Saturday Summary: At the End of a Good Week

alal (Glory), 13 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 171 BE - Saturday, January 31, 2015 about 2:02 pm Pacific Standard Time

The week of January 25 to 31 has been a good week. I created a new recipe which I posted yesterday. I have the To Do List for February 2015 completed. I still have an internet connection and electricity to my apartment. I my checking account was not overdrawn. I was able to pay for all the prescriptions I had filled. I was able to have my tag renewed and I have gas in the car. I have enough food in the house to last for a week or so. I have enough snacks to last a couple of weeks if I do not get depressed.

I ate chicken and rice today for lunch. This afternoon I am fixing the piece of beef I purchased at the supermarket. I put some sweet peppers and an orange in it. When the sweet peppers have cooked a while I will add a couple of apples and maybe a potato. Since I will not eat it today I may wait until I warm it up tomorrow or Monday to add the apples and the potatoes. I think I will add an onion as well, so I my put the onion in today instead of the other two items.

Foodie Friday: Eggplant and Apples

Istiqlal (Independence), 12 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 171 BE - Friday, January 30, 2015 about 1:42 pm Pacific Standard Time

Eggplant and Apples

1 medium to large eggplant sliced
2 medium to large apples (any type of apple) sliced or diced
1/4 to 1/2 cup broth (any type of broth)
1 or 2 small to medium green onions cut into small pieces
5 or 6 squirt vinaigrette dressing or marinade
3 or 4 dashes of green Tabasco® sauce

Mix all of the ingredients together in an electric skillet or a sauce pan. Put on low to medium heat and let it cooked until done. For those readers who are looking for an exact cooking time you will have to figure it out for yourselves. I fixed this by turning the electric skillet on low and then checking every few minutes to see if the food was ready to eat. I know that is not normally how one cooks, but that is the way I cook.

I will fix this dish again. When I do I know that the recipe will change because I never make anything exactly the same twice. I used chicken broth for this recipe, but the next time I may use beef broth or vegetable broth (I have to purchase vegetable broth the next time I go to the store). I do not know what kind of apples I used because they were given to me. The apples I used this time were yellow and red.

Thankful Thursday: The Last Thankful Thursday in January 2015

Istijlal (Majesty), 11 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 171 BE - Thursday, January 29, 2015 about 12:37 pm Pacific Standard Time

Today I am thankful...

01. ...that I found seven t-shirts that I can wear this summer. Three of the t-shirts have designs that Mama painted on them.

02. ...for the cloudy and nice late autumn day we are experiencing in Las Vegas.

03. ...that my checking account is not overdrawn.

04. ...for the pound of ground vanilla coffee I received when I picked up some free food yesterday because that means that, with the coffee I already hve, I do not have to worry about purchasing coffee for at least another month.

05. ...that I found two purple pajama tops which I can wear this summer to sleep in, with the two nightgowns I have this gives me four sleep items.

06. ...for cranberry apples juice. I make it by adding three cans of apple juices to one can of condensed cranberry juice.

07. ...that I received a jug of grapefruit juice when I picked up the free food yesterday because I can mix it with the apple juice I have in the refrigerator to make grapefruit apple juice.

08. ...for snack crackers because they make good snacks without adding anything to them.

09. ..
.that I was able to increase the points in several of my survey accounts this afternoon.

10. ...for ginger ale because I can add it to fruit juice.

Midweek Reflections: Sparkling Water

Idal (Justice), 10 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 171 BE - Wednesday, January 28, 2015 about 3:28 pm Pacific Standard Time

I went to a church this morning that gave away food. One of the things I received was a 1 liter bottle of Apricot & Peach Sparkling Water. I have not had any sparking water since before November 29, 2012. I did not know how much I missed the taste of fruit flavored water. I have a filter pitcher I use for water here at home and I keep small bottles of water in the refrigerator to take with me with I leave the house. I carry the small bottles with me because the large bottles are too heavy to carry in my purse.

The next time I go to the grocery store I will purchase some fruit flavored bottled water to drink at home. The 1 liter bottles are just the right size to sit on the wooden television stand beside my computer. I have to have some type of liquid to sip while I am working online. When I stop working to take a sip of water, juice, or coffee it gives me a chance to think about what I am working on or what I have to do next.

