Troubles on the Work Front....

Geez! I chose to 'work from home' today (or WAH) because hubby had cataract surgery on his right eye - and I could work on things while he sleeps off the anesthesia. I did bring my work laptop home although I can also get online with my personal computer. I set that up before I got the laptop from work (for my new job). Anyway, I tried to bring up the work laptop and it won't connect to the internet. No sure what is going on. I am also on my home computer, but my problem there is that I do not have all the programs - which doesn't make sense - on the work portion of my personal laptop that I do have on the work laptop. I know - that makes no sense.

To make it simple sounding..... I have Visio and Publisher on my work laptop. When I bring up my Microsoft Office on my home computer (via the work Icon), I have everything BUT Visio and Publisher. Unfortunately, that is what I need to work in. Both of them. Or I can type minutes from a meeting last week. Which I would try to do, but am waiting on a call from our IT Liaison to help me figure out what is going on.

In the meantime.... I sit here at my computer. Decided I would try to write a bit on here while I wait.

Hubby's surgery went well. He said it took 7 minutes from the time they put him out to waking him up. Not bad! Several people came into the office while I was waiting.... Thursdays must be the cataract surgery day. I was taken to the back where he was still lying down and immediately he told me he wanted to eat! The nurse said that he could eat and told us of a new IHOPS that had opened nearby. So off we went to IHOPS for breakfast. Hubby went to sleep after we got home - and it's been about two hours and he is still asleep! Shhhhhhhh

Marley has been outside most of the morning but I have now brought her in and she is lying at my feet. She leads such a dog's life. Eats and sleeps. Occasionally I take her for a walk. Beautiful day for a walk - but if I can ever get my programs working I need to work. I emailed my boss and told her of my difficulty. She said no worries, do what I can. See why I love my boss? She knows me well enough that if I CAN work, I will.

Nothing really pressing right now - just have one set of minutes due before the middle of next month. And this org chart. That's about all that is on my agenda to get completed today. Next week I start putting togeter packets for another meeting. Had 12 meetings this month but only about 6 next month.

I've started to ramble (as usual) so will close off. Need to keep trying to get online. Hope you are having a productive day!

Blessings!

Some things just make me smile.....

When I get in to work each morning there are two reports that I must sent out first thing. I started to write "immediately", but that isn't accurate. They just need to be sent out as soon as I can get them out. With that in mind, I come in to work, snap on my laptop to the connector, lock it in place, turn it on, key in my initial passwords to get past security. While it is processing all that, I go to the kitchen and wash the coffee pots, make two pots of coffee, get ice water for my boss, my former director, and myself. When I get back to my desk, the computer is ready and waiting on me to finishing signing in.

Once I get signed in I go looking for the two reports Corporate puts in different locations. I verify they have been updated, then save them to a folder. From there I send each report to a separate group of people. I've been trying to put a comment, or something, just to make it 'fun'. I mean, it is boring to get a report every morning with nothing to offset the boredom of receiving it. So I look up quotes or other things to make it more fun. Sometimes, like today, different ones will send a comment back to me. Many times it is 'your words make me smile every day'. Or, 'I look forward to getting your emails each morning'. THAT makes me smile, for I have been successful in touching another's life.

Today, being hUMp dAy, I decided to insert a photo of a camel. Which I did. I made sure that it's "hump" was visible. Under it I commented that it was hUMp dAy. Then I added one other statement. "Work on that task today that you need to 'get over'.'

Now that could be anything. In the job, it could be that report you need to do and just don't like doing it so it gets put off as long as you can put it off. At home it could be a chore you don't particularly like or enjoy (ironing? mopping floors? cleaning toilets?) and until it reaches epidemic stage, you leave it alone. So what does my comment mean?

It means, why don't you attack that 'hump' that is there in your life and get it out of the way! Do that report. Make that phone call. Do the ironing. Mop that floor. Visit that person. Clean that toilet. Whatever is constantly in your mind or on your list that you keep moving to the bottom, just do it!

