I get to run away for a little while today.

 Yes, today is Saturday and it's the FIRST Saturday of the month, therefore, it's Needles of Hope day!  Whoo hoo!  I will be leaving the house for a few hours and hang out with 'girl friends' who will come and we sit and knit or crochet and just catch up on life.  Some exchange patterns or talk about patterns (never me, I do my granny stitch or V stitch and that's good enough for now), and we sometimes get sandwiches from Panera and of course - Coffee.  Well, a couple will get tea, but....   See how I did that? I have nothing to share this morning of value and yet, I was able to fill up a few lines for you to roll your eyes at and go huh?  LOL

I thought about us going out for dinner last night for I didn't know what to fix... but then I found a package of 'my' spaghetti sauce in the freezer so dropped the package in cold water (for about 30 minutes to thaw) and started heating water to put spaghetti in.  Fixed a can of mixed veggies (throwing in the left over green beans from a couple nights ago) to go with it.  So we had spaghetti for dinner last night.  I couldn't believe that hubby asked me if it was Ragu sauce.  Uh, no.  It's MY sauce, which tastes so much better with all the spices and meat in it.  Really!  I had two helpings (ok, they were small!) because it really 'hit the spot' in the belly!  There is enough left over that hubby can have the rest for his lunch today. Although he will wait and see if I bring home lunch, which I usually do. Not today. I'll tell him to eat the leftover spaghetti and I'll fix a peanut butter and jelly sandwich when I home, if I'm hungry.  

An interesting conversation yesterday..... the other day hubby had given me a sheet of paper with some bills on it, how he paid them, and the date.  What I had asked him for, and I think I have mentioned it on here before, was a list of all the bills, how he received them (email or mail), how he paid them (online or check), and his email and password and the password for each account.  If I ever get to take over the bills, I will need this information.  Anyway, yesterday he comes by and says he'd like to talk with me this weekend and us go over the bills, and talk about retirement.  (say what?)  I just looked at him and said "Ok".  I've given up on retirement. Life would not change, just will get very tight.  The only difference is that I won't be sitting in front of the computer 5 days a week for a minimum of 8 hours a day.  I would be freed up to take him places, for sure.  In fact, I turned the conversation around and mentioned that if he would sell his car (our youngest is interested in buying it for his daughter and has told hubby so), he could keep the money, and we also would save not having to pay out insurance.  ABSOLUTELY NOT! he screamed at me.  So this conversation - if it really does happen - will be interesting, for you know that he will have to be in control of 'how it will be played out'.  He doesn't care about my retirement, I know that. Sure, he would like for me to, but he isn't willing to give up any of his pleasures so that I could.  Ok - that is my opinion.  And, enough on this subject. For now. Stay tuned if we have this conversation.  I've decided to work until I'm 80, as long as I can take off when I need to in order to take him to his appointments, and if we ever get him to give up his car, I will need to take him to his bible studies. Which I can do now....

I've already started getting birthday 'gifts' from vendors.  Yeah - it's August so Kohls sent me $5 gift certificate; First Watch sent something but I didn't open it. I guess that is all that was in my emails thus far.  I will get from all kinds of places - and may use only a couple.  I'm not like 'some people' who have to go to every place they get a certificate from. You know who you are!  LOL  I know I'll get from the cake place... forget the name of it - everything bundt?  Two years ago I went to get my 'free' bundt cake, and ended up buying a dozen more!  Yeah, the gift card is a draw, for sure!  

I get to celebrate most of the month as I have a birthday, and we have an anniversary (44 years) this month.  In eleven days we will be heading up north; I have 3 days off work and we will head to a cabin up aways. Not directly north... but where the air is cleaner (I hope) and cooler.  Looking forward to having lots of time to read and relax.   Will probably 'have' to stop by White Castle on the way back as we go through Scottsdale.... usually get at least one case and then put in bags and in the freezer for times we want something quick. Which reminds me, I think I still have one bag in the freezer; maybe I will pull those out for later - if I don't forget!

