He did agree.... but modified...

 When I suggested to hubby that we not go to the cabin but instead visit a couple places in the state and actually DO something, and stay at a hotel a night or two.... he came to me yesterday morning and said he thought about it and he thought that was a good idea - BUT THEN he says... "we can stay in a hotel up north for 3-4 nights."  And do what?  It only takes one day to see what I suggested to see.  Drive up one day, walk around, stay overnight, go see the attraction the next day; come home - or at most, stay one more night.  But no.... he has this other mindset.  He drives me crazy.  I think it was my comment "if we go to the cabin I'm buying TV dinners for the entire week" that got him.  Some times I think food is all he thinks about.  Yesterday morning he went out to breakfast with his friends... at 7:30AM.. ... around 11AM he asked about lunch and I thought I'd heat up some left over chicken - and he said to he'd have some too.  I looked at him in shock - "you just ate breakfast!"  "Yeah, but that was at 7:30!  And he ate again.  I didn't fix dinner though.  I wasn't really hungry so only had a piece of string cheese and some crackers; I'm not sure what he ate.... I don't remember.  But I didn't cook.... so heaven forbid he would cook something.  I don't think we have any more TV dinners.   

I wanted to go visit Ms. Diane last night so I called over - no answer.  A little later her daughter called - Ms. Diane had been taken to the hospital the day before.  Guess she had gotten up out of bed Wednesday night and fell, hitting her head on the nightstand... and it bled... and she was so weak and disoriented that she crawled into different rooms.... her daughter called Thursday morning and no answer.... and since her mother was prone to leaving her phone in the bedroom, she wasn't too concerned.  But she did take time to come over late morning - to find Ms. Diane laying on the floor, where she had laid all night.  Blood on the tile floor and on the carpet.   They had an ambulance take her to the hospital - we never even know it!  Our hospitals have gotten so bad - she had been taken to the hospital mid-morning on Thursday - and yesterday was STILL IN THE ER!  She is a diabetic and has a sore on her foot - which was there over a month ago for I saw it then - and it is now huge and has started going up her leg.  A medical person was supposedly coming over to check on it - but obviously wasn't for it had not been treated.  I told her daughter she was a good daughter to see her mom every day and to take care of her.  Ms. Diane has agreed that she needs to go to an assisted living facility and to sell the house.  She wants to go now... which would be ideal, except her children want to check out the ALs and find one that can be good for Ms. Diane.  And soon... they don't want her changing her mind when she gets back home!  Hopefully they will admit her for a few days and take care of the sore, plus get her to eat more and help her get healthy.  She is 86, I think.

Had I shared with you about Ms. Amy?  I know, I'm rambling thus far this morning.  Sorry about that.  I am hoping to get over to visit her this afternoon - which might be for the last time.  Her daughters, Pamela and Melessa where here for about 10 days earlier this month.  Melessa has MS and can't do anything, but Pamela had to bring her as Melessa lives with her.  Anyway... Pamela worked hard and did a lot of packing and getting Ms. Amy's things together.  The movers came a week ago, I think, and loaded up the furniture Ms. Amy wanted to take to Florida.  The following Tuesday (was it just last Tuesday?) Pamela and Melessa headed back to Florida.  When they arrived, Pamela was having a hissy saying her key didn't work in the lock so called me to come over and open the door.  Interestingly, after I opened the screen door, she tried her key on the the main door and opened it.  She took my key and said she'd rather use it.  Ok.... never saw her again.... then Tuesday morning she shows up at the door to hand me the key ring back and tell me they were leaving and 'oh, thanks for what you've done for mommy'.  I glance at the keyring and notice no key (not that it is a big deal) and commented that the key wasn't there.  She informed me that 'she had already taken care of everything at the house; her younger sister and husband were coming out in a couple weeks and they have their own key (but does it fit?) and I don't need to do ANYTHING with the house anymore and Ms. Amy doesn't need to be brought back over.  It was kind of rude, actually, the way she said it.   Fine - I don't need a key.  I do admit I was curious as to what furniture the daughter decided to send, versus what her mother wanted to take.  I was planning to go over and do a looksee.... but I now have no key and have been told it is none of my responsibility anymore.  She also said she had taken care of all the mail - I hope she hasn't screwed that up - it was going to the son in Indiana except for a few pieces.  I haven't checked the mailbox since they left, but I may today if I think about it.  I had a thought about texting the brother and tell him ... but decided I'd just mind my own business.  But, I do want to go over and see Ms. Amy - probably for the last time as she is to go to Florida the first week of June.  I would like to tell her goodbye.  

And then there is Ms. Vicky.  I haven't seen nor talked to her for a couple weeks so do need to touch base with her this weekend.  Hopefully she is doing ok.  She is around my age... but is a large woman and has a bad knee and uses a walker even in the house.  I hope she hasn't fallen.  I do have her garage access number and can get in her house, although I've never tired it.  She hasn't called me either.  We did get some of her mail yesterday and we could just put in her mailbox, which is next to ours... may do that this morning.... and then I can check her mailbox and take the mail to her this afternoon if she hadn't gotten it yet.  Praying she is doing ok..... 

