Spirituality

This will probably be one of my longwinded entries.  I had to search my archives for this tag I made eons ago. 

I have always been very spiritual.  I give the credit for my remission of my depression to attending a Bible study every Wed. many years ago when my children were small.  All three of my kids started their Sunday school classes at age 2.  Joey is my spiritual child; always has been.  Megan, I wasn't sure of, but by the time she was confirmed, I realized that she had absorbed the Bible and just stored it in her mind.  The pastor of the church at that time had gone off the deep end.  He said that divorced people would not go to heaven unless divorce was because of adultery.  Megan hit him with the Bible verse in James that says if we are guilty of breaking one commandment, we are guilty of breaking them all. (Correct me, Betty, because I'm really paraphrasing this.)  She also threw back the verse that said a husband should treat his wife as Jesus treats the church and putting a knife to her mom's neck did not exemplify that.  LOL...you go, Megan.  She was promptly sent out into the hall for the rest of the class.  I have long since severed my ties to that church.

Becky.....pretty much agnostic and my biggest worry.  She did not listen to the studies in church or church school. 

Last week, she excitedly IM'd me about a new, non-denominational church she had attended with a friend and loved.  She wanted me to go last Sunday but I was just not feeling that great with the strep.

She cracked me up with her IM.  We were discussing the church and why I should go with her.  She was pressing the issue so I finally asked her why she felt I needed to go so bad.  Her answer....Mom, you really need to find Jesus.  ROFL...I almost fell off my chair.  Where was this child growing up?  In church twice a week, youth group, Mom at Bible Study every Wednesday, daily devotions around the dinner table, etc.  I have had several framed religious pictures in the house over the years, crosses above the doors of  all our bedrooms, etc.  LOL...I also have a huge angel collection, and Becky has bought me much of my collection.   I swear she was zoning out during this time.  Joey and Megan were cracking up when I told them this also.

So, tomorrow I'm traveling to Pittsburgh to go to church with her.  I really hate traveling there but I feel it is very necessary.  I had to check the website out that she sent and read some sample sermons.  I wanted to make sure it was Bible based and not some off the wall thing.  It looks like a very good church.  I've prayed for Becky for many years.....it looks like I had to wait but it was answered.

The Biaxin I'm taking is kicking my stomach to bits.  I have those bathroom runs which I hope slow down but we'll manage somehow tomorrow.

Tonight, I'm just going to take a long bubblebath, get in my jammies and rest.  It's rained all day and only 70 degrees.  Feels sort of good to have the windows open again although I'm hoping for some sun tomorrow when I get home for a little pool time.

Have a great evening!

 

      CHRIS

 

 

Reflections

Sheesh, I have so many tags to pick from but it takes me forever to decide which one to use.  I decided to use one of my own coz actually I sort of like it.

Reflections of the past couple of days:  First of all, I feel really well finally.  Work is starting to make some sort of sense.  Just waiting to see how many rejects I get.  We had an audit team from DC up here this week.  We are the only Voc Rehab office nationwide to have no errors ever.  The DC team noticed the harmony in the office.  My boss prays before each hiring for the Lord to send him the right person.  I must say it most definitely works and has to be the reason I love this new division so much.  So, it's been a very good week there.

Joey is on his way to Ocean City, Md.  Some problems arose with his car.  He has this Flowmaster (loud) muffler system which was rusted out and wouldn't pass PA inspection.  Living in a rural area, you can find mostly trustworthy mechanics and such who take great pride in their work.  My BF took him to the muffler guy he uses.  They thought they could quick fix some welding before he puts the car away when Megan leaves for school....not so.  It was shot.  It's 6 years old with a 5 year warranty.  He wanted stainless to begin with but couldn't afford it. 

I was dying inside when they called but said nothing.  I was shocked that they would put a full stainless steel dual exhaust Megamaster system on for $400.  I paid far more in December for my dual exhaust which is not even close to what he was having installed in quality.  So, I told him put it on my charge card.  My BF said the look on Joey's face was priceless....like the world was lifted off his shoulders.

