Thinking about it....still....

 Some changes are coming around the corner for work - besides getting two new bosses eventually.  You know how much I don't like doing the boards - not that they are hard; they are not. I just don't like doing them.  But with that thought and comment aside, what is going on?  I think I'm just tired.  NOW I get an email that we have to change our signature lines in our emails (is it really THAT important?) and make them a certain way.  So that we all can be 'one team'.  I'm so sick of that term.  And no, I haven't done anything yet.  I really think the only thing I will need to do is remove my 'handwriting' of my first name.  But I'm not going to fuss with it right now.  Minor things.  I'm tired. Perhaps that is it?  

Sue and I have been chatting about her retirement July 31st.  I'm really happy for her.  She and Paul have plans of things to do.  They just completely remodeled their home last year - all new appliances in the kitchen, new drapes, new flooring, etc.  I couldn't ever do that, but that's ok.  She is starting to get excited about retiring, and I'm excited for her.  Then today, with these silly emails about changes... well, November 20th is looking really good to me right now.  Or even January lst.  I just need to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

But then, sitting at home with hubby now is driving me insane... but then, couldn't I also start taking some classes and getting involved in things without him?  Maybe that would motivate him to do something besides sit and watch TV or play on his phone?  What am I afraid of?   Ok- enough of my mind going chasing the clouds.... I need to focus on today.

Today will be another long day.  Even Sue only has one meeting today. I will start going through my files and deleting some things that I no longer need to keep and send my personal stuff to my personal email. I will stay in here once hubby gets home.  But I have gotten a lot of things completed while he has been gone to his bible study.  I ran both new bedspreads through the dryer to loosen them up - and have made both beds (yes, I actually cleaned this one off!!).  I zipped up my heavy bedspread and have taken it out to the garage.  I broke down some amazon boxes that were overtaking the area.  I even took a few jumps on my rebounder.  Sue & I and Kynda and I have been chatting on Teams this morning about things.  So, yeah, I have been somewhat busy.  I love being alone (at least for now).  I've fixed myself a cup of hot tea and I'm sitting in front of my work computer.  I need to take off this afternoon and run down to the UPS dropoff at Staples - have some things to return to Amazon.   Yeah, may be a long day before too long.

Morgan took it easy on me last night - and even let me choose what I wanted to do.  I told her legs, as that was what I had mentally prepared for.  We only did 3-4 sets of 3 exercises, and they weren't hard ones - squats with weights, squat and pulse with a band at the knees, and one machine - leg extensions.  Seriously, nothing hard.  But I tell you what - my thighs and my butt is telling me another story!  I need to write those down.  I think that if I can write down what I do each time, I can do them on my own. After all, I won't be able to afford training once I retire....  As much as I enjoy the training, and it has helped me gain strength, I have my priorities and paying for training isn't one of them.

Well, I'm at a loss to write about anything of value today.  My mind is racing as to what else can I do before hubby gets home in about 30 minutes.  Maybe start going through my closet?  Naw... that's an all day job.  I could clean off this desk. Naw... I can do that another time.  Maybe I just need to do up a calendar and put something on it every day that I can accomplish without a lot of chatter.  Or not. 

Anyway - hope that you have an amazing day and do something fun - for you and for others.

Blessings!

That was close!

 I'm sitting here in my 'office' this morning and I hear hubby's phone ring.  Unknown caller.  He doesn't answer.  They call again, again Unknown caller.  He answered.  I'm listening to his responses.  No. No. Ok, what do I need to do?  I walk in to 'his' office to listen better.  He's on the computer, bringing up something. They tell him to type in 'quick'; he does.  I'm watching.  Something comes up that says 'quick access'..... I tell him to hang up.  I tell him to shut his computer down. Surprisingly, without any argument, he does.  I asked him what that was about.  He said it was Wells Fargo and they were saying our account got hacked.  First of all, Wells Fargo is not open before 9AM (this was around 8am, I think).  Second, they would not be calling him to ask him to do things on the computer. They would ask him to come in to the office to discuss.  Soooo close.  See why I have to listen in on his phone calls?  I've told him before; never bring up any accounts on the computer or give anyone access to his computer. That is what this call was trying to do - the question was on the screen "will you give access ....".  Absolutely NOT!

