I've been dilly-dallying this morning....

 Because I have 'time' in my hands at the moment.  It's a Saturday and although there are a couple things on the calendar I could attend to this morning, I have chosen not to.... and here I still sit in 'my room', doing the scroll through Amazon.  No, I didn't buy anything, but I did try to - one for a Christmas gift (yes, I've started on those!) but when I hit order, it says out of stock, so that's my sign to not order anything.  Right?

I still haven't gotten my son's birthday gift to him.  I finished work yesterday then went into the kitchen to fix dinner, and as we sat down I remembered the gift - but by then I figured the DIL was gone from work. Maybe I can swing by his place some time this weekend.  I wonder if I can get out without hubby... oh yeah, he has a Notre Dame game today... I wonder what time it is....  I've been wanting to go to the Brass Armadillo and walk around... not that I NEED anything.... but it's fun to look.... just in case I see something that I just can't do without.  Right?

We watched movies last night after dinner - which was another Tovala dinner that I split between us.  It was really good.  Prime rib cut up, mashed potatoes, mushrooms.  With dividing it between us, I added a can of corn, then cut up some strawberries, added sour cream and brown sugar - and that was our dinner.  I'm hungry this morning but am not going out to fix anything.  Not yet, anyway.  It's only about 8a.  Maybe I'll fix some eggs ole this morning.

I have so much here at home I want to get started on.  The counter in the laundry room needs to be cleaned off; the shelves in the garage need to be rearranged.  I can't blame that on anyone but me.  Heaven forbid hubby would put something out on the shelves, right?  I do need to go through it and see what jars I have up there so that I will know what I need to get for Christmas canning.  I also need to go through the cabinets out in the garage and get rid of some things.  So many 'things' I want to do.... but probably won't get any of them done until the weather turns cooler.  The garage has to be over 100 degrees most days.  I feel like I use hubby as an excuse most of the time for not getting things done.... he always 'wants to help' but I spend my time explaining to him why I'm keeping something or what to do with it.  But then, if I work on my closet, he will work on his... and that would be a win-win, right?  Except I'm still not getting done the things I want to get done.  Yeah, I should work in this room too.  I'd love to attack the book cases in all the rooms and get all our books in order by author - but heaven forbid I should do anything in "HIS" office!  I don't know why he is so resistant to me putting the books in alpha by author order.  We have so many duplicates that I could sell them on Thriftbooks or the good ones back on Amazon.  So I don't know at the moment what I will do today.  After I cook breakfast, of course.

Think I will go get another cup of coffee...... got it and of course hubby decided that maybe he needed a cup as well.  I picked up my Amazon order that was delivered around 4:30a this morning.  Hubby was telling me we were nearly out of k-cups, but what he didn't know was that I ordered another box and it came this morning as well.  I also got him six pair of ankle crew socks for the gym.  I ended up folding his laundry yesterday morning and he had about 15 pair of socks that were faded, dingy and downright ugly looking.  I told him to throw them away.  I wouldn't even give those to goodwill!  Yes, they were that bad.  So just a thought for any of the kids readings this... he can use hankerchiefs and he can use ankle crew socks - white.  It doesn't matter if he gets a lot at Christmas; he can use them!  And of course containers of cashews. LOL   I'm kind of hungry this morning so grabbed a package of 'his' Belvita snacks.  I buy the big box at Sam's Club for him and he keeps them under his desk.  Surprised he had some left - but he did - and 'let' me take a package.  I'm not ready to stop and cook breakfast!  I can probably do whatever I want today - haha - in my Amazon box new socks for him and Verona coffee.  He's happy.  He hasn't been real thrilled with the Starbucks Caramel coffee I had bought - it was just for something different.

