A 'Normal' Monday!

I was up early as the boys were up at 4am for the Charger Game against Kansas City Chief... Unfortunately, when I came back from my run, they had lost... by a touchdown.

I got Mom up and out the door and got a load of wash done! 

There were tidying up around the house, including Mom's room... She was not hyper this past weekend. Thank you for praying!

I finished my Revelation study and decided to mix paint to touch up one spot... unfortunately, the blue and yellow=green... the green was not apple green... Ha, ha, ha... 

I wonder if Alan will notice!

I started dinner in the crock pot... chicken with onion and pumpkin slices... should be very good... we will see!

I ate a late lunch and went to tutor at 2pm. Thankfully, no rain! But I brought my raincoat... 

After tutoring, I went straight home as we went long and I had prayer time at 4pm. 

Mom was back right on time.

This evening I had to call the CEO of the Management Company. They are NOT doing a job worth their pay!

And the gal in our old apartment does not qualify for a foreign helper. She needs to be seriously mentally and emotionally impaired. She's only a level 4 versus a level 8! But actually, last night I had a dream about this and God seemed to have said that this was not the way to go... So, I am not disappointed. When the time comes that my mom needs a full time helper, I know He will provide the best! I am now just looking to see if there is a Christian family who needs Janice! Please do keep praying!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

A NICE RAINING SUNDAY!

I was up early and did the recycling and checked the complex, making sure things were fairly cleaned.

Then I settled down at the desk to do some of my Revelation study before heading out to WGE for a shower and a quick workout.

I got Mom up and she sat to eat breakfast!

We were heading to church by 2:15!

We had an abundance of snacks... so great!

The speaker shared on the topic: Lessons Learned Along the Way, meaning he had walked parts of the Camino Santiago in May of this year. Of course, I think that would be a great idea to do it. Isaiah would do it with me... not Alan! 

We were home by 7:30 after helping to clean up. I gave Mom her pills and got her to bed.

I went down again to the recycling area. What a mess! We don't have janitorial help on Sunday and Wednesday!

The week is starting and maybe the special Wednesday project might not be starting as they only have one student who signed up! They need to have 10 students. We shall see... I don't mind if they delay the program or maybe don't start until next semester!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Unexpected Changes...

I was up early and did not go out immediately for my run after my 'date' with Jesus...

I drank coffee with fresh milk... and my stomach was not happy. I really can NOT drink milk... It's so interesting... I had to eat a piece of plain toast and just lay down for about an hour!

So, I did go for my 8k and hit 50k this week. I'm also working on my VO2MAX. I want to hit 50, which is elite for people my age. I had no idea what it all means, but it relates to my breathing...

I went for a shower and quick workout at WGE.

Then I was home for Mom Care. 

I'm using that little appliance to make apple 'juice'. Mom loves it on her oatmeal with raisins! She also cannot have milk.  She has had freshly made soybean milk, red bean soup, pumpkin soup and now, apple 'juice/sauce' with her oatmeal! 

Isaiah went out with Fenny.

And I had a helper come at 5pm because we were to have our Marriage Builders once a month study, but everyone cancelled. So... we went for a massage and dinner out. SO NICE!

Now, update about the Filipina caretaker: the gal who lives at our house got the certificate from the doctor this morning. Now, the agency is going to see on Monday if that's acceptable. I will have more to report on Monday. God is moving... please pray!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

A Simple Date!

I was up early and out and ran my 8k.

I was home and put in a load of laundry before getting Mom up. 

After Mom was in the van, I came up and hung up the laundry, filled up all the cleansers, set the iRobots going and went and ran errands. I had a bag of stuff for donation and bank books to update. I then went to WGE and did a 20 minute quick four machine workout and was home by 10:55 for our date.

Isaiah forgot to bring an extra helmet, so we decided to have lunch and then go over to drop it off for him. He has a job interview tonight. Citibank, Finance Sector! Then he will have dinner with Fenny and take her home. So, he needed an extra helmet.

