It's getting chilly in the mornings!

 I know some people who love the early morning 'cold' - ok, not 'cold', but chilly - morning air.  Me, I'm curled up on my chair with my blanket across my legs and body and a shawl over my shoulders!  But I have to let my arms out so that I can type!  I should be warm enough by now, but, not yet.  Just should be. In the summer months we dream of these cooler mornings.  It won't be long that hubby will start sitting outside once it gets daylight and go through his phone as he has in years past.  I admit, sitting out front in the cool air is nice.  Get a 2nd cup of coffee and just sit.  Only hubby likes to talk when I'm out there. And of course, with work, I can't just go and sit like he does.  Some day, perhaps, but I don't see it in the immediate future.

Hubby, once again, was asking questions last night that I know he knows (or knew) the answers to and yet, he asked.  It disturbs me and I often think it is 'just me' because I'm so conscious of it with being with him all the time. I started working on a quilt last night. I had my hoop out and the material already put together with the batting.  I started to sew where I wanted by hand.  He didn't remember me making quilts before.  And if you are family, you know there was a few years that's all I made for family - I think everyone in the family has either a baby quilt or a twin or a king size quilt that I have hand-stitched for them.  Then he started questioning about my hands hurting - he must have at least remembered that part.  I only did a few rows last night for the very reason - the arthritis in my fingers starts flaring up and I want to be careful.  So after a few rows, I started crocheting again.  It's going to be a busy time before Christmas!

Morgan worked my butt off last night (literally, I wish) (leg night) and I decided I didn't want to cook. Which hubby doesn't mind cause I usually pay if we go somewhere.  They have a couple places around the gym to eat.  We hadn't eaten at a couple of them and last night I decided to try Kneaders.  It's a bakery and cafe.  I got a half turkey bacon avocado salad which was delicious - and couldn't eat it all. But most of it. I do love my salad.  Hubby got the turkey bacon avocado sandwich - which was huge!  The bread was 'homemade' and each slice was about an inch thick. He said it was really good - and ate the entire thing.  Prices were good (1/2 salad 8.69; sandwich 11.29 I think).  But guess what else they had!!  

I have been craving a good chocolate brownie for a couple weeks now.  I would look at the stores at them and tell myself 'no', because they just didn't look like what I wanted.  Well, they had 3 different kinds of brownies at Kneaders - and yes, I gave in.  A double fudge brownie.  $3.49 I think it was for one piece.  I didn't care.  I saw it. I wanted it. I got it. ....... and I ate it.  I did share one bite with hubby. But I ate the rest. And it was just what I had been craving.  Not too sweet to where you couldn't eat it. But oh so good.  We will go back there to eat - total wasn't bad at all and it's clean and the people are friendly.  And I will get another brownie when I crave them again.  Best brownie I have tasted in a long time. 

I have needles of hope this Saturday and I'm wondering how I can fit it in with all I am putting on myself to get done before Christmas.  But, I will go, and I will enjoy visiting with friends.  Glad I started another crochet project so I have something to take. I don't want to drag the quilt out - too much material! I'm glad I'm starting early on it.  In fact, I have material set aside to make a king quilt for my boss. I've bought material before but never did anything with it so gave to a granddaughter who made tote bags out of it.  But I've bought more.  Everyone needs a Christmas quilt, right?   I have sewing and baking and crocheting on my calendar as well as preparing to speak at the RV parks over the next two months.  It will be a busy time!

Psalm 100:4-5  (NKJV):  Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.

How many times a day do you pause to thank God for who He is?  For Him providing all that you have? So many people don't give Him a thought in that 24 hours.  And that is sad.  Why? Because all that they have comes from His hand!  He loves us all - whether we follow Him or not - so much that He gave up His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on a horrible cross, for you and for me.   Think about your children.  Do you love someone enough that you would give up one of your children for them?  I'm sorry, but I don't.  My children were given to me, on loan from God, but still, they were given to me.  I will NOT sacrifice any of my children for anyone else.  God doesn't ask us to sacrifice OUR children; He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, once and for all.  

And why? Because He loves us so much.  All our sins - those of the past and those we will make in the future - were taken and nailed to the cross on Jesus.  Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice - His life, for yours.  How could we not pause in our day and just tell Him 'Thank You' for loving us that much?  

In all things, give praise.  In the good stuff, and in the bad stuff, praise Him.  A friend of mine told me that when her mother passed a few years ago, her last words were "Praise Jesus".  I want to leave this world praising Jesus!  That has spoken to my heart and that is my wish - to praise Jesus as I run to Him in my new life.  But we can also be praising Him now.  Let's take a moment, shall we?  What are you thankful for?  Let's give Him praise!

Blessings!

A good night of sleep

 For some reason, hubby asked if I wanted an extra blanket on the bed last night.  I hadn't mentioned being cold during the night, but for some reason, I said yes.  I'm glad I did.  I kid you not.  I was surprised when I woke up at 4AM and I felt rested.  We hadn't gone to bed until about 9:30PM, which is an hour later than we usually do.  I checked my 'sleep schedule' that my phone shows from readings on my watch. It showed that I did not wake up even one time last night.  I slept sound all night.  Love that when it happens!  

I started to write something like "watch me being awake all night tonight!" but then I realized that when we do that to ourselves, we are just putting it on us.  Does that make sense?   Say you are going to visit someone you don't really care for, for whatever reason, and you tell yourself on the way that "I know I am going to get mad at them, or irritated, and if they do or say so and so I'm going to tell them off." - and you will find yourself 'on guard' to listen for what will set you off.  You put the curse of irritation and discontentment upon your mind. DON'T DO IT.  Instead, tell yourself that you will enjoy conversations with this person and will discuss things that interest them so that it will be a good conversation. Why curse yourself with situations and possibilities of things that 'could' happen, but most likely would not happen if you didn't put that thought in your mind in the first place?

It's like calling yourself an idiot. Or Stupid. Or foolish.  All because you may have done something or said something that you knew you shouldn't, but you couldn't stop it from coming out of your mouth or happening - because you 'just had to say it'.  And you really don't know why you had to say it, but you did. You don't know why you had to do it. But you did. You curse yourself every time you call yourself a name and put yourself down.  DON'T DO IT.  Tell yourself instead that you may have made a mistake in saying or doing something, and you have learned from it and will rise about it.  Tell yourself POSITIVE and GOOD things.  Don't put yourself down.  And don't call others names because you don't like them; don't like their behavior; don't want to be around them and yet find that you are at times. Trust me, I struggle - not with the name calling - but with some people.  But one cannot label others any more than we want to be labeled.  I can remember being called stupid growing up.  It has taken me years to get out of that 'stupid mode'.  I am not stupid.  God made me perfect in His eyes, and that is all that matters.  And He made you perfect as well.  We don't have to be like some one else.  We just need to be 'me' (us).  Agree?

Don't know where all that come from this morning.  Perhaps it is because I know of someone having a feud with one of their friends who has, for an unknown reason, turned on them.  I don't know the story; I don't need nor want to know the story. I'm not involved, for which I am grateful.  But this one said something and sent me the text they had sent, and I'm still questioning it this morning.  They don't know why the other person has turned against them, but they responded to something txt'd with: 'trying to ruin my life as you have ruined yours?'  What in the world?  Oh let's make up, right?  Why would one write that to another when they don't even know what is going on?  I'm baffled over that comment, but I am not involved in this and I am staying out of it.  Going from 'best friend' to this?  Thank You, Jesus, it isn't about me!!

Ecclesiastes 7:21 (NKJV):  And do not take to heart everything people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you.

When we set our mind on things that are good and right, set it on Jesus, life is so much better, don't you agree?  People get along.  If there is an issue, talk it out.  If you and your spouse have a disagreement, it may take a few hours or a few days, but you still sit down and talk about what was said and what you felt about it, right?  Hubby is good at that.  Usually I shrug it off and just walk away, but he makes me sit down and let him tell me how I did him wrong in something I said or did.  Sigh.  

Yesterday we met with a lady from a funeral home.  Sounds odd, right? Well, we had gotten a notice about VA cremation and wanted to hear about it.  I don't really want to leave my children with a burden of figuring out how to pay for our burials.  (The older I get, the more I think about these things)  Since hubby is a veteran, he, and I, can be buried free in the national cemetery here.  Since we both have agreed to cremation due to cost, she went briefly over what costs would be incurred.  The plot is free.  But, whether we want in the ground with a plaque or above ground in a case with a plaque, there is that cost. And we discussed the honor guard, which hubby would get, but not I.  They will either do it at a service or at the cemetery. What the honor guard does is unfold the flag, fold it up and hand it to me. (that always makes me cry when I see those photos.)  I wouldn't have a flag, of course.  Costs isn't bad, in reality.  I think it was just short of $4K if we did everything at the funeral home, including the service.  With just them doing the work, the cremation and burial, it was like $2800 or something like that.  What I really like about it is that they notify Social Security, the VA, and all the agencies that need to be notified.  I remember what a battle my friend Melonie has had with Social Security and her husband's unexpected death a couple years ago.  I don't want to have to deal with it.  So we are leaning on doing this, to make it easier for the remaining spouse or on the children, should we die together. 

Just like I want to clean this house out and get rid of things not needed or important!  It's just hard when hubby is here all the time.  I don't want to listen to comments and questions.  If you know me, and know him, you know exactly what I mean.  I don't have to give a reason to let go of things.  Right?

