I took the day off...

 I have so much stuff going on that I am trying to get done and well, just have so much I want to get done and getting overwhelmed with the inability to do all of it when I want to.... so I took the day off work.  I told hubby.  I just said I needed to not stress at trying to get things done and do one thing at a time.  Little does he realize that much of what I want to do - I want to do without him looking over my shoulder and 'helping' - or rather, 'offering' to help.  Sigh.  Plus, my daughter asked if I would drive them to the airport this morning.... and I haven't been in the airport area for over ten years, I'd guess.  I'm directionally challenged so I don't like going places I am not familiar with.  But I said yes.  And I will have to keep this short so that I can get dressed and get out the door in about 30 minutes to head over to their house.  Glad they get to go see their granddaughter 'christened' in California.  

We had a surprise yesterday - I step outside to pick up a delivered box - and bees were everywhere!  I stood there, looking around, trying to see where they were coming from - and finally saw them on the side of a pot full of dirt next to the gate.  I called a bee keeper to come get them - but they got stuck in traffic and we moved it to 9AM this morning - if they are still there.  While I was talking to him - all the bees took off - but then came back and started landing on that pot again.  I wonder if they are there this morning.  Not going to be able to tell until I get back from the airport.  It's too dark out - which is why we had to move to this morning - it was starting to get dark and they were stuck in traffic. Can't see all the bees in the dark.

Hubby has his bible study this morning then going to visit our friend after.  I may still have a few hours alone if he does.  I may leave the house once I see that he is on his way back home just so I can have some 'me' time.  I hear Michaels is having a big yarn sale.  But I am staying away.  I have more yarn than I can use in a year - my daughter gave me her yarn stash as she was packing to move.  Yep, got plenty of yarn!

And, I need to stop, get dressed, brush my teeth (heck with makeup) and get out the door.  I may brush my hair too. :-)  

So - short it is - but maybe I will have something to share in the morning.  I haven't told hubby, yet - but I took Monday off too.  I really want to get started - and finish - some tasks I have been putting off forever.

Enjoy your day - praying through mine!

Blessings!

A day off work....

I decided to take a day off work.  Hubby has his doctor's appointment, for which I must go with him. It will be good to have all the lab reports from both LabCorp and Sonora Quest in one location and let Dr. Mark tell us what the end result is. We are believing that all things are back to normal.  Don't understand the whys of what happened, or hows of it getting 'fixed', but we will at least have some information when we return home.  Right now I'm more confused on the time.... I wrote 12PM on one calendar, and 1PM on all the other calendars. So which one is correct. Hubby questioned me yesterday and I told him 1PM.  I saw the 12PM on the handwritten calendar this morning so I asked him, and he said 1PM.  I hope to get him to call the doctor's office to confirm - don't want to be late.  He can go to the kidney doctor to have blood drawn all by himself.  Thank goodness.  This 24x7 is making me crazy.

Since I am taking today off work, I am on my second cup of coffee.  I am hoping that I can sort out and wrap some of the Christmas gifts I have stacked here on the floor.  With my family continuously growing, I have lots to buy for, but at least I've gotten an early start - and I am buying less this year.  Whether it is believed or not. LOL

I was going to cancel 'girls night out' last night as I had a training at 5PM, but when hubby kept asking/pushing on whether or not I was going - I decided to just go.  My daughter and I had a nice dinner together and then I came home - got here about 10 minutes before hubby did. A few minutes reprieve, if you will.  I rarely get on facebook anymore - but for some reason I got to watching reels and scanning - until hubby, who had also been on his phone ever since he came home (and often spends the evening doing it), berated me with "well, if you aren't going to talk with me I'm going to bed!"  Rolling my eyes at him, I commented back - if we are both on our phones, we don't normally 'talk'!  (I had asked about his study and our friend when he first got home.) He stormed off; I noticed the time and decided to just go to bed as well.  So I did and was nearly asleep before he finally made it to bed.  Geez.  

I woke up at 12:15, 2:15, 4AM; and finally arose at 5-ish.  Of course hubby got up right after me so that he could bring me my coffee.  

