It was time for goodbyes.

 I did get over to the daughter's yesterday and helped (along with the granddaughter and her family) manage the yard sale while the UHaul truck was being loaded.  I think we shut it down before noon - but was able to get rid of a lot of things - most for only $1 when they cost a lot more than that. But - it's either $1 or go to Savers, right? Some we even just said "make an offer" and took it.  But at least it is done.  From what I understand after I left, they took two loads (in the pick-up) to a storage unit because there wasn't any room left in the UHaul to take with them on this trip.  Guess they will come back in a week or so and empty the storage units - perhaps. 

I left after the yard sale shut down and we brought everything in.  It had been a busy morning, for sure.  I said my goodbyes to my daughter and son-in-law, thinking that would be it.  But - he remembered late yesterday evening - and they come over at 8PM to fix the front porch light that had gone out a week ago.  The SIL said he pictured me upon a ladder trying to fix it, and he was afraid I'd fall.  Silly SIL - I would have to fight hubby to get on a ladder as he thinks he can do it.  Which he probably could.  It was just unscrewing the light figure and inserting new batteries and putting it back up.  He SHOULD be able to do it, right?  Our street number lights have a couple bulbs out so SIL tried to fix those - but they didn't work so he says when he comes back next week, he will work on it.  He always is taking care of us.  Hubby will miss calling him to do this or that.  After fixing the light, we said our goodbyes once again.

They are to be leaving this morning.  Not sure what time they plan to leave, but soon, I'm sure.  Not going to drive all the way this time, but stop along the way to rest and then head on tomorrow.  Wise move, I'm sure, with all the extra caution with the truck and attached trailer.  They stayed at their house last night - there is a mattress still there they are throwing away - so I'm guessing they slept on it.  I tried to get them to stay here - but understand they just want to rest without interference.  But, when they come back, they may very well stay here so guess who needs to clean this room up?  :-)  Good reason to do it.

I'm loving having extra time in here this morning.  Remember, we chose to go to the noon service.  I know hubby would love for me to get up and fix breakfast - and I may yet - but for now, nope.  It's only 8:30AM after all. He has things he can eat - bagels, etc. Besides, I want to jump in the shower and wash my hair and smell pretty for church.  That will come first.  Then I'll think about it.  I haven't started my 800-1000 calorie a day plan yet.  So this morning I had Belvita crackers.  The cinnamon ones.  And a cup of coffee.  Now I need to get another cup of coffee - and an excedrin, as my head hurts.  

"Honor your spouse with care and walk closely with God."  That is the message I just got from Messenger X.  Does that mean I should make breakfast? Hmmmm

I feel like I'm struggling with a bit of depression this morning.  Trying to shrug that off.  I think it is just 'life' hitting me in different ways.  I'm tired, and you know that is when sorrow usually hits, right?  When you are preoccupied with things going on around you that are out of your control.  And I'm tired.  I think I have already said that.  I'm sure I have dozed some while sitting in this chair this morning, and yet, I feel like I can doze again.  What's up with that? I slept sound last night until I woke up at 4AM.  Just because it is the weekend, my mind wakes up and says 'Good morning!" Can't shut it off some mornings.  

I John 4:10 (NIV):  This is love; not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Perfect for the day after Valentine's day, right?  We really do not know what love is, no matter what we think.  God's love is perfect.  I could not sacrifice my son or daughter for anything - and I don't imagine you could either.  But God did.  Jesus was our sacrifice, our Lamb, slain, just for our salvation.  What do you think about that?  It required a blood sacrifice.  And Jesus took all our sins, all our shame, all our depressions, our thoughts, our actions, everything - and was nailed to the cross and died.  And He did it willingly, for you and for me.  Sometimes that is hard to grasp, that God would love us so much, that He would sacrifice His only Son.  What a great God He is!

I know I am not worthy of Jesus' sacrifice.  I wouldn't say I am a 'bad' person.  Jesus has forgiven me, many times.  I am cleansed by the blood of the Lamb.  And so are you.  But none of us are worthy of the sacrifice of God's Son.

To Him be the glory, both now and forever.  Give thanks for what He has done for you.  For you, for your spouse, for your children, your grandchildren, and for generations to come.  Are we teaching them to love Jesus?  Oh that we all might!  This morning in my prayers I was asking for opportunities to share Jesus with the little ones.  In due time, perhaps my request will be granted.  

Head is pounding; I think a hot shower might help.  Then maybe I will cook breakfast.  If food don't help, an Excedrin will.  I hope.  Church at noon.  Nap afterwards. :-)

Have a day full of love!

Blessings!

First things first...