I'm going to need to ponder that today to see what I CAN do today. No meetings this week so I have been able to get two sets of minutes already completed. I have one to go, and an organizational chart to create. Got my Visio updated yesterday so I'm ready to go on it this morning. Hoping 2010 upgrade hasn't changed much from the 2007 version I had been using. We shall see, for that is my project for today!

Tomorrow I'm working from home as hubby has cataract surgery in the morning. Not sure if I will be able to get on here as once I get back home I will need to start working. Maybe by Friday I will have something else to talk about. :-)

Today being 'hump day' I will leave you with this..... 'May the road ahead of you be full of hills and lush landscapes.' As you go up the hill, reflect on God's goodness to you. As you go down the hill, admire the beauty around you. It could be actual hills and landscapes, if you are traveling. Or, it could be the hills of life. Things are going good, you feel God's love upon you; you are traveling uphill. But on the way down the other side, life happens. Things aren't so well. Things in life hurt. You feel crushed, defeated, distracted.

STOP. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Let it out. Open your eyes and see what is around you. No, not physically around you, but all the angels around you, surrounding you, holding you up. Feel God's Peace, His Presence. His Strength. All these things that will help you endure the things going on around you. Remember that you will eventually head back up the hill, and you will once again, feel JOY. In the meantime, Trust in His Provision - that no matter what is going on about you, He is there. No matter how difficult life is, He is watching over you. No matter how hurt you are, He loves you. Hang on, you will be heading up again soon!

Blessings!

Beautiful One I Love....

Beautiful One I adore,
Beautiful One my soul will sing!

Those are the words that have been running through my mind this morning. Yes, it is a song from church written by Jonny Lang and Marti Fredriksen and published by Lyrics @ Universal Music Publishing Group. I just can't remember who sings it! Here are the actual words:

Wonderful, so wonderful is Your unfailing love
Your cross has spoken mercy over me
No eye has seen, no ear has heard
No heart can fully know how glorious, how beautiful You are

Beautiful One, I love
Beautiful One, I adore
Beautiful One, my soul must sing

Powerful so powerful, Your glory fills the skies
Your mighty works displayed for all to see
The besauty of Your majesty awakes my heart to sing
How marvelous, how wonderful You are

Beautiful One, I love
Beautiful One, I adore
Beautiful One, my soul must sing

Beautiful One, I love
Beautiful One, I adore
Beautiful One, my soul must sing

Beatiful One, Beautiful One
Beautiful One, my soul must sing


Yeah, that song has been running through my mind this morning on the way in to work. Why? I don't know. Wasn't listening to the radio or tape or anything before I left. I guess it is because Christ IS the Beautiful One and I do love and adore Him. :-) I think my soul was just singing to Him this morning.

And, sometimes, in the midst of trials and tribulations thrown at us - that is all we can do. Sing for joy for the One who is Faithful always. One who allows us to run to Him in the midst of our pain. When we're confused at life around us. When we feel beaten up and alone.

God is so mighty, and yet, He loves me. And He loves you. It doesn't get any better than that. Total forgiveness, total acceptance, total love. I may not receive all my heart's desires, but He gives me all that my heart desires. Himself.

Blessings!

On the bright side.....

It's Monday. I don't know what is so good about Monday, for sure. I haven't had a real good weekend. Lots of things going on. Not sleeping well. Not feeling well. Didn't do a thing this weekend. Maybe that's my problem. I had Marley all set to go for a walk on Saturday, then was able to get her in for a bath and nails so took her there instead. She needed it much worse than she did a walk. I had thought I'd take her for a walk afterwards - but relatives came over to visit for awhile. After that, I was out of the mood. Stopped by the grocery and then made soup for dinner. That's about all I did. Sunday was church and then I did nothing until our 5PM Leadership Connect meeting at church. Then home to sit around again. We went to bed around 9:20PM - and I was pretty much awake at midnight. Tossed and turned from there on out - so this morning I'm struggling to keep my eyes open. It could be a long day.

But on the bright side, my boss didn't go to St. Louis yesterday. The CEO asked her Friday to cancel the trip and stay in town as we have "big shots" coming in to our offices today. So she did. It is a nice surprise to see her come in this morning. She always brightens up the office.

