It's giving me a headache...

 What is?  I got a jury summons on Saturday!  For April 21!  I just laid it on my desk to 'deal with' this morning.  Of course I'm going to try and get out of it.  I did lookup the age limit and something was said that at 75 we (at least what I got out of the quick read I did) we can decide if we want to do it or not. Well, 'NOT' is in my response. I've done it before - a couple times, in fact - and it was ok.  One time I actually served.  But I don't want to drive down town (Superior Court).  Yeah, lame excuse, right?  Taking a day to read and crochet, yeah I can do that as I wait for them to call my name.  I just don't want to do the drive.  So if I can't get out of it, will be calling my youngest son (as he is the 'traveler') to see if he could take me, and then come pick me up when I'm done.  But I am going to try and get out of it.  And, because it was on my mind last night when I went to bed, I did not sleep well.  Every time I woke up, I was thinking about that jury summons.  I really don't mind serving - IF it was much closer to home. I just don't like driving down town!  I refuse to even go in to our corporate office for activities because I don't want to be in the traffic.

As you noticed, I'm sure, I did not write in here yesterday. I slept sound until about 5:30AM yesterday and then had to work on the message, get dressed, and allow time to drive up to Pioneer Village. I blame it on sleeping late that I ran out of time. But - it's all ok.  Went up there, did the message, then we stopped at Cracker Barrel on the way home for brunch. It annoys me that we (nearly) always have to stop, but hubby uses the excuse of being out and 'dressed up' and he doesn't want me to have to cook lunch....  and then we came home, changed, and took a nap.  Or did I read first?  I can't remember now, but I was able to get several chapters read in a book before I gave it up.  Fixed grilled ham and cheese sandwiches for dinner and we watched NCIS for the rest of the evening.  I kept telling myself I needed to visit Ms. Vicky, but I was too comfortable on the couch.

Saturday I took the covers off our patio set and we sat out there for a short while.  Went to Lowes and then Walmart to pick up a 'tub' (was looking for a deck thing) to put the covers in.  It's getting really cluttered out front and since it seems to be 'up to me' unless I tell hubby specifically what to do, I'm going to try to get out there in the next day or so and get rid of some things in front.  There is a plastic bag that has been behind this barrel for probably six months or more.  But I think I need to put the covers back on since we won't be out there much during the week.

Maybe I can get a break today, although Brett is back. Sue is not; she is still off until Thursday.  Today is approve payroll day so that will be my 'first chore' this morning.  Shouldn't take long as everyone is salaried - and I have quit emailing them and reminding them sign off on their time card.  They are adults - approve your timecard!  They are supposed to approve it first, then I approve it.  Have a problem with one - and I see that Brett did respond to my email about that one - guy took family leave (6 weeks) for a newborn - and I found the denial note attached to his timecard.  Brett says he was approved, but DENIED was in pretty big letters.  Didn't see an approval.  Will go back and look to see if it is after that one.

Oh - we have quail 'nesting' in my purple plant flower pot!  I saw dirt had been thrown out of the pot (which is about 3 ft off the ground! On the porch!) and I could see where 'some animal' had been in the pot.  The next day I found one egg.  Friday there were two eggs.  Yesterday I went out and looked and there are 3 eggs!  I wasn't sure what kind of eggs until Saturday when I saw the quail sitting in the pot.  She jumped out of the pot and was walking through the flower bed, pulling twigs and leaves out.  Looking for bugs?  I dunno, but nothing was put in the pot.  Except eggs.  Glad they are quail eggs and not pigeons. Yeah, we have some of those too.  

I sent photos to my big brother and he looked up information; it takes 17 days for the eggs to hatch.  I'm glad my plant is a drought plant, that is, if it even survives this.  The quail is pecking at the stems of my plant and making herself at home!  I've picked up a few broken ones and put in water.  I can replant those when they grow roots.  Which makes me think - I bought a spider plant when we went to Lowes and was going to hang it - but the hook is too wide (I think) for the hanger hook so it's sitting on top of a stand.  I sure hope the quail don't decide to come roost in it!  I need to figure out how to get it hung up. I was surprised the quail jumped up 3 ft to the pot as it is.  But, at least my porch is safe from the coyotes that roam around at night.  We hear them frequently howling.  

Hubby asked last night if I thought we could get away for a few days in August.  I told him we probably could.  I drive, of course.  I've even thought of getting away before then - even if just going to a hotel again for a few days - but we don't really have a reason to.  This coming Saturday I have a women's conference that I will be going to and it is an all day thing.  I'm flip-flopping on going, but I know I need to go - for me.  I need a break and to spend the day with other women worshipping Jesus and just being part of the body of Christ.  It isn't just for our church, but the entire state - any woman can come.  I paid my registration fee when I first got wind of it. I've been to 4-5 of these and have enjoyed them. I even signed up for the leadership lunch this time. Stay tuned on this one.

And - my head is hurting this morning since I didn't sleep well and I need to get on the work computer as well.  Perhaps this little bit of rambling will cover me until I get my head on straight.  So - until then - have a good day!

