The last word...

He made me laugh.  And when I think of it, I still smile.  I mentioned the other day that my oldest son and I have this 'thing' of getting the last 'word' in.  Sometimes I let him win, and sometimes he lets me 'win'.  He read my blog, apparently, for he commented on it, '(last) word'.   I thought briefly about responding back on it... but decided to let it go and just comment upon it here.  And... what happened AFTER I read his '(last)' word.  What started?  Didn't I say a a book starts with just one word?

I have a title.  Now whether it is the title of a book, or just a chapter, I don't know.  But thoughts started going through my mind and I went to a blank Word document, and started typing.  I only did a couple paragraphs because I had to put the computer away and get ready for work.  

This is one of those times I wish I didn't work, and I could run with my thoughts at the spur of the moment and perhaps fulfil the dream I have within me to write.  If it is to be, God will always provide a way, and I have to hang on to that.   But the point is... I started.  I had the 'word' to be put to paper and begin.  What's holding you back?

I could tell yesterday was one of those 'bored' days for hubby.  He hasn't been going out to breakfast or lunch as much with his friends.  The Bible study he is in at the Baptist church up the street doesn't start for another month or so.  He still is meeting his friends on Tuesday evenings, and he works on the study during the week, but he doesn't have much of anything else to fill his time in.  Right now he doesn't even have a lot of doctor appointments.  (today he goes to have a blood draw, but that's it)  So what makes me think he is 'bored'?  

He will come and stand at the doorway of 'my office' and not say anything.  Just stand there.  When I finally look up and ask him what he wants, the reply is always the same. "Nothing".  Just thought I'd see what you are doing.  Drives me crazy.  He starts to read and he falls asleep.  Usually for at least 1/2 hour or more.  Then he complains he falls asleep.  (wonder why he can't sleep at night?)  I have tried to encourage him to get involved somewhere; to volunteer - but he refuses.  He has joined the men's group at church, but it only meets once a month - and that was last Saturday.  He has no hobbies, nor does he want to learn something.......unless it is something I want to learn, so that we could do it together.  Which is why I don't jump into things... I have become a 'loner' in a lot of respects.  I like having the opportunity to 'think' without others commenting.  Unless you have been 'smothered' like I have, you would not understand at all what I'm saying.  So I'll leave that there.

I was wrong.  I text'd my little brother yesterday to tell him I was praying for his wife as she had surgery.  I mentioned in yesterday's blog.  OOOPS.  He reminded me, it wasn't yesterday, it is MONDAY.  So I've written myself a note to not forget to pray again on Monday for her.  I wonder why it was on my mind so much that I thought it was yesterday.  But at least I prayed, and at least my brother knows I was thinking of them.  

Today I am needing to take a run down to the Mesa office.  I hadn't planned to, but it is in the plans now.  I will head out about 7:15AM to get down there.  My male boss had told me about some baby equipment that they wanted to get rid of as their youngest is now 1 year old.  Things like bouncer, etc. I can't even think what he sent me photos of.  Anyway, he offered them to us - free - for my grandchildren who are expecting.  Only problem is that he lives in Chandler, I live way out here.  He wanted me to meet at corporate downtown and I refused.  Told him to give them to goodwill as I was not driving in downtown traffic.  It's crazy there.  So we have now compromised.  He has a meeting in Scottsdale this morning, so he will meet me at the Mesa office and we'll put in my car.  That's the only reason for the trip this morning.  I do have some things to take back down to the office, but I haven't pulled everything together and with such short notice, didn't want to.  It will be a slow day anyway.  He is gone all day, my other big boss is on PTO.  

The last box was received yesterday from my little sister.  I wasn't sure what all she sent - and surprisingly, the 'other things' that I expected weren't there.   What was there was the quilt of my older sister's that I wanted.  It was made by either our mom or granny, as it is handmade.  I told her she could keep it, but she sent it.  There is a basket that my younger sister had literally snatched from my daughter's hands and said 'this one is mine!' (but doesn't remember doing that - just wondered why she had the basket).  She sent a small ceramic basket for my daughter, a new wallet of sorts, and a brown envelope full of jewelry.  I knew I had looked at our sister's jewelry and took what little I wanted for memory's sake, and I think the rest went into goodwill as no one else wanted costume jewelry.  But this jewelry was bagged and I hadn't seen it before.  So I text'd my sister and asked about it - she said that when her mother in law died a year ago and she mentioned getting her jewelry, I had commented I'd like to see some of it before she got rid of it.  Well, I guess this is it. None of it I want, so I will be shipping it back to my sister to do whatever with it.  That's all that was in the box.  Interesting.  My sister and I text'd about the box - I included my daughter so that all that was 'said' was seen by all.  It felt safer.

