It was a good day

 Yes, it was a good day for me.  My oldest son came over and ended up staying all afternoon - and even having a little soup with us for dinner!  I loved having him here!  It was a very good day.

I haven't been out yet to see how many quail eggs we have - guess I could run out there. Well, I did, and there are still only four eggs.  Maybe that will be it!  But I am getting frustrated with that quail!  I don't want to disturb the eggs - but she is pecking at the stems of my plant - and they are all falling off!  I'm grabbing them as I find them and putting back in water to root.  Once the eggs hatch, and the quail leave the pot, I can replant the ones that have grown roots.  I started with one plant and it grew to fill the pot - until Mrs. Quail decided to make it a nest.  Will update as we go along.

We go see our tax guy at noon today.  I gave hubby all my figures last week - and in my mind - I have everything labeled clearly.  What is ministry expenses, what is mileage, what is medical/dental/vision expenses, etc.  THIS MORNING he is finally putting my numbers in the packet and is asking me questions.  He is so confused - even with me having them labeled!  I told him he was confused, that perhaps I needed to take over the number sheet.  Oh my goodness - you'd think I had started WWIII.  But - I will push for him to let me do it next year.  I've questioned the numbers he has put down for the past two-three years - I just didn't think they were right - for a large portion of what he put in.  But, I don't know where he pulls all his numbers - and that is why I keep my part separate from his.  I can back up my numbers; I just am not sure where he is getting his.  I know I have missed some things.  I wasn't as thorough as I usually am.  I'm just praying - once again - that we won't have to pay.  Or at least let the state refund be enough to cover the federal.  Then too, I think we may get a credit of $6K each, I heard. I haven't looked into it.  "It isn't all it seems" as I think there are qualifications for it - and I may make too much money to get it.  Will see.  But - for my part, I need to keep better records.  I can go into hubby's bank account (our joint account) and can pull out numbers.  Since this is just March, I need to get a start on that and on my own account as well.  I have a ledger book - might be a good place to start, huh?

I received a sweet surprise from my big brother yesterday. The other day we were talking about hummingbirds, which I think I mentioned yesterday.  Well, the flower pot that he ordered for me came yesterday - it is painted with hummingbirds and flowers - so colorful and fun!  When I get the seeds on Friday from him, I will fill it with dirt and plant the seeds - will leave on the porch so that it won't be burned by our sun - it's to get really hot today and the next few days!

Romans 15:13 (NKJV):  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We may call it wishing, or dreaming, but we all have hope.  And when our hope is in the God of hope, we will be filled with His joy and His peace, because we can believe that He will provide what we need exactly when we need it.  Don't ever turn your back on God, as some in this generation has.  It breaks my heart when I hear a grandchild say 'there is no God' - when I know they know there is!  They just didn't get the answer they wanted.  I can't tell you how many times God has NOT answered my prayers.  Seriously.  Sometimes my kids will say that I have a direct line to God - but the truth is - they do.  All I know to do is to pray and ask God (in my hope of His fulfillment of my ask) to grant what I request.  But His ways are so much better than mine; His thoughts are so much greater than mine.  He knows if He answers 'yes' when it should be 'no' or 'not now' - I could have circumstances I had not planned on.  But when I allow Him to take over the situation, I can trust that whatever the outcome is, it is in His hands because He knows best.  I may not agree with the outcome, but I know in Whom I trust.  And I trust in God.

My prayer is that regardless of what you are going through; regardless of what you may foresee in the future, that you will surrender your hopes and dreams and even all of your decisions to our God who loves you more than any one else could.   Let Him fill you with Hope - that whatever happens, you are in His hands.

Blessings!

Where is my mind?

 Yeah, Yeah, I'm late typing in here this morning.  But, I think I will start typing in my work computer as 1) it doesn't interfere with my quiet time (where I keep an eye on the clock and at a certain time I need to 'stop' and write in here), 2) It's much easier to type in here and keep an eye on things.  So that's my excuse and in spite of the fact I kept falling asleep this morning (and losing time!) I am at least writing!

