Making small progress

 The projects I have going on for Christmas gifts are not coming along as fast as I would like for them to. But that's ok.  I worked on two of them last night - didn't get very far in either one, but still got some accomplished.  Why am I dividing my time between more than one thing? Because working on just one can become taxing.  One causes my eyes to burn somewhat if doing it more than a few hours cause of the constant staring, and the other - the arthritis in my fingers starts rearing its head.  So I do both when I want to.  And that's ok.  I have several other things in other topics that I want to make for Christmas and I really won't be able to start on those until just before Christmas (yes, it involves baking) so I need to get these other items completed before then.  But I do enjoy working on them.  I sometimes wish I had more people who I could make things for and give to them.  My children all have afghans; grandchildren too.  But I do get to make for our two new great-grandbabies that will be arriving next year.  But I tell myself I have plenty of time.  Christmas gifts first, then those.  I have quilts I want to make, but I want to do them by hand which is time-consuming.  But, I may need to resort to sewing on the machine if I want to make those this year.  Or put it off until January. Like I did last January.  And the January before. sigh. Does that make me a procrastinator?  Or just too many projects going on?   And not enough time to work on them?

I did my 'weeble wobble' out of the gym last night.  Morgan had me pulling the big heavy sled backwards 3 times!  Then 1.5 squats for three sets. Then side slides for three sets. and finally the leg extension for a minute.  My legs were wobbling for sure!  She laughs.  She says she loves the expressions I make when she gives me an exercise to do.  Yeah, I imagine she does.  Most are probably "are you kidding me? you are actually going to make this old woman do that?"  And, yes, she laughs, and I do them.  "Age is just a number" she says.  And it is.  I may tell my age (God has been good to me to let me live this long) and laugh about my inabilities to do some things, but because I am exercising and doing things, I can still do things.  At 75 my mother did nothing more than sit in a chair all day.  I don't want to live my life like that. I want to live life, not let it pass me by.

I've got a new project coming that I hope to get involved in somewhat.  I'm not going to tell - yet - but it's something I did many years ago - only tried my hand at it a few times.  A granddaughter has got my interest in it again and I bought some things that I need to get started.  It is supposed to arrive today - and I'll put it in here until I can look at everything and make a decision - am I really going to use it or shall I ship it all back.  Yeah, I've done that before.  Once I get something new I ponder it for a couple days. If it was just a longing of something I wanted to do and know that I won't ever get around to it -  I send it back. But if I will use it, I keep it.  And this I know I will use some of it, if not all.  I have thoughts of Christmas gifts for my bosses so will see how that comes out.  Well, two of my bosses.  Maybe three.  One lives in Colorado and I really don't know her that well, nor do I do a lot of work for her. And that's ok with me.

I won a prize in our company 'basket drawing'.  It wasn't what I was really hoping for; actually, there were several that I really, really wanted, but it was not to be.  This item I only threw one ticket on as a side thought.  Go figure, huh?  But, it is nice and it will be nice to have something new.  Not that I needed it - it's a new spice rack with 24 different spices on it.  As I was looking over the spices, I don't have some of them, so it may be fun to figure out recipes that use them.  I know a granddaughter uses curry, but I never have.  May need to ask for some recipes. That's one of them.  I looked around yesterday to see where I could hang it (one can never have too many spices!!) and I think I found a spot - but then I need to move my cast iron rack off the counter.  I think I'll look into getting a floor model for my cast iron skillets and all and give this one to someone else who can use it.  I just don't have enough cabinet space here and long for a kitchen where I can have my appliances out and available for quick use.  I want to look for another place to live that has a large kitchen, but hubby refuses to even consider it.  It should be here today or tomorrow, I'm thinking. It is being shipped to me.

I find it funny that I seem to win baking or cooking items.  And they are the ones I usually just put one ticket on.  I know, it only takes one ticket.  I should just put one in each one and see what happens, right?  One year I got an Italian basket - complete with a huge bowl, olive oil, spices, pasta mixes, etc.  A couple years ago I won the kids baking one in which were three Dash 'appliances', cake mixes, donut mixes, a donut pan, an adult and child apron, and I forget what all.  I still have one Dash appliance that I haven't used yet. It's out in the garage so I don't think about it.

Speaking of the garage, our weather is somewhat cooling down so am hoping within a few weeks I can start cleaning it out.  Still need to look at other shelving, but will just go pick it up rather than ordering. I need to see what exactly I need, and no more 'cheap' stuff to get by.  It didn't hold.  The plastic shelving I bought from Walmart - well, the top two shelves 'wilted' in the garage heat and the appliances and items I had on those shelves fell to the ground.  Only one broke.  One of my crockpots.  I really do NOT need another one, but I will get another one.  I think it was my 4 qt size that broke.  I have a 2 or 3 quart that the knob got knocked off when it fell.  I'm hoping that when I clean up around that area that I will find it and can get it back on.  I do love having the different sizes in crockpots.  And I use them at one time or another.  Granted, not as much as I did when I was working and taking things to work in the crockpot, but when I get on a soup binge and make several different kids, it is good to have the different sizes to keep it warm in while I decide what to do with them all.

