I should feel better soon - right?

 Dr. Mark's office called me after I wrote in here yesterday - and they had a 1PM cancellation - did I want it or schedule another day?  DUH - I took it!  Yes, I actually drove, coughing off/on all the way.  Long story short - some bronchitis that could turn into pneumonia (I think that is what he said). He listened a lot to my lungs, heard wheezing and crackling, but not a large amount.  I had a slight temp 99.6 (I usually run 97.6). Lots of coughing, of course.  He gave me some medication in a nebulizer in his office that I had to inhale for about 5 minutes (until the medication was gone).  I love that Dr. Mark is so thorough.  I told him that I had a lot of fatigue, weakness, constant coughing, little sleep....  all in all, I got prescriptions for Amoxicillin-Clav 875-125MG tablets, twice a day, plus BREO inhaler (that $126 copay about knocked me for a loop! Was not expecting that!)  Was told to pick up Afrin nasal spray, and Allegro OTC.  I picked everything up last night. He said to drink cool fluids and take dark honey.  That surprised me.  But - honey does have healing properties - the Bible says so.  So yes, I will take dark honey. And I actually have some. So with taking all that stuff last night - I actually feel like I slept some last night - I still woke up coughing throughout the night, but felt like I slept in between.  Grateful to feel somewhat rested when I woke up.

I've taken my medication this morning except for the Breo - it says once a day and I'm thinking mid-day will hopefully get me through the evening. I will be taking it when I finish here.  If I stop coughing long enough I may just stop and do it.  I'm trying hard to follow 'doctor's orders' cause feeling like this is the pits!  My big brother just text'd me to also take 4 tums, that he found it stops coughing. Hey - it's worth a try!

But I'm also grateful I got sick.  Seriously. I know, it sounds horrible, but I did not want to drive to Mesa on Thursday to 'celebrate Brett' leaving the company.  I still think he is, although very smart, a spoiled brat.  He didn't get the titles he wanted.  So he quit and took a position with another company so he can have the position/title of 'President'.  I sure hope he knows what he is doing.  But my doctor told me I was NOT to leave the house all week (oh darn) therefore, I cannot go to Mesa on Thursday. And everyone will expect me there, cause I support him.  I ordered bowls and napkins sent to his Sr. Director who is organizing this (it is a surprise for him) and I had offered to bring bowls and napkins to the potluck. Amazon is my best friend, and will be delivering them to the Sr Director at home tomorrow. Plenty of time before the party. And I'm grateful I do not have to attend.  This week I just want to rest.

I had a meeting with Brett this morning, going over his calendar - what meetings to delete, what to end date, what to pass on, etc. Found out the board meetings will be going to the President of the company; my buddy Chuck.  I like Chuck. Known him for 9 years, a very honest, hard-working and a good man with integrity.  He worked his way up in the company many years ago.  Brett wanted his job, and had told him so!  When he retired, of course, but Chuck has no plans to retire for at least another few years.  Does it sound like I'm angry with Brett?  Yeah, maybe I am.  I feel he had a pretty high position as it was, and he was complaining about the pay and the title.  I have always felt that if I accept a job for a certain amount, then I shouldn't complain.  I agreed to it.  Like the bible story of the man who sent workers to his vineyard.  Remember that one? Check out Matthew 20.  The vineyard owner went at 9AM, 12PM, 3PM and 6PM and hired people to work his vineyard. When it came time to pay, he gave instructions to pay the last people first.  So they all got a full day's pay.  Every single one of those hired got the same pay.  The ones hired at 9AM complained it wasn't fair as they worked the longest.  But the owner told them, they agreed for that amount, and they got paid that amount, so why where they complaining?  And I have never complained about how much I made; it doesn't matter.  I am paid what I agreed to.  I've been blessed to have Sue as my leader all these years - I know beyond a doubt that my salary is much higher than many people in the same position have. At least I'm pretty sure of it.

Anyway - changing the topic.  Hubby stopped after working out and brought us both sandwiches and orange juice for breakfast/lunch. I could only eat half of the sandwich, and it was good. I was getting hungry.  As soon as I finish this tum in my mouth, I will take my breo - and maybe try getting a nap in. I'm wearing down.

Daggone it - hubby has decided NOT to go to the Men's final meeting tonight - the potluck one. He said he finished the study; he didn't want to go tonight.  I told him I didn't need a babysitter, but could not dissuade him to change his mind. He doesn't want to go so he isn't going.  I gave up the thought of making potato salad; with being sick, I had told him to go to the store and buy macaroni salad to take. Guess he isn't going to do that either. 

Got my test results back from Sonora Quest - I love I can look online.  Dr. Mark was right - my Levothyroxine had been too high.  He will give me a prescription to lower it, I'm sure. What he doesn't know is that I have a full bottle of both the 100 and the .88 so I'm probably covered for the rest of the year.  With the 100, I just need to break one in half and on two days take half a pill.  Amazing, isn't it, what one pill can do?

And, I think I'm going to hush and try to take a short nap.  Hubby is taking a nap so why can't I?  I do get a lunch break -whether I take it or not.

So with that - I'll close this off.  Had a nice chat with my oldest son earlier this morning.  Hope you all have a good day.

Blessings!

Ever had that 'feel bad feels bad' feeling?

 That's about where I'm at.  Yes, I know you noticed I didn't write in here yesterday.  Let me back up a bit.  I slept in here again - well have for the past 3 nights - and I still can't sleep. I doze, then cough, doze, then cough.  All.night.long.I have not been getting OUT of the bed until 6:30 - which means I haven't even been doing my 'quiet time' since I am feeling so bad.  Even today, I didn't get out of bed until 6:30AM and here I sit, wanting to crawl back into bed and try for a quick nap.  I have taken Musenix DM, Robotussin, Alka Seltzer Plus, put soltice on my chest/spine and bottom of my feet, castor oil on my chest, on my liver, on my belly.... I've taken my olive leaf extract and my sambucol black elderberry syrup.  I still feel miserable.  Not all at the same time, of course.

And you know how miserable I feel?  I cancelled Morgan for tonight.  I have called Dr. Mark's office to see if they can get me in. Waiting on a call back.  I have post-poned our Wednesday night bible study group - it was to be here. Now you know I don't get sick, as a rule - but I am feeling so bad, and coughing so much, that I am just wanting to lay in bed and try to sleep.  

I asked hubby to pray over me Saturday night, and he did, that I would be able to speak on Sunday at the RV park.  But during the night I kept thinking I should call one of the other pastors to take it on, I should go to the ER and get some relief.   I'm sure it has gone into bronchitis by now.  All my home remedies have not worked on this one.  Well, I did feel better yesterday morning, and we went to church and I got started on the message.  Hubby says I only started coughing twice.  UGH.  

All day Saturday I spent laying on the couch.  I didn't cook all weekend  hence, neither of us ate much. (I've lost 3 pounds!)  After church on Sunday, hubby wanted to go out to eat, of course. We ended up at Streets of New York for their New York Combo pizza - which I upchucked when I got home.  No, I didn't tell hubby.  I spent the rest of the day on the couch.... and we watched several NCIS shows.  

And here we are on Monday; I'm trying to approve timecards and having to fix some hourly cards - why can't they just put in the correct time?  Geez!   Waiting on the call from Dr. Mark - but once I get all these time cards fixed, I'm taking a nap!  My watch showed I slept 3 hours last night.  And it feels like it.

Mama quail is on day 3 of nesting.  She hasn't left the nest for me to see if there are more eggs, and I'm trying hard not to disturb her.  12 eggs is enough for anyone, right?

So two days of just laying on the couch, dozing when I could, constantly coughing - one would think I'd feel somewhat rested.  But. I do not.  I am to do a blood draw for Dr. Mark at 10:45 at SQL, sure hope he doesn't try to get me in then - but if he can - my health comes before the blood draw.

and, I'm still not with it so I'm closing this off.  Trying to work some today - once I get timecards approved, I'm taking a nap!

Hope you have a good day - take care of you.

Blessings

This cold....

 is driving me crazy.  Congestion, coughing - I sure hope I get rid of all of it by tomorrow morning - we go tot he RV park for church!  Truly do not want to wear a mask - but if I need to, I will. Wouldn't want anyone to get sick - and there is a lot of hugging going on when we go!  This will be it for the season.

Mama quail is perched on her nest this morning - and was most of yesterday. I did go out and check earlier yesterday - still only 12 eggs - does that mean she is done?  I'll have to check later today if she gets up off of the nest.  It really has been fun watching them.  I bought a blink camera - and I'll leave that right there. 

Us girls have gotten our Airbnb for our trip next month. I may have told you that earlier.  The mind is the first to go, they say.....

Hubby is after me to find a place for us to go in August.  Sigh.  I did look yesterday, but didn't find anything. I'm sure many were fine - but I want a roomy place with a porch we can sit out on.  And I need to figure out the meals.   I'm thinking of getting TV dinners to take - I've tried to tell him before - going on vacation and still having to cook is NOT vacation for me - it is for him.  Actually, not even for him, since he doesn't cook at all.  I think he has totally forgotten how to cook.

We slept late this morning - I woke up at 2AM coughing - and cough'd off and on until I heard him get up at 6:30AM - I dozed, I'm sure.  But here is it already after 10AM and I'm still in my room.  I slept in here last night - just moved the candy from one side of the bed to the other so that I could sleep. 

I did the castor oil thing last night.  I'm sure you have read about people putting castor oil bandages on, wrapping themselves in castor oil, and how much better they felt, etc.  Well, I bought huge bandages and decided to use them the other night. One of the places it said to use them was over the liver - to clean it out. Seems that the castor oil penetrates 6 inches into the skin while we sleep and well, it cleanses one of 'stuff'.  Well, I put one on my liver last night - and I've worn one over the past few nights in different places.  But last night - and this is interesting - I wore it over my liver.  For the first time ever - there is oil - black oil - on the sheets where I had turned on my side.  Surprises me.  I didn't know it would do that. Did it pull some crap out of me?  I will have to tray it again tonight - same area - and see what happens. I would hope it could help me get rid of this cold!