Answer me a question if you know it..... I was told some time ago that the lighter the coffee, the more caffeine is in it.  I always thought the darker the coffee, the more caffeine.  So which is it?  Light - Medium - or Dark?   I generally prefer the 'slap me in the face' coffee.... (wouldn't that be a fun name for a coffee brand?)  I drink my coffee black as a rule, but do enjoy flavoring every once in awhile.  Like the little creamers you can put in them for flavor?  I don't use them often, but on occasion.  Just for a change up.  I don't usually buy creamers as they will go to waste, so the little ones work for me.  And when I go to Panera for Needles of Hope, I get their dark coffee about 1/2 up the cup, then finish filling it with Hazelnut.  Just to have a different taste. :-)  Years ago Pastor Steve got me on the coffee mixtures.  When I was with him and we went to Circle K, he would get regular coffee about half up the cup, then added cappuccino.  His explanation was that cappuccino by itself is generally too sweet and somewhat weak as far as coffee.... so by adding dark coffee, it gives it a good base and not as much sweetness.  And you know I'm so sweet I don't need much more sugar, right?

Philippians 4:4 (ESV)  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

If we truly pause and think about all the things that God does for us, how can we not rejoice in Him, thank Him that He even woke us up this morning?  That we are breathing.  That we have food to eat. That we have a roof over our heads, and most of us have vehicles that we can go someplace.  Some of us have jobs that we can be thankful for.  If you really pause and think about the goodness of God towards us, how can we not be grateful and rejoice in Him?  He blesses us so abundantly - how can we not praise Him?  You hear me talk all the time that I have too much 'stuff'.  That I have clutter everywhere - and it's usually because over the years I have bought too much, right?  I use it for awhile, and then there it sits.  Did I really need it to start with?  Probably not.  I need to start pulling things aside and make a list and submit it to my family and see if anyone wants them - after it is gone from me, I don't know what is done with it, right?  OOh - don't want to think about that!  LOL  I've hung on to it this long, right?  Some things I just need to learn how to use - that would help.  

I had my SIL put together a TV stand for me the last time they were here.... and he put my little TV on it.  The purpose, as I am sure I shared before, was to be able to move it from the exercise room to this bedroom should we have guests who like to watch late night TV.  I have a firestick, but don't know how to use it, and my youngest couldn't figure it out when he was here.... and started talking Roku - and I don't have that.  I need something that I don't need to hook up and take off every time it is moved.  Any ideas?  It will be in the exercise room for the most part, and maybe that will get hubby (and me) back there to workout if we can see something on TV.  For me, though, when I'm on the treadmill or the rebounder, I put my laptop on the table and watch a movie.  Which I am hoping to do later today.  I've got to get my steps back up.  My company is having a challenge and it requires getting steps in.  I formed my own team 'Jailbreak Walkers' as I usually do, and already have a full team.  But I can't let them do all the walking; I need to get my walking up to 10K steps a day again. And it would help me lose weight as well.  That and quit eating.  Sigh.

And, surprisingly I haven't heard from my son that I'm late today in posting this!  I love this relationship we have in which we can share life.  I always go to his blog first... and went a little bit ago and see he posted a short one.  I agree, with writing every day, with the life I have, I'm sure most of it is so boring who wants to read it!  But every once in awhile, surely I have something good for you to read. :-) Maybe.

And with that, I'm going to get off here and get back to my reading.  I picked up a couple 'new' books from Thriftbooks.  Both are by Jerry Bridges, who is an excellent Christian author.  The two I am wanting to read now.... and I need to decide which one first... I will follow You, O God.....Embracing Him as Lord in your private worship, and I Exalt You, O God....Encountering His greatness in your private worship.  Don't both of those sound good?!  Plus today in another yet Amazon delivery, the Altar of Pergamon by Jonathan Cahn should arrive.   I've only read a couple of Jonathan Cahn's books (did you know he was the 'other passenger' in the duct tape passenger story?   I watched a podcast he did, talking about it.  He said the other guy was very amiable, having a couple drinks, but was sharing things, just talking. Then he asked what Jonathan Cahn did.  Jonathan shared about writing the book and the guy started getting agitated.  Then he calmed down and they continued to talk, but in talking about the book, Jonathan (who is a Rabbi) shared he was a minister, a Jew who believes in Messiah, and mentioned Jesus.... and this guy starts yelling and long story short (cause a lot happened very quick), he grabbed Jonathon Cahn's throat and was trying to choke him before others came up and pulled him off and they duct taped him to the seat.  The devil was in full force, ya think?  Anyway, guess I've gotten off track. 