A long, long time ago my brother had two SC's. (cars).  One red convertible with white interior, one red convertible with black interior.  He ended up selling one a few years or so back.  He had said one was for me, one for my sister, but when they had a falling out, he sold 'hers'.  I've gotten to drive 'mine' and have a photo of me in it, one year when we were back there.  We have joked back and forth about it for years. Do I really expect to get it?  No. But it's fun to joke about it.  Then he tells me not long ago, after he sends me a photo of his granddaughter in the car (she's 10 now I think) and said she offered him $2 when she turned 16 to get the car.  I had competition.  I told him his granddaughter comes first.  Well, the other night he was talking about needing to empty that stall in his garage for he has bought a new Lexus, and is also ordering a Lexus convertible (red, of course, with white interior).... so he commented he will need to drive it out here for me.  Not sure if he was still joking about that or not.  I reminded him his granddaughter had offered him $2 for it; but I would go $3.... he asked if I'd go $4 and I said yes, but that was my limit.  I also told him October would be the best time to bring it out.... maybe the weather will cool down so the convertible top can be put down.  

But, with hubby refusing to sell his car, we don't have room for the car - and you know hubby won't put HIS car outside!  So I'm going to start the 'tease' again and tell my brother that he needs to figure it out and hang on to it for another year or so.  Not that I really expect to get it; but it's been 'my' car for a lot of years.  He lets me know when he puts new tires on it, gets it worked on, etc.  It looks brand-new.  His neighbor AND now his son both want to buy it as well.  It's been fun to joke with him, but a convertible out here in this heat?  Where would I go?  I'd be terrified someone would scratch my car!  The car I have now, which I love, has been my bestest and most favorite cars of all I've had.  Well, other than my black Oldsmobile Cutlass I had back in 1982!  Will see how this plays out.

Wow. I've done a lot of rambling about nothing this morning, haven't I?!  

The pain in my legs has been gone for a few weeks.... but about 2-3a this morning, they started screaming at me again.  It's hard to know what to do as no one can visibly 'see' what is going on inside my leg.  They will have to do 'pictures' to look at the bone, but even then, what can they really see? Would I need to have a bone marrow biopsy done?  And all this comes from the bug bites I got about 3-4 years ago.  Which that area still hurts occasionally.  No one did anything then; just treated the symptom of the pain from the bites.  No one would listen to what I was telling them.  So now what?

I've gone to God (again) with the pain and have told Him that I do not have a Plan B.  I've asked Him to heal my legs and remove the pain.  Tell me what to do.  Do I go to a specialist and have them work on me? Is that in His plan, to use a specialist?  What I want is my Plan A - which is for God to reach down and heal me. Period. Done and done.  But He hasn't.  Yet.  So again I am seeking Him and asking what I am to do - continue to wait, continue to seek His hand of healing, or go to a specialist to work through Him to heal my legs....  I see Dr. Mark in September so will bring it up at my physical if God hasn't healed me by His hand.  God is my Plan A.  I don't want to depend on anyone else.  Unless He sends me to Plan B.  Praying and waiting.  

Psalm 119:114 (NKJV):  You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your Word.

I know that when life is hard, and I have many struggles, there is one place that I can always run to.  God's Word.  His Word refreshes me; His Word corrects me.  His Word sustains me; His Word guides me.  I know that no matter what, I can depend on Him.  Whether life goes my way or another. Whether He answers my prayers or not.  I know that I can completely trust in His faithfulness, His goodness, His love.  I may not get healed from this pain, but I know that in the pain, He holds my hand. 

And that is enough.  He will never forsake me, nor leave me alone.  He will walk with me all the days of my life, however long they are.  Thank you Jesus.  Your Word confirms it.

Wishing you a day of walking with Jesus... tell Him about your struggles.  He will answer by and by.  (yeah, 'Just a little walk with Jesus' song came to mind)   He will make it right.

Blessings!

