Old Fashioned Baloney Sandwiches To The Rescue

Small Town American BALONEY Sandwich

Finally made it to the Grocery Store that reopened.  If a small town girl can get excited over having a grocery store to shop at in small town america...then I am that girl.  It is a treat to have a Grocery Store once again.

This past week I heard that it is inappropriate to call women GIRLS.  I shook my head and said, "Honey, you gotta have a sense of humor.  PLEASE."

It's an affectionate term when my Husband calls me his girl.  So Hubby and his girl went to the newly opened Grocery store to pick up some items.  This was the first time I've been inside this building since the store closed I think 3 years ago or so.  SO glad she's baaaack.

We'll have a place CLOSE TO HOME to shop for fresh vegetables...if we do not have a garden ourselves.

'Life Just Got A Little Easier' SANDWICH

The bologna sandwich is a sandwich common in the United States and Canada. 

Also known as a baloney sandwich, it is traditionally made from pre-sliced bologna sausage between slices of white bread, along with various condiments, 

such as mayonnaise, mustard, and ketchup.

The meat counter had been moved to the front of the store displaying an array of meats including tubed bologna.  I haven't had this old fashioned tubed bologna in decades.  Talked my Husband into having baloney sandwiches for supper with peppered chips and diet A&W Root Beer on ice.

FRESH at the Deli counter was a woman that sliced enough bologna for our sandwiches.  The tubed bologna is so much better than pre-packaged baloney.  SO MUCH BETTER.  You may not like this deli meat, but hey that's okay.  I do.  

'Life Just Got A Little Easier' SANDWICH.  I have to have EASY at times due to being exhausted or too busy to make a gourmet meal.  Soup and sandwiches plus a salad are my back-ups.  Then crockpot meals are nice.  I have been really BLESSED to have a HUSBAND that likes to cook which he says relaxes him.

Picked up items for 'Life Just Got A Little Easier' Pie.  Cherry caught my eye and so did the chocolate pie crust.  Should be a delicious dessert for tomorrow.  

Kool-Aid (any flavor you want), 

Sweetened Condensed Milk, 

Cool Whip, 

Graham Cracker Pie Crust = a delicious pie treat.

http://homehavenministry.blogspot.com/2010/06/life-just-got-little-easier-pie.html

http://homehavenministry.blogspot.com/2010/06/life-just-got-little-easier-pie.html

We walked out of the store with a little of this and a little of that.  Tis a good thing to have a Grocery Store, a Post Office and Court House with JAIL in small town america.  Our little town has a Car Wash, a Swimming Pool with Park and Picnic area, make that two Parks, Sports area and a Convenience Store.  

A Dollar General opened before Christmas, but we lost the Doctor which moved the practice to another community.  The Doctor's office was sold to another business.  We lost a Vet and one of the Restaurants closed which is a shame.  For now, it's a plus to have a Grocery Store.  

Several Schools, a Day Care, two Pop Machines in town....a Fire Station, Auto Parts Shop, a Coop, Dance Studio, a few Antiques Stores, a Newspaper Office, a couple of Banks, three Beauty Shops, a Community Ministry, some Churches, a Hardware Store that sells greeting cards.  I mustn't forget the Museum.  

A Bakery, two Plumbing and Heating Stores.  There's a Nursing Home.  Wished we had a Hospital and a Pharmacy.  Not too far out of town is a Organic Food Store and a Cheese Factory.  Not to mention a Food Plant and a dump.  

A City Building and Economics Development Office, Lawyer Offices.  A Fair Ground.  No clothing shops.  No Fabric  stores.  No car dealerships.  Plenty of rummage sales during the year and a on-line garage sale that continually sells treasures.  Making the best of it.

We live in a community that isn't too terribly far from other shopping.
  
This Grocery Store has the HONEY I like from Hillsboro, Kansas. Better than what I get at Wal-Mart.  Better.

BUSY BEE HONEY From HILLSBORO

https://www.facebook.com/barkmanhoney/



We left the Grocery Store with Bologna, Chips, Hillsboro Honey in a Bear, Kool-Aid, Shampoo, Conditioner, Q-tips, Bread, head of Lettuce, and as we got into line to check out I grabbed a bag of Bit-O-Honey off a rack.  Which is one of my favorite childhood candies.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bit-O-Honey

When I start remembering the small town businesses, my little town grew a tad.  If you have to walk the town by foot it grows even more.  Well, I'm glad we have bologna to say the least.  It saved the day and rescued a very tired and weary woman that doesn't mind being called a  girl.