Blessings!

It could be a day of rest.... or not...

 I took today off.  As yesterday progressed, I made the decision to do just that. My boss gave her approval. I do need to check the computer for meeting stuff today, but overall, I have nothing going on.  Workwise, anyway.  There is a lot I want/need to get done today.  Even on a day off work.  But it feels good - here it is 7:13AM - and I do not need to jump up and get on the work computer.  Is this what retirement would look like? :-)

Things I want/need to get done today - blueberries are in and I'd like to drive down and get a few cases.  I probably ought to check the freezer first - I may have enough in there that I don't need to pick any up.  I want to get some baking done today.  I haven't thawed strawberries out yet to make strawberry bread, but I did pull out frozen peaches yesterday and I can make peach bread or peach muffins.  That is the plan, anyway, for that.  Might make some oatmeal raisin cookies too.  Won't keep them here, of course, but they are my trainer's favorite, and my little sister's, and I do need to get her box sent out today since I didn't send it with my son.  Need to work on this bedroom - the bed is loaded down with boxes again. Oh - and of course the real reason I took the day off - I have my follow up appointment with Dr. Mark today at noon.  So will need to leave here around 11AM to get there in time - an hour there, and then another hour to get back - a big chunk of time in the middle of the day - but that's ok.  Makes me get moving and get things done.  But for now, here I sit.

Meeting my boss tomorrow morning for breakfast and need to finish getting her birthday gift put together.  Yeah, that is part of the baking too.  She and I were joking around yesterday - I told her if I got the day off, I'd be baking goodies to give for her birthday.  She was quite agreeable that I take the day off.  

Got my second cup of coffee already.  Reminds me, I need to make a run to the store this morning (or afternoon) to pick up a salad for hubby to take to the group he is meeting for bible study tomorrow.  It's a lunch so I will remain at home and work.  I love buying the salads at Sam's Club as they are already put together and just need to be mixed up.  No work on my part, and the $10 or so I pay for it, is well worth my time of buying it.

My youngest has already txt'd me their route for today.  I'm glad he does that so that I know approximately where they are.  They made it to Salt Lake, Utah yesterday, and hope to get to Buffalo, Wyoming by tonight.  It seems they are driving so fast through the states, and although they may stop and see some things, it is way too fast for me.  I think. But it's what they do. Have already prayed for their safety as they travel. 

I slept deep and hard last night, which is totally unusual.  Then BAM!  at 4AM my forehead exploded with a major headache and woke me up.  It was as if a 2x4 had hit my head.  I didn't move. I laid there and prayed for it to go away, dozing off and on, knowing that I didn't need to get up.  At 5:30AM I finally woke up and made my way to the medicine cabinet where I knew I had some Excedrin and grabbed one pill.  Yep. I took an Excedrin for my headache as I still had it.  I am happy to say that between the Excedrin and my coffee, the headache has finally gone away.  I don't get headaches like that anymore, so was not expecting one to hit me like that.  But it felt good I didn't have to get up and plan to work today.  The headache is now gone, and I will be hitting the shower soon and getting dressed for the doctor's office.  Not sure if I will get any baking done this morning or not. May just focus on clearing off this bed.  Or maybe I'll do the run to Sam's Club - it shouldn't be that crowded this morning. 

Malachi 3:6-7 (NIV): "I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from My decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you." says the Lord Almighty.

Following Jesus does not mean you have to be perfect.  We will never be perfect.  We all fall short of the glory of God.  And following Jesus, and seeking after Him, does not mean your life will be perfect in finances, in health, in friends, in anything.  But following Jesus, and having His Spirit live within you, will give you the strength, the wisdom, and the ability to accomplish far greater things than you can do in your own power.  Running back to Jesus 40+ years ago was the greatest decision I ever made. Even when I didn't know Him, He knew me, and when that invitation came to open my heart to Him, I ran.  Literally.  Falling on my knees, I cried out to the only One who could save me. And I've never looked back.  Greatest and best choice I ever made.

If you know me, you know I still make mistakes.  You know that I still misjudge people.  You know that I am not wealthy, I am not (always) wise, I do not have everything I want.  But I love Jesus with every fiber of my being and my heart is in His hands.  My life is as well.  He can do with me whatever He wants.  Why do I say that?  

Because He loves me more than anyone else could.  If my life is snuffed out, I pray that it will draw others to Him.  I am surrendered to Him, completely.  It doesn't mean I'm any smarter, for I'm not, but if I check with Him first, He will help me make better decisions.

Life is all about Jesus.  What is your life about? What are you putting before Him?  Money? Pride? Pleasure? .... What are you going to do about Jesus?  Is He going to walk with you daily, or just be a side note for whenever you want Him?  What are you going to do about Jesus?