 Had to pause for a moment and send my favorite boss a Blue Mountain birthday card via email.  I'm glad I signed up for that some time ago - but I often forget to use it.  I'm cheap anymore when it comes to buying cards - I'd rather make them - but I don't do that either. So it's is much easier to pay $29/year, I think it is, and send cards whenever I want to - holidays, birthdays - whatever - to whomever I want.  I just don't always remember to do it.  But today I did and I got it sent off.  I'm also meeting my boss for breakfast in the morning for one of our 'admin' meetings and I will take her a small gift, plus her 'Boss's day' gift that is in a couple weeks.  Cheaper this way. Two birds with one stone, right?   

My sister sent me a box of clothes on Saturday.  The receipt from USPS said it was to be delivered yesterday.  However, when I check the tracking number... it tells me that it is still in Mooresville.  The same thing happened last week to a package I sent to her - it kept saying it was here, and it took an extra day for her to get it.  Today is the day after, so will see if I get it today.  I am hoping that something will fit me.  Her friend was a 'classy' lady, but , styles change and I'm hoping that something will fit.  My sister said it is jeans and jackets and tops.  Well, I can hope this fat body can fit into something.

I feel like I'm in over my head with this bread making.  I just don't understand the directions that was sent with the starter.  You get the starter, you add water, you add flour. Then the next day, after it rises, you take about 1/2 cup of starter out, and it says then to throw the rest away - and calls it 'discard' - or you can keep it and use for pancakes.  What?  Well, I kept it in another bowl, and now the starter has risen again, and if I recall correctly, it says to add water and flour, and do the same thing.  I'm so confused.  I do need to call my granddaughter and ask her what in the world am I supposed to do with this stuff?  There's too much!!  I'm thinking I may skip a couple steps and take the discard and add flour and just throw in the oven and see what happens.  It's just yeast, flour, and water, right?  And of course we are wanting to cut back on bread.  But I'm wanting to learn so that I can make it for gifts. Or, maybe I can pay my granddaughter and let her make it for me?  I've bought a lot of neat stuff for the bread... maybe she would want it?  Could I bribe her?  But then, she doesn't have a lot of time either.  But I know she bakes great bread!!  I don't know what I'm going to do but I need to quickly make a decision - like today - for the rising dough is going to be a mess.   I want to go back to when I baked bread before.  I put the yeast in (no starter) and let the bread rise, punch it down, knead it, let it rise again, and then put in the oven and just bake it.  Or the real easy way.... buy frozen dough at Frys and let it rise and bake it. But where is the satisfaction in that?

Didn't sleep well again last night. Well, I did until about 11:30PM when I awoke and then tossed and turned off and on the rest of the night.  Hubby told me this morning that I punched him in the stomach during the night.  I don't remember that at all.  He thought it was funny (this morning, I'm sure not during the night!).  I got so hot that I threw the covers off (a sheet and a light quilt half-way up) just to cool off.  Am I going through heat flashes that I had years ago?  I know I often wake up drenched in sweat, but contributed that to me curling up in a ball.  Not sure what is going on with my body, but I don't like it. And I have another headache; but at least I didn't wake up at midnight with a pounding headache like the night before.  I will need to take something when I get off here, it is that bad.  Usually I just shrug them off.  Coffee isn't even helping this morning.

I didn't get much done at work yesterday - I have no reason; just didn't.  With two bosses out today I need to focus and complete some things.  At least get the minutes done from the last board meeting! I sometimes need to write myself notes to remind me to do them.  And this may be one of those mornings!   And with two bosses off today, I'm hoping I can have lunch with an old friend.  We have been meeting at Jack in the Box because the restaurants end up costing us each $20 by the time you order a salad and tip - and we're both complaining. We can get something for $10 or less at Jack in the Box. And enjoy each other's company.

Provers 17:28 (TPT):  When even a fool bites his tongue he's considered wise. So shut your mouth when you are provoked - it will make you look smart.

I read that this morning and got the giggles a bit.  We all can think of people who would look a lot wiser and smarter if they WOULD keep their mouth shut - right?   How often do we feel that we have to put our 2 cents worth in about something, when if we chose to just remain silent that it isn't us not agreeing or contributing to the discussion, but we are being smarter by NOT commenting on anything. (did that even make sense?)  See, there is a reason I don't talk a lot when out with others... and hubby calls me out about it - and makes me introverted.  LOL   I know I have a lot of smart and good things to day... but sometimes  it isn't about me - I don't need to voice my opinion about a lot of things. I can get in to trouble easily enough without even opening my mouth, than doing so and causing discontent.

Reminds me of that saying:  Better to be thought a fool than to open the mouth and remove all doubt.

Or something like that. Some people would be better off keeping their mouth shut.  In all circumstances. And I'll leave that right there.