I'm thinking I am going to lay around a lot today - I am not feeling real good - not sure why - other than this cold - which one wouldn't know I had anything wrong until I started coughing. Which isn't often.  I just feel so tired, and just want to sleep. Could be the medications, right?  I took Alka Seltzer Plus this morning; last night I took Musinex DM.  I just want this tired feeling and the coughing to go away. UGH.

and since I don't feel real well, and I just want to sleep - I think I will get out of this room, find something to fix for lunch, and then take a nap.  Maybe a grilled cheese?  Or maybe I'll do another pot of crockpot chicken chili - it does have chicken broth and that is 'Jewish Penicillin, I've always been told.  Or maybe I'll just drink some of the broth. I did eat one of the Belvita packages, but now feel blah. Wish I hadn't eaten it. But it's done.

Need to get on my water as well - haven't drank much of it yet.  So - since I'm totally out of sync this morning, I'm going to close this off - perhaps tomorrow - or Monday - I can come up with something that will be interesting for you.

Have a blessed day

Blessings!

I got them done!

 I finished filling each of the eggs with candy about 4:15PM. Yes, I worked on them all day long - minus about an hour that I took to go buy more candy (and bought too much) and picked up Jack in the Box for lunch.  I text'd Pastor John and asked if I could drop them off - long story short - I took the eggs over to the church (which is about 6 minutes away) and someone was there to help me bring the eggs in and be done with them.  Then I came home, and when I sat down on the couch, I discovered two eggs that had fallen out of the bags.... so I actually turned in 1998 instead of 2000.  No biggie, I'm sure.  I'll hand these off to hubby when he goes for his last Tuesday night study. I think he said this week was a celebration of the end of the study - and they want side dishes brought.  Decided I will fix potato salad for him to take.

My fingers are swollen and sore, but they have survived the stuffing and closing of all the eggs.  But my body - well, I have developed a cold of sorts.  Some coughing. No fever.  Found some antibiotics and am taking those, taking Musinex DM - I preach on Sunday the last time this season - got to be able to talk!  I just seem to have some coughing but will keep people at a distance until I can get it to stop.  My arthritis in my knuckles are letting me know they aren't happy.  And, I was awakened during the night with my left hip burning - just as it did the night I got bit by the scorpion or whatever bit me on the inside of my leg. I can't go back to sleep; it is a burning that covers my thigh.  Happens about every few days.  Need to put Voltaren on it as well.  Dr. Mark, not seeing the bites and walking through that journey with me, thinks it may just be some time of 'itis' - and it may be - but I'm more concerned it could be something more serious. He and I will have talk about this when I have an appointment with him.  Not going to schedule one for just an occasional pain in the left hip.  The Fosamax that I take for my osteopenia - a side effect is that a bone can just snap in to for no reason (the drug builds up the outside of the bone, but the inside can still be weak).  I think I may have one more year on this drug - I would prefer not taking anything, but the doctors seem to think my osteopenia needs help.  I don't like putting drugs in my body.  Unless I have a reason for it.  

My half a peanut butter sandwich didn't sustain me from last night so I got into hubby's cereal this morning.  Rice Chek, I think it was.  Not bad. At least it filled my belly.    I need to lay out something for dinner; we don't have plans to go out.

My daughter sent emails out yesterday to me and her daughter - we have an AIRBNB in Pine that we will be staying at.  I told her to just make a decision.  I'm not too sure about the decision, with looking at the photos, but it will be fine.  I am VERY self-conscious about my snoring due to numerous laughing comments about it.  Like I have any control over it.  I'm not sure how the rooms will be lined out - one of them will either have to listen to my snoring - or I get the best room in the house. Alone. For one, I am usually the one up first - and I do my quiet time in the room.  If I share a room, I will have to actually get up out of bed and go into another room.  Of course I'm the only one who has a time with God in the mornings, but just because I'm on vacation, doesn't mean I give it up.  I need my time with God too much - it is a part of me, if you know what I mean.

Both Sue and Brett are back at work today after two all day meetings (grateful one was yesterday so that I could do the eggs!)  I still had a couple meetings to schedule - but nothing heavy.  Today I am also covering for a friend - and she has about 8 doctors.  Usually I don't hear from any of them - so will see how that goes.  But I'm hoping, with the start of this cold, that I can sneak in a couple naps.  Maybe I can - Sue and I will chat this morning and check on our weekend activities coming up - but after that, I may not hear from her.  

Another short one, but I'm feeling tired so want to take this last ten minutes or so and close my eyes.  I already have the work computer up so I'm good there.  I just need some rest; enjoy the quiet while hubby is gone.  He will be going to see our friend Chuck - so he won't be home until about 11:30AM.  I love these mornings when I can just be quiet.  And maybe take a nap. :-)

Gotta go - time is getting away from me.  Have a blessed day - for someone who needs encouragement, who could use a friend - be one.  Let them know you care.  Be kind.  Some day you may need it yourself. 

Blessings!

Schedule is screwed up, I think

 I'm so used to doing this blog in the mornings - that when I run out of time for various reasons (i.e., falling back to sleep, getting up late, etc.) I sometimes forget.  As we have discovered lately.  But - I just remembered so thought I'd jump on long enough to give you something to read.  Not that any of it matters.

I was on a hunt this morning - my brother's granddaughter is collecting the quarters from each state. The last one she needed was Arizona.  So, of course I started going through my change and found one!  It is already in the mailbox for her.  I even washed it!  LOL

Well, I found out yesterday..... I think I mentioned I had ordered 2000 Easter eggs for the egg hunts our church is doing this year.  Unfortunately, I did not hear mentioned during the announcements - "FILLED Easter eggs".  Yeah.  I got eggs.  Not filled ones.  So yesterday I was also out on a hunt at the dollar store and picked up quite a few bags - but not even half of what is needed to fill these.  I worked on it last night some, filling the eggs.  Tedious, to say the least.  But got about 500 eggs filled, I think.  I'm working on them again today as both bosses are at another all day meeting (yeah me) and I have the time.  I'm also needing to head out to the dollar store again and see about picking up more candies to put in the eggs.  In texting with our pastor, he said the youth could help 'stuffing' the eggs - and I truly appreciate that!  I'll work on these until I take off to find more bags of candy - then I will take the candy and what is left of the eggs down to the church and the youth will continue filling them over the weekend.  Save on my arthritic fingers, for sure!  I guess I should have listened better.  

We have 12 quail eggs now.  AND, my Blink cameras arrived this morning.  When hubby goes to his bible study in the morning I will have my youngest come over (if he will) and put them up for me.  Then I will need to figure out how to use them!  Hubby always had to have the 'control' before so I didn't have on my phone.  Maybe now is MY turn? HAH!  I'll just 'do it'!

Had dinner with our friends last night - went to Denny's.  I decided I'd just order the tacos and let that be my dinner - and share them.  Hubby got his steak, of course.  Our friends shared their meal as my girlfriend can only eat less than a saucer full of food (surgery to lose weight).  Sure does save them money!  And hubby and I wonder why we can't lose weight when we both eat a full meal!  Well, I shared my nachos - which weren't that good anyway.  Forget the meat.  I just want queso, and jalapenos.  Next time - if there is one - I will specify to keep the gross meat off.

Don't know anything to add today - and since it's late - I'm going to shut this off.  Hope that you have an amazing day.  Maybe something exciting will happen today that I will have to share tomorrow. :-)  Who knows - it CAN happen!

Blessings!

I forgot to post....

 obviously, because as I brought this up this morning, I don't see a Tuesday - and this is Wednesday, right?  Wow. How did that get by me.  Maybe I need to just go back to typing when I have something to say.  Which doesn't necessarily mean today, either.  I've already been to the gym this morning; forgot my watch so couldn't record steps (I walked the treadmill first) nor my workout.  And so, now that I'm back home, watch on, I need to 'do those things again' so that I can get my steps in and my points on the challenge.  Workout was good, though, and I was really surprised that there were very few people at the gym at 7:30AM.

I'm drinking out of three containers this morning - my leftover coffee I didn't finish (cause I kept falling back to sleep this morning), my water, and my protein shake.  The past two nights I've had this strange dream and I never can remember exactly what it is when I wake up - yet I know it is the same dream.  Is it from something I watched? Or something I read?  I don't know - I just know that it is the same dream, but the hard part is I can't remember what the dream was about.  Do you ever have those dreams?  Ok - coffee is done.  

Both Sue and Brett are to be in all day meetings today so I should have a pretty light day - although I do still have things to do.  BUT - I want you to know, yesterday I got the minutes done for the last board meeting I was slacking on, AND got the PowerPoint deck completed and in the Teams folder for the prep meeting.

We are to go out to dinner with friends tonight.  There for awhile we were going out every other week, but it's been a month or more now.  Always good to hang out with them.  I worked with Linda at MCP - so you know it's been years we have known each other.

We now have 11 eggs in the nest.  Mama sat on the eggs all afternoon yesterday and was still there when it got dark, so I didn't get to check until this morning.  My brother asked me to hold a coin up next to one so that he could see the size - I held up a quarter - and it's a bit smaller, I think. The eggs, that is.  I've had so much fun watching them.  It's the little things that bring me joy.  I think I bought the wrong camera to put on them for it is 'wired'.... and we don't have an outlet on the porch - imagine that!  So, I'm sending it back. Will check with my youngest to see if he will go pick me up a wireless camera - or maybe I'll just order the blink cameras - that's what we had at the other house.  Yeah, maybe I'll just do that.  Or I will ask my friends tonight what cameras they have up in Payson at their place there - he is always showing us the elk and deer that come up to the place there - and he's sitting across the table from us!  

I just got reprimanded!  LOL  Looked at my phone and Ralphd00d told me I was spending too much time on the quail watch and neglecting my blog!  

