A busy day coming!

 I awoke at 4a this morning with a longing desire to turn over and go back to sleep.  I still had 7 hours of sleep, and yet, I was wanting more. But not today!  I have a bunch of things to complete and then get on the road about 7:30-8a.  Going to love the traffic enroute to Mesa, I'm sure.  After training with Morgan yesterday, I did make it to Sam's Club and I did get one batch of scones made last night.  I wanted to make another batch, but I was so tired that I 'gave it up'.  I did purchase 3 containers of scones while at Sam's Club so that is my justification in only making one batch.  Not that I need one.  

We saw hubby's cancer doctor yesterday.  Tests show his PSA is going up (from .14 to .18) but it's still going up so the doctor wants to put him on an additional med, a tablet, to take daily along with the monthly Lupron shot.  I don't want hubby to die, nor suffer here in his latter years, but come on - he's 89 years old.... he will not die of prostrate cancer.  Why add medication when he isn't in any pain nor notices anything different?  Oh well - all in all... hubby is doing well; his bone density test showed that his bones are 'above normal' so the cancer has not spread.  Wish my bones would be as strong!

It will be good to see a lot of my friends at Sue's retirement party today. It 'runs' from 10-12p and then I will help clean up.  I plan to leave here around 7:30-8-ish so that I can help set up.  After all, I have the plates, cups, napkins as well as the scones, so I'm needed there early. :-)  I probably won't get back home until around 2-ish... nothing really on the calendar for today - other than scheduling meetings - so I can be gone. It will be nice to be out by myself and visiting with others.  Some of the executives that I know will be there at some point, at least for a short while.  I know a collection was taken up for Sue and they are getting a gift card for her.  I have been putting a small gift together for Sue, but we are having one last 'admin brunch' on August 5th so will take my 'retirement gift' for Sue at that time.  

Speaking of August, I got notice yesterday that the Airbnb charge will be hitting my account today or tomorrow. And that's ok. The money is there to pay it.  I am kind of wishing I had looked for a better place, but I was watching the finances.  And it isn't that we go anywhere.  It had a covered porch, which we both enjoy.  Early mornings are nice, as well as evenings, sitting out when it is a bit cooler. I didn't notice which way the house sat - depends when the sun goes up and down, I guess, how much we'll spend on the porch.  But it is covered so it may not be a problem.  Temps should be at least 10-20 degrees cooler in the 'high country', right?

With all I want to do before I leave this morning, I cut out some of my reading, and now I can't think of anything to write about!  Lucky you?

I made a comment to Sue yesterday that hubby's BP runs like 118/62 (which is what it was at the doctor's office yesterday), while mine seems to be going up.  She commented that as his caregiver (I hadn't pictured myself as that - yet, anyway), that I also needed to make sure I got time to myself and take care of myself.  Novel thought, isn't it?!  I sometimes long to take a day off work, but then think of 'what would I do?'  Sit at home? Bake? Read? Work on crochet project? Work on diamond art?  And I figure I may as well work for the day.  Save my PTO days. Hubby will be home so I wouldn't be alone, and I don't like to shop that much, which is why I do a lot of it online. A lot more than I should, anyway. LOL

  I'll be using 3 days when hubby and I take off for our anniversary.  I can't remember now if we are leaving the 12th or the 13th.... or if I just took the 12th off as a nothing but get ready day.  I don't know.  Hubby kept asking what to get me for my birthday so I finally told him a manicure and pedicure.  So he is going to schedule them the morning of the 12th so that we both can get it done, and he will pay for it.   And that's fine. As you know, and as I often say, there is nothing I need.  Buy me yarn if you want to get me something. I'll use it eventually for something. :-)  I'll think of something eventually and will add it here.  If I do think of something, that is.

James 1:12 (NKJV):  Blessed is the man who endures temptation;  for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him.