Please pass the chips.  
They go great with bologna sandwiches,
d

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bologna_sandwich

~PARTYING WITH FOODIE FRIDAY~
http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/2017/03/foodie-friday-and-everything-else_30.html

Thursday Thoughts and Difficult To Read

THURSDAY THOUGHTS.  Over the last 2 and a half years I have been researching, reading and studying about one world religion.  If today's churches are ecumenically friendly, they will fly with success dragging their newest victims behind them into a destructive arena where many are already there to greet them with a handshake and warm embrace.  

All is welcomed and there are no rules.  Just come,  be accepted and here's the kool-aid.  Drink it and be deceived, but in a happy way.  Choose the flavor you want....it all goes down the same way.  Tasty.  

Years ago I guzzled the kool-aid as if I were parched and ate the attractive desserts covered with thick frosting that covered the moldy contents waiting to be devoured before examining whose treat it was.  Easy to swallow and not difficult to digest once it got in my system.  In my efforts to stay out of a CULT I went head on directly into one.  The CULTure I willingly went into was attractive to me because I wanted more POWER so I wouldn't get hurt, wanted an easy way to get rich quick and wanted mentored by others that I thought were exceptional spiritual leaders.  

In reality after the dust settled, I was made aware that the highly admired leaders were wolves in sheep's clothing.  They wore their sheep's clothing ever so well.   

It was like someone punched me in my gut when I started having my eyes opened to all the deception that had been handed to me on a silver platter.  I had willingly allowed myself to be deceived.  I physically got ill to my stomach when I was educated on the way it is.  The agenda is out in the open and presented to the public in such a way that it appears as the truth, but isn't.

It has been a very different ride as I discover what I had taken as God's truth, but really was a satanic deception.  Doctrines of demons?  Something like that.  There was a strong delusion that I was willing to entertain.  It wasn't until I truly got hungry for God's truth that He began to show me the way.  I went looking for evidence.

A little here and a little there.  I will have to talk about this in a deliberately slow way as to not get overwhelmed.  When I put my thoughts in print, it takes some time to do so.

Unbelievably, I had THOUGHT that I was already set free from the word of faith movement years ago to finding out that I was still involved in it through conventionally conservative churches, denominational as well as non-denominational with resources linking to word of faith teachers and Luciferian doctrine.

I had swallowed the medicine sort of speak and was still receiving doses of wrong doctrine that have infiltrated many churches I believed were doing this Christian thing right.  

There's a strong dose of never receiving Christ as saviour.  Being told you're a child of God without the born again experience.  Conveniently leaving Christ out of the picture.  Anything goes and you don't have to.

Others may MENTION receiving Jesus as Lord then hand you a Bible translation that leaves out the born again scripture through Jesus or have removed scripture pertaining to Jesus being deity.  

They may go as far as to tell you to go back to the church you're attending already though it serves up wrong doctrine to where you will be in bondage to work teachings.

I'll stop here for now on this and switch gears to doing the laundry.
Wash me white as snow, Lord.
d


There's a paper pile in a basket that I must tend to today.  It hasn't gone unnoticed.  Just waiting for THURSDAY to tend to it.  Today's the day.

Yesterday, I mustard upped the courage to take my wedding dress out of the beautiful golden keepsake box.  Broke a thumb nail in a odd place that slowed me down.  The box is sealed so strongly that I couldn't get the open flaps to budge.  I'll try again tonight when Mr. Husband can assist me with handling the oversized box.  There's a viewing window on the front of this nice box, but I want to actually take the dress out and look it over.  If it is shrunk I will sigh and be saddened, but will have to convince myself that I should be contented to still have the garment.  

Going through the fire recovery items is time consuming.  Gotta be done.  This is my 2017 assignment.  

Making plans for what to get done and for what I hope we can get done.  It's going to take a while to get caught up on laundry as I wash additional items that were returned to us 5 months after the house fire.  5 months.  Now that's quite a lengthy amount of time to not have socks and underwear to wear if you were waiting on items to be returned.  grins.  

Fortunately we have replaced some of our undies and are doing just fine in the underwear department.

Not sure if I'll get to this today, but have unused material that I will have to wash.  It came back hanging on wire hangers under dry cleaner plastic bags.  Uncovering the fabric, finding the ID tag attached and cutting it off then taking material off hangers, and placing in laundry pile takes a little time to do.

The fabric has a slight chemical smell that I'd feel better about if it weren't there.

It is easy enough to place items in washing machine then dryer.  Easy enough.  Then will neatly fold or roll and place in a storage box for future projects.  

That's the plan and I had better stick to it,
d  

Puddles Of Pride

Grey skies are weeping moisture in the air as it rains dew drops.  Small puddles are forming in the neighbors yard.  Perfect for their chickens to peck a sip of refreshment.  The chicks have not clucked very much today as it is wet outside.  Even these chicks know to stay out of the rain.

