And I know that God heard....

 I feel sorry for those who do not know God, who do not know how much they are loved by Jesus, who do not believe in the Holy Spirit.  They are the Three in One.  You cannot go to the Father, without going to Jesus first.  It says so right in our Bibles!  Jesus is our Advocate.  He is our Healer.  He is our Everything. And yesterday, I prayed for my older brother, not knowing what the outcome would be.  I know I wasn't the only one praying. Definitely not.  But I like to think I had a part in the results.  I waited several hours before I text'd his wife to see how he came out.  Her exact words thrilled me, and I began to praise the Lord for hearing and answering my prayers.

"Hi there. All went well. No blockage. No stents needed. So great news! We just got home. I will have him text you after we eat."

Whoo hoo!  I did the happy dance!  He didn't text me, but I figured he was a bit worn out from the procedure.  You know how when we don't know for sure the outcome of things how it can wear on the mind - and on the body.  I'm sure he was tired.  I will probably hear from him at some point today. Grateful we have a God who we can turn to and trust Him to answer our prayers.  No matter what the outcome, God was still in control.  I'm grateful it went well.  But I also believe that because he was taken into surgery and had also been approved for open heart surgery if needed...... and the results were 'no blockage, no stents needed' that God opened everything up before the surgery was to begin!  God is good, He is faithful - always.  Hallelujah!

We brought the tree home from Ms. Vicky's after work yesterday.  That tree is HUGE!  I need to go out today or tomorrow and pick up a few strings of lights and a tree skirt and a tree topper.  She did give us three long strings of lights, but they are the icicle kind and I am not going to mess with them.  Well, maybe not a topper as the tree hits the ceiling in the back room as a section is lower than the rest.  Hubby did his best to help - I finally sent him to KFC to get dinner.  I hope to finish the tree up by this weekend - will see.  I explained to hubby when I told him about getting the tree, that we need a place to put the 'other' gifts and the gifts to each other.  He wasn't in full agreement but let me have my way.  I had told him 'don't make me sad'.  This tree is twice the size of our tree.  I'm really going to have to declutter the cabinets in the garage after Christmas - there is no place to store it!

Hubby just got up, brought my coffee in and commented "I can't believe I slept that late."  I can.  He kept me awake most of the night, so I know he didn't sleep much - and neither did I.  I just chose to get up about my usual time.  Wanted to go back to sleep in here, but when I do try that, I'm always listening for hubby to come in with my coffee, so I don't sleep well.  When I do sleep well is after I get my coffee and I know he won't be making another trip back here for a couple hours.  It was 5:50AM when he got up.

Packages are starting to arrive and hubby is making his comments.  More will be arriving today as I selected this 'Amazon day' so that I could get more items in the boxes versus just one item. If you shop via Amazon, you know what I mean.  I have more coming on Thursday.  I've gotten notices from other places that their orders are being sent out too.  I have boxes and items stacked on the bed again.  I'm waiting on one more item and will ship my sister's package off to her.  She called me yesterday and said that she had just shipped my packages and I was not to open until Christmas.  I told her two could play that game. I'll get hers off yet this week.  I think I have 3 boxes ready to ship out (not all hers).  Will ship to my brothers in another week or so - at least get in to December.  I send them my bread.  Not a big deal, for sure, but just to let them know I'm thinking of them.

I wasn't feeling real well last night, but better somewhat this morning.  I'm taking my olive leaf extract and a couple other things.  My little brother told me about something he takes - and I decided to try to. It's called Yoders Extract - or something like that.  It's base is apple cider vinegar (which is good for you) and then add in 20 herbs and what all.  I will say that it is 'tart' and you can taste the vinegar - but it isn't that bad.  Think I will double my dose for a few days.  Do not want to be sick on Friday when I go to the Christmas house with my boss!

I Chronicles 16:8 (NKJV):  "Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done."

I can't 'proclaim to the nations' of what the Lord has done - but in a way I can on here.  I mentioned at the beginning of this blog today of God hearing my prayers and answering for my big brother.  I shared - aka proclaimed - it to you.... and although I know a couple of you are in town, my 'stats' say I also have in France... so in essence, I am proclaiming to the nation(s) what the Lord has done, right?  

