Good news, bad news

 We received good news yesterday, or rather, hubby did.  He went to his prostate doctor and was told from recent tests that his count is excellent; and if it drops just a little lower, he can stop the shots and just be rechecked every three months.  I don't recall about the aneurysm/cancer issue - but he did read info from the cardiovascular doctor while hubby was there, and apparently it doesn't concern the prostate doctor anymore. It was good news, nevertheless.  The cardiovascular doctor's office called while hubby was in an HOA meeting and wanted to schedule his surgery for the aneurysm, but he couldn't on the day they chose so they are going to get back with him.  I will need to take that day off work.

Day three of our fast and needs are hitting.  Not for us, but we are putting out additional prayers for healing for my big brother who is going in for esophageal tests today, and for my little brother who was diagnosed yesterday with stage 3 lung cancer.  I believe he said he will start radiation in about 3 weeks; he has to get fitted for a 'cage' that will hold him in place while he has that done.  Hubby understands all that as when he had his radiation years back he also was marked up on his body so that they would know where to aim the radiation.  I think my brother said every day for 6 weeks (5 days a week).  I try to keep in touch so that I can know what is happening.   Plus my little sister has been in bed sick for the past three days and her hubby's immune system is down to 0.  Lots to pray about.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV):  Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

There are different types of love - there is the romantic kind that we feel towards our spouses, and there is the parental love, the love that we have for our children, and there is the love that God gives us to love others.  I think it is more of a caring love, don't you?  I mean, yeah, I can love others, but that love doesn't affect me as much as my parental love or my romantic love.  What do you think?  But however we define it, we are called to love others as Christ loves the Church.

God loves us so much He sent His one and only Son to suffer and die for us on an old wooden cross as our sacrifice for every sin that we have committed.  Jesus loves us so much that He willingly laid down his life as our sacrifice.  We are called to have that same kind of love for others.  That can be tough at times, can't it?!  I mean, I do love our friends - but could I give up my life for them?  Honestly, I don't know.  I love my children and would do it in a heartbeat for them.  I love my hubby and I would give my life up for him. But ... loving others the way Jesus loves me... outside of family... that can be tough at times, can't it. Just being honest here.  What are your thoughts?

Sometimes our siblings can drive us crazy and we would say 'no way'!  And yet, we are called to love them with the love of Jesus. We may not approve of their lifestyles, their choices, but we are not to be their judge.  We are accountable for ourselves; what are we doing with our life - are we loving others, caring for others, doing unto them what we want them to do unto us?  I think many times we fall short, don't you?

Yeah, I'm rambling some this morning. But the thought still remains - can we love all others the way that Jesus loves them - and loves us?

Yesterday wasn't too bad for work; got a couple outstanding meetings to schedule and will get on those this morning. I don't mind so much making meetings within the company - it's the outside people that frustrate for then I have to work with their admins and see what is available on their calendars.  It's a headache at times.  And then don't get me going on these travel arrangements my one boss has to have.  I submitted one to senior leadership to approve, then I'll get his plane and hotel reservations made.  Personally I don't think he should go if they aren't paying his hotel bill and travel expenses. But, it's not my call.  He has one in March and another one in April.  March has been submitted; got to find the info on April and then get it submitted to senior leadership to approve today as well. I wonder how he would feel if they told him 'no'.  He is assigned as a speaker at both conferences; I still say they should pay his hotel bill at least!

Tonight is 'girls night out' and my daughter and I will be back at work on the diamond art project of 'The Last Supper'.  We hadn't gotten too far before we stopped so I could work on my son's Santa project.  I still am so proud of that photo, and at a few feet away, you can see that it is him.  If I had known I would have had it printed and made into diamond art, I would have gotten a better photo.  I hadn't heard of diamond art until last year - and I'm so glad I did it.  It was a project of love.  Hubby won't be meeting his friend tonight so he will be home.  Kind of puts a hush on our chatting, but we can get through it.  It's been 3-4 weeks since my daughter and I have gotten together so we have a lot to catch up on.

