Daily Chats and Encouragements
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Gosh we are already on day 6 of the New Year - we did have some snow but roads are bare. Would be nice if that was all we get but think we will have a dump soon
I haven't been to my TOPS meeting since the end of Sept due to health reasons. I was 239 at that time - they have a new scale and it weighs 4 pounds heavier than mine. Anyway I weighed on mine this morning and it said 223 so if I add the 4 pounds would get me to 227 which is down from September. so when I post my weight I will have to show both numbers which is confusing but big thing is I am really taking my health seriously.
Biggest stumbling block for me is getting up and walking - and the longer I postpone it the worst it gets. So I am really going to have to work on getting on the treadmill daily in order to keep losing like I want/need to. Have looked at some of my essential oils and have come across a couple that will help with saggy skin - am thinking of my arms - so with arm exercises and these oils the loose skin might just tighten up.
I keep hearing all these adds for 'losing weight' and realize why they don't work for me. When they tell me what to eat and when (especially food I really dont like) I know I wouldn't be able to follow any of them. But the guideline that I have does not give the actual food but the category (protein / vegetable / fruit) and I find that works well for me. Also I know the foods that aren't good for me will have a reaction and it is not nice. But I also realize not everyone eats likes the same and needs to curb the same foods. With the research I have done it is advised to delete processed foods but for most of us that is hard to do. I slowly deleted them and so glad I have. I am now on my way to a successful weight but only if I eat what I know is right and really listen to God's teaching of what is best for my body.
I pray all of you will have a successful month with healthy eating - I have often done this when I am about to eat - I think "Jesus is sitting beside me waiting to eat with me - would He enjoy the meal or would He encourage me to eat something more healthy.
Be blessed ladies
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Marilyn, your post brought to mind something from many years back. I had plated my meal, needed a veggie, dumped some cold green beans from the can onto my plate...actually was sitting at the table...a rarity for sure. I prayed over my meal and before I could start eating, I had a "nudge"....the Holy spirit, I believe...asking "would you serve a guest cold green beans from the can?" I had to smile because no, I wouldn't. I felt it was His way of saying treat myself with more respect. So thanks for the memory trigger and encouragement!
I'm one who does have a lot of processed things in my pantry but most of my freezer items are a bit more on the healthy side. I do have good things in my fridge as well. I still do most meals from the speed need due to the pain and instability. My kitchen stool helps and I do use it a lot. I am praying that both will improve with activity, using my machine and weight loss.
I'm not getting the water in as planned but I will push a bit more. Yesterday I did have an orange juice (had a low sugar episode) and a mug of broth, that added to my quota. My ink and tumbler are due in tomorrow and I look forward to using it.
I have my chore list ready and will see how many things I can get done today. My bug man comes back tomorrow afternoon so I want to spiff up.
Wow! I got another great blessing! I got my premium packet in from WellCare for my insurance and the whole year is only $39.60. Last year, I paid $291.50....I am thankful (so very much!) for this positive change! Plus the low copays on my meds. Awesome!
Blessings to all as we enter this new day with Jesus and each other.
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You would laugh at what I have beside my chair - a table and a side table! I have all kinds of junk on it, but stiff that I want to be able to get my hands on without a search for it. There are a few things that can go and hide and the table could then go, but I'm terrible at hoarding things near me! I would love another handle for my cup. I had gotten one from Amazon that had a Velcro closure so you could make it fit whatever size you want to, but the part at the top of the handle, the plastic ripped and loosened so I couldn't use it any more! boohoo. One with a fixed handle would be nice, but I already have three cups that keep stuff warm or cold! As my hands get worse though, there won't be much choice.
My MRI is set for the 22nd. My valium is waiting at CVS for me too. I didn't do too badly this last time because I went in feet first. Last two times I had my back done I went in head first - that definitely takes a calming agent! I asked if it would also do my SI joints, but the gal said it probably wouldn't but would check with Jennifer to see if she wants those pictures as well. I just want to know why my leg has been hurting for the past 6-8 months! If it's not my hip, what could it be. From my research the SI joint affects the back of the leg, not the front! So, only my heavenly Father knows at this point!