Our quail nest has grown to 4 eggs now.  I've ordered a camera (I hope the right one!) to install to where we can watch when the eggs hatch!  The camera will be here on Friday.  I keep watching for the mama, but have only caught her on the nest one time.  Yesterday I checked and there was only 3 eggs, but after I went to the gym, I checked again - and there were 4!  I'm on 'Quail Watch'!  LOL

I got excused from jury duty.  After all my stress and worry about it over the weekend, I went online yesterday and did the questionnaire - and at the end if asked if I wanted to be excused and there was a drop down for the 'excuses'.  One of them was 75 and older.  First time I've ever been excited to be over 75!  I clicked that button and immediately got a 'you are excused and do not need to appear' message.  So happy it was that easy - and now I don't have to worry about it anymore.  I was also able to make that notice 'permanent'.  I don't think my age is going to go backwards.  

Hubby is going to be busy today - 9am gym; 10am eye doctor; 2pm echo.  Then tonight he has the bible study at church at 7pm.  I get time for me!  Whoo hoo!  LOL  It's the little moments that count, right?  

Ironically, yesterday I was thinking more and more about retirement. The whole ordeal with the timecard on the guy who took maternity leave - I never got a response from anyone until about 2:30pm which was past the deadline for the timecards and I couldn't change anything. Plus they didn't give me any instructions on how to fix it.  He's getting a regular paycheck as if he worked.  Although I didn't approve his timecard either.  UGH.  It started during that time as I was so frustrated that I couldn't get the information I needed - and I found out that all the emails had been going to Brett - and he hadn't bothered to forward them.  Sigh.  Communication with me is not one of his skills.  Oh once in awhile he will call me and update me on his accomplishments and dreams - but update me on what I need to be doing? not his specialty, and it annoys me.  So yeah, I am thinking retirement again.  Still looking at November 20th.  And then, I'm thinking that in January I will start looking for a part-time or even full-time job here in my area to where I could even go in to the office part time and work and be with other people - but take off if I need to (think hubby's appointments, days off, etc.).  As long as we have enough money to live off of comfortably, we don't need to have a huge income.  Right?  But then I think about the 'cush' job that I currently have where I work at home, can usually take off for hubby's appointments, can take time off.... is it just the work I don't care for?  Doesn't mean it will be any different any other place, does it.  Sigh. Oh what to do!  

I need to dig out my hummingbird feeders.  I had mentioned to my brother that I didn't have any flowers to draw them this year - so he ordered me a pot (smart aleck had to say 'without eggs') and some flower seeds.  It's the little things he does for me that I love so much!  He always surprises me with things - not always - but occasionally.  It's fun to get a surprise gift from him.  

Which reminds me.  He told me it was 75 in Indiana on Sunday.  Yesterday he sent me a video - it was minus 3 wind chill and snowing - sent me a video of the snow coming down and staying on the ground!  Good ole' Indiana weather. If you don't like it, just wait a little bit; it will change!

And - I'm drawing a blank as to what to write this morning - need to get re-focused on work stuff.  Still have one set of board minutes to create. Oh joy.  At least no more meetings until the end of April.   So - with that - I'm off here!

Be kind to someone today - you don't know what trials they are going through!

Blessings!

It's giving me a headache...

 What is?  I got a jury summons on Saturday!  For April 21!  I just laid it on my desk to 'deal with' this morning.  Of course I'm going to try and get out of it.  I did lookup the age limit and something was said that at 75 we (at least what I got out of the quick read I did) we can decide if we want to do it or not. Well, 'NOT' is in my response. I've done it before - a couple times, in fact - and it was ok.  One time I actually served.  But I don't want to drive down town (Superior Court).  Yeah, lame excuse, right?  Taking a day to read and crochet, yeah I can do that as I wait for them to call my name.  I just don't want to do the drive.  So if I can't get out of it, will be calling my youngest son (as he is the 'traveler') to see if he could take me, and then come pick me up when I'm done.  But I am going to try and get out of it.  And, because it was on my mind last night when I went to bed, I did not sleep well.  Every time I woke up, I was thinking about that jury summons.  I really don't mind serving - IF it was much closer to home. I just don't like driving down town!  I refuse to even go in to our corporate office for activities because I don't want to be in the traffic.

