It didn't come through....

My oldest son sent me a text yesterday that he had tried to comment on yesterday's blog - and it wouldn't take.  Well, it STILL hasn't appeared on the blog; don't know what was going on with it.  He also commented he had no desire to try to new Oreo cookies limited edition of Chicken & Waffles (tastes like waffles with pancake syrup), Banana Pudding (oh this is #2 to my favorite), Deep Fried - I'm not so found of that one, Apply Pie Ala Mode (my very #1 favorite, I think), then we have the mint, toffee (it's 'ok') and of course regular  and there are others that I haven't tried (lemon for one) and I won't cause I got to quit buying Oreos!!  At $2.99 each if you buy two (at Safeway last week) versus $4.59 each I paid the other day.... oh - and it depends on what flavor you buy - I noticed also that Safeway charged me $6.49 I think it was for the Toffee.  Uh, no.  No cookie - not even Oreos - is worth that much.  I'll bake my own, thank you very much.  I'm done buying cookies.  Even Oreos.

I have Needles of Hope this morning and am looking forward to some time with the 'girls' there.  I usually get a breakfast sandwich and a coffee (as do the others) but I kept back some eggs ole for breakfast so just may eat that here and just get coffee.  Or tell hubby he can have both pieces if he wants and I still buy the sandwich I like at Panera. :-)  Then again, I'd have to take off the retainers .... so yeah, it would be easier to eat here at home and oh wait, I'm not supposed to drink anything but water with them on either.  Now I have to rethink this.  Do I leave them off all morning and eat and drink what I want?  I just may have to do that. Will see.  

I finished another book last night and I think I'm up to 38 out of 50 books read.  I'm almost done with two others so hope to finish those this weekend.  And yes, I bought three more books from Thriftbooks this past week and have those on my list to read as well.  I have so many things that I want to do - I need to figure out what to do when!  I enjoy my diamond art and I can do that while hubby watches the TV.  And while he watches TV and I work on the diamond art, I can listen to a book on Audible.  Currently listening to one of Mel Robbins' books.  And of course I have my crocheting/knitting (no special projects right now, just baby blankets).  And baking.  I have lots of baking to plan to get started on.  There are some who DO like my cranberry pumpkin nut bread - so I can bake it in November and put in the freezer.  I need to pick up some baking boxes, I think.  I'm coming up with ideas on what to bake.  My boss, Sue, is going to give me a list of what she (and her family) wants.  I'd like to make some more jam - I've discovered not many people like jam.  I admit I don't use it much, but hubby loves jam/jelly on toast in the mornings.  And on peanut butter sandwiches.  Which reminds me, I found a new peanut butter cookie recipe - uncooked! - yesterday.  I wonder what I did with it.  Always love to try new recipes.

But I need to quit eating them (cookies) and get focused on an inflammatory diet of sorts to reduce inflammation in my body.  I've reached the point I am not going to worry about it.  I slept all through the night again last night.  My brother asked me to pick up some Theraworx, which is a foam you can spread on your legs to prevent cramps.  My legs don't cramp right now, they literally burn with fire, but I did buy it and I did put it on last night - and slept through the entire night.  I don't want to go to another doctor.  I wonder if I can use this for a few days and if sleeping through the night, get another blood workup on the inflammation, before I go see Dr. Mark and get referred to a rheumatologist who will put me on drugs.  Or, I can see Dr. Mark, get the information, then get the blood test done and if it has gone down, just not go to the rheumatologist.  I don't want to be poked and prodded, if you know what I mean!  If it wasn't for the pain, I'd never mention it.

Had fun with a granddaughter and her family last night. Yes, the one I loaned my car to. They filled up the gas tank even!  We took them to dinner at Sardellas' and had pizza - and I forgot to order the thin crust - but that's ok.  I ate 2.5 pieces and it was so good.  I quit ordering the regular crust because hubby eats all BUT the thick crust at the edges.  What a waste of good dough!  He's always done that - and that's how I track how many pieces he has eaten!  But we had a good visit with the granddaughter, and of course the little one!  Kind of made me sad; she doesn't give 'love' like she used to.  I don't know whether she is just growing up (age 5) or it is that we don't see her that often.  My heart always melted when the great-grandchildren (well, the grandchildren too) would come running with "Oma, I missed you!!"  and give big hugs and kisses.  I'm already missing that with this little one.  Which reminds me, our granddaughter 'down south' sent me a couple photos of her youngest yesterday and they just crack me up.  I love these little ones so much!  We've got to get down there in a few weeks and visit!  It's not that far, really.... maybe I can talk hubby into a day trip some weekend.  If I could go alone.... I would probably be down there at least once a month!

I finished reading all of the New Testament this morning.  I've read most of the Old Testament this year, but stopped at Psalms.  Tomorrow I will start with Psalms and continue through Malachi before the end of the year.  Usually I read all the way from Genesis to Revelation in the year timeframe, but for some reason, I love to read and re-read the New Testament, mainly because I want to learn more and more about Jesus and how to live for Him.  Keep hoping all that I read soaks in!  But the Old Testament is so full of wealth and riches to learn, that I keep going back to it as well.  I will manage to finish up the entire Bible by the end of the year again.  And on January 1, will start back at the beginning again.

I've read where a lot of people will read in four different sections of the Bible.  In fact, Charles Stanley created a 'Life Principles' Bible in which he did that, and yes, I've read through it a couple times over the years.  In one of my devotionals by Bob Sorge, he talks also of reading in different sections.  In looking at my Charles Stanley Life Principles bible this morning, he has Genesis, Psalm, Proverbs, and  Matthew.  He also lists 'life principles' to go by.  Maybe I will start that again in January; it has so much to read each day (days are marked).  For example, for today, September 5, it is Isaiah 1:1-2:22; Psalm 105:1-6; Proverbs 24:23-25; I Corinthians 14:21-40.  Hmmm I may even start reading it again, but I'm in Psalms in my current Bible so may just continue on through the end of the year.

Psalm 105:4:  Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore!

Since God is infinite, we will never run out of new and surprising territory to explore regarding His character and nature. The great adventure of seeking God and His ways will continue our whole lives. (Charles Stanley)

I'm so glad that 43 years ago I ran back to Jesus and began to learn of Him.  What I have read one time has proven true.  A man was commenting one time that although he was a Christian and following God, his children had fallen away.  The reason he gave was "I brought my children up in church and they got a head knowledge of God..... but they never got a heart-knowledge of Him".  Paraphrased of course, for I didn't pull the book out to share the exact words.  But that was the way with me.

And... I just erased a bunch of words cause I don't have the time available today to keep rambling. I will tell you this.... 

Dive in and Seek the Lord with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, all your body.  Love Him like you have never loved anyone.  He gave His life up for you - literally.  That is the gift of true love.

Love Jesus.  Love God. Love the Holy Spirit.  and in doing so, your life will be blessed, and you will love others with His love.  The hard ones to love?  Ask Jesus to love them through you, until you can love them yourself.

Gotta go hit the shower.  Have an amazing day - full of love, warmth, and special memories!

Blessings!