The projects I have going on for Christmas gifts are not coming along as fast as I would like for them to. But that's ok. I worked on two of them last night - didn't get very far in either one, but still got some accomplished. Why am I dividing my time between more than one thing? Because working on just one can become taxing. One causes my eyes to burn somewhat if doing it more than a few hours cause of the constant staring, and the other - the arthritis in my fingers starts rearing its head. So I do both when I want to. And that's ok. I have several other things in other topics that I want to make for Christmas and I really won't be able to start on those until just before Christmas (yes, it involves baking) so I need to get these other items completed before then. But I do enjoy working on them. I sometimes wish I had more people who I could make things for and give to them. My children all have afghans; grandchildren too. But I do get to make for our two new great-grandbabies that will be arriving next year. But I tell myself I have plenty of time. Christmas gifts first, then those. I have quilts I want to make, but I want to do them by hand which is time-consuming. But, I may need to resort to sewing on the machine if I want to make those this year. Or put it off until January. Like I did last January. And the January before. sigh. Does that make me a procrastinator? Or just too many projects going on? And not enough time to work on them?
I did my 'weeble wobble' out of the gym last night. Morgan had me pulling the big heavy sled backwards 3 times! Then 1.5 squats for three sets. Then side slides for three sets. and finally the leg extension for a minute. My legs were wobbling for sure! She laughs. She says she loves the expressions I make when she gives me an exercise to do. Yeah, I imagine she does. Most are probably "are you kidding me? you are actually going to make this old woman do that?" And, yes, she laughs, and I do them. "Age is just a number" she says. And it is. I may tell my age (God has been good to me to let me live this long) and laugh about my inabilities to do some things, but because I am exercising and doing things, I can still do things. At 75 my mother did nothing more than sit in a chair all day. I don't want to live my life like that. I want to live life, not let it pass me by.
I've got a new project coming that I hope to get involved in somewhat. I'm not going to tell - yet - but it's something I did many years ago - only tried my hand at it a few times. A granddaughter has got my interest in it again and I bought some things that I need to get started. It is supposed to arrive today - and I'll put it in here until I can look at everything and make a decision - am I really going to use it or shall I ship it all back. Yeah, I've done that before. Once I get something new I ponder it for a couple days. If it was just a longing of something I wanted to do and know that I won't ever get around to it - I send it back. But if I will use it, I keep it. And this I know I will use some of it, if not all. I have thoughts of Christmas gifts for my bosses so will see how that comes out. Well, two of my bosses. Maybe three. One lives in Colorado and I really don't know her that well, nor do I do a lot of work for her. And that's ok with me.
I won a prize in our company 'basket drawing'. It wasn't what I was really hoping for; actually, there were several that I really, really wanted, but it was not to be. This item I only threw one ticket on as a side thought. Go figure, huh? But, it is nice and it will be nice to have something new. Not that I needed it - it's a new spice rack with 24 different spices on it. As I was looking over the spices, I don't have some of them, so it may be fun to figure out recipes that use them. I know a granddaughter uses curry, but I never have. May need to ask for some recipes. That's one of them. I looked around yesterday to see where I could hang it (one can never have too many spices!!) and I think I found a spot - but then I need to move my cast iron rack off the counter. I think I'll look into getting a floor model for my cast iron skillets and all and give this one to someone else who can use it. I just don't have enough cabinet space here and long for a kitchen where I can have my appliances out and available for quick use. I want to look for another place to live that has a large kitchen, but hubby refuses to even consider it. It should be here today or tomorrow, I'm thinking. It is being shipped to me.
I find it funny that I seem to win baking or cooking items. And they are the ones I usually just put one ticket on. I know, it only takes one ticket. I should just put one in each one and see what happens, right? One year I got an Italian basket - complete with a huge bowl, olive oil, spices, pasta mixes, etc. A couple years ago I won the kids baking one in which were three Dash 'appliances', cake mixes, donut mixes, a donut pan, an adult and child apron, and I forget what all. I still have one Dash appliance that I haven't used yet. It's out in the garage so I don't think about it.
Speaking of the garage, our weather is somewhat cooling down so am hoping within a few weeks I can start cleaning it out. Still need to look at other shelving, but will just go pick it up rather than ordering. I need to see what exactly I need, and no more 'cheap' stuff to get by. It didn't hold. The plastic shelving I bought from Walmart - well, the top two shelves 'wilted' in the garage heat and the appliances and items I had on those shelves fell to the ground. Only one broke. One of my crockpots. I really do NOT need another one, but I will get another one. I think it was my 4 qt size that broke. I have a 2 or 3 quart that the knob got knocked off when it fell. I'm hoping that when I clean up around that area that I will find it and can get it back on. I do love having the different sizes in crockpots. And I use them at one time or another. Granted, not as much as I did when I was working and taking things to work in the crockpot, but when I get on a soup binge and make several different kids, it is good to have the different sizes to keep it warm in while I decide what to do with them all.
All this writing about soups and food and other things - makes me want to get in my kitchen. But alas work comes first. And this is Tuesday night so my daughter and I get together and I think we are going out to eat tonight. We do that one in awhile, but usually one of us picks up dinner and we eat here or at her house. At least it is a break in my week and I get out of here. I can't believe I spend so much time in the house. I do need to 'get a life' as I mentioned recently. I need to call my friend Melonie and go out to lunch with her. But some days, it is just hard to get away from the work stuff.
Acts 20:24 (NIV): However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace.
As I think about that verse, I think about the upcoming months of my speaking at the RV parks and the independent living facility. It is work, believe me! I have to prepare a message that I feel God wants me to share. It takes me several hours to complete it. And twice now, for the independent facility, God lets me know on Saturday or a Sunday morning - to not use the one I had selected. Then He directs me to something else. And I have to hustle to get it completed in time to present. And that's ok. If it isn't the right one, it won't mean anything to them. I want their lives to be changed; at our age we don't have the time to put off following Jesus. I want to lead them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, that when they pass on, they will be with Him. And I want that for you. Yes, I ramble on in these blogs about nonsense most of the time, but I hope that in some you will feel the twinge of longing to know Jesus on a personal level. He will change your life, if you will just let Him. He only wants the best for you, but you have to do your part. He's waiting with open arms, He is so full of grace and mercy - grace and mercy that none of us deserve. Least of all me. But every day I run back to Him and seek His face and confess any known and unknown sins and allow Him to gather me close. He wants to gather you in His arms too. If you will let Him. Will you? All you have to do is call on His name. Jesus. Forgive me. Show me the way in which to live. Help me to follow you. Help me to understand what you desire for me. Help me to walk rightly. I choose You, Jesus. Thank you for your grace; your forgiveness. Amen.
Blessings!
