"This won't hurt.." LIAR!!

 It DID hurt!  Yes, later after I had written the post yesterday I decided to go ahead and get the COVID test done just to confirm I don't have it.  Of course hubby has to go get his too.  (you can start shaking your head now).... just saying...

I scheduled appointments at Banner Urgent Care to get the covid testing done.  After sitting for an hour (and I was smart enough to take my crocheting to do while waiting), we were called back into the room.  Both of us.  At the same time.

The girl does Tom's vitals first as he is sitting on the bed/bench and I'm leaning up against the wall.  Everything is fine for him.  Then she asked him if he had had any symptoms.  Are you ready for this?  "I have somewhat lost my sense of taste."  I turned and looked at him - and thank God I had a mask on for the look on my face would have been priceless.  "So", she asked, "when did you notice the loss of taste?"  He responds 'About two months ago."  I am dying, trying to maintain composure.

Then she wants me to get on the bed/bench to take my vitals.  BP up which really didn't surprise me as I was out with hubby.... enough said.  Do I have any symptoms?  None other than this crazy headache which I feel is the barometer pressure form the weather.  So since I'm on the bed/bench, she decides to stick that q-tip up my nose first.  I about came off the table, I'm telling you!  Was not expecting her to push it into my brain - and it hurt!  I kept telling myself, Relax, Relax!!

Hubby went next and he 'only winced once he said' and it 'wasn't that bad'.  Yeah, well, it was that bad for me!  I looked at the girl and told her I must be unique cause it hurt!

We had to wait for the provider to come in (I think so that they can charge for an Urgent Care visit?) so when she comes in, she is VERY concerned about hubby and his loss of taste.  Again, he is asked the question, and 'when did you notice this?' and gave the same response 'about two months ago'.  I'm totally dying here.  I had already told him that they wanted to know if it was related to the covid virus.... so anyway... the providers asks him if he has talked to his doctor about it and he says no.  She suggested he talk with his doctor about his loss of taste.  Then he says, "well, usually when 'she' cooks (pointing to me) I can taste it, but sometimes it just doesn't taste like I think it should."

So of course we get the 'will know the results in 3-4 days; in the meantime remain quarantined for 10 days from today.  If we start showing symptoms, we can go back and be retested if we want to confirm (I am NOT - NO WAY!!) if the test results come back negative and we develop symptoms.  OR, we can take tylenol and a DM cough syrup if we need it and just ride it out.  Any severity of breathing issues, chest pains, etc., we are to go to the hospital.  

I asked hubby when we got in the car  'why did you tell them you lost your sense of taste'?  He responded that they didn't ask him if it applied to just this week.  He also started complaining about what was he going to do about his men's group tomorrow, Tuesday night, his speaking on Sunday - does quarantine mean he can't do it?  I explained yes, if he is truly quarantined, then he must remain home.  HOWEVER, with that being said, he has had no contact with our neighbor.  My contact has been brief - and I took precautions.  I feel we are ok.  But, he says, I have been exposed to you!  So I look at him and say, 'well, if I don't have it, I think you are ok.'  But, told him he has to make that decision on tomorrow morning with the men and going to the church.  I'm staying home as a precaution since I had direct contact with Ms. Amy which gave me some exposure.

Ok - you may not think the 'losing the taste' part was funny, but I thought I was going to die becaues I wanted to laugh so badly. The doctor even checked his throat to see if she saw anything.  I have no idea what he was thinking.  But of course I had to share because I was about to die laughing inside.  I'm still shaking my head when I think about it!

But - I feel we are both fine, but I will stick to the quarantine 'just in case' the ride to the hospital and back did start something.  And we will know in few days the confirmation of negativity.  Interesting... Ms. Amy found out her results in 24 hours.  And it will take 3-4 days to get our results.  Hospital versus urgent care.

But I am thankful that we both are healthy and that I have no fear of contracting the virus from Ms. Amy.  Like I mentioned, we both were cautious, even when we didn't know the cause.  Wearing the masks at least alleviated any fear I could have had.  But I am enjoying sleeping in the other room.  I am so serious - I am sleeping all through the night.... and not being awakened by hubbys tossing and turning.  I actually feel like I rested last night and woke up before my alarm went off this morning, and it felt so good to just lay there and 'be still'.

So glad today is Friday.  I have a few things I need to get done today- still haven't watched the instructions on doing timecards and really should do that today.  I'm grateful for my job.  I never thought I would still be working at this time of my life, but it helps me keep some sanity and focus.  How do people manage doing nothing once they retire?  It's bad enough for one person - but what if two people did it?  Talk about a boring life!

