Brrrrr Monday morning!

I told my hubby this morning I am so glad that God gave me the opportunity to retire in the coolest part of the year - it is cold out this morning and the thought of having to go out in the cold to go to a job - brrrr!  I know I will be in it before too long anyway, but for now, it is nice staying in until it warms up (maybe) a little bit.  I think the high is to be 54 today.  Maybe I will just stay in!  I just 'don't do cold' real well.

Got to visit for awhile with a girlfriend from work last night.  It was fun catching up on things with her - and hear her tell me that I am really missed at the office!  That is always good to hear.  I commented a few times when I visited awhile back to 'make me an offer I can't refuse' - then I slap my head and think 'WHAT are you thinking?!!'   LOL  God gave me this wonderful opportunity and I want to go back?  I really did not like the long drive to and from work.  Lots of people on the road that don't know how to drive.  And they probably think the same about me at times. 

Being off work this past month has really been good for me.  I feel I am more relaxed and pretty much rested - except I didn't sleep well last night.  Had planned to go to the gym with Tom this morning, but I was awake at midnight, finally got up at 1AM, went back to bed at 2AM, was awake at 4AM - finally got up around 6AM I think.  Dozing off and on while I was in bed didn't give me enough rest.  I may need to take a nap this afternoon!  Bummer!   I don't know why I couldn't sleep - I was sleepy and tired when I went to bed.  Am I getting too relaxed?  I know we need to get back into our workout/walking routine.  We did so well the first part of November and after that it seems like one thing after another kept us from it.  I'm re-evaluating how to get my exercise in.

One of the things I thought about during my wakeful time was New Years Day.  To set the scene for you to see, I am a woman who loves traditions, loves doing things with my family, loves being with my children and grandchildren.  It brings me so much joy to just be near them.  I wish I could be more often other than just birthdays and holidays.  But, they have their lives to live and so do I.  Perhaps that is what got me thinking about this.

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, we do get together some time throughout Christmas Day, when it is convenient for them.  The boys usually come here and bring their families around lunch time.  Later in the afternoon we all head over to the daughter's house.  We all stay there until later that evening then again go our separate ways.    New Years is another holiday we always got together.  Well, I guess it was about 7 years ago when Tom wanted 'us' to spend New Years Day together and we didn't do anything but stayed home.  I was so depressed and so sad.  It wasn't what I wanted; I wanted to be with the grandchildren.

But this year it is different.  I mean, I STILL want to be with my children and my grandchildren, but the grandchildren are older now and don't 'want' to just be with grandma.  And that is ok.  I need to let go.  I need to let my children have their own precious memories made for their children.  Of course that means that mom doesn't make the BBQ ribs and the coleslaw with the quarter in it.  No black-eyed peas, which I am sure will break their heart.  Most of my children and their spouses work - so this is a real holiday for them.  True, I did most of the cooking and they just had to eat - but it is a day they could be relaxing at home instead of driving wherever we plan to meet (which this year could possibly be an entirely different place!) and then watch TV all afternoon - or, perhaps play scrabble. :-)

So - my dear children.  As you read this, please give me your thoughts.  What would you like to do?  I don't think it will be possible at Mary's this year - and Stuart you have to drive so far - and Delnora would possibly appreciate an extra day at home just to relax before going back to work.   Should I fix things here and make it 'come and go'? - which I am willing to do.   Unfortunately, we don't have anything for the grandchildren to do here - no computers for them to play on.  It can get boring for some.  But, if everyone doesn't arrive at once, we could possibly keep peace by doing it in stages.  Or, perhaps we need to just see if someone needs help that day and volunteer to help with what is needed.   I can always fix a pot a chili to take to someone's house so we can continue helping in other areas. 

Trying not to say too much and yet say enough.  So, my children, please give me your thoughts.  Since Tom does have me to himself most of the time now, it won't be like before.  This is one of the things I was thinking about during my wakeful hours.  It is my New Years gift to you.  Some traditions are ok to stop, and to create new ones.   This may be one of them - not to say that another year we may agree to get together for mom's BBQ ribs, coleslaw and black-eyed peas. 

