Rejoicing!

Rejoice! What am I rejoicing about? Another day off! Do I sound like a broken record or what?
Sounds like I just live to have a day off from my job! Well, that could be partly true. I don't hate my job or anything like that, but there are times when I ask myself: Why? Why do I stay where I am? I know in my heart that I am capable of better things........now to answer; Why? Eight years, benefits, security of income and feeling comfortable in my knowledge of what's expected of me at my job. When I think about what I could have done with my education and and what I fell short of accomplishing, I sometimes have regrets........but that's hindsight and as far as hindsight goes, it really goes nowhere but to reflect on what was. I'm only concerned about what is and is to be! Even though there may be winds of discontent breezing through my mind, I will not make any foolish decisions and will stay where I am until I'm sure there's a better choice to be made.
I can hear Joyce Meyer on the tv in the living room..........she's a neat gal and I really think she's got a handle on preaching some good stuff! My California cousin likes her.
Speaking of the California cousins, I have five altogether, Lydia, Bill, and Daniel, Martha and Alyce. Lydia is about a year younger than me..her mother is my only living aunt and the only aunt that I have actually met. She has two sisters and they all live in close proximity of each other in California....I have one other cousin that lives in Colorado...she is a sister to Bill. Of all these cousins.......I have met two, Bill and Danny. Colorado cousin is Caroline and she is Bill's sister...........they had another sister named Kathy who passed away a little over a year ago. I know this information is probably irrelevant to anyone but me, but they were all on my mind this morning so thought I would bring them up!
What is pressing on my mind more than anything is an appointment I have this morning....I can't really tell much about it cause it's really personal.........I would just ask that you all pray about it for me, because it's something I will really need to be strong for and right now I don't feel very strong at all! Thanks in advance.........your prayers are much appreciated!

O' Happy Day!

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood today, that's for sure! And to think I have to spend the better portion of it at work! But I'm getting a jump on the day by leaving an hour early so I can hit a few of my favorite "hot spots" before I have to clock in! That's my plan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have a good day all of you! I'll report back in later!!!!

Holiday Blues!

I don't know about anyone else, but just about every year I suffer the holiday blues...I don't exactly know why, but as the holiday season approaches, I feel almost like hiding myself away til it's all over.........my mood even changes to a sultry, kind of nonchalant attitude..I become anxious for no reason and extra sensitive. There is something about this season that brings out the worst in me! I don't do crowds well and just the thoughts of shopping a big store makes me cringe, let alone a big store full of a bunch of crazed shoppers...I would sooner jump rope with chimpanzees than go shopping the day after Thanksgiving. I had a bit of a taste of that today when I had to do a little shopping after I left work. I wasn't feeling too perky anyway and wouldn't you know the item I had to buy was at Wal-Mart! What should have took fifteen minutes, took forty-five. That was mostly my own fault, cause I couldn't find what I was looking for and couldn't find someone to help me find it! I finally got someones attention and she was kind enough to take me to the item! ( I had only walked past it three times!) Then I found myself in the toy isle looking for something suitable for a five year old girl! The traffic was a bit thicker over there and I ran into the mommy of the little one I had just found a present for and of course little one was with mommy....fortunately she's only going to be one..so didn't pick up on what was goin' on...I'm not real good at deciding on stuff, but I managed to make short work of picking the second gift and made my way to checkout...........and there I was for the next twenty minutes! As I was exiting the store I saw Carolyn ,my buddy. She had walked to the store from her place and was just getting started (she's probably still there!) I wanted to say: Are you out of your ever-lovin' gourd?, but I just said: Enjoy! and I split! Now, of course, you would have to know that I wasn't done.....oh, no....I had to go by Dollar Tree and pick out a couple bags for the gifts (I refuse to wrap a gift!) So, feeling like crap, I made my way down to the dollar store. I love the dollar store, because, why else..........everything's a dollar. Well, I think I spent more time there and less money..came out with the bags, two birthday cards and some extras to go in the bags...I was proud of myself..spent less than ten bucks..a mere third of what I had squandered at Wal-mart! By this time, I was ready to head for my humble abode...mission accomplished.

