Working from home accomplishes much....

Well, it does, usually. This morning I was up at my usual time and did my quiet time. Got to stay in it a bit longer since I didn't have to rush to get dressed and out the door for a 45 minutes drive to the office. After getting dressed, I ended up cooking breakfast for hubby and I. He offered, but it takes me a lot less time to pull it together than it does him. So bacon and eggs and toast it was. We ate and he went off to his room for his quiet time and I moved over to the 'office area' to bring up my work computer.

I've gotten some things done this morning so everyone knows I am working. I have some videos I need to watch for approving time cards, but I can do that this afternoon. Right now I am ready and waiting on the time to pass by so that I can meet a couple friends (and board members) for lunch at Olive Garden. They are treating me - how cool is that! I got a phone call last week that my name was ratified to join the board and was unanimous!

It was really crazy one day last week.... somehow the person they wanted me to replace found out I had been asked to join the board.... and that person started calling this person, who called this person, who called this person.... The president and direct of the board text'd me and asked if I had told anyone at the ChariTea about being asked to join the board. No, I hadn't. In fact, I had sat with the person they were thinking of replacing, but I didn't know that it was her. On the way to church Wednesday night I mentioned to hubby that this had happened, and we were trying to figure out how she found out.... and he goes, uh....it may have been me. This friend (I was sitting with and they were going to replace) happened to go into the lobby while hubby was there, and after greeting him, must have said something about the board sponsoring the ChariTea.... and he mentioned that I had been sent paperwork to review and join the board. He was the culprit, for sure. I'm also sure it caught her off guard - but since we didn't know who it was replacing, she must have known she was on shaky ground. Her term is nearly up anyway - it's usually just for a year, unless asked to stay on.

I reckon I will find out today how that went in letting her go and adding me in. That feels awkward, as that person was my friend too. In fact, I know everyone on the board. Oh well - they had to have a reason in wanting to let her resign. I didn't seek this nomination, but was asked, and am honored to be added to the board. I'm not sure what the reason is they chose me, but hopefully will find out today.

And now that I have rambled on for a bit, I will hush and finish getting ready to leave for lunch. Hope your day is amazing.

Blessings!

What a busy, busy month!

It has been a busy month for sure!! And it seems to be ending on a busy note as well. I'm so tired! Part of that, though, is that I was challenged via fitbit for steps for this week - which ends tonight. I have pushed myself more than I usually do - and I'm not as young as I used to be. I like to think I am.... however..... my body tells me otherwise.

Work has been crazy busy this month - I keep being given more and more work with little taken away. Although one big meeting that I was helping out with Corporate on - I got told by their new admin that my help wasn't needed any longer so la di da. I am no longer involved in that one! That was usually a 3 hour meeting and she flubbed it up at her first one. So - if she doesn't want me to attend any longer - that is perfectly fine. I don't have to do the minutes either. Yay!

However, our Chief Operations Officer has now asked me to take on her meeting and do the minutes. Sigh. Minutes are NOT my favorite thing to do. I can do them and I do them well, but I don't enjoy doing them. Everyone likes them done differently and I would rather sit in the meeting and just listen to everything. I admit it. I am nosey and I enjoy hearing what is going on. :-)

I finally had to tell my one boss that I couldn't keep doing everything she was asking me to do. I don't report to her, but I do support her, which is why I get to do her work. Unfortunately, she has taken over my life here at work with things I do for her. She took my comments well, and advised me that things would now start slowing down and it wouldn't be so bad. Here's hoping.

I've been asked to serve on a board called Destiny of Hope. One of my bestest friends is on that board. It's interesting how it came about. I was at the women's retreat last weekend and another friend (whom I didn't know was on the board) asked me if I was an intercessor. I said, well, I do pray.....so she asked me to pray for that board. Well, by the end of that session, she asked me if I would pray about coming on the board. I felt awkward because if she was a board member, it shouldn't come from her, but from ?? I don't know. Anyway, I called my bestest friend and talked with her about it yesterday. I told her that I was going to decline the invitation for a few reasons. One, if my friend wanted me on the board (and I thought this was HER board), I would hope she would ask me. Also, there are already 7 women on that board, and 7 is the complete number, so they didn't need 8. AND, I don't need to be on the board to offer to help when they do something. Then my friend says, let me give you the backstory.

And she did. The other friend is the President of the board so she was perfectly in line with asking me. In fact, during that session last weekend, the two of them were actively texting each other that I should be asked to join the board. I had no idea. As for the number 7, one of the members is getting ready to come off the board and they will need another to take her place so it will remain at 7. Ok then. All my arguments fell by the wayside. I told her that I would still need to think about it, but I would probably accept. I'll let her know this weekend.