As you noticed, I'm sure, I did not write in here yesterday. I slept sound until about 5:30AM yesterday and then had to work on the message, get dressed, and allow time to drive up to Pioneer Village. I blame it on sleeping late that I ran out of time. But - it's all ok.  Went up there, did the message, then we stopped at Cracker Barrel on the way home for brunch. It annoys me that we (nearly) always have to stop, but hubby uses the excuse of being out and 'dressed up' and he doesn't want me to have to cook lunch....  and then we came home, changed, and took a nap.  Or did I read first?  I can't remember now, but I was able to get several chapters read in a book before I gave it up.  Fixed grilled ham and cheese sandwiches for dinner and we watched NCIS for the rest of the evening.  I kept telling myself I needed to visit Ms. Vicky, but I was too comfortable on the couch.

Saturday I took the covers off our patio set and we sat out there for a short while.  Went to Lowes and then Walmart to pick up a 'tub' (was looking for a deck thing) to put the covers in.  It's getting really cluttered out front and since it seems to be 'up to me' unless I tell hubby specifically what to do, I'm going to try to get out there in the next day or so and get rid of some things in front.  There is a plastic bag that has been behind this barrel for probably six months or more.  But I think I need to put the covers back on since we won't be out there much during the week.

Maybe I can get a break today, although Brett is back. Sue is not; she is still off until Thursday.  Today is approve payroll day so that will be my 'first chore' this morning.  Shouldn't take long as everyone is salaried - and I have quit emailing them and reminding them sign off on their time card.  They are adults - approve your timecard!  They are supposed to approve it first, then I approve it.  Have a problem with one - and I see that Brett did respond to my email about that one - guy took family leave (6 weeks) for a newborn - and I found the denial note attached to his timecard.  Brett says he was approved, but DENIED was in pretty big letters.  Didn't see an approval.  Will go back and look to see if it is after that one.

Oh - we have quail 'nesting' in my purple plant flower pot!  I saw dirt had been thrown out of the pot (which is about 3 ft off the ground! On the porch!) and I could see where 'some animal' had been in the pot.  The next day I found one egg.  Friday there were two eggs.  Yesterday I went out and looked and there are 3 eggs!  I wasn't sure what kind of eggs until Saturday when I saw the quail sitting in the pot.  She jumped out of the pot and was walking through the flower bed, pulling twigs and leaves out.  Looking for bugs?  I dunno, but nothing was put in the pot.  Except eggs.  Glad they are quail eggs and not pigeons. Yeah, we have some of those too.  

I sent photos to my big brother and he looked up information; it takes 17 days for the eggs to hatch.  I'm glad my plant is a drought plant, that is, if it even survives this.  The quail is pecking at the stems of my plant and making herself at home!  I've picked up a few broken ones and put in water.  I can replant those when they grow roots.  Which makes me think - I bought a spider plant when we went to Lowes and was going to hang it - but the hook is too wide (I think) for the hanger hook so it's sitting on top of a stand.  I sure hope the quail don't decide to come roost in it!  I need to figure out how to get it hung up. I was surprised the quail jumped up 3 ft to the pot as it is.  But, at least my porch is safe from the coyotes that roam around at night.  We hear them frequently howling.  

Hubby asked last night if I thought we could get away for a few days in August.  I told him we probably could.  I drive, of course.  I've even thought of getting away before then - even if just going to a hotel again for a few days - but we don't really have a reason to.  This coming Saturday I have a women's conference that I will be going to and it is an all day thing.  I'm flip-flopping on going, but I know I need to go - for me.  I need a break and to spend the day with other women worshipping Jesus and just being part of the body of Christ.  It isn't just for our church, but the entire state - any woman can come.  I paid my registration fee when I first got wind of it. I've been to 4-5 of these and have enjoyed them. I even signed up for the leadership lunch this time. Stay tuned on this one.