I've spent several minutes going through scripture to share with you this morning.  This one - at least the first part at this time, makes a point.  Temptations are so hard to resist, aren't they?  And it doesn't matter what they are!  For some of us it is shopping!  Others it could be Facebook.  It could be anything. (Yes, I'm naming a couple of MY own temptations!)  But I want the crown that Jesus has for me!  I'm not destructive in my shopping, I don't mean that.  Going on Facebook at times when I'm not feeling quite myself - well, that could be dangerous cause I end up buying stuff on Facebook that I don't need.  (You do it at times as well, you know!!)  (So really, shopping and Facebook could go together, huh!)  Anyway - there are temptations (albeit I have been silly and lighthearted about it) that we do need to get through without giving in.  We all have them.  Things we either want to do - or don't want to do, right?

So when you resist temptation, what goal do you have in mind?  Going back to shopping, if I don't spend money, I can save it. DUH.  I'm really trying hard in this area right now.  I need to go back to pretending I don't have a check coming in.... that fell by the wayside some time ago.  I need to save more.  But I love to buy and give. I love doing little surprises that people don't expect.  That brings my heart much joy.  But I do need to rein in some of my silly purchases.  Just because I like something, doesn't mean I need to buy it for others, right?  I can tell them about it, and if they want one, they can buy their own.  Right?  Sigh.

Well, I need to get off here and get in the shower and figure out what to wear today.  With the execs coming, I don't necessarily want to be in my grubby jeans... I need to look nice.  I wonder if I can still get in to a pair of my old slacks..... haven't worn them in 5+ years, I'd imagine.  Sitting all day, the butt has spread.... and I don't need any comments!  LOL  Which reminds me, Morgan had me do core workout yesterday... 'butt-ups' was one of them.  My butt is heavy enough that after a couple 'butt ups', it wouldn't move anymore.  

I need to get off here. Right?  Have an amazing day!  Hug your loved ones today.  Take some time for you, even if it is just being still and quiet.  God is good.

Blessings!

Slow to start, quick to finish?

 This has been a tough morning.  I didn't sleep much last night. This time not because I was too warm, but because I did not do anything yesterday.  Well, not that I had to exert any effort.  We went to church, as I mentioned in my late post yesterday.  We went to lunch.  We came home and changed clothes - and we read for a large part of the afternoon. As in my body was not moving; it was on the couch in a comfortable position, reading.  And enjoying the quiet.  I fixed dinner.  No great thing there.  We went back to reading, then watched a movie while I crochet'd, then read a bit more and went to bed.  And I was wide awake. The body had gotten so very little movement that it wasn't tired.  So I tossed and turned most of the night.  Because hubby hadn't napped yesterday, that I'm aware of, he did sleep.   Then a bit after midnight I dozed... awake a couple more times; the alarm goes off at 4AM.  No, I don't want to get up.  I doze until 4:30AM and finally get up.  I come in here... hubby brings the coffee in, and although I did reading and my journaling, every time I paused... I wanted tog o back to sleep.  And here it is going on 7AM when I need to get on my computer, and I'm writing in here, and I am still sleepy and want to curl up in a ball and go back to sleep.  It may be a very long day.  I may have to take breaks and nap - but then again, even if I am sleepy, that is a rare thing.

I have another 8:30AM appointment with the chiropractor - ad he is about 3 minutes away and only takes about 15 minutes - but maybe it will be enough to get me woke up.  Another cup of coffee is on the agenda as well.  Coffee has been boring and weak lately so I ordered some coffee - mushroom coffee, no less - from an ad on Facebook.  I need to quit ordering off of facebook!!  It should be arriving soon - I sure do hope that I like it!  I think today - which is organic French Roast and hubby added some cinnamon to it - I think he didn't put enough coffee in it, for it takes like colored water.  I may need to ask him to add another tablespoon or two.  No, I'm not 'allowed' to make the coffee. That's his 'job'.  Sigh.

