Another month nearly gone - and it's 1/2 a year!

I know we complain a lot about the time dragging when we are at work - but geez! 6 months from tomorrow is Christmas! That thought alone is crazy - but the months have been flying by, for sure!

Jailbreak Getaway was a lot of fun and we are already planning our getaway for next year.

It was a busy weekend - took Sheeba to the vet for her first visit. Taking her to a 'school' so that students can learn how to take care of animals - and then a vet actually goes over everything. It just takes a lot longer - and we were there a little over 2 hours - but that's ok. They furnish coffee, water, and snacks. :-) Sheeba is 3 months and 2 weeks old - and weights 32 pounds already. She is definitely growing! She is very healthy, and active. They gave her all the required shots - and yipes - for two days now we have had to deal with crap (literally) in her crate come morning. And of course because if she barked we didn't hear her, she also laid in it. Sunday morning I woke up about 5AM smelling something really bad.... then it began to dawn on me.... and I started praying she was just farting. But no, it was the real thing. So I put her outside and clean out the crate, then I had to give her a bath. Ugh. Not something I plan to do first thing in the morning.

This morning hubby got up and same thing - only he said her crap was like water.... and she left it on the carpet as he took her out. sigh. Once we get her trained will need to completely clean the carpet - or have the carpet taken up and tile put down.

Our youngest son invited us over for dinner Saturday evening as his boys were in town. It was good hanging out with them for a little while. On our way home got a phone call from our middle child that he wanted to stop by - which is an answer to prayer cause I've been missing him - and he stopped by and visited for a bit. Then even better, last night his daughter and her family (including my great-granddaughter) stopped by for about an hour. Sheeba loved the attention, but we wouldn't let her out of the crate for fear she might jump on the baby this time. Maybe by next time we will have her obedience trained. That's next.

So all that made a very good weekend - and I meet up with my daughter and another granddaughter tonight for our 'knitting night'. We all look forward to those.

Guess I need to get back to work; just wanted to get an update in.

Blessings!

It's almost here....

Just another work day - after today - and I'll be on "Jailbreak Getaway" with my daughter and granddaughter. It's something we three look forward to each year. This year we are going for 4 days and 3 night - (usually just 3 days and 2 night) as it seems that we can't really do much and it's time to check out and go home. This year we are staying in town - sorta - but staying at a hotel in Scottsdale. We were able to get a Queen Bed suite poolside - so we are hoping there won't be a bunch of kids staying at the hotel so we can have some quiet time by ourselves.

We don't have much planned other than going to MIM - which, from what I understand, is the Musical Instrument Museum. It should prove interesting so we are planning on that one day. We are taking our knitting and crocheting so maybe we will be close to finishing a project. I also heard that we are across the street from Hobby Lobby and Michaels so I can see us going and getting more yarn too!

I'm not sure what else the other two want to do - but I'm tired. And I want to relax and just enjoy a few days of not having to work. No responsibilities other than feeding myself, playing, and resting.

I think hubby will be kept busy during this time as we picked up a new puppy last Saturday. Sheeba was born March 8 - which will always be a reminder to me of someone's birthday - although I have never forgotten. So that will make her not quite 13 weeks. I thought the paper said she was 15 weeks, but I just counted and on June 7 she will be 13 weeks. Looking at her size - she is a big 13 weeks! Of course we saw her parents and they are huge - they are European German Shepherds. I had to look them up to see what the difference was.

Seems these European German Shepherds are called "working dogs" in that they are service dogs, guide dogs, protectors - they are not just a pet. And they get pretty large. I sent a text to the people we bought from and asked for photos of the parents because we forgot to get when there.

Which reminds me - hubby was fixing "dinner" for Sheeba last night - and - LOL - he said all of a sudden she stood up and put her paws on the counter to watch what he was doing!! YIPES!! She is a beauty though and you can tell she is a purebred. We are doing a lot of "training" with her - mainly potty is OUTside not INside!! She got me up at 1AM Sunday night - but slept through last night. For which I was grateful. I was exhausted yesterday.

Life has been so busy - work is overwhelming and I really wish I could find something less overwhelming. and closer to home. But I haven't minded the drive too much.... it's a long drive, but the summer months have less traffic and sometimes I can talk to someone on the way home and it feels like I get home faster. I am desperately needing some time off.

