He just reminded me....

 Got a text from my youngest that he had forwarded my blog to another daughter.... and he means my adopted daughter I think.  Which is just fine... it's public anyway... but it reminded me that I had not written in here yet today.  Other than my kids, anyone who reads this will probably be disappointed, for I've gotten off track in the general idea of this blog.  Today it has been hard to get started on work, let along thinking of things to write about.

Whew, that was close!  Hubby shuffled his way in here, wanting to see what I had been looking at in airbnb's for our anniversary getaway this year.  I paused this and showed him- and we both agreed on one of the three.  Now mind you, he has been looking for two-three days and hasn't found anything?  I only have a couple 'requirements' - a covered porch where we can go out and sit and breathe fresh air without a lot of noise and distractions, and enough sofa/chairs in the living room that I can 'spread' out - my books and my yarn.  In other words, I want space of my own, if you know what I mean.  He agreed with me on the one and wanted me to go ahead and reserve it - but I told him we could bring it up on his computer later and HE could reserve it. LOL The tax money was put in the 'our' savings account.  He doesn't know how to Zelle so would need to write me a check - so why not let him put his information in and deal with the airbnb itself. :-)  I'm just along for the trip.  

I think I am finally coming awake, since the morning is nearly over.  I took Robitussin DM last night and I crashed. I woke up at midnight coughing, and then heard hubby off and on the rest of the night.  I had a 7:30AM training with Morgan this morning (that was so hard to go to - I could barely wake myself up!)  But we worked on the back and I headed back home.  Got my emails checked for work, chatted with my boss, and then I took a short nap. Guess I needed it.  I was just getting ready to work on some other things when my youngest text'd about my blog.  Thought I should perhaps write something. Not that anything I write is of any great importance anyway, right?  It does give someone something to do... perhaps.

Speaking of my adopted daughter, I am still loving the cup she sent me recently.  She has always made me feel so loved and so special.  I did not get cookies made this year and sent to her. I really meant to do it after Christmas... but in my defense, I have been without an oven AND a stove for about a month now.  I was getting an error message when the oven was turned on and then it would shut down.  They took out the control box - and at this time, can find no one who can fix it. Our oven is over 25 years old, and is a 23" built in.  Which means they don't make these anymore.  I'm not sure how this will be resolved. I think I mentioned in an earlier blog my boss suggested a one piece oven - and I'm all for it.

My big brother must be going through old photos - he sent me a couple of oldies.  One he thought the kids would like - it has their dad in it - and I do need to forward it on to them. I think I have one similar to it, but I will send it to them nevertheless.  The other is my nephew and my daughter when they were two.  Cute little boogers back then. LOL

I didn't get any of my reading done this morning since I didn't wake up until 6AM and I had to leave at 6:50AM for the gym.  I feel like I'm missing something.  I did start doing some reading last night when hubby finally turned off the TV.  Worked on a diamond art project for alittle bit as well.  I've got to get my life back together.  Being sick kicks my butt and I need to regain my energy and strength to DO something - well, maybe that has more to do with the mind - get the mindset to quit sitting on my butt and just do something. Ignore the TV; say no to movies. DO SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE!  I hate being lazy.  Unless I'm sick, that is.  And now that I'm feeling better, I'm sure that I will be needing to fix dinner again.  I did get a short break while I was sick. Hubby didn't cook, that's for sure.  I stopped at BK while out last night and brought him back a chicken sandwich. He eats whatever I fix/bring him.  

Tomorrow will be a different type a day as we will need to leave at noon I think for hubby's 1PM appointment with Dr. Mark.  Grateful my coughing is slowing down; hopefully he can put hubby on something that will help him.  I didn't think bronchitis/pneumonia could be contagious, but he managed to catch it like a cold. Maybe that is all I had?  Just a really bad cold?  I don't know. But with an inhaler and nasal spray and an antibiotic.... it may have been just a little bit more, right?  So glad it is getting past me.  I need my strength back.

I know, I need a lot of things back.  Sigh.  Come to think about it... I haven't heard if my oldest son's recent trip south brought my girl scout cookies into town. He hasn't mentioned it.  If it didn't, I will need to arrange a trip south after Jailbreak XI.  I could inhale a box of those cookies right now.  You know, when you really want a cookie and only girl scout cookies will do?  After all, I can't bake cookies right now.... sigh.

