Tried something different

 in a way.  I read an article somewhere that one shouldn't sleep with a fan on them because the fan disturbs the body.  Huh. I thought it kept it cool. LOL Well, anyway, it said to turn the thermostat down to 60-70 degrees instead of using a fan.  I've asked hubby to turn our thermostat down to at least 74 - but he leaves it around 78 and has the fan going over the bed.  I told him what I had read and he left the fan off last night and turned the thermostat down to 72, I think he said. Did we sleep better?  Honestly, I'm not sure. I think he did.  I think I slept deeper when I did sleep, but although I was really tired when I went to bed, my body wouldn't shut off and let me sleep.  So the results are still out on that one.  Honestly, I did like it cooler and no fan.  I did notice I didn't wake up sweating during the night, which I usually do - and I don't sweat!  (I glisten).

Huh. Just got a text from my oldest brother - he is telling me to never ever ever - when using antibiotics prescribed by your doctor - ever, repeat NEVER accept Sulfameth/Trimethoprime.  He was prescribed it (for what I don't know) and after two pills - it sent him to urgent care and then he slept more than 28 hours.  I don't know what he took it for, but I'm thinking it was for his bronchitis which has lingered for months.  Another name that we will recognize (I googled it) is Bactrim - and that is what I took when I had bronchitis years ago - but it did not affect me like that - if I recall.  It may have caused me to sleep a lot, but I mark that up to getting better.  But, my brother is also a diabetic so it could have counter-hit him hard.   I hope he's ok!  He is 80 now and I'm glad he works at keeping himself as healthy as he can - but to be going to urgent care.... that is scary.

Today is my little sister's birthday and I've already called her and wished her happy birthday.  She said her son made a decision and told her this is the way it is.  Her youngest son will be arriving this morning from Tennessee.  At 1PM they will be going to the Mexican restaurant for lunch - then will come back to her house for cake and ice cream.  She's happy.  I guess that is what counts on the birthday, right?

I was able to get everyone to approve their timecards yesterday so I got my part done by approving them all - so now I don't have to get on the work computer on Monday.  Whoo hoo!  There are a couple people that getting them to approve their timecard is like pulling teeth.  It takes two-three reminders before they do it - and it did yesterday as well - but they did get their timecards approved before I got off the computer.  So I am officially on vacation now.  I've toyed with the idea of us leaving tomorrow and staying somewhere and finishing the drive Monday - just to get out of town.  But, hubby needs to do his laundry yet (I 'upset' him cause I did my laundry was he was out on Friday. :-) He says that is HIS job) and we both still need to pack. Not much - I will throw in a pair of jean and a couple t-shirts and clean underwear and I'm ready.  We're only gone 3 nights and 4 days.  We may eat out at a nice place one night near the hotel so I may relent and take a dress just cause.  Or not.  Everything is so casual out here jeans may be ok too.

Not much planned for today.  I'm planning on fixing breakfast for us this morning and I may fix some and take over to Ms. Diane to get her to eat - and take some strawberries over to her as well.  Then take some strawberries over to Ms. Vicky.

Strawberries?  Oh yeah - I picked up four cases of strawberries yesterday and washed and hulled them and put the majority in the freezer last night.  We have plenty of strawberries now, for sure.  I need to find more recipes for using strawberries.  I love the strawberry delight that is frozen and so yummy.  And of course we use strawberries in our protein shakes.  I can use it for homemade ice cream, and of course there is also my strawberry cranberry jam.... I think I saw a recipe for strawberry bread.  Doesn't really appeal to me, but I've never had it so guess I need to make it and try it - right?

I read something earlier today, and I don't have time to write it all out now, so hope I can remember tomorrow or even Monday to do it.  I don't have time now because before I started writing in here, I was 'overcome' with sleepiness - and because I could - I went back to sleep and slept nearly an hour, I think. My body needed it, I guess.  Sometimes one needs to just give in and let it happen, right?  And I did. I still was up early this morning and I guess the thought I didn't have to get on the work computer let me relax enough to doze for a bit. And it felt good.  

2 Corinthians 7:1 (NKJV):  Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

I had to look up in my study bible what that could mean.... and it basically means that we should stay away from those who influence us to do sinful things.  I can actually use an example.  My little sister has a neighbor whose every other word begins with 'F' and she is very crude and hard. My sister continuously asks her NOT to speak like that around her - but the neighbor does it anyway.  So my sister steps away for awhile.  If she hung around her a lot, she would start using that word because it has become a common word to her mind.  Does that make sense?

To me, it is the same as watching violent TV shows and movies.  Some REALLY uses a lot of that language that is (in my opinion unneeded and unworthy) and if you constantly watch them, you find those words coming out of your mouth even when you don't mean to say them.  

And with saying that, I feel we have so much violence (in my opinion) in this world because our children have been brought up watching that violence and they think it is ok and the norm to go off on people and beat them up or shoot them or whatever. They think it is normal.

