I've been having Saturdays for a few days now - and today feels almost like Monday. And yet, it is only Thursday. I awoke around 4-ish, as usual, and then dozed off and on until I felt a pin prick close to my knee (a nerve?) and it caused me to jump out of bed! I got up, and since I work hubby at (it was nearly 5:30AM by this time), he got up as well. Only he was more productive than I. It's recycle pickup day since they didn't yesterday - he took our recycle out, made my coffee and brought to me. Yes, I'm spoiled. Although I complain sometimes about it. I'm a big girl and yes, I can make my own coffee. But it isn't worth the battle to make it myself. He likes talking 'it's in the Bible' - He-brews. Get it?
Yesterday was a good day, albeit different for a Christmas day. I'm usually hustling around cooking and this year there was none of that. Well, I did go ahead and fix bacon and eggs and pancakes for breakfast after I got off the computer yesterday morning. Made the salad later and we headed to the daughter's for a mid-afternoon lunch (lunner?) and us girls started working on a puzzle while the guys watched football. After a couple hours hubby and I decided to head back home. I did go see Ms. Diane last night and I could barely get a word in edgewise. I guess she was trying to make up for my not visiting her for about 3 months. I will go back and visit in a few days. I've got to stay in touch with Ms. Diane and Ms. Vicky - they don't have many other visitors. Ms. Diane's daughter and boys do come to visit almost daily, but Ms. Vicky generally has no one to visit often.
Hubby and I had talked about running over to the gym early this morning.... wonder if he remembers. Do I want to go? Not really. But if I talk myself in to it, I can go and walk the treadmill while he uses the weights. I can wait until Monday when I will more than likely have a scheduled training. I did buy hubby and I an additional 5 training sessions for Christmas. Morgan was going to try and work 3 sessions in a week for 5 weeks to use up the extra. That extra training may be the turning point for me to drop some of this extra flab.
We also have our 21 day fast coming up after the first of the year. We try to do it when Free Chapel does theirs so it is January 5 - January 26. Hubby and I are discussing what to fast. He always wants us to do the same thing 'together'. I told him that I am really wanting to do a true Daniel fast - which is fruits, vegetables, water for 21 days. Daniel was more healthy after 21 days eating just fruit and vegetables than those who ate all the other foods! It could help me (us) physically and mentally. Hubby does get on this 'protein kick' on how we need protein and I usually give in and then fix chicken and fish. But then, maybe I'll just go back to my standby of BBCD. No Bread. No Beef. No Chocolate. No Desserts. It really is tough to do, trust me! It is easier for me to remember, and if we go out to eat with friends, I don't have to give an explanation of salad, no dressing, please. And since our RV park friends are here now and we eat with them occasionally, it might be easier.
The importance is not in WHAT we fast, but WHY we fast. Hubby asked me why I was going to fast - what specifically was I going to pray for. And, if you know me, some things I like to keep between God and me. I will write out by January 5th specific things I will be praying for. And, yes, many times it includes my children, health issues, situations, problems, etc. And yes, many times it also includes me, and hubby, and our relationship with each other and with God. Our relationship is difficult to explain, let alone live through. Hubby is good to me, but he doesn't always let me do what I want to do. LOL I had written some things down with sizes of what I 'wanted' for Christmas. At the bottom of that visible list I had added 'permission to retire before I die'. I really expected at least some comment about that statement - but - he did not mention it. And no, I did not get 'it' for Christmas. Having extra money is nice, I admit, and I would have to give up a lot more than he would. And I'm leaving that there.
We are moving quickly to the end of this year and looking ahead to a new year. 2025. Who would have thought we would ever see it?
Good grief! It is 7AM and it's still dark out - and I hear the landscapers outside blowing leaves! How do I know this? Cause I can hear the blower - but he has triggered the lights next door and ours in the courtyard! Christmas in the middle of their week messed up their schedules I guess so they are making sure to get us done to catch up on others. I remembered this morning that I had not gotten anyone to cover for me today or tomorrow - it shouldn't be a problem as two of my bosses are out as well. I will just on (maybe) sometime today and see if there is something urgent I need to get done. After all - it's the gym and crocheting otherwise. This is a taste of what retirement would be like for me, perhaps. Good news is that tomorrow morning hubby will have his Bible study (he has already asked for 7 loaves of my bread to take to the guys for a late Christmas gift) so I will have a few hours alone. Oh my goodness, what will I do in that 2.5 hours?? Maybe I'll get ahold of my girlfriend, Melonie, and ask if she wants to go do breakfast. Or not. I may just sit here and enjoy the quiet of the morning. Or bake. I DID get two new cookbooks for Christmas from my sister and I can't wait to try some of those recipes!
I do want to make more cranberry strawberry jam - my trainer said she wants me to make her more and she will pay for it - she likes it that much! But, of course I won't ask her to pay for it. I do want to make more - we like it too! I do still have a few jars left, but I need to go get more pectin and jars. It doesn't make that much at a time, but I did get about 14-16 jars out of the two batches I did. First time I made jam that came out perfect. Of course I want to make it again! I have cranberries and I have strawberries - I just need pectin and jars. I bought the reduced sugar pectin - and I dropped the sugar down a cup. I wonder if I could drop it a little more. May not try it, it was perfect with what I used. That could be a store run (or maybe I'll do a pick up order) today.
And now I'm rambling so will close this off. I just might start on this bed and get it cleaned off now that I don't need to be wrapping any gifts. Pack my wrapping paper away for another year. I have plenty of things I could be doing - maybe I'll have things to share tomorrow that I've completed - but don't expect it. I'm on 'vacation' from work, after all.
Have a great day!
Blessings!