As far as I know, there isn't much on the agenda for today with work, but then I haven't looked at my computer yet today.  I'll get up and turn it on shortly.  I have the chiropractor this morning and my gym training this afternoon.  I am going to call the dermatologist's office today and see if I can get in.  Those darn bug bites from last October still bother me at times and they should be completely healed up by now - and are not.  Something is going on in my thigh that causes pain - and I have had this pain off and on since the night I got the bug bites.  We never have figured out what the bug bites were - in the beginning, if you recall, we thought it was bedbugs - but it is all gathered together in one area, which is unusual.  But it still could be, I guess.  The urgent care 'doctor' of not use said scorpion bites - but my dermatologist back then did not voice an opinion.  He has since retired and his son has the practice.  My daughter, who also goes there, says the son is more attentive and knows a bit more.  I'm willing for him to take a look at these and see if he can figure it out.  

Yeah, I tried to go to my medical doctor twice now.  Back last Thanksgiving time one of the spots had swollen up and turned red about the size of a nickel - so I tried to get in - no appointments available for 2-3 weeks.  So I just said nevermind.  I tried again about a month ago to get in to see her - and was told she had no time for a week or more, but I asked to go ahead and get an appointment and explained why.  Two days later I got a call from someone at her office who told me she didn't have any available time, and I should go to my dermatologist.  I repeated her words back to me.   "It's a skin issue so go to your dermatologist."  It's not just a skin issue to me - there is something going on inside of my leg from the bug bites that causes my thigh to ache.  That would be medical, would it not?  Anyway, I'm disillusioned about going back to this doctor and am thinking about seeking yet another PCP who I feel can see me.  I had chatted with this doctor on our portal and told her I was going to come in and see if she could look at the bites.  She responded to me that was fine (and I told her person that!! But she wouldn't give me an appointment.  I haven't written anymore on the portal.  I'm pouting.  She really hasn't done much for me in three years - I get the blood work and she adjusted my levothyroxine the last time. Everything else is the same. She listens to my heart beat and sends me on my way.  I asked for an EKG and a chest x-ray the last time, but for some reason it was 'too late' to order them (why is that?) so would do it this year.   Wow - am I complaining this morning or what??!!  Why can I not find a medical doctor who cared about me as much as the one I had for 30+ years who had me always taking tests every few years to make sure I was ok?!  I may beg his son who took the practice to take me on - but the offices have moved and it is further away a bit.  Hubby still goes to the son.  His son didn't want to take me on - can you imagine?  I'm 'easy money' since I only go once a year as a rule.

Anyway - on to other thoughts - but I don't have any.  Eight minutes.  I need to get up and turn on the computer and let it start warming up.  I did have some things I could write about, but no time to do that today.  Maybe I could remember to do it tomorrow.   

Hubby has no doctor appointments this week and has two breakfasts on the schedule, I think. I hope he will go to his Bible study this Friday.  We have been together 24x7 for a few days now... it really hasn't been too bad.  I guess because I didn't go do a project and leave him out of it; I read in the front room with him.  Got a couple books going and one on my kindle.  I may finish that one tonight, it is pretty good.  But, don't know how long it is.  

I have nothing to write at the moment - my eyes are on the clock.  Stay tuned... maybe I will think of something fantastic to write about tomorrow.  O not.  Same O Same O I am sure it will be.  In the meantime, you have a fantastic day!

Blessings!

I survived the first day back to work

 although I'm not sure how!  It was an extremely busy day, for sure, but I finally got through all the emails and got a list of the meetings that I needed to schedule.  Got some scheduled, got emails sent to other admins to check availability for their people, still waiting on responses. I may be busy this morning if they have responded.  

Hubby took me out to dinner last night (he said because I was so busy yesterday he thought for sure I'd be exhausted) and we ended up at Panera's.  Wow, we haven't eaten there for awhile and we may as well have gone to a restaurant - it was over $40!  Ok - so I got two half-priced pastries (which was stupid on my part, but $2 each, why not? Hubby was buying!) and then I got the 'pick 2' - hubby got a salad.  And we got two drinks.  Over $40 is too much.  But we had a good meal.  Didn't get much done afterwards; I crochet'd and finished a baby blanket; hubby watched the Diamondbacks lose the ballgame.

