Three bags....and it died.

 Yep - just went through my second (in the last many years) juicer.  I think I mentioned the other day that I had gone to Ms. Amy's and picked a lot of fruit - grapefruit, tangelos, oranges, lemons.  I took several bags to Needles of Hope yesterday and got rid of some.  My daughter picked up some.  But I still had a lot left - so I started juicing.  I went through about 3 bags when it just wouldn't 'go' anymore.  It wouldn't juice anything.  I unplugged the juicer, waited about an hour, and tried again (yes, I plugged it back in) - and nothing.  So in to the trash it went.  Many years ago my oldest son had bought my first juicer I had.  I used it for about 5 years or so - when the same thing happened.  I had a lot of things to juice - and just wore it out.  So I bought another one, just like it.  And now it has died.  They really do last a long time; I am sure I've used this one every year several times for about 5 years.  But - because it died, I went to Amazon and found one similar to what I had - couldn't find the one I had before - and ordered it.  I just heard them deliver it.  Thank you prime delivery.    So this afternoon I will try this new one out and see how it juices.  I bought another kind a year or so ago and tried to use it - but did not like it and returned it, and went back to the old one.  Crossing my fingers this will work well.

The son of Ms. Amy contacted me again last night, asking about when should the trimmers come... and it was smooth... but I will be working on getting tree trimmers out here next week.... I will be contacting and trying to get estimates to submit to the son and then arrange it all.  And then he tells me how much he appreciates me.  If our houses were not connected, if we didn't have an HOA, this would not be my problem... well, it's not really a problem, and I'm happy to help.... but hubby is president of the HOA and he is the one who contacted the realtor about the trees and the realtor contacted the son.  Interesting.  I thought the realtor would take care of it, and then take it out of the price... like they do the painting.  Oh well.  I'll make a couple calls; send the videos I took of the trees, and I can make sure hubby and the rest of the board will be 'happy' with the trees.  

Today we go to the RV park for church.  We've gotten a lot of prayer requests from them lately (I'm on the prayer chain since a couple years ago some people died from covid and we didn't know and asked about them) and some of our close friends are sick and we won't be seeing them today.  It sounds like covid is once again making the rounds in the RV park, and I know two of our friends have been in the ER this week diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.  Crossing my fingers I don't come across anyone who is sick - I have my oral surgery on Tuesday and definitely cannot be sick or it will be rescheduled.

As you probably guessed with my talking about juicing yesterday, the Christmas things did not get put away.  I really meant to, but with all the fruit sitting around, needed to get it juiced.  Then I took a decanter and some bread over to Ms. Diane and visited with her for a bit.  I have a decanter and some bread for Ms. Vicky and will probably stop over there this afternoon for a little while, then come back home and juice the rest that I have decanters for.  I love fresh orange juice and generally drink a very large glass of it.  Sounds good this morning and it is fruit.

And our fast starts today.  Hubby and I were discussing it last night - he commented he hadn't decided, other than TV, what he was going to give up.  I just looked at him.  I'm not going to tell him what he can or cannot do.  It has to be his decision, his choice.  He did say he could give up beef and pork and just eat chicken, but didn't want to mess me up.  I told him that I could still fix meat for him; it doesn't bother me to not eat it.  Sounds like he won't push his fear on me that I will disintegrate by fasting.  Trust me, I have enough fat on this body it could live without food for several day.  And I will drink my water and juices so I'm good. :-)  My sister who is doing the fast as well, told me she would be doing juices the first three days and then vegetables the remaining.  Everyone is different and everyone is to do what is on their hearts to do.  The fasting isn't for 'us', it is to refocus us on Jesus and get ourselves tuned in to Him.

The notice for our Discipleship class was put on the website yesterday.  I'm hoping we get three couples, but it doesn't matter.  Got to work on the lesson after today and get prepared.  I speak at both RV parks next month so only need to pull one message today, and then one for March.  Classes aren't to start until January 22nd so have time to work on both.  

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT):  "Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.  He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God."

