One week to clean off the bed....again....

 My daughter and hubby will be arriving in a little more than a week for just a couple of days - their granddaughter's dance concert - and will be staying here.  Always good to have my own time with them, but that means also I need to clear off this bed - which definitely is NOT a bad thing!  Most now seem to be Christmas gifts coming in so will put in my closet on the shelf.  I need to quit ordering - even if I do have help.... just saying.   I had a big order (aka several packages) arrive yesterday. Two had my new workout shirts in them.  One says "SQUAT - no one raps about little butts" or something like that. I thought it was funny (speaking from a 'big butt' standpoint;... but hubby thought it was not appropriate for me to wear.  I'll wear it next week when I have legs again. :-)  The other one says 'Fittish - meaning I workout but like donuts' - or something like that. Too lazy to get up and actually READ it.  Have I put them away yet? Heck no - they are still on the bed. Hence I need to clear it off.  

I got absolutely nothing done yesterday. I had an 8a workout, which Morgan killed my abs.  So today can I not only NOT walk well (legs on Monday), I now can't move my core much (core yesterday).  I have my third workout this week at 11a - and I THINK it is upper body. I was thinking it was another HIIT, but I think she is scheduling it on Monday to allow my body to rest and recover from the past two days, at least. Although upper body is generally pretty hard too.  I can't remember what we did last - back or chest - but today will probably be back to biceps and triceps. Love seeing my muscles 'pump'. LOL  No worries, they drop back down to normal at the end of the day.

Hubby was distressed yesterday.  He finally called the service warranty company about the appliance company who is 'supposed' to be getting our oven control fixed.  It's been nearly two months; I'd have to look up when they took it - that we have been without an over OR a stove.  Thank goodness for air fryers, electric skillets, grills, and griddles and toaster ovens!  At least I have all the appliances needed to continue cooking..... I just can't bake my breads. Which could also be a good thing, right?  Anyway, he spent time on the phone with the service warranty company and also called the appliance store again. They obviously recognize his number now and are refusing to pick it up. Just our thinking, anyway, since there is no answer.  Service warranty wants him to tell the appliance company to call their authorization department. Let's see if we get a new oven or ...??  It may end up being a kitchen remodel. Which I really do not want, but will accept if I get new appliances.

Anyway, mid-afternoon he comes in nearly crying and tells me he thinks the appliance store is lying to us about sending the part out; last conversation said it was fixed 3 weeks ago and they are waiting for Chicago to send the part back... and still nothing.  Now they don't answer the phone.  Did none of this happen or is it the truth?    And the rest of his distress I won't post on here. It's not fair.

One package I received yesterday I think I will be returning.  I'm a 'short person' at 5'3" for the most part. I ordered a pair of baggy pants.  I kid you not; they must be for a woman 6 ft tall!  I'm not into hemming pants for myself and I'm not going to waste money on getting them hemmed when I know I won't wear them that often. So yeah, I am going to return them.  I still have a doll I am returning anyway, so may as well take both back at the same time, right?  Why don't I like the doll?  It has a weird smile for a sleeping baby... and it's legs are bent so much they don't look normal.  It's just a doll, but I can't think of anyone I'd give it to - and if I don't like it, it's going back, right?

My oldest son sent me in a fabulous review on a smart ring I had given him.  I posted the entire thing on the review part.  It was really good.  I don't even give that much of a review on products I purchase!  He was very thorough and I feel it would be very helpful to anyone looking to purchase a smart ring. I tried to give another smart ring to my youngest, but he wasn't interested as he had just bought himself a new Fitbit.  I wonder if one of my grandsons would be interested.  I may see one on Saturday when I attend his son's birthday party and if I remember, will check with him.  I was able to click on the link a second time and note that I'll bring chips and only I will be attending.  Hubby already has something on his calendar to do - which isn't a bad thing; he can't handle being in the sun as he sweats profusely.  And he has to be where I am, if you know what I mean.  I'm not swimming, but depending on where the food is, that is probably where I'll be. LOL  I won't stay long, but do want to attend and be a part of it and if my granddaughter is up for the party with her little family, my day will be perfect.

