Heat

Turned my heaters on in the apartment tonight – it is down to 45 degrees and still sliding.  I have radiating heat so it makes a little bit of noise when it gets going.  Baxter, having never been around a heater in his life, couldn’t grasp it’s purpose.  He kept pawing at the grate and barking at it – it was rather cute.  Now it has warmed up enough that he is staying away from it which is a good thing too.  Such a little guy but with such a big heart.  I love how he stands between me and whatever he thinks is a danger to me or to Bennie – like the heater. 

I made tacos for supper so they were able to feast on hamburger tonight.  Bennie, whenever he feels that Baxter is eating too much of the food, grabs the dish and trots away with it.  He is getting quite good at getting things away from Baxter – he grabbed a bone right out of Baxter’s mouth before Baxter realized what he was up to.  Being even smaller than Baxter, Bennie conducts blitz attacks on his dad then dashes to where his dad can’t reach him.  He’ll pull on Baxter’s tail or on his ear, then hide.  The only place left for Baxter to go to not be bothered is the bathtub.  LOL 

Whenever I sit on the couch to read or when I’m at my desk working, Bennie has to be right by me as if he is worried he might miss something.  Both dogs like to have their chests rubbed so they routine sprawl out on their backs to encourage me to scratch them.  I’ve seen both of them fall asleep with their legs up in the air - how can that be comfortable?

It is almost 11pm at which time I will turn the tv on for the first time today to watch “Signs” with Mel Gibson.  No, it isn’t the best movie but like “The Village,” it grows on a person. 

I have a new book I just picked up at Barnes and Noble called “In Step With God” by Charles Stanley – it is his newest book.  Can’t believe I have to buy all his books again but guess I have to quit dwelling on what I left behind in Florida and be thankful for what made the trip.  My biggest sorrow is losing the afghan’s my mother and grandmother made for me.  They were the last thing I had left of either of them.  I sent them by mail thinking it would be safe but the boxes never made it.  UPS said they were delivered so I can only assume someone stole them when the UPS guy set them outside the house.  Really saddens me – Wayne was expecting to inherit them when he marries as it was all he would have of his grandma and great grandma.  {sigh}  But I digress.

I imagine I will start this book over the weekend and then take it to the conference I have to attend in Des Moines next week.  As I told my sister, there will be nothing to do in the evenings while I sit alone in a hotel so might as well work on it the most then.  I hate the idea of leaving the dogs but hopefully Wayne will make sure they stay safe.

InTouch

Every day I make time to listen to a sermon by Charles Stanley at the Intouch website (intouch.org).  There are sermons on the site dating back into 2005 so I won’t be running out of ones to listen to very soon.  Really, so many of them I listen to again and again – plus every week he adds another one.

Today I am listening to the sermon – part one and part two – on loneliness.  It really is awesome.  I laugh often, cry sometimes but always learn something no matter how many times I listen to each one.  You can hear the sermons right on the internet – plus you can print the sermon outline, print life principle notes and bible studies that have to do with each topic.  If you have never checked out his site, I highly and wholeheartedly recommend it.

“Loneliness is separation anxiety caused by feeling disconnected” – we get disconnected several ways: losing someone we love, involved in divorce, feeling condemned by God, feeling unworthy or unwanted, having no one to share your life with and experiencing isolation as a child. 

The consequences of loneliness can cause many problems: low moral, financial problems, physical and health problems, detachment for so long that they are unable to attach to others, and depression.  Sometimes loneliness drives people to drink, do drugs, have an affair, or commit suicide.

Part two talks about how to overcome loneliness: recognize that you are lonely, reconcile yourself to God, recall the promises of God (Psalms 23, John 15, Hebrews 13:5, Romans 8:35 and John 16:32 for example), reach out and develop relationships, refocus your attention.

You can find a link to this site on my blogroll.  I hope you will check it out!

I’m So Excited, I have a Cold!

How is that for sarcasm? I do have a cold and no, I’m not all that excited about it.  However, it could be worse.  I could have stubbed my foot and tore the nail off my big toe.  I could have a cavity or bad teeth.  Could have burnt the roof of my mouth when I sipped my hot tea.  Could have fallen and not been able to get up and not have one of those nifty little devices that calls 911 to tell them I’ve fallen and can’t get up.

I could be dying from loneliness, a broken heart, or fear of attachment.  Could be having sex with someone I didn’t care a thing for.  The roof could have a leak.  I could have gas.  There hot water could be cold and the electricity could be out.  I could have bit my tongue…I could have bit Baxter’s tongue (ok, that is a bit too far, I agree).

Nope, all I have is a little head cold – isn’t that comforting?