This weekend. There is a ChariTea that Destiny of Hope is sponsoring for Choices Pregnancy Center. I volunteered to make chicken salad sandwiches. Thinking there would be 25-35 people. I should inquire more before I volunteer. They are hoping for 200 people. Yes, I said 200 people. I have stuck to my offer. However, instead of making it like was my original plan, I have placed an order with Costco for 35 pounds of chicken salad. Enough to feed at least 150 people.

Then when I talked with my friend yesterday, she is hoping for more than 10. I'm sure there will be, but visions of chicken salad for several days has come to my mind. I'll give some away if it comes to that. But, with a former anchor of TV news going to be the speaker, I'm sure there will be more people than 10. Everyone is to bring an unwrapped baby gift. I'm not taking anything because the chicken salad cost me a lot more than I had planned to spend. It's all tax deductible, so that's ok, but still, more than I had planned.

I also started teaching The Circle Maker on Wednesday nights at church this week. And starting the first Sunday in November we start preaching again, so I need to work on that in October. My life is going to be pretty busy for the next few months, for sure! Add work in to that schedule and whew! I'm tired thinking about it!!

Gotta get to work - just realized it had been awhile since I had written anything. This is my life in a nutshell - at least for this moment in time.

Blessings!

I didn't go this morning.....

I awoke early this morning, something just didn't feel right. I felt sorta icky, but yet, not icky. Does that make sense? I have alternated between hot and sweaty to cool and clammy the past couple hours. Hubby decided - after I was completed dressed for church and ready to go - that I probably shouldn't go. I didn't argue. I am weak and yet, I'm ok.

So, I changed clothes from church to casual and managed to get a roast on for dinner tonight. I took the trash out as it was overflowing. I have now sat down here just to write a bit and then I think I will go lay down. Or maybe read. Or knit.

I wanted to watch preaching on TV this morning but no one was on that I wanted to watch. Maybe I'll watch Pastor Steve as his church should be online soon. I can watch him from my ipad.

My new computer says the one drive is full. I don't even know what that is - but it is giving me fits. I suppose I should call Dell online as I have their services included in my purchase... but today, I just don't feel like it. I couldn't even get google chrome or the one with the 'e' to come up. I know so little about computers - and care even less about them.

I was reading in The Circle Maker this morning about finding my 'Jericho'. I paused and thought about it and wondered 'what is my dream - my Jericho'. All I can think of is how much I wish I could retire. Part of me is angry that I cannot any time soon. How do I get past that? Perhaps I am just really tired right now, and the fact I'm not feeling good this morning.

For me to miss church, well, you know I'm not feeling real good. But, this too shall pass. I know the class will be praying for me to get better, and I know I will. I'm enjoying the quiet of the morning now. Only the click of my keyboard and the clock is all I hear. Oh, and the air conditioner going.

Hope your morning is going well.

Blessings.

The story begins when I walked out of the office....

and across the parking lot to my van. I notice a 2 ft. x 2 ft. (approximate) area under the right front of the van. It is wet. I squat down to touch it - and it is sorta oily. I look under the van and I see a drip. And another.

I started to pray - 'just get me home, Lord'! and all the way as I drove, I was watching for lights to come on or something to happen, still praying to just get back to my part of town.

And He answered. I was able to pick up hubby on the way and we went straight to the repair place. They put it up on a rack and then ask me to come to the repair section because they wanted me to 'see this'. Oh my word. From the radiator there was almost a constant stream of liquid flowing, and in three or more other places, there were occasional drips happening. There is no way I could have driven much further with the fluid flowing out of the radiator. Thank you, Father, for answering my prayer to get me back home.

But then, I had another dilemma. I needed to get to work the next day because I hadn't brought my work computer home. I did some texting. My granddaughter offered to loan me her car for the day - but I don't like driving other people's vehicles. But it was an option. It finally worked out that my daughter took me to work, and my oldest son brought me back home. The good part of that is I got to leave work early. I should have gotten back on the computer (I brought my computer home with me), but I just was exhausted and didn't.

So I waited, and eventually I received the call that the van was ready. The radiator had a crack across the bottom of it and had to be replaced. Since the spark plugs and wires had never been replaced - 2004 van; 150,000+ miles - it was decided they really needed to be replaced. There were a couple other repairs that were needed - and the final bill came up to $1123. I asked the question of the mechanics - should I not invest all this money in repairs but do what is necessary and just trade it in? I really did not want a car payment. Their response was 1) any repair beats a car payment, and 2) most of the big repairs we have already done on the van and they did a complete inspection on it. Only a couple minor things that still need to be completed, but they can wait for a few months. It would be wiser to keep the van as it is in excellent shape. So I will be keeping the van - and that's ok.