I've wrapped up my left hand and am going to quit typing here in a minute because the wrist is hurting as I type. Some nerve pain on the wrist and outside of my hand. Hope it clears up soon, it's hard doing stuff without the use of that left hand, especially on the computer.
Love you!0 -
Well after 4 months I finally went back to TOPS. Glad I did as it really helps having to be accountable to someone else who records my weight.
September 3 2024 I weighed in at 239.9
January 7 2025 I weighed in at 225.1 showing a lost of 14.8 pounds. Am very pleased as it shows that by changing my food up as I have done is working. I have 3 more weighin's for January and would like to be at 220 if possible - means really sticking with it and this time working on my walking.
I would like to start up a thread for recording our weekly weights - would be nice if we all used the same thread to record so we can encourage each other with their attempts to release unwanted weight.
Today after TOPS hubby took me out for lunch - it was nice but won't do that again for some time. We went to Dennys and shared a club house sandwich and each of us had coffee - came to $24.00 think that is expense for one sandwich and 2 drinks. But it was a nice outing.
Going to be a simple dinner - little bit of chicken stirfry with a couple of mouthfuls of boiled potate along with some vegetable.
It is now 2 pm - and am thinking I should get on the treadmill but am feeling really tired. So think I will have a short nap and the do my walk of 6 mnutes just before dinner
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed by your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil (Matthew 6:9-13)
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Amen!
I like your new page, Marilyn. Great idea! And a big WOOHOO to you for losing all that weight even during a time you weren't weighing in with TOPS. Keep up the good work!
I'm having my potassium checked today to make sure it's in normal range without taking the diuretic that is supposed to keep my number up. I have been supplementing my potassium as well, so that should be enough. I haven't had cramps in my legs and feet for awhile! Thank You, Jesus.
Bitter cold is going to keep us indoors for service tonight and we will Zoom. It's not as nice as being together in person, but so nice to still have the opportunity for learning and fellowship.
Here is the link to the blog posts that I put up: https://pastordlgouldmusings2025.blogspot.com/ You can get to any year from that first page. If you want to search for a topic in that year you can use the search box in the upper right. His posts are biblically based and inspiring!
Love y'all.0 -
I'm glad you were able to get back to TOPS, Marilyn. You are moving along well! Thanks for doing the weigh in page. I normally weigh in daily but post on Sundays but started a new chart on the 1st so my weigh ins will reflect that. I was at 247 on 12/29...so that was my highest and I hope I never see it again.
I got my new tumbler yesterday. It's a 40 oz. and my other is 30. With the big, fat straw, I did get more water yesterday so it's going to help. Is there a trick to getting the screw on top settled right each time? I'm right handed and I get a lot of lefty closes.
My bug fellow again, says I qualify as "bug free"....So I will run with that! He only saw 1, dead and was happy so I am as well. Now....back to work.
Yesterday was a mighty painful day and I was in bed for the night at 5:45...slept well, got up at 3:00 so got 9 hours sleep? I had to count on my fingers twice! Wow! I was really tired. Today will be a "work day"....as I have much to do in the kitchen, need to vacuum and declutter 2-3 spaces. I will be inside all day unless I pop out to check mail or take trash to the dumpster. That will probably wait until tomorrow and the expected 40 degrees.
Be blessed today....prayers for strength. healing, provision and peace in this new day God has given us. Love you!
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Never mind! I just realized with the oversized, bendy straw, I can drink from it fine, regardless of which side it lands on. LOL...Mine is red. Did I mention I love it!
I just got my bed made again. I slept on it last night without sheets. Not the first tine that's happened. I was just so weak and in such pain, I did good to get in the bed! That's 1 of 9 things off my list.
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Oh my, I see your list and all I can imagine is two days of bed rest when it's done! Take your time, dear sister! and rest in between! I'm so happy you got good rest and feel so well!