I am going to our Ladies Heart Crew lunch at church today.  Still trying to get involved with some of the women from church.  It starts at 11AM and I will 'assume' it will be over around 1PM.  It will be a nice break in the day too.  I think I will need to clean up for that - although many will wear jeans.  I haven't been to any of these luncheons yet so will figure out the 'dress code' today.  

Maybe I will cook breakfast this morning - bacon and eggs and toast.  Hubby will eat anything I fix and I'm sure he is hungry....he usually is.  I don't want to go out to eat; afterall, I'm going to a luncheon today.  Actually, a bacon and egg sandwich sounds good.  But then, I do have potatoes so maybe I'll fry up a potato (diced) and then add a mixture of eggs, jalapenos, onions, cheese in it... I still fix that occasionally and it is still so good.  Yeah, I'll fix the potato/egg dish... that will fill hubby up and he will be ok with snacking for his lunch.  

Psalm 23:3 (NKJV):  "He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake."

He restores my soul.  Some days - especially lately - that is what I need.  Do you ever recite/quote the 23rd Psalm?  I'm sure you know it all.  But this morning I am thinking about this one part.  He restores my soul.  Ever feel like life has hit you and you feel like you have been run over by a mack truck (wherever did that saying come from?  Did someone actually get hit by a mack truck?)..... and you do not know where to turn or what to do or what to say.... and you feel so empty inside.... ?  It is then that we can cry out to our Shepherd and ask Him to 'restore my soul'.  When we call out to Him, He will answer.  Perhaps not in ways we want to hear or see, but He will answer.

If I have nothing left, I know I have Jesus.  I have my Heavenly Father.  I have the Holy Spirit.  And my soul is restored.  In Him I have HOPE.  I live, because He lives.  And, because He still lives, I can face tomorrow.  Because I know that He alone holds my future, the future of my loved ones, and it is in Him that I trust.  I am so grateful He drew me back to Him years ago so that I could be prepared for 'such a time as this'.  My heart is in anguish over things... and it seems one thing after another is going on at this time... but I know I can believe in His faithfulness to me.  I can believe that He will orchestrate everything in His time.  And I know He cares for me and will walk this journey with me.  Can you just imagine how I'd be if I didn't know Him?  I am beyond grateful for His intervention in my life.

Does your soul need restored this morning?  Are things kind of crazy at your house too?  Lean into Jesus and let Him not only restore you, but lead you .... for His name's sake.

Blessings!

It was a very good day

 This was the first Christmas where we only had one family come to visit, exchange gifts, and have dinner. It really was quite different.  I screw up the meat, of course.  Yeah... I put it on too early.  I knew they said they'd be over perhaps around 5:30-ish... and I had that time in my mind.  So the meat was done then.... and we didn't eat for another hour and a half.  Everyone said the meat was fine, but I found it dry - and it was my fault.  But, a lot was eaten and the rest was divided and sent home.   But let me back up some.

After my quiet time yesterday I baked us eggs ole' for breakfast -and since I hadn't gotten over to see Ms. Diane, I put hers in the oven too.  After we had breakfast, I gave her a call and when I told her I had breakfast for her, she said she'd open the garage door for me.  It is more of a straight shot for her to use her walker versus going to the front door to unlock it.  She said "I'm in my pajamas" and I said "I don't care".  So I took over all the goodies I had for her, along with hot eggs ole.  Once inside, I talked her into letting me fix her a small plate of it.  Took over salsa for it too.  I nearly laughed, and wished I had given her a little bit more of it, for she gobbled it down as if she hadn't eaten in weeks.  I know she has food in her refrigerator, and her daughter makes sure she eats dinner every night.  But that little stinker confessed to me yesterday that she lies to her sons and daughter when they call and ask if she ate breakfast. She always tells them yes.  After she gobbled down the eggs ole yesterday, she looks at me and says, "Now I won't have to lie to Cindy and Jeff; they told me to be sure and eat breakfast because they wouldn't be over today until 3:30PM for their Christmas.... I can tell them I did eat breakfast."  She cracks me up.  I left the pan of eggs ole for her; hopefully she will fix herself some this morning and heat it up.  I also gave her some 'garbage' which she loves, as well.  She raves about my cooking and I laugh at her because when I take something over and give to her, she gobbles it up.  But when her kids bring her food, she just nibbles it. I love Ms. Diane cause she makes me laugh.