Tuesday's Topic: Getting Lost in the Supermarket Parking Lot

Fiḍal (Grace), 9 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 171 BE - Tuesday, January 27, 2015 about 4:33 pm Pacific Standard Time

I went to the supermarket today to pick up my eye drop prescription. I figured while I was in there I would purchase a few items to make stew. I got my prescription and my grocery item. I left the store to go to my car that is when I realized I forgot where I parked my car. I walked down the lanes in the parking lot looking for my car. I finally found it and then realized how I had forgotten where I parked it.

When I parked the car, I saw a shopping cart in another lane so I went over to get it. I got the cart and went into the store. Because I walked up a different lane to get into the store, I thought I parked in a different lane. I will be more careful from now on because it is scary to lose your car in a parking lot. True the experience brought back memories from my childhood. I remembered a grand uncle who was always losing his car. When he lost his car he went to the police station and the found it for him. That was a long time ago in a small town and in another state.

Meditation Monday: Never Give Up!

Kamal (Perfection), 8 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 171 BE - Monday, January 26, 2015 about 3:26 pm Pacific Standard Time

"Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn."

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Never give up! Never give up on anything because Harriet Beecher Stowe was right. At the point of giving up something is about to change. In this case the mini food chopper I ordered on November 1, 2014 arrived. I checked the website I ordered it from and the projected shipping date was December 1, 2014 by t he manufacturer. I have waited, waited, and waited for this items. I checked the website every week and it always showed the projected shipping date as December 1, but, as of yesterday, I had not received it. Today I was ready to contact the website by e-mail because it had taken so long to ship it.

The food chopper arrived today. The deliver man must have thought I was crazy because I was so happy to get the package. I opened the package, removed the food chopper, and now I am ready to use it. I have to pick up a prescription on Tuesday, so while I am in the store I will purchase some fresh vegetables. I have two sweet peppers in the refrigerator and all I need for a salad is some radishes, celery, onions, and maybe some carrots. I am looking forward to making my first salad with the food chopper. I might purchase a small piece of beef to make some beef stew with the vegetables.

Spiritual Sunday: Why do I title Sunday entries Spiritual Sunday?

Jamal (Beauty), 7 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 171 BE - Sunday, January 25, 2015 about 11:06 am Pacific Standard Time

Spiritual Sunday is a leftover from my childhood. Every Sunday Grandma Mary and Grandpa Frank would take us to church where we attended Sunday School. The church my grandparents attended was the First Southern Baptist Mission located in the Smelter Heights in Blackwell, Oklahoma. Every Sunday morning we would put on our best clothes, usually the new Easter dresses Mom or Grandpa bought us, and go to church.

At church we would listen to the preacher, singing in the choir, and attend Sunday school classes. In the classes we would learn Bible verses and hear stories take from the King James version of the Bible. Perhaps this is why today I prefer to read the King James version or translation of the Christian scriptures. In the Sunday school classes I remember memorizing the Lord's Prayer and Psalm 23. I am sure we learned other scripture verses, but those are the only ones I remember today.

As I grew up, I began to realize that the spiritual feeling I got from "going to church" should be carried over the other six days of the week. I also began to realize that this did not always happen. Sometimes I did not feel the Sunday spirit carried over to the other six days. Sometimes I witnessed the way the people in church acted when they were not attending church services. As I grew up I began to understand that neither of these things should have an effect on the way I live my life. That I should live my live, no matter how other people live their lives, according to the scriptures, which meant treating everyone equally and as member of my family.

I will continue to title Sunday entries Spiritual Sunday. Sometimes the entries will be meditations on scripture verses from various scriptures. Sometimes I will write a prayer or supplication in the form of a poem or prose entry. Sometimes I will write about something that I encountered during the week which caused me to think about a scripture verse.

Saturday Summary: At the End of a long week

Jalal (Glory), 6 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 171 BE - Saturday, January 24, 2015 about 10:26 am Pacific Standard Time

At the end of a long week I still have an internet connection and electricity. I have made several blog entries without making any of them rants. I still have to have the tag for my car renewed, so I will go the the bank to deposit the check I received yesterday. After that I will have the car smog tested and then see if I have time to go to the Department of Motor Vehicles today or have to wait until Monday.

