I can't believe I slept that long....

 I knew I was tired last night.  Hubby wanted to watch a couple movies, so we did, and we ended up going to bed around 9:30PM.  That's early, still, for some people, but for me, that is about an hour later.  I fully expected my internal alarm to go off between 4 and 4:30AM this morning, but if it did, I internally shut it off.  I slept until 5:30AM this morning!  And I probably could have slept longer if I chose, but I jumped up and came in here to do my DQT.  Hubby had gotten up earlier and I saw his light in the other room on.  I heard him move to get my coffee, as he does every morning.  It really felt good to get a good night's sleep, and I only woke up once during the night.  I really needed the extra hour, I think, especially since I went to bed an hour later.  So technically, I guess, I didn't sleep longer..... to bed an hour later, slept an hour later... hmmm I guess I slept the same.  I just slept better.

Because my sleep has been better, deeper, lately, I got to thinking as to why.  I did a little research and I think now I know.  About two weeks ago I started drinking 8 ounces of tart cherry juice.  Sometimes I drink it mid-day, sometimes I drink it in the evening.  You can drink it straight, with sparking water - hubby put some with his tonic water the other night.  Anyway.... tart cherry juice.  I looked it up.  Not only is it packed with antioxidants, and lots of other good stuff, it has melatonin in it.  And after about two weeks of drinking a couple ounces of it before bed, you should find you sleep deeper and wake up feeling more rested.  I bought my first batch from the company Cheribundi, but have not put it on Amazon as a subscription and it will be delivered once a month.  It's $52 for 24 8 ounce bottles... but since I don't buy Starbucks or spend my money on Dutch Bros, and this is much healthier for me, I'll try it for awhile.  I did give in and tell hubby about it and told him to drink it as well.  It says it helps with brain clarity and we both need that as we age.  With both of us drinking it, I will probably have to buy two subscriptions, for you know he will be 'all over it'.  But if it clears up his mind and helps him to think more clearly, it is worth it.  What is money anyway.  We waste a lot of it, so why not spend it on something that will help us be more healthy?  Tart Cherry Juice.  It has natural sugar - and I think it shows 25 g, but there is no other sugar added to it.  It says it takes about two weeks to feel the effects of it and that's about right.  I've been drinking 8 ounces a day... but it says it helps even with two ounces.  

Today is going to be a busy day.  Hubby has breakfast with a friend this morning.  He will be leaving soon.  I have Needles of Hope at 9AM - I had forgotten it was this weekend when I was talking breakfast or lunch with my friend.  She sent me a text yesterday and said we'll meet today at 11:30AM at the restaurant on Peoria I suggested.  I found out she leaves a few streets past my youngest, so this restaurant is fairly close.  Was glad she agreed to lunch for I can still go to Needles of Hope from 9-11 and then work my way over to the restaurant.  I'm looking forward to a good lunch - not so much the food, but the conversation.  I met this person in our small group and we just seemed to hit it off and share a lot of the same convictions and love for God.  Looking forward to hearing about her new job she started this week.  I was 'dumbfounded' when she told me earlier she has two masters' degrees and is now working on her third one and will put it towards a PhD.  And she's much younger than me!  But our love for Jesus is what has drawn us together so our conversation should be good.

I think I have told you about my 'annoyance' that my doctor couldn't see me until April.  I found a NP who could get me in on Tuesday next week, and I have an appointment with her.  Then yesterday, I get a phone call from the mammogram place that my doctor had sent them a prescription for me to go get my mammogram.  I explained to them that I was in the process of switching doctors... but as we talked, we decided I'd go ahead and get he mammogram under the current doctor and then I can share the results with the new one.  I don't expect to get 'worked in'... but now I'm in a turmoil about it all.  Did I not wait long enough to switch?  Should I have waited another month or so?  I was irritated that my August appointment was cancelled and I was told by the office I couldn't get in until April.  Technically, I am healthy, and don't need to see the doctor.  Going to the doctor for a well check up has always happened.  But, I've had the blood work, I'm getting the mammogram, and I see they have already scheduled the Dexascan on the 18th, but haven't let me know when or where yet.  As long as I get a phone call that gives me the results, do I even need to see him for ten minutes?  Not really.  So I began to second guess myself.  Should I cancel Tuesday's new appointment?  Should I just reschedule it?  I discussed with my boss and she said to keep the appointment and get established.  I obviously can get in to the NP faster than I can with this doctor, who the entire issue is that he doesn't allow any other doctor to see his patients.  The NP works with doctors who cover each other.  So I have an appointment on Tuesday with the NP.... and really, it will be just to meet her, I guess.  The mammogram is scheduled, the bone density is scheduled, I've already done my blood work.  My prescriptions can be filled by the current doctor.... ugh!  And the concerning part is that they both work in 'My Portal' which means they can see when I see the other doctor.  I was in it the other day and sure enough, my NP is listed as NEW..and when my appointment is.  Dang!  Yeah, I'm squirming.  The NP is a bit closer.  (I was told she was an NP, but her name has DO after it...) 