And with that, I'm going to hush and get off here.  It will soon be time to start working.  Just remembered that in two days (Friday) I need to do a drive to Tempe for a lunch with friends.  And next week is the dreaded Thanksgiving/Christmas party at Corporate that I don't want to go to.  I keep thinking of asking my boss to give me a huge project that will take all my attention so that I don't have to go. But that isn't right.  I should look on the positive, right?  I will be busy all that morning cooking turkey, dressing and giblet gravy to take (yes, that is what I am to take) and then the 45 minute drive to the office; the party goes for 2-3 hours, and then the drive back home - and I am not taking a 'vacation' day to do it!  So I get to cook (which I love) and go to a party (at a place I don't want to drive to) and meet new people and old friends, and have fun - and drive back home - losing probably 6 hours of my 8 hour day.  Should be fun (talking positive) and I will have a great time!  Some of my friends have never had giblet gravy nor cornbread dressing.  You know how I love to share! 

Ok I'm off here~ praying that you have a blessed day, full of positive thoughts and actions, and all goes well with you.  Keep your eyes on Jesus, He alone is the author and perfector of your faith.

Blessings!

So much better

 I went to the dermatologist yesterday and my leg is so much better!  The redness is gone, the pain is gone (thank God), and what is left are the bug bites.  I could have sworn the other night, as pin pricks came exactly where the bites are, that surely the bugs had buried themselves in my skin and were coming out.  I know, that sounds gross, right?  But that's what it felt like - and interestingly, a couple of the bites had open tops when I got up - did I scratch them? I don't know.  I told the doctor about them, but it didn't faze him.  He did order another 5 days of antibiotics and a cream to put on the bites to keep them from itching. He also thought that I didn't need to come back, that they would take care of themselves and heal.  He said the antibiotics would heal from the inside the trauma of the bites; the cream would take away the itching. Whatever works I'm all for!   After applying the itching cream last night, I slept well.  Of course that could also have been from getting only 4 hours sleep the night before.

I printed off two calendars yesterday - one for November and one for December - and filled in things going on that I had a part in.  Realized that although I only speak one time in November, I have the first two, and the last week of December.  I need to set aside time and get busy on those December messages.  I'm already working on the one for November 10th.  It's a lot of work, but I do enjoy sharing Jesus with these people, whom we have come to love.  I got the calendars all labeled, and wow - it is full!  So glad that I do the majority of my Christmas shopping online!  Yes, I miss sales and pay more at times, but it does make it convenient for me.  And as I do every year, I wish I had started earlier in my shopping. But then, I do have several things already - mainly for the great grandchildren - they are the easiest to buy for. Hubby is bugging me for my list again this year.  What should I tell him? I've started writing down a few things - clothing, that can be replaced, i.e, new pajamas (not flannel).  I have some that are pretty old, and although still in good shape, they can be replaced. Other than that - what?  Amazon gift cards of course!  LOL Or my usual - JoAnn's or Michael's.  Hobby Lobby is good too, although I don't get there often. Why do I like Amazon cards? Tee Hee - So I can buy more books of course!  I am way behind in my reading like I want to, though.  I checked my Goodreads the other night and I am still on schedule - 40 out of 50 books - which I've already passed my 35 goal for last year.  But ten more books by the end of the year - and accomplish all I want to for Christmas?  Probably not going to happen - and I'm not going to beat myself up about it.  I'll just reset the goal for 50 again next year and push toward completing it.

I finished the latest blanket last night and I am ready to start on the first quilt for Christmas.  It may be the only one I get done since I do them by hand.  I may have to dig out the sewing machine though - I don't know if I can get it completed as fast as I want to.  But it is important to me to give this one.  But it won't be for Christmas unless I get one more done.  Yeah, this one is for a little girl who will have a baby sister at the first of the year.  I want to give her one when I get the new baby's done. It will be a lot of work to cram in among everything else, but I will strive to do it. I still have a couple months. The material I chose is like the king quilt I had made for her grandparents a few years back.  I have good thoughts - and am hoping I can finish it the way I want to.

I sent the email off yesterday to my daughter and granddaughter, and I waited.  It was a couple hours before my daughter called to discuss it with me. I'm hoping she understood what I was saying about us staying home. She said she and our granddaughter had talked about it (wonder what was said!) and were trying to understand. The burden I was carrying around about being gone the six days and being a burden on others lifted and I felt so much better.  Even hubby commented last night that although he really misses the grandson, he is ok with not going now, and started talking that perhaps after the snow is gone in the spring, we can get a trip scheduled out there.  Will see. He can't drive it - and neither should I.  They will have a new baby in May so their travels will be limited as well.  At some point, we will see them; facetime is a good substitute.

As we are coming up on Thanksgiving next month - (do you realize that November is only 2 days away??) - I am finding myself thanking God more often for the life He has given me, for the things we have, for the friends we share, oh for so many things.  Paul said in Thessalonians to 'give thanks in all things'. 

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV):  Rejoice always, Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

What are some things that you are thankful for?   If we paused and really thought about the things that we have - are we thankful for them?  LOL The thought that just popped in my mind was 'I'm thankful for indoor toilets!'  Having had the 'outdoor' experience growing up when visiting Granny's house, yeah, I can really appreciate the indoor ones!  I can distinctly remember it was in the 70's before they had water indoors (we used the well for water before) and before they had an indoor toilet.  I remember running, most times, down to the outdoor potty and enduring the smell, the spiders that seemed to live in that little wooden building and finding a Sears and Roebuck catalog to look at while sitting there - if you had to sit there long enough to look at it!  Most often it was run down, use it, and run out of it.  I bet that is the most fertilized area of the entire yard.  I was always terrified of the spiders and watched them carefully when in there. So, yes, I'm thankful for indoor toilets! And I bet you are too, even if you haven't experienced the outdoor!  (At night we were allowed to go behind the chicken shed - but it was so dark we often were too scared to get that far!)  And yet, I have many fond memories of 'Granny's place'. 

In everything give thanks. It's hard to give thanks in the tough times, isn't it? But isn't that because we are so caught up in the lack that we forget to be grateful for what we do have?  We take food on the table for granted. We take our cars running well for granted. We take money in the bank, jobs we have, friends we have, good health, so many of these things we take for granted.  Even when we have sickness in our bodies, we should be thankful.  Why? Because we have an opportunity to use it for God's glory.  We may be 'angry' that it happened to us, but what if God allowed it to happen to turn your attention to Him?  What if it happened so that you could turn your life around that you could live a long life? What if it happened so that you could teach your children about the goodness of God?  We can take the 'bad stuff' that happens to us and turn it in to good.

For example - should I be thankful for the bug bites and my reaction to them?  That might be a stretch, but yes, I could.  It gave me a couple days conversation to write in here, did it not?  Did you find my little story interesting?  Did it make you think that perhaps if you stay in a hotel you need to iron the mattress to see if the bugs pop up before you sleep on it and get bitten?  I'm thankful that I know now to do that. Sure, we don't travel often and stay at a hotel, or anyplace, for that matter, but now we know to be more careful. Think about it - thousands of people have slept on the hotel mattress before you have. (things that make you go 'ewwweeee') even though there are clean sheets (hopefully) on it.  I did buy a light that is to show any bugs or fluids on the sheets, and I will definitely iron the mattress cover before taking a chance to sleep on that mattress!  So yes, I can be thankful for that little tidbit, even though I have 'suffered' through a tough couple of weeks with pain and now the itching as it finishes healing.  In all things, give thanks. 

It's tough sometimes to give thanks in all things, isn't it?  But we need to. Even in the bad stuff, because God will turn it around for our good.  Keep thanking God for what you have; keep praising Him for your children and grandchildren (even though some may break your heart), keep verbalizing the good things and ask God to help you be thankful for the hard things.  It isn't easy, trust me. I'm thankful we had the invite to go to New Mexico; it felt good to be included.  I'm thankful when our children include us for dinner - and I'm willing to pay our own way.  It's being a part of family that we are thankful for. And I'm thankful that family tolerates hubby and I and our little ways of saying or doing things. You don't understand it now, perhaps, but at some point, you will find yourself in our position.  

And with all that - I'm starting to ramble and I need to get off here. I need to think about some things and get started on my day. Hope that your day is full of thankfulness and joy.

Blessings!

I forgot about the caffeine

 It was a busy day yesterday, although I still didn't do a lot.  We watched the service on You Tube of Free Chapel.  They had baptisms both services and the stories shared - well, some really got to the heart.  I fixed us breakfast sandwiches.  I went to Sam's Club.  When did food get so expensive?  It's more the buying in bulk that makes it expensive.  What I bought will last us a couple months, at least. I hope.  Stopped to pick up a sugar-free butterfinger low carb protein drink from One Nutrition for us - and that was lunch.  So good.  Tastes just like a butterfinger.  Then home to unload and put away. Didn't take long as I didn't get that much.  Just spent a lot. Thought about baking, but decided to work on the first message of the season.  Got started, it didn't fit.  Started another; didn't fit.  Finally came up with one that I like.  Talked with my sister awhile. Back to the message.  Fell asleep for probably at least 30 minutes. Back to the message. Realized I had been sitting in this chair for about 5 hours and hubby (although I had heard him snoring) would start commenting.....so I put things away and came out. Fixed grilled ham and cheese sandwiches for dinner. And, I drank a glass of ice tea.  It sure sounded good.  And it was good. And I was awake after we went to bed until after midnight.  Seriously. I was awake again at 2:15AM. Dozed until I had to get up.  It's gonna be a long day.