I finished the carafe of coffee I brewed this morning. I will wait until I get back to decide if I want to brew another carafe or clean the coffeemaker before brewing more coffee. Since I have not cleaned the coffeemaker in 2015 I need to clean it before making any more coffee or hot water for tea. I will take the trash to the alley on my way to the car. There are advantages of parking a car behind the apartment building. I do not have to make an extra trip to the alley on the days I have to leave the house.

The weather in Las Vegas has been nice. It is cool, but not so cold that I have to run the heat all day. It does get a bit chilly at night so I think I will have to rearrange the blankets on the loveseat I sleep on. I need to get a day bed or a recliner to sleep on. I think I would sleep better and be able to keep the cover over me at night. Between the pain and the cold air waking me up, I do not get much sleep. This morning it took a while for me to work the stiffness out of my right knee. I can walk better, so I think it is probably time for me to get ready to go to the bank.

Foodie Friday: Eating healthy on a fixed income

Istiqlal (Independence), 5 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 171 BE - Friday, January 23, 2015 about 8:43 am Pacific Standard Time

It is difficult to eat healthy on a fixed income. It is difficult to follow a special diet when you get most of your food from food banks which give you a lot of canned goods. One of my doctors put me on a low phosphorus, low protein, and low potassium diet. Most canned goods list only the protein content, while a few cans list the potassium content. I have not found any that list the phosphorus content. This means that I have to search food websites to see what the phosphorus content might be, if that ingredient list on the ingredient labels on the website.

I have three handouts, which my doctor gave me, listing some of the foods that contain the forbidden ingredients. The problem is that some foods can be low in phosphorus and high in potassium. This makes choosing healthy foods even more difficult then it already is. Sometimes I get very frustrated when it comes to figuring out the contents and then making the portions small enough so that I can eat the food. The good thing about labels is that they list the serving in a can and also how many cups a serving contains. This means that I can cut down the serving size to an amount that my body can handle. At least I can if the amount of phosphorus, protein, and potassium are listed on the label. If the amount of those ingredients are not listed then I have to pray that the food either does not contain the forbidden ingredient or that the amount is so small my body can handle it.

On a positive note, since I do live on a fixed income I can get a food stamp card. This allows me to purchase fresh fruits and vegetable which are listed on my diet. Because some of items are more expensive then others, I still have to watch what I spend. Since I am 68 and living alone, I purchase the fresh frozen vegetables as much as possible. This allows me to measure the serving sizes and gives me a larger variety of vegetables to use in my recipes. If I had children or a spouse and was living on a fixed income I do not know how I would handle it.

Thankful Thursday: Thoughts on Gratitude and Thankful Thursday

Istijlal (Majesty), 4 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 171 BE - Thursday, January 22, 2015 about 12:59 pm Pacific Standard Time

I am tired. I am weary. I am worried. I need to find something to be thankful for, but the only things I can think of are the things I have listed before. I know that one should always be thankful for what they have. Gratitude for what you have means you are ready to accept the blessing of receiving something to do not have. The problem is that I think there is something else I should be putting on my gratitude list. I am not sure what that something else is at this time. Maybe I am too close to t he situation or item to see it clearly.

Today I am thankful...

01. ...that I was unable to get the loan I applied for yesterday because now I know that I have to check my credit report to find out what it contains.

02. ...for the cooked chicken quarters I have in the freezer because I can make soup out of them with canned peas and green beans for lunch and dinner.

03. ...that I still have electricity to keep the refrigerator and the freezer running because I have several food items in them that would spoil if I had no electricity.

04. ...for freshly brewed hot coffee. Yes, I know I have listed this before, but this is one of the things I am thankful for everyday.

05. ...that I was able to purchase $5.00 in gas yesterday. If I am lucky the gas in the tank will last me the rest of the month or I will be able to earn enough money to get another $5.00 or $10.00 in gas.

