A Date With BATMAN

HELLO from Small Town America.

I continue to DOWNSIZE.  There is so much more to do that I am feeling it in my sore body.  A large load of dishes made their way to the THRIFT SHOP.  It was easier to turn loose of my boxed stuff than I thought it would be, but my lungs hurt from screaming.  I had a date with BATMAN.  More to follow.

Sitting on the sofa thumbing through and throwing away OLD CHRISTMAS cards, letters and pictures that I have managed to keep for umpteen years was a way of downsizing and lightening the load.  I decided to group all my cards together from relatives and friends, thin through them only keeping my favorite ones and doing away with all the rest.  

TIME slows as I reread most of the cards and reread what they had handwritten in their yearly messages.
TIME seemed to stop as I had thoughts about that person.  Especially if they are no longer alive.  I just about can't pitch these away knowing I will no longer receive future mail from them.

I did what I had mentioned earlier about tearing some of the cards into, keeping the front of the card to use as postcards.  Some I will keep for a tad bit longer and thin out later if ever.

Took a break from this as my day became THURSDAY NIGHT.  Husband was asleep on the sofa...a common occurrence as he was extremely tired.  I sat on the other sofa having computer time as I noticed something dark flash past the corner of my eye.  Thinking it was a bird, I watched as it flew through the room. 

Asking myself, "Was that a bird?"

Quickly I knew it wasn't a bird, but a BAT.  LOUD soprano SCREAMS came out of my mouth as I was taken a back that there was a live one flying in my house.  HUBBY startled awake and I cannot get this image out of my mind how he responded to my screaming.....hahahahaaa.  He woke up and started asking questions in a high pitched voice as to what was going on, what's happening, etc.  He was still partly asleep and had tornadoes on his mind.  When he heard me screaming he became a Soprano himself.

The day was a storm filled one with tornadoes and very threatening weather.  We had the cellar door opened in case we needed to make a MAD DASH to the basement.  Tornado Sirens went off through out the day.  So we are not sure if the BAT got inside the house through the cellar or somewhere else.  

The BAT flew right on upstairs as if he knew that he needed to get away from a SCREAMING WOMAN and a STARTLED MAN asking questions in soprano.

We have never experienced a BAT in the HOUSE and I never want to experience this again.  I found a new shower curtain packaged and waiting for use as Hubby stapled it to the opening where the stairs lead upwards.  We were sure that we had him contained upstairs.  Later he decided to fly into the plastic shower curtain and attempt to come back down to our Family room.  Deciding on how to capture him, he somehow managed to make a hole and make his way out of the upstairs and get into the main floor of the house. 

It would take awhile to find him, but find him Hubby did.  Welding gloves were worn as a wet towel was thrown on top of this creature.  Still not sure why GOD created these things.  Don't get it.
Mister BAT will not be missed.

I had a DATE with my HERO, my HUSBAND...the BATMAN

extraordinaire.

Too much excitement for this old Lady...not the date, but with the BAT.  Take a deep breath and don't faint.
I rather like time with my HUSBAND.

Blessings, blessings, blessings,
d

2016 Sidewalk

After a rain,

d

Purged

The young man across the street is oh so proud of his car's sound system as he plays the music extremely loud which vibrates through our rock walls.  Pumping up the rhythm as he works on something inside his auto.  There have been a few nights where he enjoys the sounds of bass guitar at 3 in the morning.

Now here in my corner of the world, it's common to be awake at one sometimes two in the morning.  Hearing the thumping of 3 o'clock music will cause a headache.  

Not sure where his momma is at that hour, but think a few more early mornings like this will be reason to telephone a complaint to our good law enforcement officer that lives across the street from him.

I was young once.  Never forced my love of music at 3 AM to where the neighbors heard the sounds of Joni Mitchell, Chicago, Classical Gas or any other.  I usually was asleep.  Wore headphones.  Remember those huge honkers on the side of your ears that made sound dance around your head as if you were at a personal concert?  

In the cool of the evening while sitting outside on the porch bench munching cheese curls from a red dixie cup, I took a BREAK from sorting through my present day messes.  Fresh air blows through my hair as my dusted fingers are bright ORANGE matching my blouse.  Barefooted with Purple Passion painted toenails, I'm comfortable in my old bluejeans.  Typical attire on a Sunday afternoon on a beautiful day.  Blue skies and no rain.  AND then there's that music coming from across the street.