I think this sleep gadget on my Apple watch isn't right.  I thought I had slept really sound all night - and I was having difficulty waking up this morning. But when I looked at my 'sleep record', it says I was awake numerous times throughout the night, and that I was only in a deep sleep a few minutes, moreso in the 'core' sleep. It makes no sense to me.  But I do know that I feel like I could take a nap now. Did not want to get up out of bed.

And with that - I have a few minutes before I need to jump up and get on the work computer so need to get my body moving, get it dressed, and ready for work.  I love being able to hang out in my pjs for awhile, but there is a time that clothes must become a necessity.

Enjoy your day!

Blessings!

Just a little sleep...

 I could have easily stayed in bed longer this morning, but I had already stayed an hour longer than usual - but I had a reason for it.  Our church is involved in the 'We Pray All Day' initiative (??) or whatever it is called, to pray over Arizona, and various things; i.e., schools, government, etc.  I should have signed up the other day once I heard that June 1st was our church's day to pray.  But, alas, I did not, and the only time open that would work for me was 1-2AM (last month it was 2-3AM).  As soon as I hear I need to jump online and get signed up!  So at 12:50AM I got up this morning to spend my hour in prayer for this city, for my family, etc.  And I really do pray the entire hour!  I went back to bed, hoping I could go back to sleep.  I did go back to sleep, awaking at 3:30AM and telling myself I could sleep at least another half hour - and ended up sleeping until 5AM.  I only woke up then because hubby shut his bathroom door loud enough that it woke me.  I'm sure that was an accident (rolling eyes).  He does like to be keep to schedules and as I got up and made my way in to here, I saw his light was already on, which meant he was up earlier than me to begin his DQT.  And because I wasn't up yet, he was distracted as he has to make my coffee (as if I don't know how) every morning.  He likes to use the Biblical book of He-brews as an example.  Whatever.  I've managed to stay awake and do my quiet time, so I'm good. :-)

I hear the landscapers out already because it's light earlier in the mornings.  That means they will be done earlier and it will be quiet sooner.  I love the quiet of the early morning.  This morning is not one of those as the grass sounds like it is being mowed.  

Work should be very light today as one boss is on PTO, the other is in an all day summit, and the other two don't give me work that often.  When they do, it is time-consuming, but I'm being quiet so hopefully they will be too.  Maybe I can sneak a nap in.

My new lamp came in yesterday for my desk.  The other metal lamp I was using gave off such intense heat it was uncomfortable.  Made my books hot too.  This one is LED and is bright enough, and I can dim it if I need to.  It isn't as heavy nor as awkward (and hot) as the other one was.  Ironically, it is identical to the one a grandson gave me a few years ago - but I didn't have need of it and ended up either giving it to someone.  See, I didn't hoard it in case I might need it sometime.  LOL  Yeah, I tend to do things like that - just like some of you do!  I'm hoping to get out in the garage some time and start going through cabinets again to 'let go' of some things.  Little by little, as I hear people have a need for something and it's not anything I'm using, I'm able to let it go and give to them.  Last week I let go of three items!  Little by little.  I love to give and if I'm not using it, and haven't for some time, I would say that I don't need it.  I know I have several things out in the garage that I don't use anymore.  At my age I'm trying to think ahead and get rid of things that my kids won't have to deal with later.  I just have to be careful... I think I have mentioned it before... hubby doesn't let me 'let go' of my things quite so easy at times.  

Looks like my office got the bank accounts straightened out.  If you recall, last pay period they ended up mailing me a check, which I got about 5 days later.  But, my check hit the bank today so should be back on track.  YAY.  Hubby had to inform me the other day that I get 3 paydays this month.... (so does he as he gets a portion of my payroll checks), but he didn't mention that.  It really isn't 'extra'... it's just paydays fall on every two weeks and it just happens that way this month.  

They say 4 day weeks are the longest, and I believe them.  It's a fairly quiet week with the bosses pretty busy and also one being on vacation.  I'm all caught up on meetings, unless one of the 19 messages I have in my inbox for work are requests for meetings.  I haven't really looked at them.  It's work, and it's not time yet.  But, looking at the clock - very soon now.