And with that - I don't have nothing more to share right now.  Still without an oven and stove - but we have made do with the air fryer, electric skillets, grills, microwave, and toaster oven.  All these appliances - who needs a stove or oven, right?   Well, I DO miss both - I want to bake - and that's a bit harder with the toaster oven.  I'd have to watch closer and I don't have the time for that.  

I've looked at a few food things - Nutrisystem, Home Chef (which I've done both before), Hello Fresh, Tovala (I could get another toaster oven!) and I think another one - but - I just don't want to commit right now.  I like the convenience of having a meal either prepared already or just having all the ingredients together to put together - but at times I just enjoy throwing together a grilled cheese - and then we go out whenever our friends want to go - and I end up having throw one or two away.  I like making my own decision on what we are having. Does that make sense?  Nutrisystem is great - and I almost signed up for it yesterday - even had my credit card info in it - but talked myself out of it and backed out.  TV dinners are already made and I can purchase those - OR - I can just do meal preps and freeze them, right?   I need to create my own menus and do just that.  It's more fun when someone does it with me.... but no one wants to.

Ok - I got to get off here and get some work done today.  Hubby has an 11:40AM meeting with the cardiologist today that I need to go with him - follow-up on ECHO results.  I'm sure he is just fine.  Next week we both get blood tests - he has an appointment April 8th with Dr. Mark... but Dr. Mark only wants to check my thyroid - he still thinks my levothyroxin is too high - he just wants to confirm it with my blood test. No appointment necessary until he feels something is wrong.  He will just write me a new prescription and off I go.

Oh - speaking of prescriptions - we got a shock yesterday - hubby went to Walgreens to pick up his Eliquis ..... His one time co-pay on meds kicked in - $546 I think it was.  Usually it is only $147 for 3 months supply.  And I caught him.  I haven't pursued it, but I will be watchful.  I thought he paid for it out of the bank account - which surprised me for I didn't think he had much in it - and come to find out, he didn't.  He got a credit card "no interest for 12 months" at Christmas time - AFTER I have forbidden him to ever have a credit card again.  We got out tax refund check yesterday - I told him to pay it off.  And all that is a whole 'nother story I'm not going into.

And with that - I'm off here - at least I've given you something to read today!   Until next time....

Blessings!

And.... it's Monday!

 Here I am, trying to wrap my head around today.  Not that it's going to be crazy or anything.  I just stayed up too late watching NCIS and got to bed late, and the alarm went off way too early this  morning and I have been dragging my butt ever since.  It's all on me.  I know better than to stay up past 10PM - but I did it anyway - stayed up until 11PM.  Some of you, this is nothing, but when the alarm goes off in the wee morning hours, well, my rebound capabilities have gotten quite a bit less than they were 20 years ago when I could get by on 4 hours of sleep.  Now I need at least 6!

I'm wondering how much work I will have from Brett today, as he seems to be winding down and deleting a lot of his meetings off his calendar.  Which is good, but since I made a large portion of his meetings off his calendar, we need to end-date them. It's something I plan to talk with him about next week. Not going to do anything about it this week.  Maybe I'll get the last set of minutes done today.

We gained one more egg yesterday - giving us a total of 9.  I went out yesterday to add a metal eagle to our wall where the red/white/blue star shaped flag used to be, and startled mama sitting in the pot on the eggs.  After I hung it, on the way back, even with trying to stay away from that area, mama took off, leaving a few feathers behind as well.  I guess I need to be a bit more observant when I go out front and check on mama first.  I was going to have the youngest son come over yesterday and put up the camera, but hubby got in one of his moods of 'he better not put it here or there because blah blah blah and he needs a drill, blah blah blah.... so it made me upset so I text'd the son to wait until hubby is gone to one of his studies and I'll see if he can come over and put it up.  I could actually do it myself - no, I don't have a drill either but what did people do before drills came into existence?  They improvised, right?  I'll get it done one way or another.  

I found my papers (finally) from Saturday so let's see if I can finish this off with what I discovered about myself.  Are you ready?

B - Broken before God.  In the Bible we have the woman with the alabaster jar who broke it and anointed Jesus' feet with it.  Find the desperation of your broken heart at the feet of Jesus and break that which we hold back and surrender to Him.

E - Empty yourself.  My junk is not too much for God.  We can't be full of the Spirit if we are full of ourselves.  If we don't empty ourselves, we won't have room for Jesus.

A - Accessible to God.  We make ourselves accessible to a lot of people, but neglect letting ourselves be accessible to God. Think about Mary and Martha.  Only Mary made herself accessible to Jesus.  Jesus never asked Martha to do all that she was doing - she kept herself so busy she didn't have time to sit at Jesus' feet.  Tune out our busyness; it will wait.  Sit at Jesus' feet for awhile.

U - Unpack the past.  Think about a backpack and fill it with all your disappointments and hurts, etc.  The past starts to shape us.  We need to be able to let go of the past.  Think about Lot's wife.  She longed for the past life she was leaving - and she turned with longing eyes toward it - and turned into a pillar of salt!  If we allow the past to hold us, we can't hear God speak.

T - Trust the process.  Moses's mother, Jocabed, kept Moses hidden for as long as she could, going against the Pharaoh's command to have all male babies put to death.  She trusted God to take care of Moses when she put him in the basket and set him in the river.  And God didn't fail her; Pharaoh's daughter ended up hiring Jocabed to nurse Moses!  How cool is that?    Are we a control freak?  Do we trust God?  What do I/we need to put in the basket and trust God for?

I - Initiate grace.  Remember the story of the Samaritan woman at the well?  When Jesus asked her to bring her husband, only to hear her respond, "I have no husband" and Jesus reply "You are correct.  And the man you are living with is not  your husband."  Jesus went out of his way to go to Samaria, just to meet this woman at the well, just to show her grace.  Jesus died so that we could receive grace.  Initiate grace for ourselves and for others.

F - Faithful, no matter the cost.  Mary, the mother of Jesus, when told she would bear a son, she didn't ask questions; she didn't argue about it.  She just replied, "I am a servant of God."  Mary knew a lot was going to come against her - and she still said Yes.  Compare it to a life following Him.  Be faithful.  When we are faithful with little, He will lead us to better things.

U - Unashamed of who we are in Christ.  Think about the story of Esther and how, when Haman had set it up to have every single Jew killed, Esther had a choice.  She had a specific task "for such a time as this".  She may - or may not have been able to continue to hide who she was, but her people would not. It was up to her.  We are created differently for His purposes.  Surrender unashamed to His purposes.

L - Let go and let God lead you.  When these women I've mentioned surrendered to God, He led them where He wanted them to go.  And He can do that for you as well.  Trust the process.  Success is easy.  Surrender takes trust.

So there you have it. Taking the word Beautiful - and giving you something to nibble on.  Chew on it. Digest it.  Think about it.  How does this affect you?  What is something you may need to work on.  I'm going to be a bit honest here.  Of all these, the letter that got to me was the first 'U'.  Unpack the past.

As I listened to what Clarisa (our speaker) had to say, when it came to Unpack your past, thoughts came swirling into my mind.  Not good thoughts either.  I thought about the abuse. But I also thought about the pain I have carried around with me and allowed to nearly destroy me.  Words spoken to me from someone angry with me.  Words like 'hypocrit'; your prayers are fake; who do you think you are?  These words stung, and unfortunately, come at me different times.  One person, in my sharing a bit with them, I think hit it on the head.  "They are jealous of you."  I hadn't thought of that before.  But even with hearing that, and possibly wanting to believe that, those words I heard cut me to the quick.  And I have carried them around in my backpack for years.  I feel so unworthy to preach; I feel like my every move or word spoken or prayer given is being judged.  And you know what?  It's time for me to unpack that backpack that I have carried around on my shoulders for so long.  I may not be a good preacher, but I do my best to share Jesus with others.  My prayers may sound broken and uncertain, but they are sincere.  If someone feels they need to judge me, so be it.  In my heart I know that I have pleased God, and that is more important than someone else's opinion of me.

I am not perfect by any means. I still make mistakes (lots of them, unfortunately).  But I am not who I was.  If someone feels they need to judge me, they need to remember that when they point one finger at me, they have 3 fingers pointing back at themselves.  Judging and Jealousy has no place in God's kingdom.  As Paul would say, Pray for me that I will be a light in the darkness and lead others to Jesus. Life is all about Jesus.  Choose Jesus. Follow Jesus. Only He is perfectly perfect.

Blessings!

I did learn something about myself yesterday....

 I had a good time at the women's conference yesterday.  Our small group leader came alone and sat with me, and we saw another member of our small group but her daughter was with her so they sat elsewhere. And that was ok.  Unfortunately, Vicky and I sat right where the air conditioner came out - nearly continuously, so the morning session we both were dripping liquid from our eyes - not from what we were hearing, but the cool air hitting our faces.  So much for wearing makeup.  Several people in our area left after lunch so when we came back for the afternoon session, we moved over and were much more comfortable!  All in all, it was a good conference and I'm glad I went.

The leadership lunch was where I learned something about myself.  The leader who spoke, a lady minister from Florida, spoke on the word BEAUTIFUL (which was our conference theme) and spoke on each letter.  Let me spell it out for you.  Hmmm I will get back with you on this one - maybe something I can write about tomorrow.  I think I left my notes and the paper I got in the other room.  I thought I had it by my chair, and I do not.  So - maybe this will bring you back tomorrow to see what I write. And what affected me.

