Working out early today

 Yeah - today I have an 8AM training with Morgan.  I only got one in last week as she was sick the second day.  So did I work out on my own?  Nope.  Lazy?  Yep.  But, in my defense, as little as it is, I did get on the rebounder for 30 minutes last night - I'm not really 'feeling' it yet, but may before the day is out.  I did sleep sound last night - perhaps I should get on it 30 minutes every night!  I don't really like taking off work to go to the gym, but Sue lets me, and I always get my work done so she doesn't care.  It isn't often - although I think it is Thursday I have a 1:30PM training.  I consider it my 'lunch break', although I'm gone a bit more than an hour.

Hubby and I have cut back on our eating lately; I guess eating enough at lunchtime that we just snack for dinner.  Win-win for me, right?  We had left-over tacos yesterday for lunch - and I think I ate two of the mini cucumbers and about a dozen or so Utz Pretzels (they have 10gm of protein) for dinner - and I'm not really hungry yet this morning.  I won't eat before I go to the gym, but I will fix a shake when I get home. I may go ahead and drink a premier protein shake before I go to the gym - because I didn't eat last night. Then fix a real shake when I get home.  With working out, and eating less, I need to eat my weight in protein - and because I weigh more than I should (don't go there!) right now, that's a lot of food! I have not been able to do it - not even close.  

Our neighbor who checks on everything in the neighborhood text'd me at 6AM to tell me we had a package outside our gate.  I can always depend on her to let us know when things are not as they should be - and she will also let us know when we forget to shut the garage door.  It isn't always hubby forgetting; sometimes if I go out the garage door, like to take trash out, I sometimes forget to put it back down.  I'm glad we have a neighbor who isn't afraid to let us know.  So I went out in my jammies at 6AM to pick up our package.  I think I know what it is.  I bought a new scale that is like the Inbody we have at the gym - what I like about this one is that it will not only tell weight, but it will break it down as to how much is fat, how much is muscle, etc.  That is important.  You can weight 120 pounds and have a BMI out of range and lots of fat - and very little muscle.  Mine definitely isn' t where I want it to be with a BMI of about 29, I think it is, and yes, that is high.  My goal is to get my BMI down to about 10.  Eventually.  To do that, I have to build my muscle in relation to how much fat I carry around.

Hubby's hearing must really be gone without his hearing aids.  Seriously.  He is in his 'office' reading.  Our neighbor text'd me about the box.  I went out, opened the front door (it makes noises, of course), unlocked the screen door and opened it.  The gate squeaks (which I like cause it tells me when someone is coming into the courtyard) - and I come back in with the box, lock the screen door, lock the front door, and come back in here...... and hubby didn't even get up out of his chair to see what I was doing.  With his hearing aids in, he would have been at the door as I opened it, wanting to know what I was doing, what was in the box, etc.  He doesn't even know I went outside!   Perhaps that is why I am alert at all noises during the night?  It wouldn't do any good to wake him if I heard something - lol - he would start yelling "what? what? why did you wake me up?" cause I'd have to speak loudly to get him to hear my explanation.  Just a fact of life.   Who knows, I may get there at some point - although I hope I don't.

We are supposed to have 'group' at our house tomorrow night - but I haven't heard from our leaders yet. I'm wondering if they are wanting to step back from being the leaders.  Personally, I think meeting every other week or even once a month isn't enough.  They seem to do a lot of traveling as he retired, and she currently isn't working.  I guess they haven't lived here very long; they are from Washington and she resigned her job there and has been trying to find a job here.  In the meantime, they travel back and forth to Washington (grandchild) and Disneyland, and several other places.  She's going to Thailand in October, I think it is, on a missionary trip.  She wants to move back to Washington; he doesn't. Anyway - we may - or may not have group tomorrow night.  I feel we need to meet every week or for sure every other week.  But the problem is, if anyone is out (think of when we were sick), they won't meet.  Although the last time I told them to go ahead and meet because it was getting too far out.  I'm thinking of just starting our own group and meeting more consistently.  We haven't met for a month now.  Will see how that goes - the leaders should contact us today to confirm - or do something.  If not - I'll check with them later tonight.  Maybe move to next week if they aren't available. 

