I love Saturdays when I can sleep past 4AM (when I can) and wake up around 5AM and then just take my time in here, not having to watch the clock. It's nearly 7:30AM now and I'm just getting started here. I've been on my computer for a little while, clearing out old emails, checking sales, creating my Schwans order, etc. And now, here I am. I'm not distracted; I've got all that other 'stuff' done. And now I can think. Maybe.
Speaking of thinking, I nearly lost my mind last night. Yesterday afternoon we received a small box of six cheesecakes/chocolate covered strawberries from Edible Arrangements from hubby's brother and wife. I also had gotten a text from a friend asking if we wanted to do dinner. So on the way to dinner, I asked hubby if he let his brother know we had gotten the gift. Of course he hadn't. So I mentally commented that I guess it falls back on me... and I flipped open my phone - and they were calling me! So as I talked with them, assured them we had received the package, they mentioned they had opened the box they had received from us. My sister in law started to thank me so much for the 'loofah' I had sent her. I had also sent her a sweatshirt... which ended up being too large, but "no problem, I'll wear it as a nightshirt". Sigh. Seems I'm not winning too well with gifting sweatshirts. Anyway, the loofah. My mind went blank and I could not remember what I had sent her! I played along with her like I knew exactly what she was talking about! She also thanked me for the books. I think I figured out ONE book - but plural? And the sad part is, I have been writing down all the gifts the kids are getting so I can keep track.... but neglected to write down this box contents - and the gifts I sent my little sister!
I puzzled all night about this loofah - what in the world did I send? This morning it hit me. When I was getting a massage last month I was looking for a little something for the sister in law, and I saw the small round - not loofahs as I know them - scrubber. Handheld size. Filled with a fragrance. THAT is what her loofah was! Well, I'm glad she liked it!
Which reminds me, when my little sister called me the other day and was unwrapping her gifts, I also could not remember what I sent her. I guess I have been so focused on making sure I have everything covered and getting work done for the office - I just filled the boxes with numerous things. So much for Prevagen, right? Or, I've just have too much going on that I need to focus on at the same time right now.
Since the majority - if not all - of my shopping is done, and I will finish up the wrapping this weekend, it will get easier. I am also doing a cookie exchange with a dear friend in Georgia - so need to bake cookies this weekend and get in the mail to her as well. It probably would be nice to tuck in a little something for her as well. Now to figure out what, and go get it. And, I'm speaking next Sunday up at Pioneer so need to work on that message and revamp it. Then I need to pull out the message for January 1 (at least I was able to trade off Christmas!).... yeah, I got a lot of busy stuff to do. I go on Amazon now, or any of the stores, and nothing appeals to me that I 'need' to buy. Could that mean I am 'done' shopping? Probably not. Just need to get creative. I'll be starting the salsa making in about another 10 days... need to buy more jars too.
Acts 20:35 (NKJV): "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
If you are reading this, there is a strong possibility that you know me personally. And, if you know me personally, or even if you have been reading here for awhile, you know that I love to give. If there is something I have and you want it - and I'm not using it - it's yours! I try to get that across to my children frequently. Is there something I have that they would want (at some point)? A memory of something, perhaps, or something that they would like to keep in their family? I don't have much, for sure, but whatever I have, if I'm using it, I can put their name on it. If I'm not, they can take it. I let go of a lot of things when we moved to this house. And, yes, it was painful at times. Things that I really wanted to keep - but in reality - I absolutely had no room for them. In fact, I STILL have a lot of things I should get rid of! Maybe that should be my goal in 2023? De-clutter? Oh - I think I had that one this year, didn't I? Oh well. In my current situation, I cannot get rid of much.... hubby just will not allow it. He has gotten more materialistic over the years, I think. And I have loosened my hand with the reality that I 'can't take it with me'. So, relative or friend, if there is something I have and you would like it someday... let me know. I'll put your name on it, at least.
"It's more blessed to give than to receive." has been told us for most of our lives, hasn't it? Especially when we want our child or spouse to give something (but not usually apply it to us). But I have discovered over the years that it brings me much joy to give things away to others who need or want them and I am able to give it to them. Many times I have to restrain myself from doing too much. I know someone who will frequently bemoan their circumstances (usually caused by themselves), and I want to help... but I have to remember that my helping their circumstances won't help them but to get through this time.... what about the next time? They seem to never learn sometimes, and I need to learn to let them fall on their face and work through it. I had to; I fell many times in doing things... over-doing, I should say, overcommitting. Some times we need to step back and whether it is a sibling or a child, step back and let them fall. Some times that is the only way they will learn they need to do life differently. How many of you have fallen into that trap of helping others and then they run to you every time they need something? Instead of 'helping' , are we not more so enabling this behavior to continue? Vicious circle, is it not?
But I do love to give and I love to give to my children and grandchildren, and to those I love. I have restrained myself a lot this year, focusing more on the child versus the grandchild or great- grandchild, although the greats have done pretty well too. And these things bring me great joy, they really do. I haven't gone in to debt for anything; I have paid for everything cause even when I use my card, I turn right around and pay it off before it is due. Come January I will be starting the year out again debt free. And it's a great feeling. Well, except for the house - and hubby's car. And whatever else the house needs.
I'm loving the quiet morning, but since it's after 8AM, I'm sure I'll need to get moving soon. I think I will fix breakfast... I don't want to go out (yet) and breakfast locations on the weekends are usually pretty busy. Hubby does love his food and he loves to eat out. Which annoys me. I'd rather save the money... our dinner last night was nearly $40!! And I got my usual salmon dinner (it has gone up $4 in the past year!) and hubby got liver and onions (and I think it has gone up some) - and we both drank water! I can cook bacon and eggs and fix pancakes and toast and it not cost near as much! And the money stays in my bank account (cause most times 'I' get to pay for it!) Oh well. Can't take it with me, right?
And with that... I need to hush and write out the things I want to accomplish today. If I don't write it down, it definitely won't happen. If I write it down, there is a possibility that I will do it.
Have an awesome day - do something kind for someone.
Blessings!
No comments:
Post a Comment