I love you all so much and love being with you.  I pray blessings for each of you, especially in this coming year.  Sounds like there may be changes happening.  Whatever you do, wherever you go, remember always that I love you and am praying for each of you.

Waiting to hear from you before I go buy the ribs!

Blessings!

Holiday Confusion? Part II

Alas, Amazon responded this afternoon!  I have received a nice note thanking me for notifying them of the received packages, and they sent me five return labels to have the boxes returned.  So, now that I don't get to keep them, I guess I will share what they contained.  Although it is fun to keep the kids guessing - only two asked what they were.

We received in the first box - 4 Seiko men's watches.
In the 2nd box a watch by Invicta
In the 3rd box a watch by Ann Klein
In the 4th box a watch by Stuhrling
In the 5th box a watch by Michael Kors

What in the world would we do with 8 watches?  I DO love watches and have several but all of these seemed to be for a very large wrist and would not fit mine, for sure!   I have printed the return labels and will get these returned tomorrow back to Amazon.  I'm glad it was that easy.

Still have lots of shopping to get done.  It sure would help if I had lists - although with the two grandson lists that I have, it's hard to choose what to buy.  I wanted to get a musical instrument for one of them, as requested, but I'm finding a good one is beyond my budget for a grandchild.  So - back to square one.  And how in the world does a grandparent know what DS game they don't have and what to buy?   Just a 'DS game' sure does not help when someone as DS-illiterate as I am needs to buy a gift. Oh well.

Been also checking the ads for a Doberman.  Yes, I want a Doberman.  Female, young.  Would prefer spaded already.  I did find a place a few weeks ago that I have to complete an application for and they will come interview us to see if we could take care of a Doberman.   Just the entire email conversation has me reluctant to contact them.  But, if I haven't found one elsewhere after Christmas, I may send in the application.  I'm just a private person and don't care for people asking personal information.  I may end up going with a puppy just so I can get what I want.  Wanted one already trained, spaded and all the other stuff, but my issue is they must like kids.  We have lots of grandchildren who love dogs and I don't want the dog - nor the grandchildren - to be afraid of each other.  Will see how this ends up.

Today is Sunday and it has been a cold day (if you call 50 + degrees cold) and after church and doing shopping for Angel Tree I have stayed at home.  Will probably watch another Christmas movie or a chick flick later this evening.  We went on a personal retreat up in Northern Arizona Thursday - Saturday then spent time in Prescott Valley - in the snow!  Yes, we had to drive home in the snow.  Tried to download a photo onto facebook of the snow on the trees but after about 20 tries I gave up.  I need my granddaughter to help me I guess.

So how are you preparing for Christmas?  Done any shopping yet?  Got any great ideas?   Hopefully we can get our Christmas things out tomorrow and start putting things out.  I want to go through and get rid of a lot of the decorations I don't use anymore.  I gave the grandchildren all their Christmas ornaments from years past last year - and the one from this year.  Now it is just us!

Blessings!

Holiday Confusion?

I'm not sure what is going on what Amazon in Lexington, KY but they have gotten ahold of our name and address and are shipping packages - unordered - to us.  When the first package arrived yesterday, I chatted online with Amazon and gave them the order number that was inside the box.  They had customer service call me.  I again gave the order number.  She said she couldn't find the order in the system "so just keep it, we have no way to track it."  I didn't like that idea for it clearly showed someone had been charged nearly $300 for these items.  So, I googled the company where it came from and sent them an email - which goes through Amazon.  I have not yet gotten a response.

This morning when I opened the front door - I found 4 more boxes from Amazon, Lexington, KY, sitting on our porch.  I opened each one.  Each was a different style, but same item as the others in the first box.  And there is no information, order number or anything within the box as had been in the first one.  These were shipped to us without any information at all.  And this time, no company name on the box - just from Amazon, Lexington, KY.

