Did I really sleep that late?

 I know it has been a crazy, stressful, chaotic week in many ways - but never dreamed I would sleep as late as I did this morning.  At least for me it is late - 5:45AM!!  All I can say is that I must have needed complete, deep sleep.  I felt I could have slept longer, but saw the clock and knew I should get up - and here I am.  Yes, I'm writing in here first because I have Jentezen Franklin on (6AM; 8AM now) and I want to listen to the service. Can't read and do both but can type. :-)

Pray for Israel.  Iran has now attacked Israel and I think even Jerusalem.  God says He chose Israel as His people and we are to bless Israel.  To bless Israel is to be blessed.  Cursed are those who curse Israel.  Pray for our leaders that their eyes will be opened and they will protect Israel.  Some of us can't even imagine the disaster that is happening.  Heaven help us if we should experience even a portion of what Israel is getting right now.  Lord Jesus, please help Your people!

Yesterday was a good day.  Hubby had men's breakfast to start his day while I just enjoyed the quiet morning.  When he got home, he started doing his daily reading and I spent some time doing extra prayers.  We went to the funeral of a friend's sister.  We didn't know her, but did it to support our friend, and he was so grateful.  There were only about 60 people there, and mainly family, but we were glad we went.  They asked us to stay for the meal and we sat with them and had a good conversation.  They were so grateful we came and it meant a lot to them.  We are going to try and meet them next Saturday and go to Canaan in the Desert, then perhaps breakfast afterwards.

Today's message is good - I would suggest you check out Free Chapel's message for today - it's on prayers - The Lord's Prayer, the Jabez Prayer, and many other prayers that are in the Bible.  Pray them every day. The message is actually o Habakkuk 3.  Short prayers are powerful and have urgency that long prayers don't have.  My short prayer of "Lord, HELP!" is powerful! At least the first service is.  Jentezen Franklin said he had preached this one time in the 2nd service before but hadn't in the first service.  He may or may not preach it again - I'm glad I'm listening to the first service today.  LOL  He's telling the story about Neil Armstrong standing on the moon and why he had said, after the famous 'one step for mankind....' statement and the reason he had said "Good luck Mr. Gorsky".  I knew about the statement, but didn't know the story behind it. Funny. At least now it is.

You don't have to pray long prayers.  Pray short prayers.  Start by saying the Lord's Prayer every day.  You can even say it over meals.  Just start, that's all you got to do.  There are lots of short prayers - even our 'God is good, God is great, Let us thank Him for this food. Amen."  "Thank you for wakening me this morning, Lord."  "Thank you for my family."  "Thank you for Your provision."  Even one sentence prayers God will hear when you are sincere.  Does God hear my 'Lord, HELP!' prayers?  Absolutely!  And He hears yours.

Matthew 6:5-15 :  And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.  But you, when you pray, go into your room and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place, and your Father who sees in secret, will reward you openly.  And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathens do, for they think they will be heard for their many words.  Therefore, do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Most of us know the prayer beginning with 'Our Father' - aka The Lord's Prayer - for we learned it in our youth - for someone as old as I, I learned the KJV of it.  And that's how I still say it.  I haven't said it every day, but perhaps I should.  I mean, I do pray other things, but maybe I should include this one too. 

Prayer is mighty.  I know prayer works - I've seen it in many ways over the years.  No, I do not always get an answer to my prayers.  You know that, for I have shared here when the prayer wasn't answered - at least not in the way I prayed it and wanted it.  But I believe that God answers each prayer I pray in His own way, the right way.  My words all fall short of the glory of the God and God sees my heart and knows the prayers that I pray are sincere; and He sees my heart, and knows the pain that I carry within. He knows every struggle that I go through.  He knows exactly what I need at the exact moment.  And He knows you, and He knows your heart.  Why not send a short prayer up to Him right now?  What is on your heart, your mind?  What is it that you are struggling with?  What is your need at this moment?  Do you or someone you love need healing?  Perhaps it is financial help?  Or even relationship issues? Pause and ask God to give you wisdom in dealing with whatever it is, to show you what to do, to bring healing and wholeness to those you love, to provide what is needed.  He hears every prayer spoken and unspoken.  Turn your thoughts and prayers to Him.  He is listening.