Have you ever stopped to think that our lives are an aroma to God?  If we are mean and grumpy, sarcastic, cynical, etc. - that is a stinking aroma.  But if we show love to others, and compassion, and do good, it is a sweet fragrance unto God.  Which would you rather be?  In actuality, we are that to our families as well.  Think about it.  When we do things our way, say what we want, when we want, and we hurt those we love, it is a stinking fragrance on our families.  But when we treat them with favor, show them compassion, kindness, and love, it is a sweet fragrance unto them.  Hadn't really thought about that before.  Hmmm - maybe I need to change my attitude some towards some people?  sigh.  It won't be easy.  And it probably won't be easy for you.  But it is what we are called to do, as children of God, to be kind and loving and compassionate to others.

Maybe we should try it today and let some of that rub off on those around us.

Blessings!

Wake up same time; but not get up...

 Yeah, cause I'm so used to getting up between 4-4:30AM, even on weekends my mind will wake up and start thinking about things.  I start to get up and then reflect on the week, realizing that this is Saturday and I don't HAVE to get up .... but the longer I lay there, the more I think about it, and the more awake I become.  So I finally drag myself out of bed and come in here.  Sometimes I think I can go back to sleep in here, but that rarely happens, unless I am just exhausted from no sleep.  Today, I laid back here in the dark room and just enjoyed the quiet (no snoring heard).  After awhile I told myself to get started on my reading and about a half hour or so later, hubby came in bringing my coffee.  

I've enjoyed some time by myself again this morning but will soon need to get moving - not for work, but to get ready to go to Needles of Hope.  I remembered I had a danish in the freezer so pulled it out this morning to thaw to take with me.  Sometimes it is nice to have snacks.  And, I need to get things out of my freezer.  And, I really should not be eating that stuff and if I keep it here, yes, I'll eat it.  And yes, I will eat some of it this morning - but whatever - if any - is left over, will be going home with someone else.

I also have a couple bags of oranges and grapefruit and lemons to take in.  I went out yesterday morning and picked so that I'd have to take.  There is still a lot left, if anyone is interested in picking some.  Need to do it probably within the next day or so - the owner is having to have the trees trimmed back and they may be coming next week to do it - which will take a lot of the fruit that I couldn't reach without a ladder.  Let me know, family, if you are interested in getting some.  If I can, I'll try to get back out there this afternoon and get more.  The tangelos and oranges make great fresh orange juice, just saying!  

I also have frozen avocado slices in my freezer for anyone who wants them - we just don't seem to be going through them very fast.  Since we are going on our fast starting tomorrow, I'm hoping to work through fruits and vegetables in the freezer and eat them up - and clean out the freezer while we're doing it!  Not a whole lot of meat left cause I quit buying it.  I do have a pork loin - which may end up staying in there until the fast is over, since it is pork and I'm giving up beef and pork for sure - and it depends on how much chicken and fish hubby makes me eat.  I know I have a bit of fish, but don't know how much chicken I have yet in the freezer.  Like I said, good opportunity to clean out the freezer - and then go get a fresh batch of meat in three weeks.

I checked my emails before getting on here and one of the RV parks has already sent me dates for this fall and 2025 for speaking there.  I notice she missed one month - February.  I know they often tell me that more and more retired pastors are moving in to the RV park so they use them as well.  There are only so many Sundays.  And I tell them that anytime they want to stop using me, it's ok.  But this group has become like family since we have been there almost monthly from November to March every year since 2011.  We are even on their prayer chain!

Our 'Heart Crew' with our church will be starting up on January 22nd - and we will be having weekly classes on Monday nights.  Since we have to have it in our home, we told them no more than 6 people, with 3 men and 3 women - cause it works better for prayer partners - men with men, women with women.  I will start focus studying on the first session this weekend, for I want to be prepared.  I think hubby has resigned himself to the fact he will not be taking it over...... yes, that is what I felt he would try to do.  We are so different in our teaching styles.  I'm just praying he will be nice to everyone.  After all, our home will be 'invaded' every week for several weeks on Monday nights from 6:30-8PM.  It's going to be a rush for me too as if I have an hour workout, it is usually 5-6PM - and I won't get home until 6:15 at least.  I may need to move it to another night or see if he can move me to 4:30PM.  But then, I only have an hour session through the end of this month - then it goes back to 30 minutes, and I'll be home in plenty of time. I really enjoy my workouts and the individualized attention.  But I do need to make more of an effort here at home.  I did use my kettlebell yesterday in here doing squats and leg raises and shoulders.  I did a couple sets on each part - and I was feeling it last night.  Which is a good thing, as long as I keep a good form. :-)

I Peter 1:13 (NLT):  "So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control.  Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world."