I was wrrrrooooonnngggg.....

 about Hubby's appointment time for Wednesday.  I just looked at my work calendar and his appointment is at 11AM - which means we need to leave here at 10AM - traffic shouldn't be too bad between 10-11 so I just might not be gone as long as I thought I would be.  Coming back home might be busy - but it's all good.  

Sue notified all her direct reports that she is retiring July 31.  It is going to leave a big gap for me - I will be getting two new bosses over the next few months.  Maybe it is time for me to retire as well?  I wish I could easily say yes to that.  In time, in time.

Things have been really quiet on the work front.  Sue is busy, but she hasn't given me much to do lately.  Yesterday I did have some work to do for contracting, but was done in about an hour. I have started going through emails and deleting folders I don't need to keep for Brett anymore.  Probably a good time to clear out a bunch of emails and folders, right?  

Obviously, I have nothing to talk about this morning... how did that happen?  

Seriously.  I am sitting here trying to think of something to write about.... and there is nothing. 

Two weeks from tomorrow I will be leaving on Jailbreak Getaway XI with my girls.  So looking forward to just relaxing and not doing much.  We will do some shopping, I'm sure, and there are antique stores in that area, but ... I don't need to bring any thing else home, if you know what I mean!  I love the old dishes - and use them at times.  When we moved in here, I had to give up a lot of my dishes that I enjoyed - even though I will admit that I didn't use them enough to keep them. I couldn't even tell you - other than platters, what I had to get rid of.  I prefer giving my dishes to my kids - whichever of them want them.  I really do need to do inventory.  A retirement project, right?

I wonder what I really will do if I ever retire.  Thinking about it, I'd probably say yeah, I'll clean out closets, clean out drawers, get rid of things, etc.  Sounds productive, right? But what will I really do.  Besides withdraw into my shell of protectiveness .... I just want to be me and enjoy life... 

Still working on the same diamond art project... I did this one last year and gave to my son and daughter -in law at Christmas - it is of them. I had forgotten I had a second copy made. I'm working on it so that I will have one to hang up in my house every year.  I'm trying to do a little bit every day - but don't always succeed.  It does take a lot of beads!  I have several diamond art projects I got for Christmas... I do enjoy working on them and being in my own little world.

Our quarterly admin meeting was yesterday and it was decided that we all needed to get together for lunch in September - some live in Tucson, some in Phoenix, and some way out here.  They decided halfway would be Casa Grande.  It's still a long drive for me. Will either carpool or .....  will see. September is a long way off.

And with that - I'm getting off here - need to dry my hair and put a face on to go to doctor's office - will leave in about an hour... hopefully that's enough time to get it done.  HaHa.

I've had this quote on my computer for a number of years.... I honestly can not remember when I read it - nor when I wrote it out and put on the corner of the screen.  I think it was to remind myself that I can do something....

All our dreams can come true, if wee have the courage to pursue them.   ~~ Walt Disney

I've had dreams... but never the courage to pursue... maybe it's time I should dream again... what about you?

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!

Best thus far!

 I slept once again in this bedroom and although I was awake a few times during the night, I am feeling much, much better today.  Thank you for your prayers.  I still have a bit of a ways to go, and yet, I feel rested - more so than I have in a long, long time.  Of course part of that may be due to all I've done is sleep since Saturday.  Well, I did have to work, bur two-three times (other than Wednesday when I was so busy) a day I was laying down (I did have permission from my boss!) to rest.  Sometimes you have to do that in order to get over whatever it is.

But last night another thought occurred to me.  I'm wondering if my gallbladder is started to act up in another way - rather than the nausea and pain I have felt in the past.  I'm not sure.  Or, it could be that I just have had no appetite (which could be a good thing) since the weekend.  I ate a snack bar for breakfast yesterday because I knew I needed to eat something.  At lunchtime, hubby asked to take me to lunch, and although I wasn't hungry, I agreed to go.  I got a cup of soup and a sandwich.  I was really looking forward to french fries, which I thought was included - even potato chips- with the sandwich.  It wasn't.  I was disappointed.  Hubby offered to order me a side of french fries but I declined.  Ate the soup, but the sandwich I couldn't finish, so hubby did.   Late afternoon my daughter called and asked if she could bring me some soup and a sandwich for hubby for dinner, so that I wouldn't have to cook.  What a blessing, cause I wasn't feeling too good last night.  She told me where she would get it from, and I told her what to get.  She dropped it off and headed on her way.  It felt odd for someone to do that for us; I'm usually the one doing, I think.  But it was very nice to be remembered.  