Ok - back again.  Had to pause and get on the work computer, and then my daughter called, and since those are not frequent calls, wanted to chat a bit.  Now, got my water, not dressed yet, but here I am. Working. cough cough.  Still have my list of things to do; maybe I can get my minutes done today.

Got to cut this short....  more tomorrow. Hopefully I can think of something good to write.

Have an amazing day!

Blessings!

Yesterday was over the top

 - very busy! I kid you not, I couldn't have taken a lunch break if I wanted to!  But - I did jump off about 3:15PM after another phone call discussion with someone and head over to CVS to get my flu shot.  I have to get it; it's mandatory in order to keep my job.  So I get it as soon as it's available so that I can get it over with.  I have the paperwork to send in to the company to prove that I got it. Yep, we have to provide proof we received the vaccine. Understandably why.  My arm is blotchy red around the shot area but at least it isn't sore.  

Today will prove to be another busy day.  We have 'town hall' 3 times today and I'm back-up - which means I will be at my desk and listening to everything 3 times.  I really have a lot to get done and I don't have time for this, but sometimes someone's computer will mess up and the back-up person will have to take over showing the slide presentation.  That someone is me, at least today.  I'm usually the back-up because I don't want to have to do it.  They asked me to do this first one at 8AM, but I suggested we bring in another executive assistant to do them and I remain back-up.  They agreed so I don't have to do it.  YAY!

Worked all day yesterday on the male boss's trip to Colorado next week.  Sometimes I just want to... well, he frustrates me.  He asked one executive to meet him for breakfast one day.  They said they couldn't. So he asked another.  Then the other came back and said they could. So then it's up to me to figure out how to make it work. And I threw up my hands when I discovered the one he asked for breakfast is an hour away from his hotel in the opposite direction of the one he is to meet late morning; he can't meet for lunch because the company picnic starts at noon and he has to be there; that is why he is flying there, so it's to be a late morning 'hot chocolate' for him with the 2nd one - who is 45 minutes north of where the one he is meeting that is an hour south, then he has to be in yet another city 30 minutes away for the picnic.  I told him 'we have to talk' this morning.  When, I don't know, since I have to be listening to every town hall. And he is doing a presentation during it as well, I think.  This man drives me absolutely crazy.

I had a bunch of packages delivered yesterday.  I think seven. That's a good number, don't you think?  Six from Amazon (not my fault they don't pack them all in one box!) and one from JoAnn Fabrics.  I feel it saves me money at JoAnn's to just order my yarn online if I know what color I want because then all I end up with is the yarn that I want.  They have a lot more things there besides yarn and it does tend to get your attention.  As for all my boxes from Amazon, got my L-Tyrosine that I had just ran out of; got a couple books I had pre-ordered and they shipped; a birthday gift and a Christmas gift or two. I am sitting here looking at the boxes and trying to remember what is in them.  I need to start writing things down, right? I did an excel spreadsheet last year of all the Christmas things I bought/made - I saw it the other day so need to pull it out and compare, and then create one for this year.  I've already got a start on the 'Christmas wall' - where I put all the gifts in here against the wall before I wrap.  

Which reminds me, they are 'giving' us nearly the entire week of Christmas off this year.  It's ok to have an extra day or two, but we still have to use our PTO time.  And if the office is 'officially closed', we have to take it.  Christmas is on a Wednesday this year so they have given us Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday.... and Friday if we want it. Then I think Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday the following week for New Years.  I'm watching my PTO hours because I do want to take some extra time off to do my Christmas baking.  I got cookies to make! :-)  I think they are 'forcing' people to take PTO because once you get to 240 hours you stop earning - and many people just don't pay attention and then complain when they stop receiving the hours.  By being 'forced' to take vacation days, it actually benefits them as they are getting away from work (or should be!) to recharge.  I think I have about 100 hours built up in PTO and nearly 40 hours in sick time.  We can use both for time off.  I need to check and see what is there. Of course Labor Day just took 8 hours.  Thanksgiving will take 16 hours, which is the next holiday. I forget how much I earn each pay period - but on the 17th of this month I mark 7 years with this company - where does the time go?! - so I do get nearly a day a month, I think.

