What am I doing up at this hour?

For whatever reason sleep is eluding me!  There are probably many reasons - BIG issues at work, BIG family health concerns, Smaller holiday concerns and my constant companion - time concerns!  Do I sound like a broken record??
I just commented on another blog about how sometimes God subtly tries to get us to heed His message and when we refuse to listen, He does something to get our attention.  Why do we let it go that far?
Why haven't I spoken up at work sooner?  Why haven't I been more involved in the health concerns throughout my family?  Will I ever get my time isses under control?
What is He trying to tell me?
Any ideas?

It's mostly fun ....

I love to help.  I love to say yes.  I love to be involved.  I love to think I'm appreciated.  On the other hand, I need to say no.  I need to love no.  I need to stay home; where I am appreciated!

There is no easy answer.  Prioritize is a great word but not an easy action.  Can't wait for the current project to be done but already thinking about what's next.  No wonder 24 hours isn't enough.

I vow to not say yes for 30 days.  Can I do it ....yyyy........ooops.........no!  Well, maybe.  Not likely.  Let's start small.  I will not commit to another project for the next hour.

That made me smile.  No one is home but Vivianne and I, perhaps I can do it.

Why can't I

Manage my time better
Get more done
Not wait till the last minute to finish something I've known about for months
Lose weight
Stay focused on one task at a time
Figure out how to extend 24 hours
Get up and go to church every Sunday
Win the lottery
Find a purse that I really, really like
Remember what this sticky note means
Find pants, bras, underwear that fit
Get a good nights sleep every night
Eat more healthy things
Resist that Peanut Butter Cookie from Tim Horton's
Remember where I left my "fill in the blank"
Keep in touch with my family & friends
Write on my blog more often
Post to Facebook more often
Be rich instead of dependable
Ride my bike back and forth to work
Make time to read the Bible every day
Write letters instead of emails
Learn to use the word NO effectively
Keep up with my online accounting class
Find the bottom of my sewing/mending basket

Blogging

I reread some of my early blog posts this morning and reviewed from where I started and found a similar thread---time.  Not enough time mostly, but occasionally, adequate time.  It seems I'm obsessed with my lack of time.  And when I just glanced at the clock and realized I have been surfing around here in blog land for over an hour, I was amazed.  NO wonder I don't have enough time, it's your fault!
But you know what, I consider it time well spent.  I've learned many things from you and expect to learn many more.  I don't see myself becoming a blog queen but my little corner has provided many things for me, all good and I plan to continue being nourished by it.

Whew, where'd the time go?

Isn't this just the cutest dog dish you've ever seen??  I made it for my buddy Parker on a visit to my sister's house when she lived in Florida.  Can't remember the name of the place but it was a walk in shop, pick your project and make it.  They had the green ware ready, all kinds of things, cups, plates, platters, bowls, ashtrays, etc.  I painted and decorated it, they fired it and my sister mailed it home to me two weeks later.

This is my buddy Parker with his favorite, bestest bowl.  He had been eating out of an old stainless steel cooking pot, with the handle broken off.  He wasn't complaining about his tableware, as long as it had food in it twice a day, he was a happy guy.

As I was drying off the bowl the other day, I noticed the date on the bottom, 2003---8 almost 9 years ago!!  So much  has happened since then.  My sister & her husband moved to Tennessee, they got divorced and she moved home.  She met a nice guy and has remarried.  Her only child, Cayla, married her high school sweetheart in 2008 and six months ago today, she became a Grandma!!

I can't note as many "events" in my life since the bowl was born; it has just continued to be blessed.  I have not moved since 1987,  am married to the same guy, 22 years (yes, we lived together first) and I just celebrated 18 years at my job.  We only have furry kids; we lost Kodi at 13 in 2000 and found Parker later that year, he is 12 and Vivianne, our feline girl is 4.  No grand-kids, furry or otherwise, though my husband does have a son, so, maybe someday.
I am amazed by the travel of time it moves without you knowing it.  Marking that passage in some way is what brings it's movement into view.
As I look around and think about my family and life, I couldn't be happier.  There has been sadness but there has also been great joy.  I know there is more sadness ahead as we age, as my parents and siblings age but the joy of this moment is fulfilling and as I mentioned, I'm blessed and I thank the good Lord daily for what he has given me.
Being thankful for all the parts of life, even the not so pretty parts, helps us appreciate and recognize how lucky we are. Today the sun is shining, the ground is covered with snow, my nephew is celebrating his 11th birthday with cake and ice cream later this afternoon, how could it be any better?