Ok - need to get off here and get back to work.  Tis the season of the compliance tests - there is usually about 20+ of these things that we have to read, then get quizzed on.  Some I end up taking 3 times cause I don't work in that area so I don't know the answers.  But I have until the end of June to get them done - but since I have time right now, need to get started. That's the plan, anyway.

Hmm I'm thinking a cold protein shake would taste good right now.  Maybe that is next on my agenda to get done.  Anyway, I leave you with this....

Give every day the chance to become the most beautiful day of your life.   ~~ Mark Twain.

Blessings!

I know, finally, huh?

 I think that I have decided - at least during the week, that I will write this from my work computer. For one, it's easier to type sitting at the desk, plus a bigger screen, and a detached keyboard.  It's just easier.  With watching my time in the mornings, and times that I do fall back to sleep, it's just easier not to put the stress on me to type anything.  But, alas, the morning is also getting away from me so I need to 'get on it', right?

Yesterday was a good day.  I enjoyed my lunch with my youngest son and his family.  I laughed - he gave me a cup that says "Not my monkey, not my circus, but I definitely know all the clowns!  Cute!  Plus he came me a box of fudge they bought when they went to Indiana last year (had in his freezer) from Uranus. And I'll leave that there.  I felt my spaghetti had too much tomato taste, but it wasn't bad.  Still have lots and I would suggest for anyone wanting a bag that I have put in the freezer.... either add red pepper flakes or cook up a batch of Italian sausage and throw in with it. In fact, I think I have some in the freezer and next time I take out a bag (probably in a month after two days of eating it right now), I may just do that. It was good, and the longer it sets the better the flavors will meld, but in tripling the batch, I probably should have cut back on some of the sauce.  Still, it was good.

I met with Sue this morning for our 1:1 monthly call - and we were laughing cause she is in the process of telling her direct reports she is retiring and this was 'my call'.  I really will miss her, as you know.  But, I am so happy for her.  Depending on who replaces Brett - who is now completely gone - and Sue in a few months - well, I don't know what I'm going to do just right now.

I'm finally starting to feel better which is a great plus for me.  Hubby is now doing the coughing routine so I've been giving him Allegra like I was having to take.  He sees Dr. Mark on Wednesday for a regular visit so I'm sure Dr. Mark will prescribe for him some of what he prescribed for me.  Didn't this what I had was contagious - but perhaps it was.  I tried to be careful. My antibiotics are now all taken; no longer need the Afrin nasal spray - still taking the Breo inhaler for now until I see Dr. Mark and ask him if I need to stop. Still taking the Allegra so that I can stop this mucus stuff - dry it up. It's for allergies so I'm hoping it will. But at least I feel like I am coming more alive, so that is a good thing.  Still have my occasional cough, but am doing much better.

I have a few errands I need to do after I get off work this afternoon.  Have a bag of coffee grounds I want to drop off at a granddaughter's for her garden - I picked it up at Starbucks Saturday. May take her a bag of spaghetti sauce. Tell her to add to it. :-)  Need to return some things to Amazon so will be making a trip to Staples to drop them off.  My daughter called yesterday and asked if I had my camera up yet (no) so told me she had arranged with her daughter to have her husband come over tonight to hang it up. I text'd my granddaughter this morning to hold off a week since Grandpa was sick.  There is no rush getting the cameras up. If it was, I'd have someone do it - but there isn't.  Those eggs won't hatch until we are gone on Jailbreak - you just watch!

Speaking of - 17 more days until Jailbreak Getaway!!  I decided to take the 22nd off as it is hubby's birthday and will take him to breakfast or lunch - he does love to eat.  Daughter will be flying in that afternoon so perhaps we can do dinner as well.  I don't care. It's his birthday, he will be 89, and since I will be gone for nearly 4 days, I need to let him have his day, right?