I know I got off the beaten path there but back to the original point...I do get kind of moody around the holiday and I'm tryin' to beat the blahs in every way I can and just being able to put my feelings in words is making me feel a whole lot better! I don't want to be Scrooge and I love the spirit of giving...maybe it has something to do with people not appreciating the true meaning of Christmas...when I think of Christmas, I think of Christ our Savior and what a Gift He is to us...I wish everyone would just stop and ponder how awesome a Gift to the world He was and is...That would be a Merry Chrismas!

The day to celebrate thankfulness is here and as tradition would have it, there's a whole lot of turkey's baking out there! Mine is buttered and panned and I prepared some desserts last night.
While the turkey is baking, I'll get all the rest of the stuff prepared for the oven. Goodies galore!
Today families and friends will get together and eat lots of food....just remember that today of all days, be thankful for your family and your friends and the food. God has truly bless our nation with prosperity.
I know I've already posted about the holiday....but just as a reminder........share your blessings with someone less blessed today...........I spoke with a friend last night who was taking plates of food to an elderly couple in her neighborhood, because they were such good neighbors and didn't fix a big meal for just two. Great idea!
My husband and the dog are hounding me to take a walk this morning so I'm on my way........take care and enjoy the holiday!

Ammo!

As we all know, the devil is constantly trying to find new ways to lure us into his manipulative ways...that's right, he is a master manipulater! I don't know about you all, but the last thing I want is for anyone to manipulate me, especially the evil one! I got to thinking this morning, and the one word that blaired out in my head was: Ammo!
What does ammo have to do with the devil trying to trip us up all the time?..well, that's what this post is all about......so without further ado..let me try to get to the point!
In any war, ammunition plays an important part in a victory...the more, and the better ammunition, the better the chance of winning the war! Same with the war on Satan...........just a different kind of ammunition is required! Since the devil is an unseen power and we can't actually load up a gun and fire away at him, we have to use another method to blast him. That method would be one devised by our loving Redeemer, Jesus Christ!
I'm sure you are all familiar with the phrase: Put on the armor of God!......By putting on the armor of God we are implimenting the ammunition it takes to keep the devil at bay! Perhaps you are wondering what kind of armor I'm refering to. Well, it's like this....if you were to go onto a battlefield with no gun and nothing to protect you from the enemy...you would be defeated before long! Same with the fight against Satan...Our protection against Satan comes only from one Source and that is the power of God and the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ being prominent in our lives...........God's word in the bible is our great teaching aid in how to become immune to the devil's advances and will provide us with all the ammo we need to gain victory over that scumbag, Satan! Other sources of ammo are prayer, fellowship with other seekers, and most of all the constant awareness of the impotance of the ralationship you are building with you Savior. Don't forget that last one, cause it's the most important of all!
Some things that will improve you ammo supply are daily seeking after Christ by reading His word and attending a church that teaches and practices the principles of true chistianity. Whatever you do, don't let your guard down cause that old devil is just waiting in the wings to attack you every chance he gets! So when the ammo supply gets low, better reload and fire away!!!! Thanks for stoppin' by and have a good weekend!

Ailments!

I'm not one to talk about stuff I got wrong with me, but here goes! I have had surgery on my left wrist and carpal tunnel on my right hand and also trigger finger on the index finger and the next one on my right hand. The surgeries were successful and no problems
have reoccurred in those areas! But, here of late, I am expeirencing a new problem with my right thumb! Oh, yes, I do believe I have trigger thumb!!! My thumb locks up in the morning when I bend it and is painful early on in the morning but comes out of it as the day progresses ( thank God). I really think I will have to pay a visit to the surgeon who fixed my former problems! The only problem is trying to convince the workcomp crew that this problem is work related! I believe it is...but those people are not interested in what I think and I have a feeling they are going to oppose me and I will have a fight on my hands (literally)!
As Turkey Day approaches, the store will get busier each day...not something I really look forward to as people tend to get edgy trying to bring it all together for the holiday! I don't know what the big deal is....after all, its just a meal and all the hours of preparation and fussiness will culminate in everyone scarfing in all up in about 15 to 20 minutes and then going into a state of gluttonness oblivion for the rest of the day and picking over the turkey bones for the next two or three days until all traces of turkey and all other leftovers have exited the kitchen! Sorry for the tinge of holiday negativity! There are lots of good things about the celebration of Thanksgiving and I really should give them equal time.
Families unite on this day and that's good as long as everyone gets along really well...and stay sober! There's nothing worse than a holiday free-for-all...let's hope that no-one would have that happen on this day of thankfulness...........we need to be thankful for our family and friends and pray for peace in the world and in our house! I'm just thankful that I have a family and a house!
Holidays sometimes make me sad because I think of all the people who have nothing to look forward to on Thanksgiving and find it hard to find a reason to be thankful...the homeless, the sick and the elderly who may not have even a meal to sit down to or a friend or family member to sit across from. Do you know someone who may face the holiday alone? If so, make an effort to include that person in your holiday plans. We are fortunate to be able to have a nice meal and to enjoy the company of family and friends, but there's someone out there who isn't. Remember them next thrursday!