May the Lord bless you and protect you.  May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you peace. Amen.

Blessings!

Relaxing morning somewhat..

 Hubby has gone off to the men's breakfast at church this morning and I am alone for a couple hours.  I know, it is way past time I usually write in here, but for one, I slept until nearly 5:30AM today! And for another, I am just relaxing in my quiet morning.  I checked with my youngest yesterday and we changed from breakfast today to lunch on Monday, so I have no rushing to do this morning.

I took a break yesterday and got my car washed, for it really needed it.  It looks much better without all the dirt spotted on it.  Haven't replaced the windshield yet from the rock hitting it a few weeks ago, but it hasn't spread so am not doing anything.  I'm always wondering if I get it replaced, how soon before another rock hits it and does even more damage.... like I can stop it.  It's been a bit over a month and the crack hasn't grown - yet.  Time will tell.

A close friend's sister passed this last week and we plan to go to the funeral today.  I struggle with going to funerals and avoid them if I can, but I told hubby we really should attend this one.  I have my morning to do whatever, and then the funeral early afternoon, I think 2PM.  

We met up with our trainer last night - he wasn't feeling well, he said, so only drank a soda while we filled up on hamburgers and french fries from The Habit Burger Grill.  It was good to have him to ourselves where we could just laugh and talk for an hour.  We came home and then watched two movies.  Hubby assured me as he started the second one..."I'll stay awake"... LOL... but of course he didn't.  But to him, he says it was 'boring', whereas I enjoyed it as much as the first movie.

Romans 3:21-26 (TPT):  But now, independently of the law, the righteousness of God is tangible and brought to light through Jesus, the Anointed One. This is the righteousness that the scriptures prophesied would come. It is God's righteousness made visible through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. And now all who believe in Him receive that gift. For there is really no difference between us, for we all have sinned and are in need of the glory of God. Yet through His powerful declaration of acquittal, God freely gives away His righteousness. His gift of love and favor now cascades over us, all because Jesus, the Anointed One, has liberated us from the guilt, punishment, and power of sin! Jesus' God-given destiny was to be the sacrifice to take away sins, and now He is our mercy seat because of His death on the cross. We come to Him for mercy, for God has made a provision for us to be forgiven by faith in the sacred blood of Jesus. This is the perfect demonstration of God's justice, because until now, He had been so patient - holding back His justice out of His tolerance for us. So He covered over the sins of those who lived prior to Jesus' sacrifice.

Pause for a moment.  Think about the sacrifice Jesus made for us. Jesus' blood covers all our sins, and we are made righteous in God's sight.  We can't just come to God and say "sorry".... but we must come with a repentant heart.  I will use myself and the current past situation as an example.  I am covered by Christ's blood, shed for me, and with His righteousness.  How do I know that?  Because I said some things and reacted to some things in a way I probably should not have.  But I went to God with a repentant heart and asked for His forgiveness, and He forgave me.  If I had just said "Sorry, God, I was angry" without being truly sorry I did it, I would not have felt His forgiveness.  He says in His Word....

Ephesians 4:26 (NKJV): "Be angry, and do not sin.: do not let the sun go down on your wrath."

When we get angry and say things that shouldn't be said, we need to repent and ask forgiveness for saying what you did.  Does that make sense?  So, yeah, regardless of whether it was 'justified' or not, regardless of whether it was meant or not.... when we get angry and say things that shouldn't be said, we need to ask for forgiveness.  I had to sit before God and talk to Him about the situation and ask Him to forgive my words.  I didn't say anything to the person I was furious with, but I did mouth some words that I shouldn't have.  The imagined words the person came up with did not come from me; so I am innocent of her dragging my name through the mud - and God's name because I serve Him - and she will be dealt with by God for that.  End of that saga.

Bottom line - watch your mouth when you are angry and do not allow words to come out that you may regret saying a week (or sooner) later.  I have no regrets.  And what I did say, mainly to God, have been forgiven.  Grateful.

My coffee cup is empty and since hubby is still gone, I reckon I need to make myself a second cup of coffee, if I so choose.  Not sure yet if I want a second cup, but do need to get off here and finish up my reading.  It's nice having a morning that I can just quietly sit before God and read and talk with Him and just be quiet, and allow His Peace that passes all understanding, flow over me.  He is a good, good, Father.