We were home by 3pm and went over our schedule for the next month. 

I had tutoring at 5pm and I made sure to message the mom before I left. She didn't answer me as she was in a meeting, so I didn't start tutoring until 6pm. I didn't get home until 8:45 and got Mom to bed. 

I had a late dinner and watched a movie with Alan. YIPPY.

I also worked on and finished my syllabus for my new 8-week project based class! And I posted things to give away!

The weekend has started... 

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

A Even More Relaxing Sabbath Day...

If you don't have the habit of keeping a Sabbath, I highly recommend it... Follow the advice of God. 

I was up super early and out for my usual 8k. It was not blaring hot... 

Then it was Mom care... I did take a shower first. I had to get a stool sample, but could not get the pee sample. I pray that they can get it at the Day Care Center.

Mom was off and I was settled on the sofa with my books... and Mom Bea, I finished reading the Decision Magazines you sent... I did not do the two Bible studies by Anne Lutz Graham. I will do those later... 

I put chicken and rice into the crock pot for Alan and Isaiah to have dinner tonight after they play basketball at Soochow.

I also put red beans in my newly acquired soybean milk maker... Love that machine! I can make red bean soup or soy bean milk or savory soup in 30 minutes. It's great for Mom. She can have congee or thick creamy soup and freshly made soy bean milk. 

I did talk to several people about hiring a full time foreign helper. Please continue to pray. The gal will go and see if her doctor will sign off on her eligibility for a full time helper. If he does, I can use her name and get a helper who will stay at our old house and Mom can keep her Day Care Status! YIPPY! 

At around 3:45, I got a phone call from the Day Care. They were able to collect the pee, so I had to go over to pick up the 'specimens' and drop it off at the clinic. It was perfect as the place is right near WGE. So, I stopped there and did a quick workout. Then I went to PXMart, a local supermarket, and got lemon juice and sliced pumpkin as I wanted to try using the 'machine' to do a homemade cream of pumpkin soup. I also stopped at 7/11 to pay Mom's insurance bill.

Mom was back and dinner was ready! And with the weather cooling down, I don't feel so drained!

I had tutoring at 7:30 for an hour and then we had Family Time at 9pm!

Daily Lovely Insight:

I finished the book by Andrew Murray, the True Vine and meditated on John 15: 1-16 today. It was so delightful... and encouraging!

Seek Him First!

A More Relaxing Day!

I was up and ran my 8k and it was NOT blaring hot! 

Then I got Mom up and she was 'back to normal' -- meaning able to walk, responding to my questions, and more alert! After she went in the van, I was down in B1, helping with the recycling. When that was done, I came home and put all the ingredients into the crock pot for our dinner and then I went to WGE. I took a shower and did my simple 20 minute workout. I had not been there for the past three days!

I then came home and called... the brother of the gal who lives in our old apartment. Maybe she can qualify for a helper? We can use her status, and Mom won't lose her Day Care Subsidy. I would pay for the helper and with her staying at the old apartment, she can help with cleaning and supervising the gal in taking her medication each evening. I know God will work things out. That was an idea but I think she's too young and not 'handicapped' enough to qualify.

I took a nap and found out the time for my new project based teaching! Two hours for eight weeks, not three hours! From October 2nd to November 27th. So, my tutoring at 4:30 can stay at the same time. Yes, it will be a very long Wednesday... But it's only for eight weeks. Plus, my 7:30 to 9:30 can be changed to Monday, if necessary! And that will end by the end of November as she plans to take her TOEIC test (AND PASS) on November 24th!

I had tutoring at 4:30 and was home to help get Mom to bed before my tutoring at 7:30!

Then I had prayer time at 9:45.

But overall, today was so much more relaxing than yesterday... to think, I had a nap!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Isn't this a beautiful verse? 

Seek Him First!

A Tiring Tuesday!

I am serious... 

I was up and out and ran my 8k and then got Mom up... but she was now in her 'can't move' stage. So I had to walk her to the bathroom and help her with the shower. I trimmed her hair and got her into the van. 