Hope to catch up with a grandson soon to celebrate his birthday. I miss this family... hint hint.... need to plan a meal or something and have them over. Maybe in a couple weeks - I'm gone Thursday and don't return until Sunday this week. YAY!! Sheeba can keep hubby company. :-)

Hope all is well with you.

Blessings!

Life as I know it...

Life has been pretty busy lately. Work in itself has kept me busy. More busy than I would really want to be - but it is a job and it does pay the bills. Guess I shouldn't complain.

I took a vacation day yesterday to go to Tucson for our youngest son's 'graduation' from rehab therapy. The 'graduation' itself lasted maybe 15 minutes. Then they had yummy ice cream sandwiches, sodas and chips to celebrate. There were only four men who graduated this date. So proud of my son for at least going through the process for the past four months. Now I can only pray he will apply what he has learned. Interestingly enough, he didn't seem too happy to be going home.

I'm working from home today. I don't do that often, but with one boss in Tucson today and the other in meetings all day - it was perfect. I am on a Board and they are meeting at my house tonight so it works perfectly as I will probably need to make tea and have the table set. Need to find out if the board members are bringing food or if it is my turn. I have a great minestone soup I can make.

Hubby has left to go to the doctor for the stress test results of last week. He hates it when I stay home - he doesn't know what to do with himself. Today he is panicking because he wants to clean the house up for my board members. I tell him they aren't coming to see my house, they are coming for a board meeting - all he needs to clean is the bathroom! Of course he has known for two months they are coming here tonight. Just saying.

My knitting has improved quite a bit - as has my crocheting. I'm having so much fun with it. Just finished a prayer shawl last night and am working on a lap blanket for veterans and a baby blanket for a friend at work who is expecting. I'm loving making things and giving them away. Wish I had more time to do them. I was thinking about it this morning and know I need to block specific time to knit/crochet, and block specific time to read. I'm missing my reading and am so far behind in my books. I need to determine what to do when. I guess when the TV is off I can read - and when hubby is watching TV I can knit/crochet?

Nothing going on right now. Really looking forward to doing Jailbreak Getaway with my daughter and granddaughter. We decided to stay in town this year and basing our stay in a hotel, go where we want from there. I'm so in need of a few days of just relaxing. We do plan to get facials, pedicures, and going to the music museum. The rest if knitting/crochet, shopping, and laying by the pool. That is (laying by the pool) if it isn't overrun by children staying at the hotel. Crossing our fingers we will have it pretty much by ourselves. That would be nice for all of us.

Hope that your days are happy and busy.

Blessings!

Always changes

The year is quickly passing by and with it have come so many life-changes and situation/circumstance changes. Life-changes in that we've had to say goodbye to a few friends recently, and situation/circumstances - well, those are always happening.

Easter is Sunday and today is Maundy Thursday. We plan to go to our church tonight where we are having foot washing and communion services. I have been surprised to note that many churches do not do that anymore. For that matter, the reason they probably don't is because people do not go. And that part is sad for they do not know what they are missing. I think of my own family and the special blessing one gets to be a part of this type of service. It's humbling, for sure, but didn't Christ humble Himself to wash His disciples' feet? And we are to follow His example.

Of course Christ also gave us a new commandment - John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

How many times do we fail that command because we are so stubborn and prideful that we refuse to love one another. I agree, it is hard sometimes to love others. It's hard to even LIKE them. But Christ has called us to do just that. There are some people who are difficult to get along with. Very difficult, in fact. But by refusing to associate with them or be in contact with them is giving them power over you. And, it will keep you out of heaven.

I think with my own siblings who do not talk to each other. None of them really care if they speak or not to each other. Ever. But they will be held accountable for not making the effort to reconcile. Pride and stubbornness is a horrible thing. I will not go to hell because I gave a sibling power over me by my not forgiving them and letting it go. If they choose not to associate with me - that is on them. I must do ever effort to reconcile. Doesn't mean we have to do things together. But it does mean I need to love them.