His Mustang is a 1990 but is also a limited edition 7-up Mustang that was released for March Madness that year.  4,200 were made; 1,200 are only still registered nationwide.  He has had Mustang collectors offer him 5-6 thousand dollars for it so I know restored it would be far more than that especially when it reaches the 20 yr mark.

Anyway, my BF was amazed that I was so self-less and agreed instantly to front the money.  No question in my mind.  That car is going to be garaged until Joey can restore it himself.

Megan is working; the house is quiet.  I'm growing to love this.

I'm feeling so much better.  The sinus medication has knocked everything else out that the antibiotic didn't.

I'm still waiting for UPS to deliver my part.  Sears is scheduled to come on Tues so I may have to call tomorrow since it's being tracked to see where that darned part is but so far the AC is still plugging away.

I fell asleep early last night and was up at 4 this morning cleaning out my mailbox so I have my PSP stuff under control.  LOL...I spent a good bit of time in the Paint Shop making things while I was sick so be forewarned.  I hope I have hit all the journals I read.

I also wanted to add that Linda  Sangria Times is one of my tag requesters and so sweet.  I know Sugar posted her link.  Her sister had a heart attack and died the other day unexpectedly.  She could use lots of J-Land support and prayers.

Have a great evening and stay cool...still sweltering in western Pa.  The storm they keep calling for hasn't hit yet.

  CHRIS

Sun & Fun

  I was up most of the night feeling awful.  I had a terrible sinus headache and felt like I was going to throw up.  I still felt awful at 7 am when the second bus leaves.  I called in sick one more day.

I got a prescription called in for a sinus pill.  Worked wonders.  Now, I really do have to go to work tomorrow.  It's turned into a much needed mini vacation.

Joey, Megan and I spent all afternoon in the pool.  It was 97 here today but it felt great in the water.  I know a lot of places are in the triple digits.

I have some pics of us....

           LOL at Joey's "farmer's" tan.  He is leaving for Ocean City, Md. on Thursday and is working on getting the white areas conditioned.

 

                        Typical boy...Joey broke the "noodle" already.

                  

And I really totally hate to put my picture here but the kids said they wouldn't let me take theirs if I didn't.  Now...rofl...I AM NOT SKINNY DIPPING.  My bathing suit has a strap that goes around the neck but I don't use it coz I don't want a line.

                

                            LOL...I look really sick now, don't I?  Actually, my arms look like a lady wrestler's....grrrrrrrrr  But it was a wonderful day off.  I'm glad I did it.  I never get to spend any time with two of my three children.  I wish Becky could have been here.  We had a blast.  I'm still having a bit of a problem getting the pool crystal clear but it's improving and it's refreshing.  The pond is totally sparkling today.

It was way too hot to grill outside so I marinated 4 lbs. of beef strips last night and bought a huge bag of frozen Chinese veggies and put it in the wok.  Joey made his famous fried rice.  Man, was it a good dinner also.

Megan is off at work; Joey is sleeping, and I need to do some laundry and dishes.  I'm also having a problem with flys in the house the past couple of days.  It's been driving me nuts.  I'm swatting away.  I think they're getting in on the side of my AC.  After Sears had it out, the foam insulation came loose on one side.  But I'm amazed at how much I've gotten done around here despite being sick.  I would love to win the Powerball....no doubt about it. 

Have a good one...............

         

        CHRIS

Living in Pa. but feeling like Hawaii.  Watch what you wish for but actually I love it as long as my air conditioner keeps plugging away.  The heat is stressing it.  I'm waiting for my part to arrive UPS.  Sears said they will come out the next day to fix everything.

Joey and I have been in the pool for two days now.  Love it to death even though it's small.  I took a picture of my pond which is coming around but excuse the weeds.  It was way too hot for weed whacking today.  90's and not a cloud in the sky.