So, as before, I plan to chat with Amazon and see if I can't clear this up.  I find it funny in that I have several of these items because I like them.  Not anywhere this expensive though.  It is interesting that 4 identical items arrived in the first box, and the next four boxes contained only one - and much different.  I know I have you curious now as to what it is, but if Amazon insists that I keep them for no tracking information, my kids may get them for Christmas gifts!  LOL  Got to keep them guessing!

As I have sat here and thought about it, I'm asking God what is this all about.  Is it something that He is trying to tell me?  I can take it many different ways; different scenarios.  Hmmmm.... stay tuned on this one.  Depending on what Amazon tells me today - or anything I receive from them prior to Christmas on returning or keeping the items - will keep you updated.  I'm trying to keep an open mind as to what this is all about.

So what has surprised you lately that you weren't expecting?  Is it a promotion?  Loss of employment? Sickness?  A special gift you received - or were able to purchase for someone that you didn't think you could?  Did you receive an anonymous gift from Amazon?  What is God showing you in this - is He just blessing you in some way?

Blessings!

Shopping?

Wow - it isn't even December yet and I'm already shopping a lot!   So glad I'm not working so that I can go in the day time when others are at work.  It sure does make a difference!  I'm hoping to finish shopping by the 2nd week of December so that I can focus on my baking and canning. 

Finished up two of the grandchildren yesterday and got a good start on a couple others.  No, I don't buy a lot of gifts anymore - just a couple per grandchild now.  I try to focus on my children and their spouses - they do without all year to provide for their children - now I want to bless them.  Just  being a 'mom'.   Which reminds me of a true story...

One Christmas, many years ago, I was struggling with strept throat.  I didn't know it was more than a sore throat so I continued to bake, to can, to shop - just like every year.  At that time, I think we had only 3 grandchildren.  Anyway, I wanted everyone to come to "grandma's house" for Christmas morning first thing - just like when I was growing up and everyone came to my mom's house.  (I'm big on traditions.)  After we married, we always got the children together around 6AM on Christmas morning.  This Christmas was no exception to that.  I would cook a big breakfast and after opening gifts, we would all eat together, then they were free to go wherever they wanted for the rest of the day.  I would buy so many gifts - sometimes buying silly things to ensure that everyone had the same number of gifts.  Exactly.  Didn't matter how much I spent (which was never a whole lot), but everyone got the same number of gifts.  That year I remember it was 27 gifts apiece.  Of course we had to open each one - one person at a time - so it took us a little while to get through all the gifts.  I loved watching it all - but being sick, I could only sit in my chair and watch.

After the gifts were open and everyone went in to eat, I continued to sit in my chair when God spoke to me. Yes, I know without a doubt it was Him.   "You are selfish."   What?  Me selfish?  How can you say I'm selfish?  Look at all these gifts I bought and all these things I made - how can you say I'm selfish?  "You are selfish." 

As I sat there and thought about it, God revealed to me why He said I was selfish.  I wasn't selfish with material things.  I was being selfish in wanting my children and grandchildren with ME first thing on Christmas morning.  The grandchildren were not even opening their gifts at home - they were being awaken to come to grandma's house first. They would then either go to their 'other grandparent's house' or home to open their own gifts.  As God revealed all this to me, I realized He was right.  I was being selfish.

I called my children over and told them I was sorry, that God had revealed that I was being selfish.  Of course they immediately said 'you are not!' - so I had to explain.   I told them from then on, they were to have their Christmas at home first, and then stop by whenever they wanted to later Christmas day.  It was hard for me to tell them that, for I love being with them all and seeing all their excitement.

But Christmas is not about me.  It is about Jesus, his birth celebrated on Christmas day.  That is what we are to be celebrating - not giving gifts to each other.  But, of course, I still do that, just not in that quanity.  It isn't the number of gifts, it is being with family that you love.  (and perhaps some you don't!)

This year, think about what you do Christmas morning.  We start ours off with just Tom and I.  We open our stockings from Santa (yes, I still believe in Santa Claus) then gifts from each other.  Tom brings my coffee before we even start (is he trained or what!)  I fix lunch now - and whoever stops by around that time opens their gifts and eat when they want to.  Then later in the day we head out to our daughter's for a few hours.  They insisted on starting their own tradition of everyone going to see them.  Kind of like I was doing first thing, I think, but it is what they wanted.  It's not the same as by then it is crazy and everyone opens their gifts at the same time and I miss getting to see their faces seeing what I searched so diligently for them.  But, each family has started their own traditions.  And I have to let go.

