It was a very good day

 I didn't have to work yesterday, but that didn't make it a 'very good day'.  I didn't have an agenda for yesterday, other than doing a couple errands.  That didn't make it a 'very good day'.  So what made it a 'very good day'? 

Getting to have lunch with my oldest son and catch up on life with him.  Although I knew there was a possibility that we could have lunch, it was not confirmed.  I was standing in line at Cox to return equipment for a former neighbor when my phone rang.  It was my oldest son.  I had to get him to call me back, and as he was finished with his medical appointment, it was a 'let's do lunch' time.  He met me first at Big 5 Sporting Goods where hubby wanted me to take a look at the 'curl bars' there as I had put it on my Christmas list (not that I needed one, but needed something to write down).  So we looked at those, I took photos and we went to Black Bear Diner to grab something to eat.  

I'm thinking it was a little over two hours later before we finally left and headed our different ways.  I so much enjoyed our lunch together and just listening to what he wanted to share.  I shared a few things and well, I thanked God this morning for the blessing of the time I got to spend with my boy.  A treasured time, for sure.

I headed over to Burlington near us - a fairly new store in this area.  I liked the one by where we used to live, although it often looked chaotic with things everywhere - but this one... uh, don't think I will find my way back there.  Very disappointed in it's layout and in what was there.  The other one had everything - but this one seemed to have mainly clothes, and I was not impressed by what I saw.  I love to look at trinkets and other things - and again, I was just disappointed.  TJ Max was a store or two down, but I didn't want to go there. Haven't been impressed with them before either.  So I just headed on home.  Took a nap. Then went to grocery and picked up fried chicken for dinner and a few other things.  

I have thoroughly enjoyed my days off work (Friday and Monday) and resting, reading, and relaxing and doing whatever I wanted to do.  I tried to imagine what it would be like if I was retired... well, it would be partly like this, but not exactly.  It would probably take a few months to really feel like I was 'retired', right?  Other than no money coming in.  I talked with my son about that; I felt he thought we could make it.  Financially tight?  Yes.  But it can be done.  I've come up with a couple ideas on planning for 'my part' of the financial end... but will see if I follow through.  For sure, I need to quit doing mindless spending.  Once I get past working on our taxes and pulling my information together for it, I can have a better picture of what I can do.  

For one thing - and you know I'll love this part - I will be cooking more rather than us going out to eat like we do.  And I'm ok with that, for the most part.  We don't need three course meals.  Even a sandwich and a salad is enough.  

I love that my oldest son took it upon himself to create a dish yesterday in their new crockpot.  I didn't realize they didn't have one before.  Never thought of it.  Guess they got one for Christmas.  And here I have 4-5 crockpots that I could have let them have one!  I just didn't know.  But - he got creative and I love it.  I love using my crockpots and let it cook all day and not worry about dinner.  I go to the 'crockpot chicken chili' frequently because it is so easy to cook and let it set.  Also keeping chili warm - oh yeah.  Now I'm getting hungry!

I'm back to work today and I checked emails last night (after I had deleted many on Sunday), and it was up to 165.  I skimmed through and deleted a lot that I didn't have to do anything with.  Got it down to 50, I think it was.  But still, Brett has sent several emails with instructions for me to do something.  Some apply to the board meeting we have scheduled on Thursday.  I'm hoping that he isn't telling me to change the date.  That will be next to impossible to get everyone at this late date.

I will say that I desperately needed these days off work.  I was still operating on 'burnout' from the holidays, I think, and needed to just relax and play.  

Our 'new' sofa we bought recently.... has started squeaking.  The springs, that is.  I'm thinking that because it set in a screened porch for several months, the air has affected it. Now that it is indoors and the temperature is different, last night when I sat down it squealed.  I may have to see about tearing it apart and spraying the coils.  Unfortunately, and embarrassingly, we have our group over tomorrow night and I don't think I will have time to do it before then.  Still want to vacuum it as well - my new upholstery vacuum came in the other day and I have it charged now.  It didn't squeak until last night - so my theory is that the temperature change, and the fact it is now getting used daily, has attributed to it. Hubby is already talking about getting rid of it and buying a new one.  I don't want to do that; we got this one a week ago. It didn't squeak int he beginning, but does now.  Will figure it out.

I've been taking two tablespoons of cold-pressed olive oil before going to bed at night.  And when I've slept, it has been deep.  I wonder if that is part of it.  I wonder if my energy level is part of it. (I heard it could be).  I need to go back and google 'what are the benefits of taking olive oil'.  I've heard men at the gym talking to each other about taking olive oil at night to help cholesterol, lower blood pressure (mine was at 114//70 this morning!!) and clear out the blood vessels.  Hubby isn't 'on board' yet - and I will admit, you can't taste it going down like I thought you could (I remember the castor oil day), and it doesn't leave an aftertaste for I take it and let it go down without it staying in my mouth.  Will see how I feel in a week or so - if I can tell the difference.

And - I need to get off here and stop my rambling for today.  

God is good. All the time, God is good.  He is faithful, and loving, and kind, and forgiving.  All I am I owe to Him.  My future is in His hands.  And so is yours.  Think about that.  He knows your coming in and going out - before you even decide to do something.  God already knows the outcome.  Is it one that will help - or hinder - you?  Hmmmm.

Blessings!