Hubby that is. He monitors my time more than I do. Almost (seriously!) every day he comes to the door at 4PM or shortly thereafter, asking me if I was done working for the day. I've gotten to where I just ask him if he is the hall monitor and checking on me. Last night was no exception. I had turned off my computer at 4PM, but had stopped to look at my phone and it was 4:10PM and here he comes, headset on his head from watching TV (so that I can work without having to shut my door at the TV noise - best purchase I have ever made for him!). "Are you having to work late? Are you done for the day?" I again commented on his monitoring me.
Usually I get off the computer and then go right into the kitchen to start dinner. He had had lunch with a friend so I didn't think he was hungry - he usually isn't - and I had fixed myself a TV dinner for lunch so I wasn't really hungry - I didn't plan to cook dinner last night. We have plenty of food in the refrigerator and TV dinners in the freezer if he was hungry. And he was. And he got mad cause I wouldn't cook him a dinner. In all fairness, I did offer to heat up a TV dinner for him, but I was tired, didn't feel like cooking dinner and wasn't hungry. He was 'snippy' to me most of the evening because of it, I assume. He did fix his own TV dinner and sat in the kitchen and ate it by himself. That poor man would starve if I should die first. He is constantly thinking about his stomach.
Some days I just stay a little longer in my 'work area' just because I don't want to 'do life' in the other part of the house. Just a few more minutes to gather my thoughts and decide what to fix for dinner before rushing out to the cabinets to look and see what's in them.
I won a basket - have I already told this? - from work labeled 'Cooking with kids'. My first thought was that I'd divide up everything between two great-granddaughters here and give them as Christmas gifts. Then I decided that I wanted to enjoy them too - and cook with them. After all, it is labeled 'cooking with kids'. There are three small pieces of equipment in the basket - a donut maker, a waffle maker, and I think one is the French toast maker. Then a bunch of mixes and silicone bowls, measuring cups, etc. My friend who handed over the basket when I picked it up knows how much I talk about my great-granddaughters and told me she wanted to see pictures.
So since I can't make it to Tucson any time soon - heard the family has COVID - I'm heading over to my daughter's house tonight with my basket. She will have a great-granddaughter there and I'll let that little one bake at least a couple things and then bring every thing back home with me. My Tucson granddaughter still tries to come up and bake cookies at Christmas, although for a few years she couldn't. Perhaps when she comes up with her daughter to do that, we can also play with these. I love cooking with my grandchildren and their children. That always makes me feel like I have a purpose; and they bring me so much joy. I can't wait to cook with these two! I'm sure the one tonight will be easily distracted, but the other is old enough and helps her mama so she knows what to do. Praying for their healing so that they can perhaps come up here soon.
Psalm 16:11 (NKJV): "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Just as much as I have 'fullness of Joy' when I am with my grandchildren or great-grandchildren, in God's presence we can also have fullness of joy, As I sat here and thought of what verse I wanted to share today, the three words 'fullness of joy' came to mind. And when I hang with my grandchildren - and the greats - I do have fullness of joy. I get amused when I hear about my children getting excited about seeing their grandchildren. NOW they can understand why I always wanted to hang around MY grandchildren. Fullness of joy.
So what else do you get 'fullness of joy' from? I also get it when I can bake or make something for someone and give to them. I love making the baby blankets, the afghans and giving them away. I enjoy making food items and giving them away.
Hubby and I were out for pizza the other night and brought a couple pieces home in a box that we couldn't eat. Our neighbor to the right had just gotten home from work and still had her garage door up so I went over to visit for a moment. As we talked, I asked if she had had dinner yet and she said no - so I offered her the two pieces of pizza - and she was thrilled to take them! We briefly talked about the upcoming holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here before we know it!) and I said something about loving the baking time and making different things and giving them away. She turned and asked, "can you put me on your list of recipients?' I laughed - of course I can!
This is what I love to do. I'm not so good at entertaining, but I do love to fix things and give them away. I suppose I ought to start making my list and what I want to do. Usually I give my neighbors a loaf of cranberry pumpkin nut bread - but perhaps it is time to do something else. I'll have to go through my cookbooks and see what I can find to make. I have learned how to make a chocolate cheesecake this year. That would be a fun dessert to make and give away - MOST people like chocolate. I do need to be aware of those who are diabetics too and not give them anything too rich.
Well, the clock is ticking away and I'm rambling again. My prayer for you today is that you will have 'fullness of joy' in all that you do. May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord turn His face towards you, and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
Blessings!
