I took Sheeba out for a morning ritual the other morning and I led her around the back yard. At one point I stopped between the house next door and ours, and I was standing on the rocks and Sheeba was still in the grass. I was watching a man walking his dog a house away (as was Sheeba) and was making sure I had hold of MY dog. All of a sudden I felt somethingon my legs. I look down and my shoes, socks, and from the knees down - I'm covered in ANTS!! I started wiping them off as fast as I could - they were getting in my socks and in my shoes - so quickly the shoes and socks come off. I'm wiping them off my legs and I'm sure I was quite the scene. I see some ants on Sheeba's legs so I'm rubbing down her legs as well, trying to get away from the area the ants are in. I finally succeed (I think) and after looking to be sure I had all the ants off my shoes and socks, legs, and off Sheeba, we went into the house.
I forgot about all that until last evening. My leg started itching and I discovered 3 'bites' on my leg. Puzzled, I kept looking and found more bites - on both legs - and one on my hand! ITCH ITCH ITCH!!!! It has been horrible. I've put cream on them, I have put peroxide, and the itching continues. I was able to go to sleep last night - but was awakened by the bite on my ankle that was itching like crazy. I scratched and it felt so good - and yet I knew that the more I scratched and the more it felt good, the more it was going to itch and hurt, so made myself stop scratching. I finally fell back to sleep. This morning, as I sit here, every one of the bites are itching like crazy! What is weird about these bites are there is a hard 'ball' in the center of the bite. Not sure whether that is just the place where I was bitten or what it is. Whatever it is, I itch! Maybe I'll try the baking soda and vinegar glob today. Anything to stop the itching!
I was able to get some of the itinerary taken care of yesterday with talking with one sister and my sister-in-law. The first few days are scheduled and taken care of. My sister went ahead and made reservations for us (she and I) in Brown County to spend a couple days. We both need that 'getaway' to reconnect and have that memory. They have great little shops and it will be fun to walk through them and perhaps choose some things for gifts. I'm looking forward to it - and it gives my sister something to look forward to. Hubby will stay with his brother so that they can reconnect.
Our new Chief Network guy contacted me yesterday and we were able to text back and forth. I've seen his photo and he is a young guy (probably in his 30's, I'm guessing). Married, has a couple children according to his photo I found while researching him. I need to get the equipment he wants pulled together, talk to IT and get the computer I have for him updated and ready for him. I'll pass his computer over to him before we go on our anniversary getaway so that he will have it to start on that Monday morning. I'm not planning on going to the office to meet with him.... he will be going to the main Corporate office to meet with the President that first day. I don't need to be there. But I do need to arrange 'meet and greet' meetings for him with a lot of people. I just need to figure out who. I'll contact the President today and find out who he wants him to meet with and will get on the calendar. I will be busy doing that today.
I'm still reading in my Solitude and Silence book, and have you figured out how hard it is to just be quiet and alone? I mean, being alone is not THAT hard, but being in solitude and silence IS hard. I keep trying and no sooner than I sit back and try to shut my mind off - it starts in on things I need to get done, things I want to get done, things people said that I need to process, things I want to say, what my plans are, what I need to do, what I should do if I can find time, what's on my schedule for today...... the list just goes on and on in my mind. It's like I never thought of those things before and because I'm taking a few minutes to just be in solitude and silence, everything comes to my mind. Have you tried it? If not - do so! You aren't 'religious'? No problem. Just try to sit still and clear your mind for five minutes and not think about anything. Don't do anything. Just sit and be still. Ok, maybe we should start with a minute for you. You will probably find it is difficult to do it. I know I have. So that is going to be my goal every morning. I'm trying for 10 minutes each morning to just sit and be still. Of course I am wanting the Presence of God to be with me, so I have a goal with this. I want His Peace that passes all understanding. I know that by doing this, He will work in me His good work. And I desire that above all else. And if you dare, finish your solitude and silence by saying the Lord's Prayer. You know it.
"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen."
Blessings!