Moving on - the conference was good.  I did buy myself (gasp! something for ME!) a couple t-shirts from the conference.  Our worship leader just released a new song - Joy is Mine - a couple weeks ago.  She had jackets and t-shirts - so I bought one.  I'll help support her.  She is, after all, our church's worship leader.  I met Pastor Lindsey's sister yesterday too. Oh - that reminds me - two instances that caused both hubby and I to wonder... LOL.... When I was registering, gave my name, and then asked if my wristband would also get me into the leadership luncheon. She didn't know, but said to check with the last lady who was checking in people.  So I walked over there and asked her.  She said yes, there would be a table there they would be checking people in for the luncheon.  Ok.  Then I asked if our church had a reserved section (as I had heard they did- and they did).  She introduced herself and said she went to our church.  She asked my name.  I told her - and she acted as if she knew me!!  She said my name - and hubby's name!!  Like she was connecting us.  What was that about?   Then, as I mentioned above, I met Pastor Lindsey's sister after the luncheon.  She was helping getting the plates, etc. put in the trash.  As we talked briefly, I had to ask if she attended our church (the conference was at another church, but the resemblance to Pastor Lindsey was so great, I had to ask!)  She laughed, said yes, she was Pastor Lindsey's sister!  She introduced herself and asked my name.  And she repeats my name, then goes on with hubby's name!  Uh WHAT?  She also explained that she was on staff and worked int he office.  So does this mean that hubby and I are talked about in the office?  I told hubby about it and I think it is probably more that we both write checks for our tithe - and are probably the only ones that do!  Everyone else probably does it online or just throws cash into the bucket when it is passed.  I like writing the check and putting in the bucket.  It means something to me.  It's my tithe and offering, and I don't want to ever take for granted that God has blessed us with money that we can tithe to Him.  I have no idea how two people in the office knew our names - but that was all I could come up with.

After getting home last night about 6:45PM, I suggested to hubby we go to Master Taco for a quick dinner.  I could have done without, but after asking hubby if he ate during the day, I got a 'tv dinner for lunch, and this afternoon I had cheese and crackers"... figured he would want me to cook dinner, which I really wasn't planning on doing.  It's like he has forgotten how to do anything.  Anyway, we went to Master Taco for dinner.   Unfortunately for me, we went to bed about our usual time after eating and getting back home.  Now, I love refried beans.  I really do.  And I can eat them, and if I stay up long enough, I can go to bed and sleep with no problems.  But if I go to bed within 2-3 hours AFTER eating even a small amount of refried beans, I'm in trouble.  This is the third time it has happened that I can remember - you would think I would remember.  I think I will now.  What happens?

After I go to sleep, whatever is in the beans will work it's way through the bile and start working its way into my esophagus.  (this is going to sound disgusting, but I'm trying to explain)_ I work up with a cough. Then another.  It woke hubby up fussing at me "what's wrong?"  I got up and took a drink of water I keep next to the bed.  Climbed back in bed and fell back to sleep - until I was jolted awake with the bile working its way up the esophagus (and it really burns!!) and I jump up out of bed.  I remembered then I had had refried beans shortly before going to bed.  Hubby (lucky me) had stayed asleep this time.  I knew I couldn't lay flat for awhile so came in here - I think it was about 11:15PM, and dozed off and on here in my chair.  I really wanted to lay down on the bed, but knew I couldn't. I could sleep if I was somewhat sitting up.  I did sleep some, and have slept some more after I heard hubby up and bringing me coffee.  I've gotten a lot of reading done and a lot of praying as well.  After this I will jump in the shower and get ready to head to church.  Anyway - that's my story with the refried beans.  I can eat them, but must wait at least 3-4 hours before I can lay flat.  That bile burns its way up my esophagus - and trust me - that burning is clogging my breathing and if I don't get up... well, you can figure it out.  It always reminds me of my little brother's grandson.  At 7 months - I can't remember if it was the parents or the babysitter, but am inclined to think it was the babysitter - fed him a little bit of refried beans... then put him in bed with a bottle.  He never woke up.  It was determined that the refried beans had regurgitated and choked him.  My brother has never gotten over his death.  He used to go sit at the gravesite with little trucks and cars and play with them, his heart was broken.

So here I am this morning and my neck is hurting from the awkward way I slept in the chair.  Don't want to put anything on it - but maybe the hot shower will release the strained muscles.  

We have 8 eggs in our quail nest now.  The camera came yesterday.  Will hopefully get it put up today. I am enjoying watching the eggs.  I hope I bought the right one.  If not, may get my son to go with me to Walmart and see if we can find something.  Or wherever they are sold.  My brother says that we can get 15 eggs - so this is going to be interesting. No wonder the mama quail is killing my plant and widening the area she is laying the eggs in!  And it takes 17 days or so for them to hatch.    I guess I will keep that plant at a bare minimum and leave there afterwards for any other quails to protect their eggs.  Coyotes don't usually come into the courtyard, but obviously can jump the fence.  I would panic if they came in the courtyard!!

And with that - I need to get off here and get in the shower.  Hope I haven't bored you with all my ramblings today.  Have a super blessed day - do something nice for someone that doesn't expect it.

Blessings!

A new day - and it's a women's conference!

 Yes, I have a women's conference that I am going to today - It's called Imagine and is put on by the AZ Women's Ministry.  I think I've mentioned before that one of our senior pastors (the wife, of course), is the head of this AZ Women's Ministry.  Part of me is looking forward to it; the other part is the sheltering part - you know where you withdraw into yourself and become introverted.  I used not to be so introverted, but ... no, I'm not going to go there.... but I know I have stepped back of living life for far too long.  I'm trying to find myself again, and I admit, it isn't easy.   I'm hoping I will run into the very few women I do know from church so that I can be a part of that group.  I heard that we have our own section so will look for it.  Last year when I went to the conference we had not started going to the church yet.  I sat alone. I mean I did talk to the few people around me, but they had their own little friend groups.  I need to 'put myself out there' and quit backing away and standing in the shadows, if you know what I mean.  

We had a great time with our friends last night.  A great dinner at Cheddars and then over to their place at the RV park to play cards.  We played two games - one called spades, which was fun and I think we are finally getting the hang of it.  The other.... I forget what it was called, but you deal an extra hand and then there is a trump card... it was fun as well.  I hope we get a chance to play again.  Or hubby and I should practice on it ourselves so that we remember it.  Maybe some of the kids would like to play cards with us sometime.

Work wasn't too bad yesterday - it was pretty quiet on the Brett front and Sue took the afternoon off to get taxes done.  She and I talked first thing yesterday morning and caught up on things.  Since I didn't do the minutes I still have left to do - I worked on my message for next Sunday.  It's that last one for the season.  In fact, our friends we met last night - the husband is one of the leaders/lay leaders of the RV park church and he gave me my schedule for next season.  November I have two, and then one a month for the remaining.  Two months I'll be leading communion.  He said most of the other pastors didn't like doing it.  Seriously?  What's up with that?  Why wouldn't you want to lead the congregation into a time of communion?  I don't understand that, but I have no problem doing it.

We have seven quail eggs as of last night!  It has been such fun checking on them - and today - I'll check this morning, of course, but then will have to wait until I get home tonight - which will probably be around 6:30PM or so.  The eggs just keep 'growing'!  My camera should arrive today as well so tomorrow I will have my youngest come over and set up the camera and show me how to view on my phone.  My luck in buying things I don't know anything about, I probably bought the wrong one!  

But my brother sent me a photo of one he has in one part of his house (he has cameras all the way around. Good thing, a couple years ago the police was able to catch a burglar as he showed up on my brother's video feed coming up to the house - but then leaving and going to a neighbor's house.).   Anyway, I only bought one camera and we'll get it set up.  I kind of would like cameras around each door - front, side, and back - just to keep an eye on things.  One never thinks someone will break in, and it is a quiet neighborhood, but when we get the newsletter - if we look at that section where it reveals what the posse has checked out, we see that several places have been broken in to.  Of course out here in the 'old age farm' - all they have to do is read the paper that someone died and when the funeral is - then they know the house will be vacant.  Right?  Wow - how did I go from quail eggs to burglars?!

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NKJV):  Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord.  For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

Troubles will come, we can be confident of that, but one who trusts in God, no matter what, whose hope is in Jesus, shall be like a tree planted by the waters.  You have probably seen trees planted by a stream.  Do you recall seeing the roots reaching out into the waters, going deep.  It doesn't die from the heat. Just like a man, whose hope is in Jesus, does not falter and grow weak when troubles come upon him.  He is like that tree; when troubles come, he will remain strong and will not stress nor worry, and life will go on, because he trusts in the One who can save Him.  Jesus Christ our Lord.  Be like a tree.

Which reminds me, the couple we met with last night had told me about her sister who was totally against God.  She was actually here when I spoke last fall at the RV park. She lives in another state.  Well, I was told (and shown the text) last night that yesterday morning my friend got a text from this sister that said "I want to tell you that I have accepted Jesus as Lord in my life."  Wow. She had other things to say, but that one sentence said it all.  My friend said her sister had always refused God - so this was a complete turnaround.  I hope next time we meet she will know more of her sister's 'story' of turning back to Jesus.  What a wonderful testimony to share!

And - I need to get off here and start getting ready. I want to leave around 8AM - why? Because registration starts at 9AM, it will take me about 30 minutes to get there - and last time I was there at 9AM and the line was starting to wrap around the church parking lot!  But then again, there really is no rush for me to get there... maybe I'll wait until 8:15 - so I have to wait in line - no big deal. I'm not sure when it starts, but I imagine around 10AM.  Goes until 6PM.  May be a long day!  I do need to get my things pulled together. Want to take a notebook for notes if I want to take any. I'll take my crocheting for the times I sit and listen (yes, I can do two things at once, in this case), and well - maybe I will have something to share tomorrow.

Hope you have a wonderful day today and enjoy it!  Life is too short to not live in each day.

Blessings!