I start back to the gym tomorrow with Morgan. I'm letting her change up my schedule as she is trying to eliminate nights now. Bad for me, but good for her.  7:30AM in the morning; then 1PM on Thursday.  Yeah, I'll have to take off work more than an hour - but I can make it up so not a big deal. I chose times that Sue would be busy. She doesn't care, anyway. Of course on Wednesday I will be gone about 3 hours with hubby to see Dr. Mark - 50 minutes there, an hour visit, 50 minutes back.  I may have to retire after Sue does just so I can have the time to take him to his doctor appointments!  Yes, I have to let hubby drive to his gym appointments, which he did cancel for this week.  I can't take all that time off work. When/if I ever - I retire, I can go to the gym and get some cardio in.  If I want. Or I can stay home and enjoy the alone time. Which actually sounds like more fun to me, if you know what I mean.

Well, I've rambled on enough this morning and I'm sure you are tired of reading. I'll get in sync soon - but for now - hope that you have an amazing day!

Blessings!

He has risen! or just another day?

It's amazing how some people will look at today - and what 'it' is.  It's Easter, of course, and we Christians celebrate it as the day that Jesus rose from the dead.  This is why we live the way we do; why we worship the way we do; the reason we seek after God the way we do.  Jesus died so that we may live with Him eternally.  It's not 'just another Sunday'.  Many people do Easter dinners, and you are not alone in that; we do that as well - or attend, as I will be doing later.  We have Easter egg hunts for the little ones.  Some go to church; some watch a service on TV; some don't do anything 'religious'.  

I think today we are falling in the middle of it all.  Somewhat.  I had encouraged hubby to go to church because I am still coughing some, and don't want to get into a hacking cough in the middle of the service.  But, alas, Friday hubby started coughing, and it sounds just like I did when all this started a week ago.  And, because it is on the tail end of my respiratory issues, I am going to assume that he caught it from me.  I've given him Allegra, as Dr. Mark told me to take one a day (I guess to help dry up the mucus?), Musinex DM (although it didn't help me, it may help him), and I had a talk with him this morning.

Today we are to go t my youngest son's for spaghetti Easter dinner.  I made my spaghetti sauce yesterday - 3 batches because I wanted to be sure there was plenty to freeze for another time.  It seems to be missing something, but I haven't figured out what yet, but maybe with it setting overnight in the refrigerator and I'll put it on in a few to start heating back up, it will be blended together better.  Anyway, it dawned on me this morning that if hubby caught this respiratory thing that I've had and is coughing, perhaps he ought not to go, in case it is contagious.  I didn't think it was, but he is coughing like I was.

So I shared with him this morning about that thought. He didn't like it at first.  He really wanted to go (and he loves spaghetti).  I told him it was up to him, but I really didn't want the babies getting sick (although he could stay away from them).  A little bit ago he came in and said that he agrees with me, that he won't go because he doesn't want the babies getting sick, but could I bring him home a bowl of spaghetti?  LOL  (pause - put the spaghetti sauce on to heat up).  As I walked back, hubby asked when did I think I was going to leave for the lunch.  Now mind you, it is now 9:30AM.  Lunch is as 12-ishPM.  Is it even important as to when I leave?  I told him it would probably be around 11:30AM sure I had the 'main part' of the meal there in time.

I simply must quit talking about things I make that have turned out exceptionally well.  It seems when I'm asked to bring it (no matter what it is), I seem to mess it up somehow and it isn't near as good as I remember it being.  My spaghetti sauce as well. Sigh. Hopefully, today it will be at least edible.  I did keep a bag out to freeze for my oldest to have if he wants.

I started a new devotional today that on day one has exactly expressed where my heart longs to be - and that is totally unexpected.  I didn't expect that from this book; just figured it was a typical 'women's devotional'.  It's a book from the Proverbs 31 Ministries.  I haven't read any of them before, but this one I bought at the conference a couple weeks ago. I had put it aside to give away (I love finding good books to pass on to my friends; sadly, none of my family will read them) but this morning, really wanting something 'different' to touch me in a new way, I decided that I should also read it.  And I'm glad I did.

I want it to be evident that I'm a girl who spends time with Jesus and that He's working on me.  ~~ Lysa TerKeurst.