A Lesson on Love

I do believe I have the myspace situation resolved! Let's hope so anyway! I got on there last nite and found some people I had been wanting to add and everything seems to be in order!
Looking outside, it really looks like we are in for one crappy day weatherwise. I spoke with Ronnie's girlfriend who lives in Chicago and she said it's raining there already and from the weatherforecast sounds like this could all culminate into snow!
But weather is something you talk about when there's nothing else to say, so I'm changin' the subject now and moving on to another topic!
I had Joyce Meyer on the tube this morning or I should say, Jose did, and she was talking about the gifts of the Spirit and stressing the most important one of these being Love. First of all I will have to admit that sometimes it's really hard for me to love some people..I'm much better than I used to be and I can only thank God for that because as I learn more about the way Jesus wants me to be..I am much more condusive to His will and can tolerate even the intolerable to a point! As Joyce put it, we are the branches and He is the vine and there are some people in our lives that have no business being there! They are the ones that refuse to change and that you have been encouraging and helping for a long time and they are so stuck in a rut that you are literally wasting your time and energy trying to help! To put it bluntly, it's time to sever them from the vine and let God deal with them! This may hurt and you may find it really hard to do...but for you to continue to grow and produce good fruit..you gotta give them up! I've had people and situations in my life that would fall in this category and I'm sure we all have or had at one time or another. This doesn't mean you can't stop loving that person..it just means that you have to back off and let God take over!
I don't know where all of the above came from this morning, but as I was listening to Joyce I came into agreement with her about all of this and I hope it will help someone else realize that sometimes love means letting go.

Lost in Space!

No, this is not about that ancient tv show..it's about me folks! And the space I'm referring to is "Myspace"! I don't even what to go into the details, as just recalling the mess is enough to fire me up, but just to make a long story short..I have a dead myspace that looks really good and I have a live one that is still plain and boring! The dead one is really pretty and has a picture of my sweet Josie on it and a bunch of friends, but sadly I can't do anything on it except gaze at my profile and look at the pictures of my dear friends! However, I didn't let this unfortunate incident defeat me and I started me up a new space and went through the whole business of profile and even have half my friends back! So all is well that ends well! My URL is ruthrap so visit me and I'll be your buddy!
I'm on the ball this morning, got up early and even went to get a haircut and when I get done here I plan on taking off again. Getting a flu shot this afternoon is on the agenda..not really thrilled about that, but must be done because I do not want anything to do with the flubug this winter!
Yesterday, we all trooped downtown to see the Veterans Day parade..by all I mean, me, Ronnie, Sandra and her two kids, Josie and Kramer...Josie had her striped sweater on and Kramer his houndstooth coat ( he was strutting his stuff)..Josie absolutely loved the parade and greeted a few of the onlookers by barking at them..Poor Kramer was terrified of the firewhistle and the ambulance noise..we had to pick him up and cuddle him a couple times! Sissy! I was proud of Josie tho, she was a real trooper and made it all the way back home with no grousing! Kramer, on the other hand got a lift with Jose, who surprised us by sneaking in on the tail end of the parade! He took the truck so felt sorry for his pal Kramer and took him home!
I'm calling this a rap and will check in again when the mood strikes me..have a good day everyone in spite of the weather, and stop in again and read ruthrap!

Do You Know a ...........................?