When she left, I got everything together and went to church. I had to set up and we had nine ladies. It was a fabulous time. The quiche turned out very nicely!

We read the whole book of Ephesians. We read Acts 19. And we shared prayer requests. 

I got things cleaned up and put away. In two weeks, I will have to ask the other ladies to clean up as I will be starting my Soochow University Bible study, which is at 1pm!

I rushed home and put everything away and rushed to Danhsui as the washing machine guy said that he was going to come. 

I made it there and waited for him. 

He tested the machine and no problem! WHAT??? I had to pay 300NT$! I also shared with him and will be praying for him.

I scootered home, carrying so much stuff! The gal at the Danhsui house had things to donate! I carted everything back on my scooter.

I put everything down and rested for 20 minutes. 

Then Mom was home and at the same time, people came to pick up things that I had posted in the BNT (Buy Nothing Taipei) group! I gave away a DVD player, a CD player, plates, bowls, cups, mugs, speakers, pans... WOW! They took everything. 

Our friends also showed up! This is the friend who has a Filipina helper that she hopes will be working with my mom. Janice is her name... there are lots of logistics... God will have to work everything out. So, now, should I be looking for a place to rent in Neihu? When will the contract begin? Should Mom still go to Day Care maybe two days a week? Lots of details... please pray!

Tonight after Mom went to bed, we were to have Family Time, but Abby forgot! She thought it was Thursday... I don't know how she came up with that... 

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

A Tiring Monday... So, What Else Is New???

Let me back up... I didn't go to bed until 12midnight... and Alan and Isaiah were up for their football game at 1am. But they both didn't get up until the third quarter... The game finished at 4:40 and I was up at 4:46. It was cloudy out but when I did go out for my 8k, you guessed it. HOT! SAUNA HOT! At least it wasn't sunny!

I got home and it was straight to Mom care. After she left, I went down to the recycling and saw the old janitor there... working at a snail pace. It was 8:45 and he had just started with the recycling. I helped him and when that was finished, I lined the management company. WHAT IS GOING ON? They put our new gal to another complex for just today... She will be back tomorrow!

I had to strip Mom's bedding and do another load! I had double layered her diaper, but she peed through everything. 

Isaiah was working from home, which was great as we all went to get the passport pictures done. Alan went to school. Isaiah went to the office to pick up his computer plug. I went to the housing report office as the paperwork was finished. Taiwan is so efficient!

I was home and started making phone calls: Toshiba Washing Machine Repairman, Hearing Aid Company, Isaiah's afternoon tea reservation!

I ate a quick lunch and started on Mom's room! I wanted to air everything out and I cleaned her various containers and filled everything up! I found a pack of night inserts. I'm going to try those tonight! I have had to change the bedding four times this past week!

We still had some leftover for dinner... and I made a huge salad! 

I do want to say that I got a new appliance from the recycling. I cleaned it up and tested it. Works perfectly. I can now make soybean milk or other drinks for Mom. It's amazing and delicious! I just put the soybeans in with water and in 30 minutes, I've got freshly made soybean milk! Thank you Jesus! Mom cannot drink any diary milk. It gives her diarrhea! 

This evening after Mom went to bed, I had my Bible study online. And tomorrow morning I will have my Tuesday morning Bible study at church. I will start cooking at 4am! I also have to get stool and pee samples from Mom for her physical tomorrow. The Day Care Center will be handling everything else!

I forgot to mention about another new 'teaching job'... project based. Great pay and the project sounds fabulous. I will guide 12 students in making a video of their choice. I meet with the students once a week for three hours. And we have eight weeks to complete the project! Each student will produce their own video! The job will start in October and the pay is like 70US$ per hour! And the school is less than 10 minutes from my house!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Read verse 6, if you have time!

Seek Him First!

Feeling Tired...

I slept in today... I was just feeling so tired... I didn't go for a run, so I let myself sleep until 6am before spending time with Jesus... 