Oops - this is what happens

 when I have things to do in the mornings!  I did do a little reading this morning, but I had an 8AM call with my boss and a 9AM with the hygienist at my dentist's office.... and guess where my mind was all morning - looking at the clock and determining what I needed to do.   Just realized I have not written in here today - which may give you something to read in the morning, if not later today.  But, I do have a women's conference I am going to tomorrow - which is all day - so I may not get to write in here either as I have that to get ready for.  Will see....  When I have to 'dress up' and get makeup on, and do my hair (which takes the most time, trust me!), I tend to lag in the time zone.  At least today I'm dressed enough to meet dinner with friends tonight, I put makeup on this morning, although the spray from the teeth cleaning may have wiped it all off.  My hair - eh - I don't care. I'll just make sure it's in place.  I'm a 'no frills' type of girl until I really need to look nice.  

Well, the news is out about Brett leaving us on April 3rd.  I found the notice from our division president really interesting.  I mean, he didn't say anything wrong, but it was just 'out there' - very impersonal and with knowing the personality of both men, it seemed a notice of "Fine, Here it is, He's going to another company. Good luck."  Distant and cold.  Sue said she didn't see it that way, but understood what I was saying.  One of his senior directors is having me send a meeting invite for April 2nd for us (including me) to meet in Mesa to tell him 'goodbye'.  I suppose I ought to go - will be the last time I ever see him.  Sue lets me charge mileage so I just might go.  Unfortunately, I can only charge mileage from the main office and not from home - but oh well.  $20 is $20 for gas - right?  I paid $4.69 at Fry's yesterday - about killed me!  I didn't have any 'rewards points' as I haven't bought groceries in awhile.  Guess I need to do that.

I had a nice time alone last night while hubby was meeting with his friend for bible study.  I had a couple errands I needed to do and I got them done.  Gas, check. Macy's, check. Car Wash, check.  One Nutrition (for my SF Butterfinger Shake), check.  Home.  Check.  It was a nice quiet evening.  As mentioned above, meeting RV park friends tonight for dinner at Cheddars.... then over to their place to play games.  It will be a fun evening.  

Tomorrow I have the all day AZ Women's Conference I am going to.  I signed up also for the leadership lunch - not sure what that would entail, but I figured it would be one way for me to meet other women who are in leadership.  Although I am definitely not in leadership at this time.  Do I want to be?  Depends on what it is for - but yes, I would like to be a part of a group that meets weekly or every other week or whatever - just to belong.  Does that make sense?  I feel so much of the time my life is workout, desk work, feed hubby.  That's my life.  And it's boring.  Don't know what can change with retiring, but I think if I even took a couple months off work I could come back refreshed and renewed - does that make sense?  Maybe I could take FMLA and still keep my job.  I wonder if I could......  and if I chose not to go back to work where I am now, not a biggie, right?  Something I may think about - a short sabbatical, perhaps?  But do I really want to go back to this type of stress work.  And, do I really want to give up my pay check.  Things I will have to process through.

I just ate the last two white castles from my last batch that was in the freezer.  Yeah, I hear my stomach talking to me.  They have been in the refrigerator a couple days, thawing out. Sure hope they were still ok.  So far so good. :-)

Don't have much to write about and as it is in the middle of the day, I do have work to do - sorta.  Anyway - I'm off here; thought I'd update my thoughts.  Hope the rest of your day goes well.

Blessings!

It was another good day -

 We got to se our tax guy yesterday.  Since we do all the 'work' in pulling together our numbers, all we needed to do was to hand over the totals to him.  For the past several years, we have gotten back from State enough to pay our Federal.  Win-win- right?  Well, we were pleasantly surprised to find that THIS year - we get a refund from Federal AND State!  Grateful for the $12000 deduction for married people after the age of 65!  That deduction is only for 3 years I think - but I'll take it!  Not that we get THAT much back - we don't - but at least we don't have to pay anything!  I'm sure hubby was calculating how we can divide the monies - in the past he gave me half and kept half.  This year I turned the tables on him, since he is asking ME to come up with a place for us to go to in August.  I 'suggested' he take what WE are receiving from state and federal - and apply it towards a nice place for us to go to in August.  In other words, instead of ME paying for everything, WE can pay for it all.  For some reason he didn't seem too thrilled with that thought.  But I'm leaving it there.  Besides, I need to get new tires for my car - after all, they are the original tires and it's a 2017 - so 8 years old - even though only 55k miles of wear.  It's probably time.

I got some interesting news yesterday.  I'm not to share it (at work) until after tomorrow.  Now you know that Sue, my favorite boss, is retiring July 31st.  It will be here before we know it.  Yesterday, Brett asked if I had a few minutes to talk.  I said 'sure'.  It took about 10 minutes but he called me and we were on camera on Teams.  It was an interesting conversation.  Yes, he is resigning his position and going to another company.  He's been with us for 3 years - and has been told promotions were coming - but, the company never followed through on their promises.  He got this offer as 'National President' of this company - (has gotten several other offers from other companies he has dealt with as well) - and long story short - instead of giving the company a month or two in order to find a replacement - he is leaving in two weeks.  April 3rd is his last day.  For his position, I am disappointed for I feel more time should have been given, but that is not for me to say.  So it looks like I will be getting TWO new bosses this year.  Retirement is looking pretty good right now.  

Speaking of - while we were at the tax guy's yesterday - I asked him that if I retired at the end of this year - I know it wouldn't really affect our tax filing next year (for 2026), but what would 2026 look like in filing in 2027.  Since I'm already drawing on my 401K a small amount, and I won't change it, he figured it out briefly, removing my w-2 from my company - and said we wouldn't have any taxes to pay for there wouldn't be enough income after deductions to pay taxes on.  I already have taxes taken out as I get a check from my 401K, so that covers any thing.  On the way home hubby commented that "if you are still wanting to retire the end of this year, we need to sit down and go over expenses again".  Ok, let's do that!  We can learn to stretch things, if you know what I mean.

I grew up with nothing - well, let me put it this way.  I always had what I NEEDED; I didn't always get what I WANTED.  There is a difference.  We have so much 'stuff' around here, there is nothing we need, seriously.  I would have the time to 'learn' how to cook again from scratch - and it would probably be more healthy for us!  I could take up my sewing again.  Along with the crochet learning and knitting, of course.  So many 'play' activities I could do!  Maybe even attend or start a bible study during the day that I could actually be a part of!  Yes, I would miss my 'play' money.  One thing that I think of when I think of retiring is that now I can give God 10% and more of my gross amount of my check.  Not bragging - there have been many years I could not do that because of debt.  Most of that is gone.  But my tithing would drop drastically.  I wouldn't be able to give to others like I do now.  And you know what?  I think that is ok.  The question will remain.....  Will I be brave enough to retire?   And of course I have the thinking that perhaps in January start looking for a part-time job to have spending money.  Oh the 'thinking' I'm doing.... it's just hard to make a decision (for me) when I have to think about having a dependent to take care of.  And I'll leave that there.  I've always been the security blanket. Dare I snatch that security away?

Last night after the sun went down and the air became a little bit more cool, hubby and I sat outside on our patio set.  It was kind of nice.  It started getting warm so I got out the camping fan my brother had sent me for my birthday last year.  At the time it confused me, as we don't 'camp'.  Ever.  Not that I didn't want to. But others didn't.  Anyway - like my brother had told me, using this fan really cools down the air in the area that you are in.  It was really nice and I had the fan oscillating and it really did cool down the area some.  Think we may be sitting out more and more because of it.  

We now have 5 eggs - or did have yesterday afternoon.  I wonder if we will have any more come today.  I heard that they usually end up laying 15+ eggs - interestingly, I guess I thought they'd lay them all the same time - I guess not!  It has been one a day.  I did buy a camera and it will be here on Saturday. I told my youngest he will be needed to put it up for me.  We be on 'Quail Watch' and I'm having so much fun with it!   I hope we can get a video of the eggs hatching - wouldn't that be cool to show the great-grandchildren?

Well - I meant to write this on my work computer but with all the news I wanted to share I guess I just jumped in.  But I do need to get off here and turn on the work computer.  Landscapers are out front making a lot of noise.  My daughter gave me (hubby was upset they didn't give to 'us') for Christmas a leaf blower - and I've learned to use it. But they have butchered our trees out front so don't have the leaves like we did.  Just in the back.  I have used the leaf blower - and hope to get a few more things done out front.  But - I do have a conference all day on Saturday so nothing will get done then. Wonder what hubby will do while I'm gone.

Ok - off here - have a day that you can write about!

Blessings!

It was a good day

 Yes, it was a good day for me.  My oldest son came over and ended up staying all afternoon - and even having a little soup with us for dinner!  I loved having him here!  It was a very good day.

I haven't been out yet to see how many quail eggs we have - guess I could run out there. Well, I did, and there are still only four eggs.  Maybe that will be it!  But I am getting frustrated with that quail!  I don't want to disturb the eggs - but she is pecking at the stems of my plant - and they are all falling off!  I'm grabbing them as I find them and putting back in water to root.  Once the eggs hatch, and the quail leave the pot, I can replant the ones that have grown roots.  I started with one plant and it grew to fill the pot - until Mrs. Quail decided to make it a nest.  Will update as we go along.

We go see our tax guy at noon today.  I gave hubby all my figures last week - and in my mind - I have everything labeled clearly.  What is ministry expenses, what is mileage, what is medical/dental/vision expenses, etc.  THIS MORNING he is finally putting my numbers in the packet and is asking me questions.  He is so confused - even with me having them labeled!  I told him he was confused, that perhaps I needed to take over the number sheet.  Oh my goodness - you'd think I had started WWIII.  But - I will push for him to let me do it next year.  I've questioned the numbers he has put down for the past two-three years - I just didn't think they were right - for a large portion of what he put in.  But, I don't know where he pulls all his numbers - and that is why I keep my part separate from his.  I can back up my numbers; I just am not sure where he is getting his.  I know I have missed some things.  I wasn't as thorough as I usually am.  I'm just praying - once again - that we won't have to pay.  Or at least let the state refund be enough to cover the federal.  Then too, I think we may get a credit of $6K each, I heard. I haven't looked into it.  "It isn't all it seems" as I think there are qualifications for it - and I may make too much money to get it.  Will see.  But - for my part, I need to keep better records.  I can go into hubby's bank account (our joint account) and can pull out numbers.  Since this is just March, I need to get a start on that and on my own account as well.  I have a ledger book - might be a good place to start, huh?