God is faithful - always.  He always answers our prayers.  The answer may just not be what we want it to be.  But sometimes it is.  As I laid in bed last night, thanking God for taking care of my big brother, I was thinking of how to share about it on here.  One of my titles I thought of was "And He said Yes".  

Have you ever done that?  When there was something you wanted to share with others - whether by text or blog - and you wanted to make the title an impact?  I do that sometimes, and then I forget all about it come morning.  That's why my titles are somewhat drab at times.  But I bet you still read so does it even matter?

What does matter is that we give ALL the praise to the Lord, and proclaim His name, which is great.  We make Him known to everyone by sharing what He has done in us, through us, around us, and with us.  Only He is to be given the praise and the glory for all things.

God is good.  All the time God is good.  Share with others the goodness of God in your life today.

Blessings!

A brother on my mind....

 My oldest surviving brother is having heart surgery at 8:15 our time this morning and he is on my mind and in my prayers.  The last time he had heart surgery, he didn't tell me until afterwards, and I chewed him out good.  At least I think I must have because he let me know last week that he would be going in to the hospital this morning.  He said originally it was scheduled as an angioplasty, which is the doctors going into the vessels of the heart and opening up the top half of the artery.  But they may decide they need to go ahead and do a bypass, and he has given them permission to do so.  A bypass would open up the arteries completely.  It all depends on how clogged they are.  What is sad is that neither my little brother nor my little sister wants to hear anything about him, so I have not shared this information.  But I always keep praying for reconciliation before it is too late.   I believe that he will be fine after the surgery, but any surgery can have difficulties, and messing with the heart is, I think, the most dangerous.  Am I fearful of the outcome?  Yes, I must admit, although I have prayed not only for my brother, and the doctors involved, I am fearful of 'losing' my big brother.  We are close and it would be painful to have to say goodbye.  But I have put him in God's hands so am trusting and believing that God will answer the way I want Him to answer.  

Yesterday was a quiet day for us.  We went to church as planned.  We came home after, and I fixed sandwiches for lunch.  Hubby settled in with his TV football programs and I tried to decide what I wanted to do.  I kept saying I was going to go out and do some shopping, but never did.  I knew that if I went out, I'd spend money... and I kept feeling I just needed to wait and not go anywhere.  So, I stayed home - and ordered some things online that I needed to get for gifts.  Now no more ordering or shopping until things come in so that I can see exactly where I am at.  In fact, I'm going to go through everything thus far and doublecheck my lists to make sure I'm done with some.  

I wish money was no issue and I could just buy whatever I want for everyone - needs and wants.  But I must be realistic as well.  I know I have already spent quite a bit - more than I thought I would - but then I also have bought a lot and paid a higher price by doing it early.  But, in the long run, if I had gone to the store, I would have - more than likely - picked up more things than needed and spent more as well.  I try to rationalize it that way.  I don't like shopping.  I do like to browse.  And when I browse, a lot of times I also buy things I don't need; perhaps hadn't even thought of buying until I saw it.  So, if I don't see it, I don't buy it - right?  But I'm still spending too much as I think of others, besides family, that I want to get things for.  At least with my little sister and her hubby, I am done.  Well, I have one or two things I'm waiting for to come in yet - and then I will be shipping her box out.  I probably spent more on her because she has mentioned some things, and I knew she couldn't get them.  But then, sometimes, I pick up on her little hints.  Last night she was sending me photos of specific tennis shoes that she was wanting to buy.  Could that be a hint for me to get for her?  Not going to do it.  I'm done with shopping for her.  I may relook at some things and remove them from the box for I told her I wasn't doing a lot this year.  I need to relook at what I have put in there.  But her grandson is living with her at the moment so stuck in a devotional book for him.  And of course, I have to include something for her hubby so got him a container of nuts. I don't even remember what all I got her so will need to go through the box.  But it will go out by the end of the week - still clearing out this room.