Blessings!

It's been a different week ...

 than normal, I mean.  Lots of chaos and pain at the beginning of the week, lots of work to keep me over-whelmed and busy, and here it is Friday and I finally feel like I can 'breathe' a little bit.  My blood pressure, which had shot up over the past few days higher than it has ever been, is back down to 'normal' today - 122/77.  Still not perfect, of course, but compared to what it has been, it is great.

Speaking of blood pressures... hubby is in excellent health.  He went to his PCP yesterday for follow-up of all the yearly tests.  His doctor told him that it was the best report he has seen on him (and he has treated him for over 20 years, and his dad before him!).  Everything was at or below what it had been and the PCP told him "whatever you are doing, eating, working out, keep doing it".  The doctor says he will live to 100.

So we celebrated by going to Sardella's for pizza last night. LOL  Our trainer was hoping to join us but wasn't able to at the last minute, so asked if we could meet up for dinner tonight.  I told him I'd think of a place for us to meet.  He likes Chili's hamburgers so perhaps we will go there.  Hubby and I brought home pizza so will possibly have the leftovers for lunch today.

My added stress the other day of being given other assignments from one of the bosses... well, the other three EA's and I had a meeting with them yesterday and got it straightened out.  All I will need to do is 'help' if needed.  None of my executives will be attending the meetings so I don't have to work with them.  I may need to help find restaurants around physician offices where the meetings will take place.  But I am only a back-up, a helper, not having to do the work.  And I'm grateful.   I do have a few meetings to take care of this morning, but I'm hoping to get back on the training and complete a few more today. But it is Friday and I have blocked my people's calendars for Friday - very few meetings get put on there.  It gives them an opportunity to get caught up on things.

My headache finally went away yesterday afternoon, for which I'm grateful.  It did take a couple ibuprofen to get through it.  Went to bed at our usual time last night and I slept like a log until about 2:15AM, then back to sleep until 4AM.  I could still go back to sleep, but no time for that this morning.  The night before my watch told me I slept only 3 hours and some minutes.  No wonder I was so exhausted yesterday.

Our weekend seems to be filling up somewhat.  Hubby has men's group breakfast at church tomorrow morning; I made arrangements with my youngest to have breakfast during that time, but hubby reminded me last night that this son doesn't like breakfast, so I plan to check with him to see if he would like to make it a lunch another day.  We have a funeral of a friend's family member in the afternoon that I feel we need to attend.  Then we will probably chill until Sunday.  Maybe get some things done around here?  NOT.

Luke 9:23-24 (NKJV): Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it."

We are called to live as Christ lived, holy as He is holy.  We are not to seek after our own interests and our own welfare but to choose to live as Christ would live through us.  We aren't to run off and do our own thing, but what can we do to honor Christ as we do 'our own thing'?  It's not that we aren't to do anything we want to do, but do we do it for the glory of God, or because it just brings us pleasure?  Do we insist on our way without regard for others - or are we kind as Jesus is kind, thoughtful as He is thoughtful, loving and caring as He is loving and caring.  We can do a lot of things begrudgingly; but can we do things that will bring God glory?  All of the glory, all of the honor, all of the praise - belongs to Him.  Do we glorify ourselves and what we do, or do we give God the glory for giving us the ability to do those things that we do?  

Doesn't matter what it is work related or pleasure related - we are all to do them for the glory of God.  Sometimes, I admit, I have to remind myself of that with work.  Sure, I get a good paycheck for what I do.  But I need to quit grumbling so much about having to work - or the work that I do - because I work for Jesus, not for the company.  The money I receive for working I am able to give more to the church. I am able to help others in need.  And I am able to pay our bills and able for us to have fun as well.  

So I probably never will be able to retire.  Which hurts, I admit.  I grumble about it a lot.  But Jesus keeps me healthy and I can do the things I want to do, because I do work.  No pay check will create - not a hardship, but a reckoning that we can't do the things we like to do a often as we like to do.  Does that make sense?

Maybe we all ought to take a look at what we do on a daily basis.  Do we do it for the glory of God?  Do we go the 'extra mile' when needed - or just enough to get by?