On a positive note, we did reserve an Airbnb up in Heber Overgaard for our anniversary getaway this year. I had found a few places and we looked at them last night.  I only had a couple 'requirements' and hubby agreed.  I wanted a covered porch on which we could sit outside and breathe fresh air and just enjoy the cooler weather.  I wanted (as I mentioned before), lots of sofa space in the living room so I can spread out 'my stuff'.  And we need a king bed.  We get all three here.  We spend most of the time reading (and me crocheting as a rule), so it will be nice to sit outside and just relax.  Hubby can't walk far so hiking is out; he will do a little shopping, but not much to do in that area.  I'll need to figure out meals (TV dinners will possibly be part of our meals) while we are there.  I don't get a vacation from cooking, so want to make it as simple as possible.

In 13 days I leave for Jailbreak Getaway - so ready!  My daughter will fly in on the 22nd. Her daughter is picking her up at the airport, but on the Tuesday she will be returning home, she wants me to take her to the airport and drop her off.  THAT I am not looking forward to.  I did manage to find my way back home after dropping the daughter and SIL off a month or so ago, but I haven't been in that area in years.  And it's crazy during the morning and evening hours.  But, guess I will 'suck it up' and do it.  I think I need to have her there around 5:30-ish AM ...  will cross that bridge when we get to it, I guess.

Got word yesterday that we will be able to get our great-granddaughter back into our family later this month!  Answers to prayers, for sure.  And, our grandson will be sworn into the Army Rangers (he hadn't asked for that!) on Friday. Wish we could go watch, but it is downtown and I refuse to drive downtown anymore. I don't have the patience for it.  People are crazy drivers downtown.  My youngest son will be up north visiting the granddaughter for the first time in almost 18 months - so is planning on doing a ceremony at the VFW soon to swear in his son so that we can be in attendance.  So we really have some good things going on within that family right now.  

The doctor visit yesterday for hubby went well.  His cholesterol is way out of whack so that was addressed.  Since I am getting better, Dr. Mark suggested I 'share' my remaining medication with hubby as that is not what he was there to see Dr. Mark about.  I get it.  We should have changed the appt for a medical visit versus review blood work.  So I passed on my Breo this morning; it is an inhaler, and I seem to be breathing much better now.  Already have him on Allegra.  Yeah, I am thinking Dr. Mark thinks a lot of what I had was allergies - but I don't have allergies - but maybe I do and don't know it?  I guess the symptoms are pretty close to the same.  At least my blood work was good; thyroid hormone is back where it should be.  He wants to do another blood workup in June with a visit in July to discuss.  I will have my actual physical in September as usual, when I will get the bone density test, mammogram, EKG, air flow, and whatever else needed.  That's why I like Dr. Mark.... I feel that I am being taken care of.  My other doctors - the last 4-5 - only checked my blood work once a year; only had one visit once a year for the well-check-up.  Dr. Mark checks blood work at least every 4-6 months - things change. That's how he discovered my thyroid medication was too high. He adjusted it; this blood work shows it is where it should be, but let's test it another 3 months to make sure.  

I put in for my vacation in August plus PTO for the holidays up to November (Memorial Day, July 3rd, Labor Day) and Sue has already approved them all.  I told her I'd wait on November..... still trying to make a decision.  I want to - really bad - but I still need to sit down and financially figure it all out.  For one, I need to quit spending like I have.  I had plans to save and do this and that.... and then.... I decided I wanted new bedspreads, new sheets.... and then I need to get another doll for the great granddaughters for when two are here, and I have only one doll, that could be a problem.  So I ordered another. I think I will check Savers or Goodwill and see if I can find a baby bed or cradle for the 2nd doll, rather than order one, although they aren't much.  I may need to let go of my exercise equipment (that I seem to rarely use anymore) to make it into an official playroom for the great-grandchildren.  I can always go to the gym to workout.... I don't need my own equipment.  That I rarely use. Sigh.