There is a song that is sung on "Broken Bridges" that I really like the words to. I looked them up and here they are....

Wake up to a sunny day, not a cloud up in the sky,
Then it starts to rain, my defenses hit the ground
And they shatter all around, so open and exposed.
I found strength in the struggle
Face to face with my trouble.

When you're broken in a million little pieces
And you're trying but you can't hold on anymore,
Every tear falls down for a reason.
Don't you stop believing in yourself,
When you're broken.

Little girl don't be so blue,
I know what you're going through,
Don't let it beat you up.
Hitting walls and getting scars,
Only makes you who you are,
Only makes you who you are.
No matter how much your heart is aching,
There is beauty in the breaking.
Yeah...

When you're broken in a million little pieces
And you're trying but you can't hold on anymore.
Every tear falls down for a reason,
Don't you stop believing in yourself,
When you're broken...

Better days are gonna find you once again,
Every piece will find its place,

When you're broken, when you're broken,

mmmmmmmhmmmmmm

When you're broken in a milion little pieces,
And you're trying, but you can't hold on anymore.
Every tear falls down for a reason,
Don't you stop believing in yourself.
When you're broken....
Oh, when you're broken,
When you're broken,
When you're broken......

I think it is by Toby Keith....

It's hard to look on the bright side when you've been broken.... and some people know how to stick the knife in and turn it. For that I am sorry. I don't know what has been said, nor what could be said, to right the wrongs.... My mother always told me, "Pray for xxxxxx, she has had such a hard life." Not saying one shouldn't pray, but sometimes you just want to take them behind the woodshed and have at it. But, what damage is done, has been done. Not sure what all the ramifications will be. For now, I just wait. Hopefully, the person who was beaten will read this, and know they are loved. "This too shall pass" in another of mother's sayings. Some things just take a little longer. Now I just pray the pain will heal.

Time to get to work - hope you find the bright side today and focus on:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9

Blessings!

I am so glad Friday is here!!

Oh My GOODNESS! What a week this has been! Oh yeah - this has been my 6 meetings week. No wonder it has seemed so long! One more meeting today I need to go to and take minutes - then it is typing them all up. Right now I'm down to three sets of minutes and an organizational chart to create. I'm so glad I don't have any meetings scheduled next week so I can get caught up on all these things!

Transportation shut down one of my routes home last night - and I lost an hour and 45 minutes getting home! Traffic was bumper to bumper. Hindsight I will in the future take another cross street home where I can make a left hand turn and then go to the freeway. That was my mistake. I turned on a street heading north I could not make a left hand turn. So we would get just a couple cars at a time through a light - traffic was absolutely horrible. But, I did get home safely. My son text'd me last night that he didn't get home until 9:45PM - at one point we were within blocks of each other but he was heading west and I was heading north. When I got home he had gone from Central to 51st Avenue. What a mess in the traffic. This morning wasn't so bad, thank goodness.

Having dinner tonight with hubby's cousin at Black Bear Diner. We have been able to meet up with them a couple times since they came out from Chicago. I think they leave next week so they wanted to get together one more time. The Diner has good food and it will be good to see them again. I don't remember what is on the calendar for tomorrow - I'm looking forward to sleeping past 4AM. Still, usually get up about 6AM. So much I want to do, need to do.... will see if I get any of it completed. Depends if I get bugged.... if so, I just may go shopping! Actually, there is a purse/bag that I saw a couple weeks ago that I really want.... but didn't want to pay that price for it. It has a place I can put my IPAD and big enough for everything else. Great for traveling. Like I do much other traveling than back and forth to work. Some days that in itself is a 'trip'.

It's nearly time to start work - it seems my mornings keep getting away from me. I have two reports I have to send out every morning and now the company has placed them in two different locations so it takes me longer to create and save and send the reports out. Always something! That's one reason I haven't been able to write all week. Maybe I can come up with something over the weekend.

I rarely get on my computer anymore. Thanks to IPhones I can read my mail there - but I don't always answer. With AOL after I open the mail it disappears so if I don't remember to find the email, it is gone. I need to go through my emails and clean them out.

