And... good morning to you, too!

 I 'overslept' this morning.... didn't wake/get up until 5:30am so I am short on time this morning.  But, as I did yesterday, if I don't finish this before time for work, I will just jump on the work computer to finish it. Lucky you, huh?  

Yesterday was a really busy day at work.  Then I had a 5pm training with Morgan, then off to our group on Wednesday night.  It was a good session at both - training and group.  We have one more 'lesson' in this book we are going through (The Awe of God by John Bevere) and then we have decided to break for the rest of the summer - well, July and August, anyway, as many of us are taking time off for vacations.  Me, being the quiet one (haha) actually shared some things last night.  We had great snacks and wonderful brownies (of which it was insisted I bring two home - which will be going to Morgan this morning when I meet her for a 3rd training this week. She had a cancellation).  I have got to quit eating these things I shouldn't.  I'm really trying hard to get rid of this fat.  Hubby says he can see a difference, but I don't see it in myself or in my clothes.  Although, last Sunday I did wear a dress that I hadn't worn in probably 3-5 years. I think I shared that in a previous post.  So I've lost maybe an inch off my waist - which is a very good thing.

Did a quick run down to my youngest's yesterday afternoon.  He was able to get all five of his grandchildren at one time and he wanted to get pictures.  He originally had invited us over for dinner - but I explained we couldn't because of previous commitments (mentioned above).  He and I quickly discussed it as I did want to see one little one I don't get to see often.  About 1:30pm he calls that he has all five, did I want to run over real quick.  So I did.  Paused the computer and well... hubby had already been asleep for an hour in his chair.... I woke him and asked if he wanted to go.  He was so groggy from being awakened that he said no, so I took off.  Got to see all five of the great-grandchildren and of course my son and his wife, and a grandson who lives with them - until he goes into the army next month.  And got to see my granddaughter... and I guess her newest boyfriend.  He seems nice.  We got lots of photos of just the five great-grandchildren, then I plopped myself down with them and we got photos, then lastly, my son and his wife sat with them and we got photos.  Then I had to jump in my car and head back home. Was gone about an hour - and that's ok.  No one missed me.

Today is going to be somewhat busy as Morgan was able to get me in for 3rd training this week at 10am, and then I have my favorite thing to do - a board meeting at 1:30pm today.  Sigh.  Twice I sent the agenda to two people and asked them to review it because I was struggling trying to do it on my own.  With Brett gone, and Chuck (the President) would be unable to attend, I'm struggling just to get the agenda put together.  Neither of them responded to me and I am so disappointed in them.  It sure changed my respect for them.  I may be low on the pay scale, but they still need me to pull this meeting together.  So, I put my 'big girl panties' on and reviewed the slide deck one more time, then sent it out to all the board members.  Today will reveal if I got everything right or not.  Lord, HELP!  It will be the LAST time I ask these two to just review and make sure (and I was pretty sure one would have made changes; she always does).  But I think it was right and it's 'out there' now and we will be going through it today.  

Got fabulous news from my oldest son yesterday and although I am still praying for a complete restoration, he is open to needing surgery.  God is mighty, and He is faithful, and I trust Him for whatever is going to be needed.  

And....I'm back.  On the work computer, of course.  Been already responding to emails this morning and getting caught up from the 4-5pm time last night.  I 'clock out' at 4pm or before.... so anything after that doesn't get answered, as a rule, until this morning.  Caught up now, anyway.

As for my leg pain, I was a bit anxious last night as I crawled into bed that it would happen again, but it did not, although I did wake up a few times during the night - which is why I probably slept until 5:30am this morning. Grateful not to deal with pain.  In talking with my big brother yesterday, he reminded me that the Fosamax could have caused the pain as well.  When I first started taking it, about 4 years ago (they want you to be on it for 5 years - and I have complained about being on it all this time), my legs would just ache all the time, even during the day, for the first day or two after taking it. They almost took me off of it in the beginning and put me on something else, the pain was bad.  But then it quit happening so we didn't change it.  Just once a week I have to take this (stupid) pill.  By itself. Before coffee. Before anything else. Have to sit up straight or stand up for 30 minutes after taking it.... can not lay back in my recliner.  This pill is a pain.  I beg to go off of it all the time.  Anyway, I am now thinking it may be the Fosamax, although I haven't had leg pain for a long time.  What else could I blame it on?  I haven't done any excessive exercise, for sure!  If my bone density goes up when I get the test in September, maybe I can go off of it.