I got a message that my lab test results are ready, but I can't get the site to download. I'm here and I've been all over, but that site won't download. My computer said that my ethernet isn't working, so how did I get here???
Stay warm! Stay close to Jesus!0 -
LOL! Yes....you have my routine down! I did 5 of the 9 and my kitchen is cleaner than it has been in a year...Counters uncluttered/wiped down, microwave cleaned, dishwasher run and done, decluttered the table and a couple of baskets....vacuumed. Hooya...
I always feel so good when things are in order that it's worth 2 days of rest afterwards! I peeked outside a few minutes ago and this was my view! We are expecting 54 for Saturday tho so that will be trash day and maybe put some laundry away? I had it picked up yesterday and they brought it back in the afternoon, due to today's expected weather. I am always glad to have clean jammies!
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Oh boy, praise the Lord you didn't get slammed like the rest of the county. We are cold but dry! I couldn't get my office out of the upper 50's this morning, but I'm getting hot right now and it's 63!
Be very careful if you have to go out there, I do not want to get the news you fell again! Oh my, that would break my heart! Put on the spikes if you need to go to the office! It's fun seeing where your apartment is in the complex, now I can better picture things when you talk about them. Love you0 -
I am so very thankful I can hibernate all winter if need be. I think I gave away my spikes after I retired. Falling terrifies me and my last time on the ice, I couldn't get up and lay there yelling for help until Mary and two guys came to get me up and the bosses showed no concern or care at all. My heart and prayers go out to those who can't stay in...all our public service folks from police, fire department, medical teams etc., and those without homes for safety and comfort...
I just got up from my nap I finally managed to get and boy howdy...my whole body seized up! Ouch....I did all my work in the short spurts....I just had a lot of them....50 minutes worth. I am very happy to have as much done as I was able to do and it was all in God's strength. I've often said that my life reflects that song "I can't even walk...without You holding my hand"....and He will continue to do so, into eternity!
I have heat on at 72 and my fan on here at the desk and by the bed. I have my heavier blanket (the brown one) on the bed as my light one is in the laundry bag.
Were you ever able to get in to check your results?0 -
Good morning!
...and it IS a good one. I rested well last night (2 in a row now) other than an acid reflux episode which woke me and sent me to the recliner for 3 hours...where I can nap comfortably. I feel well this morning and am not suffering from my hard labors of yesterday! That's new and different and such a blessing!
The ice and snow are melting away nicely and we are expecting 43 for a high and 57 tomorrow. I love it. There is much to be joyful for in each day we're given. In my FB feed yesterday, one of the devotionals spoke of the trials and troubles the life may send our way and how in all of it...we can say with our whole heart..."I trust You, Jesus"....I really liked that reminder. He is aware of all we face, all we do, all we need....and is with us in it all.
Be blessed abundantly...love and prayers...
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That is one of my favorite passages, Bren!
I'm so grateful that He holds my hand, too. I can not fathom how people without Him survive.
I did get the results, but on my phone! Everything looked good, a couple of things were higher or lower than they normally are but only two were out of range and not by much. The one that they were looking for is still in normal range, just 2 points lower than it's been for quite awhile, so I think we will be okay with not taking that diuretic.
Rest and recover, my sweet friend. Love y'all.
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Good morning my beautiful lovelies! Here is a beautiful passage that speaks of God's love and our obedience.
1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
1Jn 3:19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.
1Jn 3:20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.
1Jn 3:21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.
1Jn 3:22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
1Jn 3:23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
1Jn 3:24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
Much love!0 -
So true! My heart hurts for those who spend their entire life, never accepting Jesus as Savior and knowing such love and real joy. look at the devastation going on right now, in California and around the world and the displaced multitudes. So many are lost in evil doing....and so many innocents suffer.
I did a rest day yesterday. I'm doing much better with my water intake with my new tumbler and who knew what a difference a fat straw and handle could make! Hooya! I'm over on calories most days, often by 300-400 so will work on that and the activity increase.
Have a lovely day at your spots. I will here at mine as well. Love you!0 -
More wind for California, so the ones under some sort of control right now could easily blow out of control again! Praying for God's children!