Hope that you have a great day and an even better weekend. I need to get to work! It's gonna be a good day~!

Blessings!

Avoid Sneaky Fat Traps.....

I'm sitting here trying to think what to write about and as I look at a magazine on my desk I see the 'Avoid Sneaky Fat Traps' on the cover. Gee, I wonder what that could mean. No, I haven't read the article yet. I am assuming things like eating that one girl scout cookie could lead into another, and another and another. For which I can attest to. Sigh. Or that one bite of chocolate. Perhaps it isn't even junk food. It's the second helping of..... and yet, it might even be low fat or low calorie. But is it good for me. Usually it isn't.... especially if we choose Mexican food that night. Well, I guess it depends on whether it is smothered in sauce or not, right? I wonder if we could order that sauce on the side.... never thought about that.

We could also consider the title 'Avoid Sneaky Sin Traps'..... Some of you know exactly what I am referring. The sharp word in retort. The "attitude" we give out. The sloughing off our work, thinking no one else works as hard as we do, so if we want to NOT do something, it should be ok. (Ok, that may not be a sin, but we are to work as unto the Lord, and I certainly do not want to slack off His work!) Anyway, you get the general idea, I think.

It doesn't matter if we are on a diet or if we are trying to live the Christian life, the enemy will attack us in sneaky ways. The enemy will try to get us to 'just have one bite' of something we said we wanted to give up. The enemy will try to get you to say things about other people. To treat other people wrongly, in word and in deed. The enemy will also get you down on yourself, get you to think how terrible you are - or how terrible other people are.

But you know what? The enemy is a LOSER!! All the enemy does is bring you down, beat you up and make you alone.

John 10:10 says: "The thief (the enemy) comes only to steal and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

Think about it - everything 'bad' takes something away. It destroys friendships, family, relationships. It brings heartache, illness, and at times, even death. You can learn alot from 'bad' things.... but what do you learn and apply? Do you continue to do what you have always done - and get what you always got?

If you yell and scream at your children and expect gratiude and love in return - do you really think they can freely give you obedience and love? Just because you were raised that way, doesn't mean you can't change the cycle.

If you eat behind closed doors because 'no one can see you,therefore, it doesn't count' and expect to get your body in shape - think again. (It hasn't worked for me in the past so I doubt if it will work for you!)

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No matter what the enemy tries to do to you, or entice you to do, Jesus is our Overcomer, and He will help you NOT to eat that cookie. He will help you NOT to do something you shouldn't be doing. But you have to ask Him for help. You can to relinquish control and ask Jesus to take control.

Kinda like the song Carrie Underwood sung a few years back - "Jesus, take the wheel". Jesus has to be First.

I guarantee you, that if you put Jesus first in your life, and seek His face and His ways, you will experience so much joy that you will not be able to contain it.

Why not start today? Ask Jesus.... and avoid those sneaky traps the enemy puts before us.

Blessings!

What did I get......

Earlier this week I asked my hubby for us not to exchange store-bought cards. Nor buy flowers. Nor buy any gifts. It's Valentine's Day - why would I do that?! For one thing, neither of us need anything. For another, flowers don't last, and the cards have gotten so expensive that - unless that is something that is important to the one you are giving it to - it is just a card. If I get a card that says something nice, I put it in my treasure box, and that's ok too. However, I suggested we make each other a card and let that be our 'gift' to each other.

My hubby gave me something today that means something to me. He wrote me a letter. And in that letter, he gave me a Blessing. He praised me, and told me how much he valued me. How much he loved me. He gave me his opinion of me. He blessed me.

I don't think Valentine's Day and this "day of love" can get any better than that.

So - because I'm running out of time and it's time to get to work, I want to type out this devotion from my daily reading this morning.

There is no doubt that as Jesus stood trial in front of Pilate, He was completely focused. Matthew 27:12 tells us, "While he was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing." Think about that. As the false accusations were being flung at Him, the Son of God didn't curse the priests and elders as he had the fig tree that didn't bear fruit (see Matthew 21:19). He did not do anything to defend Himself.