Think about what you would like to change from Christmas past, then make that change.  Take time to celebrate Jesus and remind your children and grandchildren the reason for the celebration.  It isn't just about gifts, it is about loving each other too.   What is your tradition?

Blessings!

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens....

bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens.....  sigh.... what is it that Julie Andrews said when she sung this song in The Sound of Music?  When you are feeling sad, to think of your favorite things?

I'm not sad, but frustrated somewhat.  Cobra insurance is giving me fits this morning and hubby needs his eye meds.  So, if I go around singing about my favorite things, will that help me feel better?   I checked on this before I 'retired' and was assured no problems.  Yes, I mailed the check for the cobra insurance within a short time after receiving the information.  Perhaps it is caught up in the processing.  I sent Aetna an email this morning - and they have, in the past, been pretty good about getting back right away.  Hopefully we can get this quickly resolved and his eye meds in the mail.

Hubby has gone for a morning meeting with a friend and I have a little time alone.  Then he wants us to go to the gym.  I should have gone earlier this morning - I've been up since 4AM.  After that, I may run away and try to get some shopping done.  I tried to do some shopping yesterday, but I have no clue as to what anyone wants or needs.  I just walk up and down the aisles and have been walking out of the stores empty handed.  They had best speak up soon or they may get nothing.  Not that the children will care, but the grandchildren might!

I've decided that I like - and don't like - being 'retired'.  I enjoy the freedom of being able to do things I couldn't do before when working without scheduling specific times to do it.  I don't like my time being managed for me.   I miss working with others.  I enjoy people and miss the interaction.  I sent my resume to one place last week and will be checking out other places today.  If it wasn't for medical insurance, I wouldn't be so concerned about it, but at end of year, I will have none.  Although I am in good health, it is good to have 'just in case'. 

Regardless of how long it takes me to find employment, I know it will be in God's timing.  I trust Him.  When He provided me this opportunity to retire early, He showed me it was 'time' for me to leave where I was.  I began praying then that He would prepare where and what He wanted me to do.  I'm trusting in Him to provide.  Maybe it isn't in His plans for me to go back to work.  I don't know.  If it isn't, I'm still trusting in Him to meet our needs (not necessarily wants).  I will continue to look until He makes it clear that I don't need to.  To keep my sanity, I'm sure He will provide something soon!  LOL  I keep talking Starbucks - I hear they have great benefits! 

A few of my favorite things... getting away for a few days later this week for a retreat with God...  Hubby and I watching chick flicks...  Spending time with my children...  Spending more time with my grandchildren... Being available to serve whenever God sends me somewhere...  Having extended time each morning with God...  Baking and giving it away... Being with friends... Getting my fingernails painted by my granddaughter..

What are your favorite things?  What brings you joy? 

Blessings!

Day after Thanksgiving....

What a fun time we had yesterday with family and eating more than our fill!  Mary, Tom, Stuart and I played a game of scrabble - and in spite of bickering on whether words are authentic, using Mary's 1982 edition dictionary (which made us laugh for at the top it says 'for those who want to be right') that is very outdated - Mary won the first round.  Then Mary, Tricia (with Stevie's help) and I played another round of scrabble - which I won.  It was a lot of fun, food was delicious, and just being with family is priceless.

Reading on facebook it looks like a lot of friends ate too much - and then late last night went to the "black Friday shopping frenzy'.  Not me!  I figure I wouldn't save anything for I don't know what to buy anyone yet - and I would just buy because it is on sale - and then would spend more than I would otherwise!  I already have each of the couples their 'big' gift.  (Now when they read this they will try to figure out what it is! LOL)  I just don't know what to get individually.  I like to shop with the person in mind, looking for that special something that I either know they want, or would really like.  Going shopping just to get a good deal without anyone in mind to get it for - is useless to me. 

