But always a bright spot...

One observation before I head to bed (more work tomorrow - must start early)...
It's a blessing to have friends who are comfortable enough to share how they are feeling with you.
Good communication is something I've always heard was valuable, but never had occasion or need to practice. I now see how beneficial it is.
I also see more clearly how good friends are to be treasured & respected (just as a princess deserves).

It's something to be valued when a friend can speak their mind to you. It is refreshing to discuss things rationally & calmly.
I'm grateful to have my shortcomings mentioned to me in a positive manner.
Now that I know what I need to work on, I will.
To borrow a motto- I can do it! (not to be heard in Rob Schneider's voice :) )

More crap in my life

Well, first of all, Thanksgiving Day is behind me. The work I anticipated (or actually dreaded), was not as difficult as it could have been. With me still getting used to all the extra work, I don't need a ton of work dumped on me - my body can only take so much. I can feel myself getting into better shape, though - I'm a little lighter, and my energy level is improving.

Thanksgiving Day at Mama's house - not something I care to repeat, because of a certain individual present. I think next holiday I will spend by myself, rather than go through that again. It's still too difficult being around him.
Penny got an invitation as well, and enjoyed getting reaquainted with her friends, though she got tired, and was anxious to get home and relax.

In addition to the turkey given to me by my employer (he buys them at a steep quantity discount and distributes them to family, friends, and employees), I arrived home on Wednesday to find a 10lb. turkey sitting between my side door & screen door. I have no idea where it came from, and because of lack of freezer space, it is now residing in my refrigerator, where I have turned the temperature down far enough to keep the turkey frozen (I will make room later tonight in the freezer).
I almost feel guilty in eating it, since it seems to be a free, anonymous gift.

Also, I found Swan!!! She's been on the loose since last Friday, and I've had the heat in my house turned all the way up (86F) for most of that time. It's quite difficult to sleep, but I'd rather help her survive, I decided.
Well, after feeding her snake buddies tonight, I took another look (#21) around my basement. She was lying under a workbench, cold & somewhat stiff. I pulled her loose from her surroundings, placed her in her cage, and hurried upstairs. I put her in front of a heat vent, and she has warmed up, and Thank God, she is alive and moving. My mom is praying she'll survive, as am I. I got some advice from a snake forum/ people who have more experience than I do, and they seemed optimistic, but I just checked her, and she died. Well, I guess I am not meant to have retics. I will never buy another, as they seem doomed in my care.

I had typed more, but while previewing, blogger erased it on me. I'm too worn out with all this just-happened stuff to redo it right now.

God Is - Faithful

This past weekend, as usual, I was able to do a lot of thinking. Some of that was spent feeling sorry for myself, but then I got to thinking about songs (listening to "Imagine Me" with Kirk Franklin right now - that's one of 'em), which led to thinking about the meaning of said songs.

I often hear how "God is Holy", "God is Just", "God is Merciful", and recently "God is Cruel". Yes, God is many things - He is Everything! (I don't mean that in the "new age" sense, of course) But, I got to thinking, don't all of those attributes stem from His faithfulness? Whether He is faithful to His children & what He means them to be, or simply faithful to His role as all-wise Creator ("make us into corresponding shapes like puzzle pieces from the clay" - that song again :) ), He shows His dedication - His faithfulness - His determination - His LOVE. I tend to think a lot about "deep" stuff ("chim", correct? :) ), but even so, this is way over my head - how complicated, yet simple, God is.

So, many other things flash through my mind "hey, should blog about that!", and before I can write them down (or take notes), they are gone. Hmm, must've been a lie - my mom says that :)

I had a really great day at work (both jobs, yes=14 hours!). People were saying hello everywhere, and being friendly towards me. Usually, everyone looks right through me, and I spend the day talking to myself. Maybe it was because I was happy & smiling throughout the day, or perhaps it's due to the upcoming holiday - hah, that word only means extra work for me. I shrug that thought off with the anticipation of "extra paycheck" :) Lots of future ahead for me - lots to look forward to - lots of plans to think through.

Through it all, I must trust God to be faithful, and take that as more than I deserve. Don't take it for granted!!! *noted*

off to bed listening to Mercy Me's "Homesick" - beautiful song...

'Bout Time I Post!!

Yes, took a break for a few days - not much going on besides work, plus I wasn't feeling that great.

Well, the toothache has gone away, and I will call the dentist tomorrow. I don't know if I will have my wisdom teeth removed quite yet, but perhaps he can do something about the infection or the pain (so it doesn't recur!).
I think I have now doubled or even tripled my lifetime intake of Tylenol however.
I had some stomach cramps & felt a little bloated - I think it was from all the drugs I took! But that is gone, too.

I bought some ground beef, cooked 3 hamburgers, and used the rest, along with potatoes, celery, carrots & spices & seasonings to put together a crockpot (slow cooker) meal for tomorrow (& the next day & the next day).

My new little python escaped while I was cleaning her cage, and remains in hiding. She will turn up soon, once she gets tired of being cold & hungry, and wants to go back in her little house...

I've had a bunch of songs running through my head the last day or two, so I located them, and am listening to them now, along with some new Josh Groban songs :)
BTW, both the music & lyrics to "Un Giorno Per Noi" are beautiful! Thanks!!

Well, I'm feeling a little down, probably an indication I need to sleep...