Yes I'm 'late'.... but at least I'm writing!

 or typing, that is.  Why am I late? Not because I overslept - but that would be a nice reason.  But - I had an 8AM HIIT training with Morgan this morning; I had to stop early to get ready for that (because of road construction have to start a little early), and I slept until almost 5AM.  So I'm back home, got caught up with work, fixed myself 3 eggs and a slice of avocado toast - and a 2nd cup of coffee - and I think my eyes and thoughts were bigger than my stomach.  Don't know if I can get all these eggs down.  Still working on it.  One thing for sure - at nearly 10AM, I'm not going to be hungry for lunch!

Brett is on PTO this week; Sue goes on PTO tomorrow - I should be able to get caught up on all my board minutes and slide decks for the next one.  I SHOULD.  But then, when the boss is away, the mice will play, right?  Naw, I still have to sign in every day and be available for all the other people I support. Brett and Sue are just the two main ones.  But it will (or should be) a lot more calm and less chaotic.

I'm speaking up at Pioneer Village next Sunday and they have already contacted me for the title and scripture.  Luckily, since I only speak up there twice a year, I can grab one I have done at the in-town RV park and use it there.  Yesterday was fun.  We went to the RV park here in town for services, then stopped for lunch, came home, grabbed a nap, then I worked on my part of the taxes.  About 6PM had to stop and we headed back to the RV Park as they were having a 'singsperation'.  I probably spelled that wrong, but oh well.  Anyway - we went back for that and truly enjoyed it. Everyone was thrilled that we came back to hear the choir and all the solos.  Had a piece of German chocolate cake afterwards and it was so lite and it was so good.  Got back home about 9PM so it wasn't long before we headed to bed.    I go back to this RV Park March 29th and then I'm done for this season.  I SHOULD work on some during the summer, and I always think I will, but I haven't yet.....

Hubby is going to try to move our CPA appointment to next week to give me another week.  I could get it done today, but he is afraid that I won't. Or that I'd be up until 2AM working on it!  Actually, all I'm doing now is pulling my totals and my mileage together.  Then I need to make sure I have pulled out all my documents that I need to present.  Hope we have enough deductions that we don't have to pay.  Or that it is a small amount.  Usually we get back from State - but always have to pay Federal.  It would be nice not to have to do that and have some 'play' money.  If we get money back, for some reason hubby feels we need to 'split' the refund.  I've let it go over the years. I guess that is one way for him to get 'extra money'.  Not being sarcastic; just truthful.

Had I told you we have decided on Jailbreak dates this year?  4/23-25, I think it is.  A day shorter than usual, but we are having to play around the great-granddaughter's school and her outside activities. And that's ok.  I can take an extra day off if I want to - and I might.  I was looking at former year calendar the other day and think I saw I had taken off for hubby and I to get away for a couple days and then I went on Jailbreak.  May have to do that this year as his birthday is April 22 and we leave April 23rd.  I think we have decided on an AIRBNB but I don't think anyone has reserved it.  I will need to see if I can bring it up again and reserve it for us.  With going in April, it is before the price increase for Memorial Day.  This time it looks like we may stay in Strawberry.  It's been years since hubby and I have stayed in that area, but if I recall, they have a lot of antique shops and you know I'm ok with that.  Problem will be a 5 year old who will be told 'don't touch'.  Maybe I'll look for a place there for August for hubby and I for our anniversary.  At least I know I can rest while I'm there as well, since hubby doesn't walk much. Oh - he did go to the gym with me this morning and we both walked the treadmill before it was time for my workout.  I've got to get more time in on the treadmill or working out.  

Well, it IS Monday, and I AM working, so wanted still to get something on here.....can't bring a trend, right?  You know you were looking!  But - I'm getting off here so I can get some invoices processed and focused back on work.  And my dirty dishes back to the kitchen. (3 eggs was way too many for me, I know better, but still, though I could eat them. I can't)

Have an amazing day!

Blessings!

Frustrating, but done...

 and with (again) promises to self to keep better records as the year goes by.  Our tax appointment was yesterday afternoon.  I love it when we can take totals of all our deductions and our CPA goes through what papers we do take with us (w-2, house interest, property taxes, etc) and he inputs the totals of it all and viola!  within fifteen minutes we have what we owe and what we get back.  Our cost for this service has gone up since his grandfather, who did our taxes for free, but it is still worth it.  Hubby and I went back and forth before we left the house; he was concerned about a couple of totals and I kept telling him that we have receipts to back it up.  If we ever get audited, we're good.  Finally it sunk in what I was saying and he may have mulled it over (and over) after I walked out of the room.... but I can take only so much fear mongering and I'm done.  If I have receipts and I'm honest with what I'm claiming, then it is all in God's hands!  And God once again answered my prayer.  "Please let us break even."  Enough back from State to pay for Federal.   Done and done.