I have so much costume jewelry... and gave several pieces to my youngest granddaughter a couple years ago just to get rid of some.  Most was Avon jewelry from over the years.  Since I don't go into the office anymore, I don't wear much jewelry except my wedding rings.  I don't even put makeup on every day.  I'm not one of those people who can't go outside without putting makeup on.  What you see is what you get.  Makeup may make me look better on the outside, but it doesn't change who I am on the inside.  I will put makeup on this morning and clean up a bit as I will be seeing my boss.  Maybe stop at the grocery on the way home cause I need a few things for a potluck tomorrow night.  But other than that - I'm 'clean-faced'. 👩

Not much going on this weekend here.... a potluck at our group leader's house tomorrow evening, church on Sunday.  I think that is about it.  I want to make a cheesecake... will see how that goes.  Found a recipe for a German chocolate cheesecake.  Doesn't that sound yummy.  If I remember to stop and get what I need at the grocery this morning, I may even make it today.  I am just experimenting again.  The last cheesecake I made was crazy - took a lot more than I thought it would to make.  But in all fairness, I was distracted with work and I did two at the same time, which I probably shouldn't have.  Maybe if I just do one... and then divide it among my neighbors... we definitely don't need it.  I'm not even a big fan of cheesecake!  But want to make a small one for a friend who is in our group - her birthday is tomorrow and she loves German chocolate cake.  Thought I'd do something different.

I guess I've rambled on enough this morning about various things.  Hope that you have an amazing day.  Oh - the 'last word' in the most amazing and wonderful book in the world?

Amen.

Blessings!

Getting things done.....

 Christmas is quickly approaching and I'm finishing up with a few things that I want to cook/bake/get done.  I had a very light day yesterday so I checked the computer periodically and made 4 batches of salsa - finishing up all that I need to make for the grandchildren.  It sounds like I made a lot, but one batch is only about 1 quart and 1 pint.   I try to make each one a quart - whoever wants it.  At least I'm done with salsa right now - and even had a pint for hubby, for which made him very happy.  He was always asking 'did you make any for us?  did you save any for us?' - when in reality it was 'did you make any for me?'  LOL  

I also expanded my horizon and tried to make a mint cheesecake with a chocolate base out of my Junior's Cheesecake cookbook.  I will never, ever, ever, (I don't think) try to make this again.  Oh my goodness - what a lot of work - and I don't think it turned out.  The crust itself took over an hour to make (in between me checking the computer) cause it had to bake.  Then the real work started in making the cheesecake - oh my word.  Trust me, I will pay whatever it costs to buy a Junior's Cheesecake (New York) for it is well worth it.  It took a lot of work, and a lot of time, to make this cheesecake - and then had to put it in a 'water bath' and it was to bake for 85 minutes - seriously!  By the end of 25-30 minutes it was dark brown on top so I just took it out - I didn't want it to burn!  It's now in the freezer... not sure if I will attempt to bring it out or not.  I may for the first group over Christmas Eve night... if it's not good, then can get rid of it.  But I think it will be good.  I had a bit left over from the first batch and put in the 4" pan and it tastes ok.... but now I need to cover up the dark brown top.  Maybe if I could have given it all my attention, it would be better, but I don't have much confidence in it now.  Besides, I did order 18 of the Junrior's Cheesecake cupcakes and they are in the refrigerator for dessert.  As well as a chocolate creme pie, and a turtle pie.  I had planned to also make an apple cobbler in the crockpot, but will see.  There will be so much food for dinner, no one may want dessert.   I did find another recipe (not from the cookbook) for a blueberry cheesecake - which did not require baking - and made it as well.  It actually does taste pretty good!  In fact, hubby and I had some of it last night after dinner.  Will see how long that lasts!

I need to review my groceries to make sure I have everything I want to cook this weekend.  I'm in my 'seventh heaven' when I get to cook for everyone.  It's one of the joys I get.  I don't even mind the clean up cause I get to use my 'love gift' of creating dishes to give to others.  Thank goodness for dishwashers, though!  I did do online ordering at Fry's the other night and picked up everything I thought I needed.  I just need to confirm that I did get everything.  It would probably be a good idea to write out a menu - then I would know what I'm fixing.  I'm so excited to be able to cook for my children and grandchildren - and great-grandchildren!  

