I almost forgot!

 For some reason, this morning, I chose to glance at emails and my bank balance before writing in here - and I was just getting ready to 'sign off' the computer, when I remembered that I hadn't written anything yet.  Not that it is any big deal - a day without a post is still a day. :-)

The last day of the year.  Wow.  This year has really flown by fast and I wonder how this next year will feel.  I have been pondering 'goals' for this next year.   I like my son's comment years ago about 'resolutions' versus 'goals' and I've been calling them goals ever since.  Not that I made those goals always happen.  But I'm realistically looking at what goals I could possibly want for 2023.

Some are obvious.  I want to draw closer to Jesus, fall deeper in love with Him.  I want to be more committed in my walk with Him.  That is my number one 'goal', 'resolution', and desire.  I want to know Him more, to learn more of Him.  I want to 'yada' with Him.  I want to be like Corrie Ten Boom who would be talking and would pause and listen, because Jesus was talking to her.  I want to be like Bill Bright's wife (can't remember her name) who could stand in line at the grocery store and people around her would be convicted by the Holy Spirit because she was so full of the Holy Spirit it radiated out from her - and would ask her to help them become a Christian.  I want to be immersed in Him.

Reading books is another goal.  I may - or may not - make a goal and I may - or may not - have kept it in the past.  But this time I want to take it serious.  I have 'tons' of books that I want to read... why not set a goal (and put away my crocheting every night) to do so?  As I thought about it, I thought about maybe two books a month... but that is only 24 books a year.  That doesn't seem like much.  So I think I am going to 'try' for 3 books a month - if I go over - great!  That's 36 books a year - and yes, it doesn't seem like much - especially compared to my son's goals that he always exceeds.  I need to designate a couple nights to work on my sewing or crochet, and a couple nights to read.  Let's see how this goes.  Maybe I will remember in a month or so to report back.

Other than my speaking at the RV park tomorrow, we don't have anything planned specifically to start the new year of 2023 with.  We will probably go to bed at our usual time (at the latest 10PM) because it will still be January 1, 2023 when we get up, regardless when we go to bed.  I need my sleep, anyway.  We will probably watch a movie or two tonight and then go to bed, just like we do most weekends.  Hubby does like his TV and the movies.

We have pretty much decided to begin our fast on January 8th, rather than tomorrow, January 1st, as I had originally planned.  Free Chapel is starting theirs on the 8th - and hubby does love his food.  His comment when I asked him what he wanted to do was "we need to eat up the food (meat) in the refrigerator..... plus we still have over a gallon of ice cream in the freezer.  Yes, he does love his ice cream too.  So, we will wait until January 8th to start.  

Daniel 10:2-3 (NKJV):  "When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed."

No rich foods (ice cream?), no meat.  I take that as being fruits and vegetables.  Not necessarily RAW fruits and vegetables, but definitely not with rich, cream sauces.  I don't cook that way anyway.  I was telling hubby the other day that we can still have potatoes..... it's just in how they are fixed.  Don't add butter and sour cream to a baked potato.  That's making it 'rich'.  (and delicious).

Fasting should not feel like a 'punishment'.  Fasting is giving up something to get something better.  There are many things I am praying for and I do believe that as I pray for these things, and fast, that God in His timing, will answer me.  

I choose to believe that my children will return to the Lord.

I choose to believe that my grandchildren will seek the Lord and the prodigals will return home.

I choose to believe that God will provide all that we need, when we need it.

I choose to believe that God will use me as I submit to Him.

I choose to believe that God is God - and I am not.

What about you?  What do you believe?

Perhaps that is a question that you need to ponder today.  Set a goal to seek the answer that you need.  Read the Book that will guide you in every way, with every step you need to take.  All the answers we all need are in one Book.  The Bible.

I'm starting back in Genesis again for 2023.  I didn't buy a new Bible this year - but am using one I have used in the past.  And that's ok.  I re-read many of my bibles.  And God shows me something new in it every time.  

And He will show you as well.  Pick up your Bible and dust it off.  Commit to reading it all in 2023, and watch how God changes you.  Changes those around you.  Your perspective on things will change.  Trust Him. Trust His Word. Believe it.

After all, God said it, I believe it, that settles it.

Blessings!

One down, two to go

 I finished the first book I started - About Your Father  by Peggy Rowe - and it was amusing!  I was grateful hubby left the TV off last night so that I could finish it.  I handed it to him and told him he might enjoy it as well.  Hoping to start on another one of the three this weekend.  They are a fun read and I am enjoying them.

I was thinking earlier that I ought to set a goal on books.  My son does, and he exceeds it every year by numerous books.  He definitely is an avid reader - as I used to be.  I think I did a list a few years back and did exceed it, but never got in to it again.  I'm thinking it would get me reading more - as I love to do.  I can put a sticky paper on the back of the door in here and as I read a book, can write it down.  Yes, I think I will start small - sort of like 2 books a month - 24 books a year... and then surely I can easily 'beat' it - ya think?  Next year I can double that, as I get more in the habit of reading more often.  If I can get hubby to leave the TV off more and read, it will work for both of us.  He just has more time to read than I do - and then he doesn't want to read in the evenings.  

So glad it's Friday - I've wished a couple times I had taken this week off - but why?  We wouldn't have done anything different, really.  I could have read more, yes, and maybe get started putting Christmas things away... but I can do that this weekend.  Keep hoping the prodigal granddaughter will come over... I would put her gifts under the tree.  But, the tree comes down this weekend, regardless, and her gifts will go in to the closet, along with the baby's. That situation breaks my heart, but I can't make her do anything. All I can do is love her and keep my door open for her to visit.  It's up to her to do it.

Finished working on the message I plan to speak on at the RV park on Sunday.  It's about Joshua 3:13-16.  Go ahead, you can look it up.  Ok, I'll put it below. Sometimes, when we are waiting for God to act in situations, God is waiting on us to take the first step.  He will act, when we show faith in taking the first step.  Does that make sense?  In this particular scripture, God didn't part the waters of the Jordan UNTIL the priests took the first step into the water.  If they were too afraid to put their feet in the flooded waters of the Jordan, God would not have parted the waters.  We need to have faith that God will do His part, IF we will do OUR part.  Does that make sense?

Joshua 3:13-16 (NLT):  "The priests will carry the Ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth. As soon as their feet touch the water, the flow of water will be cut off upstream, and the river will stand up like a wall.  So the people left their camp to cross the Jordan, and the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them. It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river's edge, the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho."

And, do you notice that it says in the last sentence that ALL the people crossed over?  Sometimes when we are obedient, our actions impact those around us.  Think about it.  If the priests had not had the faith to obey God, to put their feet in the flooded Jordan, none of the people could have crossed the Jordan on dry land.  But, because the feet of the priests touched the water at the river's edge, the water above that point began to backing up, and the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry.

We often don't think about how our actions affect others.  What the impact will be.  We sometimes see it, but don't always acknowledge it is because of us.  Does that make sense?  What about when you get grumpy (not that I ever do!) and you snap at someone over something that really doesn't matter.  On a 'regular' day, you would have ignored it.  But this grumpy day, you snap.  The impact of your words towards that person changes them.  It either hurts them, or gets them angry, or leaves them feeling worthless.  Words DO hurt, regardless how they are said, but when said in anger or frustration, they have a bigger impact.   Everything we do and everything we say impacts those around us.

We have a new year quickly approaching.  Today is December 30th.  Wow - this year has flown by, right?  January 1, 2023 is Sunday.  No resolutions; but do you have goals?  

Goals. I have a few... besides reading, I mean.  Maybe I need to write them down somewhere so that I can remember.  Maybe have goals like eating better.  Try to walk 15 minutes a day.

Writing that caused me to remember something I signed up for.  And, it starts January 1!  Yeah - sometimes even I need motivation and it's for fun and it's for me.  I am sure hubby is feeling slighted that I didn't sign him up too, but he wouldn't do it so why bother and waste my money?  What did I do?  There was something on Facebook a few weeks ago called Forty/Forty.  Or something like that.  It was a spur of the moment decision.  The purpose is to walk one mile every day for 40 days.  Since I need to be motivated to do ANYthing, I thought that would be a start.  Walk one mile a day - surely I can do that! - for forty days.  AND, I got a t-shirt AND a medal already!  Plus they sent scriptures, because it is basically also, walk 40 miles in 40 days with Jesus.  In other words, read one scripture a day and meditate on it while walking each day.  One can learn the Word as they walk by meditating on it.  I'm looking forward to it and need to put the scriptures on the treadmill and be ready on January 1 to start it - if I don't forget!  Exercise hasn't been up very high on the agenda so remembering to walk may be difficult at times.  And I'm hoping that even doing one mile a day will motivate me to get back in to walking and working out.  Sigh.  Hubby is always my anchor that weighs me down, but I need to quit using him as an excuse.  I need to do this for ME.  Right?

And going back to the lesson from the scripture, if I exercise, even if I only walk one mile a day, I can impact others if I am getting healthy because it puts me in a better mood when I am feeling good about myself.  Did you realize that a lot of our grumpiness comes from not liking yourself or not feeling good about something you did?  Or didn't to and should have?  Hmmmm  

Let's quit being grumpy together!  

Blessings!

I think I figured out 'my' sleepiness...

