Fit for A King

I'm all dressed in my Easter finery and waiting for my chariot... well, my ride to church. Everyone will be going today but Dave and he has to work.

I know there are numerous folks will be making merry with prize eggs and bunnies and chicks. We didn't do eggs this weekend because it has been pouring rain for days and would only be a mess. I don't particularly miss it. I don't believe in Easter bunnies and eggs. I loved hunting the as a child but you can hunt eggs any time.

There will be numerous folks all decked out today the way we will be. They will be excited because they have a new outfit and will look the best they have looked in a long time.

I not need to search in an empty tomb for the prize. I am dressed in a new garment that bears neither spot or wrinkle. The prize lies in the fact that the tomb is empty. Everyone can win and everyone can wear a garment fit for a King because He lives.

A Real Friday, At Last!

I'm home today. Didn't get up until 8:30. I had to take Dave to his new job and keep Sarah for Becca to have a glucose tolerance test at the lab. She's in the sandbox and I'm here watching out the window. She will start daycare on Monday for Becca to do the Impact program through the state. This, I hope will all help them get on their feet. Impact is a program designed to help families find jobs and become self sufficient. It doesn't work for many because until you have a job you have to go to class. Most of the recipients are lazy I know. They're on my program and more than a few get sanctioned for refusing to participate. Most do it because while in the program you can get financial assistance as well.

Anyway, I'm here in the dinning room/den watching out the window as she sails across the yard in her bakery sandbox. She is always baking. I suspect that someday, Sarah may want to be a cook.

I took a break of about 30 minutes and washed dishes and vacuumed up sand.... The rain started and Sarah has had to come inside. Once I was done with chores, we opened doors and windows and let the freshening breeze blow through the house. We spent several minutes on the porch watching the rain but I am getting pretty tired of opening doors, moving kitchens, and other items. She doesn't seem to like playing alone. I never had the problem with the boys and can only assume it is because she has adults home with her all day.

Becca says she plays in her room but since we don't actually have a play room that's not possible. And she doesn't like going in any room here alone. I've never understood that about her. She always acts as if someone is going to jump out at her.

She just wanted to close the door and I told her no that I liked the breeze. She said, "O.k. I'm going out here and ignore you." I told her, "That's o.k. I'll ignore you, too." Her cold shoulder lasted about two minutes. She is developing her manipulation techniques. I'm not easily manipulated.

It is going on 11 now and I really need to get up and do several things... namely sleeves.

Oh, I wanted to thank everyone for their comments on The Watcher. That story has not been really edited. I did a few grammar checks and spell check but not much else. I was just glad to get something on paper. I like the way the picture generated ideas.

I'm off to do something else. HRH is calling.

Tis Thursday!

Eight hours between me and a long weekend! I am so thankful.

I went to bed before midnight last night. Is that not astounding? In fact, I think I was in bed before 11:30. At any rate, this morning is the first in ages that I have not had to get up and feel as if I were still in the middle of a deep sleep. I was sleepy but not as much as usual. I hope today will productive and wakeful.

I must get to bed before 10. That is the goal to shoot for. I think it was the summer after Jerry died when I was doing that and I was not having nearly the pain problems I've had since. Could have been last summer but I don't think so. I can't actually separate those two years ... odd. I mean, they seem to be blended when I try and think "did I do that in 09 or 10".

Sun is shinning but 43 is not warm. I'm o.k. with it. It is still too early for 80 degree weather. I don't think it is good for plants and animals either. But it would be lovely to have a nice 68 degree weekend... without rain. I want to dye eggs with Sarah and hunt eggs. I want to look for a car and dry weather is better for that.

I didn't crochet last night. I watched television shows on HULU. I actually cooked food. Had black-eyed peas!

Oh... got to run. Time to leave for work.

Howdy Neighbor!

That's what I've been saying to Sarah lately when I see her. She now says it to me with a grin.

I've been busy as a bee. Just got back from the bank. I got two more refund checks on the car loan! I can't figure out where it is coming from! But that means another $500 on the down payment. I'm very glad for all that.

I've finished the shawl. Did I tell that already? I finished it Sunday. And now I need to work on the sweater. Or jacket, as Sarah called it. I've been writing a short piece based on a one of my computer wallpapers. I'll post it for you soon as I feel it is finished.

I've been working on my story for the group critique. Not sure what I'll have done but we shall see. I'm struggling with structure.

I do not sleep well at all without the doxepin. But the trade off is I'm exhausted all day the next day, as if I didn't get enough sleep. So, starting today I'm taking it every other night. I'm hoping once I adjust to it, I can go back to every night. Either way, the sleep is much better with than without. I had a restless night last night without and had a nightmare. I also have more aches and pains without it. The dizziness I've been plagued with is better but no completely gone. I still get mild bouts of it and my ears still fell a bit congested. I can't get to physical therapy for it because I have no way to go.....

Same old song.

I'm going to bed earlier tonight. I did last night and that may be why I was restless. I don't know. I slept but kept waking up, particularly after the nightmare. Very unsettling. I don't handle them so well anymore. Used to, if I woke from one, I would be fine once I woke and saw Jerry. Now, I look around at the doors and windows because I feel as if I'm being watched. Not fun when you've dreamed something is after you or whatever I dreamed. And when I go back to sleep it is a nervous sleep rather than a good rest. I'll wake a couple more times with a start.

I'm on my way to shower and more comfortable clothing. Hope your evening is pleasant.

The Universal Prayer

Lord, I believe in you: increase my faith.
I trust in you: strengthen my trust.
I love you: let me love you more and more.
I am sorry for my sins: deepen my sorrow.

I worship you as my first beginning,
I long for you as my last end,
I praise you as my constant helper,
and call on you as my loving protector.

Guide me by your wisdom,
correct me with your justice,
comfort me with your mercy,
protect me with your power.

I offer you, Lord, my thoughts: to be fixed on you;
my words: to have you for their theme;
my actions: to reflect my love for you;
my sufferings: to be endured for your greater glory.

I want to do what you ask of me:
in the way you ask,
for as long as you ask,
because you ask it.

Lord, enlighten my understanding,
strengthen my will,
purify my heart,
and make me holy.

Help me to repent of my past sins
and to resist temptation in the future.
Help me to rise above my human weaknesses
and to grow stronger as a Christian.

Let me love you, my Lord and my God,
and see myself as I really am:
a pilgrim in this world,
a Christian called to respect and love
all whose lives I touch,
those in authority over me
or those under my authority,
my friends and my enemies.

Help me to conquer anger with gentleness,
greed by generosity,
apathy by fervor.
Help me to forget myself
and reach out toward others.

Make me prudent in planning,
courageous in taking risks.
Make me patient in suffering,
unassuming in prosperity.

Keep me, Lord, attentive at prayer,
temperate in food and drink,
diligent in my work,
firm in my good intentions.

Let my conscience be clear,
my conduct without fault,
my speech blameless,
my life well-ordered.

Put me on guard against my human weaknesses.
Let me cherish your love for me,
keep your law,
and come at last to your salvation.

Teach me to realize that this world is passing,
that my true future is the happiness of heaven,
that life on earth is short,
and the life to come eternal.

Help me to prepare for death
with a proper fear of judgment,
but a greater trust in your goodness.
Lead me safely through death
to the endless joy of heaven.

Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

~ Attributed to Pope Clement XI (23 July 1649 – 19 March 1721)