And - my head is hurting this morning since I didn't sleep well and I need to get on the work computer as well.  Perhaps this little bit of rambling will cover me until I get my head on straight.  So - until then - have a good day!

Blessings!

It really was a good time

 We went to the Rider's dinner last night at the VFW and had a really nice time.  My son seemed to be feeling much better than he has in the past couple of months or so - and we enjoyed so much talking with him.  The soups were good, as well.  Some had seasoning that I wasn't used to, but overall, I still enjoyed them, although I only tried three of them.  I tried the stew (which I really liked), the chicken and rice (which was good), and the bacon and cheeseburger (which I wasn't so crazy about).  I was going to try the 'creamy potato', only it was all liquid - or seemed to be.  To me, creamy potato still has potato chunks in it. But - the three I had was more than enough and it all looked/smelled/tasted good.  Enjoyed our time with my boy, for sure.

Today is Saturday and I don't (think) have anything really planned.  I am speaking at Pioneer tomorrow, and have already gone through the message and feel it is good.  I will go through it again in the morning. I think I'm set on that.  I've done some reading this morning, and hopefully may be able to get some more reading in this afternoon.  My eyes have gotten to where they burn a lot so am not sure how much reading I will do.  Still getting used to my new glasses and they seem to be keeping my vision much more clear than my other glasses were.  I did get an appointment scheduled with our eye specialist; I hadn't been to him in a couple years.  I do want to talk with him about the blurriness I get (on the lens from my cataract surgery) and question why my vision seems to be getting worse, which I didn't think it would.  He can't do anything about my ocular migraines, and they have gotten spaced out more so it isn't quite as bad as it has been.  I credit some of that to my chiropractor as he works on my neck when I tell him about having one.  And I've 'only' had one this past month and it was the other day.  I go to the chiropractor on Thursday.

I'm sure hubby's first question to me is 'what do you want to do today?' when I come out of my room.  Why do I always have to come up with something?  Of course I'm not always agreeable with what he comes up with, so there is that.  It probably is better for him to ask me - but let me curl up with a good book, be quiet, get me a water to sip on, snacks to chew on, and I think I'm good to go.  He has gotten in the 'habit' lately of asking "Is there anything I can do for you today?"  It always reminds me of Charlie Kirk as I read in his book (as I'm sure hubby did) that he asked Erica that every morning.  Sweet, right? And I'm sure hubby means it, but in reality, for me - there is nothing he can do for me.  I don't do anything!  All I seem to do is work M-F, cook meals, watch movies, and read, and occasionally work on diamond art projects or crochet.  I don't have a 'life' to speak of - and yet, I know that I do.  It just feels suffocating at times......and I'll leave that there.

Thinking I need to plan another retreat over a weekend.  Maybe next weekend, as I am not speaking until the 29th - and that is the last one this season.  Oh wait - we have dinner with our RV park friends Friday night and then cards at their place afterwards.  I'll figure something out the middle part of April - maybe encompass hubby's birthday so that he doesn't feel so alone when I leave the day after his birthday for Jailbreak.  Providing one of us girls find an AIRBNB and get it reserved, and my daughter can get an airline ticket to get here.  I'm really thinking I'd like to go later in the year, but it seems our schedule is built around our great-granddaughter's schedule and mom has her in just about everything.  It's busy this spring, and will probably be busier this fall.  Oh well.  We will go when we all can get away.  Daughter needs to work around her babysitting schedule and doctor appointments in NM as well. This may be the year...... 

I'm certain there was something I was wanting to share from a previous post, but I certainly can't think of it!  Today is supposed to be pretty hot.  We bought our outdoor patio furniture last year and have only sat on it a couple of times.  We have them covered up to protect from birds and weather, but it will be nice to pull the covers off and sit and enjoy them toward evening.  Or even early morning. We have an umbrella that will shade us, especially since the HOA had all the trees on our street butchered.  AND, yesterday, they came out and (finally!) removed the stump from the huge tree between Ms. Vicky and our house.  