My mind is drawing a blank as to a scripture to elaborate on this morning.  Must be because I am still tired from interrupting my sleep to pray in the middle of the night.  I'll fix a protein shake this morning for breakfast and that will get me at least a bit more awake and somewhat alert.  Need to figure out what to fix for dinner tonight.  I did cook a nice meal last night for dinner.... maybe pizza out of the freezer tonight.  I'm tryng to keep from going out - but it is payday and hubby may suggest it.  He does love to eat out.  It just isn't cheap to eat out anymore.  Friends of ours always share a meal, which helps... but we usually don't share; and I'm the only one who brings home leftovers, if that tells you anything.

I'm rambling and need to jump in the shower this mornning and I'm down to about 15 minutes before work time so will close this off.  I'll try to be more alert in the morning.  

Blessings!

Just because I am older...

 doesn't mean that I should sit back and do nothing.  I think back of my mother.  Seriously.  By the age of 62, I think she quit living life.  I understand more of the family dynamics at that time, but I think she 'retired' from work as that was probable the age then.  My youngest brother was 20 (she had him at 42), and so what did she do?  Besides continuing to read Grace Livingston Hill books (I still love them!) and crochet, she took up ceramics.  Soon she had her 'own' shop.  Rosebud Ceramics.  Not really a shop, as it was not out of the house, but she got involved with the kiln, slip, molds, and painting of the different things she would make and sell, or give away.  I had several of the things she had made, but over the years, they have broken.  I think I may have a small lion left she had made, and perhaps a Pluto, but I can't remember why I have the Pluto.  I'm sure it was for one of the kids, but none of them claim it.   But mother found something to do as she aged, until she couldn't lift the molds anymore.

I remember what a mess her kitchen table always was with ceramics ready to be cleaned up and put in the kiln, other pieces to be painted.  There were slip splashes on the carpet where she had spilt it when she poured into a mold.  She got me interested in ceramics to where my 'first hubby' and I had our own ceramic shop that we called R & N Ceramics.  Another story for another time, perhaps.  Anyway, my point is, although she didn't do much, Mother was busy until she got much older.  Then she just sat and would read, or write letters, or draw women's faces - the side view.  I wonder if any of my children remember that?  I think I have an envelope or something she 'doodled' on and it has the woman's face on it that she drew.  I always tried to mimic it, but could never succeed.  She also drew Woody Woodpecker. I got pretty good at one time on it.  

Why is my mind going to being older?  Because I read today of Caleb, who at age 85, told Joshua:

Joshua 14:10-12) "Today I am eighty-five years old.  I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey (to the promise land), and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then.  So give me the hill country that the Lord promised me."

Caleb was 85 years old and was still ready to do whatever it took to secure the land that the Lord had promised him.  He was strong, he was sharp, he was ready.

Hubby is 85 years old and I guarantee you that he could not clear the land like Caleb did.  I am not putting him down.  He has some physical restrictions, but I think a lot of it is the mindset that once we 'retire', we don't have to do anything anymore.  Other than normal day-to-day activities, if we don't have to go into the office anymore, or if we don't have to do manual work like we did before... what is there to do?  And so we tend to sit around and watch tv.  Or read. Sometimes, if one has a hobby, like golf or hiking, or even exercising, if they continue them, they keep them up after they retire.  For my parent's age group, the retirement thing was going to Florida for the winter months.  They got in a retirement community.  Sure, they went and saw things, but other than that, they sat around, had potlucks, and didn't do much else.  Although I do have a basket that my mother made when she was on one of those Florida trips.  

Here I am at 72, still work,ing, and wondering if I will ever get to 'retire'.  I've told hubby that in January of 2025 I will retire, whether he will agree to it or not.  If he would give me permission now, I certainly would retire - and find a part-time job somewhere.  I'm so very tired and weary of office responsibilities, although I work from home.  I don't want to learn One Drive (yeah, got the book still haven't looked at it), I don't want to learn new programs that will never be used again once I retire.  I'm tired of working.  Money is great, but we can make it without it.  I'm willing to get a part-time job to help with 'play money'.  But other than that - what would I do?   