My mind is all over the place this morning.   Thinking about NoH, lunch, doctors, things I want to make, things I want to do... what shall I do?  When shall I do it?  Do I have the time to take on extra projects?  Can I do anything new?  Dare I try?  I want to try some new recipes.  I want to make some things.  I need to finish some things.  A 3 day weekend is here and why do I want to fill it up with things to do?  So many decisions!  I need to just take one project and start on it.  I've one that I've had for 9 months now... one more thing to do with it and it's finished.  Sorta like giving birth, huh.  Just realized the time I've had it to complete and haven't.  This weekend might be a good time to start on it, ya think? Maybe I can finish that one before the month is out.

And now I'm rambling.  Again.  Still.  Whatever.  My scripture today for you is this....

Philippians 4:4 (NKJV):  "Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again, I will say, rejoice!"

Take a moment and just praise Him for waking you up this morning, for waking up your loved ones.  Have you ever thought what you would feel if one day they didn't wake up?  Or they weren't there?  Be thankful for today that they are with you.  Show them you love them.  You will never regret it.

Blessings!

It's going home day - and I'm ready....

actually, I think we both are.  Hubby mentioned yesterday afternoon that he felt like it was time to go home.  And, yes, it is.  I will need to remind him of this next year, if we go anywhere.  Five days and four nights is plenty.... unless you are busy doing things.  And we have only read.  He doesn't like to walk long distances, he doesn't like to hike... sightseeing hasn't really been our thing so much..... he doesn't like to shop.... but then, staying here and reading has been good.  We both take breaks and go outside on the porch and enjoy the breeze and just be quiet.  A good storm moved in yesterday and we sat outside and watched it until the lightening felt it was close, then we came inside, turned the recliners around to sit in and look outside the window and watch it.  It was really cool.

Soon we will start to pack up everything and load up the car.  Our friends came up last night to their trailer they have here, and we will be meeting at  a grill they like about five miles from here for lunch, then we will head on down the mountain.  It has been a nice week, I will admit, but it's not the same as being home and resting.  Of course there he would have had the TV on and we would have also been watching movies every night.  I think he is actually in TV withdrawal, which is why he is ready to go home. :)  Just kidding.  Sitting around and doing nothing is enough to drive either of us nuts.  I think back to last year when I got a lot of crocheting done; this year, very little.  I have spent my time reading - four books! - and one of them I read twice!  

I've been drinking my tart cherry juice while here.  I started it a week or so ago.  I had read it before, but I'm trying to get my mindset to eating more healthy and doing things that are good for my body.  The tart cherry juice helps rid the body of inflammation, which means less joint pain.  I figure it can be good for my bones too.  I'm really wanting to change our eating habits once we are home.  We haven't been too bad while here, but did eat a lot of carbs (chips, chocolate, etc.).  But bad enough.  Sure haven't gotten my gallon of water down daily like I try at home - but have been drinking at least half a gallon.  What has been different is that in making a pot of coffee versus a a cup at a time, and having the time to relax and sit outside and not have to jump on the computer to work, we both have been finishing off the pot each morning - nearly 3 cups a piece!  I haven't had the opportunity to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee in a long, long time, but this week it has been nice.

I sit here and look out the big window at the mountains and I am reminded once again of a verse I memorized many, many years ago.  We have always struggled financially since I married hubby.  When we moved to the city we live in, things did not change; they actually got worse.  We were having to pay over $1K a month support to his ex-wife... and that left us nearly nothing to live on.  Going to Burger King was a treat at that time.  It was a very difficult time financially.  There was a scripture I always ran to in my struggles and pain.

Psalm 121:1-2 (NKJV):  "I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from whence comes my help?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."

Many, many times over the years I have quoted this verse in my prayers.  In the first house we bought, one of the rooms had long windows that was inches from the floor and from the ceiling.  That was my prayer room, where I would go to pray at night.  I often took a candle and lit it, setting it on the window seal (it was about 8 inches wide), and spending a length of time there, praying and seeking God for our situation.  I always arose knowing that God was in control, that He heard my prayers, and that He would provide for us.  And He always did.    Those times in front of that window praying, are some of my favorite memories.  

So this morning, as I sit here looking at the 'hills' through the large window, I am reminded once again of God's faithfulness in taking care of us.  He always takes care of us, but when I ask Him specifically and He answers, I feel in my heart His love and joy in giving me an answer.  Great is His Name.  Holy is He.  He provides all that we need.

Why hasn't He answered my prayers to tenderize hubby's heart to let me retire?  Because He can see the big picture and the 'extra' finances are needed.  I don't know what is ahead of us, but God does, and even though I know we can get by now, it would be tight.  I feel He is wanting to bless us - and in turn, allow us to bless others (which has been nice to be able to do when I hear of a need).  Maybe I will be working until the end.  I don't know.  But I do know that there is No One Else I would rather guide me and help me through life, than the One whom I call Lord.  He has provided all that we need, whether it be food, clothes, or even a job.  We are fools without His guidance over our lives.  I trust Him with my very life, how can I not trust Him to provide for it all.  He will release me from my job when it's time.  I just need to be patient in my waiting.

Blessings!