As Christians, we are to stay away from those things that will cause us to sin - whether in word or action.  Don't hang around with friends who influence you to do things that you know are not right.  I have cut out some things in my past.... certain types of books I used to read are no longer on my bookcase. I don't read them.  Did I enjoy them when I read them?  Yes I did.  But, I know that I should not be reading those types of books and have stopped.   

We have Christian authors who write very good romance novels and I have read a few. I'm just not a reader of those much anymore. I do read my friend Jenny's books and post reviews for her to help her sell her books, but even that is few and far between.  They are good books, but I'm just not in to romance novels anymore - even historical romance like hers are.

And.... I am starting to ramble so will hush and get off here.  It's almost 9AM - unheard of! - and I should go fix breakfast. I hear hubby walking around and you know he is waiting on me to cook for him. I skipped lunch yesterday and so what did he say he had for lunch?  A stalk of celery and ... something else, I don't remember.   Last night we ran down to Jack in the Box for 'dinner' since I was buried in strawberries.... and it occurred to me that it was like I had another child.  Sometime I wlll elaborate on that, but not now.  

Have a great day!

Blessings! 

Sunday before the holiday

 Yay - we have a three day weekend - and I'm grateful.  Don't have anything planned at the moment except that I am going to get some baking done.  Will more than likely take a nap after church today, since I was awake at 2AM for about 20 minutes - wide awake.  Finally was able to turn over and go back to sleep until 4PM  - and I told myself I was NOT getting up - and dozed until nearly 5AM and finally got up.  I'm getting so lazy I think.  Could it be the weather?  What excuse can I use for laziness?

My thighs and butt are still extremely sore from the lower body workout on Thursday evening.  I'm beginning to think I am too old to do all these crazy exercises.  It hurts just to stand - sitting I'm not too bad, but try to get up and I have to stand in place for a few seconds just to determine where I am going to hurt.  And when I sit for lengths of time... oh my... I can barely walk!  But I do so want to gain better core strength, better balance and better strength overall.  That's why I'm doing what I'm doing.  It's not so much to lose weight - I can diet and do that or do a lot of walking.  I want to build strength so that I won't easily fall and hurt myself later.

I do need to get on the work computer either today or tomorrow morning and approve timecards - I think I will do it today so that it's done and over with. I approved my timecard last week so my boss can easily approve mine and be done with it.  But these others I have to approve.  Oh well.  I'll 'ger 'er done'.

There are two birthdays coming up this week - a great grandson is having his first birthday on the 5th, and my middle child and oldest son, who allowed me to start the monthly celebration with him last Friday, is having a birthday on the 6th.  I am so grateful for each of my children.  I love them 'more than they will ever remember', as my granddaughter always tells me.  Hopefully that comment isn't a prediction of my mental health as I continue to age!

Life sometimes requires good ole elbow grease - do you agree? In families we quickly learn where to put the 'grease' so that things will run smoothly.  We help others when they feel down, we listen when they have complaints, we offer solutions to problems, we are there for them always.  I read a story in my devotional today that I am going to share.

The story is told of a little girl who questioned her pastor when she was confused by his sermon. He'd said she could ask Jesus to come live inside her heart. But then she inquired, "Isn't Jesus a man living up in Heaven?" When the pastor replied that He is, the little girl exclaimed that if she invited Him to live inside of her, He would be sticking out all over. And the pastor responded emphatically, "That's right!" 

The same thing is true for you and me. If we have invited Jesus to live inside us, people should see Him "sticking out all over" by the way we handle situations and interactions all throughout the day.  The apostle Peter, who tended to be an impulsive hothead when he was younger, wrote these instructions toward the end of his life to followers of Jesus:

I Peter 3:7-9 :  "All of you, live as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."

Challenge for today..... "Is Jesus sticking out all over you? How would your family, friends, and co-workers answer that question? Examine your daily interactions. How has God blessed you, and how are you sharing those blessings with others?  On this day, ask God to open your eyes to fresh opportunities to bless peole in the name of Jesus.  Then do so.

Blessings!

Asking and receiving - two different things

 Yesterday was almost a 'do nothing' day.  We went to church - which had an excellent message about doubting God.   How many times have we asked God for something, but then doubted that He would answer our request?  Now that is if we haven't asked amiss, for our own pleasure.  For example, many people will 'pray' for God to increase or bless their finances.  And they may really believe that because they are a Christian, that God is going to answer their request.  But the reason they want their finances increased is so that they can spend it on frivolous things, or things of no value.  

James 4:3 (NKJV):  "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures."

Doesn't that make you pause and reflect on the things that you have asked God for?  Or perhaps you haven't spoken to Him for awhile.  Is it because you doubt He will provide for you?  Our Heavenly Father loves to give good gifts to us.  When we ask, we should believe that He is more than able to provide; and although it may not be in OUR timeframe (like, right now, Lord!), but His timing and His ways are always better.