I also have my dermatologist appointment today.  Seriously, these bunps are still bothering me.  Sometimes it feels like something is inside them and moving around. I tell myself it is just healing. But last night the pin pricks on one started and I was rubbing my leg cause it was hurting. And that kept me awake as well, for I could mentally feel these pin pricks. Am I imagining things?  Perhaps. 

And, I have the gym tonight with Morgan.  After she talked with me last week about perhaps starting at 7AM for my training, I checked with my boss to flex my hours.  She said I could. She knows that I will make sure I get things done.  We may start that next week as Morgan already had the schedule for this week completed.  So what does hubby tell me yesterday?  "Because you are going to change your hours so that you can work out at 7AM twice a week, how about on the other days you and I go for a walk at 7AM and start walking."  I told him no. And my reason is logical.  At least to me.  I have a small treadmill in the exercise room that he has never bothered to even step a foot on.  He can monitor the speed and hold the control in his hand. And, I do not want to have to work to 4:30-5PM every night. I like getting off at 4PM.  I feel like I have more of my evening.  Of course I gained two hours when I quit driving to work. But the past 4-5 years of working from home, getting off at 4PM is nice. We eat earlier and then I have the evening to get things done if I want to.  I was always early to work, getting there between 6-6:30AM to start at 7AM.  I often work through lunch.  But walking slowly outside (I take one step to his two at a very slow pace and I also have to worry about his falling.) just doesn't appeal to me.  Hence the new treadmill. Got rid of the big one, and this little one works fine for what I need.  And I do use it. Which hubby commented about.  I told him I get on it occasionally when he is gone. When asked why, I told him that he monitors me on it; how long do I stay on it; how often do I use it, etc.  My exercise is my exercise. He disagreed with my comment, of course. Oh well.

I may need to drink a glass of tea this morning to get my body functioning after a sleepless night.  It's also the Peak Energy Tea that I had in the pitcher. Forgot about that.  DUH. No wonder I was awake for hours.  Need to keep going on my baking too.  Only got 3 loaves of cranberry pumpkin nut bread completed on Saturday.

I plan to send an email to my daughter this morning and tell her hubby and I will not be going to New Mexico. Hubby and I discussed it yesterday. He told me 'not' to use him as an excuse.  I'm not looking for excuses.  There is just something in my gut telling me not to go.  I can't explain it.  We love our grandson and his wife and want to see them, so I don't understand this reluctance I have.  Even hubby was saying he didn't feel like making that 12 hour trip, even with frequent stops.  It's ok we stay home, and I want them to go ahead and go.  I just feel the trip will be too much - six days away and my entire schedule is messed up.  You know how I love 'change'. Perhaps that is my reluctance. I usually put the Christmas tree up and decorations out the day after Thanksgiving. I could do it before, I suppose.  And then there is my surgery on that Tuesday, albeit a small thing.  Still, it does weigh on my mind.   I will possibly make some irritated at me, and some will be relieved, I'm sure.  It's ok to not take us.  We're ok with it.

Psalm 71:20 (NKJV):  You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again, and bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

When we feel troubled, God still sees us.  When we fall into that pit of despair or depression, He still sees us.  When we seek Him, even in the midst of our troubles - real or imagined - He sees us, and He hears our cry from the pit.  He will bring us up again from the depths of the earth. From the depths of the pit.  Grateful that our Lord does not leave us in despair.  He doesn't leave us in the pit.  You have no idea how far I had sunk the other day as I wrote about it.  I could not find the words to express what I was feeling.  

But God.  He alone is my Rock and my Salvation.  He reached out with His hand and pulled me out of that pit I had sunk in to.  He is my Rescuer.  Until you sink low, you never know how much you need a Savior to pull you out.  

You may deny Him. You may acknowledge Him but choose not to follow Him.  Your choice.  When you feel you have lost everything, when you feel life is pushing you down and you are sinking in the mire of life, you will find the only way out of it is to turn to Him and seek Him.  He will turn and look upon you in your distress, and He will answer.  Hallelujah.

I have a scripture above my computer that I read frequently because it helps me get through some of the mind-battles I put myself through.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV):  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

I can be pretty stupid at times, and do a lot of stupid things so I must lean into Him and trust Him to guide me into all things.  Even then I sometimes screw it up, but He always gets me to the other side. Some people come to the 'fire' of life and start screaming at God and asking Him where He is.  You know what?  He's right there beside you, and He will walk with you through that fire.  

God said it. I believe it. That settles it.

Blessings!

The pain is real

 I think I have mentioned before that I usually start off sleeping on my left side.  And, I think I shared that when I got bit by the bedbugs up north the other week, one thing that also brought me wide awake, besides the bites, was my left hip had intense pain and the pain was shooting down my left thigh.  It went away then, and although it came back 4 nights in a row, it had gone away.  This morning I was awakened again with intense pain in my left hip (and I was actually sleeping on my right side at that time) and down my thigh and into my leg.  I've been up two hours and it is still hurting.  I haven't taken anything - yet - but I have a feeling that I may be taking one of those Advil plus pills to offset the pain.  We were planning on trying out a new church this morning, now I'm not sure I can sit through one comfortably.  I haven't said anything to hubby, other than he asked if we were going to try this church and I said I was 'wavering' on going.  I'm debating if I need to go to my medical doctor to get referred for tests for my hip.  Plus, sigh, the other night my vision went crazy.  I haven't told anyone about that.  Well, that's not true, when it happened the first time, several months ago, I did tell my vision specialist.  But it happened again the other night, and THAT is scary.  What happens?  It's like my vision goes cross-eyed and wobbly - my vision seems to bounce for a few minutes before it gets settled down.   What is going on in my body??? Sounds like I need not only my hip checked out, but my head examined too!  (could the vision issues be related - ocular headaches versus wobbling vision?)  I don't think this is 'old age' stuff. I am beginning to feel something is wrong.  Enough about my 'health'.

Yesterday was a good day, I think.  I did cook breakfast.  Hubby was happy as Notre Dame was playing at 9AM so I fixed 'breakfast in a bowl' and took to him to eat while he was watching the game.  I started some baking.  I wanted to get started on my cranberry pumpkin nut bread so got a batch of that in the oven and decided I would take some frozen bananas from the freezer (I had put in there when they went bad) and make banana bread.  Well, I got the sugar and butter creamed together and started on the bananas. They looked so nasty I just couldn't do it, so dumped them down the garbage disposal.  (they probably would have been ok if I had peeled before freezing, but squeezing them out of the banana peel was nasty) So then what was I to do with the creamed sugar and butter?  Decided to 'work with it'.  I added an egg, some flour, and mixed together.  Threw in some chocolate and coconut.  Baked a batch. Not bad, but kind of bland.  So I added a lot of cinnamon and some nuts - and you know what - they turned out pretty good. No, I probably would not write down that recipe, but they are edible.  Now what to do with them cause we don't need them. My original plan was banana bread to put in the freezer.  

After that I cleaned up my mess and then finished up a blanket I was making and took a short nap. Started another blanket, although I really wanted to get on a quilt for one of the granddaughters.  Will 'try' to get on that today.  Need to find my hoop in the garage to put the quilt in to stitch.  Time is getting away from me; if I want to accomplish all I want, I must get busy and stay focused on it.  Since I didn't pull out the quilt to get started, finished up one blanket and started another as we watched 2 or 3 movies last night.  Read my bible a bit before heading to bed last night.  It was a good day, I think. 

I do need to get out of this house today. I know I need to pick up some things at the store, and yet, I tell myself I can get by without it, and don't go. That's what happened yesterday.  There is nothing I really 'need'.... but things I do need to pick up. Maybe.  Will make a decision a some point - either I go or I don't. See how boring my life is?  I may need to go just to get myself out of the house, and if hubby will let me go alone, that's good that I can be alone with my thoughts.

Watching Jentezen Franklin at Free Chapel this morning.  How I wish that church was here!  Although I have heard they have 'home groups' for Free Chapel here in my city.  But I think about the next few months of speaking at the RV parks which means we will be gone....and I wonder why start a church only to not go those times.  Which also means, I need to get thoughts put to paper - November 10th is my first time, and I have twice in December.  Plus two in January.  I've got to get busy and get some messages at least started. I've had all summer and I've done nothing on it.  I did get a little done on this last Friday, but not much. Need to focus on that today.  I know we have about 2 k-cups left so I need to pick up a box of k-cups at Sam's Club sometime today.  I told hubby we do have ground coffee, and he could make a pot of coffee.  But we usually only drink one cup a day. Maybe I should get out my French press.  

Romans 8:35-39  (NKJV):  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, "For Your sake, we are killed all day long. We are counted as sheep for the slaughter."  Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present not things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We are more than conquerors. With just those words, I know that I am more than what I count myself. No matter what I go through, God will always pull me through and help me to stand on both feet.  No matter what I go through, real or imagined, I know that His love is never separated from me. When I fail Him, He doesn't kick me out of the way.  He gently stoops down and picks me up and stands me back on my feet.  The many times I have sunk into depression and fallen into the pit, when I cry out to Him, He lets down the lifeline and pulls me up out of that pit and sets my feet on solid ground.