He answered nothing.

Hebrews 12:2 helps us understand Christ's mindset, "Jesus, the aurthor and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the same."

Jesus endured it all for the joy set before Him. It was enough to stop Him from answering His accusers. It was sufficient to keep Him focused.

Yet, what was this overwhelming joy? Of course, it was doing the Father's will. However, it was also - you.

Ephesians 5:2 admonishes, "Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us." Galatians 2:20 says, "The Son of God.... loved me and gave Himself for me."

Christ's joy was you.

Think about that as you celebrate St. Valentine's Day. Love is not simply red hearts, bouquets of flowers, and chocolates. True love is unconditional. True love reaches out. True love gives itself sacrificially.

Perhaps you have a special loved one with whom you can celebrate today. Or perhaps today is one of the loneliest days of the year for you. Perhaps you are wondering if anyone is thinking about you. The answer is yes; Jesus is. He's thinking about you today, and He thought about you back then. He thought about you as He stood trial and His love for you kept Him focused on the goal; to reconcile you to God. To show you His love - eternally.

So today, remember that you are Christ's joy - His beloved. And have a very happy Valentine's Day.

Blessings!

A little bit of my past is gone.....

I received a text from my hubby this morning, as well as a text from my big brother, that Shirley Temple died at age 85. LOL What is funny, is that when I first read it, I tried to think how old she could be. I imagined her as younger than I. Yes, I did. After all, when I watched her movies when I was a young girl (many, many years ago, I know), she was a little girl around 5-7 years old, right? Surely (pun intended) she didn't get older! But at 85, that makes her 20 years older than I am. Or will be. Wow. That blows me away. In my mind she will always be the little curly top girl who make me laugh and smile and sing along when I was younger, and still does. Rest in peace, Shirley Temple Black.

It kind of makes me want to dig out my Shirley Temple movies and watch them again. I've been eyeing them for awhile, just haven't had time to sit down and watch. This generation has no idea how awesome these movies are. They think they are 'old-fashioned and boring' - and they are old-fashioned, but not boring. But they are respectful, and delightful to watch. They have always been a treasured part of my memories in which I could always escape to. I can't even think which one is my favorite one. I watched Heidi over Christmas - I may have to say that is my favorite. But I also like the one in which we all remember the song, "on the good ship, Lollipop....". Don't remember the name of that one. I reckon I have about ten of these movies; most of what my youngest son bought me over the years. I wish my grandchildren had time to learn to love them as I do. Maybe I will have a Shirley Temple marathon some Saturday or Sunday afternoon and ask the grandchildren to come over for a few hours, pop popcorn, and sit and watch a couple of these. Couldn't see much more in that time frame. Maybe I will plan something soon. This generation has missed a lot of good movies.

Tomorrow is our biometric testing day. My scheduled time is 7AM. I told hubby I wanted to leave for work a bit before 6AM tomorrow as I wanted time for my blood pressure to come down from driving with "lovely" people on the way in to work. You know those kind, the impatient, reckless ones who think if they cut in front of you, they are ahead of you. DUH we get to the light right about the same time. Anyway, don't want to get my blood pressure up from worry about getting to work quickly, make the coffee, get the water, etc all before I head upstairs for the testing. I forget what all they do - weight, height (I am really short, which is why my weight isn't portioned to my height), blood pressure, blood test, do a small questionnaire as to your health..... I forget what else. I remember last year my scores were excellent except at 128/78 they said I was 'pre-hypertensive' which my doctor said was a lot of malarky. According to his records, pre-hypertensive starts at the top number being 135. Oh well, it depends on where I get my blood pressure taken at. When I give blood, my blood pressure runs about 112/68 most times. At the doctor's office it can run 128/78. Here it can be anything. Another place it will be something else. Even my boss gets frustrated here. Her blood pressure is low at her doctor's office, and when they do the biometric screening, it is always high.