And yes, I'm rambling today with nothing to talk about.  I didn't want to get up this morning; but my mind started waking up and regardless of what the body says, the mind overrules. I gave up and got up about 4:40AM.  The body is tired and wanted to rest. The mind said "Get up you lazy thing! It's time to start the day!"  Whatever.

Not sure what is going on with hubby.  He has been pretty grumpy lately, moreso than usual. He acts like he is 'overwhelmed' at times. I know part - or most - is that both hearing aids went out on Monday. And he lets everyone know he can't hear. He kept showing me how he only had so much time left on one and the other was already 'dead'.  He did go yesterday and there is a short in one and it has gone back to be fixed; the other they had to replace the battery that they had replaced the week before. So hearing out of one ear I am told I need to make sure he is watching me speak so he can hear me.  Does that mean if I mutter under my breath as I turn away that he can't hear me?  Asking for a friend.

Got an invite to a great-grandson's first birthday party later this month.  Got an invite for another's 2nd birthday this Friday.  Hubby let me know he would not be going to one later this month and gave me his reason. Doesn't matter. It's still a great-grandson and I will go, at least for a little while.  And I'm going to leave all that right here. 

I read a chapter on Journaling again this morning in yet another book.  I've read this one before, and I've read other books that refer to the importance of journaling.  I figure this blog is like my journaling, is it not? I give my life story here! I know, b-o-r-i-n-g, huh!  But I do, on occasion, take my book journal and will write out several pages in prayer or asking God to help me understand some things, asking Him to help me get through each day; asking Him to heal my heart; heal my family; restore what the enemy has taken away from us.  Some prayers I rewrite on a daily basis it seems. Yes, I know that God hears my prayers the first time. But, like the persistent widow, sometimes we need to press in to God and continue to ask Him for what we want.  But we also need to remember that He sees the bigger picture.  We may ask for someone to be healed.  He sees someone becoming a Christian because He didn't heal that person.  We pray for financial peace; He sees it as teaching us to manage our money better.  There are always a good side to prayers not answered, and I know He sees the bigger picture.  Sometimes we see that agony about something is prolonged, but maybe the lesson isn't for us, but for someone who watches us.  If we are walking with God on a daily basis, He will provide all we need to get through whatever it is that we need help with.  He may not give us the answer, but He will walk with us through it.  And you know what? Sometimes that is better because it teaches us that in the hard times, we are not alone, but God is with us.  Grateful for that.

2 Chronicles 16:9:  For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.

The Lord is not a respecter of persons. He rewards equally all those who seem Him fervently - which is why some don't' enter into much in God. As He looks upon the moderate zeal with which they seek Him, if He were to give them the power and glory they requested, He would be violating all those who have sought Him with so much more intensity.

So with what intensity are you seeking God today?  Is it a casual 'hi there', or do you actually sit down and center your thoughts on Him and let Him love on you?  Haven't done that before?  Take a few moments away from distractions.  Close your eyes. Turn your thoughts to Him. Ask Him what you will. Even if it is just to get through the day. And then wait. And listen. You may - or may not - 'hear' Him answer you.  Depends on if you have conditioned your ears to hear.  It sometimes takes time to hear His voice. But when you know it, you know it.  Have a thought pop in your mind that you need to do something that you normally wouldn't do? That may be God.  Listen. Hear. Act.

I can remember one years, many many years ago, I was on my knees praying and the thought popped in to my mind "Send your sister $20". I hadn't talked to her for a couple days so I didn't know why - but I did what I was told.  When she received it, she called me crying.  She was a single mom at that time and she said she had a need (don't remember what it was for now) and needed $20 to meet that need - and God provided.  What if I hadn't listened to God?  It's not that I did anything on my own. I wouldn't have sent her money. But God.  When you listen to what He says to you, or nudges you to do, you bless others, and in return, you get blessed.  God is good.  He is always watching, always caring, always loving us.

Blessings!