Then I did a load of laundry and went to Costco. I thought I was early but that place was packed. I just got milk and ham. This week I will cook for the Bible study group and for the Marriage Builders! I don't want to go during the week. I've got too much going on...

And I was home and it was raining... I stopped to get soy bean milk.

I got Mom up and showered. She was having a bit of diarrhea... OH NO! At church she was again active, but not like before! THANK YOU JESUS! She did not talk non-stop! You all must be praying!

I set up for church and made iced tea and coffee and brought snacks. We had a great spread of food!

Isaiah led the worship and translated as well!

We ate dinner at church and hurried home as Isaiah had a basketball game at 8pm. Alan drove him there. It was pouring... and visibility was way low!

I got Mom to bed and finally checked my email and blogged.

An interesting situation has presented itself: 

The friend, whose dad passed away, has a helper who is now available. Do I want to share the cost of having her part time? I would have to use Mom's name to hire her... but she can most likely live at my friend's place as their house is bigger. My friend also fractured her pelvic bone, so is in a wheelchair! She would appreciate the help for at least a few months... So, they will come over on Tuesday night to talk over things. I don't want to have a person living here... I need the person on Saturday... and maybe every evening. I'm trusting God... I know His plans are best. 

The rain will continue all week... but the temperature will still be 24-30! 

The week has started... It's a busy one!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

It Rained!

I was out later today as the skies looked cloudy... and sure enough, it rained... wonderful rain. So, I actually ran 9k and completed the week with 52K. I'm trying to work back to running 10K in an hour! With the heat, I have not been able to do this... My legs just don't want to move!

I was home and got my stuff and went to WGE for a shower and one machine. I was home and took a nap!

Then I got Mom up and she ate her breakfast rather slowly, stopping to pick her nose and pick her teeth... just sitting there!

Alan went to another memorial service of another dear friend. I watched the service via YouTube!

Isaiah went to meet up with Fenny and they had dinner out.

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Too Much In One Day!

I was up super early... and went and ran my 8k. Then got my clothes and went to WGE for a shower and quick workout. I was home by 7:33! That should tell you how early I was up!

I got Mom up and out and Alan and I took off for Doris B.'s Memorial Concert. There were so many old friends and it was a blessed service.

We stayed around to talk to people and then went to lunch at a new oyster pancake place. And on the way, we found a Coco and bought the drinks. By 3:30, we were home and I got the house ready for the helper and my stuff for tutoring. It wasn't raining, but the ride to the house was extremely hot. It just drained me! I waited and lined the Mom... she forgot and the kids are at the 'mountain house'. Can I go over there?

While riding over, I got a call from her. And I knew... They decided to cancel, which was good as I didn't want to be riding down that mountain at night! So, I went home and got my rear tire replaced and then got gas. I was home by 6:20 and it was Mom care. She was indulging in her bad habits... 

I got her to bed and then called to pray with a gal who is struggling in her marriage. Then, my evening Bible study got cancelled as three gals can't make it. I was thanking God... I had too much packed in one day... I wanted to sleep early... It's really this heat. I don't know how people can be energetic in this kind of humid suffocating heat!

I took another shower after Mom went to bed... that felt so refreshing!

The weekend is here... I keep checking the weather... In another 10 days, I see lower temperature coming to Taipei... MAYBE!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First

!

A Rest Day... Much Needed Rest Day!

I was up super early and then went for my 8k run! It is still hot!

Then after a quick shower, it was Mom Care... shower, get dressed, breakfast, out the door and into the van!

I checked on the new lady... I think she's actually special ed... but let's see if she's industrious!

I was up in the house and sat and read and rested. Then I baked for tonight's complex meeting. YUMMY!

I called and Ms. Hsieh had time, so I booked a TWO hour massage. My back really needed it with my Mom having two to three days of 'strangeness'... when she lacks mobility, I have to do all the work to get her out of bed, into the shower and seated at the dining room table.