That line really spoke to me this morning, for although you know that I do spend time with Jesus every morning, I am sure that it isn't always evident. Not evident in what I write in here; not evident in daily conversation with hubby, and sometimes not even with others.  I feel like I have lost my joy and I need to find it again. Does that make sense?  I am desiring to 'dive deeper' into Jesus and find in Him my joy and my passion for Him.  I've missed feeling His presence with me all the time.  I miss His nudging to pause and spend time with Him.  It's not that I've sinned, or anything like that..... but that I have allowed pleasing others and keeping the peace and distractions .... to overshadow my desire to spend time with Him. I own it. It is me that has turned my face away. 

He's still there.  He is still waiting for me to give Him my undivided attention.  Sometimes life is hard and the distractions are too much to resist.  My phone has been dinging all morning with Easter greetings - and many have me on this 'link' with a bunch of others and as each one responds, of course I get another 'ding'.  I have chosen NOT to respond on it.  I'll send something to my brother and sister later - the time of day is not important.  It's not sending the beautiful pictures of 'He is Risen!' that we love to send.  It's knowing that He is the reason that we even 'celebrate' this day - it's His choice to give up His own life in heaven, to come to earth as human, to live in the same struggles every single one of us have, to choose rightly to follow His Father in life choices, to go as far as the cross, to die, to be buried..... and to rise again this day.... and He did it for you and for me, that we may be His eternally.  What a sacrifice for us.  Are we worth it?

Lord Jesus, may nothing separate me from You today.  Teach me how to block these distractions of the world and to choose only Your way today so each step will lead me closer to You. Help me walk by Your Word and not my feelings.

Help me to keep my heart pure and undivided. Keep my own careless thoughts, words, and actions away; keep me from being focused upon MY wants, MY thoughts, MY desires on how I think things should be; how they should fall into place.

Help me, Jesus, to embrace what ever comes my way and look at it as an opportunity to be Your hands and feet.... rather than a personal inconvenience.  Help me to rest in the truth that Your love is so great for me.

You know I fall short in many ways, and I mess up all the time.  But right now, Jesus, I consciously tuck Your whisper of absolute love for me into the deepest part of my heart.  I know Your love for me isn't based on what I do, that you love me in spite of the things I have done, and will do - all my shortcomings.  You are so amazing, Jesus!  And even more amazing is that you, my Savior, my Lord, wants to spend time with me.

Help me to remember, Jesus, what a gift it is to sit at your feet and just be with you. I love you with all my being.  I lay everything down, to just be with you.  In Your precious name, Amen.

So much better, I think....

 and as I type that - I cough. What's up with that?  I think I have finally crossed-over from the 'sick' to 'much better' stage.  Last night I still had a bunch of coughing, but slept in my own bed - and slept until 3AM with only a couple cough wake-ups.  I had the recliner ready with my blankets and pillow should I need to come in here - but I did not.  I did come in around 4AM, fell back to sleep until 6 when hubby got  up, and slept again until 7:30AM.  I think I must have needed that sleep.  I'm feeling pretty good right now; 8:30AM, and I'm still hibernating in my room.  I'll type this, then see about fixing breakfast this morning and then be done with it.  Then I can spend the rest of the day reading, if I should choose to do so.   As mentioned, I'm finally feeling so much better.

I got a couple surprises yesterday.  I called Big O about 10:30AM and asked if I could get an appointment to have 4 tires put on my car and have an alignment completed.  They told me to 'come on in'!  So, I got my shoes on and took off to Big O.  I was given 3 different estimates on tires.  You know, Good, Better, Best.  Not knowing anything about tires, I asked 'Bruce', who was taking care of me (I think he must be the manager as he told me he had been there 31 years and he was the only one wearing a black shirt; every one else had a red shirt on), what to do. My car is a 2017, driven less than 10K a year.  Last car I'm getting. What would he suggest?  We went with the 'Good'.  Advanta brand, I think it is (or Avanta).  $130/tire with $100 off if you buy 4, and I think still has 65K mileage.  I handed over my keys and left; hubby picked me up.

Shortly afterwards, to my delight, my oldest son stopped by with Jersey Mike sandwiches to have lunch with us.  He updated hubby (cause I already knew most if not all) and answered questions.  I handed over the Easter candy he wanted to take to his granddaughters.  And I got a call my car was ready!!  Could not believe it!  So he not only took me to Big O, he came in with me to hear about the tires and what my cost was.  Sure appreciate him being there.  All was good, so I drove my car home, and my son headed off to wherever he was going.