Maybe that gives you something to think about.  The Lord does not change His mind.  The Bible is the Word of the Lord.  Read it. Come to know Him who loves you more than you could ever love anyone. How I wish I could / would memorize every scripture in it!  But as I read it, it infiltrates my mind and God will bring to mind those words that I need to remember.  Or that I need to share.  Many times I will sit here and ask Him what should I share in scripture today.  And, sometimes, He will give me a Word and yes, I go to Bible Gateway and look up the scriptures applying to that Word, so that I can give you the right scripture.

This morning I was reminded that the Lord does not change His mind.  Sin is sin, and what it is will never change.  Our culture has accepted so many things that are evil.  But God has not changed His mind about those things.  What He called sin, called evil, in biblical times, is still evil and is still sin in today's culture.  Just because we prefer to 'overlook' some things does not make it right in God's eyes. We are to love everyone, regardless of who or what they are.  We are to hate evil, and love good. Love Jesus or love the world.  In other words......

Hate the sin, love the sinner.  Pray for those who love sin, that their eyes will be opened and that their hearts will be healed with the love of Jesus.  Some people can only be rescued with prayer.  Who are you praying for?  Words to them may only bring strife.... but words to our Heavenly Father may bring peace.  Which do you choose to speak?

Blessings!

Some decisions can mess you up -

 even little ones.  I'm almost afraid to get on the scale this morning, let alone take my glucose reading.  I can't change them as they are automatically put on the Virta app.  Why does it make me uneasy?  I really don't care what it reads, I don't mean that - it's just, well, I really cheated last night.  There. I just said it.  But I really didn't cheat THAT bad.  And you will probably roll your eyes at me.  Ok - I'll tell you and you will wonder why I am thinking about it this morning.  Heck, I thought about it last night!  LOL Actually, I'm just trying to entice you keep reading.

I went to the gym last night for my training.  I just felt so weak.  Ok, let me back up a bit.  While hubby was gone to an HOA meeting yesterday afternoon, I needed a break from work, so I moved my treadmill from one part of the back room to the other, and put the padding back down in the other area, and brought in my weight bench and my weights (with the hopes and plans of getting started again on working out on my own) and got them set up.  (Did I ever hear about it later when hubby noticed what I had done!)  But as I did so, I felt like I had lost some strength.  

I am blaming it on my new eating plan.  Plus the fact that it was Monday and I hadn't done any workouts since last Wednesday.  I need to get back to working out Friday and Saturday - doing something to keep my strength up.  Morgan had me work out on my shoulders last night (of which I don't have any, but they are starting to grow).  We did 5 different exercises on the shoulders and 12- 15 reps times 3 sets on each one.  My shoulders were numb when I left.  But as I exercised, I told her that I felt so weak (and in fact, she did lower my weights last night because I couldn't get the weights up).  I talked to her about the dropping of carbs in my diet.  Yes, I'm eating more protein (more meat, more vegetables) but no bread, and watching carbs in everything else.  And I told her I had cheated the night before with one trefoil and a piece of chocolate.  We both agreed that I probably need to up my carbs a bit, because with working out, I burn the carbs.  I'm going to throw it out to my Virta trainer as I am currently limited to 30 carbs a day (no, I haven't been counting carbs (yet) but I believe I have gone over some).  I do believe as well that with working out I need a few more carbs.  And with agreeing I need more carbs - well, confession here.  Sigh.  I came home and as I was fixing dinner, I ate 3, or was it 4, Girl Scout cookies.  Real good carbs, right?  I know, not a wise choice, but I was hungry!  I fixed hamburgers last night and really considered a slice of bread - which probably would have been better than the 3-4 cookies I ate!  Yes, I also had several different veggies cut up.  I had made a chicken dip (it is really good - shredded chicken, cream cheese, ranch dressing and Frank's hot sauce) and we used it as a dip.  My glucose was 116 yesterday so it will be interesting what it will be this morning when I get around to taking it.  I've lost 3 pounds but haven't got back on the scales this morning.  I've probably gained it back.  My coach sent me a message yesterday that I had lost 3 pounds, and that with my ketones averaging .6, I am in nutritional ketosis.  So last night when I took my ketones, it was .1 - so what does that mean?  It had been .2 then .2, then .6, .6 and now .1.  I need to get my head on straight.

With mentioning my head, I was eating dinner when I got hit right between the eyes with a headache!  I don't know what caused it but it was severe.  Now, I'm always a bit anxious about those as my baby brother, my half-brother Buddy, died from an aneurysm that burst in his head. Yes, that thought occurred to me.  I went into the bathroom after dinner (hubby said he would clear off the table) and I just kind of bent over and hung my head, asking God for healing - and you know what?  The headache totally disappeared!!  I was not expecting that!  I know God heals, and I know He answers my prayers - but I certainly did not expect for the headache to go away just like that!  All I did was hang my head down and pray.  Wow.  God is good.  I did go ahead and take an Excedrin extra strength.  I was going to take a pain pill when I went in the bathroom, it was that bad; but I didn't need to.  That was an interesting experience.  I went to bed about 15 minutes early and crashed for the night.  I 'feel' like I slept deep, if you know what I mean.  No dreams, just deep sleep.  Still didn't want to get up this morning, and THAT seems to be happening more and more often!  LOL

I John 1:8-10 (NKJV):  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.

