I screwed it up....

 I was being so careful.  I was keeping a spreadsheet of Christmas gifts.  As I ordered things, I would list them in RED.  When they arrived and were wrapped, because I was wrapping the day I got them to keep up on things, I would change the color to GREEN so that I knew I had received it, and it was wrapped.  Well, I had been doing it on my company laptop because it is what is set up on the desk.  I type this blog from my personal laptop I keep by my chair.

To print from my work computer I have to email the document to myself and then print from my iphone to my printer.  No biggie, right.  Well, I could not get the document to print correctly.  It would want to separate things into six different sheets - names on 3 and items on three.  UGH.  So as I squeezed the lines or lengthened the lines, as I separated the three families and then separated the children... or brought them all together, I lost my sense of direction.  Yes, I'm directionally challenged anyway, but, this is a bit different.  In the process of it all, after working on it for probably 1/2 hour to get it to print the way I want it to, for some unknown reason, I highlighted everything (probably to make it easier to read on paper)... and changed ALL the printing to BLACK.

Yep.  Now I don't know what is on order (although I have a pretty good idea as I'm basically done shopping).... and what I have wrapped and is under the tree.  I had two packages come in on Saturday and wrapped those last night.  I'm pretty sure I have those right.  But I think I am going to have to go under the tree and separate by family and by individual to check what I have wrapped for each one.  I don't want anyone to get more gifts than another.... and I have really cut down on my shopping this year (which is why I'm already done shopping).  But I think I have messed up with interruptions (that's my excuse) as I wrapped, and given gifts to some when it went to another.  And the fact that I may have written down something on my list and put another's name on it  = well that has happened too.  I found one grandson had two flannel shirts - and I know I only ordered one for him, so who didn't get their shirt?  And I have a few more packages to come in yet this week - but don't ask me what!

With my grandsons growing up and getting out on their own, or away at school, or just living far enough away I don't see often, I have no idea of what to buy them.  So, they suffer the consequences of that - they get flannel shirts and usually a thermal shirt and/or vest too.  I had to write and ask my granddaughter what to get her hubby.  For the past 4 years I have bought him a hoodie for Christmas - I asked her if he had enough.  LOL  She responded that he said he could still use a hoodie and maybe a button down flannel shirt.  So he is getting both from us.  

Of course I'll have salsa made for anyone who wants to take it home with them.  Hmmmm I reckon I need to check my jars - not sure how many I have left from last year.  They don't usually get returned so need to see if I need to purchase any more.  

I bought some pastry from Trader Joe's last week and it was really good - and I don't usually buy pastry.  I went online and found that I could order it and have it shipped.  As I like to send my siblings a little something (usually just a loaf of my bread - and then it cost me $15 to ship it!!) and although it costs me more to order this pastry and ship it, I went ahead and ordered it to be sent out in a couple weeks.  It's a little something, it's different, and it can be frozen if they want to save it for Christmas morning.  And I don't need to worry about baking and shipping during the month of December.  It felt good to get that off my plate.   Still need to come up with something for my hubby's brother, rather than what we usually send them.  It may change it this year - who knows.  I'm at a loss as to what to send... will see what I come up with.

Christmas has really become commercialized over the past 50 years, don't you think?  And now with the pandemic people are ordering more online (me included) than ever before.  I don't like being out in crowds so have always done my Christmas shopping early, but this year, to have it pretty much done by the end of November is a feat in itself.  And wrapped!   I love to give gifts to everyone.  It's part of my DNA.  I remember a few years back when my granddaughter, Tricia, was here with her boyfriend and I was cooking and baking, and fixed up things for them to take with them.  He was reluctant to take it... and Tricia turned to him and said "that's what my grandma does, she gives things to us because she loves us."   And yes, that's what I do.

Just like God loves us so much, that the very season we are looking forward to, Christmas, He brought forth His only Son, Jesus.  The very reason we celebrate, the birth of Jesus.  Our Savior.  Our Lord.  Our King.  The One and Only.   Coming as a baby, a birth celebrated by kings of foreign lands, following a bright star in the sky.  God's only Son.  Born for you, and for me.

Something to think about.  This is just the beginning of a life of serving, obeying, healing, providing, and being.  Jesus came as a Baby.  But a very special One.

What are you celebrating this year?  Getting material gifts - or receiving the Gift above all gifts, the Gift of our Savior, Jesus.

Blessings!

Relax.....Relaxed.....Relaxing....

 Ok, so the title may sound dumb, but I was searching for something to put there.  I searched my mind for what I did yesterday; perhaps I could find something in the day to write about.  I got up early in the morning, as usual, and did my quiet time.  Then I cooked breakfast for hubby and I.  Eggs, toast, pancakes, sausage.....  nope, nothing comes to me there.

What did I do after that?  Oh yeah, I went through Christmas ornaments and put a bunch more on the tree.  Then I put a bunch on the trees outside.   Yeah, it may rain in December and ruin some of them, but at least for now they look fun and cheery.  I STILL have a bag of ornaments from years past.   I start searching to see if one of the grandchildren want them.   Or at least some of them.  If not, I will go through again to make sure I don't have special ones in there that I really don't mind they go... then will check with the nephew.  Savers would be the next stop.  Yeah, trying to get rid of things I held on to - even for Christmas.  Many decorations I haven't used for awhile.  I did give away several items last year, and now since my space is limited, I am doing it again.

The way I can look at it, if I'm not using it, either give it away to one of my family members, or to Savers/Goodwill so someone else can find value in it..... or my children will have to do it at another time.  Why weigh them down with all this?   Just get rid of it now.

I did go get a massage yesterday and it really felt good.  In fact, I fell asleep three times and woke myself up within that hour I was so relaxed!  I hate it when I do that cause how do I wake up?  I snore.  Quit chuckling.  It's the noise vibrating in my throat that wakes me (I'm face down getting the massage).  It is embarrassing!  But when I apologize, I am told, "if you fall asleep, then I'm doing my job of helping you relax."  I slept good last night so he did do his job!

I took the ornaments over to my granddaughters' yesterday and fed our new little great-grandbaby while she went through the ornaments.  She took very few and gave the bag back to me.  I brought what we still have back home and contacted a grandson to see if he wanted any.  He will take my TV stand and the ornaments - well, will see if he wants any of them.  What is left over will pass on to my nephew.  He seems to take everything and doesn't mind telling you what he needs.  

Speaking of the nephew, we need to go to his condo today.  He has asked us to 'bless' his condo... he asked hubby a few weeks ago but he hasn't gone... so he asked me the other night.   People don't understand you can bless your own home.   Just because someone has a certificate doesn't mean they are the only ones who can bless your home.  That may have been it years ago, but it isn't now.  We will go and pray over his condo.... but if he brings things into it that shouldn't be there, or behaves in ways not pleasing God, he will allow the demons back in.   I have told the nephew that when the demons come to praise God and call on Jesus' name because the Bible says that when Jesus name is used, the demons flee.  His comment back is 'oh I pray and praise Jesus all the time but the demons stay.'  sigh.  Lord, please help us with this one.   Whiners and belly-achers drive me crazy.  Stop the whining and complaining - start thanking and praising God for what you do have!

Today hubby has the preaching for the RV park up north.  I think he said it was on prayer and the Holy Spirit.  Lord, please open my mind, my heart, and my ears to hear what You want me to hear about this.  Sometimes we think we 'know' all this stuff and move on and don't let anything sink in.  But sometimes we need a reminder of how valuable prayer is and what a treasure the Holy Spirit is.  I can't live without either.  I don't want to become complacent, so I seek to learn more of the Person of the Holy Spirit.  Yes, He is a Person. 

Oftentimes we say Father, Son and Holy Spirit.... but in our minds just think the Holy Spirit is just a "spirit" but He is in reality, a Person just as the Father and Son are.  Does that blow your mind?  I honestly had not thought much about the Holy Spirit as a Person until I read the book "In Honor of the Holy Spirit"  by Cash Luna.  In fact, I was on my second reading through it when hubby wanted to borrow the book to read.  I'm sure he is pulling information out of this book for his message today.  I do have the book if anyone wants to borrow it..... just saying....  it really makes you think.

I just took the last sip of my peppermint mocha coffee (after all, tis the season) so guess I need to get off here and jump in the shower.  This morning I'm still feeling somewhat relaxed from sleeping so well last night.  Haven't had a night like that in a long time.

Relax.... it is well worth it.  I'm thinking I'm done with Christmas shopping except for a very few things.  Still waiting on things to arrive then will go through everything again to make sure I haven't forgotten anyone.  Once I'm done, I can focus on my baking.  In fact, I have cranberries in my refrigerator I do need to use up today.  Sounds like bread baking to me!   But it's all fun to me and so enjoyable.

Hope that you have a fun-filled, relaxing day today.  I plan to.  Thank God today for all He has given you - a place to call home, a family you love, and who loves you.  Thank Him for your health and the health of your loved ones.  Thank Him for providing all that you need.  Praying and talking with God can also relax you. :-)

Blessings!

Singing a tune.....

 I ended up working about 5 hours yesterday I guess.  I didn't keep track of the time.  Didn't get the minutes I wanted to do completed either.  But I did get several meetings scheduled from emails that were received after I got offline on Wednesday.  I quit at 4PM.  My bosses keep going until 5PM or later, so most mornings I will have emails from them to do something.  Yesterday was no exception.

My middle child, his wife, and his youngest son came over for dinner last night.   For me, it was a great evening.  You will think I'm nuts when I tell you this, because I'm sure you can judge from previous blog posts that this probably has not happened in years.

I caught myself singing as I was fixing dinner.