I keep thinking about my being 'forced' to take this.  Years past, no one had to take such a pill, or get a shot (which is the next step) every six months.  They let people live their lives. Period.  If I fall and break a leg, that's one thing.  But my fear now, as I have shared frequently, is the side effect of a bone snapping just walking across the street.  My brother explained to me that Fosamax only builds up the OUTside of the bone.  Prolia (which is the shot) builds up the INside of the bone.  Besides, I only have Osteopenia - not Osteoporosis!   Why can't they invent a pill that does both?  Darn pharmacies that just want your money!  Ok, off my soapbox.

Ok - I've given you something to read this morning and now I need to get on work stuff.  Hope that you have an amazing day!  Be kind to someone; they may be going through a valley right now.

Blessings!

He got a good report.... sorta...

 Hubby went to the doctor yesterday to complete his wellness checkup.  Overall it was a good report.  Hubby said that as the doctor went through the tests and asked questions about his recent surgery and other doctor visits, things went fairly well.  One thing that didn't set well at all was that the pulmonary doctor did a phone 6 month check-up and that was a irritant to his doctor.  His reasoning - which makes sense - when you aren't face-to-face - but do a '6 month check-up over the phone - there is a greater chance (especially at hubby's age) to misinterpret what is said and not totally understand.  This office had called hubby yesterday afternoon again but he was driving so they said they'd call him back - we think it is about getting another cat scan on his lungs to check for the blood clots.  Overall, hubby is doing well after surgery.  He has been getting on the treadmill for a few minutes and the doctor told him that was great - to slowly work up to 25 minutes a day and not fast or try to accomplish any great exercise, but just to walk.  

There was one thing the doctor did get after him about and that was hubby had gotten confused on one of the medications he was told to quit taking by one of the other doctors.... and he had quit taking this really strong cholesterol medication (he takes 2-3 different cholesterol meds I think) and his cholesterol had jumped from 107 up to 157 in two weeks.  Not a good thing.  He was told to stop the other and get back on this one.  One thing I will say about his doctor, he is VERY thorough and makes sure that hubby understands clearly what he is to take and do and promotes keeping him healthy.  And I like that about him.  Most doctors may talk to you while you are there, but doesn't tell you specifically things but just general.  And yes, they did discuss hubby falling and the weakness and that is why for now the treadmill is preferred for him to walk.  Doctor feels most of it is from the surgery and the uneven sidewalk where his balance was thrown off.   One thing that is concerning that we found out..... an enlarged prostrate (which happens to older men) causes blood clots - and most men over 50 can have them and not know it.  It's not cancer causing the enlarged prostrate, it's age (at least in this case) and that is what they need to watch.  We both found that information interesting, as hubby has had prostrate cancer and his numbers jumped a small amount a few months ago.  He goes back soon for another test to see what the count is.  So all in all, a good report.   He is to go back in three months to have his cholesterol checked again.  Then this doctor wants to eliminate one or two of the other cholesterol meds if this one gets it way down like it was.  Eliminate pills?  Absolutely!

I am so ready for this weekend and not working.  Not sure why I am so tired this week.  And it doesn't help I'm not sleeping well either.  I struggled to stay up til 8PM last night - and then I think I woke up every hour.  Don't know why; not worried about anything; my mind isn't focused on anything.  So this morning I am again dragging.  But, I will get over it.  Need to just set my mind not on my tiredness, but on what I need to accomplish.  And if I need to, take a nap later.

John 3:16 (NKJV):  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."

What a loving and faithful God we have!  If you read in the Old Testament you often will read where the Israelites were afraid of God and didn't want to come close to Him.  But that is what God wants us to do!  He sent His only Son to dwell among us, to become like us, that we will no longer be afraid of Him (there is a godly fear, which is different), but will know that He is not only real, but He is a loving and kind Father.

We have no problem in giving up our lives for our children, but could you give up your life for those who don't care or know about you?  Yet, that is what Jesus did.  Jesus loves us so much that He willingly went to the cross and gave up His life for me, and for you.  He loves us that much. He knew us even then.  He knew our sinfulness.  He knew those who would love and serve Him, and He knew which of us would turn away, or even would be lukewarm towards Him.  He knew all this, and yet He was willing to give up His life for us, to become sin for us; taking all our sinfulness upon His own shoulders, and suffering just for us.  

As I sit here and think about what Jesus did for you and for me, I am in awe that someone could love me that much.  He made a way, when there was no way, to be reconciled to our Heavenly Father.  In Him alone we move and live and breathe.  What a Savior!

Take some time today to thank Jesus for His gift of life to us - that in and through Him, we live and move and breathe, for through Him we have access to our Heavenly Father.   Jesus said that no one omes to the Father but through me.  Jesus is all we need.  Can you trust Him with what is on your heart and mind this morning?

Blessings!