Lack of sleep is not always a good thing....

 especially when you have your first doctor's appointment and you want to feel good and look sharp.  I don't know if the diet coke I had with dinner last night was enough caffeine to keep me awake, issues within the family (had a chat with the youngest and he was already drinking; no sense in trying to have a conversation. His words are cruel even to me when he drinks), and I had that on my mind... or thinking about my middle child's medical issues... or my own fears of something being found in my own health.  I usually do not worry about myself, but twinges here and there have caused some concern.  I'm praying for answers for so many things.  Not to concern anyone about me, I'm strong, and I'm healthy, and I have God on my side.  It's all part of the 'circle of life', right?  

I tossed and turned until after midnight last night.  I just could not go to sleep.  I thought about getting up but decided that in spite of hubby's snoring, he would wake up and discover I was gone that early, and then would come searching for me.  I did drift off to sleep and my alarm woke me at 4AM.  So I'm 'running' on just a few hours of sleep today.  When I'm tired and sleepy, I tend to not think as clearly or want to do anything.  So besides the doctor's appointment, I have to work, and with having a second boss, I've discovered already that my days are much more busy than in the past few months! 

Been working on the itinerary for our big trip next month.  I'm already wishing we weren't staying as long, but I don't know when our next trip will be, nor do I know if I will ever see any of my siblings again alive.  Two are not in good health at all, and the other two aren't that great either.  And as I age, I begin to wonder even about myself. :-)  Of course anything could happen at any time for any one.  Even here.  All know we are coming out except my oldest sister; I haven't told her... but just realized that my youngest brother who is her POA has probably told her.  I want to surprise her, but maybe that isn't such a good idea either. I do need to call and check in on her.  Her son is living with her still so I haven't worried so much about her.

Hubby has gone to his Bible study this morning... left me to deal with Sheeba this morning and the groomer coming out around 8:30AM.  He may be home by then, or not.  Not a big deal.  I'm a big girl and can multi-task.  I can work around it all, and can get ready for my doctor's appointment while he's gone. :-)

I'm reading in the book of John in the New Testament and today it was the 2nd chapter.  You will remember this story... the wedding feast in Cana where they ran out of wine.  Jesus' mother came to him to solve the problem.  Now how do you think she knew that he could do anything?  Ever wonder about that?  No miracles by Jesus have been reported.  How did Mary know that Jesus could do something about it?  He tells her "My time has not yet come" and what does Mary do?  She tells the servants to do whatever he tells them to do.  And walks away.  Seriously?  Now that requires some faith, don't you think?  So Jesus tells the servants to fill up six waterpots (holding several gallons each) with water.  They fill to the brim.  Then He tells them to take some to the master of the ceremony who is to taste the wine before it is given to the people.  And what happens?  The master of the ceremony is so surprised that this wine is the best he has ever tasted! (well, duh!)  He has no idea how it was made, or where it came from.  But he had to declare to the bridgeroom of its superiority over anything he had ever tasted. 

Can you think of a time that something 'changed' that surprised you?  Perhaps it wasn't water into wine, but could it be something that was, was no more?  Or was not, and now is?  As I ponder that question myself, the thought pops into my mind about my son donating old cars to Kids for Cars or for other causes (and there are many).  The car has no more value to him as they have been 'driven to death', and yet, to whomever he donates it, it has great value to them.  I don't know why that thought came to mind, but it did. Hmmm

As I sat here thinking about what to write about, my thoughts turned to my son and his high blood pressure.  That seems to run in my family.  Mine has always been on the low side in the past, but over the past few years, as I have aged, it seems to be going up.  Partly because I have gained weight.  It seems that no matter what I do - short of stopping eating altogether - I cannot lose it.  A whole nother story for another day.  I'm a mess in that area.  But anyway, I have a blood pressure cup that is pretty reliable so decided to use it.  I generally take it twice cause I understand from a former doctor that took it twice, that as the blood pumps, it can go up and down.  The first time it was like 116/71 - really good, actually.  Then the second reading was like 130/91.  Not quite as good.  But still not real bad, especially compared to my little sister's!  Hubby always annoys me when he gets his done at the doctor's office.  He comes back with like 107/60 or something like that.  Why?  Because he doesn't have the stress of working!  Plus he doesn't have to deal with the stress of ME like I have to deal with the stress of HIM!  LOL  When I was younger (and was carrying less weight), mine was low like that too.  And some mornings if I'm really still and take it, it is that low.  But life happens.  High blood pressure isn't a game to be played.  It can kill you or cause you to stroke.  That's why I try hard to stay calm and not eat so much salty foods (although I love salt) and exercise (I did go to the rec center yesterday, but my heart wasn't really in it).  

I reckon I'm out of things to write about and I need to jump into the shower before starting work and dealing with Sheeba.  But I leave you with this thought.... this question....

Is there a miracle that you need Jesus to do for you?  Why not take a moment and just verbalize it to Him.  Ask Him for that miracle.  It doesn't mean that you will get it; He may have different plans for you.  But if you don't ask, you may not receive it either.