And He will do that for you as well.  We think we are 'fine', and we'll get through whatever is coming up against us without any help, yet, we have to know that we can do everything through Christ who strengthens us.  Life is so much easier with Jesus in it.  No matter what I go through; no matter what struggles you are having right now, Jesus is always the answer.

It's 11:59PM.  At midnight, Jesus comes. Are you ready to meet Him?  Do you claim Him as Lord?  Please don't wait until the 'last minute' - in that last minute, you may not have time.  Do a 11:59PM miracle and accept Jesus as Lord now.  Let your chains fall off in the name of Jesus!

Blessings!

Putting things into perspective

 My problems have not changed.  Real or imagined, they are still there.  I may need to do some discussing with others about part of it, but I cannot fall like I did yesterday, into the pit of despair.   I read this today in my morning devotions.... kind of fits, doesn't it?

You tend to allow your troubles to be the focus of your life, and desperation is the result. Bring every single one of your problems to Me and allow Me to handle them. There is nothing that I can't do - nothing.

Don't forget that I sustain you through troubles and strengthen you to endure your trials. And remember that it's the testing of your faith that develops perseverance. I have purposes for all I allow in your life. The trials and tribulations are all a matter of perspective. Everything becomes small in light of My greatness. I just need you to change your perspective, viewing everything you're facing through My eyes and not your own.

You struggle for answers to prayer when the answer may lie within you -- changing your perspective can overcome any adversity. Remember that I'm big enough and powerful enough to take care of your burdens and calm your worries. I AM the answer to all of your problems.  I will help you in your failing health, the brokenness of your relationships, the despair from financial crisis, and in the midst of the sin you're drowning in. I AM enough.

Jeremiah 32:27 (GW)  "I am the Lord God of all humanity. Nothing is too hard for Me."

No, nothing is too hard for my Lord.  His arm is not short.  And His arm is always outstretched to us, waiting for us to run into His arms of love.

We slept in this morning.  I couldn't sleep last night very much; I kept thinking how I would write in here this morning.  I wondered if I even needed to write.  Then I read the above in my devotional.  I need to change my perspective on what troubles me.  Instead of crying to you about my problems, I need to speak direct to the problem.  Not quite sure how to do that, but I'm learning.  We didn't get up until 5:45AM so that is late for us.  I was awake at 4AM but obviously dozed for hubby made fun of me that I had to be asleep because I was snoring.  I'm sorry I snore!  Let me sleep in here if it bothers you that much!!  But no, I cannot, so he can just deal with my snoring.  I talked with my doctor about it last month. She said she could send me for a sleep study, etc.  I told her no. I only sleep with hubby and he is the only one complaining so he can just deal with it.  LOL She even put that in my medical records!

Hubby must be outside enjoying the cooler weather.  Gasp!  Could he be watering the plants?  I heard him talking with someone walking down the street.  I wish his legs were stronger that we could go on walks.  He goes a short distance and then says he has to go back. He doesn't even try to go further.  Hubby went to the heart doctor yesterday.  Good news.  The doctor told him that even at age 87, he has the heart of a 61 year old.  His medical doctor told him that he would live to 100.  

I had an e-gift card I needed to use so used it yesterday for Olive Garden and ordered a couple entrees for hubby and I for lunch, then ordered the $6 extra meal for another meal.  I got the soup and salad and hubby the chicken parm and salad. Well, they give us more in take out than they do when we are in the restaurant!  We divided up one salad for lunch - and still had leftover.  (about the amount my oldest son would eat in one setting. LOL) and I gave hubby some of my soup (and I still couldn't eat all the soup), and took a bite of his chicken parm and spaghetti.  And a breadstick, of course.  I have leftover soup, leftover salad from lunch.  I did not eat last night as I was still full - and hubby snacked.  I bought spaghetti and fettuccini as the extras and we still have the other salad to eat.  If I cook breakfast this morning (which I probably will), then we will have a late lunch and that will also take care of dinner.  For $45, including tip, we get 3 meals out of it for two people.  And probably could stretch it to 4 meals.  I think I'll stick to ordering online and picking up.  MUCH cheaper and you get more food. Or so it seemed to me.  Someone who eats there frequently may not think that.  I have no problem with eating it at home.  Oh - we didn't order drinks so maybe that is why it seemed less expensive?

I have many things I want to get done today so I better get off here and finish up my quiet time and go fix breakfast.  Hope that you have an amazing day.  One thing to always remember, nothing is too hard for God to take care of.  But first, we need to give it to Him, and then take our hands off the situation.  Doesn't mean you may need to do something (like talk to someone), but it does mean that He will take care of whatever it is that concerns you.  He is all I need; and I will depend on Him to get me through this situation.  And He will for you as well.  Talk to Him; tell Him what is troubling you.  Ask Him to do what He does best. And take your hands off and let God be God.

Blessings!

 

I.am.overwhelmed.

 Yesterday I sat down and took the time to review all that I have to do through the end of the year. I am overwhelmed and last night was falling into a deep depression.  I'm ok today, I think, but I feel I am out of control.  Some of it is work-related; some is personal related.  I want to run away by myself and be alone. I have something going either at work or in personal life going nearly every week for the next two months.  I don't know when I can fit in the things I love to do (baking with grandchildren and great-grandchildren and working on my own Christmas things) because of the other things I have on the calendar.  I'm overwhelmed.  I won't share it ... it's my own doing.  I've got to draw the line and do some things, and I don't know even what I can do and get out of.  I don't want to take away the things I enjoy doing; I have several Christmas projects I want to complete yet and I am unfortunately sure that I won't get them all done - and that disappoints me.  Which doesn't help my heavy heart.  I've got to come out of this.  It's another reaction to the bed bug bites, right?  This broken heart syndrome and heaviness of life? I can't do this; it's killing me.  Lord, please help.

Psalm 61:2-4 (NKJV):  From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.  For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.  Selah.

There is only one place that I can run to - and that is to my Lord.  He is the only One who can rescue me from the pits I have fallen into.  Help me not to set up housekeeping, Lord!  Open the windows and let Your light come in.  I am so burdened with 'things' and 'situations' and I am helpless on my own to do anything.  So I turn to You, Father, and ask Your intervention in these things.  Look down upon me, O God, and see my troubled heart.  Take away the things that distract me from You.  My tears fall unbidden, Lord, and I have no place else to turn.  Hold me, Jesus.  Help me overcome what is burdening my heart. Only You can, Lord.  

Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed with life?  With your job? With your personal life? With family issues? With stress? With - well, with anything?  Sometimes we don't know how to break it apart and look at things differently.  But God always can help us see - but sometimes we only need to see one day, one situation, one problem, at a time.  

And the main thing - really, the only thing - that we can do is trust God that He will work all things out for my good.  His Word says so.

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

I can trust in what the next two months hold because I know that whatever is before me, God has gone there before and knows what is ahead.  He always sees the big picture and even in my wildest imagination of things happening or going wrong, He can turn them around and none of it happen. My God can bring good out of all things.  I just need to let the things that trouble me go and give them to Him, and surrender that situation, that problem that looms in my mind, and let it go.  The heaviness will lift; the overwhelmed feeling I feel will dissipate; and I will be filled with peace and joy in His presence. I know it.  It's just hard not to keep thinking about what is ahead.  Lord, help me to let it go.  For Your glory alone, Lord, for Your glory alone.

Sorry about this - my heart is heavy this morning. I'm 'feeling my age', perhaps.  I feel every bit of life has been sucked out of me.  I know that is not true.  I do have joy in the midst of my pain. My joy cometh from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.  

Been thinking about getting a KJV bible to read for 2025.  I see Amazon has one on sale for about $23.  I put it in my cart and then take it out.  I don't really need another bible, do I?  I have one KJV but it is a small one from my uncle Win many years ago.  This one is larger and easier to read.  I have an NIV I haven't read through yet; but something keeps holding me back from reading it.  Perhaps I am to give it to someone, and that is why.  I don't know.  I keep reading my NKJV and I love it.  But I grew up on the KJV so I have a fondness for it as well.  And now I'm rambling.

Hubby is getting ready to head off to his bible study and I will be turning the work computer on shortly.

This, too, shall pass.  My mama always said so.  And mama was usually always right.

Pray for me as I pray for you.  I will be ok.  God will take care of all things.  See, you are never alone when you think you are.  God is always there.  And sometimes a friend is.

Blessings!

I did a little research....

 and I think the nurse practitioner at the urgent care diagnosed it all wrong.  I started googling (and you know Google is always right; just like Facebook) and discovered what a scorpion sting looks like versus bedbugs.  Yeah, I think I had a mess of bedbugs attack my inner thigh, NOT a scorpion stabbing me multiple times as the NP had said.  Yep, I'm pretty confident about the bedbugs, although it is odd that I was the only one bitten and only in this one area.  My brother sent me a video of how to check a bed at a hotel.  Really interesting.  Get an iron, heat it up.  Remove all but the mattress cover in a section of the bed (the guy in the video used a large corner) - and iron for a few minutes over that mattress cover.  Then peel it back and ewe!  All the bedbugs had come up out of the mattress!!  And he was in a 5-star hotel!!  He did, of course, call and request another room, to which he applied the same experiment, I'm sure.  Sure taught me a lesson - iron the bed and see if any bugs come up!  He did make a comment; thousands of people sleep in those beds - even that thought makes one go ewweeeee!!!