My neighbor is wanting to get rid of her Christmas tree as she doesn't put it up.  I gave it some thought and talked to hubby last night about it - then sent her a text - we're going to get the tree and I am going to find room to put it up in the back room.  I told hubby that we can put the gifts to each other under that tree (rather than stacking back here for him; he hides in his trunk and waits until Christmas Eve to wrap) and also for others so that I know when I'm done with that person.  I don't keep seeing the gift in here but get it out of here.  At least with my bosses - I have two that I have until the 14th before I'll see them; and my favorite boss - although I am meeting up with her this Friday to go to the Christmas Ideals House - we are meeting up again on December 22nd so that I can give her all the goodies.  She likes them for her family and friends gatherings over Christmas.  And I can make then and they will be fresh.

I Chronicles 16:34 (NKJV):  "O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  His mercy endures forever."

The Lord has been so good to each of us.  Every morning He wakes us up.  Every morning He gives us breath in our lungs.  Inhale deeply, for we receive the breath of God.  With each breath, we can praise God.  Inhale with 'YAH' and exhale with 'WEH' and you have spoken the name of the Lord God Almighty.  YAHWEH.   Give thanks to Him for breath this morning.  Give thanks for not only life, but also for providing for all your needs.  We may not always get what we want, but He always provides what we need.

His mercy always endures forever.   Have you ever wondered how you got through some things?  When things have been critical, or frustrating, or painful.... and you wonder how in the world you got throught it all?  It is because of His mercy for you.  Give Him thanks always, for He loves you and cares deeply for you.  Bless His Holy Name.   YAHWEH.

Blessings!

One down, one to go....sorta...

 I finally made it over to visit Ms. Vicky yesterday afternoon.  For some reason I wasn't really in the mood to go, but I did, and met her new roommate and had a nice visit with Ms. Vicky as well.  Ms. Vicky was complaining in a way that this new roommate, JoAnn, pretty much stays in her room and doesn't sit out with her.  I'm not sure what Ms. Vicky was hoping for when she got this roommate.  But I told her - you know, you put it out there for 'advice', I'm going to give it - I said to Ms. Vicky something along the lines of "You wanted company, someone who would take some of the financial stress off you, right? " (she nodded)  But you still want your space, right?  (after all she has lived alone for years.  again, she nodded).  "JoAnn has lived there for maybe two weeks; she is letting you set boundaries, because it is your house. "  Basically, I shared that it is JoAnn is letting her set the boundaries.   But I also cautioned Ms. Vicky on giving free rein of the house until she is sure she can get along with this woman.  I know Ms. Vicky would like someone to watch TV with (but maybe JoAnn doesn't like football like Ms. Vicky does).  Invite her when she wants company; say nothing when she doesn't.  Plus, JoAnn is a talker!  When she came out and started talking to me, after just meeting me, she took over the conversation and I was afraid that Ms. Vicky would get upset because JoAnn was asking me all kinds of questions.   She didn't stay long, though, and went back to her room.  Ms. Vicky and I did get to spend some time together without interruption. The roommate seems nice and I suggested to Ms. Vicky that she not treat her as a guest, which we are prone to do with someone in our house.  We cater to guests, most of the time.  Roommates are to take care of themselves.

We didn't do much else yesterday.  I fixed us a late breakfast.  I came out of my room and asked hubby if he had eaten breakfast yet.  He said "I ate a Belvita."  They are 4 cookie/crackers in a package he likes to have in the morning with his coffee.  I rolled my eyes, and then fixed us both an egg mcmuffin with bacon.  We blew by lunch - I didn't offer to fix anything.  Hubby was watching football but asked if I wanted to watch a Christmas movie - and of course I did!  So we watched 'The Christmas Card' (starring Ed Asner and it is so good), and 'The Tree That Saved Christmas'.  Both were good stories.  Then I went to visit Ms. Vicky.  When I came back - he had to settle for a grilled cheese sandwich for dinner cause I wasn't in the mood to cook a meal.  He knows where the food is if he is hungry - right?  There are TV dinners in the freezer.

So that was our Saturday.  Hubby finished his TV watching in the evening with Notre Dame stomping on Stanford.  I sat and crochet'd and watched it as well.

Church is on the agenda this morning.  I didn't turn on Jentezen Franklin as I have a bit of a sinus headache and just didn't want the noise.  I'm not one of those who always has to have the TV on for background noise.  I enjoy the quiet.  I can play a CD if I want noise.  I'll be stopping soon and head for the shower shortly too.   Want to smell pretty.  Hubby didn't stick his head in the door and ask if I was going to watch him either - which makes me wonder if he turned it on - or forgot - or didn't want to.  