I received a sweet surprise from my big brother yesterday. The other day we were talking about hummingbirds, which I think I mentioned yesterday.  Well, the flower pot that he ordered for me came yesterday - it is painted with hummingbirds and flowers - so colorful and fun!  When I get the seeds on Friday from him, I will fill it with dirt and plant the seeds - will leave on the porch so that it won't be burned by our sun - it's to get really hot today and the next few days!

Romans 15:13 (NKJV):  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We may call it wishing, or dreaming, but we all have hope.  And when our hope is in the God of hope, we will be filled with His joy and His peace, because we can believe that He will provide what we need exactly when we need it.  Don't ever turn your back on God, as some in this generation has.  It breaks my heart when I hear a grandchild say 'there is no God' - when I know they know there is!  They just didn't get the answer they wanted.  I can't tell you how many times God has NOT answered my prayers.  Seriously.  Sometimes my kids will say that I have a direct line to God - but the truth is - they do.  All I know to do is to pray and ask God (in my hope of His fulfillment of my ask) to grant what I request.  But His ways are so much better than mine; His thoughts are so much greater than mine.  He knows if He answers 'yes' when it should be 'no' or 'not now' - I could have circumstances I had not planned on.  But when I allow Him to take over the situation, I can trust that whatever the outcome is, it is in His hands because He knows best.  I may not agree with the outcome, but I know in Whom I trust.  And I trust in God.

My prayer is that regardless of what you are going through; regardless of what you may foresee in the future, that you will surrender your hopes and dreams and even all of your decisions to our God who loves you more than any one else could.   Let Him fill you with Hope - that whatever happens, you are in His hands.

Blessings!

Where is my mind?

 Yeah, Yeah, I'm late typing in here this morning.  But, I think I will start typing in my work computer as 1) it doesn't interfere with my quiet time (where I keep an eye on the clock and at a certain time I need to 'stop' and write in here), 2) It's much easier to type in here and keep an eye on things.  So that's my excuse and in spite of the fact I kept falling asleep this morning (and losing time!) I am at least writing!

Our quail nest has grown to 4 eggs now.  I've ordered a camera (I hope the right one!) to install to where we can watch when the eggs hatch!  The camera will be here on Friday.  I keep watching for the mama, but have only caught her on the nest one time.  Yesterday I checked and there was only 3 eggs, but after I went to the gym, I checked again - and there were 4!  I'm on 'Quail Watch'!  LOL

I got excused from jury duty.  After all my stress and worry about it over the weekend, I went online yesterday and did the questionnaire - and at the end if asked if I wanted to be excused and there was a drop down for the 'excuses'.  One of them was 75 and older.  First time I've ever been excited to be over 75!  I clicked that button and immediately got a 'you are excused and do not need to appear' message.  So happy it was that easy - and now I don't have to worry about it anymore.  I was also able to make that notice 'permanent'.  I don't think my age is going to go backwards.  

Hubby is going to be busy today - 9am gym; 10am eye doctor; 2pm echo.  Then tonight he has the bible study at church at 7pm.  I get time for me!  Whoo hoo!  LOL  It's the little moments that count, right?  

Ironically, yesterday I was thinking more and more about retirement. The whole ordeal with the timecard on the guy who took maternity leave - I never got a response from anyone until about 2:30pm which was past the deadline for the timecards and I couldn't change anything. Plus they didn't give me any instructions on how to fix it.  He's getting a regular paycheck as if he worked.  Although I didn't approve his timecard either.  UGH.  It started during that time as I was so frustrated that I couldn't get the information I needed - and I found out that all the emails had been going to Brett - and he hadn't bothered to forward them.  Sigh.  Communication with me is not one of his skills.  Oh once in awhile he will call me and update me on his accomplishments and dreams - but update me on what I need to be doing? not his specialty, and it annoys me.  So yeah, I am thinking retirement again.  Still looking at November 20th.  And then, I'm thinking that in January I will start looking for a part-time or even full-time job here in my area to where I could even go in to the office part time and work and be with other people - but take off if I need to (think hubby's appointments, days off, etc.).  As long as we have enough money to live off of comfortably, we don't need to have a huge income.  Right?  But then I think about the 'cush' job that I currently have where I work at home, can usually take off for hubby's appointments, can take time off.... is it just the work I don't care for?  Doesn't mean it will be any different any other place, does it.  Sigh. Oh what to do!  

I need to dig out my hummingbird feeders.  I had mentioned to my brother that I didn't have any flowers to draw them this year - so he ordered me a pot (smart aleck had to say 'without eggs') and some flower seeds.  It's the little things he does for me that I love so much!  He always surprises me with things - not always - but occasionally.  It's fun to get a surprise gift from him.  

Which reminds me.  He told me it was 75 in Indiana on Sunday.  Yesterday he sent me a video - it was minus 3 wind chill and snowing - sent me a video of the snow coming down and staying on the ground!  Good ole' Indiana weather. If you don't like it, just wait a little bit; it will change!

And - I'm drawing a blank as to what to write this morning - need to get re-focused on work stuff.  Still have one set of board minutes to create. Oh joy.  At least no more meetings until the end of April.   So - with that - I'm off here!

Be kind to someone today - you don't know what trials they are going through!

Blessings!

It's giving me a headache...

 What is?  I got a jury summons on Saturday!  For April 21!  I just laid it on my desk to 'deal with' this morning.  Of course I'm going to try and get out of it.  I did lookup the age limit and something was said that at 75 we (at least what I got out of the quick read I did) we can decide if we want to do it or not. Well, 'NOT' is in my response. I've done it before - a couple times, in fact - and it was ok.  One time I actually served.  But I don't want to drive down town (Superior Court).  Yeah, lame excuse, right?  Taking a day to read and crochet, yeah I can do that as I wait for them to call my name.  I just don't want to do the drive.  So if I can't get out of it, will be calling my youngest son (as he is the 'traveler') to see if he could take me, and then come pick me up when I'm done.  But I am going to try and get out of it.  And, because it was on my mind last night when I went to bed, I did not sleep well.  Every time I woke up, I was thinking about that jury summons.  I really don't mind serving - IF it was much closer to home. I just don't like driving down town!  I refuse to even go in to our corporate office for activities because I don't want to be in the traffic.

As you noticed, I'm sure, I did not write in here yesterday. I slept sound until about 5:30AM yesterday and then had to work on the message, get dressed, and allow time to drive up to Pioneer Village. I blame it on sleeping late that I ran out of time. But - it's all ok.  Went up there, did the message, then we stopped at Cracker Barrel on the way home for brunch. It annoys me that we (nearly) always have to stop, but hubby uses the excuse of being out and 'dressed up' and he doesn't want me to have to cook lunch....  and then we came home, changed, and took a nap.  Or did I read first?  I can't remember now, but I was able to get several chapters read in a book before I gave it up.  Fixed grilled ham and cheese sandwiches for dinner and we watched NCIS for the rest of the evening.  I kept telling myself I needed to visit Ms. Vicky, but I was too comfortable on the couch.

Saturday I took the covers off our patio set and we sat out there for a short while.  Went to Lowes and then Walmart to pick up a 'tub' (was looking for a deck thing) to put the covers in.  It's getting really cluttered out front and since it seems to be 'up to me' unless I tell hubby specifically what to do, I'm going to try to get out there in the next day or so and get rid of some things in front.  There is a plastic bag that has been behind this barrel for probably six months or more.  But I think I need to put the covers back on since we won't be out there much during the week.

Maybe I can get a break today, although Brett is back. Sue is not; she is still off until Thursday.  Today is approve payroll day so that will be my 'first chore' this morning.  Shouldn't take long as everyone is salaried - and I have quit emailing them and reminding them sign off on their time card.  They are adults - approve your timecard!  They are supposed to approve it first, then I approve it.  Have a problem with one - and I see that Brett did respond to my email about that one - guy took family leave (6 weeks) for a newborn - and I found the denial note attached to his timecard.  Brett says he was approved, but DENIED was in pretty big letters.  Didn't see an approval.  Will go back and look to see if it is after that one.

Oh - we have quail 'nesting' in my purple plant flower pot!  I saw dirt had been thrown out of the pot (which is about 3 ft off the ground! On the porch!) and I could see where 'some animal' had been in the pot.  The next day I found one egg.  Friday there were two eggs.  Yesterday I went out and looked and there are 3 eggs!  I wasn't sure what kind of eggs until Saturday when I saw the quail sitting in the pot.  She jumped out of the pot and was walking through the flower bed, pulling twigs and leaves out.  Looking for bugs?  I dunno, but nothing was put in the pot.  Except eggs.  Glad they are quail eggs and not pigeons. Yeah, we have some of those too.  

I sent photos to my big brother and he looked up information; it takes 17 days for the eggs to hatch.  I'm glad my plant is a drought plant, that is, if it even survives this.  The quail is pecking at the stems of my plant and making herself at home!  I've picked up a few broken ones and put in water.  I can replant those when they grow roots.  Which makes me think - I bought a spider plant when we went to Lowes and was going to hang it - but the hook is too wide (I think) for the hanger hook so it's sitting on top of a stand.  I sure hope the quail don't decide to come roost in it!  I need to figure out how to get it hung up. I was surprised the quail jumped up 3 ft to the pot as it is.  But, at least my porch is safe from the coyotes that roam around at night.  We hear them frequently howling.  

Hubby asked last night if I thought we could get away for a few days in August.  I told him we probably could.  I drive, of course.  I've even thought of getting away before then - even if just going to a hotel again for a few days - but we don't really have a reason to.  This coming Saturday I have a women's conference that I will be going to and it is an all day thing.  I'm flip-flopping on going, but I know I need to go - for me.  I need a break and to spend the day with other women worshipping Jesus and just being part of the body of Christ.  It isn't just for our church, but the entire state - any woman can come.  I paid my registration fee when I first got wind of it. I've been to 4-5 of these and have enjoyed them. I even signed up for the leadership lunch this time. Stay tuned on this one.

