Needles of Hope was fun yesterday and I was there 9-12PM. That was the beginning of my day. From there I headed over to see Ms. Amy, to pick her up and take her to her home next door to us. When I arrived, she was still eating her lunch....very slowly.... so I sat down and let her finish her lunch. Then she had to put her leftovers away in her little refrigerator and wash her dish. Finally we were on our way. She had to go through every drawer, and both walk-in closets, and a trunk, and a few plastic tubs. There was nothing I could do but stay out of the way. She wanted to take 5 tops and 5 pants, some shoes, a little jewelry. She pulled out numerous tops and pants. Once she had gone through everything, then she went through what she had pulled out, making decisions for 5. And then she took 3 coats with her and gloves. It was after 4PM before I got her packed up to take back, and after 5PM before I got back home from unloading her things and her back at the assisted living. And there was no way I could help her go through things... I didn't know what she wanted to take. So I sat in the chair and watched. She said next month she would ask her former caregiver 'Patty' to come help her. She will have to pay her to help, but that's ok... she can afford it. I kept my mouth shut. I don't mind helping when I can; but she kept saying 'Patty knows where I put this, etc.' and I had no clue - so let's let Patty do it! :-) On the way home I called hubby and told him to meet me outside; we were going out for dinner! I hadn't been 'home' since I had left that morning, although I had been just next door. I couldn't leave Ms. Amy alone. I was tired even though I hadn't done much; I was in bed around 8PM.
And today is Sunday and soon I will be moving about and getting ready for church. Hmm, that's odd. It's 6AM and Free Chapel hasn't notified me they are online. I just checked - must have something going on in Georgia; they are not online and it's time. I usually listen to them while I write and the finish up. Guess not today. Oh wait - time change! Daggone it - they won't be on until 7AM today (I remembered all by myself - proves I am finally starting to wake up!) They are back to 7AM and 9AM versus the 6AM and 8AM they have been on all summer. Oh well. Maybe I will watch it on YouTube later.
I don't have much on the agenda today other than church. With being gone nearly all day yesterday, I just want to stay home. But, what will I do? I don't know. Maybe crochet, maybe knit... would like to sew but my eyes have difficulty even with the magnifier to thread the needle. Maybe take a nap? Maybe bake? I could do that and still do other things, right? I still have plenty of time to get baking done for Christmas. No rush. Can't believe I don't have something in the back of my mind that I want to do. Hubby will probably want to watch the rest of Chosen. I'll have to keep him awake, I'm afraid.
Colossians 3:23 (NIV): "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."
Whether it is cleaning houses, taking out the trash, baking a cake, hanging a clock.... (just had to throw that in).... everything we do should be done joyfully, as if we are doing it for the Lord. And, we should always do our best. Working on a project? Do your best. Doing something for someone? Do your best. Have a job? Do your best. Humans may pay us for doing things, but when we work and do our best, we are always honoring God. It is to Him we give what we do as an offering.
It was so nice to be off work on Friday. I can't tell you how good it felt to be on my own and able to do some thing. LOL Hubby has not mentioned my moving the grandkids graduation photos to the back room. Has he noticed? Surely he has... he walks past that wall numerous times during the day. I commented to him last night about hanging up the 'other clock' I had taken down to put my new one up. Well, he said, he has to.............. and I interrupted... "IT ONLY TAKES ONE BIG NAIL IN THE WALL" Oh, but we need to make sure it won't make a big hole in the wall and make sure it hits a stud to hold it in place..... I finally told him he was a bigger procrastinator than I was! That made him mad and he disputed it. LOL I just looked at him - it only takes one nail in the wall and a hammer. He was home all day by himself. Could he not have figured it out? He knew where I wanted it; I had already told him where. I'll start to do it this afternoon, and you watch, he will grab the nail and hammer from my hands and pat himself on the back for getting it done. I'm hoping he will step out of the house for five minutes; I'll have it done in that time. :-) Yes, I am a procrastinator, fully admit it. But daggone it... he truly is worse!
With just being off Friday, I have 71 messages ready for me. Guess I will jump on the work computer this afternoon and weed my way through them as Monday is going to be busy with working on the board retreat stuff. I don't enjoy doing that because I don't have all the information I need. I have to fumble my way through it.. and it irritates me no one gives me the information I should have first. I think I have a 1:1 with my favorite boss at 8AM so that will be my highlight of the day. Looking forward to talking with her.
My boss (and friend) is buying us tickets to go to the Christmas House again this year. This is the third year and we take off work; I drive to Mesa, and then we ride together to where it is. We have a wonderful brunch with all kinds of food, then go through a huge mansion that has been made available by the owner.... and it if filled with all kinds of crafts that we can buy. I bought several little things last year and gave as Christmas gifts. I looked it up last year and the tickets are $60 a piece! I told her that it is my Christmas gift from her... but she just laughs. I am so grateful I have a boss that loves me and I love her and we enjoy doing things together. We'd do a lot more if she didn't live in Mesa and me where I am. The few years we didn't work together, we'd still meet once a month and walk 3-4 miles and then stop at Einsteins for breakfast and coffee, talk awhile and then head to our homes. And, when we both retire, we may go back to that again.
Have you started to think about what to do this month and next? Two big holidays that I love to celebrate. Why? Because I get to be with family. Well, for the most part. My heart aches for what was... but I cannot do anything about it. Other than pray. I've seen hearts change... many that you would be surprised to hear about. But it isn't for me to tell. God still does His work in people's hearts and minds. Some are still unwilling to let go but God is still working on them too. I miss having Thanksgiving at home.... but hubby can't handle a lot of people at a time.
I'm actually glad we do Christmas one family at a time now. It is easier to see how one reacts to a special gift because we have our attention on them. Yes, I will be busy with cooking three meals - but you know what - it's ok. I love to cook and I'll cook whatever they ask for. It's my gift to them. Well, part of it. Some gifts I can't wait to get opened! LOL Will tell you something funny. My little sister has always criticized me because we have one person open one gift at a time (mainly so that Tom can see what 'we' bought for them) so that we can see their expression - do they like it - do they not like it, etc. She always let her family and all the grandchildren rip one gift open all at the same time. Has always done it that way. Well, she has mentioned that last year she was disappointed because she wanted to see some open a special gift she had purchased - and they just opened it, looked at it, laid it aside, and reached for the next gift to rip open. No comment, no exclamation of 'I love it' or anything. It's how fast can I get all my gifts opened. And many she missed getting to see opened. She says this year she is going to make them do one at a time. See, there is some good that has come of the routine we do. I didn't always like it, I admit. Mainly because when all the family gathered, it took so long to get through the opening of gifts. But now that it is one family at a time, I enjoy it much more. I can see if they really like it and if it was something special I wanted to get for them, I can get a photo when they open it. Yeah, I love Christmas. For some of the grandchildren, it is the only time I get to see them. And that's life.
Well, I need to get up and get moving this morning so will hush. Maybe tomorrow i will have something exciting to share. God is always good, He is always faithful, He is always loving and kind, full of forgiveness and has His arms open for us always. Some days I know I really need that, and I'm sure there are days you do too.
Take a moment and thank Him for always being available to you.
Blessings!