Everything (well, except for a couple little things) are wrapped and under the tree because I quit shopping for Christmas a week or so ago.  There are some packages that still come in occasionally - and I tell hubby these things have been either delayed or back-ordered.... I'm not going online and ordering Christmas gifts.  If I buy anything, it is for me, for now. :-)  And then it isn't much - usually a book or two.  LOL  I do love my books.  Trying to find a new Bible study to do on my own when I finish the one I'm doing.  I do have a confession.  After the first six verses, I quit memorizing.  I tried, I really did, but there were some issues going on and my heart just wouldn't let me retain it.  I do read the verses every day, and perhaps some of it will stick.  And then I tell myself that I need to memorize verses that will be meaningful to me for living life, not 'in her hand she holds the distaff and with her fingers holds the spindle' or something like that.   A Proverbs 31 woman I am probably not, but I did, and am, learning some things from the book.  Just finished day 73 today.  Right now it's talking about hospitality - something I enjoy doing; hubby not so much. 

I am working today and tomorrow, getting December 24th off.  But although my two big bosses are working, their meetings are light and I will rarely hear from them.  I do have a meeting with one to go over his calendar this morning for next week.  But other than that - I can get a lot of other things done, like I did yesterday.   Both are totally blocked tomorrow with no meetings so I will have pretty much all day to do whatever - but I do need to read about timecards and how to approve them.  I have to do it this Monday and the person I am taking it on from - she signed off and turned in her computer last Friday without even telling me 'bye' or showing me how to do it.  We had briefly gone over some things, but I'm still uncertain how to do it.  Then I found out another admin is leaving and yes - I am getting her people to approve timecards for too!  I've had to take on three more leaders in addition to the two chiefs I support... and then there are their direct reports.  Yeah, I'm busy.  And I don't mind busy, but not knowing how to do things often makes me wish I didn't have to - that I wasn't working.

But I am glad I am working.  We got notification the other day - the 'soft re-opening' that had been planned for leaders to start coming back in to the office has been halted due to this new strain of virus - indefinitely.  So if I'm at home, working in jeans and t-shirt, it's the life, right?  As long as I don't have to do board meetings it is!  I've gotten lazy since I haven't had to take minutes for awhile.  I don't know these people and without having them face to face, it's hard to do minutes of who said what.  It sure has been easier for us with not having gas expenses and clothing expenses.  Especially since I have gained some weight since I've been home.  Got to get refocused on eating better and less of it.  In other words, stay out of the cheesecake!  

January 2nd we will start our 21 day fast for the year.  I've been thinking about what I will give up - and I like the BBCD I usually do.  No beef, bread, chocolate, or dessert.  Sometimes it is hard, it really is!  Usually I will just eat chicken and fish with vegetables, which is good for me.  I sometimes leave out the pasta as I consider it a bread product, but it really isn't.  It does have flour in it though; just not bread flour.  Last time I did something different - which I can't remember what it was now - but I recall it was harder to stay focused on not doing it.  I have beef, bread, chocolate and dessert under the acronymn BBCD so it's easier to remember.  And trust me, it is hard to give up my bread!

The point isn't for us to just 'give up something we enjoy' for 21 days each year.  It is giving our attention to God during that time versus focusing on food.  Some people go without any food, or eat only one meal a day, during the 21 days.  Several churches have taken it up now.  I enjoy doing it 'with others' even though we aren't with them physically.  I have seen the blessings God has given us because we choose to give up some food that we enjoy as a tithe to Him part of the first month of the year.  I'll probably talk more about this on January 1.

God has been good, and He has been faithful to us.  I've noticed it more so this year, I think, than in years past.  Yeah, we still go through some things, but overall, when we release things to Him, He gets us through it.

Goals to think about for the new year?  Haven't gotten that far yet in my thinking.  Perhaps after Christmas I will ponder that.  My son made a comment a few years back about resolutions versus goals... I don't remember exactly what it was now, but it makes more sense.  So I choose goals versus resolutions.  What about you?

Need to jump off and sign on the computer - then get dressed for the day.  Oh what shall I wear?  Oh yeah - jeans and t-shirt will work!  And a sweatshirt or hoodie... I sometimes get chilly when I stay back in this room.  I may bake cookies today... not sure what I'll do.  I NEED to review timecards and how to do them... but that's Monday, right?  UGH.  I don't like this part of the job!  I've never had to do it before so why should I do it for other people?!  

Have an awesome day!  Are you on the nice or naughty list this year?

Blessings!