TGIF

Really, I am thanking God that it is finally Friday! Many things have happened since last Friday. Jump back 1 week...I was sick. Remember Bah Humbug...well, that was me. I am not a very nice sick person. I just don't take being sick very well. I am whiny and want attention, but yet I don't want anyone to bother me. Does that make sense? Of course not. My husband for over 18 years still doesn't understand it. I try to tell him, just acknowledge that I am ill, and then leave me alone. I will get better eventually. Charlie doesn't get the acknowledge that I am ill part. He just leaves me alone!

Last Friday night we had a lock-in planned at church. I really didn't want to go, but since I was probably going to be the only female adult supervision, I had to! Believe it or not, I made it. We had a great time. We played board games, and video games all night long. We played American Idol, which is a blast by the way, Guitar Hero World Tour, Soccer, Racing, honestly I can't even remember all the games that were played. We had a great time. We had pizza, chicken wings, chips, and I made 7 dozen chocolate chip cookies, 1 dozen at a time. Each dozen was gone as soon as I brought them out of the oven. It was a night to remember.

Then sometime during the night, I don't remember what time it was, Charlie's mother called. His uncle had a massive heart attack and was on life support. Charlie & I discussed it and decided not to tell the youth. We just continued the lock-in and made plans to go to Georgia as soon as we could. We finally made it home about 8am. Charlie and I both passed out till about 2:30. We had missed several calls from Charlie's Dad. He thought we were going to meet him at the hospital. We immediately got up, dressed, packed, and left for Georgia. By the time we arrived at the hospital they had already taken his uncle off the life support. His heartbeat was steadily decreasing. The doctors & nurses said that they didn't think he'd make it through the night. Charlie's Dad didn't want to leave the hospital. He wanted to be there when his brother took his last breath. That night became the longest ever. We stayed up all night Friday night, and it didn't seem like the minutes lasted hours, but sitting in that ICU waiting room on Saturday night the minutes lasted days. Charlie's Dad said he would leave come daylight if nothing had changed. We all left about 7am. His uncle passed away about 1:30 on Sunday afternoon. The funeral was planned for Wednesday. Charlie & I left Georgia Sunday evening so that we could come home and work on Monday. We turned right back around Tuesday morning and went back to Georgia, not returning home until Wednesday night. I am thankful that God watched over us in the many miles that we traveled. I would ask each of you to pray for Charlie's Aunt. His uncle & aunt had been married 58 years. I can't even imagine the pain that she must feel having to go home to an empty house. I know that God can comfort her and the family during this time of grief.

Of course we returned home to snow & ice. Charlie is now sick. I guess he caught the cold that I had last week. Needless to say it has been the longest 7 days ever! I am so thankful that it is Friday.

When Life Gives You Lemons Award

I received this cute award from Mari. It's for someone who has a great attitude or shows gratitude. I am very humbled that she thought of me. I try to have a good attitude and to always look at the bright side of things. I've always been told that I am a "glass is half-full" kind of person. I started this blog almost a year ago when I was going through a very tough time in my life, and I needed to remember that When Life Give You Lemons...Make Lemonade. I've made a lot of lemonade.... some of it sweet and some of it extremely sour! :)

I would like to pass on this award to a long time friend of mine over at Laugh and the World Laughs With You who also is going through a tough time, but we know with the Lord's help she can make it through it!

What Generation Do You Belong In?

I found this neat little quiz over at Mari's. It doesn't take much time, so try it out. I was born in 1973 so it pegged me just right!

You Belong in Generation X

You fit in best with people born between 1961 and 1981. You are fun, laid back, and very independent. You are willing to take risks and live your life however you see fit. You are casual, accepting, and friendly. You see everyone as your equal.

What'>http://www.blogthings.com/whatgenerationdoyoubelonginquiz/">What Generation Do You Belong In?

BLAH!!!!

I am so happy that it is Friday! I need a weekend to catch up on life :) Is there such a thing?

I have so much laundry to do, and our cabinets are crazy...What I mean is they aren't organized and that drives me crazy! Since we started our diet revamp Charlie has been grocery shopping with me. Well, I told him this past weekend that he couldn't go with me anymore. If something looks good then he just puts things in the buggy as we pass by. Don't get me wrong, it is all on our diet, but we have too much of certain things and not enough of others. I just can't tell him No when he really wants something. You should see us in the store...I'm sure that everyone is laughing. He is just like a little kid, and if it is on sale...well, enough said...we have to buy it! Our grocery budget has been blown every week for the past 3 weeks.

I only had a minute to write. I hope all of you have a great day, and a great weekend!

Monday - January 19

As I sit here in my room within a room, listening to my worship playlist, I am thinking about how good God is. He has blessed us financially, with our health, and most of all he saved us from a life of sin. On Thursday by 1pm, my headache was completely gone, and I know that it was only through prayer! Isn't it nice to know that you can live a life that God is always with you?

Please pray for my siblings. I have 4 brothers, and 1 brother-in-law that have either recently been laid-off or their work has severely decreased. I know that God always provides, and that he will see to their needs.

For Today, January 19

Outside my window... I don't have windows in the backroom, but when I went out earlier it was snowing!

I am thinking...that I must organize my coupons this evening & make a grocery list.

I am thankful...for God's mercy & grace.

From the kitchen this week... Chicken Wraps, Turkey Burger Pitas, Tacos, Baked Ziti, and hopefully Parmesan Tilapia.

