Starting over again!

I really want to be a bit more successful at this blogging stuff....even if I am the only one that reads this.  Aaron just left for Uganda today, Alyssa is in Berlin, Germany for a semester abroad, and Grant is in Bangkok, Thailand going to q-school for the Asian Tour. He had a good week and made the cut to go on to the final rounds.  He'll play 4 rounds next week.  Although I haven't spoken to Alyssa that much this past week, when I did, she sounded fine and getting accustomed to her new surroundings.  It is so hard to believe that 3 of my children are scattered all over the world tonight.  It seemed a bit weird Wayne and I sitting down to dinner tonight with no one else at the table.  I think Duke our dog is especially feeling down with Grant and now Aaron being gone.  He loves the attention he gets from the boys.  I know that Duke is their favorite and I'm sure they are missing him as well.  I've decided to step down from being Assistant Manager at J.Jill.  I want to only work about 3 days a week so I am able to still be in a key-holder position.  This is going to allow me to spend more time at home getting some projects done that I have had no time for over the past 6 months.  Today I spend almost the entire day organizing and cleaning out my closet.  It started off with gathering some things for Aaron to take with him on his trip to donate to the community in Uganda where he will be working for a non-profit organization called "Come, Let's Dance."  I have so so much that I've been blessed with and need to share the clothing I am not wearing with others.  I know that is what God is instilling in my heart.  I am going to try over the next few weeks to go through each and every room and de-clutter and donate what we do not use or need.  I pray that God will give me a selfless heart as I sift through each drawer and cabinet.  Not only will I benefit from the cleaning but others can as well.  After all, one man's junk is another man's treasure.

Discipline is a True Virtue

I don't even remember the last time I blogged.  I wanted to be so disciplined with this journaling and once again, I started with a roar and now you can barely hear a "peep."  Today was an overwhelming day of two consecutive dr. appts. in the morning, then driving across town for an ultra-sound, and then at 2:00, a lovely hour in the dentist's chair get my teeth cleaned or should I say "my mouth poked with metal instruments."  Ugh!  Oh and did I mention before I left the dr.s, I got my annual flu shot and had lab work all on the same arm.  "Ouch!"  I am pooped and need to do some things around the house before heading off to bed.  The good news is, with my weigh in today at the doctor's office, I found out I had lost 5 lbs.  Yeah!  Hopefully all my lab results come back normal.  Always a worry after having all the tests done.  Can't say I would want to go through another medical day like this one anytime soon.  Working for the next 5 days.  Already feeling tired.  I really need to do some soul searching about whether I want to work this much.  I am finding that I am having difficulty getting my errands and jobs around the house done having only 2 or 3 days off.  Going to go tuck myself into bed and get a good night's sleep!

Been Away Too Long!

So much for getting on my blog every day.  I have been so bad at not keeping up with a daily ritual.  I enjoyed a day off from work and was able to get my hair trimmed.  Been having the munchies lately and having a hard time staying away from the pantry and fridge for nibbling sessions.  Not good.  I know that when I do it I am taking just small pieces here and there but it all adds up.  It is a good thing that I am working and not home all the time.  Miss my fellow blogger.  Hope you are feeling better my friend.  Been praying for our little grandbaby yet to be born that his or her little feet will be just pigeon-toed and not clubbed as suspected by the doctor.  Either way, the situation can be easily treated with casts or splints.  I am trying to not worry and just leave things in God's hands, the perfect place for my thoughts and concerns.  Can't believe that it is almost the middle of November and the holiday season will be upon us in no time.  I pray that I will not get caught up in all the commercialism and materialism that seems to characterize the season especially in this country.  I love giving gifts, but to go into so much debt in order to give is not what we should do.  I hope this Christmas to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and spending time with family.

Heading Back to Work!

