Fighting 'gators...

 

I stepped out to run errands yesterday before the storm so I could focus on other things when the snow hit.  One of my errands was to Staples to pick up a couple of plastic chair mats to go under our office chairs at work.  We have one that had cracked in several places and was taped together with packing tape to avoid the wheels.  Also, my office chair did not have a mat underneath and I daily fought the carpet each time I moved my chair.  I decided to bite the bullet so to speak and purchase two mats.

I walked into Staples and headed towards the back of the store where I knew the mats were located.  I found them and to my surprise, a few more options than I expected. 

There were multiple colors and size options.  Had it really been that long since I purchased one of these?  I proceeded to call the office and asked for the size of the original mat.  After a few moments I had the size and decided to keep it simple and pick the basic ones without the fancy colors.  That is when the fun started.

I reached up to grab the mats that were hooked to a display stand and discovered two mats were heavier than I realized.  It took a couple of tries and tugs, but I was able to pull off the first side and then reach for the second hook.  Reaching in between the mats to unhook my purchase became a game of ‘avoid the needles’ as the underside of the mats bit into my hand as I gently tried to yank the mat away from the hook.  This was not as easy as I originally thought.  Finally, the mats gave way from the hook and flew to the floor in different directions like unruly kids.

I then attempted to fold them into a semi-circle so I could avoid the underside and place them into my waiting cart.  The mats once again flew in different directions on the floor as I stood amazed at their stubbornness.  I was now getting over heated in my winter coat as I tried to grab the mats again, determined to shove them into my cart.  The mats mocked me each time I grabbed them from the outside to curl them in.  They would resist my grasp and the next thing I knew I was wrestling with plastic mats in Staples.  I felt like I was wrestling two large plastic alligators.   I must have looked like a crazy woman as I wrestled for several minutes and finally got a serious grip and shoved them successfully into my cart. 

My hands had small cuts from the undersides of the mats.  I was glad there were no cameras around but there were a few people who slowed down to see if I would win the fight.   I could only laugh at myself at that moment. I am sure I was quite the comedy relief to the other shoppers.

As I drove home, I called the office and shared my experience laughing at the absurdity of it all.  It was my reminder to not take myself too seriously.  Laughter is good medicine for the soul. 

Sitting in my office chair writing this blog, I feel excited to move my chair around without a carpet fight.  I am grateful because I don’t have much fight left in me after the ‘gators…

Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Copyright © 2022 Peggy A. Priest. All Rights Reserved.

Falling Asleep...

 

I love my sleep.  I need at least 7-8 hours a night to function during the day.  I am a person who runs on all cylinders from the moment I wake up till the time I fall back into my comfy bed.  Coffee is my friend in the morning as I spend time with our heavenly Father.  Then I hit the ground running handling all emergency calls and issues on the back end of our business.  My husband and his team work just as hard on the front-end doing service and installs.

I also love naps when I can fit them in to my schedule.  Not very often can I get a spare minute to take a cat nap or any nap all together.

Today is our first real day off in nine weeks.  The weather has been very cold these past two months and that equates to non-stop emergency no-heat calls for our HVAC business. 

Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining about the revenue.  God knew we needed it after a slower year in 2021.  I do feel grateful to God for His provision.  He brought the mana when we needed it most. 

However, I didn’t want to catch up financially in nine weeks.  

Because we have been working so many days in a row and late into the evenings, there has been little time to regroup and refresh. 

There has been little time to write here.  There has been little time for us.

Yesterday gave me an insight into my tiredness.

I went out to run an errand with my husband and get our tax returns signed and submitted.  We happened to be in the neighborhood of a boot store and decided to look at purchasing new work boots for my husband.  His are getting old and starting to crack.  That is not a good thing when you wear them every day for your job. 

When we arrived, it was very quiet, and I was excited we could grab the boots quick and get home to more work.  God had other plans.

As my husband was reviewing all the options, his phone rang.  It was one of our technicians who needed his expertise on the phone.  I sat down as the call started.  I felt thankful that the chair I sat in was overstuffed and very comfortable.  The call continued and my husband decided to sit as well. 

I am not sure how long the call was, but next thing I knew I fell asleep.  I woke up a bit later to his presence next to me.  He was back to looking at the boots and deciding on a purchase. 

I haven’t fallen asleep in public in a long time.  I don’t think I have ever fallen asleep in a shoe store.  Mind you if it was a woman’s shoe store this might be a different story.

Nonetheless, I was able to get my ‘cat nap’ in a boot store yesterday.  God knew I was tired.

Today is a different day.

We are pushing all the calls aside.  We are sorry for the inconvenience, but we need time to fill our cup.  Today we are going to attend a United Marriage Encounter Valentines Day event.  I feel excited to take off my work hat and put on my ‘going out’ clothes for a change.

Jesus took time to step away and rest.  I needed to do that too.  I need to do that more…

You need to do that too.

Come and take a break with me.  The world will still be there Monday.

Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Jeremiah 31:25 (NIV)

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”

Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Copyright © 2022 Peggy A. Priest. All Rights Reserved.