Well, it is 'back to work' Monday!

 I'm hoping for a quiet day today without a bunch of 'stuff' going on with work.  Why? Sue is still on PTO, and I still have minutes to type and board decks to put together.  That's just what I NEED to do.  I have been putting things aside as they aren't 'due' and now the list is getting longer.  I need to actually DO them and get them off my list of 'to do' stuff.  At least Sue's boss's EA is back to day (I've covered for her the past two weeks) and I won't have to worry about that.  Besides, I have training in the middle of the day with Morgan and I need to wrap my mind around that and get my mind motivated.  I think we are doing legs today.

I may have already shared this, but I bought a workout shirt that says "I want to quit but my trainer is scary", but I'm not sure if I'm going to keep it. I may send it back.  It is cotton, which is great, but it is so stiff and it doesn't stretch.  I need stretch.  I don't like my shirts fitting like a glove; my body is not built for that.  Some of you will know what I am talking about.  I know I need to change some of the sizes I wear.... some large hang - literally - on me.  When photos are taken I look like I'm all rolls under that shirt! Then I get down on myself (hence the workouts and diets).  Then I suck it up and tell myself "I'm a work in progress" and move on.  I don't like t-shirts that fit snug, for I know they show my rolls and I'm very self-conscious that I allowed myself to get those rolls.  Yep. Not a medical condition.  It's a lack of control food condition.  

And hubby did not help at all yesterday.  He went to Walgreens after we got home.  Sigh. For the first time in a long, long time, he brings me back something, hands it to me and says "you are always buying me things like shirts, shoes, things I need, so I thought I'd buy you something."  That's all well and good.  It's nice he thought of doing something for me.  But what did he hand me?  One of the very things I try NOT to buy because, well, it's me.  Oreos.  And it wasn't a small package that would have been sufficient.  No, he had to buy for me the FAMILY package.  Sigh. And I had to eat 'some' then so that he would know I appreciated his gesture.  Big sigh.  I probably ate half the one roll (of three) during the rest of the day. I LIKE Oreos.  I do.  But I can't have them sitting around.  Just like potato chips; I can't buy them.  I know me. They don't help this body get into shape.  It would have been better if he had bought me a Snicker.  It at least has protein in it.  I appreciate the thought, I really do.  But today I will put the cookies in the freezer and hope I forget about them.  I cannot put them in the pantry.  (besides, frozen cookies are good too, right?)  Sigh.

The message yesterday at church was really good.  We are still on the 'The Series that isn't a Series' series. Yesterday it was on the Holy Spirit.  A Very Good Message. I took notes (as I often try to do now.) on some of what was shared.  It was very interesting and even answered some unanswered questions. I tell you what, the Holy Spirit was present yesterday!  Whew!  As Pastor John prayed, I had goosebumps come over me as the Spirit moved among us.  Pastor John and Pastor Lindsay both speak the Bible and speak truth. I love that.  I hear they are taking a few weeks off in July.  Pastor Josh may be speaking, and I'm not sure who else will be.  

The past two nights I have slept very well.  We quit watching NCIS about 9:30p last night and headed to bed.  I slept sound - (watch shows I only woke up twice) and I did not feel my watch buzzing this morning - in fact, it buzzed for 30 minutes before it stopped - and I still slept another hour before waking up.  Yep, it was 5:30a when I awakened this morning, and I'm not sure what caused that to happen because I could have slept longer - but I opened the eyes to look at the clock.  And groaned.  I didn't want to get up, but knew I should.  And I'm running out of time so will finish this on the work computer. You know that I have something important to say in here somewhere, right?

Well, just brought up the work computer, and of course it shows that Sue is out of the office, and I knew Jen was (her boss), but I had also forgotten that Anita and Kynda are both off today as well - which means the only 'boss' I am supporting today is David.... and he rarely sends me anything.  I really SHOULD get things done today, right?  Maybe I can get this bed cleaned off today as well.  

I bought recently a metal solar owl as well as an owl 'spinner' to hang in the courtyard because those darn pigeons keep pooping all over the courtyard and occasionally on the furniture.  Got them Saturday. Put them outside. So yesterday I hear the pigeon coming out of the bush next to the house - and he just walks casually around the courtyard before walking through the fence into the yard.  Stupid bird. Doesn't he know he is not to like owls or spinners that flash light all around the courtyard when the sun hits it and he should stay OUT of the courtyard?  I'm sorry if it sends my quails away too, but I am so tired of having to clean off poop!  Still need to go to Lowes to pick up a brush to sweep the courtyard with.  Going to give it a good scrubbing. The courtyard, that is.  