I enjoyed so much the ride home with my son. I rarely see him - or talk with him - so it was good to just catch up with him. It was also his birthday so I was able to give him is birthday 'present' on his birthday. That was cool. He went on to start his celebrating his birthday after he dropped me off at home.

Today I am working from home. I got hit with a bunch of emails as soon as I brought the computer up. So much to do. I have to find a way I can retire soon. I just have to. I'm not enjoying where I am right now - the people are great - but the work is a lot more than I have ever been involved in. Things I do not know that they expect me to know. It is a real struggle. It is what it is and I'm mentally thinking how I can get out of debt and live off social security. It would be difficult, but it can be done. People do it with a lot less than what I make. I've got to, for this job is going to kill me if I don't.

And enough of that - need to get back to work - just took a quick break. Hope your day is amazing.

Blessings!

Finally, a holiday, and off work!

I had hoped to sleep in this morning, but my body knew it was a Monday so sure enough, 4AM my body was awake. I did my walk down the hall and went back to bed, with hopes of falling asleep again, but alas, that did not happen so eventually got up and went to the back of the house to do some reading and my quiet time. It was nice and quiet for awhile.

After I came out I fixed breakfast, then got pork in one crockpot for shredded pork, and chicken in another crockpot cooking to make shredded chicken. I'm trying to follow the Whole 30 Plan for 30 days. It's NOT a diet (thank goodness), but eating food non-processed and no sugar. Trying to clean my body out and gain some energy and clear-mindedness. Lord knows I'm not the only one who needs that! :-)

My daughter and granddaughter have begun it as well. I wanted to start it LAST September, but no one wanted to participate. This year my granddaughter wanted us to do it together. I told her I didn't know how 'faithful' I would be to it, but will give it a try. I was ready to do it last year and they bailed on me so I lost interest. This year we went to the grocery together and bought enough supplies for 3 recipes (except for what I forgot to write down, for which I did another grocery run) and we split the cost. There should be enough from the pork and chicken to last us 2-4 days - depending on what we eat and how much. What is going to be interesting is the sweet potato buns. The other two have already made these and said they were awesome. I'll be making them this afternoon - and we'll have our first taste of them (with the pork or chicken (bbq)) and made into sandwiches.

I have been so overwhelmed at work and am so mentally tired that I have really been wishing I could retire. I'm going to focus on 'my' bills and get them paid off and then hopefully can consider it next year. I had told hubby next year and I thought he was going to get whiplash.

Then again, I don't know that I could stand being at home and not able to do anything. I'm not a real traveler, like some retirees are. But it would be nice to have the freedom to do some things. But, because of certain conditions, if I ever retire, I don't know how it would turn out. I can only do things now because I am still working.

Work has kept me extremely busy which is one reason why I haven't been typing anything on here. I am overwhelmed with work and I don't know what to do. One boss that I support is heading up a new department within the company to which the others will merge in to -- and all these meets and schedules -- I am so out of my league and overwhelmed. Some days I just want to cry because I can't move schedules of other people and yet I have to make these meetings. And I support two other bosses. I've been pulled into more meetings than I want to be pulled in to; have to create minutes for meetings I don't want to be in, and I'm just so very tired of the 26 mile one way drive five days a week. It is very wearing and when I get home, I don't have much desire to do anything.

Ok - enough whining. I'm done. Life is good. I get a paycheck which pays our bills. I'm healthy. Hubby is healthy. Now that I'm home today he is busy doing things. LOL I want to get some things done so need to get off here. I had to jump on the company computer today to get some emails sent out. One of my bosses sent me an email 'isn't today a holiday'? I responded 'yes, so stay off your computer and phone!" I'm not staying on here - but saw all the emails she had already sent me from Saturday. Sigh.

Hope you are doing well. Life is good.

Blessings.

It's been relaxing, thus far....

I have taken a week's vacation this week. Yes, an entire 5 days of non-work in between two weekends. It has been relaxing, and I have enjoyed the extra couple hours of sleep (arise 6AM versus 4AM) each day. That has probably helped immensely.

I had a birthday just prior to us taking the time off. In fact, last week was extremely busy... did I write about it?.... I don't remember. If not, then it will do for another post. My birthday was nice. Got a few giftcards for Amazon (and I just can't make a decision on what to buy - but I will!) and one for Crackerbarrel. I refused to use it for our lunch or dinner we ate there - so look through the gift shop - but just haven't made that decision yet on what I want to get so still have the gift card. :-) I also received a Pioneer Woman cookbook from a coworker that I am dearly loving! In fact, today I made a bean soup in the crockpot and is it ever good! Very yummy. Not everyone would enjoy it, but I sure do! Very simply made and in the crockpot on high for 5 hours - and it is so very good. And pinto beans are good for you!