Yep, I did.  And it isn't something I normally do.

After I put the turkey on, and quit working, hubby was watching Notre Dame play their football game.  I get tired of his football games and game shows sometimes.  So I grabbed my kindle, the afghan I'm working on, and my yarn.  Decided to see what Amazon Prime had for movies.  I don't watch movies often on Amazon Prime, in fact it has been months since I have.  Maybe even years.  So I scrolled through some and found Christmas Lodge. 

It's getting close to Christmas, so I thought why not, and it was free to watch.  So I sat at the kitchen table with my afghan and worked on it while I watched the movie.  (Yes, it was one of those where the tears welded up in the eyes)  I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and may watch it again before Christmas.  You know you always catch something else that you missed in the first watching.  The movie is along the lines of the Christmas Shoes, etc.  I fit right in.  Some of you know what I mean by that.  Others of you will ignore that comment.

Anyway, after the movie, it was time to finish up the dressing and get the giblet gravy finished as the turkey was done and the broth was there to be used.  I'm busy in my kitchen and I am happy.   And as I'm cutting up onions, and celery, and other items to go into the gravy and dressing, I found myself singing.  I don't remember now what I was singing.... but it caught me off guard when I realized it.   I felt happy.  Something I hadn't really felt in a long time.

I was creating a meal and I had had all day to work on it.  The meal it self was basically planned out since it was a Thanksgiving meal.  I had the routine things to do.  But I felt no burden on my shoulder, no annoying interruptions came (yeah, I had a couple 'can I help' questions but I replied no) and the kitchen was quiet and I was alone in it.... and I found myself singing a song.

I just can't explain ....  the day before, Thanksgiving, I was with family and I was happy.  I love being around my family and that day I got to love on our great-granddaughter.  It was a very good day.  I think I was burdened because of other family issues going on that day.  My daughter was extremely busy with everyone interrupting her as she tried to complete things for dinner.  I honestly do not know how she does it.   There were a large number of people at her house - not as many as in the past though - but she was extremely busy making sure that everyone was taken care of.  She is an excellent hostess and a loving daughter to me.  I was happy to help her but tried to stay out of her way too.

But yesterday, I was alone in my kitchen, doing what I love.  Cooking a real meal.  Not just one to get by because someone is hungry.  Not just a quickie meal to pull together (although those can make me happy too).  I just can't explain the feeling that came over me.

I was free.  I was in my own little world.  For that moment in time, I had no troubles, no burdens, nothing weighing heavy on my shoulders.  No worries.

I had joy.  And I found myself singing.  Not loudly, mind you, but verbally making noise.

And it was good.  I thank God that He gave me those moments in time that I felt free.  

When you haven't had those moments for a long, long time, when it happens, you will notice.

You feel joy.

That is my wish for you this season.  That you will also find joy in the moment.  It may happen while you are out in your car driving from one place to another.  Or, like me, fixing a meal.  Or it may be out working on a project.  But all of a sudden, you will notice, joy.

Soak in it.  Smile.  Praise God. and be happy.

Blessings!

Catchy Title

 Ok, obviously I'm not very good at coming up with catchy titles for these messages and today is no exception.   I didn't sleep well last night, I'm later than usual getting started on this as I kept wanting to fall back to sleep in my chair.  And did succeed a few minutes.  The room is cold (to me) and I'm bundled up in my prayer shawl and blanket wrapped all around me... nice and cozy... yeah, I could easily go back to sleep again.

But then, I remembered.  I signed up to donate blood this morning.  At 8:15AM. What was I thinking?  Well, I knew I would be up, that wasn't the problem.  But going OUT early in the morning when the temps are below 60 degrees... not real smart on my part.  I should have waited until it warmed up some in the day.  I just finished my "fast track" and took a photo of the bar code so I am ready.  Well, not dressed, but ready in the part of having that part completed.

I told my boss that I would work today.  By Wednesday I was telling her I may work 4 hours and take 4 hours off.  Now I'm thinking I don't want to work at all.  This is the day after Thanksgiving so it is my option.  I do have some critical minutes I still need to complete so think I will work part of the day.  Very few are working today (of office staff) so it doesn't matter whether I work or not.   Both of my bosses are off today. 

My original plan for today is to cook a turkey this afternoon and all that goes with it and have my son and DIL and grandson over for dinner.  Currently that is still the plan.  Then I read his blog last night and got to thinking they may not want turkey two days in a row.  So I left a note on his blog to let me know what he wants to do.   The turkey will be fine in the refrigerator if we wait a few days more before baking it.  And I can actually bake it any day since I am at home.  Well, except for Tuesday night.   Will see if he responds and what he responds.  If I don't hear from him by 1PM, I will be putting the turkey in the oven and starting all the trimmings.  He may have all the leftovers they can handle right now.  Maybe Sunday evening would work better for them.  Well, will wait and see what he says.

We did have a nice Thanksgiving yesterday.  My daughter, her son, and myself did our annual "turkey trot".  We walked nearly 4 miles, and my body sure told me the rest of the day it wasn't happy.  I know I am out of shape, especially since I haven't been walking at all.  My hip joints were hurting and I could barely move the rest of the day.  It makes me sad for I want to be able to move about.

So what am I going to do about it?  I am going to get back into exercising again.  I have to.  For myself.  I have several exercise programs and although I don't have a lot of space in this room until I pass on the bed and get a futon in here, I can still use my small hand weights to build up strength.

Oh yeah, I just remembered.  I signed up for the 50 squats a day starting December 1 through December 31 I think it is, for the American Cancer Society.  They want it to be a fundraiser, but I just don't do that.  I will join in, just to make myself get some exercise and it will be good for the legs and booty. But then, my booty doesn't need to get any bigger!  I was telling my daughter about it yesterday that she should do it because it would GIVE her a booty!  LOL    Between being extremely active and a diabetic, she is but bones.  I really don't know if I can do it - but I think I can, and I will give it my best shot.  Besides, it will help me physically.

And, because I have thrown myself off my regular diet this past month and have eaten so much candy and carbs and anything else I can get my hands on (i.e., ice cream, french fries).... I shutter to see what the scales will show.  So I refuse to get on them.  But since my jeans were a bit tight yesterday, I would probably say I have gained a few pounds.

Sigh.  Tis the season.  What am I going to do about it?  Sigh.

I remember way back when.... my daughter in law was studying for a class and she had a dish of M&Ms by her.  I think I commented on the dish... and probably the fact they wouldn't have M&Ms still in it if it was me (after all, it is chocolate).  She told me that it was (now my memory may not be serve me exact) her reward.  She would read a couple pages then would allow herself a couple M&Ms.  It really struck me how disciplined she was on completing her task.  It wasn't just reading it and forcing herself through it, but she gave herself rewards along the way and it made it much easier to get through (I think).

Now don't ask me why that memory popped up in my mind this morning.  I've thought of it often through the years.... but here I am talking about needing to lose weight, and I am reminded about discipline in rewarding yourself.

There just may be something in that, do you think?  No, I don't think one day's exercise for ten minutes should reward me with a pecan cluster caramel blizzard, even a mini one.  But it might, if I had to have it,  be good enough for a reward of an M&M.  LOL  It's all about discipline.  I'm usually pretty good about not eating candy.  Then my brother sends me a box of chocolate.  Yes, there are still several pieces left.  Well, perhaps not several.  But there are some.

Discipline.  Living life requires discipline.  You get up in the morning.... then what will you do with your day?  You go to work.  You cook meals.  You exercise (well, some do), You take care of your family.  You relax some. You go to bed.  The next day you start all over.  But even with what is 'routine', many things need to be disciplined.  Sometimes you have to 'make' yourself do something.

That's what so cool about God.  It's all about choices.  He doesn't MAKE us follow Him.  He doesn't force us to obey Him.  He doesn't slap us when we do things wrong (sometimes I wish He would!).  He gives us a free choice of disciplining our lives to honor and praise Him.  It's our choice if we want to follow Him.  It's our choice to do good.  It's our choice to spend time with Him, to worship Him, to give Him thanks for all things.

And that's why I love Him so much.  He's my Heavenly Father, and He loves me unconditionally.  Even when I overeat, don't exercise, and don't obey what I know I should do.  When I go to Him each morning, He is always waiting for me.  We have an appointment and I always want to keep it.  God first.  Me last.

And that's how I get through my day.  

Blessings!

and Happy Thanksgiving to all!

 Today is Thanksgiving day.  A day off work. (for most of us)  Whatever you call it, whether you eat Turkey or not, it is a day of Thanksgiving.

Over the years the meaning of Thanksgiving has fallen by the wayside, I believe.  Go back to the very first Thanksgiving and what it meant to those people.  Why was this specific day picked out of the year to "celebrate" ?   Back in the day.... a phrase we have heard often.... back in the day, people honored and worshipped God.  They believed in God and WHO He is.   Not was, because He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.

They believed in God who loved and cared for them.  Over the years rebellion has set in.  My generation still went to church every week.  In fact, my generation was at church every time the doors were opened - because that is what our parents made us do.  It was what their parents made them do.

But then my generation began to rebel.  As my generation came of age and moved out, they determined they weren't going to make their children go to church like they were.  They themselves began to skip church on occasion.  Their children didn't go to church as they grew up and left home because they weren't 'made' to go to church.... and because they didn't go, they don't know about Jesus.  They don't know how much He loves them and cares for them, and longs for them to walk with Him.  Pastors became just men with the title and did not preach the Word of God in its entirety, but preached only what would go with the culture they lived in.   We now have lost generations of people who have never stepped inside of a church, or if they have, still have no idea who Jesus is because He has not been taught to them of His mercy and grace, and of His love for them.  They do not know that Jesus is waiting for them to ask Him to help them in their time of need.  They don't know to ask.  