So - I am closing this off.... have an amazing day, be thankful that God is so good to you.

Blessings!

 

Today will be a little different....

 rather, this morning will.  I agreed to watch a great-granddaughter while my son went to get a CT scan of his lungs.  Yearly thing. He has smoked and vaped for years and the VA wants to do a yearly check on his lungs.  The DIL can't watch her; and I'm going to keep my comments to myself. (Lord, help!)  So, anyway, it is Sunday, my day to hang out in here longer and be with God, and she is to arrive about 8a.  He is to pick her up about 10:30-ish and I hope he is on time, or much later and we won't be able to make it to church.  At first, when I told hubby, he wasn't too happy about it but I assured him that she is to be picked up - and besides, WE are the church, not the building, and although we enjoy seeing our friends, we can watch the service on TV if need to.  We need to help out occasionally.  He kept his comments to himself. It IS out of the ordinary for us, it is not something we normally (get to) do.  I get it. We are out of our normal routine.  I have a child's ipad in here and can let her play with it while I continue on with my reading, right?  Again, it is moving us out of our normal routine ... and if you have your own routines set, you understand that sometimes it is difficult to change things up.  But, we are good, thus far. Of course it is not quite 7a right now.  After this, I'll jump in the shower and get that out of the way, and then can go back to my reading until they arrive.

I enjoyed my time yesterday with the Needles of Hope girls - only 4 others came this time - and that's ok.  We sit there and crochet/knit and enjoy conversation.  I had asked my 'author friend' to bring me a couple copies of a book she had written.  I generally buy books from her and give them away.  I honestly thought I had read this book already.  But, I picked it up and started reading it after I got home and stopped long enough to eat dinner, then finished it last night.  Yes, it was that good. It held my interest, anyway.  I went on Goodreads to get it counted - and realized I had started it (per Goodreads) back in May of 2022 - must have been when it came out - and I never put an end date.  Did I forget to do that?  Well, I deleted that date and put in and out yesterday's date.  That moves me up to.... 39 now for the year.  I want to write a review for it and will shortly.  I did enjoy the book and was not really expecting how it ended.  I need to catch up on my reading of her other books; I just don't read 'romance-type' novels anymore.  But her books are good and hold my interest.  

Just glanced over at my long list of 'to do' for me personally; it's still hanging on the wall.  I might need to check and seen if I've accomplished any of those so that I can mark them off - I doubt it, but one never knows!  How is your list of 'to do's coming?

Today is my oldest son's birthday.  His 55th, no less.  I remember that day well (and the night before!). His dad and his uncle had gone hunting that morning... after all, it was labor day and they had the day off.  I got dropped off at my mom's.  My parents were getting ready to go to the Labor Day picnic the church always had.  But mother and I sat in the living room and she 'taught' me how to crochet a small doily, trying to keep me busy.  She fussed at my stepfather to make sure the car had gas.  He took his time to get ready to go get it.  Long story short, my water broke while I was at Mother's.  My stepfather decided it was then time to leave to go get gas in the car.  Cell phones were not available and I had no way to get ahold of my husband.  But, God brought him and his brother back to the house about that time, and grabbing a towel for me to sit on, we headed for the hospital, about 45 minutes away, if I recall correctly.  Speeding down the highway, we probably made it in record time, and I was happy as I was starting to feel some intense contractions.  

And, another long story I won't share much about.... my doctor was on vacation and the doctor covering for him was in no hurry to get there. (grrrrrr)  The nurses couldn't give me anything for the pain until he arrived - and well, let's just say I was in the delivery room before he walked in the door, and the nurses immediately put me out (could be they were tired of hearing me scream).  I had my first son, my husband's namesake.  We were so excited.  Back then we stayed in the hospital for a long time after delivery.  I required several stitches so that made me stay even longer.  I went in on a Monday, Labor Day, and did not get discharged until that Saturday.  Nowadays if vaginal delivery, you go home in one day - at the most two, and if c-section, you go home in three, or maybe four days.  Anyway - that's just the way it was 'back then' in the olden days.  We've always joked that I went into labor on Labor Day.  Happy birthday, son.  I hope and pray you have an amazing birthday and know how much you are loved.