Had a wonderful, relaxing time up in Prescott the past few days. We came back home yesterday. I took my van to get the air checked in the tires this morning, brought the driver's window down to chat with them... and it wouldn't go back up. sigh. It had happened another time and we got it to come back up. I did get it up half-way, but decided since I was already at the service place, if they had time, they may as well look at it - especially since we plan to drive my van to Tucson tomorrow to see our granddaughter (and grand-son-in-law) and our great granddaughter!

Yes, I know my middle child went to you-tube and figured out how to fix the window and get it back on track. However, it is too short of notice to ask him to look at it, and I need it done today. So - am waiting to hear back on the cost... roughly $300 if it is the regulator. I tried to tell them it was the switch - but what do I know. I'm hoping it won't be that much.... that sure cuts into my savings.

But, we are still going to Tucson tomorrow about noon-ish and will come back on Saturday. Have a hotel in Tucson to stay at but plan to spend a few hours with our princess at her house on Friday and a quick visit on Saturday before we head back. Hubby just can't handle unexpected things and is fearful of a dust storm. sigh. We will be on the road by noon, if it is his way.

But it has been a nice week away from work. I think I would go crazy if I didn't have my job to go to starting next week. I've had a relaxing time, enjoyed being up in cooler weather, and doing a lot of knitting, but, I could easily get bored. Today all I've done - other than the car - is cook. :-) Which is a good thing. That bean soup is really good - as is the chicken noodle soup I made as well! I found a BBQ rib recipe that I am anxious to try too. I like to make things and invite people over or give away - I know my boys would love the extra ribs so when I try the recipe, I'll have to let them know.

Today is my little sister's birthday. 63 this year. Yipes - when did she get so old? LOL Of course at 69 I don't consider myself old at all. I'm grateful for every year I have.

One of the pastors at our new church has asked me to teach on Wednesday nights. That is a switch. Where we had been attending, I couldn't get the pastor to LET me teach - unless I taught only what he wanted. We never could agree. I love our new church. There is a lot of love and a lot of worship in our church. The messages are Bible-based and not filtered down to make the congregation feel good about themselves. Hubby isn't happy I was asked and not him.... hopefully it won't create problems as in the past. Another reason why I quit teaching. I don't compare numbers or ability.

And now I'm starting to ramble so will sign off. I need to go knit or something.

Blessings!

Exhausted, but looking ahead....

I am exhausted. Not that I have done anything really stringent or exercise worthy, but I am so tired. Could it be the thought of turning 69 in a couple days? Naw, age doesn't really get to me. But I must admit that I have thought more often of how my mother, at my age, didn't do anything like run a marathon or do any walking, etc.

I started this posting yesterday after my lst annual lunch party here at work. Yeah, I have started those back up again. It was a great success, but I was so tired by the time I left to go home. Then my daughter and granddaughter took me out for my birthday. Unfortunately, I wasn't that hungry, but did enjoy one of my favorite Mexican meals from Don Rubens. My gallbladder has decided to start acting up again.... which brought back memories....

9 years ago last night (on a special grandson's birthday)a surprise 60th birthday party was thrown for me. I had had a lunch party at a former company that day. On a Friday, though. Late that afternoon my stomach (I thought) started hurting - until my entire chest was hurting. I didn't know but that I was having a heart attack, it hurt so badly. I remember praying that I would just get home, taking deep breaths all the way. On the way home, my daughter had called to see if we could meet them for dinner. Even though I was in severe pain, I said yes, we would.

When I got home that day, I told hubby I just wanted to lay down for a little while before heading out to dinner. He wanted me to change clothes, but I refused, stating my jeans and t-shirt would just have to do. I was still in a lot of pain, but we went to the dinner. ONLY to find it was a surprise birthday party for me! And I hadn't changed clothes. sigh. I should learn from that experience.

Anyway, I had an ultrasound after that episode and discovered I did have gallstones. I was told that if it bothered me again, to just go to the hospital and tell them and have them take it out. It has hurt off and on over the years, but never like it did that first time. I've awakened in the middle of the night nauseated, but shrug it off. Last night was close to the first time, but after I got home from dinner I went to bed and prayed myself to sleep. I don't have any pain this morning so guess that episode is past.

I was still tired when I woke this morning but am looking forward to next week when I am on vacation all week. Running up to Prescott for a few days. Want to check with out granddaughter in Tucson to see if she is going to be home that weekend.... thinking of doing a day trip to see her and our great-granddaughter if they are not driving up. Need to touch base with her yet.

And I need to get to work. So much to get done before I take time off!

Blessings!