All this writing about soups and food and other things - makes me want to get in my kitchen.  But alas work comes first.  And this is Tuesday night so my daughter and I get together and I think we are going out to eat tonight.  We do that one in awhile, but usually one of us picks up dinner and we eat here or at her house.  At least it is a break in my week and I get out of here.  I can't believe I spend so much time in the house.  I do need to 'get a life' as I mentioned recently.  I need to call my friend Melonie and go out to lunch with her.  But some days, it is just hard to get away from the work stuff.  

Acts 20:24 (NIV):  However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace.

As I think about that verse, I think about the upcoming months of my speaking at the RV parks and the independent living facility.  It is work, believe me!  I have to prepare a message that I feel God wants me to share.  It takes me several hours to complete it.  And twice now, for the independent facility, God lets me know on Saturday or a Sunday morning - to not use the one I had selected.  Then He directs me to something else.  And I have to hustle to get it completed in time to present.  And that's ok.  If it isn't the right one, it won't mean anything to them.  I want their lives to be changed; at our age we don't have the time to put off following Jesus.  I want to lead them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, that when they pass on, they will be with Him.  And I want that for you.  Yes, I ramble on in these blogs about nonsense most of the time, but I hope that in some you will feel the twinge of longing to know Jesus on a personal level.  He will change your life, if you will just let Him.  He only wants the best for you, but you have to do your part.  He's waiting with open arms, He is so full of grace and mercy - grace and mercy that none of us deserve.  Least of all me.  But every day I run back to Him and seek His face and confess any known and unknown sins and allow Him to gather me close.  He wants to gather you in His arms too.  If you will let Him.  Will you?  All you have to do is call on His name.  Jesus.  Forgive me. Show me the way in which to live. Help me to follow you. Help me to understand what you desire for me. Help me to walk rightly.  I choose You, Jesus.  Thank you for your grace; your forgiveness. Amen.

Blessings!

I think he may have been right...

 I sent a question to my oldest son not long ago about the stats on these blogs as mine had all of a sudden shot way, way, up as far as views, etc.  I'm used to 2-3 people reading this, and I'm sure they are all family. I know only of one and possibly two that read on a fairly regular basis.  So to see a high number was quite out of sync for this blog.  I asked the question to him, as he is far more knowledgeable about these blogs than I am; after all, he set me up way back when.  He mentioned something about bots (whatever they are) and gave a vague explanation. (Ok, maybe I just didn't understand the jargon)  But then he responded recently that he has seen the same thing on HIS blog, and he reaches far more people than I do.  In the meantime, as I looked at the numbers on here this morning, I am getting back to my normal 3 or so.  And that's ok.  I share way too much family inforation on here for it to go out to the world.  Right?

I hear hubby getting ready for his Bible study this morning.  He will be gone until about 10-10:30AM I think.  Since it is a breakfast study, he won't be following it up with lunch with a friend.  He will come back home and do whatever he needs/wants to do.  And I have a couple hours of quiet. Yes, I'm still working.... but I may take a break and go sit outside as it is so nice in the morning.  In fact, yesterday, hubby fussed at me... he came in about 8AM and 'suggested' I come outside and sit since it is so nice out. I just looked at him and responded "I'm working" (and I really was working on something!) - and he got irritated with me!  "I know you are working!"  and walked off, commenting as he left, "I'll go on out by myself!"  Ok then!  I finished what I was doing and made sure nothing was going on I needed to immediately attend to, grabbed a dishcloth I was working on (crochet) and went outside to sit with him - which made him happy.  So he started telling me the news he had read on his phone (sigh.  I really don't care about politics).  I stayed out about ten minutes or so and finally told him I needed to come back in to work and he was happy.  I had come sit with him.  In my mind I was thinking, 'well, if I wasn't working, I could stay out much longer!' but I kept my mouth shut.

We met friends for dinner at Macayo's last night.  And, for some reason, I wasn't hungry and nothing really sounded good... but I got a chimi de macayo - which is a burror stuffed with chicken.  I enjoyed the refried beans much more and only ate maybe half of the burro before asking for a box.  Then all evening I could taste the burro.  Guess my body really didn't want it.  Garcia's has my favorite - the Pollo Fundido which I love.  There is another place in Glendale that I like to go to and they have my Pollo Fundido and even give TWO - of which I can only eat one.  But I still enjoy the refried beans more.  I like taking the chips and scooping up the refried beans and eating them.  Just one of my little quirks. :-)

Tonight we have been invited to my daughter's for dinner... I know why - but hubby doesn't.  The grandson is doing a weekend turnaround and will be coming in tonight. He has a friend's wedding he is attending tomorrow then will be heading back.  Hubby will be surprised.  It will be good to see him - as it is whenever I get to see ANY of my grandchildren.  There are a couple I usually only see at Christmas. Literally.  I need to make more of an effort to see them all.