  It is so hard to take digital pictures in the sun.  You just have to aim and hope you get a good shot.  Actually, Joey did tell me afterwards, you can look through the view finder thingie in the sun.  Anyway, I cut part of the pond off.  I live in a rural area but our neighbors are close on either side.  The great thing is the 1/2 acre in the back.  Luckily, I have super neighbors on both sides.  The newest ones are 20.  They graduated with Megan and are getting married in August.  Their parents helped them get the house.  They are gutting it and working super hard.  Really nice kids.

Back to the pond, all my pond ornaments bit the dust.  I started out when I moved with an aquatic theme.  Then I switched to gnomes (LOL...Shelly, Roxymama "loves" gnomes.)  I think I'm leaving it plain with just my hummingbird wind chimes.  I have my eye on a statue of two children in a radio flyer wagon at Wally World that is being lowered in price daily.  I'm going to stick that in my garden by the pond.

Megan just got home from work so I gotta run.  She wants to go online.  Poor thing missed the beautiful sun today.  Hope she gets some pool time this week.

Dinner is thick boneless pork chops that I grilled, steamed cauliflower, and home fried potatoes.  Sheesh...I'm hungry.

Later..........          

                   CHRIS  (Thanks, LJ, for this graphic and Delia for the first one.)

Feeling Yuck but Sort of Good

   Of course, I've been waiting for summer for a long time.  It's finally arrived in full force.  I was able to get a doctor's appt. yesterday.  I have strep throat and am taking Biaxin.  Not the best thing in the world but the Lord knows best.  I would never have taken days off on my own free will.  Funny, how just when I get sick legitimately summer arrives.  It was raining when I left.  When I got home from the doctor and pharmacy, the sun was out beautifully.  LOL...I need to rest and I sure can rest floating in my pool.  I have my doctor's note in hand for Monday.  My new boss was actually glad I wasn't at work because there is so much strep and other illnesses floating around.  Took a huge load off of my mind.

I took David's Sunshine Colorado Notes advice, sans David.  I opened a bottle of Penn Dark and floated around in the pool and discussed world issues with myself.

Megan left Fla. last night and should be home late this afternoon safely, I pray.  But Lord have mercy, I miss her but she is one super ball of stubborn energy.  She didn't get much sun because it rained so much.  She loves heat and sun like me so she is not too thrilled that she was searching for summer but didn't find it. 

The one thing I'm not thrilled with is my family doctor back in Pittsburgh is now in Fla.  He opened a practice there.  I don't like the policies of those that took over.  You make sick appts. and follow-up appts. for meds seperately.  I travel 40 miles one way to get there.  They expect me to go back today for my blood pressure meds check up.  I have no refills.  I'm calling to try and reschedule because the trip is a beast when you don't feel well.

I will go into this later but entering my old "hood" stirs up sooooo many memories.  I lived there 21 years.  LOL...I had to go right by my old house and was tempted to stop in and say "Hi" to my ex...NOT.

I took a couple pics of my pool.  The deck is atrocious.  I haven't been able to stain it this year because it hasn't been dry enough.  The water is still not quite clear but looks better than it has since I opened it.  It's small....16 ft around.  My kids used to call it the large "hot tub."  I had considered putting in a large rectangle a few years ago but am glad I didn't because the kids are grown, and it's plenty large enough for me to float in.

 Now can you believe I actually fit between the board when I fell through the opened one?

 There's my lean-to garage in need of a good painting plus a swift wind to blow it over.  My whole deck should be the same color as the back fencing.  Oh well, maybe this weekend I'll get some of it stained while I'm out there.  Plus some weed whacking...yikes, they are enormous this year.

My pond area is slowly getting cleaned up.  If I get it looking half decent, I'll put some pics up this weekend.