And with that, I'm going to get off here; it's after 7a and I still want to take a shower before the great-granddaughter arrives.  

Have an amazing day and bless someone day - you may not know how much they need it.

Blessings!

Is it Wednesday....or Monday?

 I know I have emails/meetings to read and schedule this morning as I have 'peeked' at some of the emails that have come through while I have been off work.  I may have felt a bit frustrated I had to use another 8 hours of my 'pto' time to be off Monday, but the offices were closed (although my bosses were obviously working) and I had no reason, no project, to work.  And I'm grateful.  I really did need the 4 day weekend because I have been just so exhausted pysically and mentally.  Some caused by working out, yes, but this was more of a mental exhaustion, I think.  I doubt seriously if it was from mental exertion, other than stressing over finding times for meetings, but just plain tired.  Do you ever feel that way?  When all you want to do is hibernate and sleep until you finally feel rested?  Well, I DID take a few naps over the time off, even though some may be only ten minutes.  It was enough to revive.  Hopefully, my Wednesday will not be a Monday!  

I finished another book last night and met my goal for the year.  YAY me!  LOL  I set the bar low because I hadn't really kept track before... and only listed 36 books.  That still sounded like a lot to me!  But I have already done it by July 4th!  Could I possibly read another 36?  Maybe... it would really depend on the size of the book.  But the fact remains.... I did meet by goal, and what I do from now on will set the bar for what I will put down as goal for next year.  My son alwsays goes way over his goal ... I think this year it was 200 and he has already surpassed it.  I don't know how he can read so fast!

Which reminds me, I received a new book in the mail from an author I don't know.  I have a friend who writes split romance novels.. I forget what it is exactly called.  I don't read her books often for I just don't usually read novellas or romance novels, but occasionally it is a welcome thing to read.  I forget how my name got put in the hat, but she interviews other authors and sends an email out with the interview.  I think it is if we respond to a question, our name gets put in a 'hat'.  I must have responded because I won!  It came on Monday so I may just go ahead and read it next.  I did have my friend bring me several of her books last Saturday.  The physical books.  Some I have, but most I have on my kindle.  But, I enjoy giving books away that I like and it helps her too.  Yes, I paid for the books, therefore I can give them away.  I have one that I think my son would enjoy as it is based in Kokomo, Indiana.  Tales of the Hob Nob Cafe by Jennifer Lynn Cary.  It's not his typical style of book, and it's a 'stand alone'... thin... and an easy read.  I liked it anyway.  He can look it up and let me know. :-)

Yesterday was a relaxing day even though we were with others.  While hubby slept after lunch, I got in the pool with my daughter, son-in-law and the great-granddaughter.  She was so much fun.  I did get a little bit of sun, but we only stayed out about 40 minutes.  I laid back on the raft and just enjoyed watching thre three of them play.  I had my time of playing too and it was fun.  It was refreshing to just 'let everything go' and not think about anything and just float on the water.  I really did need the 4 day weekend more than I thought I did, I guess.

This week and next will be somewhat busy as we finalize our plans to go to California for the grandson's wedding.  An RV has been rented because there is no way hubby could drive it now.  Don't know that I could.  I have my dress for the wedding; still haven't decided on what to wear to the rehearsal.  All the hopes, dreams, and plans of my losing weight to look elegant didn't happen so 'it is what it is'.  At least I am now working out for my health!  But my fat will be going with me.  Need to buy some nylons though... yes, I still wear them, although not many do anymore.  I just think legs look better with a covering.