Actually, what made me choose this verse was the first sentence.  Prepare your minds for action (in other words think positively and prepare how I will complete the tasks that I want to complete) and exercise (yeah, there is that word again) self-control (don't over think the process - just do it).   So many times I, and I a pretty sure you do as well, create such an agenda in my mind to complete this task and that task and do this and do that.... and overwhelmed in my mind... I may do one or two of those tasks and that is it.  Do you do this as well?  I have great expectations of myself; I really do intend to get things done..... and in my own frustration of my life..... I will sit down and crochet.  Or read.  

So - I'm going to list some things that I want to get done this weekend.  Will I get them all done?  I hope I do.  But, if I don't, I must not beat myself up over it, but move that task to next weekend - or another time that I can get to it.  So - here are some things I want to get done - I think I'll just list the top five.  Now bear in mind that this morning is already taken, as is tomorrow morning (church).  I don't have all day... and it seems like something else is going on tomorrow but I don't remember what it is. O well.

1. Finish packing up the Christmas things still out in the house.  2. Back the car out and get these boxes put in the cabinets and not leave sitting in the garage.  3. Quick trip to grocery store to pick up things for soup.  4. Read.  5.  Crochet.   

Ok - the last two I just threw in there cause I don't want to overwhelm myself while I sit here in my chair! I should be able to accomplish the first three today - I'm always telling hubby that Sundays are a rest day - we should not do any work.  God said so.  Take a rest day.  But sometimes, that is the only time I can get things done.  (erase, erase)  

And with that, I'm going to close this off and wish you all a blessed day.

Blessings!                          

This may be short today..... or not...

 I've dilly-dallied around this morning and am just now getting to putting something in here - and I have about 20 minutes.  What can I do in twenty minutes?  Well - let's just see!

Hubby has left for his Bible study this morning with his friends.  He will be gone a few hours.  I love this time in the morning, as you know.  Of course I still have to work - but love just being alone and I can talk out loud if I want, I can go grab a couple weights and do a set or two.  I can do anything I want.  Oh, and I can work too. Yeah.  He says he will come home, and change clothes and go back to the gym.  Yeah, we'll see.  I told him to take his clothes with him and change there, but he didn't want to.  His choice.  Extra driving.  I'm staying out of it.

I think I'm about ready for Sunday's message.  I am speaking at the RV park here in town and I'm talking about our outlook - for last year, for this year - and how do we look at ourselves.  Sometimes we don't like people because of their behavior, or because of something they said.... but until we know WHY they behaved that way, or said what they did, who are we to form an opinion about them at all?  I mean, if you have someone who snaps at you, rather than getting angry at them and (I know, I need to hear my own words!) and perhaps retorting back..... stop and think about what could have triggered that.  The other day hubby came in out of the blue and snapped at me about something.  I don't even remember what it was now.  But I looked at him and told him there was no reason to speak to me in that tone of voice.  He paused, and said what he said before, but in a nicer tone.  And then later, he came back and apologized for snapping the way he did - and explained that he had been frustrated about something - that had nothing to do with me in the first place!  

Today is Friday and although it has been a short week (4-day) as far as work, I'm glad it is nearly over for I have been kept busy most of the time.  In fact, last night I remembered a meeting I was supposed to schedule - and I think I forgot it.  I'll check first thing to see if I did schedule the meeting.... but had so many meetings to create, I think I forgot that one.  Oh well.  Will do it this morning.  Glad this week is nearly over.

Tomorrow is Needles of Hope when my friends and I meet to crochet or knit for a few hours.  We didn't meet last month so it's been two months since I've seen some of them.  Looking forward to time away in a different location to catch up with friends and relax and crochet.  I finished up two projects last night - a baby blanket and an afghan.  I donate the blanket; the afghan goes up in the closet for whenever I need a gift for someone.  Maybe.  I don't put much value on what I make as I don't think I'm that good at it, but I do like to have something on hand if I need to give someone a gift.