And we both are already talking about keeping better track of things this year rather than just throwing into a folder any receipts.  It appears we both started last year - he said he kept track through March; I kept a spreadsheet until April.  I think I need to put it on my calendar to update expenses every week, or at least every month.  It sure would make things easier.  I write notes in my calendar of appointments, expenses, donations, etc. so I go through my calendar, my bank account, my credit cards, and all my receipts and all my notes.... and then I am pretty sure I have everything.  But I know that I missed some.  Oh well.  It's all on me.  Either keep better records on mileage and expenses or deal with struggling to put it all together once a year.

So glad it's Friday.  I've noticed the past few weeks come Thursday evening I am exhausted.  True, part of it can be age.  Part of it can be the stress of my work.  Part of it is just life.  And that's why I work out and try to eat better, to get past all this tiredness and stay strong.  I'm wanting to do a workout here at home as well at the gym.  I just need to get over myself and my self-consciousness of hubby KNOWING I'm working out and then asking me all kinds of questions.  Or just watching.  But he would have to turn in his chair to see me, so maybe I can get in a half hour at least with the weights.  I do want to get a couple 20 lb barbells.  Hubby got me a 17-pound kettlebell weight last Christmas and I do use it for squats.  It's easier to hold than the barbells.  My trainer, who has been making me do stationary lunges for the last month has already 'threatened' me that he is going to have me do 'walking lunges' now.  That means I have barbells in each hand, take a step, and go down on one knee, keeping the other knee at a 90-degree angle.  It is tough. I'm hoping to get some practice here at home.  I know I can build my strength, and I want to.  I enjoy working out.  I just don't want any questions about what I do or whatever.  I'm not sure why that is a problem for me... I think I know... and it probably goes back 40 years ago.  Or less.  But regardless, it's all on me.

Like I said, I do enjoy working out, but unfortunately, I also enjoy eating.  But I've been doing better and eating better.  Only one piece of chocolate yesterday during a stressful period.  Or was it an annoying period.  Regardless, only ate one piece of chocolate.  Last night, after we got the taxes completed, we did stop at Red Robin; I had received a gift card for Christmas and hadn't used it yet.  We both got salads.  I really wanted French fries.  You know, the bottomless kind?  But, we both resisted and got salads.  I forget where we were, but I had a bad hamburger somewhere recently, so my desire for a good hamburger has kind of waned.   It wasn't bad meat; it just had no taste.  And there is nothing like eating a hamburger that has no taste to it.  Right?

Hubby is starting to rush around to get ready for his Bible study this morning.  That means I'll have a couple hours of quiet with no interruptions.  But, when he returns, he will come in here, sit down in this chair, and tell me about the study, about the conversations the guys had, and what his day looks like.  I patiently sit in my desk chair and listen.   These weekly meetings for him are so vital to his well-being.  Our trainer and I chat a lot as I work out and he told me Wednesday that hubby teared up while talking with him. When I looked at him questioning, he said that hubby noticed that our trainer was preoccupied in thought and was quiet.... and thought that our trainer was mad at him about something. That's what he asked our trainer - 'are you mad at me?'  Hubby is becoming so overly sensitive about things.  I realized that hubby is so desperate for people to like him.  So desperate for people to make him feel valued.  So desperate to be wanted and included.  No wonder I'm exhausted by the end of the week - it's like having another child.  And at my age.... just saying.  LOL  He's so afraid of the process of getting older and giving up some things that he should give up.  I get that.  As we get older we tend to hold on to things because we think we can still do them the way we always have.  And I imagine I will be the same way.  I always pray that God will help me have a clear and focused mind as I age.  The body can fail me, but keep my mind alive.

I Timothy 5:1-2 (NKJV):  Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

Regardless of how we feel or what we think about our older generation (myself included in this), treat all with respect and build them up, for their time is short.  Speak respectfully, correct gently, and love unendingly.  Many times all we 'old folks' want is respect and love.  When we sin, correct us, but be clear, and be gentle.  Sometimes it takes us a little while to get past our pride of being 'reprimanded' and hear what you have to say.  Show us by example of how we are to live, just as we show you.

Most of us will get older.  When our time comes and our life ends, let there be no regrets.  Love others as you want to be loved.

Blessings!

A quiet day perhaps?