06. ...for the canned vegetable I have in the cupboard above the sink because I can make vegetable soup for the rest of the month without worrying about something to eat.

07. ...that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn.

08. ...for the beautiful warm January afternoon because the sun is shining and the warm air has not come on for the last few hours.

09. ...that I still have an internet connection so that I can attempt to earn some money online.

10. ...for the filter pitcher I have because I do not have to worry about using the bottleed water in the refrigerator. The bottle water is for me to carry when I leave the house.

Midweek Reflections: Credit Report and Other Stuff

Idal (Justice), 3 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 171 BE - Wednesday, January 21, 2015 about Sunset Pacific Standard Time

I am writing this sometime before or after sunset. I cannot seem to think because of a long and weary day. I spent the morning attempting to get a loan without success. I may find later that it was a good thing, but right now I am not sure. I have to call one of the companies that keeps track of credit to see what is going on. I thought I knew everything that was on my credit report, but I obviously do not. I will call the number on Thursday to get a credit report. At this point, I am lucky to write a blog entry much less deal with anyone about my lousy credit.

I do not seem to be worried, which is really weird because I normally worry about everything. I still need to get my tag renewed or give up the car. The advantage to giving up the car would be no more car insurance payments. The disadvantage would be getting around town. It is difficult for me to walk long distances and I have to walk several blocks to catch a bus. I have other bills besides the car tag and the car insurance; if I do no have a car then I would have some money for some of my bills. I will deal with this decision on Thursday or Friday. I have to get the tag on or before January 27, so I can make the decision this weekend if I cannot get the money from a family member before next Tuesday.

Tuesday's Topic: Depression on a Cloudy Tuesday Afternoon

Fiḍal (Grace), 2 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 171 BE - Tuesday, January 20, 2015 about 3:26 pm Pacific Standard Time

It is a cloudy Tuesday afternoon and I am depressed. I am not happy which means I need to take some type of action to solve the problems that may or may not be causing my depression. I have to find a dress clean dress or pair of slacks to wear when I go out on Wednesday. I have to attempt to find some help for my financial problems which are causing part of my depression. I am taking action on Wednesday morning to see if there is something someone can do to assist me in this issue.

I get the feeling there is a solution to my problem that I am not seeing. The only way to solve my problem is to take action of some type. The problem is that I am so low I believe or rather think that nothing I do will help. That may not be true. I need to take action instead of worrying. I am going to attempt to get a signature loan on Wednesday morning. I hope I can get it because I have to find a way to get my car tag next week.

I pray I am doing the right thing. I know that everything will eventually level out and I will be able to increase my income to pay for the signature loan. I have to keep an up beat attitude and avoid depression. Depression cause me to procrastinate, which does not help my situation. Procrastination only makes the situation worse. Procrastination is like clouds it only makes depression worse. Worrying works the same way as procrastination and clouds.

The only things that seem to help my depression is writing, praying, taking action, and sunshine. Since I suspect sunshine is a few days away the only other alternatives are prayer, writing, and taking action. I can deal with depression easier when I do one or all of those things. I wish everyone a happy Tuesday.

Meditation Monday: Taking the First Step

Kamal (Perfection), 1 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 171 BE - Monday, January 19, 2015 about 2:24 pm Pacific Standard Time

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

I contemplate the quote. I ask myself if I have taken the step of faith in accomplishing my goals and getting myself out of debt. The answer I receive is an ambiguous "Yes and No". I solved one problem by taking the step of faith. I figured out why I could not transfer money from a survey account to my PayPal account. I called technical support and with their assistance solved that problem. Then I transferred the money to my PayPal account and then to my bank account. That only solves part of the issues because the next step is more difficult.

I take a deep breath and begin to get everything together that I need to go to the loan department on Tuesday. It is possible the answer will be "No". It is also possible the answer will be "Yes", I do not know unless I ask. I have to take the step of faith and do something I have never attempted before. I have ask permission of five people for reference, I have all the document I need. and I have figured out how I will pay the money back. It is just a matter of picking up everything I need and walking out the front door on Tuesday morning.

I intone a prayer.

I put everything in God's hands.

What more is th ere for me to do.