Of course hubby is busy doing what he likes to do - going out to eat and meeting up with his friends.  They do a 'book study' ever so often, but when it's just one other guy showing up, they don't; they just sit and talk.  I tried to explain last week when he said only one (out of two) show up - he needs to continue the lesson because the other person isn't consistent and it makes the study not as important.  Either he does the study for just one or just quit doing it.  Just my opinion.

Well, I need to get moving I reckon.  Hubby is getting ready and will be leaving shortly.  I have this morning alone and I'm loving the thought of it.  Of course I still have Sheeba, who was acting sick yesterday and didn't eat... but just to be alone with my thoughts and able to work without interruptions and answering questions is nice.  

Missed going to my daughter's birthday celebration yesterday, but I would rather miss due to caution than throw caution to the wind and bring something to her.

I'm sure God is going to bring good somehow through all this.  I know this is long so won't go into a speel this morning about things going on in my mind. But I will ask you this question.... has God put something on your heart that you would really like to do, but don't do, and feel you can't do, because of skill set, finances or because you don't belong to Him?  What would you like to do?  What would you wish you had done before?  What can you do now?

Have a blessed day!

A little quarantine doesn't hurt, does it?

 I was being a good neighbor.   I check on my widowed 85 year old neighbor every once in a while because all four of her children live out of state - and she is alone.  Her son lives in California, her three daughters live in Florida.  She has lived in this condo over 20 years, from what I understand, moving into it with her husband who passed away I think 4-5 years ago, but I'm not sure.  And that doesn't matter.  Anyway, since she has no one, I try to check on her occasionally.

My daughter actually told me the other night 'that is what I love about you, mom, and that is you always look out for the older people who need help.' (or something like that.)  Made me think of Aunt Mae and Aunt Sue who I tried to help out on occasion.  Especially Aunt Sue.  She had no problem asking me to do stuff for her, even driving from Mesa all the way to her place here in Sun City - which ended up often being a 2 hour drive just to help her balance her check book and pay her bills, do her dishes, clean her house.

Anyway, I checked on my neighbor I think it was last Thursday to see if I could make her some fresh orange juice.  I had been picking oranges off her trees and juicing them up for her and for us.  I got the decanter and she mentioned that she had not been feeling good all week.  I asked her if she had called her doctor, and she had but didn't get an answer.  She was dizzy at times, she had thrown up after drinking coffee and orange juice (on an empty stomach) and had fixed tea in the afternoon and had spit it up.  I asked her if she had eaten - well, no, she was having trouble breathing so wasn't eating but was trying to drink a little water.  I made the orange juice and took it back to her later that evening.   I told her if she needed anything, to let us know.  Saturday I made chicken noodle soup and took some over to her.  

I always wear my mask, she wears hers, and we stand about six feet apart except when I hand her the container.

Sunday I took over some grilled chicken, mashed potatoes and steamed veggies because I was concerned she wasn't eating, which could be causing her dizziness.  She said she still had trouble breathing..... but had gotten in her car Sunday and driven to the grocery store cause she needed some food.  She forgot her mask once she got there so had to go to the dollar store and buy a mask so that she could go into the grocery store.  I chewed her out for going out when she was dizzy and not breathing well, telling her if she needed anything we could get it for her.

Tuesday I made potato soup (I think I'm getting my days mixed up) and was planning our usual girls night out with my daughter (granddaughter was taking baby in for shots so wasn't coming)  when we got the phone call around noon for us to take her to the ER.  She finally had gotten ahold of her doctor and they said to just go to the ER and get some tests done.  So I told my boss I was taking some time off and drove her to the hospital ER about 5 miles or so away.  We both wore our masks, she wore gloves and a jacket.  I actually thought she was doing better, but she said she was still having trouble breathing.  I drop her off - never making physical contact but allowing her to get in and out of the car.  When I got home, got the disinfecting wipes and cleaned out her side of the car, the car handle etc.  Around 4:30 she called and said she could be picked up, so I went and got her.  Again, she got in and out by herself, we both were wearing our masks, etc.  

You know where this is going, don't you?  I really didn't think she had COVID, and all she complained about was not breathing well - she's a tiny Hungarian woman with a heavy accent - and I was just doing what a neighbor should do.  And like I said, we were using the masks and there was no helping her in and out of the car, she did it on her own.  The hospital only gave her inhalers to use as needed.

Well, she called us last night to tell us she tested positive for COVID.  That really messes us my plans for the week.  Last night we were meeting some friends for dinner.  In fact, we were getting ready to head out when she called.  So I called our friends and explained it to them and left it up to them if we would still meet.  I'm feeling fine.  Hubby was never around her.   We went to dinner, kept our distance across the table, and didn't hug.