I really do miss the days when I would arise at 4AM and do my quiet time for an hour; at 5AM start getting dressed for work, and 6AM get out the door to head to work.  The hour I had alone in my car with God and just thinking - was precious time.  It's hard to explain.  I never wanted to work from home.  I still don't want to work from home, but it has great advantages, especially with doctor appointments or needing to run to the grocery.  I miss the social interaction.  I don't care much for being in a prison and glued to the computer all day. I'll leave that there.  Some days is worse than others.  I am NOT at his beck and call, although he thinks I am. His friends have either moved away, had a stroke, or has Alzheimer, and there is no other man that he meets for a meal or coffee.  I miss those mornings when he was gone 3-4 hours to chat with his friends.  He's only gone Tuesday nights and Friday mornings now.  It makes for very long weeks, if you know what I mean.

Am I complaining? Probably.  I keep encouraging him to ask other men who are retired to meet with him, but he hasn't.  Yet.  Since we are making friends at our church, perhaps he will now.  Even with working, I love having breathing room.

I have decided to do a 40 day fast.  I'm using the book The Call to Die by David Nasser.  I'm struggling to determine what to fast from.  In the introduction, he says it doesn't have to be food (which my immediate thought was BBCD - no bread, beef, chocolate, or desserts) but then again, Thanksgiving is within that forty days, and I need to bake cookies, like today to take tonight.  I could give up sodas, but I rarely drink them. Coffee?  I would, but hubby would not be happy if he couldn't bring my coffee every morning. I'm still struggling to find a specific 'thing', but I'm leaning towards just changing up what I do each morning in here.  I read in a couple books, pray, read my Bible (but not always if I run out of time), and write in here.  Do I give this up for 40 days?   I'm thinking of cutting back my extra reading (instead choose to read it at night) and specifically spend time reading my Bible, reading the daily in the book, praying, and of course writing in here.  Yeah, I could share what I'm learning, right?  I'm actually starting it tomorrow, I think.  I want to determine what to fast from before I commit to the 40 days.  I miss the days when my life was more simple. I've made it more complicated, I think.

My youngest son should be making it home from all his travels some time today.  It will be good to have him home again.  He can take care of his daughter and the 'name situation'.  When I asked her on Sunday what she was going to do.... it was "I don't know" which means she probably won't do anything.  I get so frustrated with her and her indecision and reluctance to do anything.  And I'll leave that there.

Matthew 16:24 (NIV):  "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.'"

We are so self-centered that denying ourselves anything is hard.  Perhaps that is why I am struggling on what to fast from.  Is it that I don't want to make it difficult for myself?  Is it that I am afraid of failing?  I can remember times when I've fasted and succeeded.  What is my problem?  Other than I usually get 'push back' from 'someone' about fasting.  I'm going to starve or waste away, if I give up food, right?  Sigh. I keep asking God what does He want me to fast from.  I need to shut down this computer and sit and listen for His response. I want to do it all!  Fasting used to be like second nature for me. At least once a week I was fasting.  Then, life put it on pause.  Getting back to it is difficult.  

I need to sit myself down and talk to God and listen to what He has to say to me.  I can't live this life in my own way, as much as I try to.  If I am following after Jesus, then I must lay down the things I hold on to (emotions, attitudes, etc.) that keep me from emptying myself, and just do it.  

What about you? What is holding you back from denying yourself and taking up the cross of Jesus.  Does it even cross your mind?  I have struggled with this for some time, and still struggle with it.  The human side fights with the spiritual side, right?  I WANT to do it, but allow my life circumstances overrule what I feel I should do.  I've got to take a firm stand. I'm hoping that going through this book will help me refocus and get back on track.  Following Jesus is a full time job, not a one time stand.  Maybe tomorrow I will remember and will write what I have (finally) chosen to fast from.  It doesn't have to be food.  I just need to make that call.  

How about fasting with me?  I have lots of things to pray for, I have relatives with medical issues I want to see miraculously healed.  God can do all things, what am I willing to give up to ask for it?  Ouch.  This can hurt, can't it!  It will be worth it.  No matter if God answers the request the way I want Him to, or He resolves it in His way..... His way is always better.  