Hubby is meeting a friend for coffee this morning.  It's funny at times in that he will come ask me if it's ok he meets Bill for breakfast.  Well, yeah, I have to work, so yeah, it is ok you meet him for breakfast.  He has figured out he was spending nearly $100 a week on his breakfasts and lunches and I am amused now when he comes home with the receipt and complains about the cost of everything and how he chooses certain things because he thought it would be cheaper (although it usually isn't).  I don't care.  If we were finally strapped as we have been nearly all our married life, it would be different. But, since we moved and lowered our expenses, it isn't so bad.  After all, if I want to have lunch with one of my friends, I will have lunch with them! :-)  Few and far between because of work, but, if I want to meet for lunch... LOL .. although my dear friend and I have taken to meeting at Jack in the Box for lunch because we were spending nearly $20 for a salad and drinking water at some restaurants.  We both agreed we still want to meet for lunch, but we definitely don't need to spend $20 every time!  We can get a sandwich and a drink at Jack in the Box for less than $10 and that works for both of us!  And no tipping like we do at a restaurant!

My company, and many others, had computer issues Friday and over the weekend.  Fortunately, I had my computer turned off and it did not affect me.  Now I'm being asked to submit mileage for people for the company had to send those with computer issues (I guess they ended up with a blue screen that wouldn't go away) to some place to fix it - and those that had to go there, get mileage for their travel.  Still grateful it didn't affect me.  Can you even imagine the mess I would have had yesterday if I had to get my computer fixed before I could get on it to respond to those over 200 emails?  I need to get in the habit of turning my work computer off every night... but many times I have a meeting pending and I have it ready to go once I hear back from someone and I don't want to redo it.  But maybe I should.  You never know when this can happen again.  The hospitals had to cancel all inpatient surgeries and a lot of other things as their computers were also affected.  Still, creating a meeting is a lot easier if I don't have conflicts.

Matthew 19:14 (NIV):  Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

How many times do adults tend to 'dismiss' children because they don't want to be bothered with them?  I can think of a couple people who do that on occasion.  Me, I love children, and I love being around them.  When my grandchildren were younger, and I got to see them more often, I often said that my grandchildren are what keeps me young.  I can tell I'm not seeing 'young children' as much as I need to - I am feeling like I'm getting pretty old!  (I blame that on hubby; he IS old!) LOL  Seriously, I know I can't do some things like I used to, but to not even be able to try has just dropped me down to a new level of life.  I have probably shared too much over the years.... but I need to push through and fight against the 'can't' and the 'unable' and the 'won't' thoughts and comments... and as Nike says, 'Just do it'!  I see these articles of women who are in their 80's, 90's, and even 100 and over - running in marathons!! How I wish I had people in my life who would encourage me to live like that.  Yeah, I'm working out, but 2 30 minute sessions a week doesn't do a whole lot - altho it does help me keep moving.  I gave up my treadmill several months ago.... but I'm thinking I need to get another one so that I can 'make' myself walk / run and keep moving.  Sitting at my desk all day doesn't do much for the body.  I need to move it. I see posts of my friends hiking mountains, going on trips, and doing amazing things.... and it makes me happy for them, but disappointed that I am unable to be alive like that. Ok - I'll hush. No feeling sorry for myself. We all have our issues, right?

My grandchildren did keep me young, and I love spending time with the great-grandchildren, although that is time far between, and hubby can't deal with long-term so it's just as well.  

And, I'm not thinking this morning and don't have anything to share.... maybe tomorrow I will be more alert in the mind.  Think I'll hit the shower and clear the head.

Have an amazing day!

Blessings!

Sleeping in... which I really could....

I had difficulty getting to sleep last night and then didn't want to wake up this morning.  I did get up about 4:10AM, but struggled to stay awake.  This was one of those mornings that I let myself fall back to sleep a few times.  I did get a chapter read in my Bible, but it was difficult to keep my eyes open.  I'm finally starting to wake up and it's a good thing - it's almost 6:30AM!  I'm usually starting to finish up everything and get ready to start the day.  But, alas, today is not going to be one of those days, I think.  And although I generally start work at 7AM, it isn't critical I start at that time.  After all, I generally work through my lunch hour so I don't have to monitor my time.  Today will be an interesting day though. I do have things to do, but one boss is out and another I support is gone for 3 weeks, and the other I support is on his last day before he is gone for a week.  Monday - Wednesday next week will be very slow days.  I do have things to do though.  