Finally the temps are gentle enough for a walk.  No rain today.  In the forecast this coming week, cooing doves are heard in the distance.  Other birds are chirping.  This is the kind of music I'm alright with hearing at 3 in the morning or 3 in the afternoon.  

Our Lilacs did not bloom this month.  Disappointed.  Too wet?  Not sure.  I'm indoors most of the time as I am exercising my rights to clean house, shuffle big pieces of furniture, sort through boxes, pack more up to say good-bye.  Much energy is going toward downsizing.  More than I'd like to admit.

We bought a secondhand dishwasher and until it can be installed I made room in the utility room for it to sit.  The dining room is a warehouse once again.  This will be pretty common as we are finishing up remodeling the Kitchen and gathering things to go away.

The quicker I can do this the better.

I relocated the metal racks that were in the utility room to the dining room where they will be used to place boxed items on that will vanish before my eyes as the items travel to the trunk of the car.  Need some more boxes.  Boxes.

Hamburgers were ordered for supper.  Kitchen out of order.

Hubby came walking up the sidewalk dragging behind him a trash bag full of trash that he had picked up.  He had been working on his car and looked like a grease monkey.  Black grease all over his hands and clothing.  T-shirt and work jeans will be thrown away as they are too greasy for our washing machine.  These were a few things easy to throw away.

Spending the day going through OLD magazines tearing out helpful pages as the brunt of the magazine goes in the trash.  I will not be subscribing to the magazines I always do until I am further down this road of downsizing.  Bogland have given magazines a run for their money, wouldn't you say?  

I have saved many issues over the years....think the time has come to pitch them.  I can pat myself on the back as I have gone through my old books and lightened the load.  Want to thin these out some more.  Also my clothing.  Dishes....well that's saying a lot.  Old make-up gone.  Lipstick and nail polish are goners.  Hobby stuff almost history.  Old papers and old checks will take some more time to go through.  Then there's the cellar....oh no....cannot bring myself to go down there until the main floor and upstairs is completely purged.

Purged...now that's an interesting word.

Old Greeting cards are not far behind.  The cards will be torn into.  Saving the fronts for postcards.  
Before I do this...I will reread all the cards and remember the LOVED ONES who sent these greetings to me.  Many have died and I expect another trip down Memory Lane.  Some friends of ours pray for the people who sent them cards at Christmas.  They leave a card on their table and pray for that person through-out the week then switch out the cards.  Always thought this was a very thoughtful and appreciated gesture.  During the year they'd mail a note to the person they had prayed for.

Sometimes people say they will pray for you and really it's between them and God if they HONOR this.  I HOPE to always be faithful to HONOR my word when I say I will pray for you.

BLESSINGS,
d

Muscle Toner

When I decided to get REALLY REALLY REALLY organized, I was about 34 years old when LIFE took a turn where the organizing went right out the window.  I remember the day well.

We would MOVE again which was a difficult move after a lay-off.  Still, that ole flame inside of me that warms me to GET ORGANIZED hibernated as a slight flicker.  Didn't go completely out.  Living in a tiny rental mandated that I be more organized and streamlined.  That first Summer after the move meant I had to deal with things.  So I did.  Took me all SUMMER, but succeeded.

When the time came to RELOCATE AGAIN...more attention was given to turning loose of more things stored in a barn.  So once again I sorted through items and turned loose.  I remember I had enough children's clothing to open a small boutique.  It was shocking to me that I had stored in a tub so many children's clothing that others could have used.  Blue jeans running out my ears.  VICTORY HAPPENED after the tub was emptied. 

It's been an ongoing drama.  It isn't just a fleeting thought or made up delusion....it's a reality that I have a problem with collecting too much.  Sigh.

HOARDING might be a exaggeration...depending on who you talk to.  My goodness me.

BUT here we are once again DOWNSIZING and having to release ourselves from STUFF.  Another trip to the THRIFT SHOPPE to be done with it.  I can't bring myself to JUST PITCH IT into the trash can....just too good to pitch.  Some other soul will benefit from this so off it goes to being RECYCLED to another through the middle man at the THRIFT SHOP.

A deep sense of relief that it's re-gifted to another human.  Perhaps it's a waste of time to take it to the THRIFT SHOPPE.  

Back to when I started to get really organized.  Along the way I starting entertaining myself by buying plastic storage boxes.  Over time these sometimes crack and the outside gets sticky, so the forever 'n ever mind set isn't a very good one to have.  They do warp and break-down.  All is a temporary fix.  Nothing seems to beat just getting rid of the stuff with not collecting it in the first place.

