I'm listening to my son visit with his dad; how heartwarming! I look back over the years, and my heart wells up.

I feel so blessed. To still be involved in the lives of our four (locally planted) adult children is such a joy. My dear husband nevers tires of their cries for his help; in fact, counts it a privilege to come to their rescue.

I will take this warm feeling with me to work; I know it will be a good day!

As I continue to read in Ecclesiastes, Solomon searches to make sense of our existence. He, of course, is looking in all the wrong places.

We can make life so complicated. Jesus put it very simply, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind; and love your neighbor as yourself."

Daily renewing my mind helps cleanse me from all the "stuff" that creeps in, that tries to influence my walk. I press on.

I am reading in Ecclesiastes about all the emptiness in living that King Solomon experienced. He searched every area of life and still said, "all is vanity."

It is such a good reminder for me to take this moment and make it the best it can be. My tendency is to think "when this happens" or "when that happens" then won't life be great.

This is the moment given to me. May I use it to God's glory.

I'm thankful a new day has dawned. I was tripping all over myself yesterday, foodwise. I was balanced in the fact that for every good choice I made, a bad one followed.

This morning I am reaping the consequences----a stomachache. Sugar is something that has ill-affects on my system; why do I continue? (Having sweets in the house is not a good thing!)

With God, I move forward and thank Him for another new page.

The weekend could have been better----too much chocolate. The flesh is weak around sugar, that's for sure.

I am going to continue with the same formula this week, though. I need to keep going back to center.

I thank God He continues to renew and refresh me, allowing me to never give up.

Friday took forever getting here, but finally the weekend is in view. We've had alot of extra activities going on at work, and we're all tired.

I like looking back at a week like this one, though. I challenged myself with some simple goals---goals to enable me to stay true to my journey---and I feel a sense of accomplishment (though not perfection).

I'm ready for the weekend. Sunday I will be making Rice Pilaf for 200 as we have an informal dinner welcoming our new youth pastor and his dear family. We are blessed. Have a great weekend!

"It's always right to do right," is the quote our pastor challenges us with from time to time. I love to let it ring in my ears.

There are times in each of our lives when we need some help with difficult issues and need a quote like that to fall back on. How easy it is to forge ahead in our own understanding.

I thank God for such a godly pastor who encourages us to rise up to a higher plane in our Christian walk. Oh, to be like Him.

My eating program seems to be going well. (I'm not needing to pop Tums anyway!)

I try to eat sensibly, but still stay realistic. I know that last clause can be stretched to become a loophole, but I'm trying to be honest with myself. Besides, who am I hurting when I "cheat?"------exactly!

My goal is to get healthy; and in doing so, I will lose weight. Sounds like a win/win to me!

Our big walk-in freezer is on the blink again at work, and yesterday I made 100 ice cream balls for the "ala mode" part of today's Apple Crisp dessert. I hope they are still frozen!

Sometimes life is one step forward, two steps back. The purpose is there, with a plan in mind, to draw us closer to Him.

So, as I enter the work place and peek into the freezer, I still hope I see 100 (frozen) ice cream balls. But, if I don't, what seems to be two steps back is God's plan for me today.

It's Monday once again, meaning it is okay to recommit to eating a more productive way to insure weight loss.

My hope (once again) is to stop eating after 6:00 p.m. and to eat no sugar. I know I have tried that a few blogs before, but I have to keep trying. I know that is the answer for me.

My enthusiasm is always notched up a few degrees on Mondays. It's a nice "starting-over" day.

My morning is already interesting. I've been watching a skunk wander around the backyard, in a dazed sort of a way. Finally, it headed into the soybean field and vanished.

Thank goodness! I was so worried our fifteen year old dog would pick up its scent and go after it. You know what would have happened then!

This was a perfect way to start my Friday----a little drama with a good ending! Have a great weekend.

I'm looking forward to the weekend. Work has been a grind this week, and I'm ready for a break. It's amazing how people can affect one's day.

It is a good reminder to me as a wife and a mother (and a grandmother) what role I have in affecting my family's days. I don't want them to dread the time they have spent with me by being unreasonable in any way. I sometimes see myself in what a repel at work.

I hope I learn from all these experiences God puts before me. Life is a classroom.

"Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!" is what God put on my heart this morning after reading His Word.

I have been grappling with a personal issue, and that was a freeing moment. God reminded me "the battle was His....the victory is mine."

The decision was made as I sang the rest of the hymn. "Thou art the Potter, I am the clay......while I am waiting, yielded and still."

Fall is in the air. I always look forward to saying good-bye to the hot, humid days of summer.

My plan was, however, to have my fall clothes fit considerably better this year than last. They will somewhat, but I won't be wearing some of the new ones that I had hoped to don.

I won't give up, though. There is still time. My journey to good health continues.

A new work-week is beginning, and I feel sluggish---too much sugar yesterday. Both girls brought desserts to accompany our lunch----and I overdid.

It is better if I just left it (sugar) alone all the time. I feel lethargic and out-of-sorts when I indulge. For me it always seems to be "hindsight."

So, with that, I pick myself up (again!) and continue on.

I enjoy my breakfasts. They are nothing grand and exciting, just two eggs over-easy, over a slice of buttered whole wheat bread. Of course, I also have my large cup of coffee heavy with cream and sugar (whole milk and Splenda).

I never tire of it. That surprises me; I tire of other repetitive foods. It might have something to do with starting the day with protein. I've read that the egg is the perfect food, having everything one needs. Hmm.

I wonder if that is why eggs are predominately a breakfast item----starting the day off with all one needs. God never ceases to amaze me.

Going into work after two days off is wonderful-----and it's Friday! The weekend is fairly clear with only a couple commitments, and life is good.

My two girls came out and cleaned my house----bless them----so I won't have to do the usual clean, scrub, vacuum, dust routine. That is such a treat. They can do in an hour what would take me all day.

I think they are amazed that their mom entered the work field at such an old age and are trying to ease my load----"my cup runneth over."

Last night was one of those nights you look back at and smile. We had a wonderful time breaking bread with friends.

They are the kind of friends who don't care if you forgot to straighten your bedraggled hair and change your well-seasoned blouse----or if you inadvertently make regular coffee when it was unanimously decided we drink decaf (then manage to have the coffee overflow onto the counter and floor!) to enjoy the wonderful dessert my friend brought.

Friends are a gift; thank you, Lord, for Nancy and Mark.

I have been wanting to update my blog picture. My e-mail skills are the only thing keeping me from being computer-illiterate, so I'm always at the mercy of my kids for help.

Since I only have adult kids, with a very busy life of their own, this may not happen for a couple more years! That is my plan, though. I will keep my request before them.

I have one toe in the water as far as computer-saavy goes. For me, that is enough.

Today I was handed lemons, so I made lemonade. That is how my day at work began. I am always a little nervous when I have to make a new recipe, especially when most of the key ingredients did not get ordered!

I quickly accessed a direction I could go (since this was to be eaten at the noon meal!) and still keep the dessert similar to what it was supposed to be. As I frantically worked with great stealth, I kept assuring myself everything was going to work out.

Somehow....someway....everyone loved the dessert! I marvel at God's goodness.

Work today was interesting. Because it is a holiday, we all made two and half times what we usually make (not bad!); but I've never heard such grumbling before from my co-workers.

What would have it taken to make them thankful? We were sitting around the lunch table, eating our free lunch (provided daily), and one by one they began to whine.

That was a good reminder for me. The next time I begin to whine, I'm going to remember today. What DOES it take to make me thankful?