In a lot of pain for the past several weeks. My right leg hurts almost constantly. When I lie down in the bed, the pain backs off and is good until I need to move. I appreciate your prayers for this. Several of us in our Church family have pain issues and we are all constantly in each others prayers. Only God can help us! I'm not sure what my NP is doing, my MRI isn't where my pain has been, so am I going to have to do another MRI shortly after this one where the pain is. She seems to be going through a set pattern and that just doesn't make sense! I asked if this MRI would cover my SI joints because that is where the majority of my pain is at right now - no, this is the protocol we are following. Ugh. The first two times I had MRI's on my back, both included the SI joints. If the MRI goes down to my last three vertebrae, it should see at least the top half of my SI joints, so hopefully that will tell them something. If it doesn't show those last three vertebrae they are going to miss the only arthritis I have in my back - unless there is some that I don't feel or know about! Years ago they saw a mildly herniated disk up there, but I don't feel anything from it. We'll just have to wait and see! The MRI is on the 22nd with the follow up the following week.0 -
That is a strange thing, that the sites most affected get no attention, requiring more MRI's, more pain and frustration. I'm so sorry you are dealing with the current issues. You remain in my prayers.
We have another lovely, sunny day here and 56 at the moment. I'm feeling sluggish and ragged today....Our high dollar cable went up another $10 and we lost News Nation and our CBS local station due to disputes with Nexstar....so I lost some programming. Whatever is going on with my feeble attempts at streaming are not Roku related as it shows on my account that I have no device....well....duh. Too much wordage for this old girl...straining my spatial abilities. I'll make do with what I have at the moment.0 -
Got weighed today at TOPS = 225.2 up 0.1 of an ounce
Feeling the cold so have been under my quilt wearing a long sleaved top plus a big heavy sweater, a heating pad on my stomach under the quilt. Glad this doesn't happen often as it lays me up which I don't like.
Tomorrow the furnace man should be coming out - was out 2 weeks ago to put in a part that needed replacemd ($348) and now the next part if $1314 plus labor plus taxes. Love owning my own place but when things break down not so nice
Anyway I need to take my meds - have a good evening
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Oh, Marilyn, you are in my prayers. It's awful to be cold and not be able to find that warm spot consistently. I praise the Lord we were able to get our gas fireplace (wood stove type), it works great. We've hardly had to use our HVac with that and a couple of small electric heaters. After my overheating over the summer I'm able to handle the cold better than I ever have - praise the Lord for that.
Went to the dentist, just one tooth being kept an eye on, but otherwise all is well. I really like our dentist and don't mind going at all!
Well, Wade is putting my dinner together and I have a headache, so I'm going to go and rest my head on the back of my chair! Love y'all.0 -
Good morning! I hope y'all are able to be warm where you are. I hope that your furnace was able to be fixed, Marilyn! Wade tried to turn ours on yesterday and it just wouldn't kick in. We had the gas topped off because right now that fireplace and the electric heaters are our heat source. We do have a kerosene heater, but we are trying to do without that and the high cost of kerosene. Praise the Lord we are able to still be warm in the main part of our house and the sun on the front of the house in the morning makes it even cozier!
I can't believe it but my Christmas cactus is still blooming - yeehaw! It was Mom's so it is special to me for that reason, that it is doing so well makes me happy. Thank You, Jesus!
Here is a post that I read this morning and it made me thing of you, Missy as we both struggle with negative family members.
01/09/25 GOSSIP MONGERS
I saw the following poster on a friend's FB.
"Gossip dies when it hits a wise person's ears.
Rumors are started by haters,
Carried by fools,
Believed by idiots."
Then I thought,
Sometimes your haters are those you love the most.
Jesus said,
Mt 10:36 KJV And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
DLG note... The divider, the destroyer is Satan.
Even then we are to love our enemies and pray for their deliverance.
When we align with God's word,
Jesus is the Restorer, the Healer, the Reconciler.
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Even if you can't relate to the rest of the post, those last lines are true for all of us. We must walk in a manner pleasing to Him, always.