And - my head is hurting this morning since I didn't sleep well and I need to get on the work computer as well.  Perhaps this little bit of rambling will cover me until I get my head on straight.  So - until then - have a good day!

Blessings!

It really was a good time

 We went to the Rider's dinner last night at the VFW and had a really nice time.  My son seemed to be feeling much better than he has in the past couple of months or so - and we enjoyed so much talking with him.  The soups were good, as well.  Some had seasoning that I wasn't used to, but overall, I still enjoyed them, although I only tried three of them.  I tried the stew (which I really liked), the chicken and rice (which was good), and the bacon and cheeseburger (which I wasn't so crazy about).  I was going to try the 'creamy potato', only it was all liquid - or seemed to be.  To me, creamy potato still has potato chunks in it. But - the three I had was more than enough and it all looked/smelled/tasted good.  Enjoyed our time with my boy, for sure.

Today is Saturday and I don't (think) have anything really planned.  I am speaking at Pioneer tomorrow, and have already gone through the message and feel it is good.  I will go through it again in the morning. I think I'm set on that.  I've done some reading this morning, and hopefully may be able to get some more reading in this afternoon.  My eyes have gotten to where they burn a lot so am not sure how much reading I will do.  Still getting used to my new glasses and they seem to be keeping my vision much more clear than my other glasses were.  I did get an appointment scheduled with our eye specialist; I hadn't been to him in a couple years.  I do want to talk with him about the blurriness I get (on the lens from my cataract surgery) and question why my vision seems to be getting worse, which I didn't think it would.  He can't do anything about my ocular migraines, and they have gotten spaced out more so it isn't quite as bad as it has been.  I credit some of that to my chiropractor as he works on my neck when I tell him about having one.  And I've 'only' had one this past month and it was the other day.  I go to the chiropractor on Thursday.

I'm sure hubby's first question to me is 'what do you want to do today?' when I come out of my room.  Why do I always have to come up with something?  Of course I'm not always agreeable with what he comes up with, so there is that.  It probably is better for him to ask me - but let me curl up with a good book, be quiet, get me a water to sip on, snacks to chew on, and I think I'm good to go.  He has gotten in the 'habit' lately of asking "Is there anything I can do for you today?"  It always reminds me of Charlie Kirk as I read in his book (as I'm sure hubby did) that he asked Erica that every morning.  Sweet, right? And I'm sure hubby means it, but in reality, for me - there is nothing he can do for me.  I don't do anything!  All I seem to do is work M-F, cook meals, watch movies, and read, and occasionally work on diamond art projects or crochet.  I don't have a 'life' to speak of - and yet, I know that I do.  It just feels suffocating at times......and I'll leave that there.

Thinking I need to plan another retreat over a weekend.  Maybe next weekend, as I am not speaking until the 29th - and that is the last one this season.  Oh wait - we have dinner with our RV park friends Friday night and then cards at their place afterwards.  I'll figure something out the middle part of April - maybe encompass hubby's birthday so that he doesn't feel so alone when I leave the day after his birthday for Jailbreak.  Providing one of us girls find an AIRBNB and get it reserved, and my daughter can get an airline ticket to get here.  I'm really thinking I'd like to go later in the year, but it seems our schedule is built around our great-granddaughter's schedule and mom has her in just about everything.  It's busy this spring, and will probably be busier this fall.  Oh well.  We will go when we all can get away.  Daughter needs to work around her babysitting schedule and doctor appointments in NM as well. This may be the year...... 

I'm certain there was something I was wanting to share from a previous post, but I certainly can't think of it!  Today is supposed to be pretty hot.  We bought our outdoor patio furniture last year and have only sat on it a couple of times.  We have them covered up to protect from birds and weather, but it will be nice to pull the covers off and sit and enjoy them toward evening.  Or even early morning. We have an umbrella that will shade us, especially since the HOA had all the trees on our street butchered.  AND, yesterday, they came out and (finally!) removed the stump from the huge tree between Ms. Vicky and our house.  

I'm sure the humming birds will be out soon - I need to get our feeders out and washed and ready to hang up.  I don't have many bushes/trees that the birds can pull nectar or anything from - so my big brother has ordered me a pot and seeds to plant pretty flowers to put near the feeders, so that the hummingbirds have flowers.  I had told him I was tired of paying $$ for flowers and they keep dying right away.  So he is giving me instructions for them - and I think I will need to keep them on our porch to keep the sun from burning them up.

Oh yeah - our quail - I saw it in the pot sitting on the egg one time.  I peeked and the egg was still there yesterday. I wonder how long it will take to hatch?  I do need to put a little water in the pot to keep my plant alive.  And I think the quail is pecking at my plant for I see a couple stems that are barely holding together.  May have to clip those and put in water.  I want to get out and work on the courtyard today -but can I do it without hubby getting in my way?  Which is why I always try to do things when he isn't around.  He drives me crazy wanting to help - and I get that he really wants to help - but he has no clue what to do and does his best (in my opinion) to get in my way so that he can be helpful.  Not that his wanting to help is a bad thing, but some things, like in a small courtyard, I just need to 'do it myself' and leave me alone while I'm doing it - right?

Ok - I'm rambling now so I'm off here.  Have an amazing day!

From Messenger X (John Bevere):  Obedience can look foolish - until God moves. Keep praying. Keep preparing. What feels naive now may soon be called faith.

That brings to mind so many things that I'm praying for.  I know God will answer. I know it will be in His time frame, and not mine.  But, I want answers NOW!   And that is the human side of us.  But I must be patiently impatient and allow God to do His thing.  One day at a time.

Blessings!

Finally 'got them done' - I think

 Yeah, I finally worked a few hours on the tax stuff last night and I think I finally have all my part completed.  At least I handed hubby the sheet with all the totals on it and hope that it flies.  I need to do a better job of tracking this year - as I say every year.  In fact, I've thought about grabbing an empty journal, and since this is only March, perhaps I can go back to January 1 and start listing any dr visits, any medical/dental/vision things paid, getting the mileage put down - if I can 'remember' to do this every time, perhaps, just perhaps, I can get my part done much sooner.  Going to have to work on it, for sure.

It's Friday and we have the Rider's dinner tonight for soup!  Looking forward to trying different soups - although since I haven't been eating much volume, I will probably fill up quickly.  No biggie. Same price for it all!  We plan to get there at our usual time, and I am looking forward to hanging out with my son for a short while.  

I did not sleep well last night.  I can mark that up to several things.  One, I fixed another cup of coffee about mid-morning and sipped on it all day (which usually doesn't affect me, but again, I'm looking for reasons).  Two, my mind was focused on numbers and taxes all evening.  When hubby got home, he was ready for bed and since I was finished with the taxes, I went to bed too.  The mind had not shut off and at midnight I was still awake. I feel like I was awake most of the night anyway - but my Apple watch reports that I still slept about 6 hours.  I need 7-8 hours - but don't usually get it as my mind wakes up around 4AM.  And, I either turn it off and try to sleep longer (at least until 5AM) or I get up. This morning I think it was about 4:30AM I finally dragged myself from the bed.

I bought a percolator the other day.  Did I mention it yesterday?  Don't remember.  Anyway - I love the smell of coffee when it is brewing.  Yes, our Keurig has a pot that we can make coffee - but it isn't the same.  Drip coffee is not percolated coffee.  Unless you have had both, you don't recognize the difference.  The percolated coffee is much more 'tasty', for lack of a better word.  Drip coffee - I can remember when Mr. Coffee came out (yes, I'm THAT old) and it was the 'thing' and everyone loved having a pot completed fairly quick - faster than the percolator.  But I tell you, there is just something about the coffee when you use a percolator.  But anyway, it arrived yesterday and we will use it this weekend; probably tomorrow morning.  I'll get it ready tonight and tomorrow hubby will just need to plug in and turn on.  AND, I love freshly ground coffee beans.  Mmmmm the smell of REAL coffee.  The Keurig is fine for a quick cup - but one doesn't know how long that box of k-cups has been sitting in storage.... just saying.  Some times our coffee is very tasty, and from the same box, we can get coffee that really tastes 'off'.  Some days I can't get it down.  Will see have the percolator works - stay tuned.  Won't use it every day - probably - but still... on weekends we can when we want more than one cup.

My last day of 'no Brett' work.  Kind of been nice this week.  Sue is still on PTO until next Thursday. I'm glad she is taking some time off. I'm really going to miss her when she retires.  I was able to complete another set of minutes yesterday AND get the board deck in the Teams folder for the next board meeting.  One more set of minutes to do and one more deck to put in the Teams folder for the next meeting - and I have gotten things accomplished this week that I needed to do!  Yea me!

Time is getting away from me and I want to jump in the shower while I can.  Hubby is at his bible study and will be coming home about 9:30AM or so.  A few hours by myself - even with work.   I enjoy these quiet mornings.  But - I do need to get off and start moving.  

Happy Friday!

Blessings!

Not last night either...

 Nope. Didn't do taxes last night either.  I simply MUST work on it tonight.  Hubby has his meeting with his friend so I will be alone.  No movies tonight.  I want to get these taxes done and out of the way!  Why didn't I work on them last night as I planned?  I had a training at 5PM and then when I got home, I had to fix dinner (ribeye steak in the air fryer - so good!!) and by the time we were finished, it was after 7PM.  So we had a 'reading' night.  Hubby finished one book, and I started on yet another.  It wasn't long though that we both were yawning and closing our eyes - so we were in bed by 8:30PM again. :-)  About our usual time anyway.

