I couldn't let smashed donuts go into a stocking, could I? And definitely not in to the snack basket that I have out for our delivery people! Somehow a (3-pc) small package of powdered donuts fell onto the bed, and somehow packages fell on top of them and smashed them. I found them last night. No, one can not throw away donuts just because they are smashed. I had them for 'breakfast' this morning. And they were good. Now I need protein to offset that sugar! Right?
I received a surprise yesterday - got a couple small packages from Amazon - AND a fairly good size package from UPS. That one I didn't know about - my big brother has sent a gift. I had to laugh when I read his note. He addresses the package to BOTH of us, but his note said that actually ALL the gifts are for me, and that hubby needs to find a hobby. I had to chuckle at that comment. I think many of us have told him that many times over the years. TV and his phone are his hobbies, I think. Sigh. Anyway, that just means I have 4 gifts that are MINE. I'm curious what they are, for one feels like a baking pan of some sort; I really do not know what it is. AND, I cannot open my gifts until Christmas, according to my brother. And I respect his request. Every.single.year. Yes, I could open his gifts and he would never know unless I told him, but I don't. I tease him nearly every day before Christmas that I'm going to open them, but I don't. Sometimes he will let me open them on Christmas Eve. But I respect his request. Whether I want to or not. He always sends me nice things.
Yesterday - or was it the day before - my days are running together - I realized I still needed to send to our granddaughter in Nebraska and her family. I have puzzles I had ordered to send to them, but needed to send something else - and have no idea. So I went to my favorite 'retailer' - Amazon - and decided to send them 'goodies'. I'll send the puzzles after Christmas sometime. Then I remembered I needed to send to my little brother yet - so found something to send him. Then I remembered my oldest brother's daughter. I don't think I have talked to her since January (shame on me). She had quit her job at Fed Ex, took out her 401K and was catching up on her bills. Then she was going to look for another job. I wonder how that panned out. But I am trying to stay in contact - even if only Christmas - with my oldest brother's only child. In writing all this, I think I shared all about the gift buying via Amazon yesterday. Oh well.
I got nothing done yesterday that I needed to get done. Work was busy. Didn't take time to wrap. I finished up one of the advent puzzles and then tore it apart so that I could have that end of the table. I need the other end too, but still have an advent puzzle I'm working on there. I worked on it last night to try and finish it - but this one is harder than the other. Much harder. I still have 3 days to go on it before I'm finished, then I will tear it apart and put it away so that I can have the rest of the table for the gift-wrapping. You know, I have decided not to stress about the gift wrapping. My children and their families come at 3 different times. I only need to get done the group that is coming. Right? So the majority, if not all, of the gifts are on one side of the table. The bed is still not cleaned off, but maybe I can get it done today. I have a box of stocking stuffers - and I have no idea why I bought so much junk food to put in the stockings. I guess because it can be stretched further than a pair of socks can, right? I need to think this through next year.
I also did not bake last night. And I have so much to get done today because tomorrow is when I head down to the office for the company gathering. I will meet at least 3 of my friends there with my boss. Gingersnaps will be made some time today for one. I like to give 'fresh' items so have stalled. One I don't need to give 'food' to; She says I am her mentor because we chat about God and I send her books and she often seeks 'advice'. I have a book that I think she will get a lot out of - Spiritual Disciplines, if you will. An old book, but a great one. I bought it, intending to read it again myself, and have not taken the time. I can always find my old copy somewhere on the shelf. Sigh. Will try again after the holidays to get hubby to help me put in author order. Or find a way to do it myself without his knowledge. I know we have several books that we have 2-3 copies of.
I did go see my daughter for a short while last night. Hubby went with me so we can't 'really' talk, if you know what I mean. She put a movie on (Home Alone) and we just sat there for a bit, then I told her we would go home. We weren't conversing, and when we did, hubby always interrupted with comments of his own (which isn't a bad thing, just unneeded), so we came home. I brought out the gifts to the dining room table and then sat down to finish the puzzle; which as mentioned above, did not get done. So no wrapping. No cooking. No baking. And today I need to get at least the baking done.
I start tomorrow off with a 7AM core training. Fun. My legs are barely letting me walk today. I don't know what we did differently that made my legs so sore, but it worked, whatever it was. I think it was the leg press - or maybe the leg extensions for one minute. I don't know, it could be the squats holding a 35 pound kettle bell, or even the lunches holding 12.5 weights in each hand. Whatever it was - it worked to hurt my leg (and butt) muscles! Once back tomorrow, it will be getting ready to head down to the office. Another day 'off' that I get to socialize. And I'm going to put in a request for mileage for two trips (one last week for the male boss' department gathering, and tomorrow) - normally I don't, but other departments put in for mileage - and at 70 cents per mile - I can get back about $61.60 to cover my gas. I use up about a quarter tank of gas there and back. My boss will approve it too. I think I did it last year as well. I don't put in for the time I meet with her, that's on me. And I don't HAVE to attend these social events, but I NEED to. Justification to be paid for mileage, right?
In my devotional today I read about when Jesus met up with the rich young ruler and the ruler asked Jesus what did he lack to have eternal life. And after Jesus responded to him, "Go and sell what you have, and give to the poor, and then come, follow me." (my paraphrase) And the rich young ruler turned and went away sad. Why? Because in that one sentence, Jesus showed the rich young ruler what he treasured more than Jesus. His wealth. His prestige. He didn't want to let that go. He didn't want to be 'poor'. So the rich young ruler turned away from Jesus and walked away.
Pause. How many of us do that very thing - when Jesus reveals to us what is most - or more - important than He is - we choose that 'thing'. That 'person'. What are we putting before Jesus that will keep us from having eternal life? In a book I read it listed several things. Pornography. Secret Sins. Gluttony. Gossip. Lying. Stealing. Anger. Bitterness. Self. Unforgiveness. And there are many more that I could list. Sometimes when I read articles about living the Christian life, I am chastened. I probably shouldn't say 'sometimes' - and instead put MANY times. Not that I do all those things, but I do recognize my own faults (and then some). But I want to follow Jesus and have eternal life with Him. So what am I willing to give up - to be with Jesus? That's between He and I, and what He tells me to give up, but I will tell you, that when He does, that it is sometimes a real struggle.
And with that - I need to jump off here and jump in the shower. Got a busy day ahead of me and need to clear my head to focus. I put off some things yesterday so now have them staring me in the face this morning. I'm actually thinking what would I have to 'give up' in order to retire. I have a lot I want to get done and would have the time to do it. I'm willing to give up shopping. (Seriously!!) I'd rather make something for someone and let them 'put it away' if they don't want it. LOL But for now, it isn't in my future; not the near future anyway. And sometimes that makes me sad. If I was in the office, I know I would be thinking differently. It's just being home 24x7 with hubby that drives me insane at times and why do I want to retire? OH my crazy mixed-up mind! At least as long as I'm working, I can give to others whatever I want to give them. And with that - I'm off here!
Blessings!