I read something today that really 'beat' me up.... I know it; you know it; and yet.... what are we doing about it?  What is it?

Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you want to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it."  Luke 9:23-24.

If we really listen to His words, we cannot call someone a Christian who regularly views pornography, tells off-color jokes, lies, gossips, refuses to forgive, lives sexually immorally, is greedy, lives for pleasure, is self-promoting, self-seeking, or any other behavior that is commonly practiced by unbelievers.

I'm sure that immediately many people came to your mind as you read that last paragraph.  Some came to my mind as well.  Unfortunately, I think I can also see some description of myself in some of it .... and know that I need to change.  Change is never easy, but many times it is beneficial.  If you read the paragraph after the scripture, what do you see that you need to change in yourself - in order to take up the cross of Christ and follow Him?  

I think I will end here... for I know that I have much work I need to do in myself.  I can not point fingers at others; that is not my 'job'.... my 'job'... is to keep my eyes on Jesus and Him alone.... and pick up my own cross and follow Him.  

Blessings!

I was wrrrrooooonnngggg.....

 about Hubby's appointment time for Wednesday.  I just looked at my work calendar and his appointment is at 11AM - which means we need to leave here at 10AM - traffic shouldn't be too bad between 10-11 so I just might not be gone as long as I thought I would be.  Coming back home might be busy - but it's all good.  

Sue notified all her direct reports that she is retiring July 31.  It is going to leave a big gap for me - I will be getting two new bosses over the next few months.  Maybe it is time for me to retire as well?  I wish I could easily say yes to that.  In time, in time.

Things have been really quiet on the work front.  Sue is busy, but she hasn't given me much to do lately.  Yesterday I did have some work to do for contracting, but was done in about an hour. I have started going through emails and deleting folders I don't need to keep for Brett anymore.  Probably a good time to clear out a bunch of emails and folders, right?  

Obviously, I have nothing to talk about this morning... how did that happen?  

Seriously.  I am sitting here trying to think of something to write about.... and there is nothing. 

Two weeks from tomorrow I will be leaving on Jailbreak Getaway XI with my girls.  So looking forward to just relaxing and not doing much.  We will do some shopping, I'm sure, and there are antique stores in that area, but ... I don't need to bring any thing else home, if you know what I mean!  I love the old dishes - and use them at times.  When we moved in here, I had to give up a lot of my dishes that I enjoyed - even though I will admit that I didn't use them enough to keep them. I couldn't even tell you - other than platters, what I had to get rid of.  I prefer giving my dishes to my kids - whichever of them want them.  I really do need to do inventory.  A retirement project, right?

I wonder what I really will do if I ever retire.  Thinking about it, I'd probably say yeah, I'll clean out closets, clean out drawers, get rid of things, etc.  Sounds productive, right? But what will I really do.  Besides withdraw into my shell of protectiveness .... I just want to be me and enjoy life... 

Still working on the same diamond art project... I did this one last year and gave to my son and daughter -in law at Christmas - it is of them. I had forgotten I had a second copy made. I'm working on it so that I will have one to hang up in my house every year.  I'm trying to do a little bit every day - but don't always succeed.  It does take a lot of beads!  I have several diamond art projects I got for Christmas... I do enjoy working on them and being in my own little world.

Our quarterly admin meeting was yesterday and it was decided that we all needed to get together for lunch in September - some live in Tucson, some in Phoenix, and some way out here.  They decided halfway would be Casa Grande.  It's still a long drive for me. Will either carpool or .....  will see. September is a long way off.

And with that - I'm getting off here - need to dry my hair and put a face on to go to doctor's office - will leave in about an hour... hopefully that's enough time to get it done.  HaHa.

I've had this quote on my computer for a number of years.... I honestly can not remember when I read it - nor when I wrote it out and put on the corner of the screen.  I think it was to remind myself that I can do something....

All our dreams can come true, if wee have the courage to pursue them.   ~~ Walt Disney

I've had dreams... but never the courage to pursue... maybe it's time I should dream again... what about you?

Blessings!

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!