 It's got to be all this cough syrup I'm taking - especially the nighttime stuff.  Again this morning, like yesterday, I am struggling.  I went to bed at my usual time of around 8:30PM... fell right to a deep sleep and slept sound until midnight.  Apparently it knocks me out for 4 hours.  Then I start to toss and turn, sleeping here and there until, like this morning, I got up around 3AM. I have sat here in my chair and all I have to do is close my eyes for just a few seconds, and I doze off again.  The only explanation I have is that it is the medication I am taking for my cold.  Got some 'new' stuff in yesterday - Robitussin nighttime with honey.  Nasty tasting stuff.  Musinex DM nighttime, which I took the night before, goes down much easier.  All I could taste with the Robitussin was the honey.  That has to be the explanation for the struggle to go back to sleep and to stay awake when I do get up.  But, on the positive side this morning, I'm not sneezing and it seems to be just in my sinus area at the moment.  Ah yeah... I also had to take an ibuprofen this morning because my head was hurting so bad.  Yeah, that knocks me out too.

My son got me three books for Christmas and I started reading the one 'About my Father' last night.  I got started reading it and couldn't put it down... it was funny, in an odd way.  Not haha funny, but amusing. Make sense?  I enjoyed it and am about 3/4 of the way through the book before I put it down and went to bed.  Hoping to finish it perhaps tonight, if I can get hubby to leave the TV off - or it may be this weekend.  What a gift of sharing.... my mind can not even think of any thing amusing like these in my life.

Yesterday was a somewhat long day.  I did have lunch with my friend at Olive Garden, which was interesting. We had good conversation, but for some reason, my stomach just didn't want any other food after having one bowl of the pasta d fagioli.  I was so full.  I had ordered the chicken parm, lunch size... but could not even eat half of it. Hubby can have it today.  I think that is from the meal I ordered at another restaurant the other day; the sauce tasted spoiled to me and I couldn't eat it - and when I tried to eat this, although I know it would be good, my tummy was saying 'uh uh' and wouldn't let me eat it.  In fact, I got to my car and got nauseated and nearly threw it up!  I know, too much information.  

Romans 8:28 (NKJV):  "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

What if, because I want to do this fast, God is allowing my tummy to say 'no' to good food, so that it will be easier for me to give it up?  What if, because our grandson's Southwest flight was cancelled - again - and he rented a car and was able to swing by his parent's home last night to see them overnight before heading out this morning - is for good?  I tell you what, I certainly would not want to be in ANY airport this week!  What if, ... well, you can fill in the blank.  There can be a lot of 'what if' and we can question all we want - but we need to remain on the positive side of it, and not the negative.  

We are coming to the end of 2022.... I'm sure we all have had a lot of positive and negative things happen this past year.  Some have gone through deaths in the family; some have had COVID and are still dealing with the after effects of that, some have had tragedies happen, and .... some have had weddings, new babies, and good things happen.  Some have gotten jobs they wanted; and others, still want to retire at some point.  The year has definitely had its ups and downs.

I'm trying to think of a my favorite part of this year  - and I honestly am drawing a blank.  Of course Christmas is always a 'stand-out' for me because I get to see all my children, most of the grandchildren, and usually my great-grandchildren too. And I did get to have a granddaughter and great-granddaughter come over and bake the day after Christmas, that's pretty special.  This is the first year only one came over.  I hope that over the past 28 years of doing this, special memories were made with each of the grandchildren.    

I'm drawing a blank as to what to write about - can I blame it on the cough syrup?  There was something I thought of last night that I wanted to share... but my mind isn't thinking.  Maybe I'll think of it in a bit. Oh well.

Hope you have an amazing day!

Blessings!

Crash and burn time?

 Yesterday was sorta boring, sorta busy, mostly not busy/boring. I even took a short nap in the middle of the day as my cold seems to be making itself known again.  I worked on the message last night for Sunday and have the first draft of it completed.  That's the hard part; going through it and cleaning it up, correcting spelling, etc., is the easy part.  I took Musinex DM and went to bed around 9PM.  I tossed and turned most of the night, waking up, if felt, every hour on the hour.  Could not shut the mind down, even though nothing was swirling in there.  I finally arose at the usual 4AM and tried to go back to sleep here in my chair, only I remembered my pill and I have to sit upright for 30 minutes.  Hubby brought in my coffee.  I'm still trying to sleep.  I read some in my Bible and devotional... then tried to sleep some more.  The body was just not cooperating with trying to stay awake.  Finally, a little after 6AM, I determined I needed to 'get it together', drink my coffee to help wake myself up, and get on here.  I've been listening to it rain all morning and now my head hurts.  Grumpy, aren't I!  

I've 'wasted' my quiet time morning by trying to sleep, although I have read my Bible some and all... but I am feeling just so tired.  Perhaps it is 'crash and burn' from the weekend?  All the things I did leading up to it?  I cooked more, and did more, the entire weekend than I normally do in a month.  I enjoyed every minute of it, but I think it is just movement I am not used to.  I mean, getting up, sitting in my chair in here for a couple hours, moving to the desk chair, sitting there nearly 9 hours, then grabbing a quick bite and back the couch for the rest of the evening.  Not much exercise at all.  And I need to get on it -the exercise part.  I am getting old before I need to get old - know what I mean?

Hubby didn't help much yesterday.  I had a big piece of leftover eggs ole' for breakfast around 8AM.  He went to breakfast with a friend.  On his way back, he thought he'd be nice and stopped at Whataburger and got my #7 - but why does he buy me the chocolate shake?  He is the one who always drinks the shake... I need my diet coke!  A large portion of my shake is in the refrigerator... I wasn't hungry when he brought the food (and he got irritated when I couldn't eat everything) and I wasn't hungry last night - although I did fix about a cup of garbage of me... it's always about food for him... when it is time to fast this next month, he isn't going to have a good time, that's for sure.

Our fasting time... we were going to start January 1 since we have no plans for the day other than church, but since Free Chapel is starting on January 8, we decided to start then as well because we still have food and things I need to go through in the refrigerator.  Will see.  I told hubby I wanted to do the Daniel Fast, and he reluctantly told me the other night he will do what I plan to do.  (wanna bet?)  I plan to have fruits and vegetables... we have lots of veggies in the freezer and orange and grapefruit trees outside- plus strawberries in the freezer, etc.  I'm not saying it will be easy, but fasting for a reason is not to be easy, it is to be meaningful.  And it's 'only' for three weeks. I love my salads but need to use lemon juice instead of dressing.  Not a big deal.  And just garden salads.  See - it's not that bad. Maybe I can clear my head.  And I can still have potatoes... just without all the butter and sour cream. Oh well, that's just calories anyway, right?  But so good!

Speaking of, hubby's breakfast buddy told him yesterday of some research he did on helping him think more clearly.... he's the one who has Alzheimers and was taking handfulls of pills to counteract it - he has quit taking them and is reevaluating many others.  Anyway, I read  up on the two bottles last night - and bought some via Amazon.  I definitely need something to clear my brain fog sometimes and so does hubby.  I'll give up the overpriced prevagen that doesn't seem like it's working anyway.  Although a pharma friend said it was the best thing out there.  I'll have to present this information and have him research it.

I'm meeting one of my friends for lunch at Olive Garden today - yeah - salad, breadsticks, and pasta e fagioli is on my agenda for today.  Need to clear my head and get moving.  With the rain, part of me is hoping she will cancel... but she is only working from home this week so I imagine it will happen.  Oh well.  It's not too far for me to drive, and since I want to make chili tonight with hamburger I cooked up last night... I need to stop at Frys' too and pick up some red beans.  I'm pretty sure I have another can of tomato juice, which is good, but need the beans - and of course, cook up some pasta!  It's a 'midwest thing' and I love it.

I don't have anything in my mind today with trying to sleep so much of the time away this morning.... my apology for that.  I know I'm rambling... maybe those pills would do me some good and help me to be alert and focus better.  I'm willing to try!  

Hope you have recovered from Christmas activities and are getting the rest you need.  I am determined to get my body moving to make it feel better... if only this stupid cold will vanish completely, including the headache.  No, I didn't have COVID... just a stupid cold that the cough lingers forever.

Have an amazing day!

Blessings!

I don't wanna!

 Today I 'go' back to work - and I don't wanna!  I'm thinking I need to shake that attitude, for hubby is not going to let me 'retire' any time soon.  Which causes a lot of problems between us.  It certainly would mess up the lifestyle to which he has become accustomed.  Ok - enough complaining.  I'll always work at something; I just don't enjoy this anymore since we aren't in the office.  24x7 with hubby makes me a grumpy person like him sometimes.

Yesterday was a blast.  My oldest granddaughter came over with her daughter and it was so fun as we baked cookies and made donuts!  The little one was a hoot all day and I enjoyed her so much.  My granddaughter managed to get a few candid shots.... I really am fat!  And, when I watch, I'm so serious!  LOL  Isn't it interesting that when we look at photos of ourselves, most of the time it is at our size and/or how our hair or facial expression is.  I had so much fun with the two of them... don't know why my face didn't reflect it!  

It's kinda like what they say about Christians.  If loving and following Jesus makes you happy, why don't you tell your face that?  Christians are sometimes some of the most grumpiest looking people!

Our prodigal granddaughter read my message back to her, but she did not respond, nor did she come over.  If I haven't seen her by the weekend, I will pack up her gifts and store them.  Someone will have need of them at some time and I will pass them on.

I had the strangest and oddest dream last night and was awakened at 10:30PM with this vivid dream of my youngest child around the age of 5-6, screaming in the hospital, "mommy, don't let them hurt me again!" and I was running to his room and fighting people who were trying to keep me away.  I don't know what happened, I don't know what was going on in this dream..... all I know was my child was screaming for me and I was going to get to him.  When I awakened, I was praying hard for this child and asking our Heavenly Father to send His angels down to guard and protect him, and commanding the demons to flee from him that was causing him pain.  I have no idea what this dream - which came out of the blue - was about.  But it was intense and totally unexpected.   I didn't sleep well after that and dozed some here in my chair this morning.  