Want to finish getting our Christmas things put away this weekend too.  And our fast begins on Sunday.  Hubby has already said that he is not going to start until after Monday's football game.  Or is it Sunday's.  Afterall, giving up TV is a big decision for him.  I'm personally excited. LOL

Romans 8:28 (NKJV):  "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

That is the scripture that came to mind as I paused to think what to put next.  Is hubby giving up his TV watching for MY good?  Yep.  Now it isn't that I'm so against the TV, I'm not.  I just enjoy the quiet evening as I am on the computer all day.  Last night hubby watched the news and then asked - 'do you want to watch a movie?' and I said 'no'.  I heard him make a noise.... and turned off the TV.  And I got to finish a book, and complete two crochet projects.  A win-win for me, right?  It didn't hurt him a bit and he actually did pick up a book and read a little in it as well, instead of 'reading' his phone all evening and listening to all that garbage.

Uh oh - five minutes - gotta jump off and get the computer up and running.  I told you this may be short!  Hope you have a good day!

Blessings!

The unexpected things that happen....

 I had gone to the dentist last month, as I probably wrote about.  He found a 'root' of some sort, but was baffled because he could not pull it out - so referred me to an oral surgeon.  My consult was yesterday.  Sigh.  The oral surgeon was also baffled as to what it could be.  They took a CT of my mouth.  He could see it, but still unsure of what it was.  He couldn't figure out the 'why' of it being discovered now, when I've been going to my dentist for some time.  It obviously has been there for awhile.  Then he compared yesterday's CT to the one he took in 2022 when he did my oral surgery.  And there it was!  Hidden under the gumline.  It has never been painful.  But about 3 months ago, it reared its head through the gumline.  I thought it was a chip or a popcorn kernel that got suctioned onto a gumline.  It wasn't.  It was this root bursting through.

He wiggled the root around and still bewildered; said he had not seen one like this ever.... and he laughed that my dentist had called him in a panic the day he couldn't get it out after an hour of working on it.  He said I'd have to have surgery.  After paying for the CT scan ($345 I hadn't planned on) because Cigna will not cover it, they gave me the news for the cost of the surgery.  (almost $1600)  I had a choice to make.  Do I go ahead with the surgery and get it taken care of..... or do I put it off and run the risk of food getting in that hole, an infection or abscess, or who knows what could happen.  I took a deep breath and scheduled the surgery.  They had an opening today.  Uh... that's a little soon.  So I scheduled it for next Tuesday afternoon.  Which means I cannot eat or drink anything 8 hours before I go - and I check in at 3:45PM.  I'm fasting anyway, so it shouldn't make much difference, right?  But you know as well as I do, giving up food because you want to and doing it because you have to - are entirely two different things!

So - long story short - I am scheduled for oral surgery on January 9 @ 3:45PM to have this root removed.  What they find happened (did the root of the tooth splinter?  is it the root of a baby tooth that has remained there all these years?) will hopefully be figured out - and I'm their first!  LOL  I told him I was unique!

I told hubby to go ahead and schedule his wisdom tooth removal - cost will be about the same as mine - but hey - let's just do it and get it off our plates the first of the year - right?  He plans to call them today and schedule it after my surgery.  I told the scheduler that I had to have mine before the 23rd as we were going to the Japanese Friendship Garden on that date; a Christmas gift from a grandson and his wife.  I'm almost wishing I had scheduled it today so that I could just be done with it.  But hey, Tuesday is right around the corner, right?

So that is the 'excitement' going on around here right now.  My headache and neck ache go away (or I get distracted from it) and then comes back as a dull ache.  It's been a few days now and I'm so over it.  Just stop, ok?  Neck is better than it was, but my sinus area is hurting this morning.  This too shall pass, my mama always said.

Micah 6:8 (NKJV):  "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Our God requires that we do what is right, that we have mercy, and that we walk humbly with Him.  We must remember these three things as believers in Jesus Christ.   Of these three, walking humbly with God may be the most challenging.  It conflicts with something that lies deep within every one of us, an abiding, constant, relentless desire to have our own way and to come out on top. We are by nature proud. God calls us instead to humble ourselves, to let ourselves come out on the bottom.  This is very difficult but humility is among the greatest of all virtues.  (Chuck Swindoll)

Yeah, I think I'll stop with that one.  Humility.  Humble.  Words we often do not like to hear.  But yet, it isn't so hard to do.  Sometimes we are forced into humbleness by issues that are not always in our control.  I think humbleness is sometimes confused with submission, don't you think?  And yet, they are two different things.