I'm sure the humming birds will be out soon - I need to get our feeders out and washed and ready to hang up.  I don't have many bushes/trees that the birds can pull nectar or anything from - so my big brother has ordered me a pot and seeds to plant pretty flowers to put near the feeders, so that the hummingbirds have flowers.  I had told him I was tired of paying $$ for flowers and they keep dying right away.  So he is giving me instructions for them - and I think I will need to keep them on our porch to keep the sun from burning them up.

Oh yeah - our quail - I saw it in the pot sitting on the egg one time.  I peeked and the egg was still there yesterday. I wonder how long it will take to hatch?  I do need to put a little water in the pot to keep my plant alive.  And I think the quail is pecking at my plant for I see a couple stems that are barely holding together.  May have to clip those and put in water.  I want to get out and work on the courtyard today -but can I do it without hubby getting in my way?  Which is why I always try to do things when he isn't around.  He drives me crazy wanting to help - and I get that he really wants to help - but he has no clue what to do and does his best (in my opinion) to get in my way so that he can be helpful.  Not that his wanting to help is a bad thing, but some things, like in a small courtyard, I just need to 'do it myself' and leave me alone while I'm doing it - right?

Ok - I'm rambling now so I'm off here.  Have an amazing day!

From Messenger X (John Bevere):  Obedience can look foolish - until God moves. Keep praying. Keep preparing. What feels naive now may soon be called faith.

That brings to mind so many things that I'm praying for.  I know God will answer. I know it will be in His time frame, and not mine.  But, I want answers NOW!   And that is the human side of us.  But I must be patiently impatient and allow God to do His thing.  One day at a time.

Blessings!

Finally 'got them done' - I think

 Yeah, I finally worked a few hours on the tax stuff last night and I think I finally have all my part completed.  At least I handed hubby the sheet with all the totals on it and hope that it flies.  I need to do a better job of tracking this year - as I say every year.  In fact, I've thought about grabbing an empty journal, and since this is only March, perhaps I can go back to January 1 and start listing any dr visits, any medical/dental/vision things paid, getting the mileage put down - if I can 'remember' to do this every time, perhaps, just perhaps, I can get my part done much sooner.  Going to have to work on it, for sure.

It's Friday and we have the Rider's dinner tonight for soup!  Looking forward to trying different soups - although since I haven't been eating much volume, I will probably fill up quickly.  No biggie. Same price for it all!  We plan to get there at our usual time, and I am looking forward to hanging out with my son for a short while.  

I did not sleep well last night.  I can mark that up to several things.  One, I fixed another cup of coffee about mid-morning and sipped on it all day (which usually doesn't affect me, but again, I'm looking for reasons).  Two, my mind was focused on numbers and taxes all evening.  When hubby got home, he was ready for bed and since I was finished with the taxes, I went to bed too.  The mind had not shut off and at midnight I was still awake. I feel like I was awake most of the night anyway - but my Apple watch reports that I still slept about 6 hours.  I need 7-8 hours - but don't usually get it as my mind wakes up around 4AM.  And, I either turn it off and try to sleep longer (at least until 5AM) or I get up. This morning I think it was about 4:30AM I finally dragged myself from the bed.

I bought a percolator the other day.  Did I mention it yesterday?  Don't remember.  Anyway - I love the smell of coffee when it is brewing.  Yes, our Keurig has a pot that we can make coffee - but it isn't the same.  Drip coffee is not percolated coffee.  Unless you have had both, you don't recognize the difference.  The percolated coffee is much more 'tasty', for lack of a better word.  Drip coffee - I can remember when Mr. Coffee came out (yes, I'm THAT old) and it was the 'thing' and everyone loved having a pot completed fairly quick - faster than the percolator.  But I tell you, there is just something about the coffee when you use a percolator.  But anyway, it arrived yesterday and we will use it this weekend; probably tomorrow morning.  I'll get it ready tonight and tomorrow hubby will just need to plug in and turn on.  AND, I love freshly ground coffee beans.  Mmmmm the smell of REAL coffee.  The Keurig is fine for a quick cup - but one doesn't know how long that box of k-cups has been sitting in storage.... just saying.  Some times our coffee is very tasty, and from the same box, we can get coffee that really tastes 'off'.  Some days I can't get it down.  Will see have the percolator works - stay tuned.  Won't use it every day - probably - but still... on weekends we can when we want more than one cup.