Back to work - if you want to call it that.  Yesterday was Brett's last day.  He did not reach out to personally tell me goodbye.  Nor did I to him.  He sent a 'general' goodbye, keep in touch email to everyone in the afternoon sometime.  He's turned his equipment in and he's gone.  So I received nothing from him to do yesterday; I guess you won't hear any more complaints about Brett in here!  LOL Sue had no meetings in the afternoon so she was going to pull one of my tricks - keep in touch with the office via phone or computer - and complete tasks she wanted to get done around the house. She had told me that so I didn't feel bad staying away from my computer and listening to my boy share.  I finally shut down at 3:55PM - I was done.   By then I decided I wanted ice cream and thought we might go to Brewster's but as I started out - we ended up at Mighty Moo's as I still had that gift card from last year.  Hubby got his chocolate malt and I got their Turtle Sundae.  Inhaled it, and we came back home and watched a movie - "Mr. Fiction" on Up Faith and Family.  Really enjoyed that movie. 

I did a thing yesterday.  In my boredom, I decided I was tired of the crochet'd bedspread on this bed. It is heavy, and it smells somewhat musty. Really need to take to the laundromat and wash in the big washers.  I put the clean sheets and pillowcases on the bed, fresh quilts, and decided to order from Amazon.  Uh, yeah.  I bought a simple lightweight bedspread with shams to put in here. Then I remembered I don't like what is in the main bedroom, so ordered a new set for in there as well. Plus new sheets for in here.  All should arrive on Tuesday.

And I was thinking about my filing - I'm not quite as organized as people think I am.  But I ordered some inexpensive (like $7) file folders that I can label and drop my receipts in (rather than the manila folder I am currently dropping them all in) by descriptions (i.e., medical, donations, etc.).  I have a journal I am going to keep better track of any medical/ministry mileage in.  I've always made sure where I was going was on my calendar, but now I'm going to write it all in one place by heading, rather than flipping through the calendar all the time.  I really do want to get organized.  

I also bought a folder to put more important things in.  I know there are books out there, and I have one or two, and I've started on one - but it doesn't always ask the questions I feel need answered.  Yes, I am referring to death.  What should someone do after I die. Who should they notify. What are my emails. What are those passwords. What is my bank account number. What is my password.  What are my credit card accounts. What are their passwords.  These are things that someone who is taking care of my 'stuff' should know and be able to take care of.  I've read of one on facebook and it got me to thinking more about it - and I can devise my own for my own needs.  Once I get mine figured out, I bought an extra file and I will go ahead and label it, and when I know what I will need, will fix it up for hubby and ask him to complete it.  After all, he pays the bills (I hope) and I do not even know what all he pays nor the accounts nor the passwords.  He still writes checks. But the thing I argue with him on is that when he pays the bill, he throws it away.  The bill that has the account numbers, the payment amount, where it is to go, etc.  I honestly do not know and some he gets in his emails so I don't even know what those are!  He says the account is an open book - and it is!  I can go into the account online any time I want to. But - that doesn't help if he dies and I don't know when bills are due or what they are or how to get to them.  Yes, I do know his password for his emails.  So anyway, I want to get this done up so that I will be able to also determine if I will ever get to retire.

If I quit shopping on Amazon, I just might be able to. LOL   But starting such a folder yourself might not be a bad idea, so that if you and your spouse were both injured and unable to maintain the household, one of the kids could step up and take over things while you both recovered. Just saying. 

I don't expect any kickback from hubby. He has added addendums to his burial wishes about every three months.  And he gives me a copy and says he will put on in the safety deposit box.  I don't know even which bank the safety deposit box is in - but I do have a key!  I suppose at some point I need to ask him to take me with him and walk me through the steps of the safety deposit box.  He has our wills and living wills in there as well.  I have a copy here..........somewhere.

