I heard from a friend earlier this month about the benefits of rubbing castor oil on the body. I may have written something about it; I didn't stop to go back and look before I started typing this morning. I've put it on the bottom of my feet and I feel there is a noticeable difference. Of course, lotion or oil on the bottom of feet make it smoother - I get that. I had sort of set it aside other than using it for that. Lazy is the only reason I have. It takes a little time to make sure it is all rubbed into the skin so that I don't get oil on my clothes. The castor oil to buy is organic and really, really thick. You can dilute it with coconut oil and make it thinner, but I would think it would be more effective as is, although coconut oil is good for things as well. I used to use it as a moisturizer and when I run out of the expensive stuff I was 'talked into' buying for my face, I will go back to it. Anyway, I was talking with my trainer last night and she was telling me of some things that her doctor had told her.....and I remembered some of the things I read about castor oil. I told her, and she knew about the health benefits; after she had her baby, she used castor oil on her tummy and it not only settled everything down, it removed any scars she had. We talked about the area her doctor had discussed with her, and she was going to try to remember to put some on that area and see what the next tests show.
I think I need to do more research on the positives about rubbing castor oil on your skin. I've heard it helps with arthritis and even diseases of the kidney and liver. I told my daughter about it, but I don't think she has remembered. I had put the oil away in a cabinet when our house cleaners had come out - and forgotten about it. I brought the castor oil back out last night and rubbed on my feet. I may try to rub on my body when I go to get dressed for today. Take the time to rub it in and if I do it daily, would love to see what tests show when I do blood tests in another month or so. I read articles before where it helps with arthritic fingers and knees, believe it or not. Tell you what; I'm willing to try it if I'm in pain. What do I have to lose? If I do it correctly and it doesn't work - I'll at least have smooth skin. But if I use it correctly and it does work - hallelujah, right? Need to do more research I think. Surely there is a book out there somewhere on castor oil, right?
I finally got the first quilt pinned with the lace I plan to put on it. I need to check it again tonight to make sure I have it where I want it, and then I can start sewing it down. It will be nice to get at least one completed, but I do want to get at least one more made before Christmas. But it's not critical; that baby isn't here until January, and I can always mail it - not that they are waiting on a quilt from Oma.
Since my male boss was going on PTO yesterday at noon, he didn't send me a lot of work. I spent most of the afternoon wrapping Christmas gifts and have just about all of them wrapped and under the trees. Realized I am 'done' with three of the smallest great-grandchildren. It is so easy to buy for the little ones. Most are just getting an outfit or two. Maybe one toy of some sort. I wrote things down as I wrapped them, but I think I missed a couple things. I have scanned the lists and occasionally will remember something I wrapped for a specific person. Between trying to work and wrap and keep an eye on emails, I could easily get distracted.
Made lunch arrangements the first part of December with a dear 'old' friend. Met her with I was pregnant with my first child. Her husband was in Korea; mine was in Viet Nam. We have remained friends all these years. I have bought her a few things for Christmas and hope that she will enjoy them. Anyway - was able to get that scheduled and on the calendar for one of the days I am off work. That way we don't have to keep an eye on the clock and can talk as long as we want to.
If you stop to think about it - Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK!! One week from TODAY!! This entire year has gone so fast and now the holidays are quickly approaching. Once Thanksgiving hits and goes past - Christmas will be sitting in our laps! And this is why I have already started buying and wrapping and have my trees up. I buy for so many I would never get all done before Christmas! I don't have one scheduled, but I think I may have to take a 'shopping day' off work so that I can finish up. There are a few gifts that I need to go out and purchase.
