Good Bye 2023

How can I sum up 2023 other than Amazing?

I'm grateful for everything that happened in 2023. I have experienced many joys, deep hurts, and pains. 

I have accomplished a lot, all while going through many adversities. I have seen many things that remind me to keep pressing towards my goals and don't stop for anyone. 

I have made many new connections and what I consider friendship for life. I have made many close connections that could have led me astray, but I kept my cool and made sure I remained focused on the main goal. 

I can't believe the reconnection of a family dynamic that I thought was gone, but I always say, "God has a sense of humor, and he laughs at us." 

I'm celebrating all of the friends that I made, even through this blog, and you go with me through my ups and downs. You have always been right here, and I have felt your prayers; I have felt your hurt with me as I went through. 

I must admit that I have been out celebrating 2023 here at the end of the year, and I haven't traveled with my laptop, but let me tell you: You have been on my mind. 

I'm under the weather, I didn't test positive for COVID, but I believe I had a touch of the flu. I will not be out in the air because I have to be back at work when this holiday is over, but just know that I am thinking of you in the new year. 

At my last doctor's appointment, I smiled because I lost an additional four (4) pounds 

Let me say this, to sum up, 2023, 

THANK YOU for the winning life, love, and support. 

With you, I managed to get all of this completed. 

Wow

 Today is the day the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it!!! 

ALL I HAVE ARE EMOTIONS

Life has indeed been lifing. 

I got up and received several text messages saying, " You are gone! 

I'm Screaming inside because I just couldn't believe it was true. 

I didn't want to get up and go to work, but now I just want to stay in bed. 

I made my way to my closet to get the prepared clothes for work together and get ready for work, and before I knew it, tears fell from my face. 

I Screamed and threw my hands up because YOU (God) are the only help I know!!! 

The pain of losing you, a dear friend, is heartbreaking... 

Everyone has to deal with this news, and I am not okay, but I will with time.

Man, I heard the song say this morning, "The Sun is going to Shine if I hold out!" but as I saw the sun as I was coming to work, all I could possibly think about was that I was gloomy and sad.

Today, I must encourage myself in the Word of God

Today, I must keep focused that God is my strength 

Today, I must remind myself that you will always and forever be Loved 

It hurts so bad to lose a Good Friend 

I have made some new friends, but I have lost a Celebrity 

Everyone in our circle and out of our circle knows your name... 

As I close, let me be comforted in knowing that God knows your name, and now you are with him along with your mom, dad, and brother that you took care of. 

This part of the country in Arkansas will never be the same... 

I will keep you posted on final arrangements, I can only imagine the people who will be in attendance. 

Lord, help everyone understand and take comfort in knowing the legacy he leaves behind is a work well done. 

Help us Lord, I will have tears all day... this hurts so bad

It's Never Easy

I'll be seeing you in all of the familiar places... 

It's never easy Saying, "See you later!"... 

I haven't said anything because it is still so fresh. The moment in November, I was called, and they told me you were gone. I mustered up the courage and kept going to my mom's for Thanksgiving. The phone calls that I had to make while driving were tough, and the tears came down my face just knowing you were not here with us anymore. 

I was reminded of your words, which you would sometimes tell me, "Death was Sweet!" 

2 Corinthians 2:15-17 The Passion Translation TPT

We have become the unmistakable aroma of the victory of the Anointed One to God —a perfume of life to those being saved and the odor of death to those who are perishing. The unbelievers smell a deadly stench that leads to death, but believers smell the life-giving aroma that leads to abundant life. And who of us can rise to this challenge? Unlike so many, we are not peddlers of God’s Word who water down the message. We are those sent from God with pure motives who speak in the sight of God from our union with Christ.

I understood it more in the days to come, and you wanted to remind me it was well with your soul when God called for you. You would be ready, and I'm comforted because you made your calling sure. 

I miss our phone calls and will miss Christmas and all other special holidays. I will miss You checking me out on social media. I will miss you calling after seeing something I would have posted either something about the church or the children (grown folk), and you would have asked about them. 