Work kept me busy yesterday and to end my day, sigh, the boss who had me making this huge meeting with about 16 people (with 8 being outside the company) in Colorado on Wednesday and it was such a difficult thing to accomplish, but we got it set for June 3.......  he tells me last night that I need to send an email out to see if it would be possible to move it to May 31.  I reminded him it was the day after Memorial Day.  Well, I told him I wasn't going to do it last night; I wasn't feeling well still and I just didn't want to deal with it.  He had me schedule for June 3rd and now that people are saying other things have come up - he wants me to change it.  So what did I do as well?

When hubby stopped by the door, I commented to him that now would be a good time to retire.  I'm tired; some meetings are stressful; and I'm actually afraid that I won't be able to have any enjoyment in retirement... after all, I could die before I retire or I could die right after I retire.  I really do not want to work all my life and then die and not enjoy the things I enjoy doing.  Course I have always said the year I had of not work (but still drawing a paycheck) November 2011 - November 2012 was my retirement.  But then, I was enjoying working.  Now, I'm just tired.  I guess I remember an uncle who worked all his life and one week after he retired, he died of a heart attack while mowing his front yard.  Of course you won't find me doing any hard labor, but still.    Hubby asked if I really thought we could afford to live on two social security checks - and I told him it would be tough, but we could.  Plus, I could get a part time job to have for spending money (i.e., Christmas, birthdays, etc).  I asked him to sit down and list every bill we have that we pays monthly.  Then we need to list those things that hit occasionally, i.e., dentist and doctors that we have to pay, etc.  Then let's talk.  He mentioned that I had 'set' the date... January 10, 2025... but I reminded him that it was also almost 3 years away.  And I'm tired.  At 75, how many years do I have left?   I don't know that I would retire anytime soon - I'd wait until January, anyway, if I did.  I can get Medicare for my medical expenses and they pay more than my current medical insurance does.  Once I'm back up to par, I may totally change my mind.  I definitely do not want to retire and sit at home all day!  I refuse to spend my day on a computer .... unless I begin my dream of writing a book, anyway.   At least this time he didn't walk away from my comment, but did engage in conversation.

I am loving my new Bible study.  I've done it several times before, but this is the first time in the updated version and it feels totally new.  I don't have time to finish today's session, so will work on it over the weekend.  It's 5 days a week and then has an extra 'day' to answer questions in a group study.  I plan to do those too, cause my sister and I are doing this together and we will discuss it on Sunday.  It really causes one to think.  How would you answer these three questions?

1)  was there a time in my life when I genuinely repented of (was aware of and turned away from) my sin?

2) Was there a time when I placed all my trust in Jesus Christ alone to save me?

3) Was there ever a time when I completely surrendered to Jesus Christ as the Master and Lord of my life?

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV):  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have been passed away; behold, all things have become new."

When we confess our sins to Jesus, they are erased and our slate is clean.  Not that we won't suffer any consequences of the things we have done that we shouldn't have, but the sin of what we have done is wiped clean.  It's good to start the day off with a clean slate, don't you agree?  Think about saying this to the Lord each morning...

Psalm 51:10 (NKJV):  "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

Blessings!

I've set the date....

 and I told my boss yesterday that it is the date that both of us - will retire.  It seems so far away, and yet, it can be here before either of us know it.  As I have told you before, my boss and I are very close friends.  Not so much that we do a LOT together, but we meet for breakfast or lunch or we touch base at some point every work day, and sometimes on weekends as well.  Holidays we always touch base.  It's just what we do.  