Unfortunately, I have failed myself as a parent.  I took my children to church.  But I did not always model Jesus to them.  They saw the world, and not Jesus.  That is my blame.  When they left home, they chose the world, although they all accepted Jesus as a youth and wanted to follow Him.  Now the world has captured them and won't let them go.  But, this mother prevails and gives them to God daily.  Some day my prayers will be answered and they will turn to Jesus again.  And they will teach their children and grandchildren of the great love He has for all of us.  And maybe the world will change.

We can't preach about injustice and what the Bible says about it - because people would become offended and they would stop coming to church.  We can't speak about what God says about things because people would rise up against the church and try to shut it down.  We can't tell the truth about what God says, because people rebel against hearing it.  They don't want to change their lives.  They don't want to do unto others as they would want them to do unto them.  People don't want to give up all they have.....to follow Jesus.    

We've allowed the world to remove who God is and whom He is to us.  It was so easy.  We didn't want the church, or our parents, to tell us what to do.  We were 18 and we were going to make our own decisions on church.  And we did.

Our world is now a mess and very few people truly believe in Jesus, or God, or the Holy Spirit.  But each one is REAL.  More real than you and I are.  More real than this world that we live in.

Thanksgiving... the very word implies to be thankful.  Some people would just laugh and say 'I'm thankful for the day off work" or "I'm thankful I have a job" or I'm thankful I can sleep in today" or any other 'thing'.

But the first Thanksgiving was more than that.  It was thankfulness to Almighty God.  It was honoring Him who was, who is, and who is to come.  We've lost that moment in time.  When was the last time you told God 'thank you' for anything?

Did He not provide you a job?  Did He not heal that sickness?  Did He not provide food for your table?  Did He not watch over your children when they were away from you?  Did He not keep you in the palm of His hand in your most difficult times?

Did you thank Him for doing any of that?   What if God HADN'T provided for you, taken care of you and your family, healed you, restored your finances...and more?  What if?

As I sit here and type all this, I reflect into my own life.  With COVID church has basically stopped for many of us except for online.  Are you even catching any of the many messages that have been put online?  (Jentezen Franklin is on at 7AM and 9AM AZ time...just an FYI..... and he does some preaching of the Bible!)   Can you give God 30-60 minutes one day a week?  

Today I choose to thank God for His faithfulness to me.  He hasn't answered all my prayers, but there are many that He has answered.  My God is a God of Mercy, of Grace, of Truth, of Forgiveness.  I know His forgiveness well.  I covet His forgiveness every day.  Not that I sin every day, but in case I have and don't know it (yes, that is possible).

Psalm 51 is a good place to start, to figure out where you are in life.  What is your relationship with God Almighty?  Take some time, grab your Bible, and slowly read through Psalm 51.  It could change your life.  

Psalm 51:7-13- Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.  Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me - now let me rejoice.  Don't keep looking at my sins, remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God.  Renew a loyal spirit within me.  Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and make me willing to obey you.  Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you.  (NLT)

But I have jumped ahead.... start with Psalm 51:1.... Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love.

Do you remember how much God loves you?  How much do you love your children?  That's how much God loves you..... and more.  So much more He gave up His only begotten Son, Jesus, to die for you.  Would you give up a child to save the world?

Thanksgiving day.  Today.  What are you thankful for?  Take some time right now and think about the things you have, things you may take for granted.  Just tell God 'Thank you'.  He knows your heart.  He knows you better than you know yourself.  And you are still in the palm of His hand.

Thank you, Father.

I am thankful for so much... God has been so very good to me.  In spite of my complaining and whining (of which I should NOT do)  God is GOOD.  All the time God is Good.

I'm also thankful that this morning I get to meet up with my daughter and grandson for our 8th annual Turkey Trot.  Since we will be having dinner versus lunch, we don't have to start out at 6AM (thank goodness! It's cold out!) but will be meeting up  about 8:30AM.  I enjoy the walk and although many won't be joining us this year, I'm walking.  Refreshes the mind, helps the body.

Have a blessed and safe Thanksgiving.  I am thankful for you.

Blessings!

Short week.... and we are halfway through it.

 For most people this is a 3 day week with Thursday being Thanksgiving, and then they usually get Friday off too.  When we were in the office, it was "mandatory" we take Friday off.  I have to 'chuckle' somewhat because this year - because everyone is at home working (well, those NOT in the hospital or clinic settings) and I'm talking only about the company I work for, we have been given the OPTION of working on Friday - or not.  We can make it a four day weekend - or not.

I have opted to work on Friday.  My one boss is taking it off.  I don't know what the other is doing and I'm not going to let her know I'm working for I'm pretty sure she will be working on the side and before I know it, she will be giving me lots of things to do.   I have minutes to type up yet from her meeting last Thursday so I want to focus on that and get them done.  That was the four hour meeting... lots to get done on that.

When my boss and I chatted about whether or not I would be working, I told her my plans for the day.  I have an 8:15AM blood donation scheduled at the Glendale blood place.  No problem.  I'll go and donate blood, then come back and start working again.  I will put the turkey in to bake early afternoon, and will have other things taken care of too.  I will work, and I will take breaks to get things done.  I know my boss doesn't care, for she knows that I will work as well - and I have been working my lunch hours so it isn't like I'm messing with my time.  I am fortunate with this job that I haven't had to punch a timeclock as I have in years past.   So why do I want to work on Friday when I can easily have the day off?

Because the company put our holiday time in with our PTO (paid time off) time - so when we take a holiday - Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. - we have to put in 8 hours PTO.  And it bugs me.  We have to make sure there is always enough hours there to cover the holiday that comes up.  AND because we earn the hours each pay period, it's hard to track what is true PTO time.  I haven't taken time off for awhile because I know I need to take a couple days in December to make sure I get all my things ready for Christmas.  And, hopefully, can get some of the grandchildren over to bake cookies.  It's been hard in the past when I work all day then have a long drive home and then it's 6PM before I can get them in the evenings.  So we bumped it to Saturdays or Sunday afternoons.

There are advantages to working from home.  I may be able to get some of them as early as 4PM when I get off work and then we will have more time to chill together.  Some of the grandchildren like to play a game after we bake.  And make Christmas mice.  It will be so fun to spend time with them and is one of my favorite things to do.  My grandchildren keep me young, and bring new life to me.  So if I enjoy them so much, why don't I have them over more often?  That is a good question.  My main reason is Grumpy.  And I'll leave it at that.  Now that life has settled down more into a routine, perhaps this next year I can do that after the holidays.  It is something that I can work on, anyway.  But the grandchildren still have school so will have to work around that as well.

I have all the supplies to make the Christmas mice, but I need to check my cookie making supplies.  I know I need to pick up chocolate chips as I only have one bag.  I am going to assume it is still good as it has been in the freezer since last December.  LOL  Obviously I haven't baked chocolate chip cookies for awhile.  I have made oatmeal raisin cookies, but only a few times.  December always gives me an excuse to bake cookies.... and I do.  

With all the busyness of the holidays.... will we stop and think of the reasons.....  ??  Let's just start with Thanksgiving, because it is tomorrow.  In school years ago we were taught about the pilgrims coming over on the Mayflower and how they landed in what we call Massachusetts now.  (I enjoyed history, but memory is another thing here... )  Was the Indian named Sancho- who showed the pilgrims how to plant corn and grow crops?  I remember reading that the winter was brutal and many of the pilgrims died.  They should have landed in Florida - the winters are much nicer there.  But anyway, the pilgrims celebrated the very first Thanksgiving by having a big feast of thankfulness for arriving from their long trip.   I don't remember which President designated the 4th Thursday of November each year to be Thanksgiving day.

I'll write about Thankfulness tomorrow.... if I remember.  But for now, take a few minutes to be grateful.  For one, we have a holiday on which we don't have to work (although many people do).  Even if I tried, I can't sleep in.  The latest I've been able to sleep in is 5:30 - 6AM.  Once my mind wakes up, it doesn't matter whether the body does or not, so it is just as easy to get up and come into my room to read. 

So I will just end this post with gratefulness to God, for He has seen, and does see, where we are in this life and He loves us so much, that He will allow us to make our own choices, right or wrong.  Many times He will "tell" us in various ways to leave churches, to leave jobs.... but the ultimate decision is ours.  Some we follow the leading, and other times we don't for no other reason than we just are comfortable and don't want to.  So then He 'allows' things to happen to get us to move.  Why does He do that?  Because He wants our dependence to be upon Him.   He always provides.  Let me give you a couple examples as pertains to jobs....

When I left my job in 2011, I was very unhappy in that position so when I was offered 'early retirement' with a years pay, I took it.  I let the year nearly run out before I started looking for another job because I had gotten paid every two weeks just as before.  I received the last paycheck the week before I started a new job.  God provided - although I was getting nervous about it as I had been looking for about three months.

And more recently.  My daughter-in-law said she felt God was wanting her to leave her job, but she was comfortable there and really didn't want to leave.  We make friends where we work.  Even though we may not like things, it's a job.  With her husband not able to find a job, it was necessary.  So what happens?  God orchestrated things where she was released from that job.  And it was around that time that the job my son was wanting opened up and he was able to start working   Do I really believe that God brought that all about?  Yes I do.  My son is now able to provide for his family and my daughter-in-law doesn't have the pressure of rushing out to find the first job that she is offered.  She can be selective and choose what she wants to do.  With working from home, my son is there, and he is able to do a job that I feel he enjoys.  And that is always a very good thing.

