Yesterday was over the top

 - very busy! I kid you not, I couldn't have taken a lunch break if I wanted to!  But - I did jump off about 3:15PM after another phone call discussion with someone and head over to CVS to get my flu shot.  I have to get it; it's mandatory in order to keep my job.  So I get it as soon as it's available so that I can get it over with.  I have the paperwork to send in to the company to prove that I got it. Yep, we have to provide proof we received the vaccine. Understandably why.  My arm is blotchy red around the shot area but at least it isn't sore.  

Today will prove to be another busy day.  We have 'town hall' 3 times today and I'm back-up - which means I will be at my desk and listening to everything 3 times.  I really have a lot to get done and I don't have time for this, but sometimes someone's computer will mess up and the back-up person will have to take over showing the slide presentation.  That someone is me, at least today.  I'm usually the back-up because I don't want to have to do it.  They asked me to do this first one at 8AM, but I suggested we bring in another executive assistant to do them and I remain back-up.  They agreed so I don't have to do it.  YAY!

Worked all day yesterday on the male boss's trip to Colorado next week.  Sometimes I just want to... well, he frustrates me.  He asked one executive to meet him for breakfast one day.  They said they couldn't. So he asked another.  Then the other came back and said they could. So then it's up to me to figure out how to make it work. And I threw up my hands when I discovered the one he asked for breakfast is an hour away from his hotel in the opposite direction of the one he is to meet late morning; he can't meet for lunch because the company picnic starts at noon and he has to be there; that is why he is flying there, so it's to be a late morning 'hot chocolate' for him with the 2nd one - who is 45 minutes north of where the one he is meeting that is an hour south, then he has to be in yet another city 30 minutes away for the picnic.  I told him 'we have to talk' this morning.  When, I don't know, since I have to be listening to every town hall. And he is doing a presentation during it as well, I think.  This man drives me absolutely crazy.

I had a bunch of packages delivered yesterday.  I think seven. That's a good number, don't you think?  Six from Amazon (not my fault they don't pack them all in one box!) and one from JoAnn Fabrics.  I feel it saves me money at JoAnn's to just order my yarn online if I know what color I want because then all I end up with is the yarn that I want.  They have a lot more things there besides yarn and it does tend to get your attention.  As for all my boxes from Amazon, got my L-Tyrosine that I had just ran out of; got a couple books I had pre-ordered and they shipped; a birthday gift and a Christmas gift or two. I am sitting here looking at the boxes and trying to remember what is in them.  I need to start writing things down, right? I did an excel spreadsheet last year of all the Christmas things I bought/made - I saw it the other day so need to pull it out and compare, and then create one for this year.  I've already got a start on the 'Christmas wall' - where I put all the gifts in here against the wall before I wrap.  

Which reminds me, they are 'giving' us nearly the entire week of Christmas off this year.  It's ok to have an extra day or two, but we still have to use our PTO time.  And if the office is 'officially closed', we have to take it.  Christmas is on a Wednesday this year so they have given us Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday.... and Friday if we want it. Then I think Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday the following week for New Years.  I'm watching my PTO hours because I do want to take some extra time off to do my Christmas baking.  I got cookies to make! :-)  I think they are 'forcing' people to take PTO because once you get to 240 hours you stop earning - and many people just don't pay attention and then complain when they stop receiving the hours.  By being 'forced' to take vacation days, it actually benefits them as they are getting away from work (or should be!) to recharge.  I think I have about 100 hours built up in PTO and nearly 40 hours in sick time.  We can use both for time off.  I need to check and see what is there. Of course Labor Day just took 8 hours.  Thanksgiving will take 16 hours, which is the next holiday. I forget how much I earn each pay period - but on the 17th of this month I mark 7 years with this company - where does the time go?! - so I do get nearly a day a month, I think.

And yes, I'm rambling today with nothing to talk about.  I didn't want to get up this morning; but my mind started waking up and regardless of what the body says, the mind overrules. I gave up and got up about 4:40AM.  The body is tired and wanted to rest. The mind said "Get up you lazy thing! It's time to start the day!"  Whatever.