Well, it's nearly 9AM and I should probably get dressed and fix my potato and egg dish for breakfast. I haven't cooked in awhile. I also need to run to the store and get fresh ground hamburger from the deli.  I detest the hamburger that has set in packages and when you cook it looks like little worms.  I want to make my spaghetti sauce today and let it simmer all day, cool overnight, and then simmer in the morning.  We plan to watch Easter services on TV since I don't want to have a coughing fit during the service.  Afterwards we will head to the youngest son's for Easter lunch. Hopefully I can still keep my coughing at bay.  Need to get hubby to take more alka-selzer plus this morning; I've heard him coughing. Got to keep it at bay.  Me being lazy and being sick is one thing.  Him is another. And I will leave that there.

Hope you have an amazing day - hope my son and his wife have a wonder trip this weekend to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary - and yes, I've already prayed for travel mercies! - and I hope I continue to heal and get completely over 'this thing'.

Blessings!

Getting better....I think

 I don't know what is going on with this respiratory thing, but I think it has outstayed its welcome here.  I thought I was better last night - but it seems evening (or when I actually start talking) throws the coughing in.  Went to bed around 9PM, after hubby got home.  Noticed he has started coughing.  I slept in here, one more night, I said.  And the coughing started and lasted until I finally got up around midnight and went to the recliner, where I finally stopped coughing and was able to rest until about 4AM.  Still, 2-3 hours of good sleep feels good. Hubby got up and got on his way to his bible study, but said he wasn't going to visit Chuck today, which means he will be home around 9:30AM.  I had him take some alka selzer plus before he left, hoping that will check his coughing, which isn't bad (yet), but has started.

I've taken all my meds for morning and nothing more until evening when I take the 2nd antibiotic and nasal - then I'm done with the nasal spray; doc said only take for 5-6 days. I don't know that I need it; it is to relieve the pressure in the sinus area.  I had a piece of toast with peanut butter and honey on it. And a cup of coffee.  I think I'm about ready to face the day.  Maybe.  I've also stripped this bed; the mattress cover is now in the dryer and the sheets are in the washer. And yes, I remembered to spray the oil spots. 

Interesting, an email from my company just popped up (yes, I'm on the work computer) and it says that April is Donate Life month, sharing about transplants.  How ironic is that?  My daughter has had a bone marrow transplant back in 2001, and now, my soon my son will be on the list for a liver transplant. Believing all things work for good for those who love the Lord. And I do love Him.  

Btw, today is 'Good Friday'.  Take some time to pause and think about what that really means. For some, it's a 'holiday' and they get off work.  But that is not so much anymore.  When I lived in Indiana, either the office closed at noon on Good Friday, or we were allowed to leave, for many at that time would go (Catholics mainly) to church and be there to think about what Christ has done for each one of us.  Yes, we could still take it off if we want, but people rarely recognize Good Friday for what it means - much like they miss the significance of Maundy Thursday, which was yesterday.  But the best day is coming soon!  SUNDAY!  Jesus is ALIVE!  And He lives in each one of us who love Him and know Him and have accepted and believed in Him. Hallelujah!

I have the candy ready for my son if he gets a chance to stop over before they head south for the weekend. I hope they have a wonderful weekend celebrating their 35th anniversary!  The plus is getting to see their beautiful granddaughters and daughter (oh, and the SIL).... I'm jealous.  They will pick up my girl scout cookies too, and so next week I will have to decide to freeze or inhale them. I ordered soooo  many boxes.  LOL  When I told my son how much I spent (I don't know how many boxes I ordered), he was so surprised - but I just told him 'she's my great granddaughter - of course I'd buy a lot from her (as long as I can)'!  I also contribute to her school fund-raisers, just because I can.  I love that my granddaughter tries to keep me updated on the girls with photos and activities. Brings my heart much joy.  The thought arises within me..... if I retired, I could go down and visit.... but then too, sigh... I'd stay at a hotel to not be an inconvenience to their schedule and I'd need money to pay for it. Guess I need to figure something out, huh! LOL

Reminds me, I still need to call Big O and schedule an appointment to get 4 new tires before Jailbreak, as we will take my car.  Why Big O? Because when I (or hubby) go to get air put in our tires, they come out to do it without hesitating, are always joyful, are always polite.  They never yell at someone else to do it; whoever is there, walks out immediately and checks the door for the pressure amount and then proceeds.  My tires?  I believe they are the original tires as it is a 2017 and I bought it in 2019 or 2020.... and I now have 55K+ miles on it - and from what others have told me, they are the original tires.  Plus I need an alignment so might as well have it all done, right?  $$$ yeah, I know, but I don't plan to get another car; this one is it.  And the tires ARE old....