The biggest laugh we had last year was the BMI gauge. I think ALL of us were told we were "fat". or Obese. We really cracked up over our favorite medical director here, who is very much in shape by swimming every morning, you can't "pinch an inch" on him - and his records came back he was "obese". Even he couldn't believe it. I think I am about 5-6 pounds less than last year - which is a good thing, but about 5 pounds up from where my low point was last year. I've been taking my vinegar 2-3 times daily and it is supposed to help with cholestrol, so will see how that is working out. Stay tuned on that one. May take a few days to get the results of all the tests.

The past. My low weight was in the past. But it can be in my future too, if I will just apply myself. I did get over 14,000 steps in the other day, and over 10,000 steps in yesterday. If I can maintain that, surely I can start dropping some of this excess. Oh, I guess that means I need to watch what I put in my mouth too. Sigh. I guess the Mexican food I have eaten the past two days (3 times!) is not a good thing. But I could have done worse! I only ate half of my meal and brought the rest home for hubby. Half is good. I was talking to hubby last night and told him I wanted to stop eating processed foods and eat fresh/frozen fruits and vegetables and lean mean. Sorta like the Daniel Diet that Rick Warren is promoting. But not for that reason, it is to get healthier. I know I am healthy, and when I leave the breads and crappy meat off my plate, I feel better and have more energy. One would think, because I know this, that it would be easy to leave those out of my diet. But the exact opposite. I love bread. Especially the Omega 3 breads. Chewy. Soft. I had to quit making homemade bread. I'd eat half the loaf before it even cooled. Those were the days.

And now all my morning time is gone and I need to focus upon my work for today. Two sets of minutes to type, another meeting to prepare for tomorrow (already started printing and collating), and reports to create. I'm glad I enjoy my job.

Hope that you have an awesome day.

Blessings!

I got the memo!

I wore black today. No specific reason, really. I needed to "dress up" a little as I have two big meetings today with outside doctors coming in for one of them. I always try to dress well for work, you know, business casual, but on days I have big meetings to attend to, I try to 'up' the dress code a bit. Not that anyone cares but me. My value of the 'business casual' code is already a lot higher than some peoples. But I won't go there. Anyway, I wore black today. Black skirt, black top, black jacket, black hose, black shoes. With my white pearls. The classic business look, I guess.

A little bit ago my boss walks in. She is wearing black shoes, black hose, black dress, and a black/white jacket with with gold/black chain necklace. We laughed when we saw each other and just exclaimed "you got the memo!" Sometimes we DO wear similar colors - and outfits. Guess that is why we are best friends.

As I mentioned above, I have two big meetings today. I worked on the binders/packets for these two meetings all of last week. I reviewed things this morning and made sure I had the honorarium papers for the outside doctors to sign, the sign in sheet, and all the binders and packets ready for distribution. I am prepared. And yes, I prayed about both meetings on my way in to work this morning as well as the preparation I have already done, and any that I need to do prior to the meetings. I am trusting they will run smoothly and everything will be where it is supposed to be in the binders and packets.

That's sorta like how God is with us. For us to get to heaven, we have to prepare ourselves to get there. We have to give up the things this world, follow His commandments, and do what is right - oh - and the two big ones - "Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, all of your soul, all of your mind, and all of your strength" and "Love your neighbor as youself".

Those two scriptures sound easy enough, right? We always say we love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, but do our attitudes and actions show that we do? Perhaps most of the time, but ..... And as for the other 'love your neighbor' thing, sometimes that is even harder. Why couldn't the word be 'tolerate' rather than 'love'?

It can't be, because "For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life".

I don't think I would want God to just "tolerate" me. I don't want my husband - or my children - or my grandchildren - to just 'tolerate' me. I'm pretty sure I want them to LOVE me. To love me unconditionally would be ideal, but I know I aggravate them pretty well sometimes. Not intentionally, but I do. I feel each of us desire to be loved unconditionally for who we are, in spite of what we do. Sometimes our ways are not the right ways.