Philippians 4:7 (NKJV):  "and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NKJV):  "But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one."

The best thing I can do when something so intense like this dream comes upon me, is pray about it and give it to God.  I may ponder it, and wonder why I had the dream, what could possibly be the meaning of it, if there even is a meaning I am to understand... but I cannot allow the dream to overwhelm me - especially with fear.  My son is no longer 5-6 years old.  I have no control over his life.  Lord know that he does need guidance from time to time!  Just as we all do.

When I pause and give these things to God, or actually, anything that does trouble me, I do receive His peace and if I am to see the bigger picture, or even understand why things happen the way they do, I can depend on the Lord to protect me from whatever the situation is, and He will take control of it as long as I give it to Him and allow Him to take care of it.  It's when we 'take it back', that He lets us deal with our own things.  I think I prefer Him taking care of it.

I will be working on my message for Sunday from time to time the rest of this week.  At least I got the title and scripture; now I need to pull it together.  And, I need to start putting my Christmas gifts away and getting these boxes back in storage out in the garage.  Then the task of breaking up all these amazon boxes that are setting in the garage.  LOL  I keep the big ones to put our recycle in.... but there sure are a bunch of little ones that need to be broken up.  This room looks like a Christmas cyclone hit it - and I need to get cleared out.  Hubby asked me yesterday if we could leave the plaid (Christmasy plaid) comforter on the master bed instead of packing it away. Why?  Because he says it brightens up the room where as the gray comforter does not.  No big deal.  I think it is more he just doesn't want to deal with changing it out.  It doesn't look 'Christmasy' except the plaid is in red/green.  The comforter in this room has the Christmas trees and designs so yeah, it will come off the bed and get boxed up until next year. 

I'll get our tree down this next weekend - no rush.  I love the colors on it this year.  Very few ornaments so very few to put away.  When the lights are on, it really looks nice.  I can't do like the youngest does though - wrap saran all around it and set it in the corner.  sigh.  I'll take it apart in the 3 pieces  and put away the garland around it.  Next year I may change my mind on what to do with it.  But for this year, it looks nice.

Guess I need to get up and get dressed; nearly time to turn on the computer for work.  I did jump on for a short time yesterday - 'timecard Monday'.  I was pretty sure I had approved everyone's time card last Friday, but wanted to go through them and double check - and I did.  Payday is Thursday.

Hope that you are happy with all the Christmas gatherings and made special memories this year with those you love.  I know I did.

Blessings!

It was a very good day

 This was the first Christmas where we only had one family come to visit, exchange gifts, and have dinner. It really was quite different.  I screw up the meat, of course.  Yeah... I put it on too early.  I knew they said they'd be over perhaps around 5:30-ish... and I had that time in my mind.  So the meat was done then.... and we didn't eat for another hour and a half.  Everyone said the meat was fine, but I found it dry - and it was my fault.  But, a lot was eaten and the rest was divided and sent home.   But let me back up some.

After my quiet time yesterday I baked us eggs ole' for breakfast -and since I hadn't gotten over to see Ms. Diane, I put hers in the oven too.  After we had breakfast, I gave her a call and when I told her I had breakfast for her, she said she'd open the garage door for me.  It is more of a straight shot for her to use her walker versus going to the front door to unlock it.  She said "I'm in my pajamas" and I said "I don't care".  So I took over all the goodies I had for her, along with hot eggs ole.  Once inside, I talked her into letting me fix her a small plate of it.  Took over salsa for it too.  I nearly laughed, and wished I had given her a little bit more of it, for she gobbled it down as if she hadn't eaten in weeks.  I know she has food in her refrigerator, and her daughter makes sure she eats dinner every night.  But that little stinker confessed to me yesterday that she lies to her sons and daughter when they call and ask if she ate breakfast. She always tells them yes.  After she gobbled down the eggs ole yesterday, she looks at me and says, "Now I won't have to lie to Cindy and Jeff; they told me to be sure and eat breakfast because they wouldn't be over today until 3:30PM for their Christmas.... I can tell them I did eat breakfast."  She cracks me up.  I left the pan of eggs ole for her; hopefully she will fix herself some this morning and heat it up.  I also gave her some 'garbage' which she loves, as well.  She raves about my cooking and I laugh at her because when I take something over and give to her, she gobbles it up.  But when her kids bring her food, she just nibbles it. I love Ms. Diane cause she makes me laugh.

About 5:45PM my middle child, my oldest son, and all his family came over.  It was so good to see everyone.  Everyone got settled down after all the hugs and hubby and our little great-granddaughter started passing out the gifts.  I WON!!  I ended up with the most again - 2nd year in a row!  LOL Not that there is a contest.  I understand what my son once told me about it was somewhat uncomfortable a time or two when he and his wife had the most gifts.   I think everyone was happy with what they got.  I know I was - I got so much and it's all useable!  Grateful and loving each one.  

After opening gifts most of us headed to the kitchen to get the food to the table.  Even the little munchkin was helping!  Grateful for the help before and after dinner - it didn't take long for the clean up. I think everyone had enough to eat.  The grandchildren seemed to enjoy their surprise gift of the salsa recipe I have made for the past 40 years.  We had received the recipe as a wedding gift, along with a chip and dip plate.  I felt sad that one grandchild felt he needed to head home before dinner as he was very tired and was concerned he might fall asleep driving if he stayed later. Grateful he let us know he arrived at the apartment safely.  Daytime is hard for those who work the nightshift.  And it had been a full day of play so I'm sure he and his brother were pretty tired!  Once food was divided up and put away and dishes in the dishwasher, they took their leave and hubby turned on the TV to watch his team lose a football game.  I sat down and looked through what I had received for sometimes it goes so quick in opening gifts, one doesn't get a good look.  I love everything.

I don't know what hubby was thinking when he was shopping for me.  He bought me several clothing items ranging in sizes from small up to large plus.  I looked at him puzzled, trying to figure out what his thinking was.  He had no clue what sizes he picked up.  He just saw something and picked it up and bought it.  He had to admit he didn't know what he was thinking.  His comment to me was "I kept all the receipts so you can take them all back."  Uh, no.  I do all my shopping online so that I DON'T have to go to the store, and you can imagine how many people will be back at the stores today exchanging items. I will not be one of them.  I can go online and order pretty much the same thing he bought... probably pay less for it now.... and put these away to give to someone next year. :-)

But I am grateful for his gifts and the thought he put in purchasing them.  He just didn't pay attention this year at all on sizes.  The one gift he gave that fits - a $100 visa card. LOL  Oh, and a bag of snickers, and Dove, candies. What's really sad is that a couple of the sweaters are really cute and I like them, but this fat body will not fit into a small.  Hopefully I can find something similar.

I'm also grateful I don't have to work today.  I slept fairly well last night, but, I fell asleep for nearly an hour after I started reading my Bible this morning.  Could not keep my eyes open.  So now I feel like I am somewhat running behind schedule.  I didn't get up until 5-ish, so one would think that would be my extra hour of sleep, but now, I fell into a deep sleep here in my chair.  It's comfortable at times, what can I say!  

But another reason I'm grateful I don't work today is that my granddaughter and great granddaughter may be over some time today to bake cookies!  We will be touching base around 10AM to come up with a time and I'm looking forward to one on one time with them.  And all the cookies will go home with them.

Our prodigal granddaughter reached out to me yesterday with a text "I don't know if you were planning on doing Christmas with me or not, but I just want to say I love you and miss you."  Do they not know the key to my heart?  I responded to her that I loved and missed her too, and if she wanted to come over today with the baby, she could, and I'd give her the gifts, but her boyfriend was not to come over, because of what he and his family have done.  And, I told her it was her decision what she did.  She didn't respond.  I told my youngest son I had heard from her, and he said he had reached out to her as well.  I'm hoping these tiny baby steps will soften her stubborn heart and she will quit listening to her boyfriend and his dad, and do what her heart tells her to do.  

Jonah 4:6 (NKJV):  "And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant."

If you take a moment and look back over your life, do you see the times that God has provided  for you and you probably took it for granted?  The times when you were so broke you didn't know how you could even buy a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread, and yet, you miraculously came up with exactly what you would need.  The times when your car was setting on E and you still had to get to work and you didn't get paid until later in the week... and yet, somehow, you were able to get to where you needed to go and back home again.  When things happen, and there is really no explanation for it, and yet, it was good.

Those are the times that the Lord God prepared (a plant) for you and caused it to cover you and care for you, to deliver you.  Are you thinking of those times?

I can remember praying hard when the gas tank was setting on E and just wanting to get to the nearest gas station to put a couple dollars in it to get to work.... and the engine shut off just as I pulled up next to the gas pump.   Or digging in my purse to find change to buy a gallon of milk... and finding a dollar instead.  God has always provided just what we need, when we needed it.

And I am grateful for each one of those times that the Lord God prepared a solution for our need, whether it be financial to where we could buy groceries or get gas in the car, to just providing for us in other ways.  I am grateful we have a good, good Father.

And you do as well.  Take a moment and thank Him for His provision for you and your family. For helping you pass an important test. For getting you through high school or college. For walking with you when you needed comfort.  For giving you the peace you need just to get through each day.  It's all God, you know.  Thank Him.  He does for you because He loves you.  Just like you do for your children because you love them.  Be grateful.

Blessings!

Our gift-giving has started!