Jesus, whoever is reading this, if they need a miracle in their life, would You please provide it for them?  Not just give them what they want, Lord, but help them to see they are a miracle in the making, and if they choose You, they will see more miracles than they ever thought possible.  There are some things in my life that I am asking for miracles for, Lord.  I've already spoken to you about them, and I pray that whoever is in need of a miracle or miracles, that You will listen as they tell you about them, and that You will answer.  Thank you for Your answers, Lord.  Thank You for loving us more than anyone; that You want the very best for us.  Hear our cries, O God, hear our prayers.  Answer us, Lord. Let us see Your hand upon our lives and those we love.  And may we remember our asking, and remember to tell you 'thank You, for all You have done'.  Yes, Lord, thank You.  I love You, Lord.  You are my Lord, my Savior, my God and King.  I give You all my praise.  Thank You for Your blessings. Amen.

Trip falling into place....I hope

 I worked on, and thought alot, about our itinerary yesterday and finally printed out what I had down so that I could show hubby and discuss with him. You know I have to have his 'buy-in' or ... well, let's leave it there.  I handed him a copy and emphasized that it was for his review and comments.  Nothing was set in stone.  

I had opted out of getting a rental car because for most of the time I will be with my little sister and she will be transporting me around to our older sister and my younger brother visits.  Hubby would be with his brother for those times (except for dinner one night with my younger brother).  While I'm with my sister, hubby will be with his brother and can be transported anywhere.  Besides, hubby doesn't need to be driving.  AND a rental for the 13 days we will be away is nearly $1K.  Yes, you heard that right.  Even at the special rate of $56/day that I can get, it is still too much and for the majority of that time, it isn't needed.  I finally decided that perhaps a rental from Thursday to Monday, when we leave, would be ok although one day it would probably sit in a driveway.  We will have traveling from the center of the city to the south side from one relative to another, and I really don't like putting that responsibility on anyone.  But hubby decided to veto that idea.  I figure we can wait until we are there and make that decision then.  I know my brother will let me have the Scion - "my car" convertible for as long as I want to use it - but I don't plan to see him until the 2nd weekend.  AND I would be the only one allowed to drive it.  Sounds like a perfect plan for me, but I know hubby will not like it at all.  He didn't the last time we were given the car to use.  

Hubby was also concerned about the 4-5 days I had him at his brother's without me.  I think that is more his concern - I wouldn't be with him.  But I reminded him that I have another sister I need to visit (that he has no desire to see) and another brother and a step brother I'd like to also connect with, even for a short visit.  He can join us for dinner with the brother. He asked if I had checked with the sister-in-law about him staying there and I told him yes - he was sitting right next to me when I called and we talked about the schedule and that I wanted the two brothers to spend as much time together as possible.  We have no idea when we will be going back again for a visit... hubby is 84 and the brother in law is 74.  He didn't like it that I wouldn't be there, but finally said ok. I'll be joining him on that Thursday evening of the week.  I know my sister is ok with whatever I come up with, but I do need to check with the older brother yet about staying a couple nights with him.  I'm pretty confident he will say yes as he and I have talked frequently about it.  I could have chatted with him about it last night because we did text back and forth, but hubby had one of his 'discussions' with me at the dinner table and I just didn't want to talk to anyone.  I will send my brother an email this morning with my request so that he can discuss with his wife.   I think hubby finally agreed with the scheduling.  We wouldn't be staying that long normally (13 days!) but I want to spend a weekend with this brother as he and I are so close.  I love each of my family, but some I have a special bond with, moreso than the others.

And if need be, and the family can't handle us that long, there are always hotels - which is a consideration for a couple nights as well so that we can have our space without being dependent upon anyone.  I'm sure a lot of things will change before we actually leave town in September.

My son washing his car the other day has definitely done the trick to get us rain.  It has been thundering all night - I don't know if we actually got rain here, but saw on the news last night of other areas nearby that were getting hit.  Sheeba doesn't like the thunder.... she hid in my shower again for awhile last night.  The thunder is going pretty good this morning so I'm sure she isn't happy in her crate either.

My ant bites look horrible.  I googled what I could do to stop the itching and it said to use hydrocortisone cream - which we had.  It did help with the itching and I was able to sleep most of the night. (That and I had asked God to stop the itching so that I could sleep - He answered.)  I was awake from about 1AM on because hubby kept tossing and turning with his sore arthritic shoulder and it keeps me awake. (I neglected to ask God to keep hubby still) This is a nightly thing but he refuses to let me sleep in the other room so that I can get rest.  The itching has already started this morning and I will be putting cream on the spots pretty quick now.  They are dime size with a hard dot in the middle.  Google said don't pop the blister, but I did on a couple because they itched so bad I scratched them open.  My ankle seems to itch the most and appears swollen.  It's really odd - I have one bite on my right foot, and the remaining 9 or so bites are all on my left leg from the knee down.  I'm still 'assuming' these are all ant bites since that is what I was covered with.  The HOA is to come out and spray that area soon - hubby sent them a 'note'.