Increase my faith, Lord.  Keep my eyes on You and not on the issues surrounding me.  Your Word says You work all things for my good.  I am believing You for Your Word.  Hear my prayers, O Lord, change ME, and bring hope and healing to those who need the touch of Your hand, the glance from Your eyes. Help us to still believe in miracles.

Blessings!

It was a good day

 We went to church yesterday morning and the pastor preached a very good message. Came home for a bit before heading over to the graduation party for the grandson.  Did a quick run to pick up a granddaughter and her son so that they could attend for awhile.  Food was good.  Ate more wings than I ever have (4 or 5) I think.  Even the hot and the mango something or other - it wasn't that hot.  The hot was more hot, I think.  Anyway - food was good and I ate way too much.  Stayed a few hours then took the granddaughter and great grandson back home and we came home.  I did not cook dinner.  

But I did do a run to the grocery store cause I plan to do some cooking today.  I haven't done it for a little while and want to - making garbage, and maybe my spaghetti sauce, and taking some over to Ms. Diane, Ms. Vicky, and possibly a new one, Dee.  I'm older than she is by several years and she lives across from Ms. Vicky and next to Ms. Diane.  She fell the other day and I'm not sure what to call it, but they had to put a metal plate over her knee and she also chipped bones on both sides of it - or something like that. But she is single, and is laid up.  I've noticed a couple cars there off and on the past few days and she had told hubby her son and daughter have been there to take care of her.  I'm still debating if I need to take food over, but hubby seems to think 'that would be nice'.  This is the lady who I went to lunch with right after she moved in and she irritated me enough that I refuse to do it again.  She ruined my lunch by trying to tell me what to do about something in my job I was working on.  And she never shuts up.  Anyway - I may not take anything there, but I still have the other two.

I finished The Power of Persistence last night and that makes 20 books for the year that I have remembered to input and check off in Goodreads.  I have 30 to hit my goal.  Now if I read fiction novels, I'd probably have two-three a week - lol - but because I like reading books that help me, not entertain me so much, it takes me a bit longer.  And then there is the TV, of course.  We watched several episodes of NCIS (gotta love Mark Harmon) and then watched a movie.  It was nearly 11PM before we went to bed.  And of course my mental side woke up about 4AM.  But sometime during the night my watch was buzzing that the battery was low.  That's why I flip back and forth on a watch.  My Apple I have to charge every day, sometimes before I even go to bed!  But I am used to it and it did cost a lot of money.  Which is why I hang on to it and keep using it. Some day, though, I may just change my mind...

As mentioned above, today I plan to cook garbage and spaghetti sauce and put some int he freezer for hubby for when I'm gone later this week.  YES!  Two more days and it's JAILBREAK TIME, Baby!!  We head out Thursday morning and won't be back until Sunday afternoon.  I am working the next two days (off today, of course) but then four happy days away.  Back to my thoughts, I will take some of the food to the two women and then put some in the freezer for hubby while I'm gone.  I need to figure out what else he can eat. Poor thing, he won't cook, but he can heat up food.  He can fry bacon and eggs so I'm not worried about him and breakfast.  He may even lose a couple pounds while I'm gone. LOL  While I may gain it!  After all, it's vacation, right?

I have done some additional sleeping this morning here in my chair so am grateful that I don't have to work today.  And, I 'm in no hurry to come out  - but it is after 8AM and I probably should.  I think hubby got up at 5 or so.  After he brought my coffee, I just settled back in my chair and went back to sleep.  I read my bible until I started falling asleep, so put it away and really fell back into a deep sleep. Just because I could.  I'm more alert now. But reading this, you may wonder, right?

I saw that Phil Robertson, the great Duck Commander, as they called him, has passed away.  He was only 79 and it does make someone around that age or older pause and think.  I will be 76 this year, and yet I don't 'feel' like it.  I'm grateful I have pushed to be somewhat active, although not as much as I want to be.  I told hubby the other night that we are not going to spend the summer sitting at home, that I want to do things.  He just looked at me.  Cost-wise, I will be figuring out what.  I know we have talked about going up to Bearizona and I would love to go, but it is always more fun to go with someone else.  I think they close some during the summer, will have to go online and see when that is. Maybe it can be a place we go to this summer.