As I sit here and think about things, starting this off about getting the 'memo' about what to wear today (which isn't true, of course, it just becomes a joke when we dress in the same colors), I think about what we do with God's memo. I read His Word, His "Memo" every morning. Do I try to line myself up with what it says? Just finished reading about the Ten Commandments and how the Israelites created a calf to worship (stupid Aaron for suggesting it - my opinion) because Moses hadn't come down from the mountain yet. Do I line myself up with these commandments we are to keep... I try, but I must admit, I have a ways to go on some, as 'me' gets in the way of my 'want to'. But I never give up, I keep trying, I keep working on it.

Whose memo are you reading today? Are you creating your own and expecting others to follow suit? To be like you? Paul says in the scriptures that we should be like him as he follows Christ - meaning Paul desired to be so like Christ that instead of seeing Paul, we see Jesus Christ. That is an awesome goal.

And now it is time for me to get to work so my day is starting. Hope you have a blessed day and that you get the 'memo'.

Blessings!

Yeah, that getting on track thing.....

I think I have mentioned in a previous post that I am a stress eater. Meaning when I am overwhelmed, pushed to my limit, depressed, sad, hurting, whining, - any of these - I tend to eat. This week has been just that. Well, I really haven't been THAT bad, but one whole box of girl scout cookies is gone - the obligatory box I had to buy from a director - and I do not intend to buy any more. In all fairness, it did take me 4 days.

So much the past few weeks is still going on - most of my part resolved, I think. I have learned a lot of things along the way. Some good, some bad. Others have tried to resolve issues, but unable to get responses to resolve. I have to stay out of it and just pray that at some point people will connect and move on. Lots of pain and sorrow during this time cause it affects people I love.

Then I get news the first of the week of an in-law with multiple myeloma, recently diagnosed. Well, they are still being tested (today was to have been the bone marrow test) to get a positive diagnosis, but the doctor is pretty sure they are right. I'm hoping he flunks the test and doesn't have it, that his issues are caused by other things, like a strained muscle.

Then my older sister called me quite hysterial the other morning that she could not walk due to swollen feet, hands, etc. She has rheumatoid arthritis and it has flared up really bad this time. I finally talked her in to calling the doctor and getting something to help - or go to the ER and get them to help her. Last time she was in so much pain - and the doctor could not see her for a couple weeks, I think it was. She went to the ER and the ER Doctor diagnosed her. More than her own doctor was doing after weeks of various tests, CT scans, etc that she had been getting. I think that doctor was committing fraud in a sense by doing all these tests and billing medicare for them, but never giving her a diagnosis or anything to help with the issues she was having. The tests may have been for her issues, but it has been over a month and he has not called to let her know what the test results were. I would be over the top.

Regardless, although these two things don't involve me personally, they do involve people I care about and therefore my thoughts and prayers are with them.

And on top of this, I still have my work and although I only have two meetings this week - I have 5 meetings next week that I need to prepare binders and printouts for. One of the big ones for Monday are already done. I have the other yet to start printing for. Which I may start after this.

With all this to print and put together, I've been starting as soon as I get to work, and usually working through lunch. Which is no big deal - I usually eat at my desk anyway. However, today, since I have a moment, decided instead of continuing to work to stop and write this bit of nonsense. But now, I do need to get back to work and get things done.

Just trying to cut down on my stress.

Oh yeah - my Coach Jeffrey called this morning. I've done real well in getting over 6000 steps a day average but he has now mvoed me up to 8000+ a day. Not 10,000 - but 8,000+ so that I don't get stressed about it. DUH. I think I will shoot for 10,000 anyway. Maybe. Then, the pressure so maybe not.

Oh, and I just remembered I have two more boxes of Trefoils coming... sometime. My son has had them for a week - hopefully he hasn't eaten them yet. Although I don't think he is a cookie monster.... my middle child is.

Need to get back on minutes - just got a new set! Hope you are having a non-stress filled day and remember all things work for good.

This morning a song keeps going through my mind that we sung last Sunday - "I can do all things, I can do all things, I can do all things through Christ who strenthens me, I can do all things, I can do all things, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Been singing that a lot today.

Have a great stress-less day!

Blessings!

Getting back on track.....