Spiritual Sunday: I Know God Loves Me

Jamal (Beauty), 19 Sharaf (Honor), 171 BE - Sunday, January 18, 2015 about 1:24 pm Pacific Standard Time

Yesterday someone left a flyer on my screen door that read "God Love's You" (in all capital letters). I looked at it and then meditated upon the message. I have thought about the message of and on for the past twenty-four hours. I picked up the flyer again today and read the message along with the scripture verse printed on the flyer. The scripture verse reads "but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (in all capital letters) Joshua 24:14. Today, as I read the message and the verse, I thought about how I serve the Lord.

I prayer everyday. I attempt to meditate either on the prayer I read or recite or just silencing my mind. The question is "How am I serving the Lord?" Do I volunteer my service outside my home? Do I help my neighbors without expecting something in return? I know that one way I serve the Lord is by writing and blogging. Then I ask myself "How do my blog entries serve the Lord?" Are my blog entries positive? Do I encourage my readers to attend spiritual services? Do I write about the spiritual services I attend?

It has been a while since I attended a spiritual service. I read the scriptures and prayers of my chosen spiritual path. I have even memorized some of the prayers that I read everyday. I stopped attending spiritual services when I became caregiver for my mother. My mother died on November 29, 2012 and it is now 2015. I know that I have attended some spiritual services since Mom died, but not vary many. I am not sure why I have not attended regularly, maybe because I just got out of the habit. If that is the case then I have to make the effort to get back into the habit of attending spiritual service.

Saturday Summary: January is a Stressful Month

Jalal (Glory), 18 Sharaf (Honor), 171 BE - Saturday, January 17, 2015 about 2:17 pm Pacific Standard Time

January is always a stressful month because it is the beginning of the Gregorian year and everyone is either looking forward to the New Year or dreading it. Today, Saturday, January 17, 2015, is the end of the second full week with about 50 weeks to go in the year. It is still winter with spring several weeks away, which I am both looking forward to and dreading.

I am looking forward to spring because I will not have to turn the warm air on when I get up in the morning. I am dreading it because it means that I may have to turn the cool air on in the afternoon. It is more expensive to keep my apartment cool in the summer then it is warm in the winter. In winter I can leave the warm air off and put on layers of clothing to keep warm, but in spring and summer I have to use the cool air in the afternoon to keep my apartment and computers cool.

I am still having financial issues. I have to have my car tag renewed this month which will cost between $90.00 and $100.00. I also have to pay the power bill, the internet bill, and a couple of other on-going bills. Fortunately, I do not have to worry about food. I do have to worry about purchasing nonfood items that I need to use for cleaning and other things. I know that if I keep praying and working things will work out, but sometimes it is difficult to keep a positive mental attitude. Especially when my back is hurting the way it is t his afternoon. I think I will post this and go wash dishes or say a healing prayer to see if the pain in my back goes away.

Foodie Friday: Fish twice a week

Istiqlal (Independence), 17 Sharaf (Honor), 171 BE - Friday, January 16, 2015 about 2:14 pm Pacific Standard Time

Cans of pink salmon
sit in my cupboard waiting
a new recipe.

My doctor told me
I could have fish twice a week
I thought fresh frozen.

Went to the food bank
where I received several cans
of tuna and pink salmon.

How do I prepare
them so that I do not get tired
of eating canned fish?

Thannkful Thursday: Rearranging the canned Good

Istijlal (Majesty), 16 Sharaf (Honor), 171 BE - Thursday, January 15, 2015 about 3:28 pm Pacific Standard Time

This afternoon I am thankful...

