I-10 several miles down the road, long past the tunnel. But, as I rounded the curve and saw the signs 7th Avenue and 7th Street, I started thinking. Traffic really gets crazy and heavy right around the airport (after these two exits) and that is where I come into I-10 at. Hmmm. I decided to get off at 7th Street. I'm glad I did. I got off just north of University, the next light was Broadway. Turned left and took it all the way to my turnoff to the office. Traffic was light, and although I did have to stop at a couple signal lights, was at work right close to my usual time. In fact, I'm seriously thinking of changing my route! It was so much easier and a lot less stress than people changing lanes all around me and not being real wise in how they do it.
Changing routes are like changing things in our lives. My dear friend, mentor and former pastor, Steve, used to always say "If you do what you've always done, you will always get what you always got". There is a lot of truth in that statement. If you keep overeating, and gaining weight, you will never lose the weight you say you are "dieting' to lose. If you are continuously late for work, but don't leave earlier or change your route, you will always be late for work. And like me today, if I keep going the same way to work, regardless of the 'warning signs' ahead of me telling me to choose an alternate route, I will not get to work on time.
Change is most always good. Quitting smoking is good. Obeying your parents is good. Being nice is good. Getting to work on time is good. Being faithful is good. The key is to make your change a good one and one that you will stick with (watch those warning signs!).
I got to work in good time even though I took an alternate route because I had a 'warning sign' to do so. If I had ignored it, thinking it could have happened hours ago and they hadn't changed the sign yet, I could still be sitting on the freeway. (Memories of taking an hour and 40 minutes to get to work still weighs on me). I would much rather keep moving and take an alterate route, than sit and wait or stop and go.
Ok - guess I've written my post and can now look at my lesson plan for Wednesday and decide how to proceed with it. I CAN get two things accomplished this morning!
Hope that you have a blessed day - and that you will choose your alternate routes carefully - no matter what they are.
Blessings!
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Day 16 of Thankfulness.....
And I have to once again just be thankful for LIFE. I woke up this morning. I took a deep breath. I felt the goodness and faithfulness of God. And I'm thankful to be alive.
It has been a crazy week - work and otherwise. I wasn't home much in the evenings this week. Monday I got to spend an evening with my beautiful Princess who was up from Tucson. Just dinner and a movie, but it was such a blessing for me. Precious memories. Tuesday night we had dinner with friends. Wednesday evening had class at church. Thursday evening another class at our group leader's house. Last night had a leadership connection meeting at church. I THINK we are home tonight. I've already gotten a few things done this morning, and am having lunch with one of the boys - actually I was just invited today to join... hubby had already set it up. He doesn't really want me to go.... but, is allowing it. :-D
I moved my tea party originally scheduled for today to November 30th as so many people had to cancel out for today. I'm grateful, for that gives me two weeks to plan it better. If it had been today, I would have been a mess for it does take a lot of preparation just for my part of it. I do enjoy doing it and it is such fun, especially when my daughter, daughter-in-law and my two princesses are able to attend as well as several women from church. I haven't been to one of the monthly tea parties for several months just due to work and other busyness. Hopefully I can jump back into it now.
My interview Friday went very well, I think. I have not been told I didn't make it, nor have I received the official offer. I'm just trusting that if this is the position that I am to move in to, God will provide all that I need and I just need to wait on Him. I don't mind what I am doing currently, but I have been trained to do what I have applied for. In fact, I can see God's hand in all of this. Years ago when I was asked to become an Admin, I never thought that I could do it. But I took the job, and eventually, as many of you know from reading my posts, I was moved into an Executive Assistant position for two years. In that position I had to arrange meetings, send invites, create binders, agendas, get information together,take minutes, send the minutes out to attendees, in fact, learn a lot of things I didn't know how to do. This new position, if I get it, will be taking all that training and allow me to use it on a daily basis, versus sitting at my desk all day answering the phone and inputting the information, which I am fine with doing. I believe that God took me out of my comfort zone many years ago to teach me these things, because He saw down the road that I would need this experience. If I don't get the new position, I still have a job, and I don't mind doing it. If I get it, then I am doubly blessed by God who loves me so much.
Yesterday was a sad day. Had to say 'so long' to two of my coworkers and friends whose positions were deleted. Really kind of sad, for even though we kind of expected something to happen, it happened to them. I am not one who does the initial 'keep in touch' thing even though emails and phone numbers are supplied. Sometimes that is just as a courtesy. I allow them to gather their emotions and thoughts together and make the first move. Not that we weren't friends, or that we still aren't friends, I would rather hear the good things going on in their lives versus being sad because they haven't found anything yet. I guess you could call that 'licking their wounds' for awhile? I don't know. I know that when I left my last job - and I was willing to do that - although I kept in touch with some - and many I exchanged telephone numbers and emails with - I haven't made a big effort to keep in touch. Not because I can't - I just haven't. In fact, I can only think of a few people I have kept in touch with since leaving.
Hubby has had a bad cold all week but is doing better today, I think. I've been taking my Olive Leaf Extract and my Black Elderberry Syrup and other vitamins to keep my body healthy and strong and my immune system up to fight off the germs. The last two nights I have slept in the back bedroom. It's hard to sleep on a different mattress after sleeping on one for so long. Probably need to get that mattress changed out. Some time. Some day.
The younger son and his fiancee did an item on her bucket list today and did the hot air balloon ride breakfast early this morning. No thank you. I am such a wimp and I laugh that even my son was afraid. At least he said he was. That might have been for his fiancee's sake. LOL Judging from the posted photos on facebook, it looks like they had a wonderful time. Maybe someday.... NOT. I'm glad they had a good time though.
I can remember my daughter and her husband - or was it just her - that did a bungie jump somewhere. In fact, I remember watching her video of it and hearing her scream "Oh SH--!!!" Memories of fun stuff. When I did fun stuff (I'm sure I did sometime, just don't have videos and photos of it) it wasn't quite so dramatic. I guess I am more reserved. Or at least I have become more reserve over the years. Surely it isn't because I am getting older.
I'm still YOUNG and I still want to have FUN and do FUN THINGS!! And that has to do with living LIFE. I don't want to grow old sitting in my chair watching television until I die. Financially it is tough, as I am sure it is with you, to do very many things, but some things just need to be done.
I remember us doing a breakfast horseback ride years ago. Oh My Goodness! That WAS a long time ago! I was terrified because I am a bit afraid of horses (due to falling off a mule when a child) and it was a very long ride to me. But I remember getting to the campfire and we had a nice breakfast. That was a fun memory. I wonder if they do those anymore. It was here in Phoenix somewhere. I'll have to think on it.