I am a stress eater. By that I mean when there are things bothering me, or if I am extremely busy, as I have been the past few weeks - well, I eat. Anything and everything. I already don't get the sleep I should in order for my body to rest, averaging maybe 6 hours a night. Usually just less than six hours. So I'm tired. And if I eat, that will wake me up, corect?

Well, whether it will or not, that is a big question, but not my answer for today! I have to get back on track. I had been doing real well with walking and being active, eating right, etc. These past few weeks I have totally blown it.

I'm talking pizza. And Ice Cream. Popcorn (although I don't put butter on it so that isn't so bad). But also potatoes. And bread. SIGH. And CHOCOLATE. And lets not forget the cheese and crackers (after all, I can't let hubby have those alone, can I?) Things I enjoy a lot, but isn't good for me. Why isn't it good for me? After all, surely there is some protein in the meat on the pizza, right? Ice Cream is dairy. Popcorn is fiber. Chocolate has iron in it. Well, ok - maybe it is because I have had too much of these foods lately.

And my skirts are fitting a bit snug! Two weeks ago they felt loose. Yesterday I tried on several skirts to wear to church, and ended up hanging them back up. Today I just gave up and wore one. I've got to get back on track and focus on staying healthy.

It doesn't do any good for me to pray that God keep me healthy - when I eat things I shouldn't eat - because I have no control as far as moderation. I'm sure one piece of pizza is not real bad, if it is a small piece. (In all fairness, we DID have salad with it). I just need to tell myself I am "allergic" to these foods (they make my body swell) and stay away from them.

Besides, we do our Biometric screening next week - and I had such good scores last year, I want to be at that level or better this year. I have about nine days to get my body back to focus. I wonder if I can do that. I had a shake this morning - and I told hubby chicken and salad for dinner. That is a good start. I brought Greek yogurt and berries for a snack, and I have soup for lunch. I think I'm set for at least today. Now if I will walk tonight for about 45 minutes that will help a lot. And try to get to bed a little earlier.

Getting our bodies back on track is just what we are told to do in the Bible. Yes, the Bible tells us to exercise our bodies. To not let it become out of control. Just as we are to exercise our faith, and grow our spiritual walk with Christ.

If you don't speak up (or out) in faith, you may start taking God's blessings for granted. Not only ask Him for healing in your body, in relationships, in family, but also thank Him for whatever He does. Sometimes working on other people takes longer because they have to get to the place they WANT to get better.

I remember praying for a young woman up north that had a lot of major medical issues. She was always whining and complaing about her illnesses. I'm not sure how many were real, or if they were attention seeking. She had some serious medical issues, but sometimes I think she used them to play games with. Anyway, she asked me to pray for her one Sunday, for healing, as we had done numerous times over several months. I felt prompted to turn to her and just ask her "do you want to get well?". She seemed startled I asked it, and assured me she did. I asked her about a recent incident that I knew about which was detrimental to her good health. She acknowledged what she did could only hurt her health. We prayed, but I also prayed she would be given the desire to work on becoming healthy, and not do things that were against her body getting healthy.

Just like I continously pray for myself, that I will desire to be healthy, that God would keep me healthy. But in order for Him to keep me healthy, I need to eat healthy and to exercise, even if just walking. In other words, I can't eat things in abundance, although they may be somewhat good for me, and expect God to keep me thin and healthy. I need to make wise choices. I need to eat smaller portions. I need to take care of this earthly sheel God has put me in.

I need to get back on track. What about you? Still eating like it is the holiday season like I have been? Take some time to evaluate your health. Perhaps it is time for you to get a physical and get a base level. Or you have a base level and you need to go see where you stand with it.

I'm grateful I have only had to go to the doctor for my physical the past several years. I dislike - a lot - going to the doctor so I try to stay healthy so that I only have to go for a physical. I got a good report last July so I think I need to get focused on a good report this year as well.

Find your base level, get your thoughts together on what you need to do, and join me on getting back on track. Besides, my son has challenged me, as I have challenged him. I can't NOT do it.... I'd be too disappointed in myself.

Keep your focus - get back on track!

Blessings!