Well, time is getting away from me and I still need to figure out my grocery list and call Big O so will jump off here.  Hope that you have an amazing day.

Blessings!

(maybe I can get back on track thought-wise next week)

Finally!

 Well, it has taken me all day to get this far!  You'd think with Brett leaving and giving me no meetings these past two weeks, I would have this done right away.  Well, I was awake all night coughing every ten minutes, I think!  Couldn't stop coughing, no matter which way I laid.  Even got in my chair and tried to sleep. That didn't help either.

But with that being said, I think I am finally starting to feel better, the draining is drying up.  Yes, I am hacking more (not coughing, hacking), trying to get stuff up but it is drying up so isn't coming up.  But I am getting better!  Although right now I'm feeling pretty tired - I didn't get a nap in today!  Why?  Today was Brett's going away party in Mesa (that I was able to get out of). and I did get online to listen to what everyone had to say.  A lot of positive things - and Brett is a good man, and is very intelligent.  It's just in my opinion, he seems to be a title seeker versus  - well, I don't know what.  His complaint was three times he was offered a different title and more people.... and he didn't get it.  So he's leaving.  To go from 'Chief' - which is senior leadership, to 'President' and he has no clue (in my opinion) as to what he is getting in to. BUT - not my monkey, not my circus! 

Now to pray that whomever takes his place is someone I can enjoy working with. It's going to be bad enough to lose Sue at the end of July.  I'm still flipping on my thoughts. Interesting, no one asked me if I was leaving because Brett was; I guess I've been pretty vocal on how he drives me crazy.  In fact, when I called in today at the party, I told him he was my thorn in the side for meetings, but I appreciate the things he taught me and wished him the best.  See, I can be nice.  But I imagine, with everyone knowing how close Sue and I are, I will get asked the question about retirement. And right now, I'm not sure what I am going to do.

It's like going to the store with no money, and you see everything you need, and want.  But when you get the money and go back to that same store, you can find nothing that interests you.  Right?  I finally got 'permission' from hubby to make the decision, and I can't make it. As long as he fought me on it, I'd fight with him about it being my decision, not his.  Now that it's my decision; I can't make up my mind.  I think I forgot the bills I get stuck with....  his and my cremation bill for one.  Got another 2-3 years on that one.  And, I'd have to 'lose' the gym training.  We could still go to the gym for I'd be joining 'silver sneakers' like hubby has - no cost.  But.... no training.  I need that strength training.  I may be working until I die, whether I want to or not.

Hubby offered to go pick up lunch today - so I ordered from Zupa's.  Their ham and provolone sandwich on ancient grain bun was so good. The bread was so soft!  And you always get a chocolate dipped strawberry.  Yum. Which reminds me, I still haven't found out about my oven and stove.  I got baking to do!!

I still have bags of candy.... wonder if my oldest son is still wanting them for his trip this weekend.... tonight hubby is gone to meet his friend.... and tomorrow morning is his bible study and possible visit with Chuck. He doesn't go every week so I won't know until tomorrow.  Just saying.  I did take a few bags to the doctor's office the other day. The girls love me. :-)

Hubby finished up my laundry today, I see.  Always nice to have clean clothes.  I'll strip this bed tomorrow (and spray the castor oil drippings) and wash while he is gone cause I just don't want to deal with his questions. I don't think he knows what I'm doing. But with that being said... here I am spilling my guts out in 'public'. LOL  My son mentioned something about deworm or something like that earlier today.... that is what I heard this castor oil does when it is put on the abdomen on a pad  and left there for a few hours. That's the purpose of all this castor oil stuff. Read up on Tavio - that's one of the brands.  It's interesting.  

Well, my work day is nearly over so I'm going to close on here as well.  Need to start closing off my calendars and go sit my butt on the couch for the evening. Or maybe I'll work on my diamond art since I am feeling a little better.  But rest and a movie may be better too, right? LOL  I have no idea what I'm going to do - have to wait til hubby is gone to decide what I want to do. :-)  Besides absolutely nothing.