I started the book of Luke in my Bible this morning.  I've been reading a few chapters each morning, recently started back with the book of Matthew again and am now starting Luke, and making sure I also read the notes at the bottom.  Sometimes it really clarifies what is being said in the scriptures.  In Chapter 1 alone it clarifies how Zacharias questioned Gabriel when he was given his message (and he became mute until John was born!) and how Mary humbly accepted what Gabriel was telling her.  

If you had an angel appear to you and tell you he was from God, and he had a message for you - how would you react?  I honestly don't know for myself.  I hope that I would be so confident in my God that I would not even question the message, but just believe.  And I think I would be.  But I don't know.  I know that God has spoken to me at different times, and I know it was Him, but if an angel appeared, I don't know!  Would I be like Zacharias and question - or like Mary and humbly accept what is told?  What would you do?  Would you believe?

No one is too far gone from the grace of God.  Not me, not you.  All we have to do is believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died and rose again on the third day.  That He took all our sins and they were nailed to the cross with His body.  He gave life up, bearing all our guilt and shame, so that we will have a chance to live.  I choose to believe.  Do you?

Have a great Friday!

Little animals, Annoying bites!

 I took Sheeba out for a morning ritual the other morning and I led her around the back yard.  At one point I stopped between the house next door and ours, and I was standing on the rocks and Sheeba was still in the grass.  I was watching a man walking his dog a house away (as was Sheeba) and was making sure I had hold of MY dog.  All of a sudden I felt somethingon my legs.  I look down and my shoes, socks, and from the knees down - I'm covered in ANTS!!  I started wiping them off as fast as I could - they were getting in my socks and in my shoes - so quickly the shoes and socks come off.  I'm wiping them off my legs and I'm sure I was quite the scene.  I see some ants on Sheeba's legs so I'm rubbing down her legs as well, trying to get away from the area the ants are in.  I finally succeed (I think) and after looking to be sure I had all the ants off my shoes and socks, legs, and off Sheeba, we went into the house.  

I forgot about all that until last evening.  My leg started itching and I discovered 3 'bites' on my leg.  Puzzled, I kept looking and found more bites - on both legs - and one on my hand!  ITCH ITCH ITCH!!!! It has been horrible.  I've put cream on them, I have put peroxide, and the itching continues.  I was able to go to sleep last night - but was awakened by the bite on my ankle that was itching like crazy.  I scratched and it felt so good - and yet I knew that the more I scratched and the more it felt good, the more it was going to itch and hurt, so made myself stop scratching.  I finally fell back to sleep.  This morning, as I sit here, every one of the bites are itching like crazy!  What is weird about these bites are there is a hard 'ball' in the center of the bite.  Not sure whether that is just the place where I was bitten or what it is.  Whatever it is, I itch!  Maybe I'll try the baking soda and vinegar glob today.  Anything to stop the itching!

I was able to get some of the itinerary taken care of yesterday with talking with one sister and my sister-in-law.  The first few days are scheduled and taken care of.  My sister went ahead and made reservations for us (she and I) in Brown County to spend a couple days.  We both need that 'getaway' to reconnect and have that memory.  They have great little shops and it will be fun to walk through them and perhaps choose some things for gifts.  I'm looking forward to it - and it gives my sister something to look forward to.  Hubby will stay with his brother so that they can reconnect. 

Our new Chief Network guy contacted me yesterday and we were able to text back and forth.  I've seen his photo and he is a young guy (probably in his 30's, I'm guessing).  Married, has a couple children according to his photo I found while researching him.  I need to get the equipment he wants pulled together, talk to IT and get the computer I have for him updated and ready for him.  I'll pass his computer over to him before we go on our anniversary getaway so that he will have it to start on that Monday morning.  I'm not planning on going to the office to meet with him.... he will be going to the main Corporate office to meet with the President that first day.  I don't need to be there.  But I do need to arrange 'meet and greet' meetings for him with a lot of people.  I just need to figure out who.  I'll contact the President today and find out who he wants him to meet with and will get on the calendar.  I will be busy doing that today.

I'm still reading in my Solitude and Silence book, and have you figured out how hard it is to just be quiet and alone?  I mean, being alone is not THAT hard, but being in solitude and silence IS hard.  I keep trying and no sooner than I sit back and try to shut my mind off  -  it starts in on things I need to get done, things I want to get done, things people said that I need to process, things I want to say, what my plans are, what I need to do, what I should do if I can find time, what's on my schedule for today...... the list just goes on and on in my mind.  It's like I never thought of those things before and because I'm taking a few minutes to just be in solitude and silence, everything comes to my mind.  Have you tried it?  If not - do so!  You aren't 'religious'?  No problem.  Just try to sit still and clear your mind for five minutes and not think about anything.  Don't do anything.  Just sit and be still.  Ok, maybe we should start with a minute for you.  You will probably find it is difficult to do it.  I know I have.  So that is going to be my goal every morning.  I'm trying for 10 minutes each morning to just sit and be still.  Of course I am wanting the Presence of God to be with me, so I have a goal with this.  I want His Peace that passes all understanding.  I know that by doing this, He will work in me His good work.  And I desire that above all else.   And if you dare, finish your solitude and silence by saying the Lord's Prayer.  You know it.

"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.  Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.  Amen."

Blessings!