I am sure there are many things I could put on a bucket list to do. Things that are not expensive and are just fun to do. I need to google some things and come up with them. Right now my favorite things are just being with the grandchildren and baking cookies - which we will be doing in the month of December. So looking forward to spending time with each group of grandchildren. Wish I could afford for all of us to do crafts like when most were younger. Some of the very young ones have never had that experience. Of course we also do not put up a 'grandchildren's tree' like we did before. Yeah, we used to have two or more trees up during the Christmas holiday.
Will have to dig up old memories another time as I need to jump off here and get cleaned up. It's cool enough I just may wear a sweatshirt today! Isn't 70+ degrees cold? LOL It is to me!
Hope you are still continuing to remember things you are thankful for. Being thankful for life is always a good place to start. Thank God that He has allowed you to still breathe. That you are able to be with those you love. That you are (hopefully) healthy and able to do things. Spend time with those you love today. Make today count.
Blessings!
It has been a crazy week - work and otherwise. I wasn't home much in the evenings this week. Monday I got to spend an evening with my beautiful Princess who was up from Tucson. Just dinner and a movie, but it was such a blessing for me. Precious memories. Tuesday night we had dinner with friends. Wednesday evening had class at church. Thursday evening another class at our group leader's house. Last night had a leadership connection meeting at church. I THINK we are home tonight. I've already gotten a few things done this morning, and am having lunch with one of the boys - actually I was just invited today to join... hubby had already set it up. He doesn't really want me to go.... but, is allowing it. :-D
I moved my tea party originally scheduled for today to November 30th as so many people had to cancel out for today. I'm grateful, for that gives me two weeks to plan it better. If it had been today, I would have been a mess for it does take a lot of preparation just for my part of it. I do enjoy doing it and it is such fun, especially when my daughter, daughter-in-law and my two princesses are able to attend as well as several women from church. I haven't been to one of the monthly tea parties for several months just due to work and other busyness. Hopefully I can jump back into it now.
My interview Friday went very well, I think. I have not been told I didn't make it, nor have I received the official offer. I'm just trusting that if this is the position that I am to move in to, God will provide all that I need and I just need to wait on Him. I don't mind what I am doing currently, but I have been trained to do what I have applied for. In fact, I can see God's hand in all of this. Years ago when I was asked to become an Admin, I never thought that I could do it. But I took the job, and eventually, as many of you know from reading my posts, I was moved into an Executive Assistant position for two years. In that position I had to arrange meetings, send invites, create binders, agendas, get information together,take minutes, send the minutes out to attendees, in fact, learn a lot of things I didn't know how to do. This new position, if I get it, will be taking all that training and allow me to use it on a daily basis, versus sitting at my desk all day answering the phone and inputting the information, which I am fine with doing. I believe that God took me out of my comfort zone many years ago to teach me these things, because He saw down the road that I would need this experience. If I don't get the new position, I still have a job, and I don't mind doing it. If I get it, then I am doubly blessed by God who loves me so much.
Yesterday was a sad day. Had to say 'so long' to two of my coworkers and friends whose positions were deleted. Really kind of sad, for even though we kind of expected something to happen, it happened to them. I am not one who does the initial 'keep in touch' thing even though emails and phone numbers are supplied. Sometimes that is just as a courtesy. I allow them to gather their emotions and thoughts together and make the first move. Not that we weren't friends, or that we still aren't friends, I would rather hear the good things going on in their lives versus being sad because they haven't found anything yet. I guess you could call that 'licking their wounds' for awhile? I don't know. I know that when I left my last job - and I was willing to do that - although I kept in touch with some - and many I exchanged telephone numbers and emails with - I haven't made a big effort to keep in touch. Not because I can't - I just haven't. In fact, I can only think of a few people I have kept in touch with since leaving.
Hubby has had a bad cold all week but is doing better today, I think. I've been taking my Olive Leaf Extract and my Black Elderberry Syrup and other vitamins to keep my body healthy and strong and my immune system up to fight off the germs. The last two nights I have slept in the back bedroom. It's hard to sleep on a different mattress after sleeping on one for so long. Probably need to get that mattress changed out. Some time. Some day.
The younger son and his fiancee did an item on her bucket list today and did the hot air balloon ride breakfast early this morning. No thank you. I am such a wimp and I laugh that even my son was afraid. At least he said he was. That might have been for his fiancee's sake. LOL Judging from the posted photos on facebook, it looks like they had a wonderful time. Maybe someday.... NOT. I'm glad they had a good time though.
I can remember my daughter and her husband - or was it just her - that did a bungie jump somewhere. In fact, I remember watching her video of it and hearing her scream "Oh SH--!!!" Memories of fun stuff. When I did fun stuff (I'm sure I did sometime, just don't have videos and photos of it) it wasn't quite so dramatic. I guess I am more reserved. Or at least I have become more reserve over the years. Surely it isn't because I am getting older.
I'm still YOUNG and I still want to have FUN and do FUN THINGS!! And that has to do with living LIFE. I don't want to grow old sitting in my chair watching television until I die. Financially it is tough, as I am sure it is with you, to do very many things, but some things just need to be done.
I remember us doing a breakfast horseback ride years ago. Oh My Goodness! That WAS a long time ago! I was terrified because I am a bit afraid of horses (due to falling off a mule when a child) and it was a very long ride to me. But I remember getting to the campfire and we had a nice breakfast. That was a fun memory. I wonder if they do those anymore. It was here in Phoenix somewhere. I'll have to think on it.
I am sure there are many things I could put on a bucket list to do. Things that are not expensive and are just fun to do. I need to google some things and come up with them. Right now my favorite things are just being with the grandchildren and baking cookies - which we will be doing in the month of December. So looking forward to spending time with each group of grandchildren. Wish I could afford for all of us to do crafts like when most were younger. Some of the very young ones have never had that experience. Of course we also do not put up a 'grandchildren's tree' like we did before. Yeah, we used to have two or more trees up during the Christmas holiday.
Will have to dig up old memories another time as I need to jump off here and get cleaned up. It's cool enough I just may wear a sweatshirt today! Isn't 70+ degrees cold? LOL It is to me!
Hope you are still continuing to remember things you are thankful for. Being thankful for life is always a good place to start. Thank God that He has allowed you to still breathe. That you are able to be with those you love. That you are (hopefully) healthy and able to do things. Spend time with those you love today. Make today count.
Blessings!
Thursday, November 14, 2013
It's going to be a good day!
Why? Just because I want to believe it is going to be a good day! Sure, things are not always perfect in my world, but you know what, each day is what I make of it. I can make it a bad day for myself - and for others - just by my attitude, my pity parties, my work - or whatever I do. I can make it a good day by determining I want it to be a good day. And today is going to be a good day.
I refuse to let the happenings of life weigh me down. I will not let the attitude of others reflect in me, my attitude, or my life. I am better than that. God created me to be me - not someone else. That means I do not own other people's issues or problems. They alone are responsible for how they grow from them. They can either wallow in pity parties or rise above the past and choose to live free.