Now all of our special moments are full and filled with precious memories. 

It's Never Easy, 

but with the 

STRENGTH OF GOD 

WE WILL MAKE IT...

 

Happy Sunday

 Happy Sunday Everyone, 

Some people say it is the best day of the week for them, but truthfully, every day is a good day of the week. I like the fellowship with others throughout the week. When I get to church on Sundays, it is an added plus to see those I haven't been able to see since last week.  

I have been thinking about my mother lately, and I have decided since I know she has hinted she wanted a particular brand of purse, and since I have one that I'm not really crazy about, she can have it. I continued brainstorming, concluding that I could keep my bag (lol). I also realize that she can have it because I have something else that is coming that I really want, and furthermore, I know she will not ever purchase one for herself, so let me send her some love for the holiday. Although I know she isn't getting me anything, it is not really about her, but she is welcome to it! 

The service was good; one of our new associate ministers will be bringing his Genesis message next Sunday at 3 o'clock, and we couldn't be more proud of him. I know that our pastor's wife is excited because it is her youngest brother, and he has been through so much because he is also a Veteran and has fought for the United States.  I'm sure he has a Word from Heaven next week, and I'm anticipating something Good! 

I began this morning thinking that I was going to wear what I wore for Thanksgiving to church, but when I began to put my pants on, I realized that they were not what I wore. The style was totally different (smiling). I put my shirt on and realized that it was not what I wore for Thanksgiving either (laughing). The hairstyle that I wore today is not the same as what I wore for Thanksgiving (lmbo). 

I was laughing at myself, and it ended up being something

I put it together. 

I'm usually cold in church, but today, I was warm because I selected the right combination, and I think it turned out alright. 

I must give photo credit to the hubby; thank you!!! 

I will close by letting you know that I love watching Sunday Night Football...

Enjoy the Rest of your Sunday... 

The Winning Life that Continues to Win in Every Aspect of Life!!! 

 

Saturday Reflection

 Saturday Reflection 

Today, we went to our favorite brunch hangout and had a delicious meal... 

We were finished, and we met another older couple that doesn't really know us but by association through family. Although they personally haven't done anything against us like some others have in the past, I found myself feeling like we needed to leave before we had to say anything to them, but with her warm and bubbly self, she made eye contact with the husband and began to smile. I returned a warm smile and replied, "Merry Christmas!" 

After coming home, I was reminded that she wasn't like some others in the church who take a rock and hide their hands or play on people's emotions to get what they want out of people.  We've encountered them in the past, and she truly meant to do good for others. I'm not saying I would like to be like her, but I would like for others to think of me as a beautiful person who tries to treat everyone like they are someone, and it doesn't matter where you see her. She is always the same. 

Once we were home, I received a phone call from a woman of God who had been trying to send me a message all week, but when she pressed send, it would reject the message she was trying to send. She took it upon herself with holy boldness to call me instead of trying to send it again. I received the message from the Holy Spirit because it was confirmation. I was thinking about playing my keyboard because I don't play like others who have been playing all their lives, I play well enough to keep the service going, and anything else is a bonus. I stopped playing when my brothers took over the piano, and my parents couldn't afford to keep paying for me to receive lessons, but I refused to give up. I must admit, with all the recent denials on the job, I felt this was another thing I needed to give up. After I got the call today, I'm comforted; I'm encouraged to keep going strong in the face of those who don't want to see me succeed. 

I'm not giving up on school, so I'm not giving up on this mission, either. 

I believe God has something in store for me, and I just have to keep the faith and walk it out with Him! 

I was made for this, and I will make it

The Winning Life that Continues to Win!!! 

Holiday Ready

Holiday Ready

Today, December 8, 2023, I will try to type my feelings out for you every day, regardless of what is happening and how I feel. This is better than social media; whoever reads this will find some humor, joy, bitterness, and genuine love...