Which reminds me.... I should be hearing about my raise for this year soon.  If it throws me into the next tax bracket it will 'hurt', but God always provides.  Our taxes are done and paid so for that we are grateful.  And, I need to quit rambling.  I have a few minutes I can just sit and listen to calming music and rest in His arms before starting my day.  Now THAT is a refreshing way to start the day!

Blessings!

A tough day in many ways....

 I was shaking mad and upset yesterday morning.  A dull headache formed.  My youngest son called and as we talked about what had frustrated me, I calmed down.  I was ok. Talked with my daughter and all was well there.  Still frustrated at the person who did what they did, I commented to my son some things I probably should not have.  He must have repeated my comment to the person involved.  Things escalated from there, I am afraid.  And perhaps I am at fault.  Yes, after a sleepless night, that is what I came up with this morning.

Mid-morning my left eye decided to do its own thing and started moving and then went extremely blurry.  That lasted perhaps a minute or so.  Still had my dull headache.  Work was really busy again yesterday, as it has been all week.  I went to the gym after work for my workout and just before I began the hammer curls, I felt extremely dizzy and lightheaded and sat down for a few minutes until it passed.  Finished my workout and came home, fixed dinner, tried to read, and hubby went to bed a little after 8PM.  I wanted to read a little more, so stayed up.  Getting to where I wanted to stop reading, my oldest son text'd me and raised some interesting questions.  I think I pondered them most of the night, which is a good thing.  And God and I had long discussions (ok, so they were one-sided with my conscience) about the entire evening of continuous facebook posts that had been made.  My daughter had posted something .....and I called her out on it and said she probably ought to remove it, which she did.  I can only imagine that started the deluge of facebook posts .... none of which I responded to, not even when my name was dragged into it.  Did I want to respond?  Yes.  But I did not.  I finally sent my son a text about some of the comments.  He deleted comments, but not the post.  

Romans 12:19 (NKJV):  Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay", says the Lord.

But the irony of the entire thing.... if irony is the right word.... all the facebook posts centered on what was said to this person last weekend.  The one in which I defended this person and confronted the person who had said it and told them they were wrong.  The fact it was said, was never denied nor disputed.  What I was upset about yesterday morning was the person wronged over the weekend taking their own revenge and retaliation in a meeting with others and airing her personal feelings toward this person, causing a denial process to ensue.  That never came up in the posts; only how wounded they are.  

How did it become my fault?  I am thinking it is because I got upset and said this person was toxic to our family and I was choosing to stay away from them, because of their vengeance and retaliation at a public meeting.  But once my youngest son and I talked, I was fine.  In fact, I had talked with my son later that day and none of this came up; but I guess I stirred the pot when he posted a comment about truth.... and I laughingly typed to the effect 'that is the truth'.... and from there on... so perhaps it was my statement that set it off again.  Or was it more that the son didn't let it go and went at it all day?  I don't know.  But as I have shared here, I will send him a note this morning and apologize for my part in all this.  I never said this person could not come to family functions.  I never spoke to them at all, not even in text.  I let the words fall without responding, believing they got what they wanted, support from their friends for what was said, but not acknowledging what they did in retaliation.  

The last time I looked at the clock was 2:45AM so I'm thinking it will be a long day today.  And I have much to do still.  I may try to take a nap sometime today, and perhaps an ibuprofen will finally remove this headache that will not go away.  The thought occurred to me during the night that I wondered if I had had a mini stroke during the day, what with the headache, the left eye moving and getting blurry, and the dizzy spell at the gym.  I believe it was just coincidence it all happened for each time I would start quoting scripture during each..... which scripture?  

Jeremiah 17:14 (NKJV):  Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise.

I am human, just like you are.  I allow emotions and feelings to get the best of me at times.  I am going to 'assume' that there are others that do the same.  I still feel I need to take a break from this person, but if I ran into them - whether here or there - I would not diss them.  I would still be kind.  We ARE called to love the unlovable. Sometimes it has to be from a distance.  My oldest son, as mentioned, asked me some hard questions and I am not sure I could even answer them correctly.  I am not perfect.  Yes, I still do stupid things and let my emotions get the best of things.  I did ask God for forgiveness during my wakefulness last night.  And I know that He gave it.   