I am 10 years and 52 days older than she is.  She often says that she watches me to see how she will be in ten years (yes, pity her if she is watching me!) physically, mentally, and living life.  Now she is more active than I am, she gets to do more things than I do, she is more talented and wiser than I am, and she is definitely more beautiful than I am.  But she loves me.... for me.  And I love her.  Do you know of another boss who will block 3 hours out of her day so that she can drive an hour to meet an employee for breakfast and laugh and chat about everything but work, and then drive an hour back home and get back to her busy day?  And alwsys leave that employee feeling loved and blessed.   

We often talk about retirement.... her hubby has already retired, as has mine.  There are a lot of differences between the two, which I will not go in to.  Mine is a lot older than hers, of course.  Anyway, with my issues of hubby not 'letting' me retire, refusing to give me permission to retire... we have often discussed this.  She had mentioned a few weeks ago about when she felt she could retire.  Because of insurance, she wanted to wait until she was 65 and could get Medicare A & B.   I already have Medicare A, but haven't had to get B because I am still working and I still have insurance.  I will select B when I quit work.  Her reasoning sounds good.  And as I think about my current dental bill, I am thinking she may have a point.  

The date that I told her that we both could retire?    January 10, 2025.   2 years and 306 days from today.  1037 days.

Why that date?  I turn 75 in August of 2024.  She turns 65 in October of 2024.  We both can sign up for Medicare .... and since it doesn't become effective until January of the following year, we can give it 10 days to be effective (and us get paid for the holidays)... and then we both can retire and have the whole year ahead of us.  She liked that date and agreed that it would work for her.  It gives us a firm date that we can look forward to.

I told hubby about it last night.... he didn't seem as thrilled.  And then I made the comment.... "hopefully I'll live long enough to retire.... AND be healthy enough to enjoy some retirement before I die."  He wasn't amused and walked away.  Yeah... the whole retirement thing has always been a major issue between us.  And... let's move on.

Today.  Do we always look forward to 'today'?  No, and yet, it always comes.  So, for today, take heart.  Rejoice and be glad, for this day is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.  He rejoices in you.  Rejoice in the day.

Psalm 118:24 (NKJV) - "This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it."

Blessings!

Retirement....

Yes, my day finally arrived.  Yesterday was my last day of work with a company I have been employed at for 25 years, 10 months and 12 days.   I arrived at this company on December 16, 1985 when the company was only six months old.  I have watched her grow from being on one floor with about 50 employees to where we are now with our own building and many, many, employees working from home.   I have made many friends, been involved with numerous potlucks, picnics, committees, cancer walks, leukemia walks, smoke alarm walks, arthritis walks, MS walks and many others.  I have coordinated many blood drives and bone marrow donor drives.  I have learned so much over the years. 

I owe much to my co-worker these past two years.  Without her amazing skills, patience, and knowledge, her willingness to teach me, I could not have survived in my last position.  I will not identify her; if she reads this, she will know.  Our bond and friendship was only in the office, but she has earned my highest respect.  She is amazing.  Thank you.  I hope we again can work together.  We make a great team.
Yesterday was a busy day as I tried to complete many tasks before I turned in my computer and closed this chapter in my life.  I did as much as I could.  Many people came by to say good bye and good luck.  I leave knowing I have many friends who cherish our friendship as I do.  I hope I see many of them again.

Today, being Saturday, seems like another day.  When I tell myself that I do not need to go to work on Monday, it seems odd.  I imagine that even next week, and the week after, it will seem as if I am on vacation.  Soon, the reality will seep in.  I am in the preview of my next chapter.  What I do over the next few weeks will determine my steps, perhaps for the rest of my life.

What do I want to do?  I want to make quilts, to bake, to cook, to can, to clean, to play - to do things I was always too busy to take much time to do.  I want to spend more quality time daily with God.  I want to serve.  I want to volunteer.  I want to walk.  I want to learn to run.  I want to spend quality time with those I love.  I want to make lots of memories, for me, and for those who will remain when God calls me home.   More than all this, I want to be available for whatever God wants me to do.  I want to make a difference.

