What's New: Are YOU a List-Maker?

I don't mean that you live and die by your lists. I'm not bound so hard and fast to list-making, but when my life fills up with things to do that are not on my ordinary and daily routines - I find myself getting tense ...and yes, rather worried.

However, when I make a list of things I want to get done and sort them into an priority list, which I review every morning in my devotional time, it is easier to see which ones are most urgent and to get to those first.

Then later in the day or before I shut down for the night, I can check off the ones I've got done, and suddenly my load for the next day seems a bit easier to handle.

It is also helpful to express thanks to the LORD, for those projects I was able to complete. It makes the night's sleep more peaceful.

The next morning I create a revised agenda, having been able to drop the projects that got finished the day before. To see the list get shorter... gives me a sense of pleasure and satisfaction. Even hope that eventually all those big and little projects WILL BE DONE!

<*> TIPS & SOLUTIONS: <*>

When the Weeds Scratch You Up

The forecasts this week promise rain, showers and even thunderstorms this week - almost every day. Yesterday was quite sunny and comfortable, however, so I put in my hour of weeding after supper.

When I came in I noticed that my forearms from my wrists to my elbows were stinging like crazy. I took a closer look. Yikkes! I had scratches up and down my arms! Some even felt like they had been cut up by thorns or knives!

My first thought was to smear pink Calamine lotion on my arms. That toned down the stinging pain somewhat, but my arms looked like they were coated with a milky white chalk - which brushed off quite easily as I settled in front of the computer again.

The stinging pain kept me from thinking about the work I was trying to do. What else could I try?

I considered smearing vegetable oil on my arms...but that would spread gooey mess all over my desk wherever I put my arms and elbows down.

Then I remembered that I have lots of aloe vera plants! I went to the pantry where I have the most of them in the south window. I broke off a fat leaf and took it to the kitchen to rinse off under the drinking water tap, then sliced off a wee, narrow ribbon off the edge, so that I could lay the spread open leaf on a small plate. I used a spoon to scrap the gel out.

Then I put my fingers into the clear gel and smeared it on my forearms. Voila! Just like that the pain lifted, and my fore-arms felt cool and relaxed. I held out my arms and enjoyed the RELIEF!! Then I went back to the computer and got to work.

Today the skin of my fore-arms feels rather delicate, but the deep searing pain of last night is gone.

Mind you, if the weather will allow tonight, I'll wear long- sleeves over my arms, even if they feel too hot. Even cotton sleeves will protect my arms better than nothing.

My point is, aloe vera gel makes a great painkiller for any scratches you can get in the garden!

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