Or rather, early in the morning hours. I was awakened with both my legs throbbing again and could not get them to stop, so I came in here, hoping that by being in the recliner I could lessen the pain, and it did. It seems that if I get up and walk around, the pain subsides, but if I'm laying in bed, tossing and turning, it doesn't. Don't understand it, but at least the pain in the bones has gone away. But trust me, the backs of my legs, from the workout Morgan put me through on Thursday? Yeah, THAT pain is still there! But what is unusual in my early morning trek into here and trying to curl up and go back to sleep in my recliner, is that I must have had a dream.
I do not recall the dream. But what I remember is being horribly afraid, and something was enclosing in on me. It was dark, and I could not see, but I was in fear. I did what I know only what to do - I called out numerous times "Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!" and He answered and my fear and the darkness lifted. I have no idea what that was about, but Jesus heard me call out His name and He removed the fear and whatever was going on in my mind that caused it.
Then what was weird was that 'all of a sudden' hubby was standing in front of me, wanting me to help pull a sweatshirt up over his arms to pull over his head (you know, arms first). I'm still sitting in the recliner, trying to help him do this, then the scene changes and a close friend of his from bible study was helping him fix the cuffs... and it went away.
If you have any clues for what any of that was about - please let me know! I haven't dreamt like that in - well, I don't know how long. I'm grateful I DO know WHOM to call upon when I am afraid! The name of Jesus sends the devil running! Hallelujah!
This morning I have Needles of Hope to run off to. I'm out of the house - alone - and get to visit with some of my women friends as we crochet/knit items. I need to drop off an amazon return on my way back; if I don't forget to take it. After that, I'm not sure what I'll be doing, probably working on my diamond art. I'm over halfway done now, but still have a ways to go. I do enjoy it, and have several I got for Christmas gifts I can't wait to start on, but want to stick to one at a time.
Did I mention I DID make 'boiled' eggs in my air fryer the other night? I did! I found on Pinterest how to do it, but my air fryer doesn't go to 250 degrees, only 300. So I 'air fried' the eggs for 16 minutes at 300 degrees - and I did cut one open and it was perfect. I put in an ice bowl (they said it causes the eggs to quit cooking), then after awhile, I was too lazy to peel so put in refrigerator. And I keep forgetting they are there so am going to write myself a note to pull them out and peel them today. I generally make up a batch of deviled eggs and keep the egg mixture and whites separate. As we want a snack, or for a meal, we can put a few together. That way it stays fairly fresh and lasts longer than when they are already put together. I love to eat deviled eggs as a snack - and it is good protein for the body.
I've started reading a new book called Restore by Vince Antonuccci. It's a daily reading, which I didn't know until I started it, but the first day was so good, I wanted to continue on a day by day basis. It gives food for thought, for sure. The first day he talks about going to a sex addiction class, although he was not a sex addict (he is a pastor). He thought 'rehab' might help him in other areas and this was one class offered. Day two was interesting as well, as he brought up some of his past. Dad was an alcoholic, and he left the family. Or was that his dad's dad... well, today I finished day three, and he had one more point to share... and that page was blank. Somehow it didn't get printed. But that's ok. What I've read thus far is interesting. Day four tomorrow.
So what makes this book interesting enough that I would pick up a book titled Restore? I actually picked it up to read as a regular book the other day, before I noticed they recommend daily. I picked it up because the rest of the title says...'break out of your past and into God's future.' I don't know when I bought the book, but it had to have been on sale, I'm thinking. I'm a sucker for 'on sale' books that could be interesting. Anyway, the 'break out of your past and into God's future' must have gotten to me. I know a lot of what I have done in the past, and even things I do now, come from my past. My reactions and words are sometimes reactions and words from when I was growing up. It took counseling several years ago to identify why, when backed into a corner in a playful game, I would suddenly react with fighting. Not playful fighting, fighting. Flying for protection. And that story has been shared many times so am stopping there.
But it helped me identify some of the things that I do that are a reflection of how I was raised and things I have learned along the way of my life. Some good, some not so good. I'm sure some thoughts have come to your mind even now as you read those lines. We all have a past. Unfortunately for many of us, the past is not a bed of roses. I somewhat envy those who (I think) had a perfect childhood, because I think they are perfect now. But that may not be a true story. Why? Because we bury our past so that we can live, a lot of times. And I want to learn how to get past that and let people see the real me - whether they like the real me, or not.
I got an encouraging call from my oldest son yesterday. It really meant a lot to me. He encouraged me to get back into doing the HIIT workouts. He knows that I enjoy them (if enjoy in this sense is the correct word). After our conversation, when Morgan txt'd me my times for next week, I sent her a note back and shared my son had called and encouraged me to get back into HIIT - and with a deep breath, I told her that for my second workout - which is Thursday - I wanted to do a HIIT. Not the workout with flipping the 175 lb tire... I don't think I'm ready for that one YET. ... but that I did want to work up to being able to flip it again. She was happy I wanted to get back into it. I guess that upper body / legs; upper body / core week after week can get boring, although upper body hits different parts - biceps/triceps, then chest, then shoulders, then back.... my core is getting pretty strong, which is helpful for keeping me upright. So, thank you, again, son, for encouraging me to 'just do it'. :-)
I think mama quail is trying to find another spot in my flower pot. Yesterday I was out watering my plants when I notice that a couple places in the pot, that I filled up with dirt and plants, has been moved about. But the big pot that holds the aloe vera plant still has the five unhatched eggs in it. Not touching those, but imagine they are no good now as it has been a few weeks since the others hatched and mama took off with the babies. I think I'm going to fill that area over with dirt. If mama comes back to lay more eggs, the dirt level will be high enough that the babies can get out ok. This was a big jump - but my goodness, have you seen how high those quail - even newborn baby quail - can jump? I am amazed. Which also reminds me. I told hubby the other day, as I gazed out the front window, our courtyard must be a haven for the quail, for five adult quail were walking in this one area, pecking at the ground. I don't know what they were looking for; the ground is hard and nothing is planted there. But five adult quail were walking around this one area, pecking at the ground. They are fun to watch. Ok, so it takes little things to excite me.
And with all this rambling this morning, I'm going to get off here and jump in the shower. Get to meet up with friends this morning and my 'once a month' gathering is one I generally look forward to.
Have an amazing day!
Blessings!