Humble:  Not proud or arrogant, haughty or assertive.  Ranking yourself low on the scale.

Submision:  An act of submitting to the control or leadership of another.  The condition of being submissive, humble, or compliant.

Huh.  I guess it is somewhat related.... I looked those definitions up.  But in my mind... let's see if I can word it correctly....  To be humble is to think others better than yourself.  To not be proud; to step back when others step forward.  To be submissive, or in submission, to me, is to let others take advantage or control; to let them win.

Hmmmm - I guess they are related in a sense, right?  I really hadn't thought about it before.  Walking humbly before God is to be submissive to Him.  Yeah, I get that.  And I can do that.  I submit to His authority in my life.  He created my life; He gave me breath; why should I not submit to the One who has all authority over me?  And bowing down in humbleness to Him who loves me, that is the greatest pleasure one can have.  To sit at His feet and listen for Him to speak to you.  To listen, and to obey.  To be humble enough to listen; to be willing enough to submit.  His ways are always better and are always to my advantage.  I will give Him all my praise.  Will you?

Blessings!

Life is slowly getting back to normal...

and yet, what is 'normal'?  The Christmas trees are down, I'm still working on the ornaments to pack away as I bought a specific storage container for ornaments - and since I didn't put them all on the tree, need to get the box with the rest of them out in the garage and put in this box.  Trying to combine things together and get a bit more organized does take a bit more time.  And being 'lazy' doesn't help.  I did get the quilt and shams off the bed in here yesterday and packed away, and the daily ones back on.  I have made progress...albeit a little.  I'll get some more things taken care of today - maybe - as I have things I need to do.

I go for the consult with the oral surgeon today.  Not looking forward to that.  I shudder to think what that will cost - not today's visit, but the actual surgery to remove the root that has split and grown up through my gum lime.  Hubby still needs to have his wisdom teeth (tooth?) removed - and that cost is $1400.  Which is why he hasn't done it yet.  I did offer my credit card for him to put it on.  The problem with that is that when I allow him to put it on the card, he forgets about it and I am the one who pays for it.  Oh well, what is money for, right?   His new hearing aids were $1600 and he used my card - and has never offered to pay anything on them.  He never brings it up - since the one time I did - and I got screamed at that it was a necessity.  Oh well.  It's only money.  I wouldn't have this surgery if my dentist didn't tell me that it could become infected and I could lose the entire tooth as he sees a black hole behind the root.  It is what it is.  Hopefully can get it taken care of this month and be done with it.  Then hubby will have to get his done and I'll just have to make the payments.  It would be interesting what he will tell the dentist at his next visit.  The last time he told him that the oral surgeon doesn't take our insurance.  Well, he does, the $1400 cost is AFTER the insurance.  Dental is a lot different than medical.  His medicare pays for just about everything for him.  My dental insurance does not.

The pounding headache is gone, but my neck is still sore.  Not sure if it is from sleeping wrong or if I have moved it enough, trying to relieve the pain, or if there is something else.  Will be glad when it stops hurting though, it is annoying.  UGH, I think my ocular headache is returning.... my vision gets weird just before the lightning bolts 'hit'.  I've had two of these in the last five days.  Could it be my neck hurting that is causing them?  My eye specialist says there is nothing to be done.  I try to track how often I have these and what happens.  It's annoying, for sure.