The size tubs I migrated towards has now become cumbersome, too large to handle and awkward to this aging, matronly woman that I have become.  The size of the tubs are too large to handle easily. 
Too heavy for my aging muscles.  I will admit that I am older and needing a change.  NOT a good way to tone muscle anymore.

SOOOOO...I'll downsize to sweater box size which is more my speed these days.  Transparent bodies are all the better.

I've continued to gift wrap my children's memorabilia placing the packages into the teal colored storage boxes that have housed their treasures for quite a few years already.

Last year after gathering the storage boxes I began going through their things beginning an emotional ride down memory lane.  I suffered through my oldest's things, gift wrapped 40 gifts for his 40th birthday and let the other two kids stuff stay put behind the family room sofa out of sight, but not out of mind.  During the cold months of Winter, I picked through their stuff and wrapped some.  SLOW process.  Silly me just about couldn't do this as I am way too sentimental.  Here it is the next year with SPRING in the air and I have had to encourage myself to finish this task.  Nearly done.

Daughter got married and when I was going through some of her left behind stuff...it was clear to me that she isn't as sentimental as I in this department.  This made me reconsider what I think she will keep in the future.  Most of this junk is just junk and will get a funny haha from when opened in a few years.  Some of the stuff doesn't mean anything except to me, so I'll keep a few things from their childhoods and that's that.

Lifting the full storage boxes was too much weight for me.  I've got to put these storage boxes in the cellar or back in the garage until it's time to surrender them to their rightful owners that grew up and moved away from the HOMESTEAD.

LOOKING BACK, I wished that I had kept a file box to fill with Grade/Report Cards, certificates, school programs and the school papers that would be kept per year.  This is a regret that I have.  It wouldn't have been so laborious if I had kept a file box on each child filling the accordion slots as we went.  Birthday Party invites, newspaper clippings etc.  Easier to locate and easier to use.  As for artwork, frame a few and display them.  Save the other in plastic sheet protectors in a notebook.  

It has all come together, but as for looking back, I wished I had kept a FILL BOX for each child.  Short Sigh.

Is it a sickness to always be analyzing what would have been more productive after the fact?
  
Wish I had kept a medical journal per family member.  I do keep the print outs of each visit to the doctor as I have done this since I lived in Texasland since 1987ish.  That's kind of like a medical journal.  Would be helpful to write a short note at the top of the page as to what was diagnosed, what medicine was prescribed for recall and if there was a weird reaction to the meds or how well the meds were tolerated.

Another helpful thing would have been to keep a diary of events.  The newspaper use to print what a local figure had handwritten about the day's events such as the date with 'We went to neighbor Fred's for a meal.  Had great conversation when we got stuck in the mud.  Rainstorm washed the bridge out so we were stranded for the night sleeping in Aunt Peg's Barn till we could go another way home.'  Next entry went something like this, Brother Paul suffered a injury from building a pig pen.  Injured his leg and is laid up for a week or so.  Went to help finish the pen just in time for more rains to come.  Ate apple pie in the field.  Best day ever.'  'Baby was born in the middle of the night.  Healthy and fat little guy.  Wife sleeping.  Doc didn't show.  No fee for him.'

Saving a few sentimental articles of clothing happened.  Some hang in the closet, some folded in drawers and cedar chest.  My wedding dress is in a cedar chest.  She comes out to play once in a while.  I wore her at two style shows when I could still fit into her.  I felt like a Princess on my wedding day.  This was the most expensive dress I ever wore or owned.  Shoes to match that still have grass stains on them from the field we were married in.  Dried wedding bouquet of flowers where the lilac ribbon is still attached.  Sugar doves from the cake stay in a glass box to look at when the spirit moves me.  Napkins and wedding invites with wedding rice in bags.  Pictures.  Garter.  My wedding vows spoken before God and witnesses are in my mind, my heart, my memory bank and a marriage license stays put in a book.  

Back to downsizing and streamlining.  A time well spent.  One day, I just know I'll be where I'm suppose to be.  

Well maybe.  Thinking positive.
d

The Glory of Graduating

Dolled up with a pretty hair do, fancy nails 

and a formal that she bought herself, 

she smiled BIG TIME.

HAPPY to see her GRADUATE 

and become a HIGH SCHOOLER. 

 VERY PROUD of her.
This kind of moment only comes once in a lifetime.
It was a sweet pleasure to witness this first hand.