So I choose to be grateful.... how about you?

Blessings!

Ahhhh.... my table....

 The table I had ordered from Walmart and was reported as delivered...... was actually delivered down the road. Let me back up and then I'll explain.

I contacted Walmart yesterday morning via chat and explained I never received the end table although I received an email that I had.  I explained I had been home and working out in the court area, so was pretty confident that it had NOT been delivered at the time they said it was.  At least not here.  No problem.  Walmart said they would refund my money.  I explained I didn't want a refund; I wanted the item.  So they put a priority expedite on the item and requested it be reshipped to me.  I was very impressed with the customer service.

A couple hours later our doorbell rang.  When I went to the door, there was an elderly lady who had placed the box next to our door.  She said - and I quote - "I found this box down the street and it has your address on it."  What does 'I found this box down the street' mean?  Did it get left at a house, was it lying in the street?  What?  I don't know.  She didn't say it had been delivered to her house in error.  I was so surprised, I didn't ask.

So now what?  I had already contacted Walmart and they had expedited a reshipment.  I decided not to contact them, but when the new table is received, I will make a decision what to do with it.  I have two grandsons who are getting a new apartment; they may need the table.  I have a nephew who has moved to a condo.  He may need the table.  I have a daughter who just bought a new house.  She may need the table.  If none need it, and I can't find a use for it, I will either contact Walmart to return the extra table, or I will write a note and send the $30 for the shipment to Walmart and explain what was lost had been found.  Either way, I will pay Walmart for the shipment unless I end up returning it.

I am still waiting for Penney's to get back with me on what they are going to do on the missing items.  I sent them the information they requested; order number, etc., and hopefully they are replacing the items.  Otherwise I will be one unhappy camper with Penney's.  I cleaned off the bed yesterday where I have opened every package that has been received.... and the items definitely were not there.... and while I had all the papers and gifts off the bed, I changed the coverlet to Christmas.  

NOW it is beginning to look like Christmas! Yes, it's still November, but still..... I have all the gifts I have purchased wrapped and most are under the tree.  I have three boxes put together thus far that I will need to ship out, and will ship those out within a couple weeks.  I told my little sister that I was shipping her box December 1st and that was all she was getting.  Not that I have bought her that much; most are things I am passing on to her that gathered dust here. LOL  Not that much, just a couple things that I think she will like.  And no, I am not wrapping those as a Christmas gift.  I have realized I don't have that much for her so may pick up an Amazon card to add to her package.  THAT would make her very happy. :-)  

I have tried to be so careful with organizing Christmas gifts and writing down what everyone got - so when I put under the tree yesterday I double checked my list... even to the point of opening some to see what they were to make sure they were what they were supposed to be.  LOL  One grandson had two shirts and should have gotten only one.... so who did I leave out?  I have no idea.  I decided to send it to my brother in law.  It looks like I've ordered more from Kohls because I thought I hadn't ordered enough.  (No, I did not buy you a flannel shirt)  Once I get this shipment wrapped, I'll sort out the gifts under the tree again and count to see if I've messed up again.  Not a big deal.  I can buy a couple gift cards and if I've messed up, I can always hand off a gift card to one of the grandchildren. Mother always said Foresight is better than Hindsight. :-)

I was in an interesting meeting yesterday.  Yes, I had to take minutes, but I found the presentation very interesting.  They talked about taking words and 'flipping' them to be positive.  Instead of saying something to someone that comes out negative, flip the words to make it positive.  How many times have we said something that was construed as something negative?  When in reality it was meant as a positive?  I'm pretty sure I've done it.  I know hubby has.  When he does it, I just look at him trying to figure out how did he mean what he just said.  The way it sounded isn't always the way it is meant.  Sarcasm hurts sometimes.  But the same words can be used in a positive way and bring life to someone who may be struggling already.

Oh - I wanted to give an update on Sheeba..... she was taken to a vet we had used for Marley.  We are further away so had switched to another one.  We got out a lot cheaper than if we had taken her to where we had been as they always want to run tests.  Well, after all, it is a school to teach students to become vets so they have to run all these tests - and each time would be around $200 or more.  Usually more.  Anyway, this visit was a lot less so I think we will continue going back there.   Long story short... Sheeba had stopped drooling late Saturday.  Interestingly, I had bought her a new rope to chew on.  She certainly isn't like Marley!  We could time Marley and she would have that rope totally taken apart in 30 minutes.   Sheeba is enjoying it, but chewing it in pieces.  Anyway, my guess is something was stuck in between her teeth and her chewing on the rope pulled it out...so the drooling stopped.  We went ahead and took her to the vet just to be sure nothing was wrong.  (The doctor agreed with my diagnosis - she may have had something stuck between her teeth and then the rope got it out - and the drooling stopped)

SHEEBA WEIGHS 110 POUNDS!!  No wonder I feel like I'm smothering when she climbs on me!  LOL  They said she should weigh about 100 pounds so want us to not feed her snacks (poor baby) and cut back a little on her food.  I told hubby she needs to be taken to the dog park so she can run it off.  He sighs. The two times he has taken her he hasn't let her run, but kept her on the leash.  Which makes no sense to me but he said he was afraid she'd go after the other dogs.  Isn't that what dogs do?  We won't know until he lets her off the leash.  

I think I will try walking her again this weekend.  Perhaps if I take her to the canal to walk it will be easier.  There aren't that many dogs on that trail, and I could use the exercise too.  I bought a new leash that our mail lady told me about.  She has a German shepherd and she said this leash is a lifesaver for her (and she is a lot smaller than me!!).  I may put two leashes on Sheeba and see if I can control her that way.  At 110 pounds, that explains a lot why I can't hold on to her when she wants to go after something.

I wonder if God ever feels that way about us?  I mean, when we find something we want, don't we often go after it with all we've got - even though we don't need it, don't really have a use for it, can't afford it... and yet... there we go and get it.  We only get it because we want it.  I can not tell you how many times I have bought something....only to leave it in the box and put on a shelf.... just in case someone needs it.  I wanted to have it, but didn't need it.  If I had a dime for every thing I have bought in that case.... well, I'd be a wealthy woman, I'm sure!

God knows what we NEED, and He supplies that for us.  He provides for us.  Why do we feel we NEED all these other things?  I can not criticize other people for what I do myself...  but I will say I am getting much better.  Especially in our place now.  I have no place to put things that already have something there.  So don't buy it!  

Trust God....He knows what we need, even before we know what we need.  Let Him provide those things for you.  It will save you lots of time, and money.

Blessings!

I am reminded...

 of how far we have come.  Financially, I mean.   Not that we have a lot of money, by any means, or that we are totally financially stable.  But with our move we have been able to finally breathe and not have to count how much is being spent when I go to a grocery or a store.

I realize a lot of people have lost their jobs during this pandemic and I feel for them.  I know what it is like to not have any income coming in, or very little income.  I know what it is like to have more outgo than income.  We would be really struggling had I lost my job before we moved.  But, I've also learned over our very lean years that there are some things we just don't need.  And that God will provide all that we do.  

I think I've mentioned before how one year at Christmas, things were so hard.  I always managed to get my children and grandchildren a gift or two for Christmas, and provide a meal.  Those are things that bring me much joy and doesn't require much but giving of myself.    One year I remember totally breaking down in tears before Christmas because I didn't know what we were going to do.  Come Christmas morning we found two bags of gifts for hubby and I.  I remember I got a beautiful white sweater.  I forget what hubby got.  We also got a candle and a fragrance holder.  It was strictly the thought.  We never learned who gave it to us.  It was left on our porch during the night.  But I was touched by the generosity and thoughtfulness of others in our time of not struggle.  It was just hubby and I, and people touched our lives.

I remember also, many, many years ago when I lived in Kirklin when my children were quite young.  This had to be 1974 or 1975.  Again, we were without much income.  There was a lady in town whose name was Jackie, and she was the sister of my best friend, Roberta, aka Purple Pony on the CB.  She would go 'dumpster diving' after the grocery stores dumped produce and gather it up, sort through it, and put it in baskets to deliver to people who had a need.  She sometimes was able to get some meat too.  We never let on we were in need of food.  After all, it was during this time that I learned to create a lot of things from scratch and discovered my love of cooking.  I learned to make homemade noodles during this time.  Anyway, one year around Christmas time, we found a basket of food on our porch.  We were so grateful we were finally a recipient.  We had never requested anything because we felt others were worse off than we were.  You will laugh now, but many weeks I only had $5 to spend for groceries.  Lamb chops were cheap - we could get 2 for around $2 at the local grocery.  We made do with what we could afford, and never thought anymore about it.

Back to the basket....my mind is wandering in memories this morning, I think.... inside this basket was a lot of vegetables, many soft and needed to be used right away, but still edible.  But there was a whole uncut 'chicken' that we were excited to get because we had been out of meat.  The next day I cut up the 'chicken' and cooked up that 'chicken' and fried it real crisp - just the way we liked it.  (I never could fry chicken like my mama could, but that didn't mean that I didn't try)   Well, the 'chicken' was VERY tough and although we ate as much as we could, we couldn't understand why it was so tough.  It was a few days later we discovered it was not a 'chicken' after all..... it was a ROOSTER!!   Who ever heard of cooking a rooster?  I had never heard of anyone cooking a rooster before!  We had a good laugh about that - and that was the only time we had received a basket.