I read in my devotional this morning about 'No Plan B'. If plan 'A' doesn't work, there isn't a plan 'B' in place to use. So many times we are told to make alternate plans if the first one does not work. Sometimes, I must admit, it is good to have a plan 'B', for such times. Especially travel. Last night it took me over an hour to get to where I was going. It took me 50 minutes to get to where it normally takes me only 20. I finally got off the freeway and took side streets - which I'm not sure if that was a good move or not because then I got caught up in construction. But I did get to where I was going eventually. Tonight I think I will start with the side streets and head up north to where I'm going. Don't like freeway driving anyway with all the people switching lanes thinking they can get there quicker. They are idiots most times. (Did I say that out loud?) I find myself often saying 'are you kidding me? Did you just cut that guy off?' Plan A versus Plan B is a topic to pursue another time.
Anyway - I don't have a plan 'B' for today because plan 'A' is to believe it is going to be a good day and determine I will live like it is a good day today. No special reason. I still have to work. Hubby has a terrible cold and I'm taking my olive leaf extract and drinking my green tea so that I don't get it. I'm still broke as usual. Two employees are still out of jobs as of tomorrow (thank God I'm not one of them!). I'm alive, I'm breathing on my own, and I'm at peace with the world.
I like the scripture I have for today - "I will be your God throughout your lifetime.... I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you." Isaiah 46:4 NLT. I know on Whom I depend for my good days - and Who gets me through the bad ones. God has seen me through a very dysfunctional and difficult childhood, and many, many, life situations which have been difficult. He has walked me through all of them, each day. He has never left me alone. Yeah, my childhood was rough, but I trust in the ONE who made me, that although He allowed things to happen, He has a purpose for my life and will use it for my good. And He has, over and over. What has happened has made me more sensitive to issues, and I am stronger because of it. I know "life happens" and isn't always perfect.
A good day today is in store for me, because I choose to make it one. I'm not going to allow things or people to get me down. I have a job, for which I'm thankful for. I have a family who loves me and cares for me. I know I can call any one of them - even my grouchy son (on occasion) and although he may not be able to do anything, he will listen to me and will love me. He may even choose to give me good advice.
Whoo hoo! I TOLD you it was going to be a good day! I applied for another job within the company yesterday - and just got the interview for tomorrow afternoon!! This can be a good thing! I am thankful for the opportunity to move into another area and learn more. Will tell you more after I have the interview.
I am feeling loved by my faithful God. When I give Him the glory and honor and praise, when I acknowledge my life is in His hands and He takes care of me, through the bad stuff, and the good stuff, He always provides. And He will for you as well. Give it all to Him, and trust Him, that in all things He works for your good.
Blessings!
I refuse to let the happenings of life weigh me down. I will not let the attitude of others reflect in me, my attitude, or my life. I am better than that. God created me to be me - not someone else. That means I do not own other people's issues or problems. They alone are responsible for how they grow from them. They can either wallow in pity parties or rise above the past and choose to live free.
I read in my devotional this morning about 'No Plan B'. If plan 'A' doesn't work, there isn't a plan 'B' in place to use. So many times we are told to make alternate plans if the first one does not work. Sometimes, I must admit, it is good to have a plan 'B', for such times. Especially travel. Last night it took me over an hour to get to where I was going. It took me 50 minutes to get to where it normally takes me only 20. I finally got off the freeway and took side streets - which I'm not sure if that was a good move or not because then I got caught up in construction. But I did get to where I was going eventually. Tonight I think I will start with the side streets and head up north to where I'm going. Don't like freeway driving anyway with all the people switching lanes thinking they can get there quicker. They are idiots most times. (Did I say that out loud?) I find myself often saying 'are you kidding me? Did you just cut that guy off?' Plan A versus Plan B is a topic to pursue another time.
Anyway - I don't have a plan 'B' for today because plan 'A' is to believe it is going to be a good day and determine I will live like it is a good day today. No special reason. I still have to work. Hubby has a terrible cold and I'm taking my olive leaf extract and drinking my green tea so that I don't get it. I'm still broke as usual. Two employees are still out of jobs as of tomorrow (thank God I'm not one of them!). I'm alive, I'm breathing on my own, and I'm at peace with the world.
I like the scripture I have for today - "I will be your God throughout your lifetime.... I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you." Isaiah 46:4 NLT. I know on Whom I depend for my good days - and Who gets me through the bad ones. God has seen me through a very dysfunctional and difficult childhood, and many, many, life situations which have been difficult. He has walked me through all of them, each day. He has never left me alone. Yeah, my childhood was rough, but I trust in the ONE who made me, that although He allowed things to happen, He has a purpose for my life and will use it for my good. And He has, over and over. What has happened has made me more sensitive to issues, and I am stronger because of it. I know "life happens" and isn't always perfect.
A good day today is in store for me, because I choose to make it one. I'm not going to allow things or people to get me down. I have a job, for which I'm thankful for. I have a family who loves me and cares for me. I know I can call any one of them - even my grouchy son (on occasion) and although he may not be able to do anything, he will listen to me and will love me. He may even choose to give me good advice.
Whoo hoo! I TOLD you it was going to be a good day! I applied for another job within the company yesterday - and just got the interview for tomorrow afternoon!! This can be a good thing! I am thankful for the opportunity to move into another area and learn more. Will tell you more after I have the interview.
I am feeling loved by my faithful God. When I give Him the glory and honor and praise, when I acknowledge my life is in His hands and He takes care of me, through the bad stuff, and the good stuff, He always provides. And He will for you as well. Give it all to Him, and trust Him, that in all things He works for your good.
Blessings!
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Day 12 of being Thankful....
As I was driving in to work this morning I was thinking of how good God has been to me. I am healthy, I have a job, I have a running vehicle, I have a husband who loves me, I have children and grandchildren who bless me, friends that accept me warts and all, freedom to worship God, abilities to do things I never thought I could do, been places I never thought I would go..... and so much more. I am truly blessed, and for that, I am thankful.
Work is not always 'fun' (as if work could ever be 'fun', unless you have your dream job)but I am able, by the grace of God, to get up out of bed every morning and come to work. We have two employees whose jobs have been 'done away with', therefore, Friday is their last day. It is a difficult time as I am friends with both. But I am grateful my job is still intact. However, I know that God provided this job when I needed one, and He can take it away whenever He wants. Whether it would be to move me to another place or to enhance my growth in Him, He is able to do all things. I know that His provision is better than anything I could receive.
My hubby fixed me breakfast this morning, as he does a lot of mornings. I don't mean a bowl of cereal or a bagel. He actually cooks me breakfast. I had bacon and a scrambled egg/jalapeno mixture, toast, coffee and milk. A nice rounded breakfast to start my day. I'm thankful for the preparation so that I didn't have to think about it, and it's enough to get me through the day. We have dinner plans with friends tonight so don't have to worry about dinner either.