Sigh.  Hubby just came in to tell me 'bye'.. and asked if I had seen that a California senator had died (yes, I saw it when I checked emails). Then he asked if I had seen the drunken triade one of my boys had put on facebook.  (no, I don't get on facebook in the mornings). When I said no, he told me 'well don't'.  So you know that I will have to check it sometime this morning... but not now.  Until he wants to quit drinking... no pill or shot is going to do it for him.  And most times when he drinks, he sends me a text of which when questioned, he doesn't remember sending it... or he writes some triade on facebook, for the world to see... and causes sorrow and shame to come over me and hubby.  Enough of that.  

Romans 5:1-2 (NKJV):  "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

We all remember the chorus "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak, but He is strong.  Yes, Jesus loves me.  Yes, Jesus loves me.  Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so."

But do you believe it?  Do you really believe that Jesus loves YOU.  You, in spite of all your failures, all your quirks, all your falling out... do you believe that Jesus still loves you?  I want to tell you, YES, He does.  In spite of all our sins, in spite of all our failures.  In spite of all the temptations we fall into... Jesus still loves you.  And He still loves me.  You have no idea how many times I have fallen on my face and asked forgiveness.  But trust me, it does happen frequesntly.  Why?  Because even though I try to live a godly life, I cannot do it in my own power.  Wrong thoughts come. Wrong actions sometimes follow (thank goodness, not always).  And what does Jesus do whenever I confess these things to Him?

He offers me His grace.  I don't deserve it.  I don't deserve anything from Him.  But when I confess to Him my sins, my wrong thoughts, my attitude, etc., He always offers me grace.  Why?  Becaues He loves me so much that He went to the cross to die for me.  And on that cross, my sins were nailed.

And so were yours.  He loves you so much that he loves you even in your sins... and He will offer you grace when you confess them to Him.  By faith, we have access to the most high God through Jesus Christ.  He will help us get through any fire thrown at us.  We may think we are at peace right now... but the devil doesn't like us in peace so will do all he can to tear us down.  But we have Jesus on our side, and when we turn to Him, we access by faith His grace and in that grace we can stand against the devil himself.

So grateful for His grace.  Take a moment and just reflect on how far you have come... and feel the peace of His grace fall upon you.

Blessings!

Monday morning craziness

 I had a 30 minute workout scheduled this morning as I won't be going in for it on Thursday.   Tomorrow I have an hour again, but it will be the last hour for a few weeks. - it's expensive - but worth it - to get in shape and I can see some changes already in the 6 weeks or so we have been working out with a trainer.  It certainly isn't anything we have done on our own - in spite of every week hubby saying we will go in on Friday - and neither of us do.  Why does he have to commit me to something?  Can't I make my own decision?  Can't he go on his own?

I've done my workout and have been working for acouple hours now.  I'm buried in things to get done - plus I accidently called my one boss on Teams when he text'd me 'good morning'.... he really did that to be nice... LOL....  he had something else for me to do.  Oh well.  I'll get to it when I get to it.  Just remembered there is another meeting I need to move for him.

Yesterday was a quiet restful day after church.  Interestingly, the message yesterday was on gluttony... but it was more 'what do we put before God' type message.  It wasn't all about food, although our very large pastor did touch base on it.  It did get some chuckles when someone brought up a very large container of Blue Bell Ice Cream as he talked about eating too much.  He also told on himself; he has been eating salads for nearly a month.... and his wife was gone one day and he showed us a photo of a sandwich he snuck away and got.  LOL  Chick fil a of course- that's his favorite.  Personally, got hubby and I one last week and I wasn't impressed with the chicken sandwich (#1 combo).  I kind of prefer their chicken noodle soup and a salad... or their waffle fries... just saying.  I get their nuggets too, sometimes.  More than enough for me.

A girlfriend from work is having a birthday today.... I sent her a happy birthday note - and she responded she and her 'spousal equivalent' for the past five years - got married on Friday night!  How cool is that.  They got back from a trip to Italy a few weeks ago - he proposed there.  Glad they FINALLY got married. She's a special friend.  It's kind of funny to celebrate - she's been divorced for years - has three grown daughters and two grandchildren.  But she is as happy as a young bride!  No, she isn't as old as me... but I think in her late 40's....  a friend doesn't ask.  She may even be in her early 50's.  But they travel and do a lot of hiking too.  Nice to have an active marriage where the couple can do things together.   

Gotta go and get back to work - just took a moment to jump on here.  I have a feeling there are going to be some days I just don't get it done.  That and I really don't have much to say right now.  Just trying to remain positive and not negative. :-)  Haven't decided if I'm taking my computer with me on our little trip yet or not.  Will start packing tomorrow.

Praying hard for a granddaughter who has a court appearance today at 10AM.  This can change the entire directory of her life and if / when she can get her son back.  The plea deal offered was not good at all in my opinion, but I don't know if she took it or not.  I'm praying that even if she did, that she will be only responsible for what she did wrong.  Praying for mercy.  Praying for grace.  Praying for justice.

Have an amazing day -

Blessings!