What has brought all these thoughts up?  A couple things, actually.  But only one that I will share about because it simply amazes me.   Now my mother never taught us girls how to manage income, to budget, to pay bills.  I don't know how she did it, I really don't.  Us girls were never taught how to survive in times of need.  And that amazes me somewhat.  Mother never shared difficult times.  Things may have gotten lean, but we never knew it.  I'm not so sure that is a good thing.  Why?  Because in our difficult times we sometimes don't know how to deal with it.  My older sister, my younger sister, and I have discussed this frequently.  None of us knew how to budget or save money.  We were never taught.  Now I'm not bragging or building myself up, I've learned to budget and save because I've had to.  I've been through those lean times - several times in fact - and I know what it is like to do without so when I do have a little extra, I'm extra cautious in spending it.

Ok- getting to what I'm thinking about this morning.  Even though I've managed to save a little bit, I don't go crazy buying things for Christmas.  My family has gotten fairly large now and I managed to buy each a couple gifts, but the rest I do with salsa, breads, etc.  They are made with love, and I think each one appreciates those gifts more than the shirt they end up with! (usually).  I was talking with someone yesterday.... now I have come to realize more and more this past year that they are truly a shopaholic.  I've heard the term before, and laughingly even gave it to myself at times.  But I have always known where to draw the line on spending.  I've never gone over what I felt I could comfortably spend.  

Yesterday this person mentioned going shopping and spending $300 somewhere for gifts for family.  Now mind you, this person is in very financial straits.  WHY would you spend $300  on gifts when the money is not in the bank?  They plan to take some things back today so that their account isn't overdrawn.  I questioned this person when they mentioned it to me... I commented "you got to keep better track on what you are spending!!"  Their comment back to me - and I quote... "Honey, I try to watch what I am spending but, we just don't make that much."   HUH?  Then why are you out shopping and spending what you don't have?  UGH. I need to just mind my own business.

I know I didn't teach my children how to budget either.  My middle child is fortunate, I believe he has a wife who DOES know how to budget and how to manage finances.  It's hard to teach someone when you don't know how yourself.  That's my excuse.  

Good grief - my mind is really wandering around this morning, isn't it!   I know I have a couple issues to deal with today.  I ordered some things from JCPenneys and have received my shipment... but realized I was missing three specific items.  I contacted them - and am waiting on their response to what they are going to do.  I can't prove I didn't receive it.  Can they prove they shipped it - or will they reship, trusting my honesty that I didn't receive them?  

The other is an end table I ordered through Walmart last week.  The notice I had received was that it would be delivered December 3rd.  No biggie.  It's a cheap one and I can get it anytime.  Last night I scanned my emails to see that Fed Ex delivered it.  Now at the time they said they delivered it - I was home - working on our court area, and I know nothing was delivered by Fed Ex.  Not to my house anyway.  I will need to contact Walmart and the company today to tell them it was NOT delivered here.  They did ask we wait 24 hours... and 12:19pm will be 24 hours.  I do not believe anyone took it.  Fed Ex always delivers inside our gated area.  Perhaps it was delivered to our neighbor, and we will check on that this morning, just to be sure. Considering it wasn't to be delivered until December 3rd....how in the world was it delivered November 22nd?  Confuses me!

I am grateful to God that He has walked with us through our lean years and taught me a lot.  He really has.  I've learned how to cook from scratch -  and enjoy doing it!  I love being creative with food and trying new things.  Not everything has come out good, but most have.   God has been with us through good times and very lean times.  And He has always met our need.   

We don't need 'stuff' to be happy.  I'm learning that a lot this year with having to get rid of so much 'stuff'.  I already have a bag started to get rid of more 'stuff'.  What do we need to be happy?  It isn't money, although it does make things easier.  

Family makes me happy.  I don't care if I don't have a dime to my name.  As long as I have my family, I am truly blessed and happy.  What about you?  What makes you happy?  Having money to spend freely.... or time spent with a loved one?    True, some people have both - good for them!  But the majority of us do not.  And that's ok.

God will always provide what we NEED.  And we can share what we don't.  It's not always about finances.  Sometimes all we need is that hug, that phone call, that...... you can fill in the blank.

Do something special for someone today.  It may be all they need today.

Blessings!

I wonder what is on my mind....

 that I can't remember. Doesn't make much sense, does it.  Not really a question.  We went to bed around 9PM last night - and at 12:11AM I finally opened my eyes to see what time it was.... I had slept... but I had been awake for a few minutes.  I groaned inside, for I knew it was going to be another one of those nights.  Sure enough.  The last time I looked at the clock was 1:30AM and hubby was getting up to go potty.  Then I ended up sleeping on my back... which means I probably snored really loud... sigh... but I work up again at 6AM with a sore back from not moving from that position, and still tired.  But I needed to get up and come to my room, which I did.  Hubby got up also and is in his office  - stopping to take Sheeba out for a few minutes before crating her back up so that he could go back to his reading.  Sheeba is quiet and will be until I go out in the other room.  And let her out.  Cause I'm the fun parent.  LOL

We didn't go to the 'church thing' last night - and sadly, I don't feel guilty for not going.  It has nothing to do with our church other than our pastor getting ordinated into some other thing and will be called a Bishop.  I don't understand it, nor pretend to.  I know I feel we have withdrawn so much from church, and I miss that fellowship greatly, but we do watch it on the computer every Sunday we are home and participate as we can with the singing.  And we still mail our tithe in to the church.  It isn't like we have shut the door on it.  I like our church, I love the people, but sometimes we walk away asking ourselves what did we learn today.  Some Sundays there may be a good point made.... but many, many Sundays the best part is the worship and the fellowship.

I am excited to be able to plan a Thanksgiving dinner with my middle child and his "current" family.    Looks like it may be only one child with them - and that's ok.  I love this "little one" although he is taller than I!  He always makes me feel so loved.  Once he feels comfortable, his shell comes off and his personality emerges.  Need to make sure I get the turkey out of the freezer today.

I may be in trouble with my daughter.  Nothing I did.  We stopped by there yesterday after being out for awhile and during the quick conversation with her hubby, I mentioned the chain on my toilet had broken.  I had tried to fix it, but not really knowing how to, I couldn't.  I didn't realize the chain was actually broken, but thought it had come loose.  Anyway, the son-in-law with the grandson came over a short time later and checked out what the problem was, went to the hardware store to pick up what was needed, and voila!  It is fixed!  And the grandson fixed a bracelet that I needed fixed.  It was fun. But here is here I get in trouble.  My daughter had mentioned she had poinsettias setting out on her porch.  They really looked nice there.  The son-in-law mentioned he had another box out in the garage and would get them out for me.  We left.... and when they came over, they brought the two poinsettias (plastic, but nice) and put them on MY front porch.  When I asked if they found the box.... the answer was 'no... we took these off our front porch'.  Which means once my daughter notices they are gone, and they haven't found the box in the garage yet to replace them, I may be in trouble!   I think I will go buy a REAL poinsettia and take to the daughter's for Thanksgiving day to make up for it.  They also moved a TV and stand for me so that I could put our Christmas tree up yesterday.

Yes, I put the tree up.  I still need to put more decorations on it.  I can't find my tree skirt so will need to go back through the boxes a third or fourth time to see if I can find it - and if not, will run to Big Lots to pick one up.  I need to bag up what gifts I have wrapped and get them out by the tree - my closet is full and so is this bed.  Not that I have bought so many gifts, it is more I have so many I get a little something for.  I have more coming in this week that I will need to get wrapped.  Realized yesterday I did not get three items in from JCP.... so I sent them an email yesterday to ask where they are.  They show they shipped with my first package, and I know that I did not receive them in any of the three packages they shipped me.  I hope they take me at my word.  I asked them to recheck to see where they are.  Crossing my fingers they will either send me a check or send replacements for what I haven't received.

I am finding I need to get rid of a lot of things that I had sitting around on our fireplace at our other house.  This is going to be hard, but getting rid of things has gotten easier as time has gone by.  If I don't find a place for something this year, I will need to get rid of it for it won't change.  There won't be a place for it next year.  Especially if I am not sentimentally attached to it.  And I don't think I am, at this point.   I hope my grandson remembers his tree we gave him last year when he moves and takes it with him.  Perhaps he would want some of these things...naw... he needs to start his own memories.

So if you want any of my big items, let me know.... I know one grandson will get one thing.... just don't know if he will be able to take it.  It even has his name on it because I want to make sure he gets it.  His love of trains always reminds me of my big brother, Sam.   I had bought this decoration with Sam on my mind... but I have no place to set these things now.  Hmmmm I wonder if I can set them on the covered part of our patio.... no one can really see them... will have to think about that.

I am so looking forward to the holidays this year.  I can't think exactly why I am.... but I am.  I love my family so much and love to spend time with them, even if it is just a short time.  Life is short... and the older we all get, life is much shorter.  I want to treasure every moment.  It's just me.  And that's not a bad thing.

I learned a few things this morning in my devotions.   King David, before he was king, was always running away from King Saul.  Literally for his life.  Psalm 13 was written during one of these times.  But in this psalm, David shares his depression, his sorrow, and yet, his countenance changes and his hope is restored as he cries out to God. David actually prayed 3 prayers in verse 3.  (Please look it up and read it).  First he said, "Lord, consider me."  The words actually mean 'Look on me.'  What he wanted to say was 'Lord, don't turn Your back on me anymore.  Turn around and look at me and see me!'

His second prayer is, "Lord, hear me."  David is pleading with God to answer his questions.  "Lord, please hear what I'm saying."

And then there's a very interesting third request.  He says, "Lord, enlighten my eyes."   We may first think it means "Lord, show me what you are doing."  But that's not the meaning of the phrase.  It really means, "Lord, put the light back in my eyes."  Put the light back in my eyes.