I had dinner with one of my beautiful Princess granddaughters last night and then back to our house to watch a movie she wanted me to see. I didn't even ask her to do my nails - although she was more than willing to do so. I just love being with her and enjoyed her spending time with me. Treasured memories. Still have two other Princess granddaughters I need to arrange time with. Time is getting so precious anymore - with working I just don't have time to play.
Ironically, when I wasn't working, we didn't spend that much time together. Not that we couldn't, we just didn't. And now, since it is much, much, harder for me to get off work - plus I'm down to just one vacation day for the year -trying to work in my Christmas plans and get everything done - I'm not sure how that is going to work. I need to schedule time with the grandchildren to bake cookies - and whatever else I can figure out for us to make - whether it be Christmas mice or something else. I do know Christmas will be much smaller than in years past. But, it will all be from the heart, and that is what matters. When God blesses our finances, then we can bless others.
And yet again, my thoughts have started to ramble on so think I wlil close this off. Got a lot going on right now and need to sort out my thoughts for today.
Hope that you have a good day - and stop to think about the things you are thankful for.
Blessings!
Work is not always 'fun' (as if work could ever be 'fun', unless you have your dream job)but I am able, by the grace of God, to get up out of bed every morning and come to work. We have two employees whose jobs have been 'done away with', therefore, Friday is their last day. It is a difficult time as I am friends with both. But I am grateful my job is still intact. However, I know that God provided this job when I needed one, and He can take it away whenever He wants. Whether it would be to move me to another place or to enhance my growth in Him, He is able to do all things. I know that His provision is better than anything I could receive.
My hubby fixed me breakfast this morning, as he does a lot of mornings. I don't mean a bowl of cereal or a bagel. He actually cooks me breakfast. I had bacon and a scrambled egg/jalapeno mixture, toast, coffee and milk. A nice rounded breakfast to start my day. I'm thankful for the preparation so that I didn't have to think about it, and it's enough to get me through the day. We have dinner plans with friends tonight so don't have to worry about dinner either.
I had dinner with one of my beautiful Princess granddaughters last night and then back to our house to watch a movie she wanted me to see. I didn't even ask her to do my nails - although she was more than willing to do so. I just love being with her and enjoyed her spending time with me. Treasured memories. Still have two other Princess granddaughters I need to arrange time with. Time is getting so precious anymore - with working I just don't have time to play.
Ironically, when I wasn't working, we didn't spend that much time together. Not that we couldn't, we just didn't. And now, since it is much, much, harder for me to get off work - plus I'm down to just one vacation day for the year -trying to work in my Christmas plans and get everything done - I'm not sure how that is going to work. I need to schedule time with the grandchildren to bake cookies - and whatever else I can figure out for us to make - whether it be Christmas mice or something else. I do know Christmas will be much smaller than in years past. But, it will all be from the heart, and that is what matters. When God blesses our finances, then we can bless others.
And yet again, my thoughts have started to ramble on so think I wlil close this off. Got a lot going on right now and need to sort out my thoughts for today.
Hope that you have a good day - and stop to think about the things you are thankful for.
Blessings!
Monday, November 11, 2013
Thankfulness Day 11
Today is a great day to be thankful - it's Veteran's Day! And I am grateful to the men and women who have served in the military in this great nation of ours - the United States of America! I'm especially grateful for my son, Stuart Franklin Smith, who is currently serving in the US Army, in the Reserves. It takes a great man to put his country first. There have been several great men and women in my family background who have served. I'm grateful to each of them.
I know in the past I have listed several family members who served in the military, and my older sister had corrected me with others - but I don't have a clue what I did with that information. (Sorry Sis!) In fact, I just took a moment to skim past previous posts in November of 2011 and 2012 - and didn't see the list. So, J, if you are reading this - please send me the list of everyone again. :-)
Had a great weekend with it beginning on Friday and us going to Tucson to watch our beautiful Princess granddaughter walk across the stage and receive her diploma for her Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy. We are so proud of her! It was a beautiful day in Tucson and was so good to spend time with her and with family. We got back not too late Friday night.
I can't even remember what we did on Saturday.... it was a busy weekend. My little sister and I did make up..... at least we have gotten past the 'I'm sorry' and are moving on. I'm sure there will be things discussed for awhile.... I don't really want to bring things up - it's done, it's over, move on. Dredging up bad memories isn't something I like to do. God doesn't tell us to remember the bad stuff, but to learn from it and apply it to the future. In fact, in Dan Allendar's book, The Wounded Heart, he talks about taking the bad past stuff and look at how God can use it for good. Some people like to waller in it and never move from it, using it to manipulate others to get attention. I'm not one of those. I just as soon believe I am healed of the past memories and not denying things happened, but believe that they were allowed by God for some reason, and my part is to learn and grow from it.
Yesterday we went to church up in Pioneer Village and then ended our day with dinner out with one of our sons and his family. Always a fun time.
Today, although a 'holiday' for some, is back to a work day for me. With being off Friday I have a lot to catch up on. One coworker is still on vacation this week so I have extra work to do. I have only one vacation day left for the year - need to figure out when I'm going to take it. Definitely in December so that I can finish up my shopping/baking, etc. Although I have no idea how I can accomplish it all in one day! I have started my shopping so that is a plus. Unfortunately, I also got things I need to work on. That takes time, of which I am running out of! Oh well, will do what I can!
And now it is time to sign on for work and get busy. At least I have a job and am working! For that I am thankful!
Hope you have a good day - whether you have the day off - or get to work as well. My bro is heading to Vegas today - he's planning on a lot of fun - lucky him!
Blessings!
I know in the past I have listed several family members who served in the military, and my older sister had corrected me with others - but I don't have a clue what I did with that information. (Sorry Sis!) In fact, I just took a moment to skim past previous posts in November of 2011 and 2012 - and didn't see the list. So, J, if you are reading this - please send me the list of everyone again. :-)
Had a great weekend with it beginning on Friday and us going to Tucson to watch our beautiful Princess granddaughter walk across the stage and receive her diploma for her Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy. We are so proud of her! It was a beautiful day in Tucson and was so good to spend time with her and with family. We got back not too late Friday night.
I can't even remember what we did on Saturday.... it was a busy weekend. My little sister and I did make up..... at least we have gotten past the 'I'm sorry' and are moving on. I'm sure there will be things discussed for awhile.... I don't really want to bring things up - it's done, it's over, move on. Dredging up bad memories isn't something I like to do. God doesn't tell us to remember the bad stuff, but to learn from it and apply it to the future. In fact, in Dan Allendar's book, The Wounded Heart, he talks about taking the bad past stuff and look at how God can use it for good. Some people like to waller in it and never move from it, using it to manipulate others to get attention. I'm not one of those. I just as soon believe I am healed of the past memories and not denying things happened, but believe that they were allowed by God for some reason, and my part is to learn and grow from it.