LOVE MY GRANDCHILDREN,

granny d nanny

Denim And Rhinestones

Longtime LOVE affair with rhinestones.

Think I'll copy this look and call it good.
Who can go wrong with denim and rhinestones?

As I de-clutter my HOME something good 
is being birthed in me.
Manifesting.

Feels like a new birth of sorts.
What will this bring forth?

SHALL SEE.
Happy Week-end,
d

Prairie Pie Crust

PIE CRUST This is my Daughter's Pie Crust Recipe. 

With her permission I'm sharing her recipe 
that she got from her Grandma. 

BLESS your family, friends and your taste buds 

with this wonderful crust that just about MELTS in yo' mouth. 

Pie Crust Recipe 

1 cup flour 

3 heaping tablespoons of shortening 

Dash of salt 

A tiny bit of ice cold water 

Mix ingredients together and roll out on wax paper. 

Assemble pie. 

Spread a little milk on top of crust before baking. 

Shut my pie hole

because LIFE just got a little easier.

Simply delicious,

Daughter's Momma 

Joining Michael Lee's FOODIE FRIDAY Party
http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/2016/05/foodie-friday-and-everything-else_19.html

BE IT FAR FROM ME

1 Samuel 2:30King James Version (KJV)

30 Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, 

I said indeed that thy house, 

and the house of thy father, 

should walk before me for ever: 

but now the Lord saith, 

Be it far from me; 

for them that honour me I will honor, 

and 

they that despise me shall be 

lightly esteemed.

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD

They said, "I Do."

You'll Be A Daisy If You Do

 Today, I am resting after a super BUSY week last week.  The grey skies outside have hidden the sun for a time as I can still hear birds chirping in the trees with a light mist permeating the branches.  A light rain showered down on us as we left my daughter's new HOME after returning Lil Miss HOME from a ballgame. 

We had coffee and conversation at their dining room table.  A loaf of home-made bread came out of the oven and we ate a slice covered in butter.  Nothing better than home-made bread covered with creamy butter.

Last week, we attended a SPRING PROGRAM for one Grandchild.  Rested and packed our bags as we traveled south to Oklahomaland to witness another Grand GRADUATE from Middle School.  She was dolled up with a new hairdo, painted fingernails and facial make-up wearing a formal she purchased with her own money.

Afterwards we were energized with ice-cream with the younger Grandchildren.  Staying up late made going to bed a luxury that I looked forward to.  Ahhhhhhhh....comfortable mattress and fresh air coming through the window.

Always a delight to see our GROWING Grandchildren.  Visiting with our Son and D.I.L. is a much needed time as we do not see them very often.  Shell always feeds us well.  They are all a huge blessing to me.  Love them so very much.

Pictures later.

Our trip there and HOME was refreshing as the traffic was slower paced across the Flint Hills.  Beautiful rolling green hills.  Thankful to be safely HOME resting.

I tinked around the KITCHEN, did some LAUNDRY, thumbed through some garage boxes, washed and tried out a NEW BLENDER, and stayed in my PINK HOUSECOAT until afternoon coffee.  Can you believe that?  ha.

Received a phone call from my Doctor's Nurse telling me that I would be going on a stronger dose of thyroid meds as my numbers are too high.  Kind of suspected that since I am tired.  BUT am feeling more energetic on the ARMOUR natural thyroid meds.  Which is wonderful.  I still sweat, but not like I was while on Synthroid for five and a half years.  That's a blessing as I sweat to beat the band.

Blessings to you,

d

Grand Dancing

Grand

is dancing a solo 

at Spring Program.

She seemed so brave and confident.

Wonderful to see.

Love,

d

Some Blue For You

Friday

Dance Recital

Ice-cream Treat

Saturday

Garage Sale

 Thrift Drop off

Sister and Brother.in.law stop by

Eat Pizza

 Childhood bedroom furniture received

Sunday

Mother's Day

Telephone Moms

Flowers and cards

Spaghetti meal out 

Rest

Monday

Laundry

Bills

Grand-daughter's Spring Program

Rain

Tuesday

Downsizing

Downsizing

Downsizing

Wednesday

What a week

Blessings,

d

There's A Elephant In The Room

Made huge progress in downsizing...but a funny happened that I know you'll appreciate.  As my sweet husband laid down the law that we are not bringing back into the house nor garage the things we didn't sell at the garage sale over the week-end.  He made sure I understood that we are DOWNSIZING.  He made it very clear that we are downsizing and THINGS that don't sell will NOT return to the estate.  Period.  Nooooooo.