I love to crochet, yes, but I don't want to sit and crochet every day.  I love to read, but I don't want to sit and read every day.  I love to cook - but why cook meals every day.  I've had to give up my hiking... don't do much of that anymore.  I've not been doing any serious walking for some time now.  Yes, a lot of that is my fault.  I've gotten lazy.  I often mention I'm going to exercise... and then I allow other things to get in the way.  My 'drive' to do things seems to fall by the wayside so much of the time anymore.

I have two years in which I need to find something that will not only bring me joy in doing, but will strengthen my body for my life ahead.  If the opportunity to retire comes next year - would I have something in place that I could continue to 'live'?  Would I be active enough - or want to be active enough to keep my body moving and able to do things?  Guess I need to work out that question in my own mind.  If Caleb was strong and healthy and sharp-minded at 85, why can't I be?  

My neighbor across the street and I chatted briefly last night via text and I casually mentioned a long ago dream of writing a book.  I knew she had written a children's book, but I haven't been able to find it on Amazon - so last night I got the title - and bought some for my great-grandchildren for Christmas!  She is working on another book for children, but her book artist passed away.  I remembered that I have another friend who writes Christian fiction and I would check with her on her artist and perhaps connect the two of them.  Then my neighbor suggested I start writing and we could be called the 'Gleesome Threesome'.  LOL  I have no idea how she came up with that!  But it made me laugh, and caused me to dream again a little.

I reminded her that I work.  That I haven't written anything.  Only short stories and poems in high school.  And other than this blog (which she doesn't know about), I haven't written anything in years.  I often wonder where I would start.  I guess the point is to 'just start'.  There will always be numerous drafts to finish a book, to get it to say what you want it to say.  But the point is, start with one word.  LOL  The thought just occurred to me... my middle child and I have this thing about the 'last word'.  Sometimes I let him 'win'.  Sometimes he lets me 'win'.  It always makes me smile (as it is now as I am remembering it).  

I need to get better at taking care of myself.  I am trying to eat better (ok, I ate the last ice cream cup in the freezer while hubby was gone last night.  But it's been there for two months and no one ate it!  I needed to get rid of it.).  I started to work out yesterday afternoon, but then my daughter called, and then hubby started talking to me... and I never got back to it.  As my daughter is out of town, we didn't meet up last night (hubby met up with his 'men friends').  So what did I do?  I didn't exercise!  I watched two movies and crochet'd on the afghan I'm making for a wedding gift.  I was productive, yes, but not physically.  That's the part I fail in the most.  Physically.  I know I need to move about more.  

I told a grandson who is getting married next July that I plan to have a 'six pack' at his wedding.  LOL  He is still trying to erase that photo from his mind!  But wouldn't it be cool if I dropped 30 pounds and had a flatter belly  Maybe not a six-pack (I could always buy him a six-pack, right?) belly, but one that doesn't stick out to put my plate on?  Ok, I'm not that big, but if I continue as I have, it could be!  It's just me - I'm wanting a healthier body, an active body.  I don't want to be so old I can't get down on the floor to play with my great-grandchildren.  Or even my great-great-grandchildren.  I hope I live that long.   That is important to me.  I want to be INVOLVED in their lives, not just BE in their lives.

Ok - I guess I have rambled on enough this morning and will hush.  Perhaps I gave you something to think about.  So you don't have any weights.  Why not grab a couple cans of beans and use those to work on your arms by lifting them and giving your biceps something to do?  I do have weights... I can give you a lot of my excuses... but that is all they are.  I need to get over hubby seeing me work out and offer advice.  Some of it just might be good.  Oh, he'd leave me alone for the most part... but I want to do it on my own.

So what do you want to do as you age?  When you turn 85 - what will you be doing?  Something to think about!

Be a Caleb!  Claim your hill country!  What is your greatest challenge that you need to overcome and fight for?  Go for it!

Blessings!