Yeah, with Sue gone to Aruba for a week, I think I only had one meeting to schedule yesterday - and that was from Kynda, another leader I support. She gave me the list of who all needed to be in it, and said ASAP; definitely this week. Oh great. With our president in it, I thought it would be very difficult to pull about - especially since she really wanted 50 minutes, and not the usual 30. Amazingly, I found 8-8:50a this morning for this meeting - and everyone was open! There must have been a meeting there and it got cancelled. Thank you, Jesus! He knew I needed a large gap - and He provided! Other than that, I went through a few folders and deleted some items that I no longer needed to hang on to. I should have been more productive, but wasn't. I did have my 10:30a with Morgan and we worked on the back. Feeling it a bit this morning too. Today will be HIIT, and she said she will start with one of the first ones I did, which is a 'light' HIIT and then we can work up. I just don't know that I could get 3 sets of 12 flips for that big tire like I was doing. I know I've told you it was 175 pounds... and yes, I'm proud that I could flip it! For me, at 76 years old, it is a big accomplishment!
I heard of two more retirements happening this year earlier this week. I'll share more about those another time. I am 'close' (sorta) to both. One I have supported in the past, and the other, well, I help as I am needed. Anyway, that makes Sue, Angie, Therese, and a couple others whose names I can't remember. And now Shanee at the end of the year, and one other, that I have been asked not to share just yet. I don't think anyone from the office reads this, but will wait a bit on that announcement for I also have a comment about it. And about waiting on God. A whole 'nother topic!
I hear the landscapers (if that is what you want to call them!) outside this morning. One mowing the 'non-grass' (meaning there isn't much to mow), and the other blowing dirt around. Since they cut back our trees earlier this year - and they all have grown back beautifully, I will admit, we haven't had the leaves as in the past. But this one guy's job is to come into each courtyard and blow whatever is in the courtyard - 'out' - but not really. Just blows into the bushes, I think. If I ever get the gumption, I will get MY blower out and get the leaves out of the rocks that he blows whatever in to. I really want to redo the courtyard... but that can wait until my retirement - if that ever happens before I die.
But then, speaking of retirement, again.... I was sitting here thinking about it during my prayers this morning. My life really would not change much if I retired now. I'd lose a lot of money by retiring. My play money. My helping out money. My giving money. Yes, I could go out and sit under the umbrella and have a second cup of coffee in the early morning hours. Yes, I could do whatever I wanted to during the day. But I know that I would soon get restless and bored. 40+ years of sitting behind a desk and in front of a computer will be hard to break. Hubby won't 'let' me DO anything that he can't do.... so there is that. He is doing better, but still.....
Last night, without asking, he left the TV off. I worked on my diamond art (about 1/4 to go on it) for a little bit, then sat down and finished a book. Goodreads shows I'm two books ahead towards my goal of 50. Since we usually go to bed around 8:30-9p, I don't have much time to get much of anything done. Of course if I was retired, I could go to bed later, cause I could get up later. I just feel so lazy with not being involved in things as I was 10 years or more ago. I'd be up burning the midnight oil, and still up at 5a to do my quiet time and head to work.
I really do miss going into the office. I miss the social interactions I had with everyone. Now I get 'let's have lunch sometime' - and I'm willing to, but they live in the east valley and for us to even meet halfway, it would again take 3 hours out of my day, counting travel time. When we were in the office, or even from where I used to live, it wouldn't have been so much time. But now, I really can't justify (except with Sue) being out of the 'office' for three - four hours. And once Sue is retired, well, we will have to switch to Saturdays for our get togethers. Work is changing. I hear rumors of 'buy outs' and yet, I schedule meetings with outside vendors to bring them in and upgrade things. I don't know what is going on. I'm 'high enough' on the ladders to hear rumors, but not high enough to get facts. And I'm nosey. What is going on that everyone is retiring? Or leaving?
Lately my prayers have been that when it is time for me to retire from this company, that God would make it plain to me "it's time". But I have to have something to fill my time; not sit at home, regardless of what needs to be done here. I still would like to move to a stand alone house where we don't have to pay the HOA $405/month (which is the highest in this area and they explain it is because there are only 22 units in this section - so shouldn't it be the lowest?) to pay our water bill (which they manage, by the way, on timers, except inside the house), and mow the non-grass. Trim the trees. UGH. I want my own place for which I am responsible for!
Psalms 18:1-3: I love you, LORD; you ae my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.
When was the last time that you spent time just adoring God? Everything we have is a gift from Him. Sure, you may have paid for it, or earned it, but still, it is from God. When was the last time you thanked Him for what you have - your family, your job, your cars, your home, your finances... all that you have is from Him. As Job said, "The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.".
Why not take a moment now and just pause. Think of all you have, and thank God for His provision.
And.... I gotta get to work! Good thing I don't have to drive! Have an AMAZING day!
Blessings