At 1pm, I went out and dropped by a complex that's newly built and looked at their model homes. The developer guy said that the first day on September 8 when they started to sell the units, half were sold! I'm not sure if he's telling the truth. I looked at the 25 ping unit and the 20 ping unit. Interesting... and very expensive! They did a great job remodeling the inside, making a very small space look roomier than it actually is! The units are 900,000NT$ per ping! You can do the math... and that does not include the parking space, which is 2,000,000 and it's a mechanical space! Crazy, right?

Next, I dropped off things to be copied... yes, I'm trying to get my student ready for the TOEIC... We have only 10 more weeks! 

I went and got my massage and the thundershower started! I decided not to stop by to pick up the pages I had copied off as they would have been soaked and just came straight home.

Mom was back... right on time... 

Tonight was the Complex Meeting... LONG & LABORIOUS! We had a lot to discuss as the big complex meeting is coming up on October 19th. At that meeting, they will elect a new board... and I am not going to allow them to put my name on the ballot. Once the new board is elected, I still have to finish the year and they will start in January. YIPPY! 

Daily Lovely Insight:

Was meditating on my verse for this year today... I thought you might like to read it in three different versions. The last one is the version that I memorized!

How does the verse speak to you?

Seek Him First!

Same and Not the Same...

I was up and ran my 8k. The run started nice... with sprinkling for about 30 seconds... and then it turned into a sauna! I finished!

Then it was Mom Care. She had her shower, ate her breakfast, got into the van and the recycling people arrived. Recycling was done by 9:20 and I received news from the management company: a new janitor would be coming tomorrow... let's pray that it's an improvement!

I listed a few things to give away and I started cleaning the house. I also had to call the Toshiba repairman as the washer at the Danhsui house is leaking water from the bottom, which I suspect is due to the need for the hose to be cleaned.

I also had to run a few errands... more things to copy off, library books to return and I forgot to buy more inserts for Mom. I also made a stop at WGE and did a quick workout.

I was home and I needed a nap... So, I ate the leftover salad and napped for 45 minutes. Not long enough.

I headed out to tutor and it was sprinkling... I was there early and the hour flew by.

I had to scooter back with the slight rain... which I don't like as the hills are pretty steep.

Tonight, after putting Mom to bed, I had tutoring from 7:30 to 9:30 and everything was ready! YEAH!

Tomorrow is my PR Day... YIPPY!

Daily Lovely Insight:

What a wonderful reminder of God's goodness... 

Pray this verse for others that they may come to repentance when faced with the goodness, forbearance and long-suffering of God!!!

Seek Him First!

A Different Kind of Tuesday!

Yes, it's a holiday here... But I was up early and ran my 8k in the heat!

Then I went to buy a few veggies and got Mom up and she had her breakfast!

While she ate, I started dinner prep: crock pot Mexican chicken tamale pie and salad.

Alan and Isaiah were at the tennis courts as the 'club' was having a BBQ. Some friends from church went bike riding... 

Alan at the Tennis Courts

Group of Church Friends

After Alan and Isaiah came back, I went to WGE for my shower and quick workout. This evening Isaiah had a BBQ and we had potluck dinner with friends. We just went to church as that has AC and the room is nice. The kids can hang, not to mention that most restaurants tonight are quite packed!

Tomorrow, Mom should be back at the Day Care Center... YIPPY!

Daily Lovely Insight:

I'm in Ezra now... and it's just amazing that the Lord stirred the Spirit of Cyrus... God is sovereign! Pray that God would stir the heart of those who don't know Him!

Seek Him First!

A Different Kind of Monday!

I was up early... and ran my 8k. But I knew today might not be the usual Monday! And I was right!

I asked Alan if he heard Mom as he and Isaiah got up at 1am to watch the Charger Game. And yes, he heard Mom talking... I had gone to bed at 12midnight and Mom was talking. I tried to have a conversation with her, but everything was gibberish. So, I guess she kept going for a long time...

At 5am, before going in for my quiet time, I went and checked on Mom. Her eyes were still opened... and it wasn't until around 7:33 that she finally closed her eyes. And by 8:15, I heard her snoring. I called and messaged the Day Care Center and Mom stayed home. 