Today is my daughter's 52nd birthday and we had been invited over for her birthday dinner her daughter is to prepare for her.  I was to bring the salad and cake.  I sent my daughter a text last night after dinner and explained what we had found out..... and cancelled on her.   She understood and was glad that we were cancelling as the baby would be there too.  I certainly don't want to take any chances should I have picked up the bug somehow.

Tomorrow I was to have lunch with my boss and two doctors I used to work with.  We have planned this for two weeks.  I'm going to send them an email today and bail out on them too.  Sunday hubby is speaking at one of the RV parks, and I told him I am bailing on that too.  I'll see this through next week to make sure I'm not carrying anything.

In fact, I told him - and I knew he wasn't going to like it at all - I was going to sleep in the other bedroom.  If he wasn't speaking on Sunday and would be staying home, I wouldn't worry so much about it.  BUT, he is and will be around other people.  So I sleep in this room last night and slept very well.  Of course, in spite of his snoring when I got up in the middle of the night... he will tell me he didn't sleep well. LOL  

SO - you knew where this was going because of the title, I'm sure.  I helped our neighbor, and I'm glad I was able to do that, but I have obviously been exposed to COVID.  The closest we got was my handing her food and her riding in my car to and from the ER. 

We know to watch our temperatures to make sure they don't go up.  I've felt fine, although my coffee this morning made me feel a little nauseous but sometimes it does after I take my vitamins so I am not worried about that.  Coffee still tastes like Hazelnut - which is what I got for Christmas.  My taste buds are good. :-)  No fever ;-) those are good signs.  

I'm one of these people 'don't tell me I"m sick'.....  I will eat us out of house and home just to prove I'm doing just fine!  In fact, I'm thinking bacon and eggs for breakfast would be good... except hubby is still giving up bacon for the fast.... I'm doing the facebook fast this week... it hasn't been that hard, really.  I check the alerts occasionally and if someone has a birthday I will send a note, but I don't scroll.  I'm sure I've missed some important things... haha - but I don't lose an hour or so just scrolling.

It's about time to get to work so need to go get dressed.  At least I had something to share this morning.  I'm quarantined (my choice) for at least another week (I haven't been out other than going to the neighbors until last night in probably over a week).  I figure if I haven't shown any signs of sickness within another week, I should be ok, right?

But in the meantime, no birthday dinner, no lunch with my boss and friends, and no in-person church.  Oh well.  I'll probably stay home from girls night next week too, just in case.  Always better to be safe - than sorry.

Say a prayer for me that I won't get sick, please.  Hubby will quarantine me for a month if I am!  But the thermometer is handy and we're checking both of us for temps.  I wonder if I could use this as an excuse to take a nap in the middle of the day - instead of fighting it as I usually do?  I love taking naps.... just saying.  LOL

Take care of you - you never know who you are with if they are carrying a bug.  Even a little neighbor who lives alone (I don't know if she has even gone anywhere but seems like she went to church the week before).  I think I'll stay in quarantine for awhile.  sigh.  but it can be a good thing.  As long as I'm feeling ok.

Blessings!

Trying to wake up....

 I fell asleep (again) this morning.... only it was during my prayer time.  Ooops.  I finished my reading and had leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes... too lazy to get up out of my comfy chair... and as I was praying.... I fell asleep.  I think I sleep for at least 30 minutes.  The way I look at it, I probably needed it.  I did wake up at 3:30 this morning, but didn't get up at that time, laid there trying to go back to sleep for 1/2 hour but finally got up about 10 til 4.  Now I'm really tired and would like to go to sleep - again - intentionally this time - but I hate giving up MY time.  It'd ok if I fall asleep during work time ... (like that would happen)... but give up some of MY time - naw, I'll do all I can to stay awake.  Well, most times.  I can think of times I have sat on the couch and leaned back to take a nap in the middle of the day.... not often, and not every day... but sometimes..... sometimes from boredom, sometimes just because I'm tired.

Yesterday was a busy/non-busy day.  Work wasn't too bad.  I did have the 2 hour meeting I had to sit in and take minutes.  Other than that, only a few meetings to deal with.  I never got around to doing the lessons I have on time cards.  Am trying to think how I can get out of it today.  I think I am a procrastinator.  UGH  The truth is that I just don't want to do it.  But I have to so I may as well put on my big girl panties and just do it.