 Yesterday was an awesome day - we had a great day.  After my quiet time yesterday I was up and about  making things for lunch and dinner so that I wouldn't have to be cooking all day.  About 11AM my daughter and some of her family came over and we opened our gifts.  I think they liked everything. I know we did.  Of course I am really easy to buy for, in spite of what my children - or anyone else thinks - I love everything. ;-)  I appreciate the thought... it's not about the gift so much.  I just want to feel loved.

Before my daughter and family got here, I was able to open the gifts from my big brother.  He gave us a beautiful clock which I promptly got hung up on the wall.  It is much prettier than the one I had there.  Very similar, but much classier.  Also got a puzzle - and it made me laugh... I forget what it's called, but it is the one of the Republican presidents, including Trump, sitting around a table, I think.

After the daughter and family left, I made sure the table was set for the my youngest and his family - only three of them here this year.  Haven't heard anything from his prodigal daughter.  We had a good time with them and ate well - again.   I still haven't been able to get over to see Ms. Diane.  I think I'll cook the eggs ole' and see if I can take over to her this morning.  I know her family will be there late morning to spend the day with her ... I did call her yesterday, but she wasn't up to getting up and opening the garage for me to come in.  Maybe I can get over there today.  She is getting so weak.

Managed to get in a 45 minute deep nap in between families coming over.  I am not used to being so active (which is sad, really) and busy cooking and all... I was tired!  By 8:30-9PM we were in bed and slept good!  Hubby and I woke up early this morning and we have already had our Christmas.  I really appreciate everything hubby bought me.... I'm just not sure what he was thinking.  Other than two tops, the remaining clothes were sizes small and medium.  I haven't worn either of those sizes in 30 years.  I order online; I don't like going to stores.... especially now when everyone is returning things.... these may just hang in my closet for whenever I DO decide to get serious about losing weight.  Just saying.  Of course he feels bad he picked up the wrong sizes - I am too - a couple things are gorgeous!  

We decided to do our quiet time until about 8AM and then I'll put eggs ole' on for us to bake and fix us breakfast.  I don't need to start things for dinner until around noon so we have some time today to do nothing.  Which is really weird... Christmas Day is usually the day I'm cooking lunch and dinner; not Christmas Eve.  Christmas is on a Monday next year.  May think about doing the same as this year - two on Christmas Eve and one on Christmas... because I only get Monday off next year... but then, I could take Tuesday off.  Oh well, if I'm really lucky... I can retire this next year... but I don't see that happening. sigh.

Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV):  "For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

It truly is sad in that most people keep their thoughts on all the gift-giving and receiving - and none of their thoughts turn to the REASON we celebrate this day.  It's just a day of giving and receiving gifts. And it is sad.  I suppose I could even blame it on my parents' generation... I don't remember Christ being celebrated on Christmas.  I DO remember our church always handed out a small plastic bag in which was an orange, an apple, 3-4 walnuts in the shell, some of those candies... can't think what they are called, but they are chocolate with a white cream filling - like a kiss, only a minty type taste.  Daggone it - what were they called!   I think Cracker Barrel store has them - maybe Hobby Lobby too. I don't remember where I've seen them now.  But everyone in the church would get a bag every year - I think it is because for some, that is all they would receive for Christmas.  I know I always looked forward to it and it is a pleasant memory.   

And yes, we heard about Jesus and His birth that Sunday closest to Christmas... but Christmas day, it was always about the gifts.  I remember on my 14th Christmas I begged for a cedar chest, aka hope chest.  When we opened gifts, I was so disappointed for I only received two gifts, and I don't remember what they were.  It wasn't the number of gifts, we never did get much and usually always clothes.  (which is probably why I always go overboard on my family)  I remember my step-father and a couple of my brothers getting up and going out the front door - and they came back in with my cedar chest -which I still have.  It has stored many of my children's lives in that chest ... and I have given them most if not all of those memories I kept for them.  I probably need to go through it again and get rid of more things... or decide what to do with them.

You have probably figured out that I am one for memories.  If you think about it, memories are proof that you existed.  Family is your witness that you lived.   Ah... this is not the day to think of memories past, but of memories to be made.  

Today I'm looking forward to special memories made with my middle child, my oldest son, and his family.  Some I have not seen - nor heard from - since last Christmas.   No guilt trips for anyone... but some day they may regret not keeping in touch.  I laugh when I read my son's blog and he has mentioned missing his kids or not seeing them often.  I get it.  Which is why I love my times when we get invited out to a meal or to do something.  He gets it now too.

So with all my ramblings today, I need to finish up here and go fix breakfast.  It seems odd not to be rushing about to get everything ready.  But, it also gives us time to be quiet and reflect on what this day is for.  Celebrating the birth of Jesus.   I was supposed to preach this morning but the person I covered for the other week is taking this morning.  And I'm ok with that.  It would have been hard to get a message pulled together when it's been a busy few days here lately.

Hope that this Christmas day brings you lots of memories to hold in your heart.  It is the little things that some people may think of as 'nothing'.... that you will find, are precious memories as time goes by.  Hold on to them, and they will always bring you joy.

Merry Christmas!

Abundant Blessings!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

The busyness started yesterday......

 Oh what fun I had having breakfast with my boss and another friend.  It was so good to see them face-to-face and be able to catch up on life.  My boss gave me a basket full of goodies that she put together and some things she had made, such as honey mustard nuts (I think) and candied nuts.  I remembered last night that I didn't open the card she had put in it ... which I will this morning as I move the basket out of the way.  I love it  and I really enjoy when people get creative and make things. She also made her Italian cookies and I never can spell the name of them, but it starts with a p. Something like pizzellas or along those lines.  Flat cookies that are made in a design press.  She makes them every year because her husband is part Italian.   It was fun seeing our other friend who joined us and heard what is going on with her.

After I came home from that, I jumped back on the computer for awhile to catch up on messages.  Then my middle son, dressed as Santa Claus, came by as he was going to be Santa up at his wife's work - only there was a change of plans and he wasn't, so he changed out of his costume.  Then just as he was leaving here, he got the phone call he was 'back on' so went on up to the facility and put his costume back on.  Hope that went well for him.  So proud of his 'volunteer' work as Santa.  Even old people enjoy seeing Santa and sitting on his lap.

Soon after, our grandsons up in St John called and facetimed us so that we could see them all open their Christmas gifts, along with our great granddaughter.  They seemed to like everything, and the boys were grateful for the clothes.  But what made me smile?  When one of the grandsons opened a special gift from grandma and goes 'oh wow' and seemed not only surprised, but very happy.  What was it?  Don't tell, but each of the grandchildren are getting a special gift with a special recipe on it.  And because I know one granddaughter occasionally reads on here, I can't say what it is... although she may not have time to read it this morning with getting ready to come over here.  I didn't even know she read this even occasionally.... until she called me one day upset about something I had written - and it was easier for me to delete it than try to correct it. Short story; not going there.

After that, I did do a run over to see Ms. Amy, finally.  She was happy to see me and I took her over some goodies and a small plant.  We visited for about an hour, then she wanted to walk me through the assisted living to see where they play bingo, have dinner, etc.  Bless her heart... at one point in our conversation she started to cry when she said she had told someone there she wouldn't be here next year... she is so lonely and being alone here during the holidays is hard for her.  So, I guess that means she will be moving in a few months to Florida to be closer to her daughters.  I'll miss her but we can keep in touch.  

Which reminds me, while I was out for breakfast yesterday, my little sister text'd me that her friend who recently found out that her cancer has returned.... her husband unexpectedly passed away during the night.  Why do these things happen on top of the other.  The blessing is that he wasn't real well, and he won't be suffering anymore, but also while she is having to go through her chemo, she won't have to worry about his care at home.  God, please be with Kathy and bring her comfort and peace, and healing.

I had plans to make more salsa last night.... and get part of the lunch put together last night - when I remembered I have no room in either refrigerator.  NONE.  I have numerous jars of salsa in one refrigerator because it has to remain refrigerated.  It takes up most of the room - plus add in numerous packages of hamburger (that I will use this morning in making garbage) and the other refrigerator has our usual V8 cans and tart cherry juice and water and milk, and other stuff in it.  There is just no room for anything in either refrigerator.  So I did nothing last night.  Not really anything I could do.

With all that is going on around me, it is weighing on me this morning.  I think of Ms. Diane across the street whose companion passed away earlier this year.  Ms. Vicky next door; her daughter, who had moved in with her during the summer, moved out a few weeks ago and in with her boyfriend, whom her mother doesn't like. And she's alone.  I feel bad for them.  And I want to fix up baskets of goodies for each one of them.  In the midst of meal prep this morning I want to get started on that.  You know how I love to cook and give it away.  I have a lot I want to get done this morning.

My big brother sent me two gifts; I'm pretty sure I know what both are.  One, I mentioned it is the same size as my clock box....  and the one that arrived yesterday 'rattles like a puzzle'.  So what he has done, as he did before, he has taken a photo and had it made into a puzzle.  I'm curious which photo he has chosen.  We text'd yesterday and he said that I could open my gifts today.  I'll do it later today; perhaps before my youngest arrives, if I have time.  Yes, I could do it this morning, and if I take a breather, I just may do that.  

