My sweet granny celebrated her 103rd birthday today. She recognized me this visit but not my sister. Last time we visited her she knew my sister and not me. She is slowly fading away. She still has her sense of humor; when asked what she thinks of her new roommate she shakes her fist. This is granny's third roommate; the other two passed away. We don't really know why she shakes her fist. It could possibly be because she is left behind or because her newest is a young woman in her thirties who has too much energy. The new roomie is in the nursing home because she had a stroke. She has begun to love our granny and helps watch over her when the family isn't with her. She is an angel in disguise.

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And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Romans 8:23-32

I messed up big time at work today. And I got wrote up for it. I still don't know how it happened. I can come up with a number of excuses; there really isn't any acceptable excuse.

I had been awake since two this morning....it happened at one fifteen, almost a twelve hour day...three babies cried all day and I was physically and emotionally drained. At twelve we put all the children at the daycare down for a nap. All my babies were sleeping and I was finally getting some peace and quiet. I was amazed that all twelve children, six that were mine and six of my co worker's, that I share the room with, were asleep.

I was finishing my lunch when the fire alarm went off. I started grabbing babies and putting them in our rolling fire bed and another coworker came in and was helping me. We were in the hall rolling the crib outside when I learnt it was just a fire drill. All the workers were complaining because of a fire drill in the middle of nap time. We were outside for just a few minutes when we got the okay to go back to our rooms. As I pushed the bed through the door way of my room, I saw a baby still in the room, asleep in one of the baby swings. I had left a child in my care in the room. There is no excuse. I went and told my director. I could have stayed quiet and no one would have known. But that is not who I am. I had to fill out the forms for overlooking a child. I still don't know what will happen.

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But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah. Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.
Psalm 49:15-20

Next week I am scheduled to work in the infant room. I will enjoy the babies of course but I don't like someone else being in my room for a whole week. Again I am told there is no one else to sub while the regular worker is on vacation. I would love to have my classroom and the only time the children have another teacher is when I am sick or on vacation. It doesn't seem right that I am the only worker pulled from a classroom to sub for another teacher. But then again I am glad I am so versatile that they can put me in any room; that makes me a valuable worker, which is a good thing.

I have 18 extra hours on my paycheck. I am saving up for new clothes. I have been alternating the same five outfits for over a year. And the same two pair of shoes. I have noticed that some of the women I work with never wear an outfit twice. Every weekend they go shopping. I can't understand that. I don't believe I would do that even if I had the extra money.

My youngest son brought me a singing frog for valentine's day. It is so silly and cute. It is plush, about twelve inches tall and sings "Fever". The frog's head and lips move as it sings. Of course it is part of an ongoing joke because I can't stand frogs and other creepy crawlies. This one I can share my home with.

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Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth..
Psalm 37:3-9

It is so cold. Only in the twenties and by some standards may be considered chilly, but I am freezing. I had hoped the really cold weather was over.

I need to be working on my classroom door decoration for the month of February. Of course I want to do something for Valentine's day. One really cute idea was to do a box of candy and put the children's name on each piece. I love the idea but can't decide how to make the pieces of candy. My mind can't grasp what materials to use. I don't want to go to a lot of expense because I will have to change it after the 14th.

I finished crocheting my niece's poncho but I haven't picked up my crochet hook since december. I have been wanting to do so many things, I can't decide which one to do and I end up doing nothing. I have even been looking at pattern books and browsing through the fabric department. My new interest is doll clothes. We have a lot of naked baby dolls at the daycare.

It is a new feeling for me to actually be wanting to do something; to be thinking about doing anything. Even after my surgery, I never felt like the person I once was. Now I am feeling a little like my old self. It is hard to explain.

Thank you God for loving me and taking care of me.


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Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee; But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:1-11

Another week ending and a new one is beginning. I am slowly getting into a new routine that is kinda working. I think I will be adjusting it.

I find myself not expecting K in the evenings as often as I was. Now I am going through a new phase; when I am going somewhere, I tell myself that the last time I went there, K was with me. The memories are more painful now that I am not waiting for him to come home.

I was packing my snowmen up for next christmas and I realized that I haven't mentioned my two newest ones. My oldest son, who lives in Kentucky, sent me a beautiful Jim Shore snowman , that they bought while on vacation this past summer. I have to say he is my favorite. I love all of them of course; each one is special. But this one has the bright colors of a quilt which adds to its uniqueness. The other one I received was crafted by my niece and is so so cute. It is made from a light bulb! Mine is decorated in light blue instead of pink. As many times as I have thrown away a blown light bulb, I never saw the hidden snowman.

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The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion; in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
Psalm 27:1-5

Another weekend comes to a close. As usual I spent a lot of time thinking about a way to make enough money to live on without working forty hours a week. I should be thanking God for my job instead of complaining.

The weather made such a drastic change; I went from using heaters to wanting to use the air conditioner. I just turned on fans. I am wondering(and hoping) if we will have an early spring.

Work is back to normal tomorrow. My little on the job vacation is over. I will be getting to work some extra hours. I am thankful for the opportunity because I am wanting some new clothes. Maybe I will get lucky and find what I like on clearance and be able to get some new shoes, too.

These days I have a lot of wants. I am wanting new curtains in my kitchen. I would like a new color scheme for the kitchen and dining room. It isn't something I need; it is something I want. I guess I still would like to see change in my life.

I need to sit down and work on my budget.


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Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.
Jeremiah 9:23-24

Wow, 2008 is here. Christmas came and went along with my birthday. It has been a peaceful holiday season. It was even peaceful at work. Last week I only had two children each day. We were able to do so much together. It was like having a vacation at work.

My son and daughterinlaw, who live in Kentucky, made a trip home in time for my birthday. It was wonderful being together again. If only I could have had K ....

I haven't made any new year resolutions. I have never been able to keep them. I am just going to be the best I can be all year.

The cold weather has finally made it to my part of the world. I told myself I wasn't going to complain because other people have been having colder weather. But I'm grumbling about my cold toes, fingers and nose at the same time that I'm counting my blessings.

I have caught myself doing something that I once told myself that I wouldn't ever do. I try to save money by keeping the central heat turned so low that I am cold all the time. I have to constantly remind myself that it will cost me more if I get sick.