Have an awesome evening - maybe I will get back on track by the first of next week.

Blessings!

I am better....I am better....

 At least I think I am GETTING better!  These past 5 days have been tough to get through!  When I complain about being 'sick', you know that something is wrong!  At least I don't think I complain much when I don't feel well.  Anyway - I think all the medication is kicking in and is finally doing what it is supposed to - or that my body is reacting the way it is supposed to.  I think even the Tums is starting to work on my coughing so much.  Will definitely keep those around for anytime I have coughing issues.  I only take one and then wait to see how it works. No coughing, don't need anymore.  I did take one before bed, but I decided also to take Robitussin DM to keep the coughing away - and upchucked both after I went to bed and started coughing. Won't do that again. Within the hour I was back in this room, trying to quit coughing and sleep.  I took another Tums a little later....and finally dozed off and slept about 4 hours without coughing!  Grateful for the sleep.

My youngest son called a little bit ago - seems he is having the same issues - coughing, etc.  Told me what he is taking - similar to mine, different brands - suggested Tums to slow the coughing, and to take Allegra - for with the air quality so bad - it's got to be allergies - although I usually do not have allergies.  Maybe mine is/was a cold that was affected by allergies - although I hadn't been outside much?  I don't know, but am grateful I am starting to feel better and that the medications are working.

I was able to finish a book I had started awhile back. Hubby watched the Suns play and asked if I wanted the TV off and I said yes (I do like quiet) - so when he turned it off, I grabbed my book.  Glad to finish one. I think I have 13 out of 50 for the year done now, although I haven't been able to read much lately.  

I need to pull together a grocery list for what I need to make my spaghetti sauce for Sunday. We are going to my youngest son's house for Easter and spaghetti is on the menu.  Right now that is sounding pretty good!  I think he may pick up salad and will make garlic bread to go with it.  Just enough, for sure. I used to make my spaghetti sauce in my big iron skillet that I gave to my oldest son.... miss that skillet when I make it - but I have enough other skillets (now I have to use two skillets) to cover. Just realized...... I will have to use my electric skillets to cook in.  Then I can transfer to a crock pot.  I still don't have a stove nor an oven.  We use the toaster oven.  I heard hubby call a little bit ago to check - but he hasn't relayed to me yet what the delay is... which is probably why he is keeping quiet.  He will tell me eventually.  I heard him call, and I heard an answer, but couldn't make it out.  Which means they don't have an answer.  I am missing my stove and oven more and more.

Today is April 1 - April Fool's Day.  I can remember playing jokes when I was in the office. Now, it's like it's a bummer to even try to think of something.

Our quail is still nesting - day 5 or 6; I can't even remember now.  She got scared off the nest yesterday morning and I counted 12 eggs still so that may be it.  It's supposed to be 18-21 days, I think I was told. Can't water my plant; good thing it is a drought plant - but I also have several breaks from it (remember when she was breaking the stems?) put in water to re-root.  I do need to go out and water the few other plants.  Not that I have a lot of plants out there.  My hummingbird feeders are up and I saw one the other day at it.  I'll need to take down this weekend and put fresh sugar/water mixture in it.  Which is 'fun' - I heat the water in my hot water pot - then pour into the measuring cup, then add the sugar and stir, then pour into the container.  I don't buy the hummingbird stuff at the store. It may be ok, but I heard it wasn't - and just make my own.  1/4 cup sugar to each cup of water.  

I received a phone call from Dr. Mark's office this morning. He had gotten my lab results back on my thyroid.  He was right - my former doctor had moved my medication to a higher level and it is too much for me.  I'm sure he is lowering it. I saw the results yesterday as well.  I was asked if I wanted the letter mailed to me or just wait until I go back next Wednesday with hubby (his appointment) - and I said that was fine - hold it until next Wednesday.  He will probably give me a new prescription next Wednesday, which I don't need, which I explained yesterday.

And with that - I don't have anything to share so will close this off - at least I gave you something to read for a little bit.  Hope you don't get caught up in allergies!

Blessings!