Hubby kind of goofed up and has a full day of appointments today.  He has his workout this morning. Then he has lab work to get drawn at his doctor's office, then off to the eye doctor, and I think he also has a haircut today... or does he.  Seems like there is something else after that.  He will be tired tonight forsure!  I have a feeling we may stay home from church prayer meeting tonight.  It was kind of interesting on Monday... he came home from his workout, sat down, and his phone rang - it was a former pastor/friend who he meets with on occasion.... he asked hubby if 11AM was the right time they agreed to meet - hubby didn't have it written down!  So he went as he was in his workout clothes (as it was about 20 til 11) and headed over to meet him for brunch.   He has such a busy social life.  Another friend called Monday morning and asked if they were meeting for breakfast... but hubby told him no, they didn't have anything this week (he normally meets him on Tuesdays)... but this man has the beginning stages of Alheimers so gets confused at times.

I was reading in one of my devotionals about Manasseh in II Chronicles 33 this morning. He was an evil king and the Bible says he shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem with it from one end to another (@ Kings 21:16).  God abandoned Judah because of the evil this king did.  But you know what?  We are never too far gone from God's grace.  

2 Chronicles 33:12 "When he was in distress, he entreated the Lord his God and humbled himslef greatly befor ethe God of his fathers."

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness.  He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep his anger forever.  He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor reward us for our iniquities.  

Psalm 103:11 (NKJV):  "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His mercy to those who fear Him."

Even when we have made unwise choices, even when we have been so stubborn to do things our way, He expersses His beautiful character to us by His forgiveness.  He longs to receive the rebellious back in to His arms.  He loves to give us His grace and see us blossom and grow from it.   T

There is nothing we have done, no matter how devastating and devious, can push us so far out of His love to reach us, rescue us, and restore us.  When we call to Him, He hears us.  He's waiting for us to call on His name, no matter what the problem is.

Even when we don't have problems, He loves to hear from us.  He loves us to call His name.  Want to know my favorite name to call Him?

He is my Nail in a sure place.  I know that sounds weird.  Several years ago I was reading a book about the Names of the Lord...  and that was there.  It has stuck with me.    He is like a Nail that is put in a piece of wood, or in the wall, and it is secure to hold whatever we put on it to hold.  It is secure for our treasured item to hold.  He is my 'nail in a sure place' because I know that no matter what, I can depend on Him to right wrongs, to tenderize the tough, to calm the raging storms of life.  He is my 'Nail in a sure place'.

What is He to you?  What would your favorite name for God be?  Think about it.  He has so many names.  Sovereign, Holy, Father, Lord, ... and so many others besides those... He is the River of Life, He is our Hope, He is....    Take a moment and tell Him.  Think of the names you know Him by.  Rescuer? Redeemer? Friend? Restorer? Provider? Banner? Refresher?   

Thank Him for who He is.

Blessings!

I did ten minutes....

 I did.  Yesterday, while hubby was out doing his errands, I decided to take a quick break and I did get on the treadmill for ten minutes.  No it isn't much, that is true.  But it is a start.  So I started with ten minutes yesterday, perhaps I can do fifteen minutes today?  Hubby SHOULD go to his Bible study today and if I can get myself away from the work computer, I should be able to.  I know hubby being home shouldn't make a difference  But it does.  I can't explain it.  Enough of that.

Yesterday was an extremely busy day with work.  I didn't get everything completed but was at a place where I could put it off until today.  I like being kept busy, but some things I don't enjoy doing and it seems to take me longer, because I don't enjoy that stuff.  But, it is what it is.  I am still working for a reason and I need to just 'suck it up' and do it, right?   I often wonder what it would be like to retire, and I realize the only thing that would change is that hubby would hover over me more and I wouldn't be sitting in front of the computer all day doing things.  I would read more, yes, and I would try to crochet/knit/sew more... but for what reason?  I think my life would be more boring than it gets sometimes.  My weekends prove that.  Or is it that my life depresses me moreso on weekends.... 

Finished another book last night - and have one already that I want to read.  I finished "Finding Favor with God" by Ronnie Floyd, and am now going to read Cheryl Sacks new book "Fire on the Family Altar".  I didn't get up to look, but I'm pretty sure that is the name of it.  I already have started it and it reads like a good one.  I have, I think, nearly all her books from over the years.  She truly is a godly woman and I've known her for about 30 years.  Not close, and she may not remember my name now, but at one time she did know it as I often worked with her and her team - selling books, of course - at some of the prayer coordinator breakfasts and the conferences.  