My last day of 'no Brett' work.  Kind of been nice this week.  Sue is still on PTO until next Thursday. I'm glad she is taking some time off. I'm really going to miss her when she retires.  I was able to complete another set of minutes yesterday AND get the board deck in the Teams folder for the next board meeting.  One more set of minutes to do and one more deck to put in the Teams folder for the next meeting - and I have gotten things accomplished this week that I needed to do!  Yea me!

Time is getting away from me and I want to jump in the shower while I can.  Hubby is at his bible study and will be coming home about 9:30AM or so.  A few hours by myself - even with work.   I enjoy these quiet mornings.  But - I do need to get off and start moving.  

Happy Friday!

Blessings!

Not last night either...

 Nope. Didn't do taxes last night either.  I simply MUST work on it tonight.  Hubby has his meeting with his friend so I will be alone.  No movies tonight.  I want to get these taxes done and out of the way!  Why didn't I work on them last night as I planned?  I had a training at 5PM and then when I got home, I had to fix dinner (ribeye steak in the air fryer - so good!!) and by the time we were finished, it was after 7PM.  So we had a 'reading' night.  Hubby finished one book, and I started on yet another.  It wasn't long though that we both were yawning and closing our eyes - so we were in bed by 8:30PM again. :-)  About our usual time anyway.

I got up to a text from our friends at the RV park, wanting us to meet them for dinner and cards on Friday night.  Without really thinking about it, I asked hubby if he had anything, and he didn't remember.  I didn't either, but after checking the calendar,  yes, we DO have plan for Friday night and our plans set in place are more important.  So I have already text'd our friends that perhaps the following Friday we can get together.  The 2nd Friday each month is 'reserved' for dinner with our son, if they (the Riders Group) have anything.  Unless something critical comes up, I'm not missing it!

Daughter was able to get in and see the cardiologist yesterday - healthy heart. Suggests it could be cellulitis and put her on cephalexin every 6 hours for 10 days - and if not better by tomorrow, go see her PCP.  Hoping that will take care of whatever is going on with her feet.  If nothing else, the antibiotic should take care of anything else as well, right?

Yesterday was a quiet day at work - again - until late in the day. One of the executive assistants I work with asked for my assistance with scheduling 4 meetings with several people.  I worked on it for over an hour and was able to get through two of them.  I told her I'd start on the other two first thing this morning. After all, I had my training with Morgan and wasn't going to give that up!  

Speaking of Morgan, I had to apologize to her last night because I was not in a good place Monday morning.  She and I both went at each other - and she is such a sweetheart - she said that it's ok, that we all have 'bad days'.  I don't know what was wrong with me Monday morning - and I was doing HIIT!  I just was very crabby and even threatened to cancel my workouts!!  Where did that come from?  I think I just reached a totally overwhelmed and tired stage and just didn't want to do the exercises.  Last night was much better - did biceps and triceps.  I need to do these things on my own; what I do with Morgan helps me, yes, but I am not going to get where I want to be if I don't work out on my own as well.  I'm going to try and get to the gym a little earlier and get at least ten minutes on the treadmill before my workouts.  Plus, I need to get on the treadmill here at home or on the rebounder.  And use my weights.  I have all sorts of intentions - I just need to act on those intentions, right?  I used to get 10K steps a day - now I barely get 5K if I'm lucky.  I'm not so interested in the weight - cause I am building muscle, which weighs more than my fat does.  But I do feel good when it also goes down.  Currently counting calories; I've yet to be under the 1000 calories a day, but I am watching more what I eat.  (like one piece of chocolate instead of 4, right?) 