When one is sad, or sorrowful, you will see the light has gone out of their eyes, and they have no hope.  All is gone, all is lost.

So where are you this morning?  I know I have been where the light has gone out and I feel all alone and empty.  I'm not there this morning, thank God, but I have been there far too many times.  Life is very hard, as you know, and things don't always go the way we want, or hope they will.  Sorrow and loss happens.  You get told NO when you really want to be told YES.  It happens.  But what do you do when that happens?

After reading this today, I think I will make the choice to pray like David did.  "Lord, consider me."  "Lord, hear me."  and finally, "Lord, enlighten my eyes."

Lord, please help us to always remember that You never leave us alone, nor do You forsake us.  In our darkest moments, You are walking with us through the journey.  Even when we don't feel you.

You are always there.  Thank you.

Blessings!

Well, I laugh at my mind....

 it often plays games on me.  Does yours?  Do you sometimes allow your mind to go 'wild' and just imagine this or that?  That was what I did, waiting on my package from my brother.  You will probably just think 'idiot' and shake your head.  LOL  It IS funny.... and I would never tell him I was trying to imagine all sorts of things - and in reality, it's ok to think those things because he IS a giving brother as I shared before.  Many times without reason and just doing it because he wanted to.  Like this.  The package arrived yesterday.  The reason it took 5 days was because it was sent UPS.  DUH.  They charge a lot and they take their time.   What was it?  A box of chocolate.  Seriously.  Very soft from being in the back of a truck and warm from our 80 degree plus weather.  But, a box of chocolate.  Very good chocolate, I might add.  He's done that before, but a box about half this size.  Chocolate always makes me happy.  And I made him laugh at my excitement over getting chocolate.  Seriously, my craving has been bad lately with all the stress I've had.  I had box a package of peanut butter cups to put in a candy dish.  Well, I think there is only 2 or 3 left.  Yep.  I have personally eaten all that are gone.  Did not share.  Just for the record, I did share my box of chocolate with hubby, before putting in the refrigerator to firm up.  What a fun surprise!  And it shows again how the mind can run wild.  LOL

Can German Shepherds grow adult teeth... I mean, do they lose 'baby teeth' like humans do and grow new teeth in?  I kind of googled it yesterday but didn't get any of those answers.  The past two days Sheeba has started drooling to the point it goes down her neck and it is wet. It hangs from her mouth - and I must admit it is nauseating.  We got a towel out to wipe her mouth when she is drooling like this.  It's icky.  She has never done this before.  It hasn't kept her from eating or playing, but this drool is disgusting.  All I can think of is maybe, like a baby (she is now 20 months old), she may be getting ready to lose baby teeth?  I don't know!  I googled 'what causes German Shepherds to drool excessively' last night and it mentioned nothing about baby nor adult teeth, so I guess that isn't the right answer.  But it did mention that it could be an allergy of something she ate (perhaps one of the bugs that she goes after to eat bit her?  Or a bee stung her?), or - and here is where it could get costly...... it could be caused by a tumor in the mouth, a fractured tooth (it hasn't stopped her gnawing on her antler), or gum disease.  We will give it this weekend, but may be calling the vet come Monday if it continues.  UGH.  Not before Christmas!

I was awakened again last night around midnight.  And again, could not go back to sleep so spent time praying for different ones.  It was between 1:30AM - 2:00AM before I finally dozed back off - and I did not wake up until about 5:30AM this morning!  Considering I get up around 4AM that is late.  But I blame it on the two hours I was awake.  I heard Sheeba moving about a few minutes ago and hubby stopped his reading to take her out.  She must be happy now cause she is quiet.

Saturday and Sundays are the days I don't have to stop my reading (or writing) and get busy doing something.  I'm grateful for a couple days of not having to work, but it would be to my benefit to jump on to get the minutes done.  But, I'm in the middle of making an afghan for my boss for Christmas, so I really want to get it finished.  I have a couple quilts I want to make for great-grandbabies for Christmas, but want to finish the afghan first.  My reading has been put aside so that I can work on the afghan and a few hours every night only gets me maybe six rows further.  I figure in another week or two I should be finished with it if I consistently work on it.

But this weekend, I want to dig out my Christmas decorations and begin putting them out.  I casually mentioned to hubby last night about putting some out this weekend.  He didn't say anything, and I'm pretty sure he heard me.  With moving, I will need to find other places to put things - and if I can't find a place for them, they will be taken to Savers.  No need to keep them for there just isn't other space here to put things - ever.  And that's ok.  I got rid of a lot last year because my boss gave me a lot of her Christmas decorations.  She had changed out her Christmas decorations so passed these on to me.  I'm sure I will be getting rid of a lot for there is just no space to set things out.  I don't know of anyone who would want these so they will go to Savers.

I do want to do a little moving things around and out.  I've given it a lot of thought and want to get a futon for this second bedroom (like I had at one time at our other house).  We rarely have anyone overnight, so a bed isn't needed. If someone does, the futon works just as well.  It would not only open up this room, it will keep me from backing into the foot of the bed whenever I move my chair from the desk.  I would have room to exercise (yes, I still try to do that) and it would open up the room.   I'm re-doing everything in my mind so I pretty much know what I want.  Now to find the specific futon I want. There isn't a rush so I can casually look.  I need to follow up with someone I heard wanted a bed to see if it is true.  It's a nice bed and very firm mattress, queen size.  If one of my children reading this wants it - let me know.  Right now it is laden down with wrapping paper and gifts.  I want to get the tree up this weekend too so that I can see what I have bought/wrapped and get things straightened out.  I was quite dismayed yesterday when some things I received were the wrong size.  Yes, it looks like I ordered the wrong size, which disappoints me, but I will find someone to give them to.  But a small will only fit so many people.   

My company has issued another 'rule' for their hospitals in which strict guidelines are to be followed due to COVID on the rise again.  No visitors whatsoever and limited elective surgeries.  I know our financial budget has taken a big hit this year.  I'm glad that my granddaughter had the baby earlier in the week so that her 'spousal equivalent' could be with her.  Otherwise, I don't know if they would have allowed him.  I sure will be glad when COVID is over - as will many others, I'm sure.  But it does make one reluctant to go places.  It doesn't matter what precautions one takes; if  the germs are there, we have the possibility of getting it, even if it's a place we have been to often.  And so do you.  

Our pastors have something going on at the church this weekend and we were thinking of going - until this last notice came out.  I'm thinking we won't go now.  We watch church online, as I mentioned before, although our church has opened back up and watch it on the screen.  But there is no fellowship afterwards and I want the fellowship.  It's like going to a movie - you go in, sit down (without the popcorn and soda), watch the screen, and walk back to your car and go home.  I can save gas and watch it on the computer at home.  And I can wear whatever I want.  Anyway, I think we will stay home (again) this weekend.  We did meet friends for dinner one night this past week, but at a place I trust to be clean.  Other than that, hubby is the social butterfly with meeting his friends for 'Bible study' or for breakfast or lunch.  

But even in all this COVID stuff, I believe that God is in it.  I really do.  True, loved ones may get it and suffer with it, some may even die.  But our lives are in His hands, whether we want to own that or not.  When I get a twinge or something doesn't feel right, I sometimes will ask God if it is something I need to have taken care of - or is He drawing my attention to something else.  I don't always, but some times when I'm sad or down on myself and something happens, I wonder if it because of me.... my words, my actions, or even just my bad attitude.  Yeah, I get those sometimes too.  Just ask hubby.  sigh.  I guess I try to see if I'm being 'punished' for something.  But yet, I know that God loves me, and if I confess my sins He is faithful and just and will forgive my sins.  His Word says so.  But I have to take that first step in confessing them.

That doesn't mean that if I contract a disease He will automatically heal me.  Sometimes He allows bad things to happen so that others will be drawn closer to Him, and depend on Him.  Losing a parent or a loved one is so very hard, but what if it was to bring a child to the realization of how much they need God?  Would it be worth it?  Would you be willing to give up things you enjoy - in this case LIFE - so that one of your children could come to a saving knowledge of how good and faithful God is?  I would, in a heartbeat.  Do I want to die and leave my children and grandchildren - and great grandchildren?  Absolutely not.  I want to make lots more memories so that they will remember me.  But, if it will bring them to God, yes.   By the way, I have asked God to let me live to 100 - but only if I remain healthy and able to take care of myself.  Then I can die in my sleep, a very happy and satisfied child of God.  But that is my ask...... that may not be in God's plan.

One thing I have learned over the years is that God's plans are always far greater than mine.  No matter how much I pray for someone to be healed, if it is not God's plan, they won't be healed.  No matter how hurt I am over my prayers not being answered, God is my strength, my peace, my healer of sorrow.  I can't live in the sorrow, but rejoice in their going HOME to be with Jesus.  That's what life is about.  Our loss is heaven's gain.  The memories we have with these loved ones will remain with us forever.  It is our job to pass these memories on to our children and grandchildren.  Talk about the loved ones who have gone before you.  You will find healing coming in your heart as you talk about them.

I don't remember much about my daddy because he died when I was seven.   I remember him being sick a lot.  But I also remember stories my mama told me of my daddy and her when they were married.  One thing I can share is how they would look across the room at each other while at a church gathering and could 'talk' with their eyes.  ...... memories..... are you making any?

Time to get up and moving.  Reckon my first job is cooking breakfast since I don't during the week.  Eggs and sausage it is for today! Bacon is all gone. :-)   I'll wait until Monday to go to the grocery to get things for Thanksgiving - no way am I going to get out in the crowds to shop this weekend!

On to better things!

Blessings!