All in all, yesterday was the first day I was not in constant pain.  It is tingling this morning, but I haven't looked at it.  Most of the redness is gone and the bumps are starting to fade into the skin - altho that was last night - like I said, I haven't looked at it this morning.  I'm still on antibiotics and will continue.  My diagnosis is bedbug bites to which I must be allergic to, based on the reaction my body had to them.  I go back to my dermatologist on Monday.  Am not going to go to medical doctor; no need to if it is healing, right?

My trainer worked my butt off last night (wish I could say 'literally') with weights.  I'm actually a bit proud of this - I did the leg press and pressed 118# for the machine, and 250 pounds in weight.  So I did the leg press of 368 pounds!!  She started me out with 50#, then moved it up 50% after every set.  Wasn't sure I was going to get that last one up, and she was going to take the last 50# off, but I pushed through and did it!  So, yes, I'm proud of me!!  I asked her what that worked in the body and she said 'all of it'.  LOL  She also said in a couple days I will think of her every time I go to the toilet.  I know what she means - that's when the muscles in the butt and legs start screaming because you are going down in to a 'squat'.  And then try to get up!  Your legs will not respond!!  Will see - between my pain pills and trying to keep moving, I may bypass the extreme pain.  Hopefully.

It is just starting to get light out and the landscapers are out working - and blowing the leaves out of the courtyard - I peeked out the window - how can they even see where they are blowing the leaves?  I can barely see the outline of the man doing the work!  Guess they need to stay on schedule.  Good thing I'm up or I'd be mad if they woke me!!

Starting week after next I may be changing when I type in here.  Talking with Morgan last night, she has a 7AM opening up.  I would rather go in the mornings to work out as after working all day, I'm cranky and tired, as a rule.  Well, most days.  It's a good release for me to work out in the evenings, but then we eat late and then just sit.  On the days that she schedules me at 7AM, I will start work at 8AM and will either skip writing in here that day or - well, I don't know - I reckon I could work it in over lunch - that I don't take. LOL  I'll figure something out.  As if you couldn't survive a day or two without reading something of nonsense in here.  Or I could quit trying to fall back to sleep in here and instead of snuggling under my blanket, actually start my reading.  It's just when it's cooler, it is so nice to snuggle in the blanket and keep warm before I venture out into the cold.  But working out at 7AM would get it over and done and I can then go about my day.  As long as I work 8 hours, and get my work done, my boss doesn't care when I start.  She starts about 7:30-ish, he doesn't start until about 8AM-ish.  Maybe it will give me energy to get through the day.

Hubby has nothing going on today - not even a breakfast or lunch! Which means he will be home all day.  At least with the headset I can't hear the TV, which will usually come on about 2PM.

Proverbs 9:10 (TLT):  Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgement.

Ah - that is a very good verse.  Fear of the Lord doesn't mean to be afraid of Him or what He can or may do.  Fear of the Lord is the highest respect and honor; it is the Awe of who He is; the fear of disobedience, perhaps.??  I get confused of the 'fear' part at times.  I'm not afraid of God.  But I am somewhat fearful of what He can do when I disobey Him.  Will He leave me to my own consequences? Will He help me get through them? I love God; I love Jesus; I love the Holy Spirit.  I entrust my life to Him.  The 'Three in One' - Elohim; Almighty God; Sovereign and Holy One.  God has so many names. He loves to hear us use those names and call out to Him.  So many people tend to take His name in vain - which is what He says to not do -

Leviticus 19:12 (KJV):  And ye shall not swear by My name falsely, neither shall ye profane the name of Thy God; I am the LORD.

Yeah, I choose to fear God at His Word and not take His name in vain.  I do not ant His wrath to be upon me! Nor upon my children or my children's children.   Honor God; speak highly of Him. He is your Guide in this life. He is your Hope to get through each day.  He is your Everything and is your All in All.  Think on these things.

Blessings!

It still feels like something is inside...

 At times it really does!  This morning, just sitting here, there is this one bump that tingles.  Really weird. Obviously I am keeping tabs on my leg and whatever is going on with it.  I wanted to give the antibiotics time to work - and this is day 4 for the cephalexin and day 3 for the dox-something.  The color has gone down but the spots are still there and like I said, I get this tingling and a pin prick ever so often in a couple of them.  One photo I took (yes, I have been taking pretty much daily photos of these spots) show that some of the bumps are getting a white tip on them.  I don't know. Perhaps I need to read up on scorpion bites and see if that is really what it is.  After all, the NP at urgent care voiced scorpion bites but wrote down 'insect bite'.  RME.  I'm trying to tell myself that all the twinges of pain and the tingling is healing and nothing else.   I really do not believe a scorpion can sting 10-12 times (yeah, found a couple more bumps) in such a short time - and let's not forget the 3 bites that broke the skin.  It's all really weird and I'd love answers to my questions on it.  I go back to the dermatologist on Monday.  If it keeps improving I'll wait until then, but he did instruct me that any problems go to ER and not to urgent care.  

I did tell hubby last night about the December 3rd surgery.  Yes, he got a bit hyper about it, but I kept assuring him it is just a precautionary thing, they will dig at the spot and check tissue and then will stitch it up and send me on my way when it is determined it is fine.  He was insisting at first he would stay the entire morning I have it done, but after talking with my daughter (she had something removed recently by this dermatologist) and she said that after the surgery we are taken to another room to wait until the tissue gets examined, I explained that to hubby and he agreed he would wait with me until I get it done then will leave until I call him to come pick me up.   Say prayers that all is well - much appreciated.

Finally got the dates we will be heading to New Mexico for Thanksgiving.  My daughter and I had a talk about it last night and I shared my feelings about going. And I'll leave that right here.  I would love to see the grandson and his wife.  I am just not looking forward to the trip.  My brother always says having guests are like fish; after three days they start smelling.  I realize it is a long trip but.... 12 hours one way is a long drive.  I will need to put in for my PTO today and get my boss to approve it.  One thing for sure; I'll either get a lot of crocheting done or a lot of reading - or both!

Galatians 6:9 (NLT):  So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.

As I sit here and think about that verse, I can see two sides of it.  Sometimes we keep doing and keep doing and keep doing for people and it seems like they just keep taking and taking and taking - and never changing, never stepping out to do for themselves.  All they want is the handout.  I think we all know those type of people.  They may - or may not - do for others, but they always have a hand out for themselves.  So does that mean that we need to quit helping them?  According to this scripture, if it is for good, we are not to quit helping them, for our own blessing will come in time. But, I also feel that we need to look at those we are contributing to.  Are they trying to do better, or get on their feet, or whatever.... or are they just letting you 'parent' them and take care of them?  There are people like that in this world, unfortunately.  We see it all the time on the news, don't we?  We know people who will not work to make their lives better; they want things handed to them. Usually from the government or charity places.  They become 'entitled'.  I think that is the word, isn't it?  We are not 'entitled' to anything.   

Don't get me wrong - if I hear of someone in need, I will be first in line to help however I can.  I can't always give financially, but I can help in other ways.  I've given sets of dishes and silverware, We've given furniture.  We help in other ways.  And I am sure that you do the same.  Sometimes money isn't what they need; they may just need someone to walk the journey with them.

Like my friend Melonie. Her husband passed a couple years ago unexpectedly.  She is still grieving and I try to meet up with her occasionally, not only because she is my friend, but because she also needs to know that someone cares.  I can only understand in part of what she is going through.  But I can listen, and I can hug, and I can love.  Sometimes that is all we are called to do.

It won't be long before the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are upon us.  This year has truly been flying by fast.  I'm trying to work past the 'work Thanksgiving/Christmas party' on November 7th. UGH I still don't want to go.  I don't want to drive downtown.   Thanksgiving out of town, and I'm also trying to figure out how we are going to do Christmas with the family.  I want to accommodate everyone, of course.  I think we are going to move the daughter and her family past Christmas as their family will be doing their own thing in different parts of the country.  They will be alone for Christmas, I think.  So many variables within the families this year.  Closer to time when they all know what they are doing, then I can figure out how we can work it all out.  It's not a problem. I just want it to be easy and fun for everyone.  Going to 'grandma's house for Christmas' has lost it's appeal over the years.  No one's fault; it is just the way life is.  It's just hard for me to let go, for I love my family so much and want to be in 'life' with them and make memories.  

And with that, I need to get off here and finish up my time alone and get the work computer up and going.  I have lots of things I need to get done today.  Hope you have a good day and are productive!

Blessings!

This may be short

 as my computer just went into battery saving mode and I don't know why. I leave it plugged in all the time - and I just checked - and it is down to 19% battery, the plug is in, the light is on that it is charging - but it is definitely not.  Has my computer taken a dive?  Wil need to work on it today.

But - so that I can update you on what happened yesterday before my computer actually dies, I must type fast and get it out.  As you know, I have been dealing with some kind of bites on my inner thigh and it has been quite painful.  I finally went to the urgent care on Sunday morning.  The NP said it was numerous scorpion bites/stings and gave me an antibiotic.  I was sent home with no instructions other than take the medication and see my doctor in a week.  I received no paperwork as I left.

Yesterday I went on my portal to see what they had said - and the NP had written she had told me to do warm compresses, and several other things - NONE of which she said a word about.  She also had put I had come in with cellulitis from an insect bite.  Excuse me?  I was really angry when I read what all she had put in my chart that she did - and she lied.  She literally lied.  How many people never read their charts that are put in the portal - or who has access to one.  I wouldn't have known had I not read it.  She told me it was scorpion bites/stings - but never wrote that in the chart at all.