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That's very good, Kim...and sadly true of so many families. Those we love and expect to love us in return can hurt us more than anyone else.
I've been laying low for a few days, doing only the essentials, hanging out inside where it's cozy. Prayers for you with heating issues. I get full sun on my door/windows so much that the door gets hot! I have heat on at the moment as it's rather chilly. It's 61 and sunny outside tho. We have another cold front coming in by next week but nothing major.
Prayers for us all as we head towards another weekend. Blessings to you and your household.0 -
Wade measure the heat on our front door a few days ago and it was 130! I like to go and lay against it, it feels so good! He'll warm a blanket or towel at the stove and then throw it over my face - ahhh, feels so good too!
Hurting quite a bit today, would appreciate your prayers. Hands, SI joint, leg (which hurts all the time).
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Prayers for you, sweet friend. I'm sorry you are in such pain. I can imagine how good that feels! Wow! 130! Gee whillikers! That's too hot for this old girl...
I have a new heating pad in my closet somewhere and need to find it. I have my Mom's blanket with arms in there too. The cold wind comes in around the door and windows, right by my recliner so it can get really chilly. It's 73 in here ow w/o heat on but it's supposed to drop down tonight and the wind is really strong right now.
My feet and hands stay cold...and I do have my fuzzy socks on. I'm going down for rest/reading and a nap...I'm so glad I can!
Love you lots!
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It's funny how the older we get the colder our hands and feet get. I sometimes wear socks to bed and then about an hour later I'm taking them off because I'm too hot. Mom's hands were always cold. She got a muff for Christmas just before she passed. We still have it and someday I am going to remember to give it to Martha since she's the one who got it for Mom.
I'm going to go and sit for awhile and see if I can get rid of some of this pain. Love you sister(s).
Update...
Here are a couple of pictures of our last snow in Hickory before we moved.
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Those pictures of the snow - brings back many memories for me. We lived in a place called Revelstoke British Columbia (Canada) and talk about snow. Norm would leave for work on the train and return 30 hours later to find 4 feet of snow to be shoveled. We would have to shovel so much that it was as high as the roof of the mobile home we lived in. So though those pictures show snow it is nothing what we lived through. It would snow so much over 24 hours that all road going in and out of town wouldd be closed and sometimes for a couple of days. I will have to find some pictures to post of all of it - we lived there 10 years and though we enjoyed the people we got to know was very glad to get out of the snow belt.
As of today we don't have any down in the part of the city we are now living in. Really nice- but they say there is quite a bit up in the mountains so we shoul be ok for the summer water.
Stuck at 225 pounds - praying that this week at TOPS I will see a loss as I really need to get this weight off. Norm was at the doctor the other day because of a sore back and the doc asked how I was doing as I see the kidney doctors more. Doc told Norm that if I could get serious and loss the weight 1/2 of the medical problems I have would be gone just because the weight is doing a lot of damage on internal organs. So that is the goal. So far I have lost 91 pounds from my highest weight (has taken me 8 years to do it) but with the help of the Lord and staying committed to getting healthy I am praying that I will be well under 200 pounds by the end of the year. So tired of carrying all this extra weight around.
Praying for you all - look forwar to reading all messages
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Hello Ladies....I am happy to only see snow a coup of times during our winter....We had two bad spells the past few years, dealing with plumbing, electric off for 4 days, work shut down a week but only because we had no power to work anything! I am so glad those days are behind me and Marilyn, your story with Norm is a nightmare! Putting folks in danger, just trying to get to work and home again.
My pain has been worse for a few days...not sure the cold affects me as I am housebound 99.9% of the days. I did go out for 3 days worth of mail this morning. It was 22, felt like 11 but was dry so I was good. I did sort of have shoes on...flip flop type. Poor Sister kitty was out there. I wish I could have her inside, and Junior, Granny...and the like.