Life is hard.  Things like this come against others often, I'm sure.  I probably reacted poorly.  That is on me.  Sometimes stepping away is best for awhile.  Not saying who is right or who is wrong in this particular situation, but I am owning my own part.  Even the 'RevMom' can do wrong.  

But we have a great God who is ready and willing to forgive us and walk with us through the consequences of the wrongs.  And for that, I am grateful.  

Blessings!

Emotions - good and bad

erase erase.  Yeah. Already started that this morning.  I'm shaking inside I'm so furious and so angry - and so disappointed in someone who intentionally has hurt someone I care about.  Just for their own feelings that had been hurt.  I am so done.  I will be kind.  But this person has lost all respect and I am washing my hands of them.  Let God deal with this person.  I cannot.  And I cannot tell hubby what happened, for we know how he will react. He will find out soon enough.  They just cut the string that held them to me, as far as I am concerned.  I have tried to be kind; to overlook things.  They have crossed the line.  I cannot smoothe this over. You go against family, you go against me.  And since I belong to God, it also goes against Him.  I'm HIS family.  I cannot feed the flames.  I must remain silent.  Lord, help!  

What is it I have been saying this week?  "Better to be thought a fool than open the mouth and remove all doubt"?  

Whew.  You really did not want to read what I wrote before.  

I stayed home last night as my daughter had an appointment to do something.  As my luck would have it, hubby said he ate something that had made his tummy queasy so he wasn't meeting up with his friend last night for Bible study.  Was I upset.  Yes.  Why? Because in my mind I already had planned what I was going to do - quietly, without interruptions.  I never said a word, though, although hubby kept asking if I was upset about something.  I wasn't really upset he stayed home.... it's his house.  But it was more my space had been invaded that I had blocked out for me.  That's the only way I know to explain it.  Unless you have walked in my shoes, you will not understand.  He finished watching his show and then we watched the news.  He asked if I wanted to watch a movie... but I said no.  So (thankfully), the TV went off and he was on his phone for the rest of the evening.  I read some and then finished a blanket I was making.   That was my wonderful evening.  At least I didn't have to fix dinner since his tummy was queasy.

Still working on these meetings and struggling to get them done for work.  I did check emails last night and at least one has opened up so I can get that meeting scheduled first thing this morning.  Still have a couple others that I need to deal with  Sure hope I don't get a lot more today to do.  We also have our annual trainings we have to complete - I can't remember if there are 22 or 29 of them that we have to complete by June 30th.  I'm trying to do at least one a day, and I'm close - I've done two (the one I did yesterday took about an hour!!) and this is day 10, I think.  It's mandatory trainings so everyone has to do them - compliance, medicare, health plan stuff - all of that and none of it really applies to me, which makes it all the more frustrating.  Plus the fact that I have always stressed over tests - and at the end of the majority of these is a 5-10 question quiz over what you read.  Needless to say, I copy and paste in to Word as I go along so that I can refer back to what I read when I get to the end of the training and have to take the quiz.  My mind goes totally blank when it comes to tests about things I don't work with and really has nothing to do with my job.  But - like I said, it's mandatory so have to do it.

Matthew 5:44 (NKJV):  But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you......

Romans 12:20 (NKJV):  Therefore "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so you will heap coals of fire on his head."

Yeah, I'm in the 'heap coals of fire' mode still.  Sorry about that.  See, you are not alone when you get upset with situations or with people.  As much as I try to live a Christ-centered life, the devil will do all he can, especially using others, to create chaos and destroy those who love Jesus.  I am still in a state of shock I guess, that this person would do this.  Lord, help!  I am so done.  I can pray for them, and God says I have to love them, but I don't have to be friends with them. 

Sometimes you have to separate yourself from those who intentionally wound others.  They have shown themselves to be a fool.  They get their way in this, but they have lost a lot more.  Financially, and other ways as well.  

Ok - this isn't going anywhere good today.  And I can apologize to you, and I know it is just my protection coming out for other people.  I'm done standing up for this person; I'm done helping support the family in little ways that I can.  I'm just done.  

And with that - I'm just going to shut up.  My heart is grieving over this situation and I can not do anything about it.  It doesn't involve me.  This is strike three. Out.