My blood pressure has been weird lately.  I have had an Omron BP machine and have used it for a few years - and my BP, especially in the early mornings - has always been 'normal' like 110/70 type range.  The company I work for sent out BP cups called 'Hello Heart' for anyone who wanted them - and I thought 'why not? it's free!' so got one.  Now mind you, I haven't tracked for a little while... but this one has an app on my phone so that it tracks what my BP is.  And it has been in the range the past few mornings from 126/76 to 141/85.  Today was 133/82.  I'm wondering how accurate either of these machines are.  I can go donate blood and they get 110/70 range.  But here, first thing in the morning - to be as high as it has been?  Could it be the pain in my neck that is causing it to rise?  I started measuring it on Saturday.  New Year and the sledgehammer headache was Monday.  Could it have been all the extra I was doing over the weekend to drive it up?  Well, will keep taking it each morning and see if it comes down.  One thing I've noticed is that I'm not drinking as much water as I used to - not anywhere near what I used to - perhaps that is one thing?  I refuse to take BP pills, so I got to do something - lose weight, exercise, and drink more water - and see what happens.  At least I don't go back to my doctor until September, so I have time to get it down.  I just can't procrastinate.

Procrastinate.  I meant to write about that Monday as that was our message on Sunday morning.  Our pastor talked about himself some, and how he procrastinated on taking care of his health.  To the point that he apologized to his wife the day before, for letting himself get to where he is now.  Now he is a very large man.  He's tall, and he's wide.  He confessed before us all that when he came to this city 20 years ago he weighted 275; 50 pounds from his goal weight.  He got on the scale this past week, and it was 420.  He had lost down to 360 last year - but then stopped exercising, stopped watching what he was eating, and has gained all this weight.  He procrastinated.  I know I have written about him before and how he struggles with his weight - just as we do.  His wife may weigh 100 pounds soaking wet.  But that woman is ALWAYS moving!  I am a big procrastinator, as you know.

I've told myself that I will take a 'lunch break' this year and will spend 30 minutes on the treadmill.  Yesterday I worked through lunch, snacking in the afternoon.  I told myself that after dinner I will wait a little bit and then walk the treadmill for 30 minutes.  I sat down and crochet'd a bit, then when hubby turned off the TV, I read a few chapters in a book.  Did I remember what I wanted to do?  Yes.  Did I do it?  No.  In my defense, while hubby was gone for his breakfast with his friend, I DID use my hand weights and did 3 sets of a shoulder and bicep exercise.  After all, I do have my training tonight and I didn't want to appear to not have any strength since I didn't go to the gym at all last week.  Trainer took a week off - and so did I.  Not that I do much exercising except when there.  I have procrastinated long enough and need to just do it and quit being bugged that hubby has to know everything I do.  It is MY problem, my weight, my resource to get rid of it.  So quit procrastinating, girl!

Titus 2:11-14 (NKJV):  "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."

Reminds me of the song "Grace, Grace, God's grace / Grace that will pardon and cleanse within. / Grace, Grace, God's Grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin."  

His grace is always greater than any sin that we commit.  All we have to do is confess that sin and ask for forgiveness.  We humble ourselves before Him and seek His face.  Oh, His forgiveness is so relieving, so fulfilling!  I am sure I've written it before, but there is a prayer John Wesley spoke many years ago that I often say when doing my prayers.

"Forgive them all, Lord, our sins of omission and our sins of commission; the sins of our youth, and the sins of our riper years; the sins of our souls and the sins of our bodies; our secret and our more open sins; our sins of ignorance and surprise, and our more deliberate and presumptuous sins; the sins we have done to please ourselves, and the sins we have done to please others; the sins we know and remember, and the sins we have forgotten, the sins we have striven to hide from others, and the sins by which we have made others offend, forgive them, O Lord, forgive them all for His sake, who died for our sins and rose for our justification, and now stands at Thy right hand to make intercession for us, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen."

There is nothing better than His grace, so freely given to us.  All we have to do is ask for it.

Blessings!

The day after the first one....

 Day two of the new year and I will be back at work.  After three days off work, I need to get back in the routine of things.  Especially since the past week, which is between Christmas and New Years, most of my bosses were off and I didn't have that much to do - and didn't do much of anything I should have been focusing on.  If I had been in the office - yes, I would have gotten much more done.  But sitting here at home - it's so much harder to get the 'want to' let along do it.  It's only been a month since my boss asked me to work on SharePoint.  Guess who hasn't even brought it up to look at yet!  UGH.  I really need to get on it.  I just don't want to.  I read where SharePoint is going away.  I wonder if she knows that.  Everything is going to Teams.  I'll talk to her about that - although I don't know much about that either - except it seems that EVERYONE who creates a Teams site always makes me an admin - why is that?  