It is just way too easy to let my fingers do the talking in here.  Voice my opinion about things.  Maybe that is what is causing the headaches lately - I'm keeping too much (thoughts) inside?

And with that - be considered wise today.  Think before you speak.  I'm going to try to!

Blessings!

It happened again....

It wasn't as bad this time.  I recognized the shooting lights and vision issues while I was out shopping yesterday afternoon.  (Could I possibly be allergic to shopping? - NOT!)  I decided it was time to head home and took a pill and told hubby I needed to lay down and rest for a bit.  And I did, for about an hour. I don't know how much I slept as my mind was going over different things, but at least I laid there with my eyes closed and rested.  Of course hubby has to be near me, even without the TV on, and I could hear him going through his phone (vibrating out of his hearing aids) and all the 'stuff' he listens to.  But I rested, and it pretty much went away.  This morning, though, no visual effects, but a dull headache so will take an Ibuprofen and hope that keeps any visual changes away.

This morning begins our preaching at one of the RV parks.  I re-typed the message with all my changes the other day.  I went through it yesterday again and printed it out.  This morning I have read aloud through it, and have scanned through it again.  Since I pretty much follow closely the words I have written, my going through it several times is to make myself more familiar with the flow of how it should go.  And after all that, I pray.  If God doesn't help me, then I can't be helped.  Bottom line.  Granted, because I haven't reviewed it as often as I usually do, I may flub up, but I also trust God to help me get through it.  Instead of going through it again last night before bed, I watched an old movie 'While you were sleeping'.  It has been on my mind (Christmas season?) and as it is a favorite, wanted to see it.  Hubby watched the Notre Dame game and I watched the movie on my kindle fire and with ear plugs.  Of course he had to interrupt me a few times to 'help' him find something to eat.  Sigh.

28 days until Christmas, I think.  I have so much wrapping to do!  Got some shipping to do as well and I need to start working on that this week.  I like to get things out early in the month so that things get delivered timely.  Some of them will wait until Christmas to open; others will open right away.  Like me, if it's delivered to me, then I get to open it, right?  My big brother, who the past few years has unexpectedly sent me a very nice gift unexpectedly, always makes me wait until Christmas.  And out of his request, yes, I do wait. 

My little sister drives me crazy.  Have you figured that out yet?  She bought her couch and loveseat; then cancelled the order last month.  She found another one and ordered it; and she text'd me last night that she cancelled THAT order, because it really wasn't what she wanted color wise.  BUT she went online to a wholesale place and found exactly what she wanted, still Ashley Furniture, and ordered it and it should be delivered in a few days.  Then proceeds to tell me they have already taken the money out of her account, leaving her $21 and is now wondering if they are a 'scam' wholesale company.  Insisted I go look; I found the website, and they look legit... but I don't know anything about that stuff.  Her money is gone - whether she gets the product or not.  In fact, all the money she had received as an 'inheritance' is now gone.  And probably then some.  I told you she is a shopaholic.  

And I can't say much about myself ..... I tend to over shop when it comes to family too.  I've spent more this year than I planned to.  I've got to plan better, that's for sure.  And I'm still not done.  Or is it that prices are so much higher than the past years?  That too, I'm sure, which means I need to cut back a lot. Just finding summer sausage for my boys has me re-thinking if I should even buy them.  I end up buying nearly 12 of them.... the least expensive for a small one this year is still over $4.  I'll keep looking until the last minute, but they may fall by the wayside.  I forget where I was, but I found the chocolate covered cherries I give the girls on sale for less than $2.... and another place found them for over $5.... mark up is unreal, ya know?

I Chronicles 4:10 (NKJV):  "And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested."

Do you remember what we have come to call 'The Prayer of Jabez'?  As I was searching for a scripture to share with you this morning, this is one that popped up.  Jabez means 'pain' (or along those lines of it), and although the reason the name was given to this child we do not know, but we wonder what caused his mother to name him pain.  Labor in childbirth, perhaps?  Whatever it was, Jabez knew that with the blessings of God, he could be successful.  So he called on God and asked for His blessings.  And I love the final sentence.... 'So God granted him what he requested.'/

There have been many times I've prayed intently for someone to be healed, but they were not.  There are been many times I've prayed for circumstances to be changed and they were not.  There have been many times that I have prayed for the salvation of each of my children, grandchildren, and those prayers are not YET answered....  but I still believe that God will answer my prayers.  God doesn't always answer my prayers the way I want Him to, but He always answers.  I still trust Him, because He is in control of all that concerns me.  I prayed for years we could sell our 'old place' - and hubby wouldn't agree.  When he finally agreed, it happened so quickly that I barely kept up.  I'm still finding things I miss but still have no place to put them if I had them.  (and that's ok)  But God did answer my prayer in His timing, for we got 3 x the price we paid for it (nearly) and was able to pay off bills and move in here easily.  This place opened up for us.  It was all in God's timing, I believe that.  "So God granted me what I requested."