I can look back over the years and I can clearly see God's hand of provision in many different ways.  He also allowed us to fall when we chose to things our own way, or if we were acting in total helplessness.  We weren't depending on Him; no matter how much we prayed for something.  And He allowed us to fail in what we were doing.  I mark a lot of that time to be being naive and immature in the world.  But it taught me many lessons on being frugal and seeking Him on how to complete things.  Many, many years ago... I learned to cook from 'scratch' because we had no money for food.  Looking back now, I realize how valuable that time was.  I gained a love of cooking and making things that weren't from a box or premade.  

But there have also been times that I/we have prayed for things that never came to pass... and you know what?  It was a good thing that God said 'no'.  Things have always worked out - sometimes we would just overreact.

Guess what just popped in to my mind.  Remember when the year turned 2000 and people were told many, many lies that computers will shut down; banks will close, etc. because the 'big computer' could not move from 1999 to 2000.  Many people purchased food packets and who knows what all; wanting to be prepared.  And there is nothing wrong with being prepared.  Did we do it?  No. I believed that God would provide whatever we needed and we were to continue as if it was a regular year.  And we did.  Nothing happened anywhere.  It was all a hoax put on by whomever.  What a joke.  And people fell for it.  They doubted that God would provide.

God wants us to ask Him for things, for He loves to give to us.  But we should ask according to His Word and not for our own pleasure.  Extra money for groceries; I'm sure He will provide in some way.  Spend way too much on credit card debt and ask God to pay it off?  Probably not going to happen.  Seek God first; and His righteousness.

Yesterday was a good day.  After church we stopped at Noodles and Company for lunch.  Hubby hadn't been there and it had been a few years since I had been.  Hubby enjoyed it; got a shrimp and noodle something or other.  I got a salad, but didn't notice they added a spicy yogurt dressing to it.  Wasn't too impressed.  They don't give you a lot for what you pay for.  My salad was $11.25 and it fit a large cereal bowl; drinks were $3.00 each.  I did get a diet coke because I don't buy sodas for home as a rule.  BUT, this is why I also get water most of the time.  Prices on drinks - even ice tea - are ridiculous!  I used to carry tea bags with me and ask for a cup of hot water - and make my own tea!  (and if you also asked for a glass of ice, you could make your own ice tea. Just saying).

After lunch I changed clothes and headed over to see Ms. Amy at the assisted living.  I was to pick up a check from her to pay a tree guy who is to be coming today to trim back her trees.  For $750 I sure hope he does a good job.  LOL  She also wrote me a check for a bill I paid to her landscaper who came out to trim back one of the trees last month.  I didn't look at the check until I got home - I had to laugh.  Now she has not been feeling well the past few days so that would explain it.  On the envelope she spelled my name correctly, but on the check she wrote (first name) Noverest.  I had to chuckle.  I'll just sign it that way and then sign it correctly and deposit it this morning.  Love that I can just take photos and it gets deposited.

After visiting with Ms. Amy for a couple hours I stopped at the grocery on the way home and picked up what I didn't get earlier.  Then home to fix dinner and after the Suns game, hubby turned the TV off and I was able to read some.  I love the quiet of the evening.  Hubby doesn't so much.  It drives me crazy he is on his phone all the time, but, that's his life.  I choose not to make it mine.

Today is 'timecard Monday' but it doens't take me long to approve them now since all are salaried.  I check to see if they took any time off (it's on their boss' calendar), and check the timecard.  If it is good, I just go ahead and approve it.  They can still approve it as well - and I'm done with it.  Remember how crazy it used to be?  I was new to approving timecards and was afraid I'd make a mistake.  But - I got past all that and now it doesn't take long at all.   I'm hoping for a 'quiet day' at work so that I can work on some of the training things I need to complete.  Trying to do at least one a day.  My frustration is that many of these trainings do not apply to me or my job, but it is plan wide and therefore everyone has to complete them.  When it gets closer to time (we have until July 10 to complete) we are to finish, compliance starts sending out name lists of those who haven't completed them.  I always check my name first; then I check for my boss' names.  Then I really chuckle if I see our President's name on the list!  It's nice to know we are all 'made' to complete these trainings and not just specific people :-)

I still have plants to get planted today in the pots (just realized that since only one of Ms. Vicky's pots were usable, I may have too many plants.)  Oh well, will figure out a place to put them in the courtyard. I should get out there early this morning before it gets too hot.  Will need to bring up the work computer and see what's on the agenda for today.  Tomorrow  I will be doing a drive down to Tempe to meet my boss for lunch, but today, it's just work.

My list will move to perhaps next weekend.  Although, Saturday is hubby's birthday and I still need to  find a gift for him; not sure what that will be.  Maybe I'll take him out to an early dinner - not our usual haunts but maybe Longhorn Steakhouse.  He does like to eat his steak and this place is quieter so that we can talk.  There is one not far from here.

With that - guess I'm starting to ramble about 'things' so will hush up.  Hope that your day is amazing and you accomplish all that you need to.

Blessings!