In spite of all I need to do this morning, and need to get started on it soon, I'm grateful I have this time that I take to spend with God and to write in here.  This is most important to me.  Tomorrow, being Christmas, is the only time we change this up.  Hubby and I will get up and we will open our gifts first, then will take time to do our quiet time after.  Most Christmases my quiet time has been scarce, as I am usually trying to get lunch pulled together, but this Christmas, I will have all day to pull it together as our middle child and his family won't come until later that evening.  We mentioned to plan on 6-6:30PM so that he isn't rushed, which will make us eat dinner around 8PM... which is very late for most people.  Perhaps if they finish early they will come on over.  I know it's hard to get everyone together when some don't live nearby and you want your own time with them.  Perhaps I should have stuck with 'garbage' where I could just throw it in the oven... but, we're having it twice so BBQ ribs sounded much better and I have the time to get it done.  We'll be eating more this weekend than we do in a week.

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV):  "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

I know that when I put God first every day, I don't have to worry about how the rest of the day will turn out.  In spite of all the busyness I think I need to get done, since I'm spending time with Jesus first this morning, He will help me get the things accomplished that I need to get done.  I'm seeking Him first, and He knows what I want to do today.  He will get it done.  Perhaps all my plans are not important.  And you know what, that's ok. He knows what is best.  And I chose best.

Take a few minutes and just spend it with Jesus this morning.  His birthday is tomorrow.  In case you forget to tell Him then, you can tell Him today.  Happy early Birthday, Jesus!  Thank you for being the 'reason for the season' and we celebrate You this weekend.  We love You, Lord.  Bless us, and help us to be kind, and loving, to everyone.  Because no matter what we do, You love us.  Celebrate Jesus.  It's all about Him.

Blessings!

Still much to do...

 I didn't see Ms. Amy again yesterday, although that had been the plan.  I called her mid-afternoon, hoping to get an opportunity to run over there, but she didn't answer her phone.  When she finally called me back, she was getting ready to go to dinner.....and I was in the middle of making cheeseballs for my boss for Christmas.  I told her I would come over this afternoon.  I have a small bag of goodies to take to her.  Her son had text'd me the day before and asked if I would take her Lexus out for a drive about once a week so I plan to drive it over there.  

I got four cheeseballs made yesterday - then I realized I didn't buy enough crushed pineapple... and you know what... it's ok.  I'm not going to store again.  Actually, yesterday was not bad at all.  I did an early pickup because of things I needed to finish up salsa.  I saw they also had turkeys on sale for $9.99 and spiral hams on sale for $9.99... so bought one of each.... and then the person who brought out my groceries mentioned they had prime rib on sale for $4.97 and the company was losing money on that.  Well, I'm NOT a big fan of prime rib... at least the last place I had ordered it 'killed' it so badly, I don't care if I have prime rib again ever or not.... but after getting my groceries, I parked my car and went in to the store to check them out, plus I needed to get a gift card for our mail lady.  Very few people in the store. I picked up the 3rd to the last one - and got about a 6 pound or so prime rib roast for about $34.  Now why did I buy it if I don't care for prime rib?  The one time I fixed it, it did turn out well and had flavor... but I also like to cut them in one inch slices and then have ribeye steaks.  Just realized I put it in the freezer whole... which means I can't cut it up until it thaws.. and then I need to cook it... hmmm.. may fix a prime rib after all.

I meet up with my boss this morning for breakfast and our gift exchange.  I'm still in the process of putting together her gift basket.  I bought a pretty white throw blanket, but hubby questioned me for giving her a 'blanket' (why would you give her a blanket?)  I think he just doesn't get it.... but now it made me question myself.  But what else would I do with it?  So I think I will still give it to her, and I have her a couple other little things and then of course she gets salsa, pickles, cheeseball....  her kids all gather at the same time and she likes putting the things I give her out for the kids - and they love it too.  So I enjoy making them for their gathering.  I've been doing it for so many years, if I didn't, they'd certainly notice it!

Today I am still working, but will be filling the day up with busy things.  First, my breakfast with my boss; what she doesn't know is that I invited a friend that we both love who used to report to her - and resigned to take care of her parents a few months back.  Of course I like this friend too - we've worked together through the last three companies so we've known each other for awhile.  Plus she calls me a 'Rock Star'.  LOL  One year she actually gave me a rock in the shape of a star... which I still have and is on the shelf in my kitchen.  Fond memories of a dear friend.  As mentioned above, want to run over to go see Ms. Amy for a short while, then need to get things made for meals tomorrow, and gifts I want to fix for Ms. Diane and Ms. Vicky.  I love this kind of busyness.  I'm in my own little world in my kitchen. When hubby stays out of it.  Sigh.

Luke 2:11-14 (NKJV):  "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: you will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

Christmas.  It's almost here.  Today is the 23rd.  Have you stopped at any time in the hustle and bustle of the season to reflect on the REASON we have this season?  Most people understand that we celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25th, but no one is really sure WHEN He was born.  Seems like I heard someone say it was actually July..... I don't know.... but why do we even choose ONE day to celebrate the birth of Christ?  I celebrate all month for my birthday, what not celebrate all month for the birth of the One who loves us beyond measure, and so much that He died for us?

We've made this 'one' day (and for some, the entire month) a day of play and giving and doing and just a whole lot of busyness, especially on days leading up to the 25th.  But have we stopped to think of the reason why we are doing all this?  Something to think a bit about, don't you think?  Without Jesus, there wouldn't be a Christmas.... just saying.

All our praise should be to the One whom we celebrate.  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if we did have peace on earth?  We can't even have peace in our families, in our marriages, in our homes.  But what if we did have peace.  Pause for a moment and think what that would look like.  It's hard to imagine, isn't it?  We're so used to what is now the 'norm', we cannot imagine peace at all.

And I think it is in the water....  my sister had mentioned her hubby and she had had a few words the night before....  yesterday was my turn.... I think both hubbies are bored; they don't have a life; they do nothing but watch TV or their computers or their phones..... and when we wives are home, they want to control us and and want our undivided attention..... and that isn't possible.  WE are the ones who do the shopping; WE are the ones who do the cooking; WE are the ones who do all the wrapping; WE do it all... and they just don't get it.  I'm sorry they feel 'alone' because they are sitting in the front room all by themselves all day while we are busy (working) doing other things.  STAY OUT OF OUR WAY.  I don't need him asking me what I'm doing while I'm trying to fix lunch.  Don't scream at me because I don't let him help.... when I ask what am I not letting him help with... he had no response.  I let him 'help' me pick oranges yesterday....  shaking my head.  

BUT - this morning I need to stop and jump in the shower cause I get to see my boss today!  Whoo Hoo!  It's going to be a busy day - and I still have to check the computer for work stuff (my boss does too, so I'm not alone!) cause I didn't take the day off.  But it will be a busy personal crazy day.  Hope that your last day of work this week or whatever it is that you are doing, is one of hope and less crazy than mine will be.

Blessings!

One thing at a time....

 I didn't make it over to see Ms. Amy last night.  But I did get other things accomplished yesterday.  I talked about 15 minutes with my boss and he goes "you pick."  NOT what I really wanted to hear.  But, pick I did and chose the other location I had recently gotten information for the board meeting.  I confirmed we will do it there; sent an email cancelling the other.  Now with the holidays, some of them are on vacation and I can't get the answers I am still wanting.  I like being 'hands on' and being focused on what I'm to do.  I need more answers from those who are not responding to me.  UGH.  But, I have prayed about it and I need to let God do what He does best.  He don't need my help, my anxiety, my stress.  I can't change how it will end up - and it isn't until February, and nothing can be done until February, so get over myself, right?

I had meant to run to see Ms. Amy, but also wanted to get the salsa made last night.  I made about 8 batches of salsa before I ran out of pepper.  The last batch of salsa may not be as hot ... oh well, it's a gift so they can't complain, right?  Or they can just add their own peppers.  I am going to get more hot peppers today so that I can make a couple more batches.  I'd rather have too much than not enough.  I chose to make the salsa..... and I'm getting all the jars washed and rinsed....and here comes hubby.  He decides "I don't have to fix dinner (we went out for a big lunch) so he is going to finish off the salsa we currently have in the refrigerator for his dinner."  Ok.  So, I move away from the sink and just walk in to the other room cause he needs the sink the rinse out the salsa jar (getting in my way).  He HAD to do it just as I was starting to get things done.  He then proceeds to tell me that I ought to see Ms. Amy first - but I really wanted to get these done.  I sit down while waiting on him to get out of my way.  He just stands there. I ask what does he need.  "Nothing.  I'm just tired of sitting in the front room by myself."  Lord, help me!  I just responded that someone has to get the gifts completed for Christmas and since it's me, obviously I can't sit in the front room with him.

And THEN, my lay leader at the RV park text'd me wanting the title and scripture for the New Year's message I am to give.  I told him he was too early (they usually check a week before)... I will let him know by Saturday what I'm going to speak on.  Add THAT pressure!  Glad I'm not speaking Christmas as I had been asked.  I traded it and am so glad I did.  But I do have New Years Day.  I need to work on that tonight as well.  I was going to talk about fasting, but I'm not getting the feeling it's what I need to speak on at this time.  And I had started working on it too!  So I need to find another topic and another message.  Lord, help!

At least with all my busyness going on now (as it always is just before the Christmas holiday), I will be able to relax on Christmas day.  Christmas Eve will be chaotic somewhat, but that's ok.  I should have everything done by then.  I will run things over to my neighbors and Ms. Amy either tonight or tomorrow and that will remove that 'want'. But Christmas Day, hubby and I will have our morning as we usually do.  Then we will have a few hours before I need to do anything in preparation for dinner.  Only have one meal, versus two that I usually have on this day.  It will be more relaxing and I will be able to visit more.  AND I have Monday off work, and hopefully the granddaughter and great granddaughter - and a grandson or two if they want to come over - will be here to bake cookies.  YAY!