We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  Do we know people who claim they have not sinned?  Do we say that?  I'm not pointing at anyone.  But I know people who believe they are 'perfect, just as they are'.  If you mention something that the Word says is a sin, how do you think they would react?  Uh, yeah.  They wouldn't be happy - anymore than we would be happy if someone pointed out our sins.  But then, what would we, as those who say they are Christians, do about it?  Would we not go to the Word, and confess our sins and repent and turn from it?  Oh that we all would reflect within at our lives and give up the things of the world and turn to Jesus with all of our hearts! Yes, I have confronted others with what I see - and they 'justify' their anger, their attitudes toward others.  There is no justification of being against the Word of God.  How many times have I be confronted by 'someone' and called a hypocrite by them because I choose to love and associate with someone they are estranged from?  I get chewed out and vomited on by this person - and each time I must forgive them and move on.  Some words stay with the one spoken at; the pain is always there.  The words come back to haunt, even though they are not true.  Be careful of the words you speak; you don't know which ones you may have to eat.

Hubby is having breakfast with a friend this morning and I have to work. I really do not mind him going out for meals with his friends; I enjoy no interruptions.  When he comes home, he will come in her and sit down and tell me all about his breakfast, what they talked about, and he will grumble because this is the friend who has Alzheimer - or the early stages of it - and will talk about years ago (like 50 years ago) when he was in seminary.  He was going to be a priest - but got married instead.  Don't know the entire story, nor do I need to.  But hubby has breakfast almost every week with him, except when hubby is irritated about the repeat of stories, then he will take a week or two break.  Speaking of hubby, I have reminded him again that he needs to tell his doctor about his lapses of memory.  He blames it on not doing it for awhile.  Example: yesterday he said he didn't remember how to print a copy on the printer.  He had his computer on and couldn't find where to hit print.  I asked him if he had brought the document up.  No, the document was on the printer and he wanted to make copies of it.  Once I understood what the problem was, I showed him how to print a copy on his printer - without the computer.  I know he knows that!  But it may have been awhile that he had printed from the printed document itself.  But still..... 

With that, I'm going to get off here and go jump in the shower.  Need to start work soon.  Need to weigh.  Need to take glucose. Need to work.  Sigh.  Hope you have an amazing day!

Blessings!

I just want to sleep....

 Another strange night of not sleeping much.  Awake at 12:30-ish and tossing and turning for what seemed like forever, praying and asking God 'WHAT??? and sleeping lightly - and awakening at 3:30AM again with a big headache this time.... could it be from the storm that will arrive Thursday night?  Tossing and turning again, I knocked my clock off the stand, unplugging it... finally just got up and took an ibuprofen and came in here.  Tried to sleep, but soon heard hubby getting up so turned the light on and started my reading.  I got most of my reading done, but then the ibuprofen took effect and I got drowsy and dozed some.  I've been dozing for about the last 40-50 minutes, I'd guess, and I still want to sleep. That's why I don't take ibuprofen very often.  I discovered it makes me sleepy for a long time. But I also knew it would quickly knock the headache, much faster than Tylenol.

So here I am, short on time, still sleepy, and no major thing to talk about.  I can't even get a scripture (at this moment) to come to mind to write about.  

Concerned about my middle child.  What's happening should not be happening.  Saying prayers and hoping he will contact his doctor for follow-up.  Only putting this hear for don't know if he would see my note on his blog, as he doesn't write every day.

Hubby is to go for lunch and a movie with the youngest son today - part of his Christmas gift.  He was given a small gift card, I think, and a note that the youngest would take him out at a certain time after Christmas to lunch and a movie as his Christmas.  And here is the day.  The youngest did the same for me, I got a Michael's gift card and a note he'd take me out to whatever I wanted to do.  I was joking around with him the other day.... we were chatting and he brought it up... said he'd even take me for a spa day.  I know he can't afford that for both of us... it can get quite expensive... so I suggested we go get pedicures and manicures. LOL  He wasn't so sure about having someone touch his feet.  Since we acknowledged, he would have to wait until the end of the next month to have the money to take me out, I'm sure I will have my feet done before then.    But now I need to figure it out.  I told him - as I tell my middle child frequently..... I don't care if we just go out for a cup of coffee or a coke .... my favorite gift is spending 1:1 time with them and just be with them.