It's already 80 degrees out.  Not going to be going out much today!  I do want to run to Walmart this morning for a couple things.  But will need to fix breakfast first for hubby.  It's not open yet anyway.  And I'm in my jammies.  

It was so good to spend some time with both my boys yesterday, even though I had to share them. 

John 3:17 (NKJV):  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

Can you even imagine the thought of sending your child, your son, your one and only begotten son, to save someone else?  I can't.  But that is what God did, for you and for me.  Or is it for me, and for you?  I am grateful that God did that for us.  I definitely needed saving.  And you do too.  Life is so much better when you follow Jesus.  He doesn't tell you to change your life.  He just tells you to 'Follow Me'.  In time, you will want to change your life to reflect His.  I still have a long way to go.  Trying to shut my mouth and not make sarcastic comments is hard at times.  I REALLY ran some thoughts through my head this week.... but I resisted saying ANYTHING.  Can you even imagine that!  But I knew that I shouldn't so I was able to keep most, if not all thoughts, silent.  It's a learning and slow process, so please bear with me.

Our neighbors are in their courtyard with a shovel. They just have had a plant die or something.  They are nice neighbors, but keep to themselves anymore, just like we do.  My one rose tree is just not going to make it, my other one is still fighting to live.  I didn't think about the sun beating down on them and killing them right from the 'get go' but it has.  The center rose bush that has been there since we moved in is also showing signs of dying.  Too much sun I guess.  My jasmine are next to the house and seem to be fairing well.  As are the other plants that are under the roof next to the garage.  However, the two beautiful pots of petunias I had set out on the columns are totally dead.  I need to take them down and go buy a few plants and put in there. Vincas this time, I'm thinking. They seem to fair well in hot weather.

And with that, I need to get off here and get started on my day. At least get dressed.

Memorial Day.  A day to remember those who have gone before us.  My oldest son posted a photo of his father's gravestone. It always grabs me when I see it.  We were together during his time in Viet Nam.  He learned to smoke and drink when he was in the army, but never too much.  That I'm aware of, anyway.  And with that, my thoughts are everywhere so am off here.

Have a great day!  Be safe!

Blessings!

A day off for whatever I want to do!

 Let's see how long THAT thought lasts!  Already the thought has come to me that if I take hubby out to breakfast, he won't mind that I'm gone all morning.  And if I don't, he would be ok, I'm sure - but he doesn't like to be alone.  My giving him my complete (he thinks) attention, will set his day.  His Bible study on Tuesdays has taken a break until after the holidays so he won't have that to keep him busy.    I feel like a babysitter.  Does that make sense?  Or is it that I'm just being nice?  I have So.Much.To.Do!

Yes, I took today off work with the hopes of completing my Christmas shopping in person.  I've done it all online - and have spent way, way more than I intended to spend.  But partially because some of the things I purchased were more expensive than I thought they were.  And you know what, I don't care.  I cannot take it with me - and I may as well spend it on those I love and enjoy while I can, right?  I'm coming to a close, though, and will be finishing up soon.  I know for some I've overbought; others I didn't do as much - and my one gift a person kind of fell through the cracks.  Sigh.  I just can't buy a game for one, and a plate of cookies for another, know what I mean?  I love to give, regardless of what it costs.  And I always try to find something that person has mentioned they want, or perhaps even something they need.  

My granddaughters were over yesterday with their daughters (more on that later) to bake cookies and I got to ask questions as to gifts for their hubbies.  Since I don't know either that well, and I don't like to get just generic gifts just to have a gift.... I got some great ideas.  Last night I ordered for one... and this morning I thought of something for the other, and jumped on Amazon to get it.  I think I'm done with both of them now.  Although last week I got under the trees and sorted through things and verified packages, I'm already confused and at a total loss.  I think in the future I just need to stack the gifts and then sort out and wrap all at the same time.  Unless I get everything for one person and then wrap it and mark them done.  HAH  like that would work.  Besides, the trees look so pretty with the gifts under them.  