1. ...that I moved the cups I drink out of from the cupboard to the desk where I keep the coffee and tea canisters.
2. ...for the extra room in the cupboard I acquired when I moved the cups and glasses I do not use to the top shelf of the cupboard.
3. ...that, after moving the cups and glasses, I had one extra in the cupboards above the sink to use for my canned vegetables and meats.
4. ...for the extra shelf in the refrigerator I acquired when I moved the canned fruit from the top and bottom shelf to the middle shelf.
5. ...that I found my missing storage container when I rearranged the canned fruit in the refrigerator.
6. ...for the box of snacks I found when I empties a plastic grocery bag of canned goods. I forgot about the box of snacks being in the grocery bag.
7. ...that I now have a plastic bag full of other plastic bags under the sink. I use the plastic bags as trash bags and now I do not have to go looking for a trash bag when I need one.
8. ...for the two cardboard large boxes I have in the house because now I have something to put the clothes that I take out of the closet. The clothes in the boxes I will give to Big Brothers and Big Sisters in a couple of months.
9. ...that I still have two empty cupboards under the sink that I can store something in as soon as I wash them out.
10. ...for apple juice because I can use it for so many different recipes.

Midwek reflections on Cooking Chicken

Istijlal (Majesty), 16 Sharaf (Honor), 171 BE - Wednesday, January 14, 2015 about 5:36 pm Pacific Standard Time

I cooked chicken today. I had about eight pieces of frozen leg quarters I got at one of the food pantries a few days ago. I took them out of the freeze and cooked them all. It took me almost all day, but I have enough chicken to last me the rest of the month. I put most of the cooked chicken parts back into the freezer, but I kept a couple out to go with the vegetable stew I made this afternoon.

I used frozen vegetables so the stew was easier and quicker to cook then the chicken. I divided the soup into storage containers so that I can freeze some of it. I will have a leg quarter tomorrow and another one on Friday. The rest I will eat next week because I want to open a can of salmon this weekend to fix with a green salad. I don't get large amounts of chicken often, but when I do I like to have some of it with soup.

A Turkey Burger Afternoon

Kamal (Perfection), 13 Sharaf (Honor), 171 BE - Monday, January 12, 2015 about 3:34 pm Pacific Standard Time

I have a package of turkey burgers in the freezer, which I opened when I got home about 11:30 am. I cooked two of them, ate it, and then had to go out again. I have the other one waiting for me to make a sandwich. I need the protein because I spent the morning driving all over Las Vegas. I still have to go out again tomorrow because I have to deposit a check.

I went to the food bank this morning where I received a box of canned goods. I have not checked everything, but I do know one of the cans is pink salmon. I think I will fix that in the morning with some eggs and maybe a green salad. I also got a bag of frozen chicken part which I put in the freezer when I returned home.

I have to reorganize my freezer either on Wednesday or Thursday. It depends on when I go to the bank with the check I received through the mail today. I should go to the bank in the morning after I transfer some money from my savings account. I have a bill that I need to pay ASAP, but I am not sure if I have enough money because I am expecting something else to come out of the account this week. I will fix the other turkey burger and then see how much money I have to work with for the rest of the month.

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Jalal (Glory), 11 Sharaf (Honor), 171 BE - Saturday, January 10, 2015 about Sunset Pacific standard Time

I'm online today, but I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to get online. It is January and I'm having financial problems. I need to pay my Internet provider, my power bill, and get the tag for my car renewed. I don't have enough money to deal with all three items. I might be able to handle one or two if the check I'm expecting comes this week. If it doesn't then I'll have to decide which is more important.

I would ordinarily say the car and the electricity, but without Internet access it is difficult for me to increase my income by even a few dollars. Catching a bus is also difficult for me, but I am able to get paratransit buses to my apartment so I can go to doctor's appointments. Those are expensive as well at least with a car the only thing I usually have to worry about is filling the gas tank up.

The problem is that everyone I know is in about the same fix I am. Short of money and little chance of increasing the income this month. Perhaps I will just let the Internet drop, but then I would have to go to the bank, grocery store, or power company to pay the bills. At least with an internet connection I can pay bill online and earl a little money online.

I think at this point the best thing I can do is pray. There could be a source of money I'm not seeing because I'm so worried about the finances. By praying and putting the situation in God's hands I may be able to see through this financial fog.

Thankful Thursday: January 8, 2015

Istijlal (Majesty), 9 Sharaf (Honor), 171 BE - Thursday, January 8, 2015 about 3:35 pm Pacific Standard Time

Today I am thankful...