About 5:45PM my middle child, my oldest son, and all his family came over.  It was so good to see everyone.  Everyone got settled down after all the hugs and hubby and our little great-granddaughter started passing out the gifts.  I WON!!  I ended up with the most again - 2nd year in a row!  LOL Not that there is a contest.  I understand what my son once told me about it was somewhat uncomfortable a time or two when he and his wife had the most gifts.   I think everyone was happy with what they got.  I know I was - I got so much and it's all useable!  Grateful and loving each one.  

After opening gifts most of us headed to the kitchen to get the food to the table.  Even the little munchkin was helping!  Grateful for the help before and after dinner - it didn't take long for the clean up. I think everyone had enough to eat.  The grandchildren seemed to enjoy their surprise gift of the salsa recipe I have made for the past 40 years.  We had received the recipe as a wedding gift, along with a chip and dip plate.  I felt sad that one grandchild felt he needed to head home before dinner as he was very tired and was concerned he might fall asleep driving if he stayed later. Grateful he let us know he arrived at the apartment safely.  Daytime is hard for those who work the nightshift.  And it had been a full day of play so I'm sure he and his brother were pretty tired!  Once food was divided up and put away and dishes in the dishwasher, they took their leave and hubby turned on the TV to watch his team lose a football game.  I sat down and looked through what I had received for sometimes it goes so quick in opening gifts, one doesn't get a good look.  I love everything.

I don't know what hubby was thinking when he was shopping for me.  He bought me several clothing items ranging in sizes from small up to large plus.  I looked at him puzzled, trying to figure out what his thinking was.  He had no clue what sizes he picked up.  He just saw something and picked it up and bought it.  He had to admit he didn't know what he was thinking.  His comment to me was "I kept all the receipts so you can take them all back."  Uh, no.  I do all my shopping online so that I DON'T have to go to the store, and you can imagine how many people will be back at the stores today exchanging items. I will not be one of them.  I can go online and order pretty much the same thing he bought... probably pay less for it now.... and put these away to give to someone next year. :-)

But I am grateful for his gifts and the thought he put in purchasing them.  He just didn't pay attention this year at all on sizes.  The one gift he gave that fits - a $100 visa card. LOL  Oh, and a bag of snickers, and Dove, candies. What's really sad is that a couple of the sweaters are really cute and I like them, but this fat body will not fit into a small.  Hopefully I can find something similar.

I'm also grateful I don't have to work today.  I slept fairly well last night, but, I fell asleep for nearly an hour after I started reading my Bible this morning.  Could not keep my eyes open.  So now I feel like I am somewhat running behind schedule.  I didn't get up until 5-ish, so one would think that would be my extra hour of sleep, but now, I fell into a deep sleep here in my chair.  It's comfortable at times, what can I say!  

But another reason I'm grateful I don't work today is that my granddaughter and great granddaughter may be over some time today to bake cookies!  We will be touching base around 10AM to come up with a time and I'm looking forward to one on one time with them.  And all the cookies will go home with them.

Our prodigal granddaughter reached out to me yesterday with a text "I don't know if you were planning on doing Christmas with me or not, but I just want to say I love you and miss you."  Do they not know the key to my heart?  I responded to her that I loved and missed her too, and if she wanted to come over today with the baby, she could, and I'd give her the gifts, but her boyfriend was not to come over, because of what he and his family have done.  And, I told her it was her decision what she did.  She didn't respond.  I told my youngest son I had heard from her, and he said he had reached out to her as well.  I'm hoping these tiny baby steps will soften her stubborn heart and she will quit listening to her boyfriend and his dad, and do what her heart tells her to do.  

Jonah 4:6 (NKJV):  "And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant."

If you take a moment and look back over your life, do you see the times that God has provided  for you and you probably took it for granted?  The times when you were so broke you didn't know how you could even buy a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread, and yet, you miraculously came up with exactly what you would need.  The times when your car was setting on E and you still had to get to work and you didn't get paid until later in the week... and yet, somehow, you were able to get to where you needed to go and back home again.  When things happen, and there is really no explanation for it, and yet, it was good.

Those are the times that the Lord God prepared (a plant) for you and caused it to cover you and care for you, to deliver you.  Are you thinking of those times?

I can remember praying hard when the gas tank was setting on E and just wanting to get to the nearest gas station to put a couple dollars in it to get to work.... and the engine shut off just as I pulled up next to the gas pump.   Or digging in my purse to find change to buy a gallon of milk... and finding a dollar instead.  God has always provided just what we need, when we needed it.

And I am grateful for each one of those times that the Lord God prepared a solution for our need, whether it be financial to where we could buy groceries or get gas in the car, to just providing for us in other ways.  I am grateful we have a good, good Father.

And you do as well.  Take a moment and thank Him for His provision for you and your family. For helping you pass an important test. For getting you through high school or college. For walking with you when you needed comfort.  For giving you the peace you need just to get through each day.  It's all God, you know.  Thank Him.  He does for you because He loves you.  Just like you do for your children because you love them.  Be grateful.

Blessings!