Anyway - fast forward - I started calling my dermatologist as the pain was still great and the area had grown another 1/2 inch.  I was able to get in the office yesterday morning.  Pictures of the area was taken, and he also drew a circle around it and told me not to wash it off, but use it as a measurement. If the area got larger to go to the ER immediately and let them tell me what they need to do.  I told him how painful it was (by this time I was nearly in tears because I have dealt with this pain for over a week constantly and I was drained physically.) and he ordered a 2nd antibiotic for me to take and told me to take advil with tylenol to alleviate the pain.  He said I could get lidocaine to put on it but I told him I wasn't touching it as by now it was too painful to touch.   

I don't wear short shorts anywhere in public - who wants to see these ugly legs - but I tell you what, I was wearing them in public to try and keep anything off that area!  I left the office and just as I pulled in the driveway the drugstore txt'd they had my prescription ready.  So I backed out and picked it up and got on it as well.  

Today I am feeling much better.  With the advil with tylenol taken yesterday, the majority of the pain went away.  I finally had relief.  What is really weird about this entire infection is that it almost feels like something is inside those bumps moving around.  I know that sounds crazy, but in those bumps (which there are about 10 of them), there is a sensation of something going on.  Maybe it is just the healing process.

Long story short with telling you all this, I am finally hoping I am going to get better, and I go for a follow-up next Monday at the dermatologist.  No need to see my medical doctor for a follow-up if he is taking care of this.  Interestingly, my dermatologist also told me to not go to an urgent care ever for something like this as they can't do anything but give you a prescription. And they never see you again. I always thought an urgent care could do almost what your primary care could do - but obviously, they can't.  The urgent care screwed up hubby a couple years ago when he went in for wheezing - they said nothing was wrong with him and when I finally took him to the ER, he was admitted for three days.

And... I haven't told hubby yet, but will soon.  My dermatologist office called yesterday afternoon.  The mole they cut off earlier this month has a 'suggestion' of basil cell carcinoma and he needs to dig out more tissue to analyze, which they can do in the office.  So we have it scheduled for December 3rd in his office and I will be there all morning.  I think I took the 7:30AM time.  I will confirm it all when I go in next Monday for this follow-up.  You know hubby is going to be panicking when I tell him about this surgery so will wait until later today or tomorrow to pass that news on.  He will have over a month to pray and stew over it.  Can you even imagine his panic that something may happen to me?

Proverbs 15:23 (NKJV):  A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

I'm sorry but that verse made me chuckle this morning as I said in the above paragraph I was going to wait to tell hubby about the upcoming surgery.  It will be good to wait until I know he can handle it. LOL  That's good season, right?

Huh.  I had unplugged the laptop from the wall and plugged into an outlet - and now it is showing 41%.  What has happened to that wall plug?  My light is plugged in the upper one; the computer cord was plugged into the lower one.  Things that make you go hmmmmm.  But then, I don't have to rush to get off here now, other than I don't have much to share at this point.  I've told you about my leg, about my office visit, about the upcoming surgery.... what is left?

I have 3-4 meetings I need to work on this morning as I let them go yesterday afternoon.  I actually took a nap of about 30 minutes around noon yesterday; I was that drained.  It helped, but I still didn't push myself to work.  Got to catch up today and get things done.  I know I'm falling behind from this past week.  Got to get refocused and get these things done.

And with that, I'm going to get off here this morning and take an advil to take away the pain that has awakened in my leg.  It's tingling as well, which I am going to 'assume' is the healing that should be going on with all the antibiotics I'm taking.  Healing - that is a good word.

Blessings!

It still hurts, mom!

 I did go to the urgent care yesterday morning and got in fairly quick because I had made an appointment - and because no one else was there.  The nurse practitioner came in and looked at the spot on my leg.  She measured it. I mentioned about the hip pain and front thigh hurting for several nights (and it still is happening) - and she came to her conclusion that I had a scorpion bite/sting me numerous times.  Now how a scorpion got in the bed at the hotel, under the covers, and found a way to the inside of my leg at 2:30AM, I have no idea.  With the word 'scorpion', I thought I needed to pay more attention.  If it was a scorpion, it rejects the theory that if you get bitten you die.  Especially if it bites/stings 8-10 times, which is what the NP says.  Long story short, she gave me nothing for pain, didn't recommend anything. She called in a prescription for cephaloxin (sp) antibiotic, 500 mg 3 x a day, and told me to see my MEDICAL doctor in 7 days.  I asked her, for future reference, should I see a dermatologist or a medical doctor for something like this. She said dermatologist.  So guess what.  

I'm in pain still this morning so I am going to call my DERMATOLOGIST to see if they can work me in, and call my MEDICAL doctor for a follow up like I'm told to.  This burning sensation, which is nearly constant, is wearing me down physically and mentally, I think.  It's like pressing a hot iron against the skin and just leaving it there.  Yeah, it is painful.

BUT - yesterday was a good day.  I had chatted with a grandson earlier in the week and he wanted an apple pie for his birthday.  Now you know that if anyone asks for a specific dish for me to make for them, I will do all I can to pull it together.  I had never made a pie before.  I didn't do the crust, more than I was wanting to do at this time. But I did follow a recipe and baked an apple pie for my grandson.  When we took it over to him, he was glad to get it, but wasn't even going to try it - he said he had been up for awhile and was going to bed.  So I admonished him (yes, I put him on a guilt trip! After all my work, he wasn't going to bed without tasting it!!) that he needed to at least taste it.  So he did.  Then I did. Then grandpa did.  It was pretty good!!  I may make another sometime!   I wonder if I could do something similar with all the sweet red cherries I have in the freezer that I don't know what to do with.  Do everything I did with the apples, only do it with the cherries.  I don't know.  The cherries make my shakes too sweet so don't use them.  But, I may try it - or at least something similar.  

Got a great surprise yesterday and a nice ending to our day.  My oldest son invited us out to dinner with he and our DIL.  Of course I accepted, even without checking with hubby.  I knew he would want to go.  So after a short visit at the youngest son's house and dropping off the pie, we headed to the restaurant and really enjoyed ourselves.  Caught up on some things going on; got to hear things about family, but I must admit that when my son threw his beard upon his face and said 'peek a boo' I nearly lost it.  It still cracks me up when I think about it.  We enjoyed our dinner with them and look forward to the 'next time'.

I was getting so chilled at the restaurant towards the end that even in the car driving home I turned off the air and turned on my seat heater.  Curled up with a blanket when we got home to let the food settle before heading to bed, and even put a thick blanket on me when I went to bed.  I was chilled to the bone for some reason - but I blame the extreme cold bones on this scorpion bite.  It wasn't that cold out.  Slept well most of the night - until the bite awakened me again burning intensely.  Yep, calling the dermatologist today.  It doesn't look quite as pink today, but the purple middle is still there and the bumps are a deep purple.  Don't want cellulitis to set in, and since the NP wasn't real sure what to do (I don't think.  After all, she just gave me an antibiotic.) I need to have a skin doctor look at it.  Stay tuned. Pray I can get in today.

My son had me laughing internally as well last night.  He knows all about me, my thoughts about things, and most of what I do - well, everything I share in here as he reads it.  So he even dared to call me out last night and threatened to tell Morgan, my trainer, what I was having for dinner.  He also didn't want me to 'diet'; I had to eat (and I did that quite well, including the chocolate ice cream he talked me in to.) real food and not salad.  LOL I wondered if hubby would wonder how my son knew so much about me; but he never said a word about it later.  Because hubby already knows, perhaps he didn't think anything about it.  It was a great time last night and I truly enjoyed hanging out with them.

Psalm 40:8 (NKJV):  I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.

Did you know that the kings of Israel had to memorize the first 5 books of the Bible - the Torah - when they became king so that they would know the Word of the Lord and how they should live?  Can you even imagine memorizing even one book nowadays?  I have - in the past - memorized a psalm or two, and I have memorized scriptures over the years, but many I have forgotten because I did not keep it up.  I try to memorize now and get it down pretty well, but then my mind just goes to sleep and forgets them.  I don't have a reason to learn, I am not studying for a class. But I really do want to get back to hiding God's Word in my heart and mind so that when I need that verse, I can come up with it.  I often will sit here and think about what scripture to use, and will wait until a word or two comes to me and then I go to Bible Gateway to find that specific verse.  Sometimes that works; sometimes I just can't get the words right.  Hiding God's Word in your heart helps you get through each and every day.

When we know the will of God, because we know His Word, we will act on it.  It's when we don't read and learn His Word that we go astray.  Think about that.  Of course we can know His Word and still go astray.  We have been hearing more and more about pastors being taken down due to their falling away from the Word.  They are not immune to the consequences of their actions.  I am appalled and so disappointed in them.  But we all fall in some way for we are not perfect.  Only Jesus is perfect.  You know all my failures, as I share them with you. But we have a forgiving Father than will gather us back into His arms whenever we turn back to Him and confess our sins and ask for forgiveness.  Without it, we would all be lost.

When was the last time you sat back and reviewed your life?  When was the last time you confessed those things you know you shouldn't have done, to the Lord and asked for forgiveness?  Now would be a good time to start off the day and start off the week with a clean slate.  

Need to jump in the shower and prepare for the dermatologist visit. Going to believe I can get in today. If not with my regular guy, with his son who works with him.  I don't care who I see; I just want to get the burning taken away.