It was good that Alan did not have class until1pm, so he was able to stay home as I had a long list of errands to run:

bank to help a friend wire money

copier to get things Xerox for tutoring

household registry office to get two copies of the registry in English for our passport renewal (will be ready in 6 working days or earlier!)

hearing aid store to get Annie's hearing aid repaired (600NT$ to check, even though we know what the problem is. I will be informed of the actual cost to get it fixed within three days and will also be charged an additional 300NT$)

stationary store to get a pen refill for Alan (NT$50!)

I was home by 11:35 and Alan took off!

I got Mom up and showered and she had her lunch!

She was not talking anymore and had better mobility. So, I'm sure she should be able to go back on Wednesday as tomorrow is the Mid Autumn Festival 'holiday'.

I cancelled my 2pm tutoring and rescheduled it for Monday, September 30th.

The evening was nice and relaxing... I was able to get Mom to bed early!

Daily Lovely Insight:

A friend sent me an article about delirium. I am fairly sure that's what Mom is going through. I am not anxious... Like the message I gave yesterday... I will aim for, focus on, seek first, His Kingdom and His righteousness. God is with me. I need not fear or be anxious about tomorrow.

Seek Him First!

 

Sharing Sunday!

I was up, but not before dawn!

I cleaned the house and did another small load of Mom's clothes and sent the iRobots to do their work!

I then went to WGE and did my four machines.  I came home and Isaiah was already home. He couldn't stand the heat!

When Alan came home, I went out to buy a battery and some Coco drinks for him.

Mom was up and eating her oatmeal and she was behaving strange again. She kept her eyes closed and her mouth opened!

We went to church early to set up and I shared this afternoon!

Matthew 6! Kingdom Matters!

And Mom continued in her strange state. I had to message my student as I think I might have to cancel if Mom can't walk... It's like a repeat of last weekend. She talked non-stop and Alan had to take her outside. She kept wanting to get up even though she says she can't walk. She wanted to go to the swimming pool over there... and there is no swimming pool. I had to feed her dinner as she kept wanting to touch the food and not use her spoon. At least Tuesday is a holiday... and last week, by Wednesday, she was back to 'normal'. We shall see... 

Daily Lovely Insight:

What are you anxious about?

Why is it difficult for you to heed God's word: DO NOT BE ANXIOUS?

Do Not Be Anxious must be coupled with the divine purpose God has given us!

Remember the BUT...

Seek Him First!

It Rained! It's Cooler!

 I was up early and it just felt and looked cooler... and it was.

Even though I didn't go out to run my 8k until 7am, it was still nice! And I hit 53k this week... and that's even with running on a dreadmill!

I then went to WGE for a quick shower and workout and to the library to get books for my tutoring.

I was home. Alan and Isaiah were home.

I went to Costco to buy the birthday cake since they were home!

Mom enjoyed her oatmeal! Thank you Annie for the maple brown sugar oatmeal packets. I add one to her regular oatmeal bowl.

I did a load of laundry and Alan and Isaiah went for a massage. 

A helper came at 5pm and I took off to meet up with them for dinner! It was nice to go out together.

We came home and watched the movie that Isaiah found for us!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

A Date!

I was up early and went for my 8k! The skies had a few clouds... which helped a lot!

After Mom went off, I went and checked the recycling and then went to WGE.

Alan and I met up at 10:30 and we went to Coco, the drink place! Alan bought three!

Then we went looking for a place to eat... We finally found a great Cantonese place... and the fried noodles were superb!

At around 12:30, we took off as the place was getting very crowded! We went to the DMV in Shihlin as we had to update the information for Alan. The government changed his PARC number. The government offices here are so efficient! We were finished by 1:30. I lined Isaiah and asked him to make an appointment for Alan to get his hair cut at the 100NT$ place. He made it for 2:30. We then headed over to Carrefour to update that information so that it's no longer with Alan's cell phone number. I put my cell phone number down so I can order things online! We got to the haircutting place by 2pm and the lady was free! Alan had a great cut... It took about 10 minutes! Then we scooter over to pick up the dehumidifier that I had dropped off to get fixed! It cost only 25US$! YIPPY! On the way back, we again stopped at Coco. Alan bought three more drinks!