 Both of my big bosses are out on PTO today.  I don't expect it to be a busy day - but these are the days that sometimes can be the worst.  Why?  Because I can get pulled into other things because, somehow, people just know that I may have some 'free time'.  But, I will need to take off mid-afternoon as we have an appointment to get our taxes done today.  Which reminds me.... someone needs to let me know if I need to give them money to help with taxes as I cashed in an insurance policy.  But then, as I think about it, I don't recall getting any1099 or tax paperwork from the insurance company, so perhaps it wasn't enough to report.  Or did it come with the check... if so, I'm sure I passed that information on to the the party involved.  Hmmmm.... now that thought will plague me this morning.

UGh - this is an erase morning, I see.  I know I ramble a lot on here... and I had written a lot... but it wasn't of much value so erased it.  Lucky you.  I read it a second time.  You don't even have to read it the first time.  See.... there I go again!

We have one more RV park message to give and then we are done for this season.  Next time will be in November.  We've already gotten the schedule from the RV park in town, and should get the schedule (if they want us back) from the one up north this week.  Hubby spoke last week up north.... usually he doesn't ask me to critique him... it's usually 'did I do well?'  Well, this time he asked ... and although I was nice and gentle, I told him.  He took a 15 minute message that had no substance and dragged it out for twenty-five minutes by talking.......really........slow...... with no emotion.  He read it.   Up north they do a video and post it on YouTube so when they sent me a copy of it (as they do for both of us), I sent it to him.  I critique myself when I get mine - because it helps me see where I need to improve.  He told me the other night that he watched five minutes of his, and he could see immediately what I had told him.  I didn't know it, but he told me that about 5-10 minutes in to his message, a woman got up and walked out.  I usually sit up front so didn't know it.  Now that would make me feel funny!  But, we would still have to continue on.  It could have been anything - she may have gotten a phone call; she may have needed to leave early; she may have gotten sick.... it could have been any reason she got up and left.   I just couldn't leave.  LOL

I have a message prepared for this Sunday and I need to work on it and make it more presentable instead of thoughts all over the place.  Maybe I will have time to look at it today. Since both bosses are gone, perhaps I can look it over.

My devotional today was on idols... specifically spiritual idols.  As a rule, we don't have idols set up in our homes to worship - but sometimes we hang on to spiritual idols.  What are those?  Spiritual idols can be the things we put before God.  Things like friends, TV, going places.  If we fill our time up with them, and not Jesus, they CAN (not that they are) become idols.  Especially if we put them before going to church.  Another example can be hanging on to anger, bitterness and hurt (yeah, these are the ones that got to me - sometimes I do that.... just a bit longer than I should).  

Oh, I see that was something I erased.  Ok, I'll try to share a bit... hubby came home last night and said that he and his friends (and their spouses - which includes me) are going to meet for dinner on March 29th.  Ok.  He tells me to mark it on my calendar.  As I add it to my phone I notice that it is for a Tuesday night.  I commented that the guys chose a Tuesday night versus a Sunday night.  He said yeah, they would have a break in their lesson so decided to just use the Tuesday night.  I looked at him and commented that I usually am doing something on Tuesday nights - AND I am working all day.  His comment back?  "I forgot you do something on Tuesday nights."  Now mind you, he has been meeting with these two guys for probably 6 years; I have made plans with my daughter most every Tuesday night for the past 3-4 years.  And he 'forgot' I may have something planned?  It hurt.  He grumbled he could see if they could change it if I insisted.  I told him to leave it be.... but after working all day, I don't really like getting cleaned up.  I don't have to if I'm meeting my daughter, but to go out to dinner with his friends and their spouses - that involves nicer clothes and makeup.    Ok, so I've gotten lazy in my dress codes the past two years of working from home.  In fact, March 13th marked two years that they sent me home to work remote.  My hurt of his neglect of remembering that I also may have plans on Tuesday nights I've been hanging on to.  I'm irritated.  I'm hurt I'm not as important as he and his friends are.  But you know what.  I'm going to let it go.  I can make arrangements another night if my daughter wants; it's NOT A BIG DEAL.  I can give up Tuesday night with her.  It's just that 'he forgot I was important too'.

See - that was a big paragraph to explain all that!  So for those of you who read this - this is an important lesson to learn.  And that includes me.   Never assume that your spouse - or your children - can readily fall into your plans as you make them.  ASK them first before making the commitment.  Let them know they are valued and if they have something they would rather do, give them that choice.  Don't make the commitment then tell your family this is what I've scheduled - and they have plans already.   It can save relationships when you put others before your commitments.  

Just saying.

Have a good day - I've run out of things to share today.  And it's late.  And, in this case, I DO need to put work first so I need to get out of my jammies (no, I don't work in my jammies), comb my hair and wash my face.  No, I don't put make-up on either.  Maybe a little for the tax guy.  And then we will probably grab an early dinner out.  Win win - right?

Blessings!