Wouldn't that be a fun gift from my grandchildren too?  At Christmas time we all get so caught up in buying gifts.... I would love my grandchildren to hand me a card with a note... "grandma, on this date/time, let's go to breakfast/lunch/dinner."   I wish they - meaning my children and grandchildren - all understood that at my age, all I want is to spend time with them.  I want us to make a memory that will last them a lifetime, even if it is nothing more than "I remember when grandma and I went out for a hot fudge sundae at Dairy Queen, and we spent quality time together and I will hold that memory forever."  (or even my sons and daughter, for that matter!)   Time with my family is more valuable to me than any gift could be.   (I always have been a 'cheap date'.  LOL)

But I know for him, it could be a bit more... so I will try to think of something 'special' for us to do.  If not, then he can take me to lunch.... he doesn't read so finding a unique bookstore is out of the question... but my older son - yeah, I think he'd like that... just to browse.  Maybe.  He prefers his kindle. I use both - real books - and my kindle.  Wouldn't it be fun to find some thrift bookstores and just rummage through them?  There is a half price bookstore - or used to be - on Camelback.... I've ordered from them, but never have gone there... uh oh.... there I go again, thinking about books!  LOL That will be my retirement years.... reading all the time.  In between sewing, crocheting, knitting, etc.  

And.... I need to go jump in the shower and get ready for work.  Oh - speaking of... I did take the training for that legal contract thing my one boss was making me do.  sigh.  I also scheduled time with him yesterday and made him share his screen with me and he input a contract he sent me to do.  He didn't even have all the information and had to email the other company asking for specific things - how would I have even known how to do that??  I'm definitely frustrated with him, and I told him so... sorta.  And then this team building things he was to have reserved for his team (and me)... he hadn't done it. "Will you do it?" he asks and gives me his credit card number.  I call, get some information - such as they don't open until 4PM but my boss wants it at 12:30-2PM.... so long story short, they emailed me that they would make an exception for our 8 member 'team'..... at $40 a person, plus tax, plus 20% gratuity.  I forwarded the information to my boss and told him that decision was way above my pay grade.  He needs to make the decision as it is going on his credit card.  What is this event?  It's axe-throwing.  There is one in Tempe and one at Westgate.  Usually, it is $20 pp so I'm wondering why $40 pp - I guess because they would be coming in earlier in the day to accommodate us.  Well, not my decision.  I'll wait and see what the boss says - and does he know that per company... nothing over $25 per employee can be done.  And I didn't want to get involved in it - and here I am!  Other duties as assigned.  Oh well.

And with that - I'm off here - sorry I have just rambled... blame it on the ibuprofen and headache.

Blessings!

How we like to rationalize things....

 Do you ever find yourself doing that?  Rationalize why you did or say something?  Make excuses - which is what it is - on why you did what you did?  UGH.. I'm just like you  - and I don't want to be that way.  What am I talking about?   Yesterday I had to schedule a meeting with people from another company for my one boss.  I had to really work to find an hour on his calendar.  I sent some dates to the people and they responded which one worked for them.   When I started to schedule the meeting, I remembered I had not checked the people my boss wanted in the meeting as well. Their calendars, rather.  Uh oh.  One of the finance people was only available 30 minutes.  I debated.  Decided that it might work.  Sent the invite out.  His executive assistant sent an email back that he could only attend 30 minutes of the hour long meeting.  And my boss sent me a note 'we need him the full hour'.  I sent a note back stating that the other company - all their people could make it.  Then my boss sent another note that 'did I check with the executive assistant before and then another meeting got put on his calendar?'  I didn't respond last night, for no, that was not the case.  I didn't ask her at all.  

So what happened?  I woke up at 12:12AM this morning and the excuses were running through my mind as to why I messed up on the availability.  I was overwhelmed with all the things he had me doing that morning (which is true), I had 2-3 meetings I was working on all at the same time (also true), I thought even 30 minutes would be better than nothing and get this meeting on the calendar (also true).  But none of them are the REAL truth.  I screwed up.  I didn't check his calendar at all before sending dates off to the other company.  If I had, I could have checked if he could be available.  Sigh.  So then my mind started saying "well, you could say too that "I neglected to confirm his calendar" or "I missed it when I was checking availability" - and there were probably a few others that ran through my mind.  Yes, it was the devil himself trying to help me cover up my screw up.  But, the bottom line is that I didn't check the availability of any of the people my boss wanted in the meeting before sending the date out.  So what do I need to do this morning?  Respond to my boss and tell him the truth - I didn't look.  Then I need to apologize for changes to the outside company and give them new dates (and check our availability!) and reschedule the meeting.  It's hard to be humble, right?  Especially when the screw up is your own.

We went to dinner last night with friends we hadn't seen in a couple months.  Both have lost weight!  My girlfriend had gastric bypass back in September.  We saw them in November and she had lost 20 pounds.  She has now lost 40 pounds.  And 23 inches overall!  But her hubby has lost as well - losing 18 pounds!  We could really tell in their faces and shoulders that they had lost.  Good for them.  She had gotten pretty large and had tried numerous other diets but never could stick to them.  She has to on this one.  She barely ate a cup of food last night.  If she eats any more, her stomach gets very painful and she gets sick.  Another friend who had this done several years ago said the same thing.  You can eat whatever you want after the surgery, but only a couple bites cause you get so full so quick.  I'm not heavy enough to consider anything like that - and actually won't consider it.  Well, not in reality.  Yes, I'd like to be thinner, but it has been my choices of food that got me here.  And, if I ate just a bite of what is not good food me and left the rest alone, I could lose it... but once you get started on the heavy carb or sweet stuff, you don't want to leave it alone!  And I eat the whole thing.  Sigh.  Since the fast, I have been doing much better.  Instead of ordering the cheeseburger salad at Black Bear Diner last night I opted for a BLT and sweet potato fries.  Yeah, what I got probably has a lot more calories in it, but I wanted something different.  And the sourdough bread of my sandwich only had maybe 4 pieces of bacon on it - and that might be stretching it.  Disappointing from what I've had previously.  But, I ate it all, regardless.