We were home by 3pm and went over the calendar! Lots of different events happening in September and October. 

I had tutoring at 5pm so I was out the door by 4:15, after setting everything up for the helper who came at 5:15.

I was home by 8pm and got Mom to bed!

Then it was time to blog, check my email, and prep for my tutoring sessions for this upcoming week! Not to mention, I'm the speaker on Sunday!

What A Date!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

Blessed Sabbath!

I was up early and went for my usual 8k... Again, it was hot and I barely made it... I just ran slowly.

I got Mom up and out and settled down on the couch after getting the recycling done! Yes, I'm still actively helping our janitor... They have not found a replacement! People don't want to work at blue collar jobs... this job pays NT$36,000/month and that's not enough! 

I settled down on the sofa and read the Decision magazines gifted to me from Mom Bea. (Thank you very much!)

I made my own lunch and my own iced coffee... and looked through my teaching materials as I have another new student, a 7th grader, starting tomorrow! It's the grandson of the ex-president of Ming Chuan University. Yes, I already am teaching his granddaughter and one grandson... now, I'm teaching another grandson!

I also worked on my talk and finished the ppt. 

I tidied up the living room, giving away things, which will be picked up tonight! YIPPY!

Isaiah called and wasn't feeling well. So he came home at about 1:45, which wasn't what I expected! Oh well... 

Tonight at 7:30, I had tutoring!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

The Eagle Has Landed!

I was up super early... but the Lord had already put it in my mind that I would not get in a run... So, I was not surprised when I checked my phone after my quiet time that Alan landed early and was already out of customs and getting his luggage at 5:12. So, I headed out!

We were home by 7am and started unpacking before I got Mom up!

Annie sent about seven air fresheners... I plugged three in, immediately! The house smells so much better.

I got Mom up and after her shower, she was eating her oatmeal! Gina, my sister-in-law, had given me a bag of date pieces... They are called Lovelies and they are delicious! I ate some and poured some over Mom's oatmeal!

After she left, I was down doing the recycling! We had so much that one truck couldn't take everything!

I was back upstairs and getting things put away. It was finished by 11am!

Alan went out for a run... He invited me to join him and you know my answer: NO WAY! I went to WGE and ran 5k on the dreadmill. I took a shower and headed home. I will make my 50k this week.

We decided just to have lunch at home and then drove over to Isaiah's work place to drop off a helmet for him. A friend will be going to watch his basketball game tonight and he forgot to bring an extra helmet. Sam, the friend, is here to play with one of the professional basketball league. We are great friends with his parents.

Alan and I thought about going to run errands or go to Costco to buy milk, but we were both so exhausted. He has a dinner with a group from Miyasaki tonight and then the HOP Elders' Meeting. It was so good to have the AC on and to nap!!!!!!!!! We talked about Alan's plan for Chinese New Year, but didn't book anything yet. Annie was very nice to say that it's time for me to take a trip, but not during Chinese New Year.

Alan left at 5pm and Mom was home. I had dinner ready for her. I blogged while she ate!

I had changed my tutoring to Monday so that I can have my prayer time with this sister. We've had a break for the month of August and she really wanted to start back. 

After prayer time, I tidied up and headed to bed! Alan went to the study to have his meeting!

Daily Lovely Insight:

I read this... How HOPE-FILLED... 

Seek Him First!

A Planned "Free" Day!

How's that for a title?

God is good as Mom did get off to the Day Care Center. She looked exhausted as she talked quite a bit last night!

Anyhow, I was up early and went for my 8K. I went and checked the recycling and did not take a shower, because I had planned to run 5k on the dreadmill in case of tomorrow... I might not get to run my 8k as I'll be going to pick up Alan!!!!! 