I read a story yesterday about a lamb who is called a 'bummer lamb'.  What is that?  It is a baby lamb that is rejected by its mother for whatever reason after it is born.  Once the mother rejects that lamb, kicks it away from her, she will never accept that lamb near again.  The lamb's head droops very low in its rejection, and becomes very weak.  If the shepherd does not intervene, the baby lamb will die.  So what does the shepherd do?

He will pick up this baby lamb, wrap it up, and take it into his own home.  He will lay it on his chest so that it can feel his heartbeat.  He will raise that lamb in his home, and once the lamb is strong enough, he will take it and put it back in to the sheepfold.  And when the shepherd calls his sheep to come to him, this little lamb, when it hears his voice calling, will be the first to come running to the shepherd, because he knows him.

And that is like our Shepherd.  When life comes at us so hard that we feel rejected, devalued, unworthy to live.... our Shepherd sees us, and He gathers us in to His arms, into His heart, and holds us close.  He wraps us in His love and holds us close to His heart, so that we can hear His heart beat.  And when we become strong, He lets us go; and when He calls us and we hear His voice, we come running as fast as we can, so that we can be close to our Shepherd once again.

Jesus is our Shepherd. 

Psalm 23: 1-6 (NKJV):  "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Run to our Shepherd and know that He is good.  He will gather you in His arms and love you.

Blessings!

I had a fun evening.

 Met up with my daughter last night for a Christmas mani/pedi treat.  Neither of us has had a mani/pedi (that we can remember) since January for the granddaughter's wedding.  It was way past time for me because my nails just aren't important since I don't see many people.  So I went Christmasy this year with bright red sparkly polish on both toes and fingernails.  The technician took me at my request.  Even my nails out (they were a real mess), I said.  She looked at the one I had broken earlier that was at the end of my nailbed... and sure enough, cut all my nails to that length.  Oh well.  They will grow back.  Maybe I should make it my goal this next year to pamper myself a little at least once a month to get a manicure so that my nails could look nice.  Especially since right now my fingers look stubby because they are cut so short.  Oh well. Easier to type.  I can remember when I had acrylic nails - when I typed, everyone would hear 'click, click, click' as my nails hit the keyboard.  And I remember too my granddaughter would paint my nails with different designs.  Sure wish she lived closer!  But I am not going to complain - Tucson is closer than Morenci!

Hubby woke me out of a dead sleep this morning at 3AM.  He flipped completely over to my side of the bed and was breathing in my face.  I turned over, trying to go back to sleep, but the 'sound' kept me awake so I finally got up and came in here.  Now I'm wanting a nap!

I'm getting some anxiety about this board retreat I've been trying to put together.  We ended up confirming at one location - but the part that is driving me anxious is lunch out on the terrace... in early February.  They said historically it is around 65-70 degrees.... but what if it isn't?  I finally heard back from another hotel and am weighing if I share that with my boss.... today is his last day before he takes off for ten days.... I need an answer today.  UGH.  He confirmed for the first part of the paragraph, and said we'll pray for nice weather... but for me it is the big 'what if'.  Thinking about it a lot morning so must make some sort of decision today.

I Peter 5:7 "Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you."

Yeah, that scripture just popped into my mind.  And I know it is true - when I give God my worries, my anxieties, and all that stuff that troubles my heart (and you know I have had plenty), He always brings peace to my soul.  But sometimes, too, he allows some anxiety so that you fix what could be wrong.  So of course I'm back to the board retreat stuff.  If I pray for 70 degree weather and clear skies on February 3rd in Tucson.... will God answer my prayer?   I know that even prayers that we think are silly He sometimes will allow to come true.  I KNOW He CAN; I just don't know if He WILL.  I'll check in with my boss again and share the new information I got - and he has the final say - but it still falls back on me.  But the bottom line with that scripture - you see, it isn't only about things that I worry about that have to do with me, but anything that concerns me, our Heavenly Father cares about it for us.  That is always so comforting.

Today I'm going to start getting some salsa made, I think.  I'm done with the pickles.  With my day of Christmas Eve being taken, I have to bump things up in getting them done.  Plus I'm meeting my boss for breakfast and gift exchange Friday morning, so that will take up a large portion of the day as well. I'm wanting to make some things for my neighbors, and I will, but must do it earlier.  Glad I don't have a lot to do for the office this year.  I've only my one boss left to give to.  Still need to make things for her.  Not going to do the cheesecake; but will still do the cheeseball, salsa, and pickles.  For my neighbors, I want to take over eggs ole' that they can cook for themselves Christmas morning or before, if they choose.  For Ms. Diane, I will need to wait until her daughter arrives on Friday before taking it over so that Ms. Diane doesn't have to get up and try to come to the door to let me in.  She is getting so unstable and I'm afraid she will fall.  Ms. Vicki uses a walker at times, but is still about to get out and about.  And, since my cold is finally working its way out of my system, I need to make a run over to see Ms. Amy.  Maybe I will this evening and take her some cranberry pumpkin muffins.  I thawed some out yesterday (and ate one - so good!).  Yeah, I might do that right after work before it gets dark. Or put off until tomorrow.....

I received a gift in the mail yesterday from my male boss.  It was a nice surprise.  He is a beekeeper - meaning he has bee hives in his back yard and processes the honey.  Yep - he sent me a small jar of honey, plus some other things I 'm sure his wife put together for him.  And that's ok.  We put honey in our oatmeal and often I will put it in hot water with lemon to clear congestion.  Did you know that even a teaspoon of honey a day will do wonders for your body?  Seriously.  Did you ever read in the Bible about Jonathon while he was out fighting?

I Samuel 14:27-29 (NKJV):  "But Jonathan had not heard his father (King Saul) charge the people with the oath; therefore he stretched out the end of the rod that was in his hand and dipped it in a honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his countenance brightened. Then one of the people said, "Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, 'Cursed is the man who eats food this day.'" And the people were faint. But Jonathan said, "My father has troubled the land. Look now, how my countenance has brightened because I tasted a little of this honey."

In ancient Jewish culture, formal education began at six years of age. Jewish boys enrolled in their local synagogue school called bet sefer ("House of the book".  On the first day of class, according to tradition, the rabbi would cover their slate with honey.  Honey was the symbol of God's favor. Then the rabbi would instruct his students to lick the honey off their slate while reciting from Psalm 119: "How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth."  It was their first lesson and their most important lesson. It taught the students that nothing is sweeter than the Word of God. It taught them that the Bible is the land of milk and honey, the true Promised Land.

Proverbs 16:24 (NKJV):  "Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones."

Think about the words you speak... are they 'sweetness to the soul and health to the bones'?    

Ever had honey on top of cornbread?  Yum Yum.  Ok - with that, I'll hush - just rambling now.  Hope you are pacing yourself and not trying to cram everything in at the last minute (like it sounds I am doing!)    Have an amazing day!

Blessings!

So much going on....

 I actually gasped this morning as I read my son's blog and read of the current issue with one of his boys. I haven't had that happen to me, but have had other things taken and rifled through.  It always makes me feel violated.  I feel bad; wish I could help.  Praying all goes well.

My little sister has two friends seriously ill; one in the final stages of Alzheimers and the other re-diagnosed with cancer.  One has been her friend for over 50 years; the other over 30 years.  Then our niece by text (wonder who she learned that from?) attacked my sister over something ... well, none of it concerns me, but it just feels like all three things are happening at once and I had to give my sister a call when I read the latest email about the 'attacking' niece.  I'm not surprised.  Not even surprised at the words in the text.  Ironically, some of the words are the same words used by my sister when she attacks me.  But, nevertheless, they are hurtful and cruel.  So, I called my sister and told her I was sorry she was having to deal with all these things at the same time.  I think my call helped; just to let her know that I hear her and I understand.  And I have been praying for each of her friends (both whom I also know), for our niece, and for my little sister.  People can be cruel when they know they are in the wrong... it's easier to point fingers at someone else than it is to admit our own sin.

Psalm 32:3 (NKJV):  "When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Lord, I pray to you again and again, but I did not talk about my sins, so I only became more weaker and more miserable."

Isn't that what happens when we pray about everyone else and everything going on around us - but we neglect to confess our own sins?  I'm not perfect by any means, but I try very hard to be what I call a 'rapid repenter'.  Actually, that isn't my term.  I didn't make it up.  I got it from my favorite devotional book - he talks about being a 'rapid repenter'.  Don't hold on to grievances, don't hold on to things I do wrong.  Immediately confess them, and be clean of them, so that I can go to God freely without things hindering my prayers.  Does that make sense? 

Did I lose my temper?  I need not only to apologize to the person I offended with my temper, but I need to also repent of it to God, because I allowed my emotions to get control of reason.  I may be getting older, and I pray that I am also getting wiser.  Sometimes it takes that (NICS Mark Harmon) Gibbs slap against the back of the head to get my attention I need to do something.  And, sometimes, I don't realize I need to 'repent' of anything.  I don't realize I offended someone.

Reminds me of something I did at my male boss a few months back.  I had taken some time off and when I came back to work, he sent me a Teams message and was giving me all sorts of things to accomplish for him.  When he finished, I sent him a message back that basically said, "welcome back. Hope you had a good time.  I missed you while you were gone."  And then I added.... "Sometimes you need to inquire of your staff how they are doing when they have been off and not ignore they are a person just as you are."    And yes, he did receive my message, and he did apologize.  Have not had that problem with him since.  