I had 2 huge/thick pork steaks left and put them in a pot for soup....and had no onion soup mix, my go to! I searched twice in all my stash spots. So just seasoned with some beef bullion, minced garlic, added frozen soup blend veggies, the last of a bag of peppers and onion, a can of stewed tomatoes and remains of a jar of brown gravy...It's tasty enough. I just had some for dinner and pulled out enough of the meat before cutting it up, to make 2 BBQ sandwiches with. I'm making me wait to do another delivery so am finding things I'm out of but making do at the moment....and it's all good...
Lunch was some coleslaw mix with dressing, a can of tuna and bit of dill relish. Might be better with chicken as the "recipe" called for.
Have a good evening all....be gentle with yourselves and rest easy, in Jesus. Love and prayers~0 -
Marilyn, I thought of you when I put up the pictures. I used to live in Ohio and we would get some good snows up there, but nothing like you described! That's what I pictured when I thought of you up there in Canada. We are expecting some snow over the next couple of days and some very bitterly cold temps. Wade's been preparing for several days now! I tried to go to worship yesterday, but when I sat there for a few minutes I knew it wasn't going to work, too much pain. I'd shift to ease one pain and it would start another one up. I ended up going home and zooming the service. Praise the Lord we are able to Zoom our services! Today is a wee bit better, I don't feel off balance or concerned my leg will give out like I was yesterday. It dipped on me a couple of times on the short walk to and from the Net House (which is what we call our Church; the Net House is where fishermen go to equip themselves for fishing, and since we are fishers of men, it's where we go to prepare ourselves to go out and win others for Christ.)
Bren, one of the thrift stores we go to often has food for those who need it and sometimes we take advantage of that. This time they had some bowling ball sized cabbages, huge. Beautiful white color and tight inside. Now to find recipes for it! Wade made some kielbasa with cabbage the other night, pretty good. He has a recipe for cabbage soup we are going to try too. I've read recently that cabbage is really good for us.
Stay warm, spend time with the Lord, and rejoice that we have warm places to snuggle up in! Love y'all.0 -
I love cabbage! Stir fried, steamed, boiled with taters, onion and smoked sausage....or coleslaw. I had more of my soup for lunch. Dinner was a hamburger patty and fries in the air fryer. I have one serving of soup left and I put the pork I'd set aside for BBQ in the freezer. I have 8 ounces...so that will give me nice sandwiches. I'm knocking off a lot of stash items...while I wait to do an order. I'm on day 14 of "making do"...
This morning while searching for my pads I use in my recliner (haven't found them yet), I found my little massager thing....I put it on my back, here in my desk chair and it feels good! I'd bought two of them about 5 years back and very rarely used them. I had one at the office and one here. I'll look for the other one to use while I'm on the pedal machine....and see what else turns up while searching for it. Here's a picture of it and my yummy soup!
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Wow, Bren, two healthy and good for you things! You're awesome! You know how I feel about the red stuff in your soup and that one green thing that looks like a pepper, but the rest looks yummy. I actually do put tomatoes in soup, but I use the Rotel with the chilis so I don't taste the tomatoes! heehee.
Hamburgers for us tonight too. Maybe some sweet potato fries in the air fryer as well (fresh ones).
Still hurting today - and trying to stay warm! I can't believe how cold it's gotten. We are at the very tip of the projected snow, so not sure what will happen between now and tomorrow - maybe it will move a wee bit East, out into the ocean and miss us altogether! Nothing is impossible with God! I have my MRI tomorrow so I hope it isn't snowing before lunch time at least.
Love y'all.0 -
Praying for you ladies for health and for a continued walk with the Lord
Today I went to my TOPS meeting. I weighed in at 225.5 = really having a difficult time getting below that number - maybe next Tuesday I will be able to report a loss.
We got some snow overnight - not enough to really have to shovel but enough to make the side roads very slippery. But the sun has come out now which is nice - looking out the window it looks so warm but I know it isn't - we will probabaly get more snow as it is not normal to have such a small amount at this time of the year
Think I might have mentioned that we are reading through the New Testament. We have finished Matthew and are about 1/2 way through Mark. Am enjoying this reading with my husband.
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