Psalm 119:35  Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.

Think about that verse for a moment.  Ponder it.  When we walk according to God's Word, following His commandments, we can find our joy.  Seriously.  It doesn't mean life will be perfect, but we will have His peace when we walk in Jesus' footsteps.  When I'm holding back my impatience at someone, when I'm trying (cause it isn't always easy, but I need to try) to say or do the right thing, my joy is found in Jesus alone.  When I am impatient, when I speak words I usually end up wishing they didn't come out that way, I find myself grieved in heart because I know I am not walking the way I should.  Does that make sense?  Let's choose to follow closely the path of His commands, and find our joy in Him.

Blessings!

Good morning, world!

 Yeah- that is about the best my energy is this morning!  I had a 7:30AM training with Morgan - we did core - and she had me sweating!  And I only glisten - not sweat!  Even my hair got wet!  She laughed!  I kept asking her if she needed to go pee - so that I could quit.  She made me finish all three sets except the last exercise - and I had dragged out the time so much talking that she only had time to run to the bathroom before her next client.  And you know what - that one minute I didn't have to do that last exercise was well worth stopping for!  I'm hobbling around like an old woman!  My left hip has still been hurting - even with rubbing Voltaren on it - ever since I got bit by those bugs, I've had days of pain in that left hip - and no one will listen to me.  They can't see anything, therefore, what can they do?  At least I get a bone density this year in September so we may be able to see something - although it more than likely will see the bone weakened.  Just call me hop-a-log.  (remember Hop-a-long Cassidy? LOL)

Came home after working out, got back on the work computer.  Hubby headed off for his 9AM training with Morgan and I made a cup of coffee and grabbed 1/2 of a cherry turnover.  Yes, I weakened last night at the grocery store. I bought myself Cherry turnovers (ate half of one last night, put two in the freezer, ate the other half this morning, and have one left for tomorrow) and Apple Fritters for hubby. I think he has forgotten about them - but once I remind him they are in the other refrigerator, he will start eating them. Yes, I like them too, but they have way too much sugar for me.  Well, to eat a big one anyway. :-)

The youngest son is planning on doing a ceremonial swearing in with his youngest son at the VFW at 10:30AM on Saturday.  We plan to attend. He only has the hall for 30 minutes.  His son has decided he needed a break and is driving up north to visit his mom and brother for a days.  He kept telling my son he may have to work on Saturday, and he kept being told "then schedule for 12PM for work" - but give him 10:30-11AM.  I sure hope he does for my son will be so disappointed if he doesn't. My son plans to wear his dress blues.

Afterwards they plan to take the grandchildren (my greats) to the Wildlife Zoo and we were invited to go along. I told him I couldn't as I had a hair appointment - but hubby said he'd still go if he didn't have to drive.  My son said he could fit him in the car.  Ok- that works.  Then, later last night the son calls - having a bit too much beer, I'm sure - and started talking about whether or not I was going cause he wanted to go to the base to get tickets; they are less expensive there.  After us going back and forth a bit, I finally told him I'd go and cancel my hair appointment, to get tickets for both of us.  I really wanted to hang with the great-grandchildren anyway - but had already scheduled my highlighting.  Well, I called Joe this morning and I'm going to take a couple hours off work tomorrow and he is going to work me in to get my hair done before vacation.  I'm going to start getting it highlighted and head back to my grayish hair.... I can't afford to keep the brown, and if I ever retire, doing my hair will be one thing that will come far between trims. If I can't afford the brown while I'm working, then I know I can't afford it when I'm not - right?  So - long story short - I'm getting my hair done tomorrow - and will go to the wildlife zoo with family after the swearing in on Saturday.

Looking at the bulletin board in front of me - I see a few of the quotes I have added over the years.  "Make the Sacrifice.  Take the Risk.  Draw the Circle" (Mark Batterson from The Circle Maker).   "God can't take you to your future if you can't let go of your past".  (Jentezen Franklin).   "Define your Dream.  Claim your Promise. Spell  your Miracle."  (Mark Batterson)   "Most of us don't get what we want because we don't know what we want". (Mark Batterson).