I had something happen this week that hurt me, and yet, it wasn't anyone's fault. It was just a miscommunication - or rather, lack of communication. My first instinct from the hurt was disassociation. I didn't want to go where I had been hurt. I didn't want to face those who hurt me. And yet, I knew it was just miscommunication, and it wasn't really anyone's fault that I acted on my own, without authority. It took a few days, but I have finally let it go and I can face these people and go to that place without any hurt and frustration. I did what I thought was a good thing, and it was rejected. Not my fault. I just know not to do it again. :) Not a big deal. But it was the first day or so as I processed it. Not giving the pain of hurt power over me. I am better than that.

I'm working from home tomorrow. I don't often get that chance but with one boss on vacation and one working from home tomorrow, it's a great opportunity. I have enough to do, for sure! AND, I was able to get two monitors to take home so that I can set it up as I have it here at work. It's so much easier to work with two monitors than just one or just the laptop. I'm hoping to get a lot done tomorrow.

It's about time to go home so will close this off and get my briefcase packed to take home. Hope that you have a blessed Easter - think about the REASON we celebrate Easter. It's not all candy and bunny rabbits and little chicks. It's all about Jesus. He died for you, and for me. Took all our past sins, our present sins, and our future sins, all on His shoulders and never refused us. He crawled to that cross so that He could bear all our sins.

Now that is my Savior. And yours.

Blessings!

and now it's April....

UGH. I hate it when I have a paragraph typed and then it disappears. Well, I obviously hit a key and it took it away - and I can't find the thingie that you click to bring it back. So I guess it's gone. Oh well, it was nothing more than lamenting about the time flying by and I am getting nothing accomplished.

I just read my son's blog and it is refreshing to hear how things are progressing with his family. I wish I could help, but this is something that unless they ask, I need to stay out of. My daughter-in-law's mother's celebration of life is this Saturday and we plan to attend. I love my daughter-in-law and I loved her mother and father. It breaks my heart that she misses them so, but it is like the 'circle of life'. We all will go that way at some point.

Another dear friend passed away this past week. I have known him for over 30 years. His wife passed a few years ago, and now he has. I will miss his hugs and "better now" when we chatted. His daughter and I still see each other at our Needles of Hope knitting/crocheting group each month.

Speaking of, we have our Needles of Hope group this Saturday morning and I plan to go for a couple hours. I'm not that good at it yet, and haven't donated much, but I do enjoy the fellowship and working on things at home. I actually made several baby blankets before realizing I was creating them lop-sided so can't donate them. I'm going to try to fix them somehow, but haven't yet.

I've also started working on puzzles. My big brother sent me several puzzles and I bought a board to work on them with. It is relaxing to do as well as the knitting is. I work a few pieces most every day - it isn't a rush to complete, but just something to do that I enjoy.

My son-in-law was in an accident last night - he was in the center lane (which is one-way 4-7PM I think M-F) and a car decided to get in that lane and hit him on the right passenger side - causing the air bags to go off - that's how hard he was hit. In fact, he is in the ER now and I'm still waiting to hear what the x-ray results and lab results show. He has been there most of the day. He went last night but it was so full that after waiting a couple hours he left and went back this morning. A photo I saw had him taking an IV for hydration - but I don't know why other than not having anything to drink (and probably eat) since he arrived.

Our speaking engagements at the RV parks is over for this season and we don't start up again until November. We already have our schedule for next year. I should work on them this summer, but probably won't. Life is too short and I want to have fun. :-)

I'm still working and probably will until the day I die. I mentioned to hubby a few weeks ago I wanted to start downsizing and getting rid of things. When he asked why, I told him that I would like to sell the house in two years and get a smaller place, and retire. He came unglued. I was told in no uncertain terms that he was not moving and he would not get rid of any of his things and I couldn't touch them. I just looked at him. It's ok he "retired" at 70 after being laid off from his last job.... but I turn 70 this year and he won't let me retire even at 72. He has proven he doesn't love me, he loves the life that I can give him. And that's so disappointing. I'm worth so much more. Enough of that.

I just took a few moments here at work and so now I need to get back at it. Good thing I like my job - but it does wear me out - plus the drive back and forth. I know my boys understand that comment. They also have driven back and forth like I have.

Blessings!

I did catch it....