I did do the Black Friday shopping thing one year.  A girlfriend talked me in to it so at 5AM we were at a WalMart which was already across the front, down the back and going up the middle when we arrived.  When we got inside, me - having no idea what I even wanted to buy - just wandered up and down the filled aisles - finally found a VCR I thought I would give to someone (I think) that I got for $25 (this was maybe ten years ago) and stood in line.  For 45 minutes.  For just a VCR.  S T U P I D.  Decided that was the last time I would do that.  And it has been.  If I feel the urge to go shopping, I wait until late in the day - most of the items are still on sale and I don't have the crowds up against me.  I can't stand being surrounded by people pushing and shoving.  I have been known to put everything back out of the cart and leave the store empty handed!

There have been a couple things that have come to mind to pick up - and I may head out later this afternoon to check them out.  Then again, may just put on some chick flick and stay at home and watch it too. :-)  I have other things I probably need to do instead of shopping and watching movies.  I'm speaking at Pioneer Village on Sunday so should continue to review and work on my message.  My real focus on it will be tomorrow and again Sunday morning before heading up. 

Had a wonderful visit with Ralph and Ralphie, Nathan and David this morning for breakfast.  I love being with family.  After breakfast we headed to JCL-NM to visit a friend in the hospital.  Now we are back home and just getting caught on on things.  It is a beautiful day outside with the sun shining.  I think it is to be 70 today.  Maybe I can get Tom to go for a walk later.

What are you up to today?  Busy out doing the Black Friday shopping thing?  Getting your Christmas items out of storage to work on putting up?  (Hope I can do that this next week!!)  Take some time to remember someone who may not have had family and friends to be with yesterday.  Visit someone in the hospital.  Pick up the phone and just say you care to someone.

You may get a call too.

Blessings!

Thankfulness...

I have many things I am thankful for.  My life, for one thing, and certainly the life of my daughter, Mary.  God healed her ten years ago and we are so grateful to Him.

I'm thankful for my husband, Tom, who among other things, does the dishes every meal for me, makes the bed every day, does the laundry every week.  I'm thankful for my son, Ralph, who is always available to come check out our computers and anything else that starts acting crazy.  And I'm thankful for my son, Stuart, who always calls to tell me he loves me.

I am thankful for my childrens' spouses - that they encourage my children to keep in touch and let me know what is going on in their lives.  They are willing to share their family with us.

You know I am thankful for precious grandchildren that God has blessed me with!  I love and adore each and every one of them.  Princess Bethany has been with me three days this week, helping me clean out cabinets and painting my fingernails and just loving on me.  I have been so full of joy with her being with us.  This is the first time she has actually stayed with us - and stayed longer than a short evening visit.  I had so much fun with her - and I hope she enjoyed it as much.  She made Tuscany Bean Soup for dinner tonight - and my special salsa to take with her, share with her daddy, and left some here for grandpa.  She is such a blessing to me, such a joy.

Not to say the others aren't!  Stevie and Princess Tricia stopped by tonight with mom and dad - and I'm a sucker for their hugs.  They give REAL hugs, not the quickie where you think they squeezed you but aren't sure. 

I'm so blessed.  God has indeed blessed my socks off!  He has brought me so much joy with my grandchildren, my children, my husband.  Thank you, Father.

How are you feeling this Thanksgiving Eve?  Do you realize how precious you are to others?  How precious your family is to you?

The greatest thankfulness that any of us can have, greater than even grandchildren, is that Jesus Christ went to the cross to die for our sins, that we can have eternal life.  All we have to do is confess our sins, repent, and ask Jesus into our hearts - and give Him control.  Doesn't mean life is going to be easy.  One thing for sure, if you give each day to Him, it is His responsibility to help you through it, but you have to take your hands off and let Him work.  Trust Him.  He works for you!  He loves you!  

I am truly thankful for God's forgiveness for my past and that He gives me hope for tomorrow.  His mercy is far greater than my sins.

May tomorrow before you eat, you will pause to thank God for what He has blessed you with.  I will.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Blessings!