Those are just a few of the notes I have on my wall.  Some scriptures, some work notes. My preaching schedule for next year. I frequently glance up there and read the quotes. They are there to encourage me to not give up.  What I wish for, dream for (retirement, in this case) may not be in MY timeframe, but God will pull it together for me when it is time. I just have to be patient, whether I want to be or not. Look how long it took me to get hubby to even 'agree' (albeit reluctantly) that if I wanted to retire, I could.  Because of his delay, his lack of enthusiasm for my happiness... it has messed up our relationship - but that's on him.  I think he knows I won't be like him, sitting at home day after day.  I will find something to volunteer for - even if it is cleaning the bathrooms at church!  He has never been one for manual labor - ever - so his retirement years of TV, his phone, and his recliner is perfect for him.  Granted, give me a good book and I'm happy, but I still need to get out and do things.  You know that many things that we do together - is because I am doing them and he doesn't want me to have fun without him. LOL  Not putting down, stating facts.  Like going to the zoo.  He doesn't like to walk - so this will be interesting. I will carry the cane, even if he refuses to use it. I'm sure after awhile he will be willing to!  He usually does a lot of sitting and wanting to leave early. At least that happened a few years ago at the Phoenix Zoo.  He does ruin a lot of my fun... just saying.

And this isn't a bashing so I'm going on to another subject.  Just give me a minute to think of one.  Hmmm.  Mama quail is still sitting on her nest. I swear she is huge now - or looks that way when she spreads her body over all the eggs.  I did manage to drop some water on a few of the fringes of the plant while she was away. 

I did manage to get (I think someone is baking brownies - they sure do smell good!  I don't have an oven so it isn't me!!)  - wow, got distracted by the smell. Now what was I going to share that I managed?  Oh yeah - I did manage to get about 4 of the trainings out of the way yesterday for work. Just got notice they have added another.  Have about 16 to do yet, I think.  Sigh.  Gotta do it.  I will definitely NOT miss having to do those!  

And with that - it's time for hubby to be home so I'm getting off here and getting back on my work stuff. Oh- he just sent a text he was heading to Walgreens.  Sue just sent me a meeting to schedule.  Then back to working on the trainings.

Have an amazing day!  Be kind to someone today.

Blessings!

Getting trainings completed

 Well, I was able to get 3-4 of the mandatory trainings done yesterday as my bosses pretty much were busy yesterday and didn't send me a lot of work.  I still have several to go - like I'm guessing about 18 of them but haven't counted. That would be too depressing.  I have this 'quiz block' that happens whenever I take a test, and even though some of this stuff I know, most of it I don't because my job doesn't require me to have anything to do with it.  So I have to make sure I read through everything.  And I cheat a little...  I screen print the reading so that if I can't figure out for sure the answer to the question, I can search for it.  It's not really cheating.... I just don't retain things like I used to. Especially with all the distractions I have throughout the day.  And they give us all the material.  I did find with two of the quizzes I didn't have to look at the notes, so I just deleted them when I was finished.  This stuff isn't part of my job, and it has nothing to do with me, so it is frustrating to have to take it - or lose my job.  The only consolation is that even the president has to take all these trainings as well.  As do all my bosses.  My one boss and I both work on them as we can because when the lists come out of who hasn't completed them, we don't want our names on them!  And, we don't want to have to take our personal time to complete them so try to complete them during the work day.  In years past, I know some who give up a weekend and just sit and take one test after another.  Nope. That's MY time and I'm not willing to give it up for trainings.  I try to knock out at least one a day - I have until June 30th, but the sooner I get them done, the better.

I think hubby had a decent birthday.  He got lots of birthday greetings, which brought him joy.  He had training yesterday morning and then went to breakfast with a friend who wanted to take him out for his birthday.  He 'asked permission' to take a nap in the middle of the afternoon (will you get mad if I take a nap? I think that is asking permission.) and slept almost 2 hours.  It was interesting he asked as this happens when he sits in his recliner in the afternoon.  Regardless, he asked.  As I got ready to go for my workout, I asked if he wanted to go out to eat after for his birthday or come home and I'll cook.  He said it didn't matter, so I pulled chicken out of the freezer and put in a bowl of water to thaw while we were at the gym.  But then, at the gym, I was teasing our trainer - should I go home and cook hubby a birthday dinner or go to Popeye's (which is right next to the gym).  He looked at me and said 'go home'.  I protested with 'but it's hubby's birthday!' and he laughed and said "go to Popeye's".  So I told hubby he had a choice - chicken and veggies at home or go to Popeye's - and that our trainer had said Popeye's was his choice.  LOL Hubby immediately goes "Popeye's!" so that's where we had his birthday dinner.  Got home, the thawed chicken went in the refrigerator for lunch today, and he ate a large piece of strawberry pie for dessert.  He wanted to watch a movie, but I didn't, so he watched FBI while I listened to an audible book.