I woke up excited because I managed to get 2 of my children on my day off, and we were going to have some fun. Instantly, with them riding in the car with me, I felt comfortable going across the lake, which I don't like, but today, I even came across it. I'm getting comfortable with my surroundings, conquering my fears, and taking charge of my life. 

We went into a shopping center/big box store, and a young lady, who is friends to their father's side of the family, saw us, and she made the statement, "He favored his father!"  We all smiled, and then they discovered the connection was close. We continued shopping and were stopped by the most joyful Jewish lady, 83 years old. My children were not taught to be mean or rude, so they allowed her to talk to them, and she made them laugh. Although I was looking for a bathroom, I didn't want to leave them with her, although they were adults. I knew it wouldn't take too much longer, and everyone would go to their respective places. We have had a wonderful day, and I hope this will be a day they cherish with great memories. 

I had yet to talk about my doctor's appointment and my new upgrade for an upcoming event. I hadn't had a bowel movement, and I noticed I was bloated. My doctor was concerned, but she listened to my belly and could tell my intestines were moving. I also told her I had been drinking less water than usual. I was right because today made up for yesterday. I am ready to get to my weight loss goal, but I'm only like this because I'm so close. I shouldn't be this way because I have come a long way, but nevertheless, it is easier said than done. 

Today, I upgraded my Christmas gift for myself to ensure my 11 o'clock does not show up more than they were showing...  I was cute too!!! 

You don't see it.... 

 Botox today...

No More Budda....

This is one of the best Christmas Gifts I could have given myself, but I couldn't have done it without my best supporter ... My husband!!! 

Be Good to One Another... 

Here's to the Winning Life that Continues to Win!!! 

Why

 Why...

Many people test the waters and don't understand that they are treading hard on your emotions. 

I don't know WHY I even keep allowing myself to be that person to allow people to step on those feelings.

I'm unsure WHY I don't stand up for myself and be like others who keep their positions due to them speaking out about injustice. 

I don't know WHY, even at this stage in my life. 

WHY am I repeating this cycle? 

I remember when I would call your hand concerning the mistreatment that I felt when you did anything to me, but nowadays, I allow it to continue and move around. 

Many would call it growth. 

Many call it being an adult. 

I think I'm selling out...

Things will change once I have completed the journey I'm working on. 

Many times in life, WE conform to how things are transpiring in our lives, whether it is good or bad. 

My Father would say, "When you have your head in the lion's mouth, just pat its head until you can get out!"

This is me in my current moment, and eventually, I will be out... 

I will win this journey ... 

I will not quit! 

Welcome to December

 Welcome to December Everyone, 

It has been a little while since I posted things because I have been swamped. I lost another family member that I was close to, but I understand what heartbreak can do for you. Especially if you truly love that person. He was 84 years old, and his wife was apparently 20 years younger than him, from what I was told when his health started declining. She said she didn't sign up for this, but I thought when you marry someone, you make a vow that says in sickness and health for better or worse. I was very disappointed when she left him, and his sons had to take over and take care of him in the end. It has been challenging to know this information, to watch things take place, and to see him in his final state, lying in his pretty blue casket that it seems he had picked out for himself with the help and assistance of his sister. 

Furthermore, I have some other things I would like to share, but it will have to wait until I'm home and on my own computer. After all, the workplace is not the place to share my laundry because so many people think it is nice to look over my back and read what I'm doing on my computer. 

No Privacy!!!!

I don't care for it, but it is what it is. 

I hope everyone will have a Wonderful Christmas; I'm excited about that... 

I need to refocus on myself and my journey.

My Weight Loss Journey: I'm getting sidetracked, or better yet, for several months, I have been distracted, and now I'm not where I wanted to be by the end of the year, but it is not a denial. It's just a delay. 

I will say this for the record

"Don't allow anyone, and I mean anyone, to control your life and outcome." 

I will still Win in the Winning Life in spite of the distractions cause I allowed them, and now I have to refocus and get it together and not make the same mistakes again. 

I'm too old for this crap, and I would love to say more, but I can't 

Have a good one, stay up!