I did text Morgan yesterday and tell her no leg work today; stick with arms/back/chest.  She said she had already planned that.  This pain is draining, for sure.  Just enough to keep one distracted.

Have an awesome day!

Blessings!

I did clean the garage

After cooking breakfast yesterday, I went out to work in the garage.  It was beautiful out - cool, and although it had rained a little in the morning, the sky was a beautiful blue.  I pulled everything away from the area I wanted to clean, set up a table and put my appliances and things on it, and totally cleaned that area.  Then I waited.  It wasn't long before the SIL and daughter were here and he started right away on putting together the shelving.  And, it didn't take long at all to get it done.  They left right after putting it together so I was able to keep going and put my bins and appliances I don't use often on the shelves.  I will probably change it up eventually, but for now, I have it fixed just fine.  Hubby kept offering to help, but I would have to explain what to do with what so it was easier to just do it myself.   Which makes him angry I won't let him help, but 'it is what it is'.

I am thinking I may make that run to urgent care today if it isn't busy.  My 'bite' woke me during the night with a sharp pain, like the skin had been stretched.  This morning the redness has spread out another 1/2 inch.  No, I'm not measuring it, but I have a brown spot on my leg and it is much closer to it this morning than it was yesterday, and it is burning.  The red/pink round with the dots in the middle... which makes me wonder how many spiders were in my pajamas and why so many bumps!  I had three open 'bites' in a row and probably 20 bumps.  With the burning and spreading of the pink/red, I think I will make the trip to urgent care and see what they say.  Maybe I need antibiotics to clear this up.  I had told hubby last night that I wasn't going to church this morning because it hurts when anything this against that area - and it's either my fat inner thigh or clothes - and either makes it hurt.  Got to do something, it is driving me crazy.  One week is enough, right?  It's actually 9 days today since it happened. Yeah, I probably need to get it checked out. And be told to 'keep doing what I'm doing' - right?  Naw - something is definitely wrong.

Depending on when I go to urgent care - which I'm thinking about 10AM or so - I will either be spending the day there or coming home and just chilling.  We definitely 'chilled' last night and watched 3 movies on Up Faith and Family.  Hubby slept through most of two of them, but I watched and crochet'd.  Almost done with a blanket for my trainer's baby for Christmas.   I was tired - and yet it was a good tired - after I did the garage, and then staying up until around 10PM-ish before going to bed - and waking up during the night with my leg - I slept until 5:45AM this morning!  I am sure I would have slept longer but I heard hubby shuffling down the hall to the bathroom.   I don't feel him getting out of bed - it's his shuffling feet that I hear going down the hall that always awakens me.  I may take a nap later today. Or

 not.

Remember when I cleaned out my closet a few weeks ago (over a month ago!) and got things off the floor?  NO, I still have not gone through my clothes; I still have hopes of eventually losing an inch or two of this fat so that I can fit into some of them.  But I want you to know that it is still clean!!  I hadn't thought of it until the other day and I went to look at it - and the floor was still clean and nothing way stuffed in there.  It had gotten so bad before I cleaned it that I just shut the closet door when the housecleaners came over so that they wouldn't go in there. There was no room for them to clean anyway.   But for now, it is still clean.  Makes me a happy camper.  I need to start on this room.  Yet - there are many other projects that I'm on as well.  I know I'll choose which will be the most fun and the least work.

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 is the verse that comes to mind this morning.  I say it frequently, so perhaps that is the reason why it is right in 'front'.  I'm in the spot right now.  Many times I will pray that over my children, saying it like this..... "Heal (name" O Lord, and they shall be healed; save them, and they shall be saved, for You are not only my praise, but they will learn to praise You for their healing."

Life is so hard anymore.  It's not saying life was easy when I was growing up, or when my parents were growing up.  We all went through our own battles, our own trials, our own seeking for the truth.  But with all the 'freedom' the world has been given now, many have turned aside from the Lord, even if they were raised in the church.  They have allowed the distractions of the world to shut God out and they try to live their own lives, only to find there is no happiness in it.  

My heart breaks for my children and my grandchildren who have turned away from knowing God.  Some were never given the chance to know Him.  A couple Sundays a year in church does not teach them what they need to know to grow in Him.  Life is hard, and in many cases, we try to let our children 'learn on their own' as they go out in to the world.  But our heart grieves over their choices.

Mark 9:29   (NKJV):  So He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting."

Sometimes it only takes one day of prayer and fasting over a certain thing.  Other times it takes a lifetime. (or so it seems).  I am going to make a covenant with God to fast one meal a week to pray specifically for my children, their family, and their children's family.  I need to cover the great grandchildren as they will face so much without a firm foundation in the Word and they need to be prepared by putting on the armor of God and believing and trusting in Him.  So that means that three days a week I will fast one meal and spend extended time praying over my children and grandchildren and great grandchildren.  They each are going through their own battles.

I can't always walk through those battles with them; many of the battles I don't know about, and if I do know, I can pray.  Prayer is the key to heaven, and faith unlocks the door.  I believe that God hears my prayers and He will answer - in His timing.  Sometimes fasting will increase not only my faith, but will bring about results in my lifetime.

A parent's heart is always broken when their child or grandchildren is troubled.  We're helpless; unsure of what to say or do.  We know what WE would do - but we must allow them at times to walk through their own battle.  But we can pray, and we can fast.  And we can seek God for His answers.

Sometimes, situations and problems and troubles happen because God wants to turn our hearts and minds back to Him.  It may not even be for the person afflicted.  It may be for those who know, to bring them back to Him.   Oh that our prayers and our fasting before the Lord will be heard by Him and He will answer!    Let us turn to Him and seek His face - surely He will turn His face to us and answer.

Blessings!

Cleaning on the agenda

 is what the plan is.  Do I hear rain this morning?  Is that a hope? LOL I still need to move at least my car out - rain or not - of the garage so that I can clean up that area - whether or not the SIL makes it over today to put together the shelving.  I really do want to get it done.  But I remembered this morning that it is also a Saturday and hubby will be expecting me to cook breakfast.  And you know what - it's ok.  I will get it all done.  

Yesterday was somewhat busy.  I did go get the combo box and then met up with my girlfriend for lunch. We went to Jack in the Box, but they had a sign on the door that they were closed due to system down.  So we headed over to the Mexican food place we were taken to recently.  I couldn't eat all mine - and all I got was two tacos, beans and rice!  That taco was huge!  I brought it home and hubby ate it for dinner last night (after breakfast with his buddies and lunch with another friend) as I still wasn't hungry.  I did eat a beef stick later.   Anyway - work kept me busy after my lunch with my friend and I was glad to turn the computer off at 4PM.  We watched two movies and then hit the bed about 10PM.  And who was awake at 4AM anyway?  Sigh.  My body just will not stay asleep some days.  I finally got up about 5AM and hubby about 5:30AM. 

I couldn't pass up the deal on strawberries.  8 packages in a crate; and the price was 4 cases for $20.  Now mind you, grocery stores are selling these for $3-4 each package.  I bought 4 cases. Daughter came by and picked up 4 packages; granddaughter coming over this morning to pick up some; and I took 4 packages and a bunch of apples and other things to my DIL who works north of us.  It was nice she had a few minutes that she could chat.  I'm glad she works close by.  I don't mind driving up there to save her a trip.  I remember with fondness when I could fix a meal (or had leftovers from an office gathering) and had her stop on her way home from work (at our other house) and pick it up.  I wish I could do it more often, but I love cooking up a bunch of food and having my kids come get it. None want to make the drive where we are now, so why bother.  Someday maybe we can live in a closer radius of where everyone is and they would stop by.  It can make one smile, but I get it.  My children are now at the age that (most) wish their children WOULD stop by and visit.  Of course I COULD invite over for a meal... so it is on me as well. 

Depression is a real thing and I find myself sinking into it at times.  I'm sure we all go through it.  Things keep happening, or something with trauma or a tragic end causes one to just want to curl up in a ball and shut out the world.  That happens to me often anymore.  I blame it on my having to work at home and be 24x7 surrounded by hubby.  I don't mean that in a mean way.  I get tired of these four walls, and although I know that we will never be travelers, well, I guess that isn't really it either.  I want to go through this house unsupervised and let go of things..... but I don't feel I have that freedom.  And I'll stop there.  The day hasn't even started yet and I'm tired mentally.   I know hubby will be coming out to 'help' me, and there may be some things I can let him do - but I like doing things myself.  He, on the other hand, wants us to do it 'together'.  I want to be alone in my thoughts.  He wants to know what my thoughts are.  I want silence; he wants noise.  Unless it is a child running through the house screaming and he can't handle that. To me it is joy. I told him that we were actually totally opposite and have nothing in common.  He took offense to that.  His life is wrapped up in mine as much as he can force his way in.  If I get agreeable with something, he will say, "see, we do have something in common."  Sigh. 

My leg isn't looking pretty.... I haven't looked at it yet this morning, but I'm hoping that I can still stall until next week.  I have been trying to decide if I should go to a dermatologist or to my PCP.  I showed my sister a photo yesterday; she thinks it may be spider bites.  The more I think about it, and look at it, she may be right. I showed my daughter yesterday, when I unconsciously scratched s spot and then yelled cause it was on the infection, and she thinks it is a spider bite.  If the circle is larger today, I may go to the urgent care.  I don't really want cellulitis to spread.  I'm using a bacterial cream on it so hopefully that will keep it at bay.  Why it had to be high up on the inside of my leg.... it makes it awkward to show anyone.  Not that 'anyone' wants to see it.  It is burning somewhat this morning.  But at least the hip and thigh aren't aching like they have most of the week. Still haven't figured out what caused that.  UGH. Just took a look at my leg - it's not pretty.  My grandson in law is a nurse.... when they come over this morning, I may ask him to look at it and tell me if I need to go to urgent care.  I don't want to lose my leg over stupidity and laziness in getting this taken care of.  The circle has spread and it is turning dark.  I may end up at urgent care today.