Luke 2:15 (NKJV):  "So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see now this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."

Ah, yes, tis the season.  Thanksgiving is now over and all eyes are upon the upcoming Christmas season.  This is my 'favorite' holiday.  Some say Easter is their favorite, but I love Christmas.  I love the gathering and giving.  I just enjoy the festivities of it all.  

In fact, next Friday, the first of December, it really starts for me.  I go to the Christmas Ideas House with my boss, then the office is having a potluck Christmas party that same day in the Mesa office - so will go to it afterwards.  I'll get to see many of my coworkers that I have not seen these past 3 years of working remote.  I said I'd bring dessert so I need to make cookies to take.  Also, one of my friends that will be coming loves my gingersnap cookies so will be sure to make some of those for her. She will be surprised.  Another I need to bring a small gift to.   Then on December 14th, I have a department Christmas party where I'll see two of my other bosses so need to get their gifts together to take to them. Then I have my own baking to do for my neighbors.  December may prove to be a busy month.  But I love it all.  I used to do a lot more than I do now.  Oh I forgot, December 9th I'm meeting with several friends who I worked with at Mercy Care - and we're having lunch - and I'll be taking some gifts with me there as I'll see some I am still pretty close with and they always got my pickles and bread.  I love baking and cannng and giving away.  It's my love gift.

But back to the verse about.... if God showed you something, or told you something, what would you do with it?  Would you just shrug and say 'whatever' and wonder about why you were told it?  Or would you take the initiative to find out what it was all about?  Would you say "Let us now to go .............. and see now this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."?

If the Lord has shown me something, or revealed to me something, you can be sure that I will be checking it out!  So I encourage you.  Sit still and let God be with you for awhile.  Listen for His voice.  And when He shares something... 'go now and see'.

Blessings!

Another good day..... pretty much

 It was pretty much a good day yesterday.  I must have gotten through all those construction buildings I mentioned yesterday for I did make it to the gym on time - although I was a bit concerned as every single signal light I came up to turned red.  I think I had two minutes to spare.  We worked shoulders yesterday (because I do not have any) and I expected them to be sore today, but they are not.  Perhaps I'm 'destined' to have little shoulders?  If I am, then why is the rest of my body so large?  Sigh.

I still had a little time before hubby came home from his Bible study, though not much.... I'm trying to remember what I did!  I didn't do any more wrapping.  I didn't read.  I didn't crochet. Huh.  I can't remember what I did in that short time.  Obviously I enjoyed the quiet of the moment.  After hubby got home, which was not long after, I headed over to one of the rec centers nearby as friends of ours from a church we attended years ago was playing Santa and Mrs. Claus.  They do this every year wherever they can get hired at.  He is a former pastor.  I haven't seen them in probably 15 years at least.  Oh my goodness.  It was an art and craft sale at the rec center and I had to drive around for a parking spot!  I was beginning to think I was not going to see them, when I found one.  Then I went inside.... but not for long.  It was full of tables and bumper to bumper people.  Uh, no.  I love people, I really do, but that is just too close for me.  And too many.  I walked into the courtyard and walked around, looking for Santa and Mrs. Claus and finally found them.  They remembered me by name and we chatted for a few minutes.  They asked if I wanted to get a photo - but I told them no.  I just wanted to come by and see them.  They are 'old' and his beard and white hair is real.  And he has a lot of health issues as well, so I probably should have gotten a photo, to make them feel better anyway.  But I didn't need one.  From there I stopped at Safeway and picked up a few things and headed back to the house.

Not long after I decided to take some crochet'd washcloths over to the granddaughter so she could put in her shop today.  I just wanted to get out of the house.  Stopped by to visit with the youngest son for a little while before heading back home.  I wanted to catch up on all that is going on with his children and his life.  

Back home I told hubby let's go to dinner as I wasn't cooking.  Headed over to Coco's for the meal then came home - and then of course we had to watch a movie.  It was a nice day and I actually got out of the house for quite a bit of it by myself.  Today I may not be as lucky.  But I do have several things I need to get done today, and a couple of my packages arrived last night so I can get those wrapped and under the tree.   Need to get the message ready for I speak again in a couple weeks - two weeks in a row - at least I can use the same message as it is at two different RV parks.