What about you?  Are you retired, or are thinking about retirement?  What about your life now?  Is it what you always imagined it would be?  Do you feel like something is missing?  Do you feel abundantly blessed?   Take time to evaluate where you are in life and where you want it to end.  Don't blow this off and think 'I'll do it later' or 'I've got lots of time ahead of me'.  You do not know how long you have on this earth.  You do not know when you will be taken away from your loved ones.  

It's like the story of 'The Dash'.  From the year your were born, to the year you die, on the headstone is a dash.  That dash is your life.  What is your life going to show in that 'dash'?   Think about it.

Blessings!

Life Changes

This past Friday I took an important step.  A step that I did not take lightly.  My company had for the first time in its history, offered early retirement to about 20 people at my company.  Or is it that 20 people accepted it.  Anyway, I qualified for the early retirement with being 62 and having nearly 26 years of service.   There have been different stages of accepting and withdrawing, and waivers to sign over the past two-three weeks.  Friday was the final one for me, I think.  I read through all the paperwork again.  I prayed.  I clicked on the 'I accept' button.  Then I 'signed' the waiver stating I wouldn't do all kinds of things against the company or hold it liable for anything - then I hit the button that read 'submit'.  Then I sat there and stared at it, thinking, and praying, that I did the right thing.

Do I think I did the right thing?  Absolutely.  It is time.  My journey of a 42 mile daily round trip, ten hour days, is about to come to an end, effective October 28.  I had offered to stay until April, 2012, knowing meetings that were coming up starting in November, and wanting them to go well.  But, it apparently doesn't matter to management, for they denied that request and made my last day October 28, 2011.   Now that I have my last date of employment, I can begin to make my own plans.

What kind of plans?  I have no idea.  Probably do some cleaning and clearing out of things here at the house.  I am a bit of a pack rat so I am anxious to clear out a lot of clutter.  I also want to start going to the gym on a regular basis and get my body toned and thinner.  That may take some time, I'm afraid.  On both of these.

I am really looking forward to having more quality time in the mornings with the Lord.  You may think I'm weird, but I love snuggling up to my Abba in the wee hours of the morning and reading His Word, talking with Him.  I love it most when I don't have to keep one eye on the clock, but can stay until I am 'finished'.  I'm looking forward to taking long walks in the mornings.   Maybe meeting friends for breakfast on occasion.  I am going to enjoy this time of not having to work.

But I know I also have to find another job, probably by the first of the year, as I will not have any medical benefits as of January 1.  My ideal  job would be in a paid position on a church staff, but things being what they are, that probably won't happen right now.  I enjoy being with people and I love to have fun.  I am also a hard worker and do my work well.  I can't remember the last time I called in sick - probably a total of ten times the past 26 years!  I have had several recommendations of places to go to apply.  All sound like fun, but for now, I am going to continue to pray and ask God to begin even now preparing the place He wants me to go. 

Reminds me of George Mueller, in a way.  Read his autobiography sometime.  He was an amazing man of faith.  He would thank God for something specific - without sharing the need with anyone - and it would happen.  Oh that my faith would be as great!  Faith has nearly always been my #1 spiritual gift.  My father-in-law once said 'If God said it, I believe it, that settles it.'   And I have taken that to heart.  It doesn't matter what anyone else says.  If my God says it, I will believe it.  End of discussion.  Yes, God has spoken to me in the past, in the present, and I believe He will in the future.  No, I don't have the market on God talking to me.  But He has my ear, and I have His hand.

What about you?   Are you getting ready to begin a new journey in your life?  Are you looking at making some changes you are possibly uncertain about?  What are you doing about it - are you thinking it through and praying that God will direct your path, that He will make your path straight?  Are you waiting on Him for the answers you need?   I hope you are.  There is nothing worse than going through life making your own decisions and pretending God has answered your prayers when you are only doing what you want to do. 

Wait upon the Lord; you will never regret it.

Blessings!