Here it is Tuesday night and I just finished balancing the checkbook and need to straighten up a bit before heading off to bed.  Took a bunch of stuff over to "Purple Heart" and "Women's Shelter."  I absolutely love de-cluttering my house.  I didn't get as much done over these few days off as I wanted to.  Cleaning and re-organizing takes a lot of hours.  I really want to go through my entire house before the new year sets in so I can clean my house without having to move so much junk around.  The good thing about keeping busy like this is, I DON'T THINK ABOUT FOOD!  Therefore, I don't eat as much either.  Wayne is flying home tomorrow and will be so exhausted after being overseas and traveling so long.  It will be great to have him home again.  I am stressing because I want everything to look so cleaned up and yet, I have dealt with those type of feelings so much, especially when we are about to go on vacation.  I always want to have everything perfect before I leave.  I watched Julie/Julia last night and realized that even in a cluttered small apartment over a pizzeria, Julie was happy inviting friends over to share a nice dinner and by all means her home wasn't perfect.  Why is it that I feel that I need to have everything so perfect in order to entertain?  It drives me insane......I have to work on that!  Wow, I am skipping all over the place with this blog tonight.  Have to head back to work tomorrow and for the next 4 days.  Night! Night!

My feet are tired!

Worked today from 10-5:30 and I'm exhausted.  Had all these little things planned to get accomplished after fixing myself some dinner.  Oh back up, so today, one of my co-workers ordered a hot dog and fries from a burger joint a few doors down from the store, and walking into the breakroom, the aroma smelled glorious.  I hadn't had a hot dog in a long time and thought, great I'll be a bit bad and order a chili dog...........NOT FOR ME....the hot dog was rubbery and the chili, canned I presumed, was way too salty.  Yuck.....The good news.....I won't be ordering a hot dog again!  That to me is such a plus and movement in the right direction to be able to check things off the list of appealing foods and for me to pay attention to: if it doesn't taste good, don't eat it.

I'm so blessed to know a caring and loving God, that when there is trouble bringing worry and concern, I know that He is in control and won't bring anything into our lives that we cannot handle.  Family is so important and it is such a blessing to be able to encourage and pray for one another.  Thank you, God, for giving Grant safe travel to California and for upholding Ryan and Allison as they deal with a possible medical condition of their sweet baby.  Give them peace and comfort.....

Peaceful Quiet

It is 1:00 in the morning and I'm will soon be heading to bed.  Grant left today after we had lunch during my break at work.  I was feeling pretty sad last night so I was happy when we said goodbye that I was able to just give him a big hug and kiss and not feel teary like I am now as I write this.  He is going to have such a long drive by himself to California and I pray for his safety and well-being on the trip.  After getting home from work, leftovers became my dinner.  To my surprise, I really listened to my body when it told me I was feeling full and I stopped and fed our garbage disposal, instead of giving in to the puppy eyes of Ellie just desperate to have me share.  The entire evening was spent working on things around the house that I've been neglecting to do.  A productive night with no t.v., music.  Just me and my thoughts while my hands kept busy.  Looking forward to having dinner with Debra tomorrow at one of our favorite restaurants.  Oh, the blessing of friendship.  Goodnight.

Already Missing Him....

Grant and I packed up his car today for his travel back to California to play golf until mid December.  We went out to get him a pair of sunglasses and had a wonderful meal at Cheesecake Factory.  I ordered a chicken dish with a Vietnamese flair and rice.  Ate 1/2 and saved the rest for dinner for me tomorrow night after working all day.  To top dinner off I couldn't resist and ordered a amazing slice of their pecan/pumpkin cheesecake to go.  Ate a couple of bites tonight after coming home, and will savor it the next two days as mini desserts.  I am working tomorrow when Grant leaves and I am sure the house will feel very empty when I come home.  Thank goodness for my wonderful dogs that I will be able to cuddle and have a little cry with. It is so surprising to me that I am feeling so teary eyed with him leaving but I have kind of gotten used to him being around.  I know that playing tournaments is where he should be and I just pray for his safety, protection, and success.  You're loved and will be missed more that you know, Granty.  Enough for tonight!