Got a call yesterday from a place that is working on returning our great-granddaughter to my youngest son.  Answered some questions - and no, I didn't lie.  I think she would be better off here where we all can be a part of her life.  I have missed that little girl and look forward to occasionally getting to have her over to play and/or bake cookies.  Hopefully my oven will be back in place soon.  Still haven't heard how that is going.  Had no oven, no stove, for the past two weeks or more.  But, I've used my air fryer, my electric skillet, and my griddle frequently and they work just fine.  And no, we haven't gone out a lot to eat.  I'm trying to cut back on that for we spend way too much.  We stopped at Whataburger Sunday after church - and still spent $25 on just two burgers, fries and sodas!  Not there, but I've noticed at some places that the combo is now like a sandwich and fries - and if you want a soda, they charge the soda price.  Most don't notice it, I'm sure.  But I've seen it more and more.  Gotta watch those places!  Water works for me at most restaurants.  Or some fast foods I take my own water jug in.  

Which makes me think of my big brother, Sam.  He always carried a big 40 ounce (at least) mug with him every where he went.  Never ordered a drink; said that he couldn't see paying $2-4 for a tea when he could drink his water for free.  I get it.  And I carry my water with me a lot of times.  But some times, I just 'need' that diet coke (or coke free) to cut through the flim in my throat.  You know, that acid that can scape away about anything. 

I John 4:19 (NKJV)  We love Him because He first loved us.

Can you even imagine anyone loving you in spite of the person you are?  I mean, what if you have shunned Jesus and don't follow Him?  What if you have turned your back on Him?  Do you know that He still loves you with such a great love?  He is patiently waiting for you to turn back to Him.  If you think about it, we all need Him.  We need His companionship.  We need His advice on which step to take. We need His wisdom to direct our paths on what to do.  We need His love to comfort us and bring us His peace.  As the song goes, "Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, nobody knows, but Jesus", He knows so much about us - and in spite of our lives, He still loves us and waits for us.  He isn't hiding from us; but He is patiently waiting for us to call on His name.  And I do that frequently!  "Help, Lord!" is a daily thing with me.  I need help with this life. It's hard.  Many times I don't like myself and how I respond to things, to people.  And even more, I don't like NOT liking myself.  And others. I want to love others like Jesus loves them.  I want to care for others like Jesus cares for them.  I want to be kind, to be loving and caring, and all that!  Lord HELP!  You know exactly what I am talking about!  And I want to forgive, like I ask Jesus to forgive me.  He has forgiven me much; how can I draw the line of forgiveness for others?  I can't.  If I want Jesus to forgive me ALL my sins.... then I need to forgive others of all of theirs.  Something to think about.

Blessings!

One down, one to go

 With both bosses gone yesterday, I actually got one set of minutes completed - amongst the other tasks that I had to do.  I have one more I plan to complete this morning, and then I will work on getting the board decks put together and in the right folders.  There are three of those.  It's not that they are so hard, but I do have to be so careful to keep them in order and have everything ready for the prep meetings - which I have two before the end of April with one board meeting April 30 and the other May 7 before yet another shortly after that.  I know, I have time, and being a procrastinator is what keeps me in feeling behind all the time.  I'm trying to change that somewhat and just get it done.  While the bosses are away, I cannot 'play' - but need to catch up on all that I have procrastinated on.

Hubby had one of his bible studies last night and I had an evening alone.  I debated on working on our taxes. We were supposed to go yesterday - but because I didn't get everything done on Sunday, hubby called and moved it out to the 18th.  And I haven't touched anything sense.  So - I told him tonight I would work on it and hopefully get it done.  I don't have that much more to do, but I do need to get it done.  Then he will take my totals and add to his so that we can have it all together to get the taxes done.  Every year I think I will get ahead of myself and every year I procrastinate and don't get it done until the last minute. Dare I even try to say I will be organized for next year?  It's only mid-March - surely I can get what these two months have put together and then each month catch up - right?  sigh.