My day yesterday was kind of messed up anyway.  My 85 year old neighbor hasn't been feeling well this week.  I found that out when I asked for the decanter I had given her orange juice in last week - so that I could get more oranges and make more juice for us both.  She wasn't moving too well and said she didn't feel good, and was dizzy, weak, and having a hard time breathing.  So I started taking her over dinner so that she would eat, afraid that she wasn't.  I was right.  So yesterday it came to a 'head' and she talked with her doctor who told her to go to the ER for tests.  She couldn't drive, and none of her children are in the state.  I had told her we would make sure she had a way to get there... afterall, we are next door.  So she called yesterday around noonish and asked if I could take her to the ER.  I found out where it was - (positive) - and dropped her off.  She was there all afternoon while they ran all sorts of tests.  Finally about 4:30-ish she called and asked that we come pick her up, which I did.  I thought she really didn't need to go for I had noticed once she started eating she seemed to be doing better, except for her breathing.  Yes, they did a COVID test but she won't get those results for awhile yet.  Yes, I did wipe my car down with disinfecting wipes just in case.  And we both wore masks to and from the hospital.  I hope she will get better now; they did give her some medication for her to inhale to breathe better.  My daughter actually gave me a compliment last night when I was telling her about the day.  She goes "mom, I love that about you.  You are always taking care of the older people who need help."  I know she was referring to Aunt Mae and Aunt Sue.  I do miss the two of them, and now that we are living in this area, I think of them often.

I'm grateful that hubby and I have been somewhat active over the years - although we have slowed down quite a bit this past year.  I'm not even walking now since I don't have my treadmill and I can't hang on to Sheeba.  Although I am thinking of a way I can possibly walk Sheeba.  I had been told by one trainer that she is a 'working dog' and should get a specific type of harness for her - which we did.  If we add something to each side of the harness, it gives her something to carry, which slows her down.  So I'm thinking if I dig out that harness and add a couple books to each side, then perhaps I can keep her from pulling on me so hard.  I'm willing to give it a try because I do miss my walks.  Can't walk in the mornings right now first thing before work cause it is still dark.  But while it is cool, maybe I could take my 'lunch break' that I don't always take and take her for a quick walk.  It would be good for her - and very good for me.  I have been working out with my weights in the mornings, just trying to build my strength up in my upper and lower body.  I'm stubborn enough I don't want to be dependent upon anyone in my old age!

We did get rain yesterday and it was nice that the air cleared out some.  It was late in the day before my sinus headache went away.  Glad that it did, though.  It can really be annoying.  I refuse to let a headache get me down and find that if I keep myself busy I don't notice it as much - until it is pounding so bad to get my attention I can't ignore it... thank God that hasn't happened in a long time.  Hubby tells me all the percentage chances of rain through Tuesday.... like I want to know that.  But I listen.

I'm drawing a blank this morning on what to write and so I may as well get off here and start pulling my day together.  I quit work yesterday at 3:30 so that I could make potato soup - it just sounded good for dinner.  My boss left at 3:30 for an appointment so there wasn't a real reason for me to just sit there.  I wonder what emails I have this morning.

Hope that you have a blessed day - 

We are to get rain today....

 and it had better arrive too!  My sinus's are pounding this morning - started last night.  Coffee isn't helping so will take an aspirin or something when I come out of my room - that sometimes seems to help.  Once the rain comes, my sinus headache will go away.  Or another heavy cup of coffee.   My coffee this morning is much better.  LOL  I had hubby double it up - good thing with waking up with the headache.  Sometimes caffeine will take care of it too.  Not yet today - but it will help, I'm sure.   The sinus headache started last night and I awoke a couple times during the night with it hurting... which means between that and hubby flip-flopping on the bed because he couldn't get comfortable, well, I don't feel like I got much sleep.  In fact, I did go back to sleep in here for about 15 minutes.  That was what I had asked God for - just fifteen more minutes to shut my eyes and sleep.  I'm still tired, though.

I did have to work yesterday, although it was MLK day.  We don't get it off, but the day was extremely light and I didn't have much to do all day.  In fact, I worked on a baby hat and a baby blanket most of the day.  No, I did not review the sessions I need to do for timecards.... just wasn't into it.  I have a two hour meeting this morning and nothing on the calendar for this afternoon - will process through them then - unless something heavy comes through that needs to be done.  Hubby told me to text my boss and tell her I was taking the day off cause it was a holiday.  HA!  Why do that - nothing special here going on.  Plus it would cost me 8 hours of vacation time.  

I grilled up a bunch of chicken yesterday and put in the refrigerator for us to grab and eat whenever we get hungry.  I really like this smokeless grill that my sister gave me a couple years ago.  I don't use it often but I can do several pieces of chicken at once - and no grease popping or smoke going on.  AND I get the grill marks.   My neighbor, Ms. Amy, still isn't doing well, so I fixed her grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, and some steamed vegetables last night and took over to her.  Oh, and applesauce with cinnamon and sunflower seeds.  We use that a lot of times for a dessert.  Poor thing.  I am sure her children are calling to check on her, but with all out of state, there is nothing they can do.  She said she did get ahold of her doctor yesterday and they told her they have a room at the hospital to put patients who are having difficulty breathing but they didn't have a bed.  She is to call back today to see if they have one.  But I thought she was much better yesterday when I took over the food.  She was moving better and seemed to be talking better.  She was still just having some difficulty with breathing.  It is crucial, of course, but I thought she was doing better.  I started taking food over cause I know that when we don't feel good, we don't really feel like fixing anything to eat - too much effort.  And I was right.  The time I took chicken noodle soup over, she hadn't eaten all day!  I'm hoping that with taking her food over that she might eat a little of it and get some strength back.