Brace yourself, because after those two beautiful days, I have a feeling old man winter is going to show up with a vengeance! The wind is already kicking up and poor Kramer is hesitant to leave his warm spot on the couch to go do his business and Josie is in her bed with covers over her head and I don't even want to mention the word "outside" to her! Whatever the weather, we are stuck with it, so drag out the big coat and be prepared. I don't really mind the cold weather except for when it snows and sleets..me and ice just don't mix and I have a fear of falling on the old dereierre when its slick out and having that fear just makes me more prone to actually having it happen!
That's enough about the woes of winter!
Just want to remind everybody that tomorrow is Veterans Day. I know that war is a sour subject right now and that there are mixed feelings about our involvement in Iraq..but that doesn't change the fact that our soldiers are there just the same and they are there to promote our freedom, no matter the cost! Whether you personally know a veteran or have family or friends in another country in the military, take time to acknowledge them...They are brave individuals and they are where they are because they care about our country and they value the freedoms we enjoy in America.
They need our support and most of all they need our prayers.
My oldest brother was in the Korean conflict and came out with a lifetime disability. He passed away a year and a day after 9-11..my thoughts will be of him tomorrow because he was my brother. I was very young and didn't even understand about war, when he was over there, but I remember the concern my parents had for him and the worry when they didn't hear from him for weeks. I remember the stories he told me about combat expierences. Today I remember him as a hero...even though his life was altered by what he went through, and he wasn't the same after coming home from that war. War takes something away from everyone involved..some are wounded physically, some mentally..some both. Unfortunately, the mental wounds sometimes never heal. So, whether you know a veteran or not or whether you know a serviceman or woman or not, pray for them and remember what they did for all of us tomorrow, and everyday!

All the Good!

What's up with blogger? When I go to my blog they show me a post from monthes ago! So search the blog if you want to get the latest! I'm finally getting adjusted to standard time and didn't wake up til 6 this morning! Could be just a fluke tho. Today looks as though it will be a beautiful Indian Summer type day and wouldn't you know I have to spend the most of it at work! Think of me when you are out basking in the sun today!
This morning I want to reflect on some of the good things that are happening in my life. That's a switch, because I have a tendency too often to dwell on the negative and let it overwhelm me occasionally! Bare with me folks, I'm trying to change all that and become a more positive person!
First of all, I feel good! That's a good thing. I am so glad to be able to go to work and be a productive person and to bring home a paycheck every two weeks! Granted it could be a tad larger than it is, but still, I'm grateful that it pays the bills and keeps food on the table. I appreciate my family and all they mean to me...my husband is good to me and is a very caring person..I think of all the women who are abused and cheated on and I feel fortunate to have a good husband who is kind and considerate. My son is staying with us now and I am glad that I can help him out and he has been helping us by painting the house and I'm proud that he is trying to change his life for the better.
The best thing about my life is that I am developing a relationship with the Lord. It's an ongoing process and everyday I feel closer and closer to Him and that's probably the best good thing I can think of to tell about! I just want people to know that of all the things we hold important in our lives, there is nothing more important than knowing your Savior.
A few more good things are: my goofy dogs, they have brought much happiness into our little house and their personalities are so unique..I can only say..you don't know what you are missing all you folks who don't have pets..And several years ago I vowed I would never have another dog, for various reasons, but, these two hounds have made a lot of difference around here!
Good neighbors! I can't leave out the fact that we have the best neighbors. A young couple with three little boys on one side and on the other side and over the fence, we have an elderly gentleman and his sister who have become our friends as well as neighbors.
I could think of many other things that are good in my life, but I want to challenge all who read this to do a little evaluation of all the good things that are happening in your life and then ponder on the list a while and maybe you can chase away some of the negativity in you life and be thankful for the good things!

Thriftin' Pays!