Sometimes, when people offend us, we need to confront the issue head on.  The more we hold it in, the more it festers and it becomes our sin as well.  I know I have a tendency to avoid conflicts and confrontations... and as I pray, I am able to see what really was the offense and where did it come from. Some people have no filter.  Some people are arrogant and proud.  Some people are so insecure they act like they have more than they have.  Some people are always angry; some people are always depressed; some people we have called 'drama people' because unless something isn't going on in their life that's tragic, they don't have a life.  Does any of this make sense?  I don't know about you, but as I was listing those, I thought of several people (including me at times), that live like this.

When these things happen, I try to step back and see what is going on behind the scene.  What is causing the offense to come up?  With my sister, it took my brother to bring it to my attention; she is jealous of me. And it's silly.  Jealous I'm still working.  She could have. She still could. But she has every excuse you can think of not to be.  And now with NOT working for over 15 years.... I don't know if she could hold a job, if you know what I mean.  With my niece texting my sister?  I feel it is her own guilty feelings.  What was the text about?  My sister was asked how the relationship was with the niece and her children, and my sister mentioned she hadn't seen them since before Thanksgiving... and the niece is saying she was having a pity party.  Sounds more like guilt because she hasn't been around to me.  Oh well, I'm no psychologist.  And neither are you.  But sometimes we need to step back out of the offense, the issue, and look at where it could have come from.

And we all need to quit using the excuse "that's the way I was brought up".  Just because one was brought up a certain way does not mean they have to stay that way.  It is a choice to be like the past, or to be a better person because you can.   I could have easily lived in my past and I would be miserable.  Lord knows how miserable I could be if I chose.  But I choose LIFE.  I choose to LIVE.  I choose to not be what my past was.  I still make wrong choices at times, but I have learned to pick myself up off the floor and dust myself off, and stand on my own two feet and take responsibility for my words and my actions.  If I'm wrong, I apologize.  If I'm not wrong, I try to understand and make amends with others.

Yipes - I need to get on my work computer!  Time is flying by.  Hope you have a great day!

Blessings!

I asked, He answered....

 I mentioned yesterday that I was praying God would get me through the message yesterday - no coughing or sneezing or runny nose - and He did.  I coughed on the way up - but once I was there - it all stopped.  The only distraction I had was the microphone.  I don't know what it is with me and microphones!  Every time they try to help me with a pin on microphone, or an earpiece microphone - I always mess it up.  Yesterday it kept rubbing against my cheek and I could hear it - but I couldn't fix it.  One lady in the choir who was close to the stage said that she saw a lock of hair laying across the microphone - which was causing the noise I kept hearing - and to me I was so distracted by it.  I told them no more - next time I will use the handheld - I could control it!  But God did answer and I didn't cough or sneeze until we got back home.

We stopped at Cracker Barrel on the way home and had 'brunch'.  While I was walking through the store part, a lady stopped me and commented on my dress and how feminine it looked and how nice it was, how she hated wearing pants to church but it's hard to find a nice dress nowadays.  I had to agree with her - and this particular dress I had bought online from Penney's last year - and it was the first time I wore it... I told her what section I looked at online.  It was nice to be 'called out' by a stranger on looking nice. 

This season is preparing us for a great revival come the first of the year.  Why do I say that?  Because there is so much upheaval, so much darkness, so much pain going on around us.  It's in my own family.  It's in my siblings. It's in relationships.  Until one will relinquish hanging on to it and nursing it (the darkness, the pain), they won't get better.  I understand broken relationships; over the years you have heard about ones I have had.  You know the pain I have felt.  But I also know I can't live in that pain or it will destroy me.  And for some, they refuse to let the pain go.  

I am mentally preparing for my fast in January.  I haven't said too much about it to hubby just yet, but may need to start sharing my intentions this week to get him thinking if he is going to do it or not.   I'm not sure what he is going to do this year - it is really hard for him to give up food, although he determined that for 40 days he was giving up lunch every Wednesday until the end of the year.  I haven't been tracking or watching him, so don't know if he is keeping it or not.  I am not to monitor him, it is between him and God.  Just like my fasting is between God and I.  I know what I want to do - and yes, I struggle with 'what if I fail; what if I let hubby badger me because he thinks I need to....' and yes, that has happened but not going there now.  Fasting for 21 days is a joy and when I keep my focus on God and not on the food I choose to give up, it is really fairly simple.  I choose His blessings.  I know I don't HAVE to fast, but it's something I've done now for several years, and it just comes natural for me to think about come the first of the year. And it is something I want to do.

Why do I think there is going to be a big revival come the first of the year?  Because I believe in the power of prayer and fasting.  I'll touch base on that as we continue to the first of the year, so will hush on that right now.  But be prepared to watch and see what God will do.  Take note, God is already at work and He will be victorious.  It may not happen in my timeframe, or yours, but He will be victorious.  Hallelujah - what a day that will be!

Psalm 85:6 (NKJV):  "Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?"

Oh that people would call on the name of the Lord again as in days of old, and truly seek His face and His favor upon them and upon their generations.  We have become lax in our time; we have allowed the enemy a foothold.  And the enemy is taking our families and our land; our nation.  Oh that we as God's people will fight the fight that is needed to reclaim this land, to reclaim our families, to reclaim our children!  And then, when we do, we will receive God's favor upon us, He will look upon us, He will bless us, bless our children, bless our land.

II Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV):  "If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

What are you going to fight for this year?  Your 'rights'?  Your 'freedom to choose'? Your ability to do whatever you want to do?  Why not determine to fight for your spouse, your children, your siblings, your generations to come?  Oh my prayer list is long, and I am sure warfare will be intense as prayers are offered up.  Satan doesn't let go of his claims easily.  But even Satan has to submit to the Lord, for there is none greater than the Lord.  

We're counting down to Christmas... it's this coming Sunday!  I am pretty sure I am DONE with shopping... I mean, about a week ago I just quit shopping.  Decided that what I've bought - is bought - and is enough.  I have cut back..some.. I want to focus on my children more than I do grandchildren this year... but I think the great-grands made out pretty good.  Just couldn't resist.  All my wrapping is done.  Now I can get the other stuff out of this room and clear some space.  The bed has been cleared off for over a week since I've been sleeping in it.  But now that my speaking engagement yesterday is over, hubby is already after me to come back to our bed.  With both of us coughing and sneezing for awhile, we were trying to quit sharing back and forth.  I don't speak now until New Years Day so surely I will be over this cold by then totally.

And... with that... I'm going to hush and get off here - time to jump in the shower and face a new work day.  Hope that your day is filled with favor and good things.

Blessings!

I DID sleep a lot!

 Even with all the extra naps I told you about yesterday morning, I slept another two hours during the day!  And going to bed around 9PM last night - slept until 5AM or so this morning.  Good part was no sneezing or coughing during the night... but now that I've been up for a little bit, it has started.  But, I'm believing that God is just clearing out my sinus so that I can share His Word this morning up north.  That's what I'm praying for - no coughing or sneezing, no slimy snot... and yes, I'll take something before we leave so that it will help.  Three weeks this has hung on - from allergies to a sinus cold and it is annoying me a lot now.  I will be napping after we get home.  After we eat lunch, of course.  We always stop someplace for breakfast after we speak.  Hubby counts on it.

In fact, when I came out of my room yesterday, when hubby asked if he could take me to breakfast, I barely hesitated and said yes.  I figure why should I cook if he is offering to take me out?!  So I got dressed and we headed out to eat.  Interestingly, I got a small veggie skillet with two eggs, and toast, and I couldn't eat it all.  It's like my tummy says, "nope, we're full, nothing else is going in here."  I guess that is a good thing, right?  I got on the scales the other day after about staying off of them for about a month.  As little as I have been eating lately (although I have eaten cookies, etc.) - I haven't lost any weight.  Go figure.  I'm still trying to figure out how my little sister says she wears a size medium when I wear a large. Oh well... 'my weight does not determine who I am'. 

I mentioned 'farts' in yesterday's blog... and my son responded to 'ask his wife'.  For some reason I thought of a video I saw recently and it still cracks me up.  A man and woman were sitting at the airport terminal and he is farting.  She is fussing at him to go someplace else to do his 'stuff'.  So he walks over to an empty terminal desk and just stands there nonchalantly 'letting go'.  The sound resounds throughout the terminal and everyone is looking around to see where it is coming from.  The wife is trying to hide her head.  An airline desk 'host' walks over and pulls the speaker off the desk and turns it off.  I can see that happening.  And I saw another one where a guy was walking through KMart, I think it was, and as he walked by one of the speaker phones on the pole, he reached up and grabbed it, held it down and farted, then hung it back up and kept going.  Sorry, not sorry. It is funny.  And that last one I can definitely see my boys doing it!

Luke 1:37 (NKJV):  "For with God nothing will be impossible."

Sometimes one just has to hang on to a verse and this is the one that came to me this morning.  I have been struggling with this cold for nearly three weeks, as you have heard me complain off and on and about it.  Most times I just work through it; deal with it.  But the past few days it has been tough with me just wanting to sleep, which is really the best thing for my body.  Last night's sleep was the best I've had for awhile (didn't even wake up to walk down the hall!) but just sitting up in my chair has me sneezing and sniffling and blowing my nose again.  BUT, in spite of that, because I've asked God to help me because I am speaking His Word this morning, I am confident that He will hold back the sneezes, the running nose and the coughing, so that His Word can be brought forth without any distractions.  And I'm ok with that.  I can come home and go back to bed. :-)   I'm believing He will take care of me.  I was hoping for healing this morning, but block it out for a few hours; yeah, I'm ok with that.