Ugh.  My ocular headache is working it's way out.... my vision is getting spotty this morning.  This will last about 20 minutes.  Wish they could figure out how to prevent it.  I'm going to my regular eye doctor for a routine eye checkup tomorrow (not the specialist) and see if I can get better reading glasses.  The prescription I received from my specialist after the surgery - I think my eyes have changed somewhat. Will find out tomorrow.  Gonna see if they can take frames I had gotten a couple years ago and save me some $$ and just change out the lens.  Will see.  Maybe they will see how to stop the ocular migraine.

Ephesians 4:2 (NKJV):  ".....with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love."

Ah yes, that is how we are to be.  We are to be humble, not proud, and with patience, listen and care for each other.  Does that make sense?  Say, for example, someone who has a college education and is very smart is with someone who barely got out of high school, if that at all.  He should be kind as he listens to words that may be used the wrong way; and if needed, gently correct, and not imply 'well, I know more than you because I have more education'..... be patient with others - whether or not they do know more than you do.  Or don't.    I know, bad example, huh.  OH well, Learn to be humble and patient with others for we all are accountable to God for our words and our actions.  Especially be patient with ME! 

The boss that I was referring to above is having a 'team building' (I don't like those!) event and I'm invited to attend.  I don't want to.  I really don't. But feel that I have to.  You know, like those kind of 'unspoken mandatory' things.  What is the team building event?  Throwing axes.  Like I want to do that!  But, hey - maybe I can show off my biceps, now that I have some!  But I still don't want to go - but to even it up in teams, to do whatever, I have to.  AND I have to drive about 40 miles to get to the place (Tempe) - and all of them live in that general area (Mesa, Chandler, Tempe, Queen Creek, etc).  I even thought about taking a PTO day and running away!!  But I will go and I will enjoy the day.  You and I both know that I will.   Sigh.

And.... it's about time to turn on the work computer.  Hubby has his Bible study this morning, which will give me 'alone' time... but.... work has been overwhelmingly busy lately.  I keep bringing up 'retirement' and hubby just walks away.  And that angers me.  It really does.  It feels so unfair.  But, I know in reality that I have to work or I will go nuts.  He will want me to do everything with him (join his Bible studies that are co-ed, etc.) and I don't want to.  With working, I have an 'excuse' not to attend. I don't care how many couples are there; I don't want to.  I will choose what study I want to be in.  I will choose if I want to facilitate a study.  By the way, still no one has inquired about our class.  Oh well. I' out of the mood now for that class, and would like to change to another.  But, have to give this a few more weeks.

Tonight is 'girls night out' and I'll head over to my daughters' after work.  It's a nice break and I can talk to another adult.  Her hubby says we 'cackle'.  HAH!  We just 'share'.... just saying.

Gotta get moving - hope you have an amazing day!

Blessings!

It's another 'I don't want to wake up' morning...

 Yes... I've been sleeping this morning.  I do have an excuse though - and I will use it.  Went to the gym last night and my trainer really worked my legs - hard!  I was not only exhausted when I got home, I had a headache that wouldn't go away.  So - I took an excedrin, and just before bed, I took an ibuprofen.  It's the ibuprofen that knocked me.  I had hoped to sleep all night, but found I was awakened 3 times during the night cause I drank way too much water after I got home, thinking that maybe I just needed water for the headache to go away.  The headache did go away before I went to bed, but, yeah... had to get rid of the water.  TMI?  So - after reading my Bible this morning, I chose to lay my head back and close my eyes.  And that is the story this morning.  Don't have much time to write now. But enough to not make any sense.

Hubby's Tuesday morning Bible study starts back up today so he will be gone a couple hours.  Usually he will go to lunch afterwards with his friend that he has been having breakfast with ... but he informed me last night that he has to work on his study for tonight with his other friend, so he will be home after the study.  I really don't mind him going on out... and tried to convince him to do so.  He said no, so will see.  Oh you know my motive, huh... I love my quiet mornings.

I have another workout tonight at 3:30PM - yeah, taking off work early.  I have my eye doctor appointment tomorrow to find out about the 'silent migraines' I've been getting with the lightening bolts - had three in the last 5 days; 2 in one day.  So... getting that checked out, and hope there is a reason to be found.  I know I'll have a headache after all THAT testing, so opted to change my workout date - and he moved it to today.  So since legs was yesterday, it will be upper body tonight.