It's either raining or the sprinklers just came on.  I think it's time for the sprinklers, but I hear Ms. Amy's wind chimes banging so wonder if it is wind/rain.   The sprinklers are just under my window and I thought I heard them pop up... but then there's the chiming of the wind chimes.  I think it's just the sprinklers..... it was, they just shut off.

Changed up our fast for this week.  I'm fasting 'social media'... and still some foods.  I do check the alerts on FB to see if there is something I want to see - i.e., photos of great grandchildren or if I'm tagged on something.  But if not, that's as far as I go.  I'm not doing the scroll on facebook nor on instagram.  It actually gave me more time to crochet last night.  Except I was texting with my big brother, my youngest son, and my little sister for awhile.  All at the same time.  I kept having to check the top of the text to make sure I was on the right conversation!  That doesn't happen very often!  Does that mean I was multi-tasking?

I hear my words with friends dinging this morning - which means my brother is already playing his part on the games.  Other than hubby, when he decides to play, my brother is the only one I play the game with.  I'm not in to 'how many people can I play games with'.  I'd rather have just a few to play than several.  I usually respond one time and then I'm done for the evening.  I would rather read or crochet than sit with the phone/ipad all evening playing or reading fb or instagram.  How can people do that all evening?  If I start, I can easily lose an hour or more.  Over nothing! 

I bought into 'audible'.  Why?  because I get tired of the tv and the shows hubby likes to watch.  This way I can listen to a book (with my headset) while he watches his show - and I can crochet as well.  I tried to listen to a book last night with no success at all.  Hubby kept interrupting me and asking me questions to which I had to respond.  I finally gave up.  He finally turned the TV off.  I saw he was scrolling facebook so I questioned him as I thought he had given up social media as well this week.  He said he wasn't responding to anything.  Then I explained how he could just look at the alerts to see if he NEEDED to look at it.  Oh.  He thought that if he just read things and didn't respond, that was giving up facebook.  He wanted earlier in the week to post on facebook that he would be off for a week or so.  I asked him why he wanted to do that.  He thought people would wonder where he was.  I told him it was ok for them to wonder - he doesn't need to tell people he is 'fasting' from facebook.  They won't even notice he isn't posting.   I don't know if he told anyone or not.  I think he just wants people to notice him.

I think we are like that with God, don't you?  We want Him to 'notice' us, but we (unfortunately) do not want Him to 'interfere' with our lives.  We want to do the things we want to do, and do them OUR way, and not His way.  Yet, when we get into a crisis, we go running back to Him.  And you know what, He is always there for us.  He's always waiting for us to turn our thoughts to Him and just seek Him.  I love my mornings with God cause I can talk with Him and curl up in His lap (I like to imagine that) when I'm hurting or tired and let Him hold me and love me.  I love being able to read His Word quietly and think about what I've read.  I love the devotionals I read that help me think of other things in a different way.  Today's devotional was about grace and forgiveness.  Imagine that - God will give us mercy, grace, and forgiveness - even when we don't deserve it - and remember it no more.  How many times has God rescued you from something?  How many times have you received favor when you didn't deserve it?  That's God.

Take some time this morning to just say 'thank you, God' for all that He has given you.  You'll feel better - try it.

Blessings!

Weak Coffee...

 I noticed my coffee seemed to be a bit weak this morning.  I use an instant type coffee most mornings when I am running low on Kcups - allowing hubby to use those.  This morning my coffee seemed to be a bit weak, but I still sipped it, although it was like drinking hot water.  I'm almost to the bottom of the cup when I see the reason.  I wonder if hubby forgot to stir the coffee.... yeah, there is a clump of coffee at the bottom of the cup.  And I don't have a spoon in here to stir it.  I'm almost done anyway so will wait, maybe add a bit more hot water, and then stir that coffee made pod and continue drinking my coffee.  I'm having trouble waking up again this morning so real coffee would have been nice, but oh well.