I got Mom up for her shower because I had to do a weird thing with her diaper last night. She was alert, meaning at least she walked to the shower stall. After the shower, I sat her down for her oatmeal. She would eat one bite and get distracted, meaning she started to fidget with her hanky and do that for five minutes. I had to go over and get another spoonful and get her hand on the spoon for her to get another bite. This continued until the van called. She finished half of the bowl.

I was grateful as I had plans for today!

I wanted the day to be a combination of work and fun. I didn't know what I'd do for fun... but I knew the plans I had for work. I wanted to scrub Mom's bathroom, post things for people to pick up (I had a keyboard, a suitcase and pillow and pillowcases). I also wanted to get the vacuum and the mop robots going around the house. 

At 11:00, I left for WGE. I did another 5k on the dreadmill and took a nice shower. Oh, yes, of course, I did my three machines. 

Before going to this luxury hotel to sit in their lobby to work, I went and bought the 2025 calendar that Alan and I both like to use.  I had a delicious peanut butter bread with me. It was so nice and somewhat quiet. I knew they had great WiFi, which I was able to get connected. And of course, it had AC! I don't like Starbucks as there are too many people. At this hotel, I found a nice 'corner' and just sat there to work.

They do have a nice coffee shop. I went in to check out their prices... but no free refills... I decided to skip that! 

I finished editing my student's work and then worked on my talk and ppt file. At 3pm, I decided to leave the hotel and go off in search of a Japanese snack and get something fun to drink and eat. That was my 'fun' part! I didn't get a fun drink, so I made my own ice coffee with malt when I got home. I did find the shop. That took a while... and I did splurge and bought the seaweed snacks! YIPPY! I was home by 4:30 and got Mom's dinner ready.

The day went by so quickly... 

It was a wonderful day... I think I will plan another one before the end of the year. I was thinking of going to watch a movie for the 'fun' part, but there was nothing in the theaters that I'd want to watch, except Inside Out 2. Most movies are R-rated or horror movies. I don't know what's happening to the movie industry these days. 

Mom came back and the Day Care Center said that she slept most of the time that she was there. She was not hyper or chatting nonsense or hallucinating! Thank you for your prayer support!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Believe this... and Live it out!

Seek Him First!

 

Yes... HOT...

I was up early and went out for my 8K. On the way back, I saw the Neihu Triathlon guys. They waved me over to get some pictures done... ha, ha, ha... I'm not kidding. I saw these guys running and they are fast. And we always wave at each other. One of the guys looks like my father! Here's a picture. What do you think, Annie?

I was home and took a quick shower and got Mom off to the van.

I helped the janitor and called Ms. Hsieh. She was available, so I went for a 90 minute massage. Mom was weird this weekend. She would see a shadow on the ground and thought it was a chair. Or all of a sudden she'd lean backwards or let go of the walker. Or when I was putting her into the shower, she wouldn't turn to sit in the chair. So, to maneuver her took a lot of work! Those 90 minutes really helped.

I then went to church and the guy came to pick up the stroller and baby walker and books. Next, it was off to clean the old house. It was hot and I was pouring in sweat by the time I finished. I went to WGE and took a nice shower and did my three machines. I came home and my friend came over for a share and prayer time! It's our once a month time to catch up!

Mom was home and she was 'weird'. The driver said that she talked non-stop about some financial transaction. The day care center messaged me and said the same thing. And again, she was walking funny and I had to push her in the walker. She also took one bite of dinner and said, "I've had enough! The rest is for him." She pointed at an empty chair. And she really did not eat anything more for dinner! Absolutely weird! I could not get her to walk, so I had to carry her with me behind her getting her brush her teeth and to bed! I will keep you posted tomorrow.

I had tutoring tonight from 7:30 to 9:30! And then I worked on my talk!

Daily Lovely Insight:

I have no idea about tomorrow... but my God is in control. And I can rest in that! I think this quote from C.S. Lewis is just perfect!

Seek Him First!