Yesterday we went to church up in Pioneer Village and then ended our day with dinner out with one of our sons and his family. Always a fun time.
Today, although a 'holiday' for some, is back to a work day for me. With being off Friday I have a lot to catch up on. One coworker is still on vacation this week so I have extra work to do. I have only one vacation day left for the year - need to figure out when I'm going to take it. Definitely in December so that I can finish up my shopping/baking, etc. Although I have no idea how I can accomplish it all in one day! I have started my shopping so that is a plus. Unfortunately, I also got things I need to work on. That takes time, of which I am running out of! Oh well, will do what I can!
And now it is time to sign on for work and get busy. At least I have a job and am working! For that I am thankful!
Hope you have a good day - whether you have the day off - or get to work as well. My bro is heading to Vegas today - he's planning on a lot of fun - lucky him!
Blessings!
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Thankfulness, Day 7
Today I am thankful for my little sister. True, right now we are not getting along real well, but that doesn't mean that I'm not thankful for her.
Over the years we grew quite close. We talked almost daily on the phone, sent cards and letters often. We used to laugh that for weeks prior to a visit we would talk daily. When we finally got together, we didn't have much to talk about. Over the last five to ten years, more or less, we have drawn apart. Our lives are different. We think differently; we have matured differently. Our lives are centered on our children, our grandchildren. We have developed different likes and dislikes. Things that could roll over us before, now stick like glue and stir pots of anger and frustration, disbelief in things done and said, immaginations of what should or could have been, but wasn't. Words spoken that hurt, actions taken that destroyed. It works both ways. Neither of us are perfect, I am the first to admit that. Sometimes a simple 'I'm sorry that happened' is all that is needed to right some wrongs.
I could pretend all I wanted over the years, and tell myself all was well. I refused to see the warning signs that our likes and dislikes, our beliefs and disbeliefs, truth and untruth, tolerance and untolerance, pride and vanity, arrogance and ignorance - all these these were taking their toll on both of us. It shouldn't surprise either of us that things are very difficult and painful right now. One thing for sure, neither of us should esteem ourselves over the other, or even think our Christian walk is better than the other. We are not accountable to each other at the final moment of our lives, but to God alone.
Could I stand before God at this moment in time with a clear conscience? I believe I could. And I would not be surprised if my sister feels she can. I can only ask that God reveal to us any areas that we need to confess, to work on, to forgive, to let go of, before that final moment. And I believe He will. Sometimes we need to surrender things to God and allow Him to right them, and quit trying to do it on our own power.
My little sister taught me much over the years. She taught me little things like how to dress (although our styles now are different), taught me how to wear makeup. For years I saw our mother just use Avon foundation and powder and a touch of lipstick. That's all I knew. Even then, I didn't know how to wear it. My little sister taught me how (although some people may wonder even now what am I doing with my face!). I never looked at models in magazines (and still rarely do). I didn't have anyone to show me how to do these things in my life. My sister has a very close friend who has walked with her many, many years and has helped her along the way. I'm sure other people have as well, and my sister is much more observant than I am. Things like makeup and hair styles and clothing styles - well, they have never been important to me. Although I do want to look nice and dress well. I've relied on my sister (and now my daughter sometimes!) to help me choose what is best for me.
I'm thankful for the times my little sister and I have shared together - just spending time in Brown County at the shops, going to the mall, making salsa together. Just being together. Her home has always been open to me and many times on visits we spent late hours talking and laughing. Of course those times have been gone for some years, but I still look back on them with fondness. We had fun together. We enjoyed being together, laughing together.
Our experiences have changed us in different ways over the years. Some good, some bad. We have shared things extremely personal and some not so personal. We've laughed together, we've prayed together. We always talked of in our 'golden years' we would live next door to each other (we still needed our own space). We never could agree whether it would be Arizona or Florida, but it didn't matter. Our golden years are still far away as far as we are concerned.
I miss the closeness my little sister and I shared. The unconditional love and forgiveness we gave to each other. The quick 'I'm sorry, I shouldn't have..." that we gave to mend any broken areas of communication. Sometimes trying to stand up for others isn't the right thing to do. They need to be accountable for their own actions. And we need to be friends.
My little sister promised she would never read anything here again. I didn't know she still read it at all. Read it or not, it is for my pleasure to write. A place to put my thoughts, a place to share my heart. True, it has changed from what I wanted it to be. Life entered in. I still want to do that, and will need to get my focus back. A friend recently told me that sometimes a little demon sits on shoulders and whispers things that are not bad, but suggestive enough that we act on them. Perhaps that is why some comments are totally off the wall and others make sense. Depends on who is talking. And now my thoughts are starting to ramble, and it is time to get to work.....
I love my little sister, and always will. I wish God's greatest blessings upon her. I pray her eyes will be opened to the truth, that she will see beyond the icky stuff and know my heart. I pray for her, especially now, every day. I pray for God's hand to be upon her, His protection to surround her, His love to guide and direct her path. I surrender her to Him, and trust that in His timing, He will right the wrongs for both of us, and bring healing.
Are you still thinking of things you are thankful for?
Blessings!
Over the years we grew quite close. We talked almost daily on the phone, sent cards and letters often. We used to laugh that for weeks prior to a visit we would talk daily. When we finally got together, we didn't have much to talk about. Over the last five to ten years, more or less, we have drawn apart. Our lives are different. We think differently; we have matured differently. Our lives are centered on our children, our grandchildren. We have developed different likes and dislikes. Things that could roll over us before, now stick like glue and stir pots of anger and frustration, disbelief in things done and said, immaginations of what should or could have been, but wasn't. Words spoken that hurt, actions taken that destroyed. It works both ways. Neither of us are perfect, I am the first to admit that. Sometimes a simple 'I'm sorry that happened' is all that is needed to right some wrongs.
I could pretend all I wanted over the years, and tell myself all was well. I refused to see the warning signs that our likes and dislikes, our beliefs and disbeliefs, truth and untruth, tolerance and untolerance, pride and vanity, arrogance and ignorance - all these these were taking their toll on both of us. It shouldn't surprise either of us that things are very difficult and painful right now. One thing for sure, neither of us should esteem ourselves over the other, or even think our Christian walk is better than the other. We are not accountable to each other at the final moment of our lives, but to God alone.
Could I stand before God at this moment in time with a clear conscience? I believe I could. And I would not be surprised if my sister feels she can. I can only ask that God reveal to us any areas that we need to confess, to work on, to forgive, to let go of, before that final moment. And I believe He will. Sometimes we need to surrender things to God and allow Him to right them, and quit trying to do it on our own power.