It's Monday morning, again!  It keeps coming around every week.  Not sure what my calendar looks like for today, but it shouldn't be too bad.  I know I have a two hour meeting tomorrow I have to sit in on and take minutes so today will be getting the information to set the agenda and then get it sent out.  I am off the hook for Wednesday's meeting.  My boss really loves me. :-)  She sent me an email last week that her two hour meeting that I usually sit in on and take minutes is being revised.  Changing out people who attend, changing format and agenda focus..... and I do not have to attend nor take minutes.  Bittersweet.  Her meetings are orderly and fairly easy to take minutes at, and I get to learn some things.  Oh well - I'm off the hook for Wednesday, then Thursday I have another meeting we have shortened to 2 hours from 4 hours because the big boss who runs it is off again this week in Wisconsin.

I'm concerned about my neighbor.  Ms. Amy and I were chatting the other day when I took her some fresh squeezed orange juice and she commented that she didn't feel well.  A couple days later I went over to check on her and she said she has been really feeling bad.... weak, dizzy.  I made chicken noodle soup yesterday and took a bowl over to her.  She told me that she went to the store the day before as she needed groceries, but she still didn't feel well.  Did I ever chew her out!  She has our telephone numbers and I told her that if she needed groceries she was to call us.  We'd either take her or go pick up what she needed.  As sick as she said she had been feeling, I'm surprised she even attempted it.  She is a small Hungarian accented woman.  Maybe 5 ft tall and tiny.  Ms. Amy said yesterday that she had coffee and orange juice for breakfast - and lemon and tea yesterday afternoon - then threw up.  I had to get after her and tell her not to drink coffee nor tea on her sickly empty tummy.  I know when I do that I get sick and I'm sure she, already not feeling well, would to.  She has no family here in town; all four children live out of state.  So I gave her the bowl of chicken noodle soup and asked her to try and get some of the broth down anyway - and drink her water!  Offered to take her to urgent care if she felt she needed to go.  She gave me the key to her house should she not come to the door at some point.  She is 86 years old and fragile.  I hope I never have to use it.  Praying for Ms. Amy this morning.

Hubby and I, after church, drove up to Anthem yesterday and just walked around the entire complex.  It is so sad to see that the majority of the stores are gone.  Maybe all is left are the big names - i.e., Anne Taylor, Guess, North Face, etc.  There were a couple smaller places I think, but it is sad all these little stores just couldn't make it.  Bath & Body was having a big sale so I did buy some things.... and hubby picked up a couple things to add to the bill.  He always cracks me up when he will make comments like 'it was a bit costly for US to make the trip'.  I just looked at him and said no, it was costly for me, I pay the bill.  Not being mean, but he does that.  He will pick up things for me to pay for then say it cost US.  It comes out of my account, not ours.  Yes, I know,  my money is his money and his is mine, blah blah blah.  I have to keep money separate or he would spend it all.  I prefer trying to save some for the future.  If there is money in the bank, then he can spend it for what he wants.  Oh don't get me going there !

Church went well yesterday and the message was posted to You Tube last night.  I know that because they sent me a copy of it in messages, and it was a you tube link.  I'm not eloquent by any means but I do want to listen to it to critique myself and see where I can improve in delivery.  We don't have any more up at this location, but have one next week at the one here in town (hubby speaking) and then I have one in February and one in March.  I need to start working on those.

Today also starts my new exercise program I want to do.  Hubby can sometimes really irritate me.  I know that's a surprise, huh?  I made a comment the other day that I was starting this new program on Monday and he goes 'I thought you were already exercising in the mornings'.  Like I have time to do the entire program in the morning.  I do it piecemeal throughout the day when I know he won't be coming in here and interrupting me.  He stands and watches or pretends he doesn't and then later he makes comments.  That's why I always quit.  But today I do want to get more focused on it.  

I keep reaching for my cup to drink the last of my coffee, only to see the blob at the side of it.  sometimes I wonder if that is how we treat God.  Think about it.  We feel the draw of the Holy Spirit, longing to be with us, and we start moving in the right direction, then we look back at our life and the sins we have committed, and think, no, I have too much garbage there in that blob.  I can't drink of the real life with Christ.   Or we think our 'glob' is too great and cannot be dissolved.  But you know what?  It can.  Let the fire of the Holy Spirit fill you and you will see that blob dissolve and disappear with the forgiveness of our Lord.  All you have to do is ask Him, and He will move that blob totally away from you.  How do I know this?  Because He did it for me.  And I know He will do it for You.  Trust Him.

Blessings!

She said Yes to the dress -

 and at the second stop!  It was a fun day yesterday getting to help look for wedding dresses for our granddaughter.  The first place we went to - which called itself a 'wedding warehouse' - only had two dresses that my granddaughter could try on.  Yes, she is a bit fluffy - she just had a baby, after all!  But we all felt the woman - who had this 'warehouse' in her home - was a little rude about the size part.  But, the two dresses were tried on - and both were vetoed.  As we left, we decided to go to another place that we knew would have more dresses - and my granddaughter found the one she liked. 