Colossians 3:17 (NKJV):  "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Have you ever thought about how you live your life, and the words you say, are a reflection of who Jesus is in you? 

I was reading in the book by Frances Chan, Letters to the Church, and I'm reading about what a pastor should be.  Very interesting.  He has broken it out by different types.  The Christian Pastor - which is interesting, as you would think all pastors were Christians.... but that is not always the case.  The ones that are now are 'false prophets'.   Then there is The Praying Pastor - one who prays at least an hour a day, prayer is that critical.  Prayer is not merely a task of ministry; it is a gauge that exposes our heart's condition.  It unveils our pride, showing us whether or not we believe we are powerless without God.  Prayer is an expression of surrender to God and reliance on His infinite wisdom and sovereignty.  Remember, even Jesus prayed before He did miracles.  And especially before He went to the cross for us.  There is also a Humble Pastor, who doesn't let pride get in his life.  Sometimes a pastor can get puffed up when people compliment them on a good message or if they write a book and it does well and he because a well-known, aka famous, author.  Pride is of the devil and we need to be always on guard against it.  (Now I will say that pride is ok in 'I am proud of you' because you are not exalting yourself, but expressing and exhorting the other person.)

There are more pastors he describes in the book, but I stopped my reading and haven't gotten to all of them.  And yes, I examine my own life as I read them.  Although I'm not really a 'pastor'.  I was told years ago by someone that a 'Pastor' was one who was on staff.  Otherwise you are a 'minister'.  Whatever.  I don't care what title I'm given; I just want to share Jesus with others.

But all that I do or say, I am to do it for the Glory of God - for it is a reflection of who He is in me.  Sometimes I fail in that - as I'm sure you do as well.  I let my frustration come out.  Or I behave in such a way that isn't appropriate as a Christian (my definition of one, anyway).  Sometimes we let others bring out the worst in us.  Yes, I said 'let'.  

I was once told - many, many years ago - by a former boss that 'my attitude when I come in to the office each morning set the attitude of people in the office'.  Now mind you, it was a very small office.  But when he said that, I became more conscious of how I walked in - meaning I came in with a cheery 'good morning!' instead of grumbling as I came in.  You know what I mean - and you probably do the same.

In fact- each one of us - how we greet our spouse or children - whichever we see first thing in the morning - gets a glimpse of us in our attitude or words spoken to them.  Our words set their day in place.  If we greet our spouse or child cheerfully (in spite of THEIR attitude that morning), it can change their outlook for the day.  If they hear us being grumpy and snarky in the morning... they can choose to avoid us and get out of the house as soon as they can - which causes them to leave with a poor attitude as well.  Who would have thought one person could have that much effect on others?!

But we do.  And if we allow the love and attitude of Jesus to flow through us, what a wonderful world this would be.

Blessings!

What could it mean?

 I need a Daniel (as in OT) to interpret a dream for me I had last night.  I can ponder it all I want, and probably still will not understand the dream.  It's interesting I had a dream like this, for I am reading the book of Daniel now, and he is interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar's dreams.  My dream?

I am at work in a building that is under construction.  I wanted to know about a person's test results and were looking them up.  A little later, HR calls me to an office.  I think I'm in trouble for looking at the person's test results, but it doesn't seem like that is the reason.  I have been called to the HR office because I do research and am accurate in my work and they need someone who will pursue until they get the right answers.  There is another person in the office with us but I cannot see them, only a shadow.  Then we walk to another location where the 'job' is for me to work on.  We go through four other buildings (about the size of monuments) that are also under construction.  

All this time, I am worried about the time as I had left my phone in the original location, and I needed to get to the gym by 7:30AM for my appointment.  It was nearly 7AM at that time.  By the time we reached the 4th building, I'm totally lost as I am directionally challenged.  But I speak up and tell them I must go get my phone and call my trainer that I could not make it to the gym and cancel my appointment.  I was wandering through the buildings, trying to find my way out, knowing I had 3 other buildings to get through before I could get to the original building.... my watch buzzes.  I think it is the alarm and I didn't even look but shut it off.  