Psalm 37:4 (NKJV):  Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.

I feel a lot of people take that out of context.  They think that if they pray or are 'good people', that God will give them whatever their heart desires.  Whether it is for their good or not.  (Of course we think it is for our good, because we want it!)   And how many times do we claim this verse, and then are disappointed when we don't get it? We don't get the 'desires of our heart'.  Did we even stop to think about whether or not it was God's desire for us?  Many, many times He has something better for us, and we are so impatient that we want what we want NOW.  

I want my children healed NOW, I want hubby healed NOW, I want my leg healed NOW.... so why isn't it happening NOW?   Surely it is also God's desire that it happen, right?  And if I'm delighting myself in Him, why isn't He giving me the desires of my heart?  

Because He knows more than I do.  He sees the big picture. (erase) I just gave a huge example and desiring something and getting it, only to lose it.  Sometimes our wants are bigger than our pocketbooks. We won't live forever. We won't always have a job. Life happens. People get laid off. Health issues happen.  More outgo than income.  More month than paydays.  God sees all this and He knows what is best for us.   No matter how we plan things, unless we put God first and seek His face, and trust His way, only then will we realize that the true desire of our heart is to know Him more.

I would give up everything if I could just sit at Jesus' feet every day and worship Him. 

I had a dream many years ago that I wanted to take all my extra time and just spend it with Jesus. I wanted to find a chapel where I could just go and prayer and worship all day and all night.  That was my dream.  But, not everyone was in agreement with it. So my dream got put on the back burner. Life comes first. Jobs come first.  Someday I hope that I will be able to have that dream - whether here on earth or up in heaven.  Just sit at Jesus' feet, listen to Him, and worship.

What is your dream?

Blessings!

It's already here!

 I mentioned yesterday, I think, that I ordered metal shelving for the garage to put my things on.  If you recall, as I'm sure I have mentioned previously, I had bought plastic shelving last year or the year before - but the heat in the garage this past summer caused the plastic to weaken, and dropped to the floor several things I had on the shelves.  Metal doesn't melt, so I got a large heavy shelving.  It was delivered yesterday by Sam's Club.  I just had the driver put it inside the courtyard as there is no room in the garage for the box.  After he left, and hearing we 'may' have rain tonight or tomorrow night - I told hubby we probably should move it up under the porch so that the box doesn't get wet.... OH MY GOODNESS!!  I HEAR RAIN!!  RIGHT NOW!!   And yes, the box is getting a good dose of water!  Oh well. As I was saying, thought we would move up under the porch - but as we both reached down and touched the box, realized there was no way we were going to even lift it let alone move it.  It will support 10,000 lbs. Does that give you a clue how heavy this thing is?  Well, I wanted to make sure it didn't fall down!

I contacted the SIL last night and he said he'd come over late Saturday afternoon to put it together.  That gives me the morning to clean out the area I want it put in.  I have several things I need to move out of the way.  The boxes I can pretty much breakdown and put in the recycle box.  But, I have so much other 'stuff'. I really need to do a thorough cleaning.  I'd rather work out there in manual labor than work in here on office stuff today.  But it will be an different type of day anyway so don't have that extra time to do much of anything.

I have my combo box to pickup today.  I'm to meet an old friend for lunch as her birthday is Sunday.  (Wow, that rain is still coming down pretty steadily!)  I won't be seeing her on Sunday (as a rule) so want to take her out today.  I suppose I do need to work some time today.  It could be an interesting day.

Hubby has a busy morning.  He has his Bible study breakfast, from there he goes to get his 4th shot, then meets up with another friend for brunch nearby, and might be home a little after noon.  He has such a rough life, you know.  He wants to invite this friend over for dinner one night - reckon I need to figure out when and what.  We haven't entertained anyone in months; I don't cook much anymore - just enough for us to get by on.  To make extra to give to my kids, I'd have to deliver it.  I used to make extra and take to Ms. Diane and Ms. Vicki - but it has been a couple months at least since I have seen either one.  Ms. Diane's outburst at me about preferring hell before she'd vote for someone - well, it devastated me to the point I have become a hermit and don't want to go anywhere!

Looks like we may be going to New Mexico for Thanksgiving this year.  I had said 'no' when we were asked.  Why?  Because I think it may be too hard on hubby.  He disagrees with me, of course, and he is probably right - but getting him into different environments sometimes is unsettling.  But he will probably be ok.  We won't be driving but will be riders.  No one wants us to be alone on Thanksgiving, which is nice, but we would be ok if we were.  

The admins (at work) Thanksgiving and Christmas party is coming up on November 7th, and I think I told you I got talked into turkey, dressing, and giblet gravy.  Some have never had cornbread dressing and giblet gravy.  I keep wanting to email the leader and tell her it is too much work; I don't want to do it and I'll bring a salad.  No one else is bringing much.  I keep wanting to just change what I'll bring - shoot - I don't even want to go!!  But I will. Maybe. I may change my mind the closer we get to it. I dread driving downtown.   I did buy a small wagon to put everything in so that I don't have to carry everything.  

Hubby is getting really nosey.  Every time a package arrives now it is 'what is it'?  Sometimes I tell him, sometimes I just say 'Christmas' - but most of the time I don't even remember!  Most is for Christmas, as I like to get it done and wrapped before Christmas gets here.  (I think it has stopped raining already!) I've got q nice row of gifts under the window in here. Think I will start wrapping and and writing down so that I can be sure that I'm done with someone. The great-grands may be the winners this year. I'm trying not to buy things.  I have a couple things I want to make yet, at least one of them, will see if I can get it done.

Here comes the rain again.  At least it is a good steady rain, good for grass and plants.  Only my plants are about dead now due to the heat of the summer.  I can't tell you how many packages of flowers and other seeds I have planted in this one flower box - and nothing has sprouted.  With the cooler weather, it will be interesting to see what - if anything - comes up.  I'm ready to take all the dirt out and move the stand and refill in the back of the house.  I need to find something for that corner, though.  Since we took that dead tree out - it's bare.  First time ever we have several lemons on the tree in the courtyard - told hubby yesterday we will need to have it trimmed back a lot after Christmas - AFTER I pick the lemons!

Psalm 27:14 (NKJV):  Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!

I can't tell you how many times I have prayed about things and then decide to do what I think is best - when I know what is best is waiting on God to give me the answer.  Many times when I have been forced to wait, He has come through with things even better than I had asked for.  He does that for me, and He will do that for you.

Something Charles Stanley preached on years ago has always stuck with me.  He told the story of a young couple who needed a car.  They had prayed for a car, but got tired of waiting and went out and bought a car.  A week later, a couple in the church went to Pastor Charles and told him they had this nice car but didn't need it anymore, and wanted it given to this young couple, if it was still needed.  Free and Clear.  Well, the young couple had not waited on God to provide for them, but had gone out and bought their own car and have that payment to make....whereas if they had continued to wait upon God for His provision, they could have gotten a nice car with no expense.  I often wonder how often I have jumped the gun on buying things when I should have waiting.  How many times have I spoken out of turn when I should have kept my mouth shut and let God handle the situation.  How many times have I pushed on things when I should have just waited?  I'm afraid it is way too many.  But I have also learned to wait on God for some things.  I'm trying to think of an example, but none come to mind. Old age? Perhaps.

My bug bites or whatever they are, are now about a 2" circle on my leg. They itch and they are red.  I keep putting a cream on them, but don't know if it has helped much.  They are like a circle of welts - and only in this one area.  There were 3 holes in my skin and then about an inch away, all these bumps. Welts. Or whatever they are.  It's been a week tonight that I got the first 'bite'. Could it be bed bug bites? I don't know - it's just odd it is in this one area. Hubby didn't get bit; does that mean I'm sweeter than he is?  I try to keep an eye on the spot to determine if it is growing larger or spreading. It has grown larger somewhat, but will give it until Monday at least before I call the doctor's office to get in and see if another type of cream would work better.  The cream I have been using is for boils - and these aren't boils.  Maybe they will go away over the weekend.  No, it isn't shingles; I looked up what they looked like and it isn't that.  These are big bumps, like mosquito bites.  Only in this one area. And it happened both nights we stayed at the hotel.  Don't think we will be going back there.  I did buy a light that you can shine on the bed to see if there are bed bugs or anything on the sheets or mattress.  I tried to look after the first night, but never saw anything.

And it was that same night that my left hip and front of my thigh started hurting.  It had stopped for a couple days - probably due to the pain meds I had taken, but this morning about 2:30AM it once again started aching and my thigh hurting.  Is there a connection between the bites and the hip hurting; the thigh aching?  The bumps are on the inside of my leg; the hip is on the other side.  Oh well, I'll deal with it until I decide to go to the doctor - or it goes away - whichever comes first.

So much for my bragging I just go to my PCP one time a year for my physical!  And with that - I'm off here.  Hope you have an amazing day!

Blessings!