Hope your day starts out much better!

Blessings!

That darn spigot - or whatever it is called!

 It was after 1AM when I heard it this morning.  The pounding of water hitting the ground.  I laid there and listened to it, knowing what it had to be as there was not rain in the forecast.  As it continued on, I got up to confirm my suspicions.  Knew just where to go look so that I could see.  Yes, I was right.  The 'thingie' on the sprinkler system (it's too early in the morning to recall what they are called) must have blown off again for it is the same one that happened a week or so ago.  The water was shooting up, hitting the roof, and slamming to the ground - which was what woke me up.  It eventually shut up, and then I was awake for awhile.  Struggled in here about 4:15AM and tried to sleep, but hubby brought my coffee i shortly thereafter.  And that's ok.  I have gotten to where I have allowed sleep to steal my time with Jesus and instead of fighting it, I tend to lean into it.  In my defense, somewhat, I did get up with a headache and my sinus is acting up.  Thinking of getting the humidifier out or put some oregano oil in the mister so that it will help my breathing. I told hubby about the broken 'thingy' when he brought the coffee in.  Too dark to check it now, he will go out when it gets light and then start making phone calls to get it fixed.  And like last time, it happened on a Tuesday morning, so they wait until Thursday morning to fix it (when they come out to landscape) because it isn't set to go off again until Friday morning.  Whatever.  They should know not to wake up a mama bear.  Right?

Yesterday was a real busy day at work and I kept telling myself 'you can do this'.  Still have one meeting I have to schedule that I worked on for most of the day with outside providers.  Just can't coordinate time. Hopefully can get that one done today.  And then it is the 'little' things others ask me to do - create service hub requests for this or that - and they can do them themselves but choose not to so I have to ask them for all their information, wasting my time, to complete their task.  That part annoys me and I just have to 'suck it up' and do it.  I did push back on one and she did complete it. Sometimes it is necessary, especially since they aren't even in your department coverage - that you know of anyway.

My devotional was really good today and I want to share a part of it with you.

I've commanded you to love your enemies, even though I know that goes against every emotion within you. See your enemies through My eyes and not your own. Know that they are souls trapped by their sins and in desperate need of deliverance. They need Jesus, just as you do. Never doubt that I can use your life to save these lost souls.

I need you to reveal Jesus to others, and though you can't change them, I can. If you respond in love, it opens the door for Me to work powerfully in the situation and move their heart. It is all about your response. And I need you to respond by lettering everything you o an say be representative of Christ so that His power might work in and through you to bring about My glory. Give love and grace in the face of every situation. Just as I do with you.

Luke 6:27 (NLT):  To you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you."

Sometimes I don't think it is 'hate', but 'indifference'.  Hate is a strong word to use, and we usually say it when we are angry.  But sometimes, it isn't so much anger as it is 'we're done' or 'we need a break' and we back away.  And that's ok.  We tolerate. But we are also called to love.  In spite of hurt. In spite of indifference. In spite of anger.  LOL  As I write this I am reminded of my little sister and her sharp words that often try to destroy me.  I often back away.... lick my wounds so to speak, I guess.... until she gets past her anger at someone else that she directs at me.  In spite of harsh words, I love her.  And I tell her so.  And I usually agree that 'we need to take a break'.  And within a short while, she is trying to make it all my fault and wanting to talk again.  Whatever.  I've learned to not let it get to me anymore. It nearly destroyed me once; it won't happen again.  But I will still love her.

Hubby has a Bible study this morning so will be gone a couple hours - and if his friend shows up, they will go to lunch.  I love the quiet time for me, but right now work is so busy I have to stay in front of the computer and not get up and walk around.  Just my life.

Ms. Diane had a birthday (87 or 88 I think) yesterday and I called after I saw her children had left.  I don't have any gift to take her so didn't go over.  Suggested I pick up lunch and have lunch with her today - but she has a doctor's appointment.  I will be picking up a couple Arby's sliders (I love them!) and take to have lunch with her on Wednesday.  I will give her a call earlier to make sure she remembers and will tell her when I can get away.  Or maybe I can send hubby down to pick the up and then I won't lose that time. Depends on how the day is going.