My little sister taught me much over the years. She taught me little things like how to dress (although our styles now are different), taught me how to wear makeup. For years I saw our mother just use Avon foundation and powder and a touch of lipstick. That's all I knew. Even then, I didn't know how to wear it. My little sister taught me how (although some people may wonder even now what am I doing with my face!). I never looked at models in magazines (and still rarely do). I didn't have anyone to show me how to do these things in my life. My sister has a very close friend who has walked with her many, many years and has helped her along the way. I'm sure other people have as well, and my sister is much more observant than I am. Things like makeup and hair styles and clothing styles - well, they have never been important to me. Although I do want to look nice and dress well. I've relied on my sister (and now my daughter sometimes!) to help me choose what is best for me.
I'm thankful for the times my little sister and I have shared together - just spending time in Brown County at the shops, going to the mall, making salsa together. Just being together. Her home has always been open to me and many times on visits we spent late hours talking and laughing. Of course those times have been gone for some years, but I still look back on them with fondness. We had fun together. We enjoyed being together, laughing together.
Our experiences have changed us in different ways over the years. Some good, some bad. We have shared things extremely personal and some not so personal. We've laughed together, we've prayed together. We always talked of in our 'golden years' we would live next door to each other (we still needed our own space). We never could agree whether it would be Arizona or Florida, but it didn't matter. Our golden years are still far away as far as we are concerned.
I miss the closeness my little sister and I shared. The unconditional love and forgiveness we gave to each other. The quick 'I'm sorry, I shouldn't have..." that we gave to mend any broken areas of communication. Sometimes trying to stand up for others isn't the right thing to do. They need to be accountable for their own actions. And we need to be friends.
My little sister promised she would never read anything here again. I didn't know she still read it at all. Read it or not, it is for my pleasure to write. A place to put my thoughts, a place to share my heart. True, it has changed from what I wanted it to be. Life entered in. I still want to do that, and will need to get my focus back. A friend recently told me that sometimes a little demon sits on shoulders and whispers things that are not bad, but suggestive enough that we act on them. Perhaps that is why some comments are totally off the wall and others make sense. Depends on who is talking. And now my thoughts are starting to ramble, and it is time to get to work.....
I love my little sister, and always will. I wish God's greatest blessings upon her. I pray her eyes will be opened to the truth, that she will see beyond the icky stuff and know my heart. I pray for her, especially now, every day. I pray for God's hand to be upon her, His protection to surround her, His love to guide and direct her path. I surrender her to Him, and trust that in His timing, He will right the wrongs for both of us, and bring healing.
Are you still thinking of things you are thankful for?
Blessings!
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Still thankful....
I have a job. Because we lost one of our contracts last October, two of the women that I work with were given their "walking papers" yesterday - November 15 is their last day. Why is it companies wait until the holidays to let you go? On one hand, it is good, for then they will watch their spending over the holidays, and if it was after the holidays, if they overspent, they would be in deep doodoo with bills and no job. I guess however you look at it, it is still a lose-lose situation. One of them, her husband is not working either, and she has four children. I'm 'low man' on the totem pole now - last one hired. And my director told me a couple weeks ago if I don't learn more, she can't justify my position. Doesn't make me feel real secure.
I just keep doing my job to the best of my ability. Yes, others can do my job, and I can do theirs. This knocks our department down to 4 nurses, 4 referral specialists (which is what I am)a trainer ... at least that is what she is called... sigh.... and she can train on some things..... but I am going off on a rabbit trail now. And our director. I am looking around and praying for favor. I just feel I can do so much more than what I am. Yesterday was somewhat stressful. After my coworker who is on vacation told me she was going to work her 'stuff' while on vacation, I came in to find several pieces of her work in my folder. I questioned some of them and they pulled 4 away, but left about 10. I was able to complete 4 of them yesterday because of my own workload. The remaining ones are still sitting in my folder for me to do today. No biggie - I'll get them out today. And I don't mind doing them - I just wish people would make up their minds. I'm told I'm going to have to do them, then told I'm not, then they just appear in my work folder. And Mondays are always a real busy day for my own work, as it was.
But I'm still thankful I can bring a paycheck home. If the director and trainer would truly take time to train me in all areas that I need to know - and let me work at a specific set for a few days so that I can understand it and ask any questions I may have, I could do so much better. But, in their hurry to get me trained, it is a little here and a little there, and now here is your work. If you have any questions.... And I get a mixture of things. Plus I'm on the phones. I'm having to go to many others to ask questions on how to answer. I'm trying to learn, but some days it feels like I'm butting my head against the wall. It will be interesting to see how things work out with the two coworkers gone - although at this point, it doesn't affect me. I'm a little nervous though - I don't want to have to mix my business units for some things get authorized under one and not the other - and I can get real confused unless it is black and white.
For example, yesterday we got a request for a circumcism for a 55 year old male - I have no idea what that was about - but under one business unit they have to get an authorization. Under the other business unit, they don't need an authorization. Sounds simple, but when you have several points to meet before you get to that decision - i.e., is the doctor and the hospital par providers? If not, it requires, if yes, sometimes it requires and sometimes it doesn't. Very confusing for me because no one stops long enough to explain thoroughly what to look for and what to do. No wonder I went home exhausted last night!
I did finish the chiffarobe and got the drawers put together last night. We'll move it over some time this weekend to the other room and I can fill it up. Just trying to remove some of the clutter I have laying around on the chair and bed in that back room. This will look nice in the room, I'm confident. Need to clean out closets and either pack summer clothes or move them to another closet. Most I wear year round, so it isn't too much of a big deal. I want to pack away a lot of things and get rid of things as well. Throughout the entire house, for sure. Anyone want anything that I have? Speak up and I'll see if I'm ready to get rid of it! LOL
Ok - starting to ramble so it's time to jump off here. Thankfulness. I am truly thankful I have a job. It is not something I take for granted, but something I know that can be taken away from me at any time, without any emotion from higher ups to do it. I think that is what bothers me a lot here - there isn't a cohesiveness that comes from caring for each other. We don't feel cared for by those above us. We encourage and share with each other, but there isn't a relationship with the higher ups. It does make a difference.
Hope that you have a blessed day and remember to think of those things you are thankful for.
Blessings!
I just keep doing my job to the best of my ability. Yes, others can do my job, and I can do theirs. This knocks our department down to 4 nurses, 4 referral specialists (which is what I am)a trainer ... at least that is what she is called... sigh.... and she can train on some things..... but I am going off on a rabbit trail now. And our director. I am looking around and praying for favor. I just feel I can do so much more than what I am. Yesterday was somewhat stressful. After my coworker who is on vacation told me she was going to work her 'stuff' while on vacation, I came in to find several pieces of her work in my folder. I questioned some of them and they pulled 4 away, but left about 10. I was able to complete 4 of them yesterday because of my own workload. The remaining ones are still sitting in my folder for me to do today. No biggie - I'll get them out today. And I don't mind doing them - I just wish people would make up their minds. I'm told I'm going to have to do them, then told I'm not, then they just appear in my work folder. And Mondays are always a real busy day for my own work, as it was.