I loaded the trunk of the car and the back seat FULL of these ever loving treasures.  It felt pretty good to load the car and go IMMEDIATELY to the thrift shop to drop off our 'goodies' that we will never see again.

No need to hang onto these treasures.

NO. NEED.

The place we were taking the goods has a person help load the stuff into an oversized cart that they wheel back into the building when finished saying good-bye to things you've become attached to but are bravely parting with. 

ALMOST PAINLESS.

ALMOST. 

As sweet Hubby pulled a large picture of some elephants out of truck, he affectionately spoke these words with honesty..."You're not going to get rid of my elephant picture are you?"

I had marked it a whole DIME and it didn't sell so she was in the trunk of the car going to Thrift Lane riding on top of the spare tire.

I quickly said to him, "Now is the time to decide if you want this or not.  Just put it back in the trunk if you want to keep it."  He placed his treasure back in the trunk.

HOUSTON...we have a problem.  WE need a little bit more time to get use to the idea that we are downsizing.

Laughing at how he changed his tune about 'we are downsizing'......nothing out in the garage is going to go back in there or back into the house.

Except..........

HaHA.
I laughed out loud,
d

Happy Momma's Day

Happy Mother's Day to my MOMMA.

With LOVE,

dd

I'm There

Waking this morning with a weak body and little strength.
The last 5 weeks have been very physical ones and today I truly feel the lack of strength.
Coffee Time.
Resting well was a plus through-out the night.
Still, this old LADY isn't a body builder.
Even they have to recoup and rest.
Sometimes having surgery for their injuries and overworked physiques.
Yesterday I had a very full day and will again today...LORD willing.
The Techie who drew my blood at the Lab had difficulty finding a vein and OUCH she dug.
She tried again on my rolled vein in my right arm.
She told me she hit gold there.  You know.....I really don't care for gold diggers.
After leaving that place I went to Menards to get another folding table that was ON SALE FOR SALE.  Heavy lifting.  Next time I will wait for Husband to do the heavy lifting.
Off to the Dollar Store to get some more baggies for bagging up small items.  So handy.
Made my trip short and bought a $3 ring at the THRIFT SHOPPE.  So pretty.
Drove the distance to work on my Daughter's stash of things that she no longer wants.
Picked up the MAIL and ate a LATE LUNCH, rested a tad then got to work on my own stash of goodies that are disappearing.
My BODY is tired.  Wonderful to have drive and ambition to get this taken care of.
One day closer to seeing results.
Beautiful day today as the Burgundy Irises are displaying their elegance in the front flowerbed.
Wish we had them in the back yard where I could go sit in a comfy lawn chair sipping coffee while listening to the birds tweet.  I have a request...a request for a future flower garden in the fenced backyard for privacy.  A sanctuary.
I believe this will become a reality in the near future, but have to wait until the correct time to plant Irises in July.  So I will do some more waiting.  AND as I wait, I will stay busy with other activities.
For now...I must rest this morning and be rested for more of the same.
More work with shuffling boxes that made the way to inside our HAVEN from the garage. 
Must see to believe what is inside each dusty box.  Items to be relocated in my old stone house or let go to some one else. 
Blessings and may you have a sweet day.
I'm drooping.
Coffee TIME.  The PARLOUR IS CALLING MY NAME.
Please join me and I promise not to complain about how tired I am,
d

Early Mornin'

GOSH....how did this happen?  3:37am and i am up.
tried to fall back asleep and couldn't.
soooooo...a shower took place and i washed my hair.
dried my comforter that was still damp in the clothes dryer.
dried some blue jeans that spent the night in the washing machine 
andddddddd...washed the coffee pot to fix a pot of java.
4 scoops to the water in the perk.
today i am fasting before blood work is done to check how i'm doing after switching from synthroid to armour natural desiccated thyroid meds.
took my blood pressure and made me smile.
124 over 84.  For me this is excellent.
i haven't seen this good of blood pressure in years.
thank you God.

i want to get in early so i can leave early and go get a few supplies at the dollar store.  then get back to gathering things to get rid of.

all week i have been gathering things to get rid of and it is overwhelming how much i have gathered.
it makes my head spin.
ashamed at this mess.
thankful on one hand that i can finally thin way out.
thankful.