Jeremiah 17:14 (NKJV):  "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise."

That verse just popped into my mind.  I used to pray that over myself when I wasn't feeling well, and well, I honestly hadn't thought of it this time.  Just a simple cold, right?  Well, God can heal simple colds too, so why wasn't I praying for healing of my cold?  I have no idea.  I know that He can. 

So what is going on with you that you aren't praying about?  I know a lot of things I AM praying about, but for myself, I don't usually focus on me.  What about you?  Have you ever prayed that God would heal you and make you feel better?  I've been praying for relief of my symptoms, but why haven't I been praying for healing?  Maybe I should!  I just sneezed 4 times; maybe God is trying to clear my head?  He does work in mysterious ways!

I was totally lazy yesterday and didn't even make pickles.  All I wanted to do was sleep.  I think that after a nap today, I need to get some things done.  

Christmas is one week away!  The best part of Christmas - other than celebrating Jesus' birth - is having all my children and grandchildren over.  Some I have not seen since last Christmas.  Not anyone's fault; it's just busy lives - mine as well as theirs.  

Gotta get off... mind is thinking of 'Christmas pasts' and I have about 15 minutes I can close my eyes for a quick nap before I need to get up and get ready for church.

Have a blessed day - and be a blessing to others.  Sometimes they, too, need a kind word, a hug.  Be there for them.

Blessings!

I'm making it a lazy Saturday...

yes I am.  I told hubby last night - no alarms, I am not getting up early for anything.  Not even my devotion/quiet time with God.  I need rest.  My body is screaming at me to rest and get over this cold.  I still spent my time with God first thing; I only get up so early so that I can have that quality time when I have work or other things going on.  Nothing is on the agenda that HAS to be done this morning.  At least as far as I am concerned.  So, I was wide awake at 3AM.  But it didn't take long for me to fall back to sleep and I slept until about 5:30AM.  Well, actually, it was about 5:15AM, but I tried to go back to sleep.  I finally gave up and got up - and as soon as I did, I heard hubby moving around in the other bedroom.  He got up to get my coffee and I moved to my chair in here to do my quiet time.  It was during one of the things that I do that I fell asleep again for about 30 minutes, I think.  and then, it was during something else that I again fell asleep for about another 30 minutes.  And this is after going to bed at 9PM ad sleeping all night!  I told you my body was craving rest and needed sleep!  

I am not wanting to do anything today - but I know hubby is waiting for me to get out of here and fix breakfast.  After all, it IS Saturday and I don't have anything going on.  Of course he may also be waiting for me to come out and he will fix breakfast.  I don't even want food right now.   Oh well, life does continue whether I want to sleep it away or not.  I bet I take yet another nap today sometime.

Tomorrow we go north for church; I did go through the message once this morning to make sure I had everything the way I wanted it.  Now I'm just praying that my throat won't hurt and I won't get in a coughing/gagging mode at any time. God's been pretty good at keeping me 'calm' while speaking. I'm trusting Him to continue to do so.  Why?  Because I ask Him to.  And He loves me.

I finished reading the book of Job this morning and noticed something I hadn't really seen before.   Remember, Job went through a tragic loss of everything, including his children.  Then his three 'friends' came and told him he had some secret sin and that's why God had done this to him.  Job lamented some, but never did he deny God or blame God.... BUT... then God came to him in a whirlwind and things definitely changed!  God had His say; Job repented; God told Job to pray for his friends (aka forgive them); and in praying for his friends, Job's bounty was restored to him double - and he got 10 more children - 7 sons and 3 daughters.  What I hadn't really noticed before, after all, it is the last chapter in Job and when we get to the end, we are just getting to the end, right?  Well, the names of his daughters were listed.  Not his sons, but his daughters.  I think that is pretty cool.  

One was named Jemimah - which means "Peace".  Another was named Keziah - which means "Fragrance".  And the last one is named Keren-Happuch which means "Beauty".    The names had never stood out to me before so I think that is pretty neat.

After breakfast I may start on the bread n butter pickles, although I do not plan to make many.  I want to give a jar to a few of my neighbors.  An inexpensive gift, yes, but a thoughtful one.  MOST people do like bread n butter pickles.   I will get on my salsa probably next Thursday so that it will have time to 'ferment' together the flavors.  I've gotten to where I just set the jars out and let whoever wants one take it.  I was surprised last year to have leftover jars and had to find people to take them before they really fermented.  I do eat my salsa, but not often.  Hubby eats it more often, but then again, not as much.  Grandsons up in St John who always ask for it for their Christmas gift have already gotten it as I sent their gifts up earlier - and I'm sure it's all gone.  If I have any left, maybe I'll send up another jar when my son goes back up over New Years to have his Christmas with them.   When I went to the store to get more jars the other day- I found they now have 1/2 gallon Ball jars!  That's what I need for this son's kids - they nearly drink my salsa!  LOL  I remember a pastor friend of mine who put the salsa in a bowl and then in the microwave to heat it up - he wanted to eat it like soup!  I suppose one could.  Actually, because of the way I make it, it could probably be used as a base for many things, ya think?

I definitely need to get my grocery list put together for next weekend - will NOT be going to the store for anything!   I've got two down for garbage, and I'm flipping back and forth on the last one - garbage or ribs....  I have time to do both, since they are the only ones coming Christmas day.   Garbage would be much easier, of course.  And they haven't had it for a long time.  Not mine, anyway.  Will have to ponder it... unless 'someone' voices a thought about it soon.

Well, it's nearly 9AM so guess I need to jump off here and make my way to the kitchen to figure out breakfast.  Some times one just has to do what one really doesn't want to do.  

Just an observation.... when you have a cold, and you are coughing a lot, do you find that you are also farting a lot?  Or when you sneeze, you fart?   Just a simple question for you this morning.  

Blessings!

Well, ok then....

I woke up this morning with a sinus headache that won't go away.  And I keep hearing these chiming sounds in the background.  At first I thought it may be my clock; but it only does it on the hour.  Then I thought that perhaps it is windy, and it is the wind chimes.  I finally opened the door to this room only to find that hubby is playing the cd player with some kind of chime music... which is irritating my head this morning.  Well, ok then.  He can listen to it; I just shut my door.  But it isn't helping my head any.   

I'm not doing too well today in getting things done.... I didn't want to get up; I turned my alarm off but hubby came in with my coffee at 4:20AM all perky cause he slept very well.  I slept very well too, but it's this stupid headache that annoys me.  I wanted to sleep a bit more.  Not that I could sleep .... but I just want to lie down.  In fact, it was so bad yesterday, while hubby was asleep in his chair yesterday, I laid down across the bed and slept 30 minutes!

Hubby did some of his Christmas shopping yesterday for me.  He wasn't gone too long.  When he got home he came in and said he had brought lunch.  So I go out and it is a Whataburger bag.  I always get the #7 as it is the junior hamburger, which is about all I can eat, small fries... and he got me a large chocolate shake!  Just what I needed.  So I sat down at the table and ate what I could. When I asked where his meal was, he said he had stopped at Popeye's for a 2 piece meal - getting me something was an afterthought after he had left.  Excuse me?  I'd rather had Popeyes!

And... I got my packages from my little sister yesterday; lots of gifts, for sure.  Probably much more than I will use... and I'll leave it at that.  It was full of nice gifts.  But I did get pajamas, and house shoes - but will ask a granddaughter if she can wear them - they are too small for me.  The shoes, not the pajamas.  She gave me a book too, and I started reading it last night and got about half way through it.  Interesting.

I am finished with everything, I think - well, except for making pickles and salsa.  Can't make the salsa until next week so that it will last longer.  I can make the pickles anytime, but took last night off.  If I'm up to it, will get it done this weekend.  I want to make eggs ole' next weekend - perhaps next Saturday, and give it to the two elderly neighbors I have - Ms. Vicki and Ms. Diane.  I'm worried about Ms. Diane... yesterday, in the middle of the day, all three of her children were there.  It always makes me nervous when it is in the middle of the week.  All three do come see her every weekend.  Her daughter is there every day - and the boys stop by frequently during the week.  I know she needs to go to an assisted living as her health isn't that good... but I would miss her.  I want to get over to see her, but she has to get up to let me in and I'm afraid she will fall.  So, now I wait until one of the kids are there... so will get over this weekend.  Ms. Diane wants me to have a key, and it would be easier for me to stop by and see her, but I won't ask the kids for one.  Who knows how long she will be staying there; her kids think she is winding down in life... and it could very well be.

You want to know what I wish?  Well, one of the things..... I wish my kids would tell me what they really want for Christmas so that I can try to get it for them.  I'm so afraid they will be disappointed this year.  Which reminds me... I still need to run to the grocery and see if I can find canned ham.  I looked last week and there was none.  Maybe I can find some decent ham at Costco.... haven't been there for awhile.. I don't like the crowds and I'm content to go to Sam's Club cause I love their 'scan and go' and don't have to stand in line. Hubby had to go to Costco the other day... he's without one hearing aid (again) for about a week - they have to replace it.  His warranty wears out soon... and that's scary.  Now he is fussing he wants the kind that automatically charge and not with the battery, which he frequently goes through.  So I turned to him yesterday and told him to start saving up his money; perhaps in a few months he can afford to buy them.  Ever hear a 'lead balloon' fall?  It did then.  

My head hurts, and need to jump in the shower so I'm stopping here... Sorry, nothing exciting to share today.  If my head wasn't hurting, I probably could think of something.  Maybe tomorrow!  Besides, if I get in the shower, maybe I won't hear the chimes of the CD.

Until then...

Blessings...