But I'm still thankful I can bring a paycheck home. If the director and trainer would truly take time to train me in all areas that I need to know - and let me work at a specific set for a few days so that I can understand it and ask any questions I may have, I could do so much better. But, in their hurry to get me trained, it is a little here and a little there, and now here is your work. If you have any questions.... And I get a mixture of things. Plus I'm on the phones. I'm having to go to many others to ask questions on how to answer. I'm trying to learn, but some days it feels like I'm butting my head against the wall. It will be interesting to see how things work out with the two coworkers gone - although at this point, it doesn't affect me. I'm a little nervous though - I don't want to have to mix my business units for some things get authorized under one and not the other - and I can get real confused unless it is black and white.
For example, yesterday we got a request for a circumcism for a 55 year old male - I have no idea what that was about - but under one business unit they have to get an authorization. Under the other business unit, they don't need an authorization. Sounds simple, but when you have several points to meet before you get to that decision - i.e., is the doctor and the hospital par providers? If not, it requires, if yes, sometimes it requires and sometimes it doesn't. Very confusing for me because no one stops long enough to explain thoroughly what to look for and what to do. No wonder I went home exhausted last night!
I did finish the chiffarobe and got the drawers put together last night. We'll move it over some time this weekend to the other room and I can fill it up. Just trying to remove some of the clutter I have laying around on the chair and bed in that back room. This will look nice in the room, I'm confident. Need to clean out closets and either pack summer clothes or move them to another closet. Most I wear year round, so it isn't too much of a big deal. I want to pack away a lot of things and get rid of things as well. Throughout the entire house, for sure. Anyone want anything that I have? Speak up and I'll see if I'm ready to get rid of it! LOL
Ok - starting to ramble so it's time to jump off here. Thankfulness. I am truly thankful I have a job. It is not something I take for granted, but something I know that can be taken away from me at any time, without any emotion from higher ups to do it. I think that is what bothers me a lot here - there isn't a cohesiveness that comes from caring for each other. We don't feel cared for by those above us. We encourage and share with each other, but there isn't a relationship with the higher ups. It does make a difference.
Hope that you have a blessed day and remember to think of those things you are thankful for.
Blessings!
Monday, November 4, 2013
Time to kill this morning.....
I have an 8:15AM medical appointment so don't need to leave the house until about 7:45AM to get there. Which means I have nearly an hour to "kill" before I need to head out. From there I will head down to the office, and hopefully not be too far behind. I'll be done is 1/2 hour or less at the appointment, so other than arriving later, it shouldn't be too bad.
We had a good weekend. Saturday I did some shopping and bought a chest of drawers, or as it was called when I was growing up - a shiftrobe. Now I'm probably not spelling it right - I think it is really like chiffarobe. Anyway - 4 drawer chest so that I can clean off another open cabinet and put things away in the back bedroom. At least it matches the bed we have in there already. I worked on it yesterday afternoon and am now working on the drawers. Have the last two to complete and then we can move it in the other room. Not sure what to do with the open cabinet one - we have no room here for it. Maybe try Craigs list - unless I can get one of the kids to take it. :-) I did finally get the corner desk given away this weekend.
Had a delicious dinner at our daughter's last night. Got to hang with the grandchildren a little too. Enjoyed my daughter and my time together outside by the fire pit (for me to keep warm) while the guys were watching the football game. Love it when I got to spend some time with the grandchildren too.
I have held to the thinking of things I'm thankful for over the weekend, although I didn't write anything. For today, I'm thankful for my job that brings money in to help pay the bills. I'm thankful God created this job for me last November - which, ironically, I started the week of Thanksgiving last year. Although there have been some difficult times, now that I have received some of the training I have begged for all year, it is going much smoother. There is still a lot I don't know how to do - but I will in time. I still pray for favor with my job - that I will remember what I need to remember so that I can do my job well, and also, that God would possibly open something up that I could be a better fit for. Sometimes I feel there is so much more that I could be doing - much more beneficial, but in this department, there is no place to go. I am thankful for it; I have made many new friends and I have some there who brag on me to anyone around them - which always makes my day and makes me laugh. I worked with them at my last company. It is always nice to be appreciated and loved. And the best part is working with my best friend - actually, she is the vice president of our department, but we are very careful to leave our personal relationship out of work. We have only gone to lunch together 1 time in the year I have been there. We chat occasionally, but always on my time and very short. Of course we still meet once a month on Saturdays to do our walk and breakfast together - although last month we met for dinner instead. We are still planning to do a pedicure together - it's just finding the right time and place.
This is Monday - and a new week is upon us. Some of it is same o same o - but I can leave it that way or change it up. Hmmm, will have to see what I can do! I am taking Friday off work to attend a granddaughter's graduation - unless my director cancels it because we have another person who decided to take two weeks off and I am the only one who knows how to do the job. She said she was going to work her vacation in Oregon.... which is crazy - why take and use vacation time if you aren't going to be on vacation? However, if she worked this weekend and got caught up as she said she was, it shouldn't be too bad while she is off. And, I am available here should she get behind again. Along with all my regular duties. At least my part of my job is practically caught up - my coworker ran out of things to do last week. I still had other things to do so was able to keep busy.
So with that, guess that I will sign off here for today - I'm starting to ramble. :-) So what is new you ask. I should be awake - usually at this time I am already at the office. But here I sit. Guess I will make sure I have everything so that when I leave I won't miss anything.
Hope you have a good day and think of at least one thing you are thankful for. Thank God for whatever it is.
Blessings!
We had a good weekend. Saturday I did some shopping and bought a chest of drawers, or as it was called when I was growing up - a shiftrobe. Now I'm probably not spelling it right - I think it is really like chiffarobe. Anyway - 4 drawer chest so that I can clean off another open cabinet and put things away in the back bedroom. At least it matches the bed we have in there already. I worked on it yesterday afternoon and am now working on the drawers. Have the last two to complete and then we can move it in the other room. Not sure what to do with the open cabinet one - we have no room here for it. Maybe try Craigs list - unless I can get one of the kids to take it. :-) I did finally get the corner desk given away this weekend.
Had a delicious dinner at our daughter's last night. Got to hang with the grandchildren a little too. Enjoyed my daughter and my time together outside by the fire pit (for me to keep warm) while the guys were watching the football game. Love it when I got to spend some time with the grandchildren too.