Life is hard, sometimes....

 First of all, an update on Sheeba.... yesterday she was fine when I went to get her up and out of her crate.  She was all over me as usual, and devoured her breakfast since she didn't eat the night before.  May have been the potato chips - or a bug - who knows!  But she is feeling better, and that is a very good thing.

It's Friday, and I am tired.  Those 4 hour meetings without a break sometimes can be brutal.  There was no way my mind would wrap around going through the minutes to get them presentable yesterday afternoon.  Mentally I was exhausted.  So I do have to get that done this morning.  I know my boss will be asking for them, and this boss makes you feel inadequate if you don't have things ready when she asks for them.  Not intentionally, but it does make me feel like I'm not doing my job good enough to please her.  Of course procrastinator always comes into play in these situations.  Like I SHOULD have just done them yesterday, but my mental capacity just didn't want to.

I am not sure what is on my calendar for today, but this morning should be fairly open and I can work on the minutes.  I've also got to get meetings extended out into next year so that they are on the calendar.  This is the tedious part of this job.

I had several packages arrive yesterday for Christmas and although I opened them, I now need to sort out and get them wrapped.  I am ALMOST done with shopping for Christmas.  I have cut back, in spite of what some of my children may think.  Plus I was given "instructions" from one child that I was to limit gifts to them.... and I've tried.  I have not bought anything else for them.  It's hard, too, for many times I see something and I think about getting it, but then tell myself no, I was asked not to. sigh.

I should get a package today for ME.  I am totally clueless what it can be.  My big brother text'd me the other day and said that I had a package coming and it should arrive on Friday.  Now he told me this on Monday, I think it was, so what could be taking 5 days for it to arrive?  I've had all kinds of ideas run through my mind - but I honestly have no idea what this brother could be sending me.  I do know that it will be very nice and I will love it.   He has surprised me over the past few years with various nice gifts.  He bought our big TV for us when our old one went out.  He bought my wall clock; and last year I got a really nice puzzle holder.  And it isn't even Christmas yet - so this is just a gift!  I reckon I will find out today!  

I don't ask anything of this brother.  I just love him and respect him.  We chat, but even that not frequently, and usually only by text.  So when I get something special from him, it is special.  These things I treasure because I know he does it out of love, not out of any other reason.  This brother and I have always been close.  I remember when I graduated from high school and he was in the Army, stationed in Korea.  He flew home to be with me for graduation.  I remember pulling up in the driveway and seeing his reflection through the window, jumping out of the car and running to see him.

If you will think about it this way with me, it's like our Heavenly Father loving us.  We love Him, and He loves us.  Some of us may 'chat' with Him more frequently than others, but He has this unconditional love for us.  He also loves to surprise us with unexpected 'gifts'.  He brings sunshine into our lives when the day feels dark and gloomy.  He smiles when we smile.  He loves to bless us with big and little things.

How does He do that?  Here are just a few examples.  When your child you haven't seen for awhile stops by to see you.  It's when your grandchild is big enough to run into your arms when they see you.  It's when you get that job you have been waiting for.  It's when after an argument with the spouse or child the air clears.  It's that financial boost when you have been struggling for so long.  It's ....... you can fill  in the blank.  I know that you can think of things that you have been blessed with - whether you want to consider them a blessing or not.

Because that is just what our God does.  He blesses us, even when we don't recognize them as blessings or acknowledge who He is.  He is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider.  He meets every need - and many wants that we have.  

Take a few minutes to just pause and thank Him today for what He has blessed you with.  Even if you say you don't believe in Him, you know you do.  You just choose not to be obedient to Him because of your self-will.  But He still loves you, and still blesses you.

Thank Him for His goodness to you.  I do every day.

Blessings!

What's wrong with Sheeba?

 As I sat here this morning trying to think of something specific to write about, my thoughts turned to Sheeba.  She was acting strange yesterday afternoon.  Of course I got the blame ... but I don't think it is what I did.

First of all, Sheeba eats bugs.  We take her outside in front and she will look all over the place trying to find a bug.   To eat.   We take her out back to do her business and what does she do?  She has her nose in the ground looking for a bug to eat.  You'd think we didn't feed this 100+ pound dog!

Yesterday I had a craving for salt... and got out the last of the Limon potato chips.   Sheeba was immediately begging, and I probably shouldn't have, but I gave her over the next few minutes, probably about six pieces of chips.  Not even the whole chip, mind you, just a piece of it.    By late afternoon hubby was blaming me for not just one, but Sheeba having TWO bouts of diarrhea.  Luckily he had her outside both times.  He said she kept coming to him and wimpering and then running to the back door - he finally took her out.  He annoys me most times... he makes her wait until HE wants to take her out, rather than when she acts like she needs to go.  I ask him frequently.... if you need to go out, do you get forced to wait?  Or do you get told to go.... when you don't have to?  Thank goodness she did it outside.  And he still complained because it has to be cleaned up.  And he doesn't do that very well.

Anyway.... it's my fault, he says, for giving her those few chips.  And it could be I guess, but I figure if she eats anything else she finds, what difference would a few chips make.

We went out to dinner with some friends and as usual, when we let Sheeba out of the crate, she is sniffing all over me as if I have 'done her wrong'.  I forgot that my friend has two or three dogs...and perhaps a cat..... and it may have been on her jacket.  Anyway, we had hugged so some of that smell may have transferred for Sheeba was all over me sniffing my jacket.    Shortly after I got her down off me, she went back into her open crate and just laid there.  Which isn't that odd as she does it frequently.  It's her "man cave".  She feels safe there.  In the evenings most times she will lay down near us and sleep.

When it came time for us to go to bed and I went to over to her and she just laid there.  Usually she will jump up and try to get on me, but last night she barely moved.  (She refuses to move most nights when Tom goes over to remove her training collar at night and he gets so mad at her!)   I sat on the floor and she raised up a little and scooted over to me, letting me remove the collar.  But she wasn't her usual peppy self. Very quiet, very subdued.  Obviously didn't seem to feel well.

I've always said a dog knows what to do when they don't feel good - unlike us humans who (ok, most of us) suck it up and just keep going.  After all, we have things to do and people to see.  So the saying goes.  But a dog, when she doesn't feel well, doesn't eat.  (Sheeba did not eat her dinner last night).  She had diarrhea earlier in the day, so I wasn't surprised she didn't eat.  But what did surprise me some is that she kept smacking her lips while laying there (before we went to bed) and I suggested to Tom to get her to go get a drink.  So what does he do instead of getting her to move around and go to her water dish, he brings her water dish to her.  She wanted no part of it.

I'm going to assume on that is that the water dish was not in its proper place and she wouldn't partake of it.  Some dogs are like that and she seems to be one.  Yes, she will take a snack if I give it, but because as a rule we only give her snacks in her crate or in her food dish, that is where she gets them.  Her water dish has never moved from its location.  I don't know.... just thinking it out.

I petted and talked with her a bit before heading to bed last night.  She will stay in her crate until about 6:15-6:30AM when I come out of my room and let her out.  If I don't come out that early (like on weekends when I may sleep until 5 or 5:30AM and I stay in my room longer....) hubby will take her out about 7AM.  She doesn't make a noise; just waits for us.  But once she gets out and does her business, whichever one of us takes her out -she goes on a hunting spree - fast pace - through the house to find the other one!

I laugh at her sometimes cause I may be at my computer and hubby has taken her out.  I hear her coming in at a dead run - and she runs first to my bathroom, and not finding me, will come over to this room to see if I'm here.  Finding me in the chair, she will do a flying leap to tell me good morning.  Or she will do the same thing for hubby - usually running to the kitchen to find him.  Hopefully her body is better this morning and she will be back to normal.

She is a pain sometimes.... as any animal can be.  She is so big, and wants to climb up in my lap.  I just shook my head the other day.... hubby mentioned that (I think it was for the first time) while I was shut up in my room working one day she jumped up in his lap (upper half of body, not all of her anymore!) like she does me.  Surprisingly he didn't yell at her and push her off.  When I sit down on the couch she will come jump on me and snuggle her nose down my left side for just a few seconds before raising her head up and looking at me.  She is trying hard to get her entire body on the sofa, but we have never let her on the furniture.  She sheds so bad (even now in the wintertime!) that I always have hair all over me just by her rubbing up against me.  Sometimes I get the thought of putting a sheet over the couch and just letting her on it, but maintain my sanity.  She doesn't try to get on it unless I'm sitting on it.  When we finally feel we can trust her to stay out of things and leave her crate open at night, I'm sure she will eventually find her way there... her shed hair will give her away.

Marley, our black lab, had always laid at our feet.  When we finally left her crate open at night and allowed her to be loose, there were a couple times we would find her on the couch... or had been on the couch  -cause by the time we got to the room, she would be standing up in the middle of it - looking guilty.  But she didn't shed like Sheeba does!

It's about time for me to head out of here and go check on her.   I have a 4 hour meeting this morning I have to take minutes at so will be "quarantined" in my room.  She won't be able to come in and jump in my lap for a snuggle.  I know I'll hear her sigh and plop down by the closed door.  

Enough rambling for today.  Praying for Sheeba not only to 'behave' but to feel better.  Yes, God hears prayers for our pets too.   For humans it sometimes takes longer..... but our pets, yeah, they get it right away.  Unconditional love.   Just like what God has for us.  Do we receive it?

Blessings!

Great Granddaughter #5 has arrived!