But then, I read that the monsoon season is now upon us.  So in that thought, I'm going to cover up the furniture again to try to protect it some.  I just put all the covers in the garage a week or so ago - and now need to dig them back out.  Well, will do it after I get outside this morning and water the plants. I meant to do it yesterday, but didn't want to do it in the middle of the day, and by evening, I was caught up in NCIS reruns.

Proverbs 11:2:  When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

As I sit here and think what to write as an example for the above scripture, you know what comes to mind?  The times (yes, this is plural) when I have held my head up, knowing I am dressed well and look good, and go strutting around the office or even at church (definitely not recently for either).... and I've gotten compliments on how nice I look.  I feel pretty.  And as I walk, my heel catches on the floor (and it could be a tile floor!!) .... and I stumble.  Yeah, that stumble shatters my pride in me.  Humiliating, yes.  Definitely.  I can remember wearing really high 5" heels at church one Sunday years ago (can't wear those now!!) and the pastor had everyone who could walk (what was I thinking that I could walk in those 5" heels in my 50's?) across a small wooden CURVED (like up and over curved) bridge to symbolize something... I don't even remember the message!  But I knew I looked good that Sunday!  And do you know how difficult it was to walk UP that little bridge (we are talking about 6-8 ft long and going up about 2 ft in the air before going back down) and how embarrassing for me it was to try and walk DOWN (I had to have help to get down!!) that bridge (in my defense, it was also smooth wood, not where one could have something to step on) and back on solid ground.  I held up the line as I tried to get down.  But me in my 5" heels looks good!  I gave away those heels after that episode.  One of those 'never again' moments.

Pride can get us in so much trouble.  I'm sure certain situations have come to your mind as well when you were embarrassed - either for yourself, or for someone you love.  You squirm. You try to make excuses on why this happened.  (for me, it just wasn't wise to wear those 5" heels at that age to where I could barely stand up and walk!)

..... but with humility comes wisdom.  That's true, isn't it?  When we recognize that our 'uncomfortable feeling' - or embarrassment - happens, we don't want it to happen again.  LOL The thought just occurred to me of someone going into the ocean and their swimsuit being pulled off by the water.  THAT would be embarrassing!  Or the bikini top coming untied or unsnapped while playing in the water.  OOPS!

One can get 'wise' real quick in those circumstances, right?  What about when it is a child who does something they didn't think through.  Embarrassed, they didn't even want to share what happened, but being our child, they eventually share it... and 'we' hope they learned from that experience.  I'm sure that has happened to all of us.  None want to LISTEN to us... do it all THEIR way... and then work through the consequences/results of their decisions.  Sometimes it is good.  Sometimes we can only shake our heads and go 'what?'  I'm sure I embarrassed my mother a lot of times.  And I am pretty sure that I have also embarrassed my children as a parent. (Sorry about that!)  I will always answer my children's questions as truthfully as I can.... but sometimes, answers don't need to elaborate. And I'll leave that there.

Anyway - I need to get to work (I have so much to do,ya know!) and get off here.  I pray that you have an AMAZING day!

Blessings!

I did it...all by myself!

 and I have a scratch on my arm to show for it!  I wondered where the blood came from that was showing on the frame of the reading nook I was putting together..... then I decided to look on my body to see if something was wrong.... and found about a 2-1/2 inch scratch.  Oh well.  It had already stopped bleeding.  But - I got the reading nook put together with little difficulty.  But, also, after I got it put together, I noticed that the front side of the shelving wasn't painted.  Now I know I was making sure I had the paint sides outward, but I also was checking the instructions on which way the screws were to go and all... so I'm (hoping I'm right) thinking they just didn't paint that one side.  No biggie.  I will buy a small container of white paint and paint it.  Really not a big deal.  BUT - I did get it finished -AND found a place to put it after moving things around a couple times - and was able to accomplish it all while hubby was gone yesterday morning.  Whoo hoo!  Now to go to Goodwill or Savers and find children's books to put in it.  No rush; the great-grands don't come over that often, but it was just too cute to pass up.  It is really for a small child so don't know how long I'll be able to keep it without it just collecting dust.  