I got up to a text from our friends at the RV park, wanting us to meet them for dinner and cards on Friday night.  Without really thinking about it, I asked hubby if he had anything, and he didn't remember.  I didn't either, but after checking the calendar,  yes, we DO have plan for Friday night and our plans set in place are more important.  So I have already text'd our friends that perhaps the following Friday we can get together.  The 2nd Friday each month is 'reserved' for dinner with our son, if they (the Riders Group) have anything.  Unless something critical comes up, I'm not missing it!

Daughter was able to get in and see the cardiologist yesterday - healthy heart. Suggests it could be cellulitis and put her on cephalexin every 6 hours for 10 days - and if not better by tomorrow, go see her PCP.  Hoping that will take care of whatever is going on with her feet.  If nothing else, the antibiotic should take care of anything else as well, right?

Yesterday was a quiet day at work - again - until late in the day. One of the executive assistants I work with asked for my assistance with scheduling 4 meetings with several people.  I worked on it for over an hour and was able to get through two of them.  I told her I'd start on the other two first thing this morning. After all, I had my training with Morgan and wasn't going to give that up!  

Speaking of Morgan, I had to apologize to her last night because I was not in a good place Monday morning.  She and I both went at each other - and she is such a sweetheart - she said that it's ok, that we all have 'bad days'.  I don't know what was wrong with me Monday morning - and I was doing HIIT!  I just was very crabby and even threatened to cancel my workouts!!  Where did that come from?  I think I just reached a totally overwhelmed and tired stage and just didn't want to do the exercises.  Last night was much better - did biceps and triceps.  I need to do these things on my own; what I do with Morgan helps me, yes, but I am not going to get where I want to be if I don't work out on my own as well.  I'm going to try and get to the gym a little earlier and get at least ten minutes on the treadmill before my workouts.  Plus, I need to get on the treadmill here at home or on the rebounder.  And use my weights.  I have all sorts of intentions - I just need to act on those intentions, right?  I used to get 10K steps a day - now I barely get 5K if I'm lucky.  I'm not so interested in the weight - cause I am building muscle, which weighs more than my fat does.  But I do feel good when it also goes down.  Currently counting calories; I've yet to be under the 1000 calories a day, but I am watching more what I eat.  (like one piece of chocolate instead of 4, right?) 

Got a call yesterday from a place that is working on returning our great-granddaughter to my youngest son.  Answered some questions - and no, I didn't lie.  I think she would be better off here where we all can be a part of her life.  I have missed that little girl and look forward to occasionally getting to have her over to play and/or bake cookies.  Hopefully my oven will be back in place soon.  Still haven't heard how that is going.  Had no oven, no stove, for the past two weeks or more.  But, I've used my air fryer, my electric skillet, and my griddle frequently and they work just fine.  And no, we haven't gone out a lot to eat.  I'm trying to cut back on that for we spend way too much.  We stopped at Whataburger Sunday after church - and still spent $25 on just two burgers, fries and sodas!  Not there, but I've noticed at some places that the combo is now like a sandwich and fries - and if you want a soda, they charge the soda price.  Most don't notice it, I'm sure.  But I've seen it more and more.  Gotta watch those places!  Water works for me at most restaurants.  Or some fast foods I take my own water jug in.  

Which makes me think of my big brother, Sam.  He always carried a big 40 ounce (at least) mug with him every where he went.  Never ordered a drink; said that he couldn't see paying $2-4 for a tea when he could drink his water for free.  I get it.  And I carry my water with me a lot of times.  But some times, I just 'need' that diet coke (or coke free) to cut through the flim in my throat.  You know, that acid that can scape away about anything. 

I John 4:19 (NKJV)  We love Him because He first loved us.

Can you even imagine anyone loving you in spite of the person you are?  I mean, what if you have shunned Jesus and don't follow Him?  What if you have turned your back on Him?  Do you know that He still loves you with such a great love?  He is patiently waiting for you to turn back to Him.  If you think about it, we all need Him.  We need His companionship.  We need His advice on which step to take. We need His wisdom to direct our paths on what to do.  We need His love to comfort us and bring us His peace.  As the song goes, "Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, nobody knows, but Jesus", He knows so much about us - and in spite of our lives, He still loves us and waits for us.  He isn't hiding from us; but He is patiently waiting for us to call on His name.  And I do that frequently!  "Help, Lord!" is a daily thing with me.  I need help with this life. It's hard.  Many times I don't like myself and how I respond to things, to people.  And even more, I don't like NOT liking myself.  And others. I want to love others like Jesus loves them.  I want to care for others like Jesus cares for them.  I want to be kind, to be loving and caring, and all that!  Lord HELP!  You know exactly what I am talking about!  And I want to forgive, like I ask Jesus to forgive me.  He has forgiven me much; how can I draw the line of forgiveness for others?  I can't.  If I want Jesus to forgive me ALL my sins.... then I need to forgive others of all of theirs.  Something to think about.

Blessings!

One down, one to go

 With both bosses gone yesterday, I actually got one set of minutes completed - amongst the other tasks that I had to do.  I have one more I plan to complete this morning, and then I will work on getting the board decks put together and in the right folders.  There are three of those.  It's not that they are so hard, but I do have to be so careful to keep them in order and have everything ready for the prep meetings - which I have two before the end of April with one board meeting April 30 and the other May 7 before yet another shortly after that.  I know, I have time, and being a procrastinator is what keeps me in feeling behind all the time.  I'm trying to change that somewhat and just get it done.  While the bosses are away, I cannot 'play' - but need to catch up on all that I have procrastinated on.

Hubby had one of his bible studies last night and I had an evening alone.  I debated on working on our taxes. We were supposed to go yesterday - but because I didn't get everything done on Sunday, hubby called and moved it out to the 18th.  And I haven't touched anything sense.  So - I told him tonight I would work on it and hopefully get it done.  I don't have that much more to do, but I do need to get it done.  Then he will take my totals and add to his so that we can have it all together to get the taxes done.  Every year I think I will get ahead of myself and every year I procrastinate and don't get it done until the last minute. Dare I even try to say I will be organized for next year?  It's only mid-March - surely I can get what these two months have put together and then each month catch up - right?  sigh.

So instead of doing taxes last night while hubby was gone, I took a hot shower (which felt so good!), dressed in my jammies, watched a movie, crochet'd, and was reading when hubby came back home.  A nice quiet evening for 'me'. And I enjoyed myself.  Don't get to do it often, so when I can take advantage of it, I will.   And you should do - it refreshes you.

I've already started getting Christmas gifts for this year!  I was on Macy's the other day and saw (I can put it here cause they don't read this) a navy blue zipper sweater that my grandson-in-law loves (and I gave him one the other year) and it was on clearance for less than 1/2 price.  I love sales like that.  Still, it is the cost of a regular gift - it's Macy's, remember?  Overpriced in the beginning, but when it goes on sale, can be affordable for us 'other folks'.  So I ordered it - and got it yesterday, along with a flannel shirt for one of the grandsons (which was 1/4 of it's usual price).  Yes, Macy's has quality products, but when they are original prices, I run away from them.  Too much for me!  So anyway, I'm done shopping for one person, and have several more to do, but with watching sales and (trying) to keep a list of what I've already purchased, I may get my shopping done early this year.  At sale prices!  Watch those clearances; sometimes you can find the perfect gift there!

I woke up after 5AM this morning and I've had to skip some of my reading and journaling so that I can write in here. Yes, I could do it on my work computer, which I have done a few times, but I like being able to get it done while I'm sitting here in my chair.  Don't really have much to share today.

Good things to possibly share.... grandson getting custody of his son permanently today, son possibly getting his granddaughter soon, daughter was able to get in to the cardiologist this morning.  Still has swollen feet and ankles - pain shooting up a leg.  Sure hope they can figure that out.  Praying for miracles in all circumstances, for sure.  Today my son goes for his paracentesis and my heart goes out to him along with abundance of prayers.  Hopefully when we get past March, we will have more answers. And at times a mother has to stay in constant prayer, if you know what I mean.

Tree-trimmers came by this week and trimmed the trees in front - and I mean REALLY trimmed!  All the leaves/branches are cut off and they are bare trees now standing along the row in our street.  Well, our side is done, they plan to do the other side yet.  It's confusing - our yard is just dirt and they say that it won't do any good to plant seed as when it rains ir gets watered, it runs on the sidewalk.  Does not. I don't know where they got that idea!  We had grass when we moved in 5 years ago, I think it was, and it was died out since then and the landscapers don't do squat.  I really wish they would like us take care of our own yards - or put rocks down so at least we are not looking at dirt all the time. 

Deuteronomy 7:9 (ESV)  Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.

A thousand generations.  And I like to think that we all are in that thousand generations.  Think about it - our great, great, great, great grandparents, and even further back than that! - those who loved God and served Him, God made a covenant with them with His steadfast love is still with us.  Go to Deuteronomy 7:9 and read the entire chapter - it talks about how much God loves you, loves us, and how He considers us, His people, holy and very much loved.   

No greater love is there, that the love of God, or the love of a friend who lays down his life for you.  Think of Jesus - our bestest Friend, who laid his life down for us.  Could we lay down our life for our family, our friends?  I want to think we all would say 'yes' to that - but when it comes down to it - could we?  If, like Rachel, who when asked "Are you a Christian?", knowing her life was at stake, answered 'YES" and was immediately shot to death (Colorado school shooting years ago) - could we answer 'YES" as willingly?  

Maybe we need to pause and think about it.  We immediately think we could easily give up our lives for our spouses, our children, our family.... but what about our neighbors?  It does give us pause nowadays, doesn't it, for many of us don't even know our neighbors - and some we do know and don't care for!  So then what?  Did it matter to Jesus?  Nope.  He gave His life to us while we were yet sinners, that we would know His love for us.

Nothing is better than that.  He loves us so much that He gave His life for us; for me.  That thought overwhelms me for I know that I fail Him many times over.  But I run back to Him for I know I don't have a life without Him.  And neither do you.  Run to Him. Confess to Him. Love Him. Worship Him. He is truly all you need.

Blessings!