My mind is blank this morning and I have written a few nonsense things and then erased them.  Could it be that my mind is still asleep?  I am feeling really tired this morning.  I think a lot of my tiredness is just the depression inside of me that is wanting to get away by myself with God and knowing that I can't do that.  Maybe I will talk with hubby about getting away and going to Tucson.... and I'll pay the hotel bill.  I'd take Monday off and go this weekend but I have timecards on Monday so there is that.  And Tuesday I have to go to Mesa so there is that.  Perhaps the weekend he wants to go up to Prescott I can convince him to go to Tucson and I'll take a day or two off work... ok - I'm rambling again.  I'm just wanting to see my granddaughter and great granddaughter.  I know they are also busy and have their own lives and need to work around their schedule.  Maybe some day soon..... and if not, I do have Christmas!  Maybe take a day off to go to Tucson for Christmas shopping?   That's a good excuse, isn't it?

Psalm 39:7 (NKJV):  "And now, Lord, what do I wait for?  My hope is in You."

Waiting isn't always a fun thing to do.  More often than not, we are waiting for something, do you agree?  We wait for meals.  We wait for time to start work.  We wait to go somewhere. We wait.... but what do we do while we wait?

Some may read a book.  Some may walk about the room.  Some fidget.  I think that's why 'fidgets' were created - it's not only for people who get anxious and need something to calm them down, it is for those who don't know what to do with themselves when they have time on their hands.  Where do your thoughts turn when you are waiting?  Do you find yourself getting angry at having to wait?  Do you get frustrated?

How do YOU read this scripture?  I like to think that in my waiting, I know my Hope is in Jesus.  If He chooses me to leave this earth right now, my Hope is in Him, that I will go to be with Him.  Do you have that Hope?

I often look at waiting as I could be doing something more productive.  Actually, when I know I am going to be waiting, I'll take some crochet with me, or a book, so that I can at least keep busy.  I think I told you that I took Atomic Habits with me when I went to get my DEXascan last week (or so), and two people told me they had just finished it!  One read the book, the other listened to it on audible.  I've tried to listen to books on audible but unless I am completely alone and it's quiet, I can't listen well.  Do you have that problem?  On a road trip, perhaps that would be good.  But just sitting and listening, naw, I can't do that.  I find I get distracted or my mind wanders and I miss what is being said.  Besides, when I READ a book, if I don't understand exactly what it is saying, or I get distracted, I can go back and reread what I had just read. 

In fact, hubby, to my delight, left the TV off last night and we read.  I went back a chapter in Atomic Habits so that I could remember where I left off.  Although each chapter is a bit different, it isn't a continuous story or novel, I find it helps me to refresh my mind on what I've read.  I'm hoping to finish it this weekend.  It really is a good book and I'm getting a lot out of it.  I'm hoping to incorporate some of that in to my life tow here I can get things done.

In fact, I was talking to my daughter about it last Tuesday.  I have a lot of costume jewelry that I used to wear when I was in the office.  We will not be going back to the office and the only time I really 'dress up' is for church.  So what am I going to do with all this jewelry?  I'll keep all my good stuff, of course, but what about the other?  When we moved, it got all thrown in to a couple bags and they are still in those bags.  I told my daughter I think I'll take one bag a weekend and sort them out on the table, then send a photo to those that might want some, and let them choose what they want.  The rest I can donate somewhere.  Don't want to give to Goodwill; they sell for a profit.  Savers is good, so is the Salvation Army.  I'll have to think it through.  

Well, I think I've rambled on enough this morning with nothing to say.  Maybe I ought to go to an occasional writing in here... write only when I have something important to say... but because I have started to do it daily, it has become a habit.... whether I have anything to say or not.  

Two minutes until 7AM... guess I need to get to the computer.  Hope that your day is a ....

Blessing!