When hubby got home it wasn't long before we were heading down to the eye doctor's to check out my eyes.  Well, I found out what it is called - my 'silent migraines' that I call them.  These headaches that are really not headaches, but will occasionally blot spots of my vision, and gives me lightening bolts on the sides - comes and goes in about 20 minutes - is actually called 'occular migraines'.  No pain, just annoyance.

There is no cure.  They are caused by stress, spicy foods, (and extended screen time, I'm sure with staring at the computer 8-9 hours a day) and could be just about anything.  He suggested I track when I get them, to think what I've been doing.  Since I sometimes get them while I'm driving, I'm going to think it's also things that lead up to that moment.  I have gotten them while working; I have gotten them at the gym; I have gotten them in the evening watching TV, I've gotten them while driving.  They don't happen frequently, usually.  Last weekend I had 3, which is a rarity.  Usually it may be once a month.  So - there is no cure; there is nothing I can do to prevent it without writing down what is going on in my life at the time of it happening.  They did this one test on my eyes - after dilating them - that had tears flowing down - I think it was taking photos of my retina.  Anyway - all said and done - I have a diagnosis, nothing I can do about it except stop whatever I think is causing it (when I figure it out).  And life goes on.

I probably could have summed up all that in three sentences - and I gave you two paragraphs so that you had something to read. :-)

Romans 12:2 (NKJV):  "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

Webster's dictionary describes 'conform' as 'to make like'.  To conform to something is to change your behavior, or change yourself, to look like something or someone else.  I think we see a lot of that in dress code nowadays, don't you?  People trying to look like celebrities whether in clothing or in hair styles or makeup. 

But for a Christian, we should not conform to this world and the things in it - behavior or clothing - but be transformed in Christ by renewing our minds constantly in Him.  We seek to grow in understanding of God's word, transforming our mind, to discern or prove God's will.  Metamorphesis comes from the Greek word for transformed and indicates change from the inside out.  When we accept Jesus as Lord of our life, we need to use our minds to be transformed on the inside and seek Him and allow Him to change us into being like Him.

Jesus told His followers to 'Follow me".  Paul told us to "Follow me as I follow Christ".  We are to be ttransformed into His likeness and follow in Christ's steps.  How are you doing with that?

Sometimes I think this is an area we all - including me - have to constantly work on.  I often ask God if I have pride in me, that it is reflected in things I possess or people I associate with.  There have been things in the past that I have cut out of my life and took a step back for awhile, because I felt I was feeling prideful about it.  God has shown me since, in one area at least, that it wasn't pride, but the devil accusing me of being prideful and I believed him.  It's sometimes hard to gain back what one gives up. But I strive daily not to be prideful about anything, for pride is a sin of the world.  Nothing is to be before Christ.  

Sometimes I don't know how I get into predicaments... sometimes it is my mouth that does it... but how I choose to respond to things shows how I am confomred to the world, or to Christ.  Sometimes we all get 'stinking thinking'.... and need to sit back and re-evaluate our life.  Do we hate our job so that all we can do is complain about it?  Do we hate our circumstances enough that we will stop and do something about it instead of wallering in the mud all the time?

And I'll use myself as an example...somewhat.... I mentioned about a situation that has come up from a year and a half ago.  Instead of just someone saying, "Hey, this has been on my mind, something you said back aways, and it troubles me and I'd like to talk about it."  .... instead we run from the situation (because it is true? there is guilt here?) and say "I'm taking a break from you because you said something hateful."   Could we do that to our children, our spouses?  Anyway - taking a break from each other isn't going to cause it to go away.  And saying "I forgive you for saying it, but I will never forget it in my darkest of darks, with God as my witness"... so.... no forgive and forget... is that the right attitude?  And - my choice has been to just say 'ok, if that's what you want.'  I'm not going to argue on the truth of my statement.  It is what I said and and feeling guilty about the truth of that statement... well, that's not my problem.  Pride is a terrible thing at times.  When someone calls me out and it is true, I step back and evaluate that truth..I pray about it... and if God shows me that they are right and I was wrong, I will ask forgiveness and let it go.  Some people don't know how to let things go, but choose instead to waller in their distress, their issues, their troubles... and tell everyone what a great person they are because someone did this to them and they cut them out of their life.  Whatever.