It was kind of funny, actually.  We called first to see if it was by appointment only or could we just come in and see what they had.  We could come and look, but to try on, there had to be an appointment - which was understandable.  We got there and started looking around when one of the associates came and said her appointment had cancelled, did we want to take it.  Of course we did!  Mattie was very nice and had us pick out four dresses that we wanted to have tried on.

The first couple ones were nice, but nope, they weren't it.  Then my granddaughter walked out in this one and wow - that was the one!  Both mom and I liked it, and so did my granddaughter.  Then the indecision started.  Should we go to another place and look at more?  Should we do this?  Is this too expensive? It was typical of our granddaughter and her indecision.  (she gets that from me, I'm afraid.  Always second guessing on what I should do.)  Mom and I try to tell knew that we really loved that dress and thought it was the one.  LOL  Her comment back?  I was wanting to hear what you were saying about it but you didn't seem to impressed.  We had to remind her that we are wearing masks that cover up 3/4 of our face - she couldn't see our expression and probably did not hear our comments when she walked out.  She finally decided to take the dress and we moved on with it.

I did have to chuckle a bit.  Know what the dress reminded me of?  Another granddaughter's wedding dress of a few years ago.  Not as elaborate as that one, but nearly the same style.  And that's ok.  My granddaughters have exquisite taste.  Why wouldn't they choose similar dresses?  I need to pull out the wedding book my granddaughter gave us and show it to this one.  I did have a couple photos on my phone so was able to show how similar the dresses are.  She will look beautiful on her special day, just as my first granddaughter did on hers.

And we only had to go to two stores.  LOL  A quick lunch afterwards at 3PM and I was heading back home.

This morning we drive up to Pioneer Village at which I will be delivering the message "God is up to something".  Yes, I did that one a few weeks ago at Desert Shadows, but this is another church so I can do the same one. :-)  It helps in getting these things written!  Now I need to work on a message for February as I am scheduled again at one of them.  We got a call the other day with the schedule for the next November - March season.  Already have them on the calendar.

I will probably get a nap in this afternoon.  Hubby was snoring loudly last night and before I could fall asleep - he was have sleep apnea issues  In fact, he did it twice within 10 minutes or so - I could count to 10 before he started breathing again.  I will remind him this morning he needs to make a note to tell his doctor he needs to do a sleep study and see how many times he does this.  He always complains - nearly every day - that he doesn't sleep well, but usually blames it on his sore shoulder.  It is more than likely the fact his body stops breathing several times during the night.  But last night it was obvious and I found myself listening - so that I didn't get much sleep last night.  

Need to get up and moving this morning as I have to 'dress up' for church.  Will miss our recorded church services, but can catch them later this afternoon.  

Take some time to either go to church in person - or listen on line.  You will be glad you did.

Blessings!

We get to look for a dress....

 but not 'JUST' a dress.... a WEDDING dress!  Our granddaughter was proposed to a few months back and she has scheduled an appointment today to go to a place to look at wedding dresses.  Just she, her mama, and me.   I'm happy that she included me, but due to my lack of fashion, I know it isn't for that reason!  We will be heading out later this morning, have lunch I assume, then head on over there.  I don't know how long we will be gone but I think that is the only place she has scheduled.  It's a shame that one has to 'schedule' to just look at these things now.  I can remember when we could just walk into a place and look around.  But then, how often does one go to a bridal shop to look at dresses.  Come to think of it, I never ever went to one until my daughter got married.  My first wedding dress (a size 5 mind you) was borrowed.  Fit perfectly but about 5 inches too long.  My second wedding dress was handmade by a former sister in law.  Yeah it was a size 10.  It sure don't take long after 3 children to make the body grow!

That is what is on my agenda for today.  And I feel I am already running behind schedule.  Why?  Because I didn't get up until 5AM when I awoke (hey - it's Saturday, I can sleep in a little!) so that put me an hour behind on my reading.... and then I fell asleep in my chair!  I did!  SOUND asleep.  It is really weird and I'm still trying to figure it out.  But I had started this dream while in the bed.... I had gone to a field to be alone to do my quiet time.  Later someone came onto the field and it was getting dark, so I decided I needed to go home.  I started home and then saw a man laying on the ground and he was shaking.  I started to walk by him but then stopped to ask him if he was ok.  He said he was. I had also observed him throwing what looked like a silver laptop out in the darkness.  We sat and talked for a few minutes - can't think what about, and then I decided I needed to keep going home.  Continuing my walk (and all this walking was in my old neighborhood) someone ran by me and said the storm is coming and it's about a block away.  Where I was it was calm.  I quickly thought about it and continued on my way. I walked by a school building, realizing somewhere I 'lost' my purse and my books and my laptop.  I only had my phone with me.  I got to the end of the building and peeked around to see if I could see the storm.  Nothing.  I looked behind me, and the roads were covered with water.  It was total darkness, and yet it was as if I was walking in light, I had no trouble seeing where I was going.   I decided I needed to call hubby and tell him that I was on my way home, thinking he would be wondering where I was if there was a storm going on.  But I ran into the school to use the restroom.  While in the restroom, which had one stool in the corner, a man comes in and sits across from me at a computer on a desk. (where did that come from?)  I hurriedly finished my business - and no toilet paper.  Go figure!  So I try to get my jeans up and was having difficulty and another man walks in.  I don't look at them but try to scoot out the door, trying to get my jeans pulled up and zipped up as fast as I could.  Outside I try to find my phone in my pocket when it starts buzzing.  I figure it is hubby and try to get the phone but it won't stop buzzing.  Then I realized it was the alarm on my fitbit that woke me up let me know it was 5AM this morning.