Yeah, I caught the cold from hubby, and even after all my efforts of olive leaf extract and black elderberry syrup and even soltice, I could not get rid of it. I had to work last week because I had meetings I was in charge of pulling together - but by Friday, my boss tells me I have to go to the Urgent Care - she was sending me! And by then I was actually starting to feel I was coming out of it! But like a good employee, I did go to Urgent Care where they told me I had a cold with chronic cough. Seriously? Got an antibiotic and cough syrup, and a $75 bill for going to Urgent Care. It's all good. Took the last pill yesterday and finishing up the cough syrup in the next day or so. I'm finally getting back to "normal" - whatever that is.

With being so sick, I haven't been going anywhere. In fact, I didn't even go to church on Sunday. Just didn't want to get in to a coughing fit in the middle of the message. It's been nice being able to 'lay around' and just take care of me. I've been sleeping in the back room because I cough throughout the night. By Friday this week I will probably be back in my bed because our granddaughter will be spending the weekend.

I was so sick that I actually forgot a grandson's 13th birthday! Could not believe I forgot it. But, I made amends by picking him up on Sunday and instead of going shopping for a toy, we took him out for dinner and he got his $20 to buy whatever. And of course, Dairy Queen dilly bars to take back home. That is sort of a tradition for the two of us. Sure do love that little boy!

Work has been really busy again this week and the longing to retire has been great. If we could find a smaller place (much smaller) and get rid of a bunch of things, there is hope that I could perhaps find a part-time job and be closer to home, and we make it on what social security is. Hubby chose to retire at 70.... I should have that choice, don't you agree? sigh. If only it was that simple.

I'm feeling better, which is the purpose of this update, just to say I've caught the cold and getting rid of it. My big brother sent me a bunch of puzzles - which I dearly love! I ended up buying a puzzle board to work them on so that when I have to move them from the table I don't have to tear them apart. In fact, I got notification it arrived today. But, I won't have time for a puzzle until tomorrow night or this weekend. Always something going on, for sure.

Gotta get ready to leave - 4 minutes to go and counting. Stay Healthy!

Blessings!

Working from home today....and I'm glad.

Definitely glad as the big super snow storm is moving across the eastern United States - and is dropping lots of cold and rain here in middle Arizona. About an hour up north from us is reporting 8 inches of snow already.

Sitting here at my computer, working from home, I feel the cold coming in through the big air conditioner in the wall that we don't use. Would love to have it removed, but it would require tear out the entire wall and because our wood outside the house is unique and OLD. With planning to move within a few years, I'm hoping to just 'deal with it' and let the new owners make that decision and have that expense. I love my house, but we can't afford it once I quit working, and I really do want to quit working. Sometime. It panics the hubby because he knows he will have to quit doing some things that he enjoys doing.... but that is a whole nother story. I could give up a lot of things in order to retire.

Life is settling down somewhat with the granddaughter. Now that the 'newness' is wearing off, she won't get by with as much as she has been. This isn't a 'vacation' for her, even though she is relishing it I'm sure. I told my daughter the other day to lay down the law and tell her if she doesn't stick to the rules, she can go back and live with the stepmother. See how fast she straightens up. I just don't know. We've found some flaws in the story and just am not sure what to do. In the meantime, we still have her every other weekend. In fact, we have her this weekend. She may think it will be a lazy quiet weekend, but I have something at church Saturday morning and she will be going with me - even if she is the youngest one there!

Gasp! The sun just came out in the midst of the cold and rain! It just brightens the entire room! :-) Even though I am working from home, I am hoping another dear friend is also working from home - and if she is, we are meeting up for lunch today. And there the sun goes away just as fast as it came up! sigh. She is working from home so now we are trying to decide if we want to brave the crappy weather to meet up. Usually we meet in the evening with the hubbies, but we haven't been able to truly chat like we like to. My problems are NOTHING compared to what she has had to deal with over the years. She sure could use a break!

Need to get back to work - only taking a short break to add something. Hubby has been sick with a cold x two weeks - this morning I woke up with the raspy chest and sore throat. Olive Leaf Extract and Black Elderberry syrup and green tea is my menu for today. It's helped a lot already. I can't get sick - I have to work.

Hope you are having a good day.

Blessings!