Not sure what is going on with hubby.  He has been pretty grumpy lately, moreso than usual. He acts like he is 'overwhelmed' at times. I know part - or most - is that both hearing aids went out on Monday. And he lets everyone know he can't hear. He kept showing me how he only had so much time left on one and the other was already 'dead'.  He did go yesterday and there is a short in one and it has gone back to be fixed; the other they had to replace the battery that they had replaced the week before. So hearing out of one ear I am told I need to make sure he is watching me speak so he can hear me.  Does that mean if I mutter under my breath as I turn away that he can't hear me?  Asking for a friend.

Got an invite to a great-grandson's first birthday party later this month.  Got an invite for another's 2nd birthday this Friday.  Hubby let me know he would not be going to one later this month and gave me his reason. Doesn't matter. It's still a great-grandson and I will go, at least for a little while.  And I'm going to leave all that right here. 

I read a chapter on Journaling again this morning in yet another book.  I've read this one before, and I've read other books that refer to the importance of journaling.  I figure this blog is like my journaling, is it not? I give my life story here! I know, b-o-r-i-n-g, huh!  But I do, on occasion, take my book journal and will write out several pages in prayer or asking God to help me understand some things, asking Him to help me get through each day; asking Him to heal my heart; heal my family; restore what the enemy has taken away from us.  Some prayers I rewrite on a daily basis it seems. Yes, I know that God hears my prayers the first time. But, like the persistent widow, sometimes we need to press in to God and continue to ask Him for what we want.  But we also need to remember that He sees the bigger picture.  We may ask for someone to be healed.  He sees someone becoming a Christian because He didn't heal that person.  We pray for financial peace; He sees it as teaching us to manage our money better.  There are always a good side to prayers not answered, and I know He sees the bigger picture.  Sometimes we see that agony about something is prolonged, but maybe the lesson isn't for us, but for someone who watches us.  If we are walking with God on a daily basis, He will provide all we need to get through whatever it is that we need help with.  He may not give us the answer, but He will walk with us through it.  And you know what? Sometimes that is better because it teaches us that in the hard times, we are not alone, but God is with us.  Grateful for that.

2 Chronicles 16:9:  For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.

The Lord is not a respecter of persons. He rewards equally all those who seem Him fervently - which is why some don't' enter into much in God. As He looks upon the moderate zeal with which they seek Him, if He were to give them the power and glory they requested, He would be violating all those who have sought Him with so much more intensity.

So with what intensity are you seeking God today?  Is it a casual 'hi there', or do you actually sit down and center your thoughts on Him and let Him love on you?  Haven't done that before?  Take a few moments away from distractions.  Close your eyes. Turn your thoughts to Him. Ask Him what you will. Even if it is just to get through the day. And then wait. And listen. You may - or may not - 'hear' Him answer you.  Depends on if you have conditioned your ears to hear.  It sometimes takes time to hear His voice. But when you know it, you know it.  Have a thought pop in your mind that you need to do something that you normally wouldn't do? That may be God.  Listen. Hear. Act.

I can remember one years, many many years ago, I was on my knees praying and the thought popped in to my mind "Send your sister $20". I hadn't talked to her for a couple days so I didn't know why - but I did what I was told.  When she received it, she called me crying.  She was a single mom at that time and she said she had a need (don't remember what it was for now) and needed $20 to meet that need - and God provided.  What if I hadn't listened to God?  It's not that I did anything on my own. I wouldn't have sent her money. But God.  When you listen to what He says to you, or nudges you to do, you bless others, and in return, you get blessed.  God is good.  He is always watching, always caring, always loving us.

Blessings!

Mission accomplished....

 I made contact with my DIL yesterday and took the book and cookies up to her at 5PM so that when she went home from work, she could pass on to my son.  I wanted to send him a text to let him know, but thought I'd let him be 'surprised', although I knew he'd read my blog yesterday and know what I was thinking about - and what he was to get.  I hope he enjoys both.  I need to jump on Amazon some time soon and order another copy of the book.  I gave our last copy to the neighbor across the street to read... and now I don't have one for my boss' birthday as planned.  Will try to get that done today so that I can work on pulling her gift together.  We meet up the 28th for breakfast - and then she is having foot surgery so will be off for a week or so - plans to do a lot of reading.

Yesterday was a very busy day.  I never got the equipment ordered so need to do that first thing this morning.  I had meetings, expenses, and a lot of things to do yesterday.  It was one of those days that left you feeling exhausted at the end of it.  I slept fairly well, but did awake a few times during the night.