After all, it's Friday after Thanksgiving and I don't have to get up, right?  But my watch buzzes again and I finally look at it.  4:04AM.  Why was it buzzing if it wasn't the alarm?  No, it wasn't a call.  I could see there is a message on my phone and even in my difficulty to read it without glasses, I finally figured out - for the first time ever - my watch was telling me it was down to 10% battery.  I went ahead and got up so that I could plug my watch in.  

No, I haven't figured out the dream - and isn't it weird my watch would tell me it's down to 10% battery?  The only reason I can think of the battery ran down (as I charge it every morning) is that I took a walk yesterday morning - aka Turkey Trot - and used my watch to track.  It doesn't take long to recharge but it did get me up out of bed at my usual time.  Which is ok.  I DO have a 7:30AM gym appointment, which I do intend to keep..... somehow I'll find my way through all those buildings.  Really weird dream, huh?!

Yesterday was a good day.  I baked the turkey, dressing and giblet gravy, and baked a pumpkin pie and made a key lime pie to take to my daughter's.  Lunch was delicious with the yams and green bean casserole, ham, deviled eggs, and rolls.  Oh - and cranberry salad - which was really good.  I think that was it.  I was good - ate a bit of everything - even a bite of chocolate brownie cheesecake and key lime pie.  Maybe a couple pieces of chocolate covered cherries that were so good.  It was a nice day and we headed back home around 5PM, I think.  No, I did not bring any leftovers home, and cleaned the dishes up when I got home and then we sat quietly until going to bed.  Hubby was on his phone going through this stuff and I crochet'd as I knew I couldn't' read and stay awake.  It was a good day.

Was able to discuss Christmas time and food for that part of the family  They will come over Christmas Eve at noon and I'll fix 3-4 different kinds of soup and a couple salads.   I need to talk with my oldest son and see about food, but I have another question.  Since Christmas Eve is on Sunday.   And Christmas is on Monday.  He and his family usually come over on Christmas Day for dinner and we open gifts together.  But I got to thinking about the boys working nights and the granddaughter and her family coming up to celebrate with them and us too.  I just erased all my ramblings...  it may be easier to just talk with him and let him discuss with his family. 

I also need to check with the youngest son as I don't know his schedule with his kids, grandkids and stepson.  Life is complicated sometimes.  

Hubby has his Bible study this morning and I have my 7:30AM gym appointment... feels good not having to jump on the work computer.  I'd be bored out of my mind if I didn't have my job, I think.  Hubby already clings to me and if I was not working, it would be worse.  Even cooking yesterday, knowing I don't want him in the kitchen, he was coming in with 'what can I do to help?'  I appreciate the offer, but get out of MY kitchen (to which he informs me it is OUR kitchen!).  Yet, I can't remember the last time he offered to cook a meal for us.

Colossians 2:6-7 (NKJV):  "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."

This verse actually is two parts.  People come to faith with empty hands and nothing to offer, but at the foot of the cross, they receive Jesus Christ our Lord and that motivates them to live life as Christ did.  We abound with thanksgiving as the results of living a Christ-centered life.  Counting blessings is the greatest mathematics exercise in the universe; it helps Christians understand that the sum total of every good and perfect gift comes from above.  A thankful heart adds clarity to the believer's life... it will never confuse them.

So have you paused your life long enough to count your blessings lately?  Do you have a roof over your head?  Do you have food to eat?  Are you and your family healthy?  Things that we take for granted - these are things we can be thankful for.  You may think you did it all by yourself, but you didn't.  It is by the grace of God.  He loves you, even if you choose not to follow Him, He still loves you, and yearns to have you turn back to Him.  We celebrate the birth of Jesus in a little more than a month... wouldn't it be a good time to reflect on how good God has been to you, and turn your heart back to Him.  What a celebration that would be in heaven (and on earth!).

Blessings!

I survived my tizzy...

 and things got resolved.  Grateful it was without much conflict.  How it happened no one knows - had to have been a facebook glitch of some sort.  Unsettling at best.  I was beside myself.  I was in a tizzy.  But it's all better now.  

I'm feeling somewhat sad this morning in that we all can't be together today for Thanksgiving.  But I understand the reasons why; not counting going other places.  I don't like anyone left out of things... but it is not my house nor my place to invite.... and personalities and behavior definitely do not get along.  It will still be a good day.