I have read this book before, but just haven't pulled it off the shelf. I had downloaded it for free several months ago so wanted to listen to it.  The Bait of Satan by John Bevere.  I would encourage you to read it.  I think it was chapter 6 last night that gave me pause.  He talked about living without offense. He referred some to leaving churches because someone or something offended you... and I had to think back over the years and also where we are now.  I know God was wanting us to leave the one church, and I believe that He orchestrated things to happen that confirmed we were to leave.  But, in my heart, I know that I still felt offended by something the pastor did. I have no idea where that pastor is now, but he caused a lot of people to leave rapidly.  But I haven't felt 'home' at any church since.  Still struggling where we are, but realize I need to be praying not only where does God want us to go, and if where we are we are to stay, I need to be praying that we don't leave until God releases us from that church.  In all of John Bevere's books he makes me ponder and think about where I am, what I think, my reactions to things - and it's all biblical.  That's what I love about his books.  He doesn't pull punches.  Either you follow Jesus completely, or you are of this world.  You can't pick and choose when you want to follow Jesus or when you want to do your own thing.  I'll give you another example another time. I have the book I'm thinking of, but want to read it again as well.  But, bottom line, 'being good' isn't good enough to get you in to heaven. 

Romans 14:11 (NKJV):  For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue confess to God."

Romans 14:11-12(TPT):  For it is written, "A surely as I am the Living God, I tell you: 'Every knee will bow before me and every tongue will confess the truth and glorify me!'  Therefore each one must answer for himself and give a personal account of his own life before God.

Everything we do - every action, every word - we will confess before God when we come to His throne. We often think we have plenty of time; we feel healthy, we think we are doing good, so nothing is going to happen for a long time, right?  How wrong that thinking is.  We never know when our time will come to an end.  It could happen in a car accident.  Some of you who have been in accidents that are serious, know how close it was that your life could have been taken.  Just walking across the street one can be injured.  There are many things that can cause what we would all 'a premature death'.  And those of us who are older, we know that anything can happen to us.  Yes, I've often thought about my life and if I would 'be ready' to kneel before God and be accepted into heaven.  I can't judge anyone else on their life, I am too busy confessing all my known and unknown sins that I will be in heaven!  As you know, I am not perfect, by any means.  

But I love Jesus and I strive to follow Him and follow His teachings from His Word.  Reminds me, at the last service I gave at the RV park, a man came through the line and said he wanted to ask me a question.  It was an interesting question, and I had to pause and then confess the truth.  His question?  "Are any of your children faithfully in church and serving the Lord?"

My heart broke.  I had to respond with the truth.  I did say that one or two go to church occasionally, or watch online, but no, none are fully following Jesus.  That is on me. I didn't give them the example to follow and that is my fault.  But then, I was not given the example either, although I was brought up in church every week.  Our home life was definitely not a Christian home.  We used to say that we didn't have to watch the fights (boxing) on TV; we had the 'Friday night fights at our house every week".  I wasn't raised in a Christian home.  I tried to raise my children in one, but I obviously did not succeed in that.  I know I did a lot of things wrong.  I hope they have learned from my mistakes and choose to rise above my mistakes and chooses Jesus about this world.

And that is what I often pray for them.  Choose Jesus.  Follow Him.  He is the only way to live in this world.  I keep thinking I need to go back to fasting once a week for them; I used to, but got away from it when we left our first church.  Today would be a good day to start.  If you need an incentive, National Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 2nd.

What are you doing for your children?  Are you praying for them?  Not only for their safety, but for their salvation?  Maybe today would be a good day to start for that. Think about it.

Blessings!