I called Ms. Vicki and had planned to visit her last night, but she said she was already in bed (at 6:30PM!) because she hadn't been feeling well.  So we talked a bit and later this week I'll call and go over and visit for a bit.  It's probably been two months since I was there last!  Some days I just don't want to go anywhere!  I have become a hermit of sorts, I guess.

I guess I have run out of things to ramble about so will hush for today.  Hope that your day is amazing!

Blesings!

It was a day...

 We did go to church yesterday and I wondered what hubby would do when the wife of the man in the wheelchair I have spoken about before, got up to preach.  I chose not to look at him, but I could hear him groan.  But, in all honesty, she did 100% better than the other couple times we have heard her.  She stayed pretty much on track, and although I don't remember anything about what she talked about, I think it was good.  I think what is distracting is seeing a 400lb woman in a flowing floorlength dress walking back and forth on the platform wiping her brow because she is sweating. And talking a mile a minute. Loudly.  (Yes our pastor is 400+ pounds but he stays in one spot pretty much).  

We came home and I was going to cook lunch, but we had received an invite from the daughter to come over later for carne asada.  So we ended up eating hot dogs. Hubby was in one of those moods where he was questioning everything I was doing - or not doing.  It was puzzling, to say the least.  And annoying.  I finally asked him if I needed to write down an itinerary for him so that he would know what I would be doing all day. 

After lunch he went outside to talk to his brother (he said he went out because I was reading and he didn't want to disturb me).  My phone rang, and it was my old friend.  I answered the phone, but no one was there.  I kept calling her name, and no response.  I tried calling back. Four times.  (she lives alone since her husband passed and I was concerned) Still no answer.  So I went out and told hubby I was driving over to her place to make sure she was ok.  Not sure what I could do; I don't have a key or anything.  But I was about 1/2 way there and tried again - no answer - and then she called me back.  Seems she had called me in error, then went to the bathroom and didn't take her phone.  I told her I was coming over anyway since I was almost there and we could have a glass of water together and then I'd head back home.  We had a nice visit and scheduled lunch on Friday to talk some more.  It's hard to believe I met her in 1968 and we have been friends ever since.

Got home and we headed over to the daughter's for dinner.  It was a nice surprise to see my oldest son pull up in front of the house.  I love it when I can hang out with my children - as many as I can get at a time.  I had talked to the youngest earlier in the day.  But I had to smile as he handed me his white plate that says something like 'made with love by Mom'.  I had given in and told the kids they could return the plates and we'd see what happens towards the end of this year.  Two have returned their plates.  I think it is the youngest who hasn't returned the plate yet.  Who knows, it may not be cookies this year.  And it may not be for Christmas.  Time will tell.

All in all - it was a good day - and the food was good - and I ate way too much.  And yet, I think the 'too much' was the chips and quac.  I only had one burrito and didn't eat much of the beans and rice... but obviously too much of the beans for during the night they kept trying to come back up and I would wake up, swallow, and feel it burn going back down.  I should have just gotten up and gotten rid of it so that I could sleep!  I know - that is too much information - but I am so sleepy this morning!  Tummy still feels very full this morning so hopefully things will process out of the tummy soon.  Definitely not hungry.

Ms. Amy's son called me while we were at the daughter's..... I didn't answer and let it go to voicemail.  He left me a message, thanking me for taking care of his mother while she was here.  He's done this two-three times now.  It's interesting, because I never hear from his sisters, who now are near Ms. Amy in Florida.  He was the financial person, and happy that the house finally sold the other week and is out of their hands.  I still can't believe they pay $9K a month for Ms. Amy to live at this fancy assisted living.  She only needs someone to take care of her - they would have been better off to buy her a small house or apartment and have someone come live with her.  But at $108K a year, yeah, she will run out of money fairly soon.  I'll get back with him sometime today.

And.... I have run out of time this morning, sitting here thinking about different things.  It's about 3 minutes until 7AM and I need to get the work computer turned on.  And I'm still in my jammies.  So glad that I don't have to dress and drive downtown or to Mesa to work!  Change clothes, brush the teeth, comb the hair - and I'm done for the day, as a rule.  I may throw on some makeup if I have a meeting where I have to show my face.    So - need to get off here- sat and thought too much to get much of anything written.  So with that - my bad!

Blessings!