I 'get to' bake the turkey, dressing, and giblet gravy, as mentioned before.  I have a pumpkin pie in the freezer that I need to get out and bake first this morning.  That will be my contribution to the lunch today. There will be too much food, and too much food eaten (by me), I'm sure.  I'm making a huge batch of cornbread dressing so that I can share with my boys if they want.... hopefully will have extra giblet gravy as well, but that is doubtful.  Can only get so much out of one turkey as far as giblets and broth.  I am thinking of defrosting my small turkey in the freezer and cooking it in a few days.  Need to cook it anyways.  I love to cook so that isn't the problem at all.  Carting it all everywhere may be, though.

Turkey Trot just not really going to happen today.  The daughter needs surgery so can't walk very far and I really do need the time to finish up everything for a 1PM lunch.  So I will bake the pie, get the turkey in the pan and cooking, done all I can do for the dressing until I get some turkey broth, and giblet gravy can't be made until the giblets are cooked - so during that timeframe, I will take a walk around the block and at least get some 'turkey trot' in, albeit alone, although hubby might walk with me but he hasn't walked around the full block yet.... sigh.  My life in a nutshell; it always feels incomplete.

Started reading a new book last night - and hopefully I can learn from it. Well, not only learn, but act on it.  It is called 'The Best of You' and is especially for women, I think, written by a woman psychologist. How many times do we give up our dreams to fulfill someone else's?  How many times do we do what is 'expected' d of a female and bury what we really feel?  I only got through the first chapter last night and I think it will be interesting.  Not necessarily with things I can or will do, but help me understand why I feel the way I do about some things?  I don't know.  I also had a copy sent to my little sister.  She always lets her family walk all over her - and never stands up for herself.  At least I can get vocal at times... then go back to business as usual.  sigh.

Yesterday was a quiet day as far as work.  I 'shut down' about 2PM as no one was working.  I left the computer on so will do a last check this morning before shutting it down.  I do need to jump on tomorrow as I expect invoices to come through and need to process them.  Double check I approved all the timecards that will need to be done on Monday - hey - if everyone is off today and tomorrow - just 'get 'er done' - right?

When I 'quit' work yesterday, I decided I was going to get this bedroom done.  And I did.  I got the bed cleaned off and a new Christmas quilt and shams put on it to decorate it.  I wrapped several gifts that have come in and they are under the tree.  And happily, I marked several 'done' as I listed what I had purchased.  I told you I was cutting way back this year.  I know I'm spending just as much as some of the items are more than what I usually buy, but that's ok.  It's all paid for at this point.  I'm paying as I go, even if I do put on the credit card -  as soon as I receive the goods, I go in and pay the bill.  Done and done.  And I have a lot of things still coming in.  But I got most wrapped and under the tree yesterday and although I have 'stuff' on the bed, the first of the week those are going out in the mail - even if it is early.  Get it out before the Christmas mailing rush and I don't care if they open right away or not - that's all they get.  Mid December I will ship my brothers a big loaf of my cranberry pumpkin nut bread, they seem to like it and it's an inexpensive gift to send to let them know I'm thinking of them.  

Found out yesterday my remaining older brother will be having possibly bypass surgery in January. They were looking at angioplasty but may go the bypass route.  He takes care of himself and eats good, exercises, but has been a diabetic for nearly 40 years and that has taken a toll on his body.  My younger brother had a bypass several years ago.  Heart disease runs in the male side of my family.  Although I've often wondered about mine - nothing has ever showed up.  My heart is grieved at the thought of the possibility of losing another sibling.  It's too soon to lose another.  I miss my big sister a lot as she was the 'last one' to go and it was so sudden and unexpected. Still seems unreal.  Thankful for the ones I still have.

Colossians 3:14-16 (NKJV): "But above all these things, put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

It's Thanksgiving.  What are you thankful for?