I am wearing...Grey slacks, Black Shirt, and my dress shoes.

I am reading... I just traded several books at McKay's and I can't wait to start one!

I am praying... that my siblings will all find jobs.

I am creating... Beth's quilt. I'll have pictures later. We bought the material on Saturday, 1/2 price! It is going to be beautiful.

I am hearing... my Worship playlist.

Around the house... sorting clothes, laundry, and I hope to start cleaning out our extra bedroom downstairs so that I can have a sewing room!

One of my favorite things... just watching TV with my husband and kids.

Few plans for the rest of the week...I hope that I am able to stay in during the evenings this week. On Saturday, Beth has ice skating lessons, other than that no plans.

A picture thought....

I can't upload a picture from this computer...sorry.

Headache!!!!

Today, I woke up with the one of the most horrendous headaches! It has been months since my head has hurt this bad. I think I slept wrong or something. When I woke up I could barely move my neck and the entire back of my head felt like it was going to explode! Charlie massaged it for me and then I took a hot shower to try to work out some of the tightness. It relieved it enough that I was able to go to work. Now, I just can't seem to get my thoughts focused. I have asked Charlie to pray, and I will ask you too. Please say a prayer for me that God will move this headache or just give me the strength to bear it.

There is a song that has been on my mind the past couple of weeks. It is called "It Didn't Come to Stay". The words are beautiful.

It Didn't Come to Stay

Sickness must be present for healing to take place

Lives must be broken so they can be restored

We must stop looking at our hard times like they are dead end roads

But avenues to prove that he is Lord!

It didn't come to stay it came to pass

The Lord will move that mountain if you ask

The trials that we see today won't last

It didn't come to stay it came to pass

If I should live by sight I would be beaten down

Because I can't see past these walls of circumstance

But faith will be my substance and my hope is in the Lord

And He will turn my sorrow into dance

Oh He will turn my sorrow into dance!

It didn't come to stay it came to pass
The Lord will move that mountain if you only ask
The trials that we see today won't last
It didn't come to stay it came to pass

Weeping may endure for the night

Oh but I'll find my joy tomorrow, tomorrow

It didn't come to stay it came to pass

The Lord will move that mountain if you only ask

The trials that we see today won't last

It didn't come to stay it came to pass

**After I wrote this post I searched through my old posts because I wanted to listen to a video that I knew that I had posted with The Isaacs singing It Is Well. I listened to the video, and then I just happened to scroll down and read the previous post. It made me think about everything that I've been through this year. How at the time I wrote the post I didn't know why I was having sleepless nights and waking up with headaches. I do know now, and last night was the first night that it has happened since the elders prayed for me this past summer. I know it was God that led me to read that entry. I will not give Satan the victory today! I will overcome. Also, take the time to read the Proverbs 31 devotional that I referenced that day.

Reflections, Dieting, and Work

As I am sitting here on a break at work, eating my Activia Prune Yogurt, I am thinking about how much I miss being at home. My kids went back to school yesterday, they were out for over 2 weeks for the Holidays, and they were so excited to tell me about all their new classes. However, where was I? I was at work until 5:30. When I did finally arrive home at 6:15, traffic was horrible and it took me 45 minutes to go 15 miles, I had to turn around and leave again for a church business meeting that started at 7. I miss being with my kids, I miss having supper ready at 7. You may say, Why can't you have supper ready by 7 if you get home around 6? Well, maybe I will be able to once I figure out how to prioritize! Yes, I don't do well with schedule changes. It seems like just when I get used to a schedule in my life...it changes!

On a brighter note! I love my paycheck... Our bills are being paid with ease, and when my kids told me all the "class dues" that they have for the new classes, I didn't feel my heart quiver, and my stomach didn't start hurting! In this economy with many people without jobs, God has been good to me! I know I'll get used to this schedule, and I will be able to prioritize things so that the time I am at home will be smoother.

Another reason my menu plan is so hard is that Charlie & I started a diet on Monday. We both need to lose weight and eat more healthy. For 6 months we have eaten very unhealthy. I love to cook, and I have made all kinds of things since I wasn't working. Fried okra, fried chicken, french fries, fried green tomatoes, Do you get the picture? In the fall of 2006 I joined LA Weight Loss. I didn't use their bars, shakes, etc. I wanted to learn how to eat healthy with things I could buy at the grocery store, and a plan that I could work with for the rest of my life. On LAWL they teach you that you should eat proteins, vegetables, fruits, dairy, starches, & fats everyday just in the right portions. Portion control is my biggest weakness when it comes to food. Today I might not eat any vegetables, and then tomorrow I might only eat vegetables. Charlie is the same way because I cook for the entire family. In a nutshell, I am making my entire family unhealthy. The difference this time is that Charlie & I are both committed to this! We are going to the store together. We are planning our meals together. So far it is fun! Charlie hates being told what he can & can't eat so it is a little harder I think for him, but maybe he is just acting that way so it will be easier for me. You never know with Charlie. He is a character... The first two days your food is very limited. You eat only green vegetables & baked chicken, you drink lots & lots of water, and you drink this special blended juice. This is to flush out your system, and "jumpstart" your weight loss. This morning being the 3rd day we weighed in... I have lost 5lbs, and Charlie has lost about 10lbs. I don't know his exactly because he wouldn't tell me where he started. He is worse about keeping his weight a secret than I am.

Well, my break is over... I hope to talk to you all again soon.