We received a 'save the date' card in the mail yesterday from hubby's nephew.... April 29th, 2023.  And they expect us to attend.  I officiated his brother's wedding last October so was there for his - and this nephew wants us there for his too.  Wasn't really on the agenda that soon to return to that area, but at least it wasn't this year.  I'm thinking it through right now and not making any family commitments as to where we will stay.  I'm thinking we will have 'rights' as hubby is the grandfather's only brother and we can stay with them... but the grandmother also has siblings so not sure how that is going to work out.  Plus the fact I have family there.  I'm thinking we may even stay at a hotel and avoid all the controversy of family.  I do want to see my family.  I just don't want to go through what I have with my sister since I was there in June.  I want to see them all, don't get me wrong.  I will have to spend some time with my sister.  My big brother wants me to stay with him always, and often invites us to come stay.  No pressure, no comments, just love and respect.  My little brother loves me and loves to see me, but has never invited us to stay there, and because they smoke, probably won't.  And that's ok.  I still love him, and I still want to see him.  Plus I go to bed early and am up early - and he is just the opposite.  Whatever is decided, we will spend some time with him.  I'm not wanting to use a lot of my vacation days for this trip as in July we will have my grandson's wedding in California and will be going there - and I want to take some time to just chill while we are there and enjoy ourselves.  So much can happen between now and then - I'm just not going to worry about it.  Don't have to make a commitment one way or the other right now - the invites don't even go out until January.  Let me get through the holidays!

Today will be a busy day too, but I don't have running around to appointments. Once I get the equipment ordered then I can focus on the rest.  Still need to do the minutes; not procrastinating - I'd rather do minutes than order equipment!  But I must do both at some point.  Some days I think work is the only thing that keeps me sane - so why do I want to retire?  Besides hubby being adamant that I do not retire, now is not the time.... some day I will get to.  But, it is in God's timing, I guess.

I Peter 3:8-9 (NIV):  "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."

I always love finding a 'Therefore' or a 'so that' when I read the Bible.  Therefore always tells us what that scripture is 'there for'.  It specifies its existence.  It's there because.....  Then there is the 'so that'.  I love when I read those words because it shows that if you do this, it's 'so that' you will receive this.  The above scripture only has a 'so that' in it - but look at it again.

"Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."

Be like minded.  Be sympathetic.  Love one another.  Be compassionate and humble.  Do not repay evil or insult with insult.  INSTEAD, repay evil with blessing.  Why?  SO THAT you may inherit a blessing.

That makes it all worth it, doesn't it?  We may receive harsh words from someone, we may receive insult after insult that just crushes our spirit.  (That's happened a few times to me, as you know)  BUT, when we don't respond in kind, but in KINDNESS, we receive a blessing instead of the continuous onslaught of words or actions that are cruel and mean.  It isn't always easy, trust me!  When my sister would unleash her words on me, you know how I felt.  I've shared way too much with you.  But I never spoke hateful to her, although she claims I did.  It's just she did not, and does not, want to hear the truth.  I choose to let God repay how He wants to repay.  In spite of what she has said and done to me, I love her.  I'm just not eager to hang out with her because I know every time I do - even when we get along, she will bring up the past and, well, I just don't want to go there.  I've dealt with it, I've prayed over it, I've let it go.  Hakuna Matata (did I spell it right?)  Don't worry!  Let it go!  Life is too short to hang on to things that hurt and crush people when they are relived or rehashed.  I choose joy in my life and refuse to allow hate to dwell within me. I may choose to not be close to someone, and that's ok.  I want the 'so that' I may inherit a blessing.  And God's blessings are always the best.

I finally got the death certificate of my father's Saturday.  I'm not sure what all the words mean - but the majority apply to his diabetes.  I need to update my medical history and send that to my children.  At some point they may need to share their medical history - although I don't know they'd need to go back that far - to the great-greats - but I find it interesting to know what the medical history of my generations before had.  

I feel like I'm 'all over the place' this morning.  I have a little bit of time to do some reading before starting work - think I'll 'dive in' to that and hush up.  Hope your day is full of the blessings of God and that you will feel His Presence and know He is.

Blessings!