In all things, choose Jesus.  He is the Author and Perfector of our faith.  Stop and evaluate how you feel about things, about people.  Have you forgiven them?  Have you talked the issue over with them?  Is it even of any value to do either of those things?  Why not just forgive them and forget about it and let it go?  Be TRANSFORMED into Christ's image and run your thoughts through His Word and see what He says....  it sure can straighten me out at times!  Words will always hurt when we think about them.  I've had people say things to me that I could not share with anyone, but they cut deep.  Praise God He shows me how to let it go, to forgive, and choose life in Him versus letting the enemy distort my mind with my own perceptions and accusations.  Things happen... sometimes we need to just say 'Ok - whatever", and let it go.  Maybe I'm wrong in my situation... I used to beg to resolve our situations, but every time we got together, I would be told what a terrible mother I was, I should get a divorce, I wasn't living the way this person thought I should be.  Interesting how I have learned to step back instead of begging to restore friendship.  I don't need to.  I give it to God and let Him deal with her, with the situation, with me.  It's wanting to be transformed in to His image, and let others see Jesus in me.  Lord, help!

Blessings!

Late to bed, late to rise.... or so it seems.

I made it through the work day yesterday and then actually suggest to hubby we go out to dinner.  I had meatballs cooking and they were ready, but it just wasn't doing it for me.  So we went down the road to a little Bistro that we have eaten at a couple times.  It's a hole in the wall place, small, but the food is pretty good.  Our first time there I had gotten Greek spaghetti.  Never had heard of that before and it was really good.  That was the thought in my mind last night, Greek spaghetti sounded good.  I got the Greek spaghetti and hubby got the fried cod and fries that was the special (after all, it was Friday).  The Greek spaghetti wasn't as good as I remembered it... it was still good, mind you, but for some reason, it didn't have that taste I was wanting and thinking about.  I still ate a large portion of it, with it missing 'something' in my taste buds didn't seem to matter.  Glad I got that out of my system.

After doing a run to the drugstore/pharmacy after dinner we headed home and ended up watching a couple movies before heading to bed.  It was after 10PM!  I normally do not stay up that late... and this morning we slept until 6AM.  I did wake up at 5AM, but told myself 'Naw, you don't have to get up - it's Saturday' so turned over and I did fall back to sleep - which is totally unusual too.

Still seem to have some residue of that migraine I told you about yesterday.  Not really understanding why it hasn't totally gone away, and it seems to still be centered in my sinus area.  Hopefuly, since I don't have work to focus on today and can chill and nap as I want, it will totally go away.  I'm so ready for it to be 'gone'.  The gnawing pain is as bad as the acute pain.

We have nothing on the agenda today except getting more potting soil so that I can finish planting the pots on the side of the house.  Not sure whether we'll plant the flowers I bought or the bushes.  Either way, since hubby says we have enough pots and have stretched it out in the space to fit, I have overbought plants.  Oh well, I'll figure it out.  We can't plant in the ground on the side or backside of the house (HOA rules) and my front courtyard is as full as it can get with 'plants'... so I'm not sure what I'm going to do.  There IS one spot though..... 

My Lenten devotional today was very good and very thought provoking.  How many times do we let pride get in the way of what we are doing?  For example, when you give a gift to someone, do you feel prideful about it?  It's ok to be excited about what you are giving, but do you dwell on it....  The gift that Jesus gave us - His gift of salvation and life with Him for all of eternity - is greater than any gift we can give, and the greatest gift ever given.  The supreme sacrifice.  I'm pretty sure He doesn't look back on Himself and say 'Look what I did for you!"  He laid down His life for you, because He loves you so much.

You know what I have often thought about this year?  When I think back to this past Christmas, I think about how loved I felt from this one family.  I was showered in gifts, and after an especially tough year in relationships, I was humbled, and overwhelmed.  They didn't have to do anything, nor did I expect much, other than the obligatory gift.  But even through all the gifts, I felt loved.  And that means more to me than any gift could give.

And it's like Easter, that will be here next month.   Jesus showers us with so many gifts every single day and we take so many of them for granted.  Little things, like food to eat, a bed to sleep in, a car to drive, employment, freedom to go wherever we want.  You may not see them as things that Jesus showers us with, but they ARE His blessings to us.  And when we are His Followers, we get so much more.  Why?  Because He loves us so much.

John 15:13 (NKJV)  "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."

How about taking some time today and think about how much you have been given, been blessed with.  Family doing well?  It's a blessing.  Money in the bank? It's a blessing.  A roof over your head?  It's a blessing.  There are so many things that we are blessed with.  Jesus has been, and is, so good to all of us.

Take some time to just pause your life and say "Thank You, Jesus".  Tis the season to be grateful.

Blessings!