Oh pickles!  I just remembered that I have a lunch today with the other admins at the cheesecake factory!  Which means I will have to clean up today.  But, hey, I get out of the house, right?  And I'll be gone for a couple hours.  Plus I have to take off at 3PM to get to the gym... oh, it's going to be a busy day trying to get things done with taking so much time off!  And I have to put makeup on.

Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV):  "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."

That scripture could possibly 'nail' a lot of us.  How many times have we let cruel, sarcastic words come out of our mouths, intentionally to hurt someone?  Ouch!  Sometimes they aren't just cruel, but they are words that sting and belittle.  God says, 'Don't do that!'  

What if, just what if, we try really hard today to think good thoughts - and when those words come when someone irritates us, that instead we stop them from flowing out of our moths and give a compliment instead?  Hmmm what example could I give?

Hubby frequently gets on my last nerve, as you know.  He doesn't do it intentionally, and I know he loves me, but it is a possessive love.   An ownership love.  So - I know!  Remember the story about when I belonged to Planet Fitness and I complained about the trainer there who didn't do his job and show me the equipment and just handed me a paper of what I needed to do?  And hubby went and talked to him and told him I needed individualized attention and that he needed to pay attention to me? )and then I quit Planet Fitness  becuase he did that?).... Instead of getting angry at hubby - and holding my words in that I really wanted to say, but he got my message, albeit he didn't understand why I was angry..... I should have just said something like, "I appreciate you going to the gym (that he didn't belong to) and finding the trainer that was to show me the equipment.  I'm sure after you spoke with him, he understood completely how needy I was and that you were just looking out for me."

Naw, that would be too sarcastic, right?  Anyway, you understand what I'm saying, right?  We need to let good words come from our mouth and edify (build up) people versus tearing them down.  We all have those people who bring out the worst in us at times... but let's try being kinder and more loving to them.  Change your words, change the world.

Blessings!

Back to work Monday...

 Oh wow.  I brought this up, typed in the title, and entire page disappeared and I had to bring it back up - is this what I will be facing on Monday?  But this is on my personal computer so perhaps a fluke, right?  I hope it is nothing more than that!  I woke up with a sinus headache - again - what's up with that?! - isn't there rain forecasted for later today?

It was a fairly good weekend.  Did grocery shopping and a couple other things on Saturday.... yesterday was church, then I went over and visited Ms. Diane for a while.  Watched a couple movies with hubby when I returned home, watched the games, or parts of them, anyway.  Sure didn't want to get up this morning.  

Need to finish up things on the work board retreat this morning.  I ended up working until 5PM or later on Friday, waiting on information - and what I got didn't make me happy.  I dealt directly with our sr. director of finance so that he could take care of anything.  All he did was sign the contract and send it back. I could have done that.  I wanted him to get he retainer fee processed.  He did not. Now I need to figure out how to get it done today.  The board retreat is this Friday! I was told I don't have to go down - and I'm holding on to that.

I am drawing a blank as to what to write about this morning.  Not even any scriptures come to mind to elaborate on.  Could it be the headache is preventing it?  Am I still too tired to think/write?  Ok - maybe if I just ramble for a moment about things something will come to mind... or not...

Didn't do much cooking over the weekend.  I did make eggs ole' and took some over to Ms. Diane so that she would eat something.  Visited and had a cup of coffee with her while she ate.

We tried a new place to eat after church yesterday - Portofillo's or something like that.  I just got a hotdog; hubby got a fish sandwich (his first taste of bread since the fast started!) and we both enjoyed our food.  He said he'd go back.  It was a spur of the moment to stop.... he wanted to go to a restaurant... I just wanted to go home... but then I'd have to cook... easy decision, right?

I didn't get started on another book in the Michael V Ivanov's series like I had planned.  We watched the games and movies instead.  I didn't cook at all yesterday except baking the eggs ole' I had made the night before.  Guess what is for breakfast today! Yes, we had leftovers.  Got bacon, which we can eat now too.  Whoo hoo!  High hog living now.

Need to work on the memorial service I am to do on Sunday for my boss' dad at the assisted living place he had stayed.  Need to finish up my notes on the message I'm doing Sunday at the RV park.  Made some corrections yesterday when I read through it.  That's all on my agenda for tonight - I must quit procrastinating!  UGH  I am so good at procrastinating!  I once bought a book on how to stop procrastinating.  Seriously, I did.  But I never read it.  I have no idea where it is now.

I cut back my roses yesterday.  To about 12".  I put the Elmer's glue over (most) the cut stems.  My friend who grew roses for years said to cut them back in late January/early February.  It will cause them to grow wider and taller. At 'my other house' they did grow back fuller and they grew tall.  Will see how these do.  I want to go to Sam's club - I saw they had rose bushes for about $12 I think, when I was there on Saturday.  I didn't pick up any then, but may run back today or tomorrow and pick up two or three to put in some empty spaces .  I love growing and smelling the roses.

Jeremiah 17:14 (NKJV):  "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved; for thou art my praise."