1. ...that my checking account is not overdrawn.
2. ...for homemade okra soup with hot spices.
3. ...that it was warm enough today to turn off the hot air and open the front door.
4. ...for hot coffee to go with my homemade soup.
5. ...that the birds were singling all morning and part of the afternoon.
6. ...for the beautiful blue sky I can see when I look out my front door.
7. ...that I can place all my worries in God's hands and know that everything will turn out for the best.
8. ...for music I hear from the neighbor's apartment because it makes me smile.
9. ...that the police drive up this street at regular intervals.
10. ...for the noise of Metro's helicopter flying over my neighborhood.

Tuesday List: Ten Things to do on Tuesday

Fiḍal (Grace), 7 Sharaf (Honor), 171 BE - Tuesday, January 6, 2015 about 11:48 am Pacific Standard Time

1. Get out of bed and turn on the heat.
2. Say prayers while snuggling under covers.
3. Take medication before brewing coffee.
4. Make breakfast in toaster while coffee is brewing.
5. Say more prayers while staring blankly at computer screen.
6. Respond to blog prompts on writing.com.
7. Check clock on computer to figure out what time I have to start getting ready for doctor's appointment.
8. Start lunch so it is ready to eat before seeing doctor at 2:00 pm.
9. Keep an eye out for the postal delivery person because I am expecting important bills.
10. Stir soup to see if it is ready to eat before getting ready to see doctor.

2015 Off to a good start

Jamal (Beauty), 5 Sharaf (Honor), 171 BE - Sunday, January 4, 2015 about 4:00 pm Pacific Standard Time

I have decided to forget the New Year's resolutions and make a To Do List instead. That way I can check off each item off as it is accomplished. I have worried and fretted over the past five or six days about my New Year's resolutions for 2015. I am procrastinating so rather then make the resolutions I am writing To Do List and then checking the items off as I accomplish them.

There are a few items on the list that will take a few weeks to complete, but at least I have a  plan and an approach to solving my some of my problems. I have to stop procrastinating. I have to stop worrying because worrying causes stress and stress causes me to forget things. It also causes me to avoid opening mail that I need to read immediately upon receiving it.

I will make another post later with some of the items on my To Do List. I finished the To Do List for dealing with the items in my writing.com port. I now have to work on doing something around the house. I know that I can do whatever I set my mind on, sometimes I have to force myself do what I need to do.

Twenty Fifteen is off to a good start. I have the momentum going and I have to keep up the effort in order to accomplish something. I also have to say prayers because I need spiritual help to make myself do things and to take action.

2015 Resolutions

Jalal (Glory), 4 Sharaf (Honor), 171 BE - Saturday, January 3, 2015 about 4:33 Pacific Standard Time

It's three days into 2015, I'm still considering my New Year's resolutions. I know that most people usually make their resolutions on either December 31 or January 1, which is what I normally do. However, this year I'm a bit slow in creating them. The problem is that I don't feel like doing the normal New Year's resolutions this year.

I've been feeling for several months that there is a change in my life. I'm not sure what has changed, but I know something has change. I have the feeling that there is something different, something out of the ordinary occurring in my life, but I don't know what it is. Perhaps it has something to do with the 95-Day Gratitude Challenge that I completed today. I'm not sure what is different, what has changed, but I know something has changed.

I think I will focus on spiritual goals this year instead of material goals. In the past I've focused more on the material side of my human nature. However, I need to focus more on the spiritual especially now that I'm 68 years old. Things that used to worry me don't bother me any more and the things that once didn't bother me now seem important.

One of the things that is now important is my spiritual life. Another is ending procrastination, which has bothered me all my life. Perhaps the problem is that I know I don't have very many more years to live and the spiritual has become more important then the physical or material aspects of my human nature. This year I will make spiritual resolutions instead of material resolutions.

Friday Evening Thoughts

It's Friday, January 2, 2015 and I'm a bit tired. I was yawning a few minutes ago, but now I'm wide awake. I'm awake and I'm tired. I think it's because this is Friday and I have a lot to do this weekend. Tomorrow I'm going to eat leftover soup because I made a large batch on Thursday, January 1. I want to eat that up before I purchase canned soup at the store.

A chilly evening
with temperatures in the high forties.
Tonight in the low forties
or high thirties;
a cold desert night.