I have held to the thinking of things I'm thankful for over the weekend, although I didn't write anything. For today, I'm thankful for my job that brings money in to help pay the bills. I'm thankful God created this job for me last November - which, ironically, I started the week of Thanksgiving last year. Although there have been some difficult times, now that I have received some of the training I have begged for all year, it is going much smoother. There is still a lot I don't know how to do - but I will in time. I still pray for favor with my job - that I will remember what I need to remember so that I can do my job well, and also, that God would possibly open something up that I could be a better fit for. Sometimes I feel there is so much more that I could be doing - much more beneficial, but in this department, there is no place to go. I am thankful for it; I have made many new friends and I have some there who brag on me to anyone around them - which always makes my day and makes me laugh. I worked with them at my last company. It is always nice to be appreciated and loved. And the best part is working with my best friend - actually, she is the vice president of our department, but we are very careful to leave our personal relationship out of work. We have only gone to lunch together 1 time in the year I have been there. We chat occasionally, but always on my time and very short. Of course we still meet once a month on Saturdays to do our walk and breakfast together - although last month we met for dinner instead. We are still planning to do a pedicure together - it's just finding the right time and place.
This is Monday - and a new week is upon us. Some of it is same o same o - but I can leave it that way or change it up. Hmmm, will have to see what I can do! I am taking Friday off work to attend a granddaughter's graduation - unless my director cancels it because we have another person who decided to take two weeks off and I am the only one who knows how to do the job. She said she was going to work her vacation in Oregon.... which is crazy - why take and use vacation time if you aren't going to be on vacation? However, if she worked this weekend and got caught up as she said she was, it shouldn't be too bad while she is off. And, I am available here should she get behind again. Along with all my regular duties. At least my part of my job is practically caught up - my coworker ran out of things to do last week. I still had other things to do so was able to keep busy.
So with that, guess that I will sign off here for today - I'm starting to ramble. :-) So what is new you ask. I should be awake - usually at this time I am already at the office. But here I sit. Guess I will make sure I have everything so that when I leave I won't miss anything.
Hope you have a good day and think of at least one thing you are thankful for. Thank God for whatever it is.
Blessings!
Friday, November 1, 2013
Day after Halloween...... November 1st
and what am I going to do with this candy?!! I know, I have no worries about that! I only saw three of the grandchildren last night so have bags to pass out yet. Plus the adults haven't taken the chocolate away from me yet. I did have my beautiful daughter-in-law take some and fixed a small bag for my middle child. The youngest has drill this weekend, and although he took his children to some trunk or treat locations, he didn't bring them by for grandma and grandpa to see. I know he took photos and will be sharing them with us sometime. Another grandson sent me photos of himself with blood all over. I told him he had best be in costume! What a joy the grandchildren are in their costumes, what fun!
I didn't realize how handsome the oldest grandson is who came to see us last night. He had dressed to look like someone - I forget whom - some guy who wears a trench coat, a dress shirt/pants and suspenders. But wow - he was handsome! The middle brother was adorable in his trenchcoat, dress shirt/pants as well. And the little one, he was a ninja, I believe. I took lots of photos - as usual. Even my daughter-in-law dressed up as in the 50's with the scarves around the neck and hair. She looked beautiful. As usual.
We don't 'celebrate' halloween anymore. We've seen busses drop off teenagers in our neighborhood and just kind of stepped back from passing out the candy. For a street that has perhaps a dozen children on it, when I came home - in all seriousness - there were at least 40 kids I passed within a block area. 90 percent teenagers. We don't have teenagers within a block radius of our house. Maybe I should say, we have never seen teenagers within a block radius of our house. And we have lived there about 18 years and know some of our neighbors.
And today is November 1 and our thoughts are already turning to Thanksgiving. And Christmas. I've no clue how this is going to work out this year - either holiday - but it will be with it will be. I've ordered our turkey from our granddaughter who is selling them for choir. I have a ham in the freezer if we need it. Looking forward to Thanksgiving and just being with family and enjoying the day. Although we have the "day off" - I am sure I will have to work due to timeframes on work. But that's ok. I don't go out shopping on Black Friday anyway.
A whole new month. I wonder how this one will end up. I think I will start the month with being thankful. I may not put it on this blog, but my plan is to state one thing I am thankful for every day through the end of the year. And maybe, just maybe, I'll continue it out through next year. I wonder if I can remember that far. Come on, laugh!!
Thankfulness. I'm thankful that I have a husband who loves me through thick and thin. He watches over me (yes, sometimes tooooo closely) and takes care of me. Yes, we have our disagreements, but we always make up. He brings me coffee every morning (VERY important) and some days even cooks me breakfast (like yesterday and today) before I leave for work. He tries to meet my every need and always compliments me and tells me he loves me. He defends me, protects me, loves me.
What are you thankful for? Give it some thought. I challenge you to find one thing, one person, you are thankful for every day this month. Praise God for them.
Blessings!
I didn't realize how handsome the oldest grandson is who came to see us last night. He had dressed to look like someone - I forget whom - some guy who wears a trench coat, a dress shirt/pants and suspenders. But wow - he was handsome! The middle brother was adorable in his trenchcoat, dress shirt/pants as well. And the little one, he was a ninja, I believe. I took lots of photos - as usual. Even my daughter-in-law dressed up as in the 50's with the scarves around the neck and hair. She looked beautiful. As usual.
We don't 'celebrate' halloween anymore. We've seen busses drop off teenagers in our neighborhood and just kind of stepped back from passing out the candy. For a street that has perhaps a dozen children on it, when I came home - in all seriousness - there were at least 40 kids I passed within a block area. 90 percent teenagers. We don't have teenagers within a block radius of our house. Maybe I should say, we have never seen teenagers within a block radius of our house. And we have lived there about 18 years and know some of our neighbors.
And today is November 1 and our thoughts are already turning to Thanksgiving. And Christmas. I've no clue how this is going to work out this year - either holiday - but it will be with it will be. I've ordered our turkey from our granddaughter who is selling them for choir. I have a ham in the freezer if we need it. Looking forward to Thanksgiving and just being with family and enjoying the day. Although we have the "day off" - I am sure I will have to work due to timeframes on work. But that's ok. I don't go out shopping on Black Friday anyway.
A whole new month. I wonder how this one will end up. I think I will start the month with being thankful. I may not put it on this blog, but my plan is to state one thing I am thankful for every day through the end of the year. And maybe, just maybe, I'll continue it out through next year. I wonder if I can remember that far. Come on, laugh!!
Thankfulness. I'm thankful that I have a husband who loves me through thick and thin. He watches over me (yes, sometimes tooooo closely) and takes care of me. Yes, we have our disagreements, but we always make up. He brings me coffee every morning (VERY important) and some days even cooks me breakfast (like yesterday and today) before I leave for work. He tries to meet my every need and always compliments me and tells me he loves me. He defends me, protects me, loves me.
What are you thankful for? Give it some thought. I challenge you to find one thing, one person, you are thankful for every day this month. Praise God for them.
Blessings!
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