I enjoyed having my granddaughters and great granddaughters over yesterday to bake cookies.  And no, they didn't leave the great granddaughters to me, they were very attentive in helping their daughters get things done - and I helped where I could.  My kitchen is way too small and add a card table in the middle of it - well, it was tight.  But we managed and even with one oven, we managed to get all the cookies baked.  The little ones made 'coffee cups' - which is really cute - I showed them the one I had made.  It's a flat cookie and using chocolate on the bottom of a large marshmallow, put it on the cookie.  Then add the hook of a candy cane on the side of the marshmallow with chocolate, and then a bit of chocolate and peppermint on the top - and YUMMY!  Well, we didn't eat it - but I think both little ones ate a big marshmallow.  And then we did the traditional Christmas mice.   It was so funny, we'd take out the cherries for the girls to wipe off with a paper towel before dipping in the melted chocolate - and they'd eat the cherry!  Both of them!  I enjoyed them all so much and I hope we made a good memory for them.  

Hubby did fairly well most of the day, but the last couple hours he started getting grumpy.  The girls were getting tired with baking and making the mice and coffee cups and were wanting to get some energy extended.  They got a little loud at times and Opa would grumble at them.  The granddaughters and I tried to keep the little ones quiet and busy, but after all, they are little ones.  And the little ones were worn out when they left, so I hear.... both were asleep by the time they got to where they were going - or close to it.  Treasured memory - check!  Lots of fun - check!  Do it again - Absolutely!!

Got another treasured memory coming today - later this afternoon two of the grandsons are coming over to bake cookies.  I'm so looking forward to hanging out with them!  I am pretty sure I have enough ingredients left - even without knowing what they plan to bake.  I will do a quick 'looksee' before I leave today on the flour and sugar but I think I have enough.  Plus I plan to do a bit of baking over the next couple of days as well.   I think I can start getting salsa made this week - I don't even know how many jars to make anymore - I had too many last year and was giving to anyone who wanted it.  I do need to get more stewed tomatoes - I think I'm down to six cans - which is only two batches - and only 4 jars at best.  Rough count - 3+6+4+2 - I think I need to make 13 jars - some may get pints for I don't think I have enough quarts.

Plus, I need to sit down and figure out ingredients for the meals - most I can wait until Saturday to get - and no, I will not be going to the store.  I do the pick up route.  It saves me lots of time and money.  I went to the store the other day to get a couple things - and spent over $100!  If I order online, I may still spend that much, but I get what I need cause I am not looking at what is on sale.  I need to do an expiration date check on things - some have been in the pantry for some time - I'll still use after the expiration date - but need to be realistic.  Five years past may be a bit long to use an item.  No, I really don't think I have any that old.  But do need to do a pantry clean-out - and a refrigerator one as well.  I can't ask hubby to do any clean-out of anything.... enough said.

John 1:14 (NKJV):  "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

One week from today.  Christmas.  The day we celebrate the birth of our Lord and our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Well, most of us do.  Some are only thinking about the gifts they will give and get.  But there is so much more to what the day means!  Stop and think about it!  We are celebrating Jesus, who came to earth to save us, to redeem us from our sins - not just one or two - but all our sins as we confess them to Him.  Even our unknown sins.  He forgives us when we ask Him to, and He sets our feet on solid rock.  We celebrate the Christ child - who came as a baby - not to a wealthy family in a castle and a custom-made rocker, but to a poor family (in money, but rich in faith) and born in a stable and laid in a manger.

The manger isn't even what people imagine it to be!  The manger was a cold, hard, rock with a chiseled. dip to put hay and fodder in for the cattle.  The baby was wrapped in pieces of cloth, and laid in this manger.  And all glory broke loose!  Oh the glorious appearing of our Lord - coming as a babe - enduring the same temptations we face daily - but not succumbing to them - loving, healing, forgiving, providing... and then going to the cross for us.  This baby, laying in the manger, Christ our Lord.

My prayer is that you will take some time this week leading up to Christmas and think about the REASON we celebrate.  Even those who do not follow Jesus, celebrate His birth by giving gifts to others, as the wise men gave gifts to Jesus.  They may not know Him, but He knows them.  Help them find their way to the Truth.

Blessings!