I'm thankful God gave me a daughter and two sons whom I love with my life.  And from them the generations will come and have come - 11 grandchildren, and now 7 great grandchildren.  I'm thankful for health.  I'm thankful ... well, I'm thankful.  My heart grieves over situations, but I'm thankful that I can trust God to be in control of each situation.  The pain in my heart is my love for each one, wanting their lives to be full of Jesus and love.  Oh that I could help them to find Him so that they could truly live!  Those I thought would always love Jesus and serve Him have turned away in anger at not getting their way... and it breaks my heart.  I pray they realize that sometimes 'wait' is better than getting what you want when you want it to happen.  Jesus IS the only way.  Oh that my joy would be complete that all my children and grandchildren and great grandchildren would know Him as Lord before it is too late.  That the children would teach their children, and they would teach their children.... life is better with Jesus, than it is without Him.  Trust me.  I know.  

Be thankful today - not just for being with those you love and having great food, but be thankful to the One who rescues you from yourself, and gave His life for you.

Blessings!

I'm in a tizzy this morning...

 I normally do not glance at Facebook this early in the morning, but for some reason I did - and what I saw did not make me happy at all.  Needless to say, I sent a couple text's off this morning and I hope these people wake up soon and see it and do something about it.  It is just eating at me until something is done. So I'm in a 'tizzy'.  Ever get that way?

I also had a sweet text from a granddaughter this morning that the great granddaughter had lost her loose tooth she was showing me on Saturday.  I can't believe how big she is getting!  Granted I don't see her often due to distance so when I do see her, I see major growth.  She's a cutie.

I had placed an order for something to be made for me - and wouldn't you know it - it was screwed up, although I had 'approved' the draft/proof.  But I did write the company and told them what had happened and asked, 'how can we fix this?' - and I got an email this morning that they are re-doing my order.  Now THAT is customer service, and it is making me feel so much better.  I've ordered from this company before without any problems. Glad they are fixing this one.  Not telling what - who knows - you may get it for Christmas. :-)  Or not.

Yesterday was a busy day with having to schedule meetings - and I was exhausted last night.  I didn't get to do 'girls' night out' and then hubby got a call from his friend that he was staying home - so we both were home last night.  I kind of sunk into depression, I think, for I was thinking of just having a quiet evening at home alone.  Well, I told hubby he was taking me out to dinner - and we ended up at Arby's (because I really wasn't hungry, and I was not going to cook).  Came back home, watched the news and I crochet'd. TV off for a short while - then he wanted to watch the basketball game and offered to put on the headset - but I told him it wasn't necessary.  I crochet'd for awhile, but decided to go to bed at 8PM.  I just really wanted to be alone.  But I did fall into a deep sleep and awoke about 5 or so hours later and then couldn't go to sleep.  Laid there and prayed for each of my children, their spouses, and the grand and great-grandchildren by name.  Finally dozed back off around 3AM-ish and then slept until about 4:15AM.  For some reason my watch isn't waking me up - am I really sleeping through it or am I shutting the alarm off?  I really don't HAVE to get up at 4AM, in fact, have been considering making it 5AM, but I know my body will wake up when it wants to anyway.

Today will be a very quiet day for work.  Two people are on vacation today, my favorite boss has an afternoon of doctor appointments, and will tell me to jump off around 2PM (she always does) or earlier, and the one she is blocked out of office as of 3PM.  Don't expect much to do today.  I may work on some of the Christmas gifts I never wrapped yesterday.  I need to put gas in my car and I want to run over to JoAnn's to pick up some yarn for an afghan I started last night.  Only have one skein of this yarn so need about 5-6 more to complete it.  I may just go online and have them ship it to me.  That works too.  It's unreal that tomorrow is Thanksgiving.

Colossians 3:15 (NKJV):  "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you also were called in one body; and be thankful."

Ironic I found that verse when I'm in a tizzy, huh!  But God can deliver peace, and He can even do it now - if I let Him.  That's what we do, though, isn't it?  We KNOW we can have peace about a situation because God is definitely in control of ALL situations - but when something goes against the grain - we get in a tizzy - and I'm no exception.  I'm still in a tizzy until it gets corrected, and then I'll be in a tizzy for awhile for I know I will hear about it from others.  And I can't defend.  

Looking forward to a couple days off work - actually, we get a four day weekend - too bad they are few and far between!  Christmas and New Years will be only a three day weekend - but I'll take it!  

In the meantime, hope your day keeps you out of tizzys and keeps you at peace. 

Blessings!