Yesterday- other than my sledgehammer headache - went well.  Enjoyed seeing my oldest son and him joining us for lunch at my daughter's.  The only thing she added to our 'poor man's lunch' was corn - which is always good.  The BBQ ribs were good, the coleslaw turned out good, and the black-eyed peas were good as well.  

I had taken an additional ibuprofen by the time we headed to my daughter's, trying to get rid of that headache.  It still lingered through lunch, adding my neck was hurting as well.  When we got back home a few hours later, I took another ibuprofen and slept deep for an hour!  Not my 10 - 30 minutes as I expected - but an entire hour!  The headache had drained me.   It wasn't entirely gone when I went to bed so took yet another ibuprofen and woke this morning without the pain - hallelujah!  I slept deep last night too - which is why I usually cannot take ibuprofen.  It totally knocks me out.

As for what brought on the headache, we noticed a haze in the air as we drove over to my daughter's.  The conversation came up about the air quality and it was mentioned that the news said that people who suffer from migraines and respiratory issues and other things - to stay inside as the haze is from the extensive fireworks that were shot off by various people and places the night before.  We even heard fireworks last night!  I hadn't been out until we left the house yesterday and awoke with the headache.  I don't know what caused it... but am grateful it is gone.  And I hope it stays gone.

I put in my number for Goodreads last night - I chose '50'.  It showed I read fifty books last year - and I had only expected to read 36.  So - if I could do 50 without knowing I was, what if I put 50 and pushed to achieve it?  Guess who is going to try to beat that record!  With the TV off for 21 days this month (once we start our fast), surely I can get a couple books read in that timeframe?  Will see!  I have to work on a couple messages yet and I need to study for classes start up January 22nd.  But perhaps I can get a good start.

I bought a Passion Translation Bible (NewTestament+Proverbs+Psalms) for myself and started it with the new year.  I love the way the words speak and mean something.  I know they have several books of the Old Testament out, but they haven't combined in one book yet.  There are a few I would like to read to get a better understanding - books like Esther and Ruth and some of the other prophets.  

Psalm 90:12 (NKJV):  "So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

Psalm 90:12 (TPT):  "Help us to remember that our days are numbered and help us to interpret our lives correctly.  Set your wisdom deeply in our hearts so that we may accept your correction."

Interesting, the two different versions, isn't it?   Ah, that we take either version to heart - that we will ask for wisdom to use our days wisely, that we will seek after the Lord and live according to His Word, and not in our own way.  Help us to be wise and not foolish, squandering our number of days, but make them of great value to ourselves, and to others. 

Back to work today and all four of my bosses are back.   Hopefully I can wrap my mind around work and get refocused.  I'd rather curl up with a good book today.   But, alas, I cannot.  I did read some last night.  I always try to reread my Fasting book(s) before starting my fast each year so that I can get my mind and my heart refocused on what I am doing.  

I appreciate being reminded of my reasons for choosing to fast.  Fasting is never easy.  And it isn't meant to be.  If you give up something that is of no value to you, you really haven't given it up.  For example, giving up the TV is nothing to me.  I rarely turn it on.  For hubby it is a big deal (besides, he does like his food - even more than I do!) to give it up.  He also said he'd fast what I do - but I know he can't.  He's already started that if he eats just fruits and vegetables it messes up his intestine and he runs to the bathroom all the time.  Nothing like a little inconvenience while cleaning out the body, right?  But I'll fix him fish and chicken - and I may eat it too - not saying I won't.  But my current thought is fruits and vegetables and drink a protein shake when I go to the gym.  But, will probably choose chicken as well.  It keeps hubby assured I'm eating enough protein and won't die on him.  

Several years ago I did the Daniel fast of fruits and vegetables - and lost 15 pounds in those 3 weeks.  What that tells me is that my diet before was pretty bad!  How is that?  Because I can do the same fast now and if I lose anything at all, it is less than 5 pounds.  My diet was a lot different back then than it is now.  I don't eat the pasta and meats and breads like I did then. And chocolate.  Which reminds me, I wondered last night if chocolate had been the cause of my headache... you know, overabundance?  How is that?  I ate TWO large chocolate bars hubby gave me for Christmas the night before within a three hour time period while reading and watching a movie.  You know, mindless eating, and you think to yourself, go ahead and get rid of the chocolate now so that you don't want to eat it tomorrow.  And that part worked.  But did I do chocolate overload?  Who knows!