I sit here now and look to my right at the small bookcase next to me and see several books that I have there I want to read... and several I have read and want to re-read.  Can you believe that hubby made a smart aleck comment to me yesterday?  I know you will be as shocked as I was.  He said, "This is the first day in several that you haven't gotten a book either by Amazon or the mail."  Smart Aleck.  I can remedy that, you know.  I'm just trying to slow down my stack growing.

I read the book of Haggai this morning.  It's in the old testament.  In it God is speaking through the prophet that He is withholding crops and rain from His people because they are focused upon themselves, and not on rebuilding the Lord's temple.  We do that, don't we?  And we wonder why God is not blessing the fruit of our hands.  We want things for our homes, fancy cars, things for our pleasure... and we neglect the things that honor God.  How do we do that?

By not honoring His Word; by not caring about others, by keeping 'our' needs ahead of others.  I've known people who have shared with others and they seem to never run out.  It doesn't mean they give away everything; but it does mean that they share what they have, and when they do, God blesses them and replenishes what they do have.  He makes it stretch and meet every need.  I love to do for others and give it away.  You probably have figured out by now I love to cook - and give away the food.  I like trying new things.  I don't want 'honor' and 'recognition' - I just want to give - and food is one way that I can do that.  I enjoy cooking.  I enjoy giving it to someone who will eat it.  I try not to do it real often and pass to my neighbors for I don't want them to expect or depend on it.  Does that make sense?  I want to do it because I love to give it away.

And I think that is what God wants me to do.  There isn't much I can do otherwise.  Unless God tells me or shows me specifically there is something He wants me to do... I just keep doing what I'm doing.  I know, in most cases, it is appreciated.  

Haggai 1:13 (NKJV):  Then Haggai, the LORD's messenger, spoke the LORD's message to the people, saying, "I am with you, says the LORD."

There is something to be said about hearing those words "I am with you, says the LORD."  He is with us in all the good times that He gives us, He is with us in all the hard times that He allows to happen to us.  Many of the hard times is because of our own choices.  We get ourselves in situations that we shouldn't be in.... and we are allowed to go through the consequences.  Why? Because that is how we learn NOT to do it again.  It doesn't matter if it is food or drink or situations... sometimes we do things we just shouldn't.

Ok - erase erase.  I was trying to give examples and unfortunately, I was using hubby as the example... and I don't need to write anything.  I need to stick with myself as an example and not call out anyone else - right?

Had I mentioned that hubby has found a cabin for us to spend our anniversary vacation at?  I am so looking forward to more than just a couple days to getaway.  We've stayed there before and enjoyed it. It's quiet, we'd have to drive a little ways to get to anything, but we want to read and (I want) to take short walks.  I want to relax.  Not sure if it has wifi or not so that may present a problem with typing in here,... would you miss my ramblings?

My next 'day off' work will be March 16th, when I have my right eye surgery.  My boss told me not to take the next day off if I can work; save the day. She knows I'll have to go see the doctor for a follow-up and she says that's ok.  She knows I also generally work my lunch hours most days and when I need to, I work late, and rarely, on a weekend. I have an awesome boss, for sure.  I won't be able to do much reading that day, I'm pretty sure.  In April I will probably have the left eye done if all goes well with the right eye.  And it should.  At least I will have met my insurance deductible.  And that's when I want to get everything done this year that needs to be done - the insurance will pay more!  

And, now I'm rambling for sure.  So I'll hush.  I need to find some topics to talk about so that I don't bore you so often.  Cookies, anyone?  I still have nuts and chocolate chips left over from Christmas.  Only one granddaughter and great-granddaughter came over to bake cookies this year.  I think that era has come to an end... but am grateful for what I had, and what I still have.  It doesn't have to just be Christmas... I'm always wanting to bake cookies.  Maybe this week even.  And give them away, of course.

Hope you have a good day - I'm just cruising in my mind but with nothing to share, will hush.

Blessings!