Just wound up a day of thrift shopping and replacing my trashed cellphone and think I'm almost in for the day so here's the report: I went to a thrift store here in town after finishing transactions at the cellphone place and was browsing around when my new phone rang and it was my buddy Jacie. Her and her dad were not far from there so they came by to see me and wouldn't you know, Miss Jacie has a fondness for thrift stores also so she spent a little time checking things out.. I had already found a couple items and wasn't having much luck and after they left I was ready to go too. As I was headed for the check out I spotted a jacket that I thougt I might like..It was my favorite color and a Columbia, which are pretty pricy new...so I nailed it and checked the size and proceeded to the checkout counter... On the way out to my car I decided to put it on and after I got ready to start up the car..I checked out a pocket to put my phone in. There was a zipper pocket in the front that was barely noticeble due to a flap that was over it...well, as I stuck my hand in the pocket I felt something in the far corner of the pocket and pulled out a folded-up bill... I thought oh, it's probably a one, but when I unfolded it I saw it was a twenty!!! Needless to say..I thanked God for His favoring me today and was as happy as a lark and still am because my husband just brought me a birthday card from my California cousin, Lydia, and she sent me a whole bunch of pictures! This day has made up for the last two lousy days I spent at work!!!
This is how I am folks, when something good happens to me I can't wait to tell someone so I got right on that new cellphone and called Jacie and told her and then when I got to Big Lots to spend some of that loot I just had to tell the checkout lady about it too.. and she shared with me some of her unlikely money finds.. she said she found 150.00 in an old umbrella holder when she was curb shopping! Now, my find didn't beat that but like I said it pays to thrift shop and now I have proof!
What I found in the pocket of that jacket paid for the jacket and gave me some mad money to boot! Oh, by the way, when donating to a thrift store you may want to check all the pockets of any clothing you may be sending and make sure there's no bills folded up in there! But, then again, it's okay if you don't, too, you just may make someone's day and chances are whoever left that twenty in that pocket had forgot about it long before they took it to the store!

Would You Miss It for the World?

Sunday has rolled around again and I'm enjoying the fact that I won't be entering my code number into Hy-Vee's timeclock today or tomorrow! That, in itself, is a reason to rejoice! You are probably wondering why the question in the title of this blog. Well, as I'm still waking up on daylight saving's time, I was bright eyed at about four o'clock this morning and that question just popped into my head and I thought I may actually try to build something constructive out of the thought!
What are you missing for the world? There are a lot of things that we wouldn't want to miss out on because of their importance in our lives...weddings, birthdays, parties, holidays and the list goes on indefinitely. I want to ask you if you are missing God's blessings for something of the world that you hold more important. Something to think about. Would you miss an opportunity to learn about God's word and a chance to be in fellowship with friends who care about you and where you spend eternity? When we stay home on Sunday morning, because of various reasons, we are doing just that! I know some would say that is a harsh statement and may even laugh..but you know what, I don't care, because that's how I see it. God didn't send his Son into the world to save our sorry souls for us to sit on our haunches at home every Sunday and ignore Him! I'm asking: Where is our gratitude? Is it lost in the things of the world that we consider more important than serving the God who created us and everything in this world? I'm sorry if I sound mean, but I just feel that when we consider all that He has done for us, we should be moved to attend an event in honor of Him...I don't know about you, but I'm going to church this morning and I'm not going to miss it for the world!

HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is anyone out there?...I feel like I'm stranded on a desert island or somethin'! Just rattlin' your chains! Don't mind me! Just whinin' a little!

Wasted days.....................

Remember that song, I believe it was recorded by the late Freddy Fender...well, it pretty much raps up how I feel about my day at work today! I'm not going to bore you with the details, but will simply state that sometimes when you feel you are doing your best and that things couldn't be better, you better cover your head, cause your sky might just be ready to come crashing down!!! That about describes my day in a nutshell! End of story! Tomorrow is another day and just hope it's better than today was!
I'm really pooped tonight and to add to things, my granddaughter is bringing a friend and they plan on spending the night here! Somebody had better knock me out cause I think I will probably blow my cool before this evening is over!
I took the mutts for a carride earlier and they really loved that! Josie is tough-girl when she's in the car and barks at people and tries to be all intimidating! Kramer tries to sit in my lap and help me steer........thankfully, he didn't do that today!
It sure got cold today.........looks like I can kiss my Indian Summer goodbye! Maybe it will warm up around Christmas......I've seen it happen!
Speaking of Christmas.....the holiday is creeping up on us and way to fast! I got my Christmas Club check and hope I won't have it spent before I start to shop for presents! I know this sounds bad, but I just don't get into the holiday season, and I think the reason is that I see too much commercialism involved in the holiday..it's all about getting and not enough about giving and sharing the true meaning of Christmas...sadly, Christ has been taken out of Christmas and replaced by a bunch of hurry-scurry madness to get the shopping done and get everybody what they want and then when it's all over get to the store and take it all back to get what you really wanted! Sounds crazy, huh? I just want a Chrismas that's about the birth of a Savior and not about "what am I going to get so and so this year and what's so and so getting me?" I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't hate Christmas, I just don't like what it has become! Does anyone else out there feel that way?