 Yesterday was a day that many of us won't forget.  No, nothing tragic happened in that sense, but we got to celebrate - long distance - the birth of our 5th great-granddaughter.  What is really crazy about the day is that I found out when I got up yesterday that the granddaughter had gone to the hospital to be induced to deliver.   Women do that.  The only "issue" was that my granddaughter's mother, nor I, could be with her.  Because of COVID, only her 'spousal equivalent' could be with her.  And he isn't real talkative.  He did tell us that he was 'manning' the phone and would update us.  But many times, after a length of time, we were the ones asking for an update.

The day progressed.  What I felt should have been a simple 'once the water was broken, baby should come forth in a reasonable about of time' wasn't happening.  And we weren't getting the updates we wanted.  I will admit I was over the top stressing on the inside.  I was constantly praying for my granddaughter and great-granddaughter, and the tears would flow.  I don't even know why I was so emotional about it.  When the doctors finally decided to do a c-section as the baby's heartrate would drop with each contraction and mom's body wasn't cooperating with expansion, and the baby was still up too high.... my heart was aching to be there.  My daughter was beside herself, after all, this is her own first real grandchild.  And she is here in town, and she couldn't be there.

Finally, we got a text at 4:26PM with a photo that our newest great granddaughter was born at 3:20PM, 7 pounds, 4 ounces.  It was later we learned she was 19 1/2 inches long.  She was healthy and perfect.  Pictures soon followed.  My prayers were heard and answered.  Yes, I'm claiming that too.  It was an extremely heart-wrenching, painful day.  Unless you have been in a similar situation, please do not diss my emotions.

When my precious granddaughter who lived several hours away in the state gave us a beautiful great-granddaughter I didn't stress like this.  I knew her mama was with her and I knew she would be ok.    It was easy to pray for her and know that all would be ok.  These are life times that we want our mama with us.  I went through my first delivery with only my mother-in-law with me.   It's not an easy thing.... but she was more of a mother to me at times than my own mother, so it was ok. 

By evening I was extremely spent.  Hubby had the evening out with his men friends and I was home with Sheeba.  She is a good dog and must have sensed my distress of the day for she just laid quietly close to me and didn't jump on me like she usually does.  I worked on a puzzle for awhile (yeah, starting those again and enjoying them) and did some crochet on an afghan I'm making for one of my bosses.  By the time hubby got home, I was finally calmed down.  I'm sure my blood pressure was way up there - not in the way it feels when hubby does something that sets me off when I find out about it - I actually shake then cause I'm so upset!  But this was an emotional stress.  I was calm when I went to bed and slept sound... once the texts stopped coming between my daughter and granddaughter (I'm on the thread).

But the positive of all this, I have a beautiful new great granddaughter and mom and baby are both doing fine.  "They" have decided that no one can see the baby for two weeks to allow the baby's immune system to build up.  I'll wait.... but I told my granddaughter she should not force her parents to wait...especially her mother!   It seems like it was just a few weeks before we made the trek down to southern Arizona to see our great-granddaughter for the first time.

I didn't get much work done yesterday other than scheduling meetings like I usually do.  Anything else that I had to think about got put on the burner in the back.  So today I will have that waiting on me when I turn on my computer.  I did have to jump back on before 5PM and send emails to my bosses, and to Dr. Robert Krauss who delivered this granddaughter and I work with him, that our great granddaughter was here.  Didn't wait for their responses so will see those this morning.

Today is a new day and I have much to get done.  LOL  Just happened to remember that I was so 'over the top stressed' last night that after hubby left and I went to find something for dinner, I took a whole pizza out of the freezer and was thinking about cooking it!!  Then reality hit and I told myself to put it back - I did NOT need the entire pizza, no matter how stressed I was!  So I cooked a couple hamburger patties (one for me and one for Sheeba, yeah, gave her a treat) and that was enough.  I almost couldn't get it down, but I managed. :-)  Food and I have a wonderful relationship sometimes.

Ok - I guess I've gone on enough today.  I am grateful to God for answering my prayers for this new mom and baby.  True, as far as I know, nothing was drastically wrong other than things did not progress as they should have.  But, what if I hadn't prayed?  What if my prayers adverted something?  I like to believe that my prayers made a difference, that God heard my prayers, and He answered.  Sometimes we don't know what we don't know, because our prayers made a difference.

Blessings!

When God wakes you up, you pray....

 even when you don't know why He has awakened you.  That has happened to me many times.  And I usually do not hear the results of my prayers.  Did I pray for the right one?  The right issue?  What was I to have prayed for?  Does it matter if I prayed?  I like to believe that when God wakes me up that even when I don't have something specific on my mind, He will take my prayers offered and will bring good from them.

Go with me down memory lane.....

There was a night many years ago that I was awakened .... I know I'm going to get the year wrong - perhaps 1996?  Or was it 1995?.... when I was awakened in the middle of the night.  I knew my daughter had gone to the hospital at midnight to be induced to have her first child.  It was to be awhile so we were going to join them at the hospital around 6AM, I think it was.   Back then we didn't have cell phones and our telephone was downstairs as we lived in the condo that had an upstairs.   We were in bed asleep - sound asleep - when I was awakened.  The first thought in my mind was I needed to pray for my daughter and baby.  We didn't have ultrasounds then like they do now so we didn't know the sex of the baby yet.  So I prayed.  Nothing fancy.  Just prayed for my daughter to get through this delivery ok. That our new little grandbaby would be strong and healthy.  That the delivery would go well.  A general prayer in most respects, for I was confident that things were taken care of.  She was in the hospital after all, what could go wrong?

When we arrived at the hospital at the general planned time, labor had progressed and it wasn't long before our little Princess Tricia was born.  After mom and dad got to hold her, I got to hold this precious gift from God.   As I held my new princess, I remembered my prayers for her earlier in the night.  I casually mentioned to my daughter about being awakened and praying for her, and for the baby.

Tears started flowing out of my daughter's eyes and she asked around what time was that.  When I told her the time frame, she told us that was when there were problems.  They couldn't find the baby's heartbeat and had wheeled in the monitors to track it and serious consideration was given to take my daughter in for an immediate c-section.   But once the monitors were hooked up, they found the heartbeat and things progressed along.  If I recall correctly, and I could be wrong as my memory isn't as sharp as it once was, the cord had wrapped around the baby's neck when she turned, causing the heartbeat to drop.

When I heard the story, I also had tears flowing down my cheeks.  My God, who is so great and so mighty, who could do anything He wanted to do, awakened me to pray for my granddaughter, to bring life forward.  He created her, He could do anything He wanted.  But He allowed me to pray at that specific time to work with Him as He brought her forth for her very first breath.  Praise God! 

And now.... the time is near for our little Princess to have her own little Princess.   Yes, I'm spilling the beans but only one will read this that will know beforehand.  (right, son?)  With my phone in the other room I don't hear the dinging during the night.  Yes, I wear my fitbit to bed, but I don't always feel the buzz when I get a message. 

At 1:33AM an image came through of my granddaughter sitting in a hospital bed dressed in a hospital gown.  No, our newest princess had not been born, nor has she been born yet.   When I got up and saw the photo I sent my own message and the father said he was managing the phones and mommy had received a low dose of pitocin shortly after being admitted at midnight.  Got a text a few moments ago that it took 5 tries (ouch!) but they finally got the epidural in, and were increasing the pitocin.  Which means we may get a baby soon!  They were going to break her water shortly after increasing the pitocin.

As I read that text, I began to pray for our new little princess that is soon to arrive, and my mind wandered back to the time I prayed for her mommy.  How precious it is that not only did God allow me to pray life for my granddaughter, but He has given me the blessing of praying for our great-granddaughter as she is born.   I am blessed, and humbled, that He would use me for such a time as this.

When God wakes you up in the middle of the night - what do you do?  I know, you probably don't recognize it as God waking you up.  It was that burrito you ate earlier, right?  But have you ever thought that it might be God waking you?  That He needs YOU to pray for one of your children?  What if He woke you up - and you ignored it - and something happened?  I cannot tell you how many times I have been awakened in the night and my first thought is my boys.  Especially when I look at the time and imagine they are out late and need to get home safely.  

I remember times when the boys - one or the other - would call me and say 'mom, did you pray for me last night?' and I'd answer yes, and ask why.  How thankful I was that I prayed when I'd hear their story.  One specifically was when they were stopped by the police and they were drunk.... but immediately went sober?  Is that a correct remembrance?   Like I said, some memories are but memories.  I may find the story in a journal somewhere.  I still need to start going through these journals and type out the things I want passed on, and dispose of these with just words in them.  Some day.  I think I have two-three boxes of these journals so it will take awhile to go through them.  Maybe I'll type them up and put in a notebook... if I leave on the computer, and the computer gets thrown away, they will be lost forever.  I rarely write in the journals anymore.  I spend my time typing here, rather than writing.  I talk with God rather than writing to Him.  

When your children don't live at home anymore, and you don't know where they are or what they are doing, sometimes that wake-up moment - even though it may be because of that last meal you had - that wake up moment may be God letting you know that you need to pray for them.   When you awaken, ask God is there is something specific you should pray about.  If you don't get an answer, bring your children before Him and ask Him to take care of them.  Watch over and protect them.  Keep them safe from this virus going around.  Keep them healthy and strong.  Bless them, and give them all that they need.  When was the last time you BLESSED your children?

You may never know what the results are when you ask God to watch over your loved ones.  They may not even realize it.  But if they know you pray, they will ask you, 'did you pray for me?'    Or perhaps they will tell you a story of something that happened, and you will remember being awakened around that time, not knowing what was going on, and just saying a simple prayer.... "God, would you please watch over my child, and keep them safe and secure."

So simple. So easy. Even a prayer-less person can do it.

Blessings!