Has anyone else been finding AOL's file manager to be a pain in the butt.  When I save graphics and tags, it throws them God knows where in the midst of all my stuff...then I have to spend an endless amount of time searching for it.  It used to do it occasionally but for the past few days is doing it with everything.  I'm using Photobucket now coz I'm super disgusted.  I don't have time to search 900 and some uploaded items for one thing.

I'm hoping to get some journal hopping done today.  I didn't spend much time on here yesterday.

CHRIS

 

 

Sort of Yuck

Thanks to Terry Ann  I live in soap land for this tag.  Terry Ann has just started putting her tags that she created in her journal.

I was feeling sort of yucky at work the past couple of days.  Super tired and just out of sorts.  The crud hit full force on the way home yesterday.  I was achy and tired beyond belief.  When I got home, I managed to read a few journals but didn't comment.  I was totally whooped.

I took a sick day today.  It seemed like everything I did took such effort.  I couldn't get comfortable.  It was another monsoon day of rain today.  I'm starting to feel better this evening, thank the Lord, because I don't want to take off another day. 

Megan is leaving Fla. tomorrow.  Southern Fla. has been having monsoon rain also.  She's less than thrilled.  They did manage to get to the pool today.  She is staying in the same condo complex that Joe and I were at last year.  She says it's a long story.  LOL..can't wait to hear this one.

I picked my car up.  It was $400.  They estimated $500 so now $400 doesn't seem so bad.  Friday is the day my part for my AC should be at Sears.  We'll see.  Luckily it hasn't been all that hot here.  The days it has been the air has worked.

So, I had my "hump day" off again.  I'm not so sure I'm ever going to get used to this five day work week but it's only been a month.

Have a good one everybody! I'm off to get ready for work tomrrow.  Can't believe it's almost 9 here.

                                 CHRIS

Well, I've joined the many who absolutely hate Mondays.  I didn't mind them when I knew I would be off on Wednesday.  I'm sort of in between on my adjusting.  I know when 3:30 rolls around, I'd be moaning about having to stay 2 more hrs.  I think I just like to fuss and moan.

So much for sun on Saturday.  It's always sunny until noon and then this huge cloud cover just rolls in.  I took my solar cover off the pool.....ewwwww....can I say "hot mess."  It looked like a frog pond.  Totally green.  The sky was totally cloudy and looked like it would rain at any moment so I went to K-Mart which is 1/2 mile down my hill from me.  Ok...the sun was out there.  Go figure....  I poured the algaecide in my pool.  Of course the sun came out for about an hr. so I sat by my pool and hosed myself off.

As I was sitting by my pool, I was looking straight at my AC in the back that still is not fixed.  I could smell gas emitting from my car right next to the pool deck, and if I turned around, I could see my "lean to" garage with half the roof blown off of it and not being fixed because of the continuous rain.  Oh, the thought that was running through my head...lol.  Skip the sledgehammer.  I was puffing away on a cigarette.  Do ya know what I was thinking?  Ka-boom...in one swoop.

Now, I wasn't serious, only thoroughly disgusted.  Joey tells me 16 gallons of gas would have blown half the neighborhood plus me up.  He did get a chuckle out of my craziness.

Well, lo and behold, by Sunday, the pool was actually totally clean.  What I thought was dirt on the bottom was actually algae.  The algaecide totally cleared the pool.  We had about 2 hrs of sun yesterday so Joey and I hopped in the pool.

Megan called from Naples yesterday and said it rained continuously on Friday and Saturday.  They were running off to the beach yesterday while the sun was out.  She was happy to hear that the weather was still yucky here.  Misery loves company.

Tomorrow, we are going to Lidia's, the great Italian restaurant, for a co-worker's birthday.  So much for my diet.  I had a salad for lunch today.  The chips and dip are calling me but I'm plugging my ears.

Have a good evening!!!!!   

I thought you might get a laugh out of these AOL graphics I got from my PSP group.  One has some questionable language....