oh the books, the books...they get so heavy.  
so many of them i collected over the years.
collected and no longer need.  they aren't sacred, but i think maybe i was thinking they were more important than i should.
the clothes go away.
far far away.
dishes not needed and no longer wanted.
what else can go....the yard bench that looks like it's on her last leg, some lawn chairs that we no longer use, some fixer upper bikes, some old dolls that i don't want, craft paint, odds 'n ins, old records now called vinyls, nail polish, make-up, toys, movies, picture frames and prints.....still looking.....etc.

i hear my husband's alarm going off.
time for him to get up and get around for work.
praying he has a terrific and blessed business day.

i know that after my HOME has less clutter that I will perk the heck up.
taking a deep breath and away i go.
will get dressed and groomed, put a little make-up on ready for this day.

the birds are singing loud and clear on this SPRING day.  
they have something to sing about.
so do we.

may you have a blessed day.
d

Mother's Day Is Coming

Spending about an hour on the telephone looking up phone numbers for Flower Shoppes where I can place orders for our Moms took more time than I ever imagined today.  Managed to locate the info and phone in a couple of orders.  Relieved this has taken place and Moms will receive flowers because they are special to us.

My Mother.in.law has a Mother's Day Birthday as well so it was like killing two birds with one stone.  Both Mommas are getting pink roses with baby's breath in a glass vase.  They sound nice enough and I am glad that I got this done today.  I asked that the flowers be delivered on Thursday.  I want the Moms to enjoy the fresh flowers a few days before the calendar says it's Mother's Day. 

I bought cards a few days ago.  Filled the cards out today and they will go out on Thursday.  Hopefully those will arrive on Saturday.  The flowers will reach them Thursday then a few days later the cards will show up.  Probably will telephone Moms on Saturday as waiting until Sunday sometimes the phone lines are overloaded and cannot get through to reach out to them.

Some LADIES have never had children.  In this case we show appreciation toward women who have mothered children, mentored or been adopted.  We can show appreciation to our own Moms or other Moms.  Motherhood.

I am very thankful that I am a mother.
So thankful.
Sometimes I wish I had given birth to 10 children.

SO to all you Mommas who have children that grew up and left home, who have passed away, disappeared, aren't perfect, difficult to handle, easy as pie to love, around your feet and in your hair or never had children at all...may Mother's Day be a pleasant day to think on HAPPY TIMES.

Thankful for children.  Period.  They don't even have to be mine.

This rose is for you!

God Bless,
d

   

Quick 'n Easy

What is today?  Tuesday already.  TUESDAY.  I have to check the calendar to jog my memory with what activities are taking place.  I just about forgot to telephone my meter reading to the city so I can get charged for usage of electricity, natural gas, trash service,water, sewage, taxes.  

One of the neat things I like about living in this small town america is that all these utilities are paid at one location, the City Building at the corner of main street and 4th.  I have a separate telephone bill that also provides internet services.  With a simple phone call I communicate with the phone company using a system allowing payment.  So it's quick 'n easy taking care of business leaving precious time to do other things like clean the toilet or bake a ham.

Desiring simplicity in my old age has it's frustrations as well as benefits.  Somedays my patience is not there.  Wish it were, but it's not.  

Our week-end went well.  Exhausted with sore muscles from digging certain pieces of furniture out from under things, then emptying them and making haste to shuffle and scoot the pieces of furniture down the stairs without injury to body and surrounding walls.  Rejoicing we are closer to our goal of turning loose of so much STUFF.  

This is beginning to sound like a broken record.  Speaking of records...vinyls is the buzz word for what we once called record albums.  Out in the garage is a crate full of  vinyls that we no longer listen to.  Think we should part with them.  I noticed another box of movies that I will pitch and replace if we should desire with DVDs.  I can't believe I'm saying this about the movies I wanted to keep after we pitched hundreds. HUNDREDS.

When I started pitching stuff I knew that the LORD had indeed helped me get delivered from something that had me in bondage.  I could tell.  Wonderful LORD, thank you.

This week we will concentrate on gathering items and dealing with them.  The month of April was the busiest I've had in a very long time.  I'm feeling better on the different meds I have been taking for 8 weeks.  This week I go in to have some lab work to see where my numbers are.  

As we have turned our radiators off and wearing layered clothing to stay warm on these chilly SPRING days, I hope our utility bill indicates that we have used less natural gas.  HOPE HOPE.  We're on an even payment plan.  The year is a fourth of the way gone.  Doesn't that sound odd.  We just had a new year start....or did we.  I seem to anxiously wait to see SPRING.  I've been so busy that I haven't taken time to stare at the sky watching birds fly by.  

Sweet thoughts and time out,
d