That's about where I'm at this morning.  As I sat here, that is the scripture that just came to mind.  Whenever I don't feel good, or have a headache (like I do this morning to where it distracts me from thinking), that is the scripture I speak forth... and I know that God hears me and will heal me.

I still need to call the eye doctor and get my surgery scheduled to remove this cataract in my right eye.  It is starting to really annoy me.  But I've had to wait until all this coughing has stopped - can't start coughing in the middle of surgery!  I need to find out more... how long I'll need to take off work (oh darn!), etc.  I also wonder how much my insurance will cover.   Hubby has Medicare and when his was done, he only had to pay $200-$300 more.  Work insurance isn't that gracious.  I may get lucky though.  But I do need to call and see when I can get in to see him once again and get something scheduled.  I can see ok, but trying to read is difficult; especially on the computer.  Does this mean I am getting old? Sigh.

Well, I am rambling for sure now so will hush and will sit back and be quiet and wait upon God until I just have to get up and get to work this morning.  I used to say I wished I had a rich aunt that I was her favorite and I inherit all her monies.  Well, that didn't happen, so I work.  Inherit all the monies, I mean.  I WAS a couple aunts' favorite niece. :-)  So I like to believe, anyway.

Hope that you have an amazing day!  Keep believing in the impossible - God is at work - always!

Blessings!

What can bring me fully awake at 2AM?

 I don't know, but my first thought was of my boys.  I knew they both were involved in a 'Santa Run' last night, but don't know much other than that.  I think it is really cool that they do that.  Everyone deserves a bit of joy (i.e., candy canes) during this season.  After praying for their safety, I didn't sleep well, but did go back to sleep for awhile.  That's just what moms do.  Nothing must have happened, and perhaps my prayers prevented something from happening, for I never got any phone calls.  Thank you, Lord.

I spoke at the RV park this morning and got asked an interesting question by a pastor visiting from Germany.  He asked me when did my denomination start letting women be pastors.  The question surprised me; we are a non-denomination.  I just said I don't know but I will research it today.  And I have.  From what I have read on the internet, women have always been ordained from the beginning of our non-denominational movement because God created us to be equal - as Paul shared, in Christ we are neither male nor female.  But I did read an interesting article that gave no names, but that they had observed a woman who had been ordained for years as a pastor - being stripped of her title because - I think - the area she was in didn't believe women should be pastors.  But at least I have an answer and at least one name I can share with this German pastor.  

In all honesty, I don't care about my 'title'.  I was humbled to be allowed to receive the title of 'reverend' back in 2007 when I completed all the requirements for the board that I could be ordained.  I felt God has called me to do what I do - for this moment in time.  If they ever want to take it away, it isn't going to change who I am.  It isn't going to change much of what I do.  I mean, if the RV parks insist I be ordained and I wasn't - then that would go by the wayside.  But other than that, it doesn't change anything.  It doesn't make me who I am; it doesn't give me any special privileges except that I get to share a message occasionally on Sundays.  For some people, losing that title would devastate them.  It's just a title.

And yes, I did get 'roped' into singing with the choir this evening.  I did take a nap a bit ago - perhaps that is why my head is hurting... I slept too long and too hard, I'm afraid.  With the Cardinals football game on.  Hubby slept too, but all he has to do is turn his hearing aids down.  LOL  We don't need to head back over to the RV park until about 6PM.  I haven't been to any of the practices, but we are just singing Christmas songs that that should be fun.  I'm looking forward to being with our friends there.   Yes, I could have continued to say 'no, I just want to watch', but what if everyone did that?  We all need to participate at some point.

I made three batches of salsa today to go with the two batches I made the other day.  I think I have two and maybe three more batches to make so that I will have enough quarts made for whoever wants to take one.  I love that my grandchildren love my salsa and usually want a jar.  There are a few who make a point of telling me they want a jar of salsa for Christmas from me.  And I will always do it as long as I am able to.  Other than that, I haven't tried to make anything today.  Hubby keeps coming in to the kitchen area where I am (and he can't see what I'm doing) to ask me questions - who called?  what did they want? are you going to make anything else? what time do you think we should leave?  sigh.  He can't stand it I'm not where he can keep an eye on me.  Heaven help him if I die first.  Maybe that's why my head is hurting.  LOL

NOW the tv is off - guess hubby doesn't have any other football games to watch today.  He did ask if I wanted to watch a movie but I said no, not during the day.  I get tired of watching movies all the time - he falls asleep most times during them anyway "only for just a few minutes".  I like to enjoy the quiet, which is rare around here.  I'm sitting in the kitchen now with my computer; wasn't intending to write anything, and yet, here I am.  I did the research, and here I still sit.  It looks beautiful outside.  Wish it was a little warmer so that I could go sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.  

I'm starting to sit and stare in space for something phenomenal to write about... and find I am empty.  With that being said, I won't bore you with chitter chatter.  Need to take an aspirin to make the head stop hurting.  Maybe I will be able to get some reading done.   And if not, I can at least work on the baby blanket I'm working on.

Hope you are having a good Sunday - enjoy the day.

Blessings!