I also want to make a run over to Home Depot or Lowes this weekend. I think I'll buy real poinsettia plants to put in my pots outside for now. After Christmas I can plant them in the courtyard. They will grow after Christmas - at the end of January you cut them back, but the morning sun will cause them to grow into a big bush, and come December again, the flowers will come out and turn red. The first house we had out here had an area that caught only the morning sun - and it was perfect. I loved having real poinsettia plants growing next to the house. Tried it here, but it didn't work so well. Hubby and I don't agree on the watering timing. I want to do the watering, and if they die, it's my fault. But he won't relinquish 'control' of the watering (except when I sneak out when he's gone and tell him I've watered when he gets back - and then hear about it being his job!). Sometimes I just let the plants die. And every year I complain that I spent about $200 on plants, and he lets them die - but of course it is never his fault. I did buy small artificial trees that I was going to set on the posts outside in lieu of the pots, but I think I will fix them on the ledge behind my sink and use as decorations inside the house. Will have to think that through. End of that story.
The Bible is a mirror that shows us our desperate need for God. Jesus said, "He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent me" (John 14:24). In this world of postmodern, relativistic thinking, we need a clear word. We're investing tons of our time, money, and energy into being current and trendy, but the problem of man is as old as the Garden of Eden. The answer is where it's always been - in the pages of God's Word.
The above paragraph sums up where this world is, don't you think? It is from the book I am currently reading titled "The Power of Surrender - Breaking through to Revival' by Michael Catt. I've had it for a few years and hadn't read it. When I finally picked it up to read, I am wishing I had more time to read in it. For now, I've just been reading it in the mornings. Michael Catt doesn't pull any punches. I only have this book by him, and after Christmas, may look to buy a few more. I noticed he has several other books out. He is the pastor of the Sherwood Church where the Kendrick Brothers (who have created a few movies now) have attended. I think Sherwood also provides some finances for the movies; definitely some people, I think. Anyway - this book really makes me pause and think about where I am.
Which reminds me; I had a strange dream last night. I was transporting two older teenage boys to church. We arrive and they are having a meal, so we ate together. Then we got up for church; the boys taking off to get to class, and I'm walking through the tables when a woman I do not know steps in front of me, touches my forehead, and begins praying over me. I don't 'hear' what she is praying (or don't remember, just remember the scene), and I feel electric shocks (just things flowing gently) going through my body. I tell myself to stop trying to fight it, and I fall down to the floor. (slain in the Spirit?) I remember getting up off the floor and walking to the classroom where the two boys are being disruptive by humming loudly. I sit in front of them and turn to tell them to be quiet.... and they do.... and then I wake up. I wrote it out in my journal as we should do when we have a dream, but I have no clue what it could mean. All I had for dinner last night was a salad so surely it wasn't from that! Interesting, huh? Any ideas?
And, if you haven't gone to see 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever' - you simply must go see it! It is a great Christmas movie and I love it. May try to go see it again.
I will probably mention this again tomorrow, but I am looking forward to Saturday morning when I can meet up with my favorite boss, my favorite doctor, and my favorite CFO for breakfast. Oh yeah, I remember I have already mentioned it. Oh well. Today is Thursday and I will need to make decisions on what I am going to give to my friends for Christmas. For the past 3-4 years Dr. Krauss has given me a flower. I planted them this past year and they grew to about 4 ft before faltering in the hot son. They are still growing too, although only about a foot tall now. It's one of those plants that are encased in wax and the flower doesn't need to be watered. I don't know how it does that - it goes months without water; something inside the wax I guess. They always get my bread but will also give them jam and will see if I have a decent jar of pickles to give them as well.
Speaking of pickles, they look ugly now! The ones I cut in half, I mean. I still think - and will try it later today - that if I dump the liquid and then put the (cut in half) pickles on a plate, we can just eat them. Maybe Thanksgiving would be a good time to open up those jars. They are 3/4 liquid and the cucumbers have shrunk and are in the upper 1/3 of the jar - and shriveled. Maybe I'll run to the store today and pick up two-three REAL cucumbers and make a few jars for these. My boss wont' get her gifts until the 19th of December as we will meet and exchange gifts before the male boss' department party. She gets a bit of everything I make - and then uses them for Christmas. She says her kids always ask if I made something - and when she says 'yes' - they dive in to it. I've known her for over 30 years so I guess her kids know me well, huh. Well, I did do all three of their weddings, and her father's memorial service so there is that as well. Yeah, we're friends. Real friends.
Got to go - hope that you have an amazing day!
Blessings!