And with that, I need to get my butt up and get my work computer turned on and get dressed for work.  Life does go on after the holidays.   Make your life count today!

Blessings!

Struggling to get going on day 1!

 No - it isn't to exercise.  Hubby has left already for his training this morning; I opted out until Wednesday - and I'm glad I did.  I woke this morning about 3:15AM with a sledgehammer headache.  No - I had not been drinking - I can only contribute it to the rain we are to get late afternoon, according to the weather report last night.  I finally got up about 5:30AM and took 2 Tylenol extra strength - they haven't done much.  I had a Vicodin (an expired one) and just finished taking it; hoping it will take effect real soon.  I got to get moving.  My neck hurts too, so wonder if it isn't part of the problem.  Oh well; I'll feel better once I get my attention off of me.

Today is the first day of 2024.  We went to bed about 10:15PM last night - watched a movie, then hubby slept through/watched the news.  Didn't take long for us to fall asleep, since that is past our normal bedtime.  But man, sure which I could have not woken up with the headache!

We will be heading over to my daughter's around 10-ish to get started on the ribs and get them in the oven.  She really doesn't need me there; she can sear the ribs and put put in the oven herself, but I did tell her I'd be over.  I'll touch base with her soon and see if she really wants me that soon.  Ive been lazy somewhat thus far - it's 8:37AM - I've been reading / sleeping / anything trying to get rid of this headache.  Just fixed some toast and ate it, hoping that will help.  

Yes, we will be having the traditional BBQ ribs, black-eyed peas and coleslaw for lunch.  I don't know if my daughter has anything else planned or not.  I think I'll take the rest of the chips we have - we've been eating them - but eating potato chips and losing weight just don't seem to go together, and I got on the scale yesterday and discovered I had gained back in a week the weight I had lost.  So, yeah, got to get back focused again.

Our fast starts next Sunday and we are still discussing.  I know what I want to do...  hubby wants to fast, but not like me.  I think I mentioned he offered to give up TV - and I am so thrilled for I can get some real reading done, rather than trying to work it in an evening here and there for a couple hours.  Granted, I do get sleepy sometimes while reading.  But I will also need to start studying as our Monday night classes will begin on January 22nd.  I want to be prepared to start immediately and not hunt for answers.  It's been several years since I've taught Discipleship and I have thrown away all my notes so am starting fresh on this teaching.  Kind of wish I'd gone with a workbook, but I didn't, so I will study and prepare and dive deeper.

And that is my goal this year - to dive deeper into the Word and in to God.  I want to know Him more.  I want to change the way I live my life; I want to emulate Jesus.  That is my goal this year.  Not to lose weight; although that would be nice.  Not to get stronger, although I will also work towards that goal.  Not to retire, although I do wish that could happen.  I want to be like Jesus.  I want to walk so close to Him that the dust from His sandals gets all over me.

As we start this new year, I pray that you will be enlightened with the Word of the Lord.  I pray that you will find the fountain of Life.  And I pray that you will have the favor of the Lord.  As it says in Proverbs 8:32-36 - TPT

"So listen, my sons and daughters, to everything I tell you, for nothing will bring you more joy than following my ways. Listen to my counsel, for my instruction will enlighten you. You'll be wise not to ignore it.  If you wait at wisdom's doorway, longing to hear a word for every day, joy will break forth within you as you listen for what I'll say.  For the fountain of life pours into you every time that you find me, and this is the secret of growing in the delight and the favor of the Lord. But those who stumble and miss me will be sorry they did! For ignoring what I have to say will bring harm to your own soul. Those who hate me are simply flirting with death! "

Oh that this would be the year that you find yourself seeking the Lord and His favor!  That you will long to just sit with Him and hear His voice speak to you!  I pray that this will be MY year to sit with Him more, to listen for His voice more, and to just sit at His feet and worship.  Don't let another year, another day, go by without surrendering your heart to Him.  You will never regret being His!

Choose Jesus.  When you have Him, you have all that you need.  I pray 2024 will be your year of findng Him.

Blessings!