So instead of doing taxes last night while hubby was gone, I took a hot shower (which felt so good!), dressed in my jammies, watched a movie, crochet'd, and was reading when hubby came back home.  A nice quiet evening for 'me'. And I enjoyed myself.  Don't get to do it often, so when I can take advantage of it, I will.   And you should do - it refreshes you.

I've already started getting Christmas gifts for this year!  I was on Macy's the other day and saw (I can put it here cause they don't read this) a navy blue zipper sweater that my grandson-in-law loves (and I gave him one the other year) and it was on clearance for less than 1/2 price.  I love sales like that.  Still, it is the cost of a regular gift - it's Macy's, remember?  Overpriced in the beginning, but when it goes on sale, can be affordable for us 'other folks'.  So I ordered it - and got it yesterday, along with a flannel shirt for one of the grandsons (which was 1/4 of it's usual price).  Yes, Macy's has quality products, but when they are original prices, I run away from them.  Too much for me!  So anyway, I'm done shopping for one person, and have several more to do, but with watching sales and (trying) to keep a list of what I've already purchased, I may get my shopping done early this year.  At sale prices!  Watch those clearances; sometimes you can find the perfect gift there!

I woke up after 5AM this morning and I've had to skip some of my reading and journaling so that I can write in here. Yes, I could do it on my work computer, which I have done a few times, but I like being able to get it done while I'm sitting here in my chair.  Don't really have much to share today.

Good things to possibly share.... grandson getting custody of his son permanently today, son possibly getting his granddaughter soon, daughter was able to get in to the cardiologist this morning.  Still has swollen feet and ankles - pain shooting up a leg.  Sure hope they can figure that out.  Praying for miracles in all circumstances, for sure.  Today my son goes for his paracentesis and my heart goes out to him along with abundance of prayers.  Hopefully when we get past March, we will have more answers. And at times a mother has to stay in constant prayer, if you know what I mean.

Tree-trimmers came by this week and trimmed the trees in front - and I mean REALLY trimmed!  All the leaves/branches are cut off and they are bare trees now standing along the row in our street.  Well, our side is done, they plan to do the other side yet.  It's confusing - our yard is just dirt and they say that it won't do any good to plant seed as when it rains ir gets watered, it runs on the sidewalk.  Does not. I don't know where they got that idea!  We had grass when we moved in 5 years ago, I think it was, and it was died out since then and the landscapers don't do squat.  I really wish they would like us take care of our own yards - or put rocks down so at least we are not looking at dirt all the time. 

Deuteronomy 7:9 (ESV)  Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.

A thousand generations.  And I like to think that we all are in that thousand generations.  Think about it - our great, great, great, great grandparents, and even further back than that! - those who loved God and served Him, God made a covenant with them with His steadfast love is still with us.  Go to Deuteronomy 7:9 and read the entire chapter - it talks about how much God loves you, loves us, and how He considers us, His people, holy and very much loved.   

No greater love is there, that the love of God, or the love of a friend who lays down his life for you.  Think of Jesus - our bestest Friend, who laid his life down for us.  Could we lay down our life for our family, our friends?  I want to think we all would say 'yes' to that - but when it comes down to it - could we?  If, like Rachel, who when asked "Are you a Christian?", knowing her life was at stake, answered 'YES" and was immediately shot to death (Colorado school shooting years ago) - could we answer 'YES" as willingly?  

Maybe we need to pause and think about it.  We immediately think we could easily give up our lives for our spouses, our children, our family.... but what about our neighbors?  It does give us pause nowadays, doesn't it, for many of us don't even know our neighbors - and some we do know and don't care for!  So then what?  Did it matter to Jesus?  Nope.  He gave His life to us while we were yet sinners, that we would know His love for us.

Nothing is better than that.  He loves us so much that He gave His life for us; for me.  That thought overwhelms me for I know that I fail Him many times over.  But I run back to Him for I know I don't have a life without Him.  And neither do you.  Run to Him. Confess to Him. Love Him. Worship Him. He is truly all you need.

Blessings!