Now isn't that a stupid dream?  What in the world?  I haven't had a dream like that ever, I don't think.  So very strange.  I've sat here this morning trying to figure it out.  Oh - when I came in to my room to read this morning at 5AM, I fell back to sleep and the dream continued - from the part about where I was walking to the school, oh yeah -I remember now too that after the restroom I walked down a long hallway and there was an odd shaped door that was being opened.  There was a woman, who appeared to be a school principal, sitting at a desk on the left.  I asked her if the door went outside and she stood up and said yes.  I asked if I could go through it, and she said yes.  When I started out the door, that's when I woke up again here in my room.  So very strange.  And there was no storm outside when the door opened - it was bright and sunny.

What could this dream possibly mean?  Does it even have a meaning?   I could possibly make up my own meaning.  I sat here for a few minutes and asked God did it have a meaning...but none came to mind at that time.  Could it possibly mean that even though I was around a storm, it did not touch me.  Even though darkness surrounded me, I was walking in light where I could see clearly.  I don't understand all the things, but I like to think that when it is stormy around me (life, in general), it cannot touch me because I am His.  I have no fear of darkness, because I belong to Jesus.  I walk in the light.  Interesting, do you think?  And really an odd dream!

I'm thinking I will need a second cup of coffee this morning!  Looking forward to hanging out with 'the girls'.  With working at a desk all week, it is nice to get out on the weekend and do something different.

Yesterday was our 4th great-granddaughter's first birthday.  She lives in another city so we can't see her without a long drive.  My youngest son is heading up there today with his daughter for the weekend.  We ran by his place last night to hand off a small gift for her.  She will grow up without the privileges my other great- grandchildren have.  But, it is out of my hands.  I have to pray and trust God to provide all that she needs.  

My sister told me last night that a friend of a friend went and got the vaccine.... they were in their 30's and healthy.  He died the next day.   And that was from the first shot. I've also read of a doctor and a nurse in two different states have died after getting the vaccine.  When I hear things like that I am extra sure that I don't want to get it.  There are still too many unknowns.  You watch - as word gets out of more people dying after getting the vaccine, it will be put on the current president because he rushed it through without letting them do a deep study on the effects of all they they put in it.  In my gut I just feel I shouldn't get it.   My boss feels the same way and she's a nurse.  I am not afraid.  I'm trying God to take care of me.

I picked all the oranges I could reach yesterday from my neighbor's tree and made up two decanters of orange juice, giving one to my neighbor.  I told her I couldn't reach any more so it would probably be the last of the fresh orange juice.  She laughed.  Poor thing.  I think she is 85 now, and she said she has not been feeling well.  She is dizzy and just not feeling well.  I asked her about a doctor appointment and she said she didn't feel she could drive.  I told her that if she needs to go to the doctor we will take her.  She did try to call yesterday but there wasn't an answer so she is going to try and call on Monday.   I need to make up some chicken noodle soup later today and take over to her.  She is a widow and no family lives out here.  Two are in Florida (they both came for Christmas) and one lives in another state but I don't remember where.  She was here back in November I think.  

Tomorrow we go to the Pioneer Village RV Park church for services.  I'm going to use the message I gave last time at the other RV park.  That's the advantage of being at two RV parks - can use the same one.  And yes they tape it too so maybe I'll get a copy of that one.    Looks like I have full weekend on tap  -  and that's ok.  I would rather be kept busy than sit and do nothing.  Except crochet.  I can sit and crochet. :-)

Ok - I'm thinking I've rambled on enough today so will close this off.  So what is on your agenda for this weekend?  Will you be sitting and doing nothing?  Maybe starting to write that book you have mentioned a time or two of writing?  Working on things around the house?  What is your life going to be like this weekend - productive?

Whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord.

Blessings!