Think back over your life, perhaps even things you didn't pray about, but wished you had.  Can you see God's hand on your life?  Sometimes when bad things happen, we can only see the bad things and get angry at God because they happened.... and yet, perhaps if you look at it as it being part of God's plan for you.... and see the good that He has brought to you from that pain, perhaps you will see His hand in more things.

The bad stuff that happened to me over the years.... it brought me closer to Him in so many ways.  If I had to go through all I have to get to where I am right now, I would do it again.  Loving God and following Him is worth everything I could have gone through.  It took pain and difficulties to bring me to this point.  But I would do it again, to gain Christ.

Would you go through all the pain you have gone through to gain what you have now?  Something to think about.  What if you asked God for clarification; for direction; for wisdom and knowledge of what to do; and got it?  Would that change anything?  Something to think about.

Happy Sunday - and may God's blessing be upon you today.  I gotta get in the shower and get moving!

Blessings!

What is going on with me?

 I went to bed at my usual time last night... fell asleep, as I was exhausted from the day.  I woke around 2AM and had a little trouble getting back to sleep, but got up at 4AM.  I come into my room to read - and fell asleep again!  I would read just a sentence or two and my eyes would close.  It has been a tough morning to do my devotions and I still haven't gotten through everything I usually do.  And that's ok.  It's not mandatory.  God knows my heart and I have things I do in a certain order; if I have to leave some out, He's not going to zap me.  Thank goodness for that!

Wow - it is 5:47AM and the landscapers are already out mowing the grass this morning and trimming the hedges!  Usually they wait until about 6:30AM.  Must have a lot going on today.  Some of our neighbors may not like getting awakened so early - but for us, we're already up.

Well, I've written that paragraph three times and all three times I have deleted it.  Sometimes in my frustration about things I say what's on my mind about people.... as you know.... and then I look at it and (at least this morning) say, naw... you shouldn't put that on there.  Sigh.  Yesterday was a difficult day in that hubby just couldn't leave me alone to work.  He needs to find a hobby, but nothing interests him. Maybe I'll buy him a model car for Christmas... he has to do something besides watching me work!  We also had a conversation last night .... he was upset about a friend of his who is starting to get Alzheimers and had text'd hubby he was letting his wife take his personal finances (they have always had separate as she is 'rich' and he isn't) over... and hubby was upset about it.  I tried to explain that his friend was giving up so that he can focus on his health... and I commented on our joint account.... to which hubby tells me it is just fine.  Then I dropped the bomb.... "and if you don't start being honest with your doctor about your dementia, you are going to continually get worse!"  Surprisingly, he never said a word about it.  Didn't ask what I meant, didn't ask for examples.  I think he knows... just doesn't want to admit it.  Life is hard when you get older, I get it.  I have trouble remembering some things.  It's not the little things we forget though... it's how he remembers a lot of things that makes no sense.   Life is sometimes hard.  And it's harder when you don't know what to do and everything is met with resistance.

I did read the 23rd Psalm this morning before I fell back to sleep.  Did you know that Jehovah Rohi means 'The Lord is my Shepherd'?  I love it when I come across a name for the Lord, and they are throughout the Bible.  Years ago I taught a class on the names of the Lord.  I could even pronounce them as I had an audio tape that helped me.  I loved that class and learned so much.  Many of His names I have forgotten... but there are a few I still use frequently.  Jehovah Jireh is The Lord will provide.  Jehovah Rophi is The Lord who heals.  Jehovah El Roi is The God who sees.  I need to find that book - if I still have it - and go through it on my own.  It was a great class.

We will be starting a new class soon with our small group.  It's called 'Rooted" and is a discipleship class we've been told.  They want the entire church to do it.  Our first thought was 'naw, we like the discipleship class we have already done'... but ... wanting to be a part of the small group, I signed up both of us last night.  Now I'm not sure if our 'leaders' will be able to take us through it in our small group.  I don't want to do a small group nor go to another - we like this group.  Not sure how that is going to turn out.  

Guess I'm rambling now... my head still hurts ... probably from all these storms that have been happening.  Having lunch Saturday with a work friend.  We got to talking via work computer about ancestry and some of the things we do that was what our generations have done.  She wanted to meet and talk more - so we are.  I only have met her once or twice before we were sent home.  She said she wanted to go to a place that one could EAT lunch... in other words, not settle for a salad.  LOL  I suggested Spinatos - although I haven't been there in years, but it is about 1/2 way for us.  I'll have to google how to get there... Siri is my best friend for directions.

Ok - I have bored you enough today... have a blessed day!

Blessings!