Glancing out the window seeing the SPRING Robins jumping about in these newly formed puddles.  They are already dressed for SPRING.  Beautiful red breasted birds looking for gourmet worms to eat.  Very organic and healthy for them.

I was fortunate to sleep in this morning and felt refreshed as I woke to a grey day outside.  Coffee at my side.  Laundry is running in the utility room.  Soon fresh towels will be placed in the bathroom.  Folding towels today is a must as the stash has gone from much to none.  We all need our towels to wash faces and bodies as needed.

Grey and blue are the two colors I have selected when replacing towels.  I went through a green color phase at the rock house and I still like green, but blue and grey caught my attention as of late.  Which surprises me, but how wonderful to have this luxury of selecting decorating colors in whatever size of our living environment.

I don't have a decorating THEME.  I didn't get into the 'Mushrooms' theme nor 'Country Geese' over the years.  'Earth Tones' yes, I followed.  Then 'Victorian' some-what.  'Clean and Orderly' always.  What other themes have jumped out at you?  When Shabby Chic started I wrestled with the chippy paint after struggling to have nice traditional pieces of furniture.  I liked older, vintage items from way back.  My Father.in.law told me he didn't like these things because he grew up with them.  grins.  I think I see where he is coming from.  

This 'Country Farm House' look has taken the country by storm.  If you want to mix and match all the better.  Anything goes including mixing patterns and surfaces.  There are some things I like about the Farm House look.  More casual less formal.  

Do you suppose it's such a popular decorating style because it's more hands on and not just for looking at??? 
   

                                                                                                                                                  Please do not let the children stand on their heads on my furniture.  I cannot stand for it.  Miss Manners here and PROUD OF IT.  Sorry FOLKS.  The white sofas will not stay white for long even with scotch guard treated furniture.

FARM HOUSE LOOK.  A more laid back way of decorating in anything goes motif.  If you like it that's fine.  If this is the way you want to decorate your personal space then that's really your decision.  You don't answer to me nor should you.

Still I like things from the 50s and beyond.  Also like the conveniences we have in our modern day like running water, electricity and modern appliances.  

AFTER we had moved into our 1885 rock house, I took an interest in that TIME ERA.  This is not the only time era I like.  I'm a decorating mutt.  I like this and I like that.  Appreciate this style and that style.  Some rooms are more formal then others. Some casual.  Please don't track mud into the house and were you born in a barn...close the door behind you kind of gal.

I am still a modern woman enjoying modern conveniences, but have had an interest in the Amish People for years.  Still I did not convert to their way of LIFE.  It wasn't until I watched a television program about a year and a half ago that I fully understood that because someone is AMISH that they may not know CHRIST even though I had thought they were a Christian people.  This program was about a young Amish couple who got saved after being born again.  They were secretive about their conversion even amongst their church family as the sermons were in German and the Bibles they used were in German print where the older members of their culture did the reading and interpretations for the younger people who did not read German.

It was an awakening to know that this couple had been born again through Christ their Savior.  Before they believed like the others that it was through good works that made one clean enough to go to heaven after death.  Through works.  Many religions and people believe that if you're a good person then you are good enough for heaven.  Also that in order to be a good person, you were to do good works which makes them good enough to qualify as a good person.  Their beliefs have no mention of CHRIST having done the finished work on the cross to save another's soul.  Nothing about believing in Jesus as one's personal saviour.  Nothing.  JUST good works.  

The young couple that were actual converts of Christ met with other born again Amish in secrecy.  If the older people knew that that they were actually born again, then the older ones shunned the true believers. 

Perhaps it's the thought of not having so many conveniences that gave me hope and admiration for the Amish people.  Their work ethic flickered a spark in me that there are people who still honor hard work.  Perhaps it is in admiring that they make so much of their own items that I admire them.  Perhaps it is the idea that we do not need all the debt to have things in order to live a very good life.  It's definitely not an easier LIFE to do without much modern conveniences.  Much hard work, sweat, dedication and muscle goes into their LIFESTYLE.  

There are times, I know that I have had advantages over third world communities.  I am blessed to have a roof over my head, clothing on my back, grooming supplies, food, running water and lights at night.  Comfortable bedding and utilities.  We are not without.  I am BLESSED to be a homebody.

The quality of LIFE here in small town america is in the comfort zone.  I have many thanks of appreciation for my Husband who has worked to provide finances for us so we can exchange the monies for the necessities we need.  I am blessed and appreciative to be who I am as a Keeper of the HOME.  A HOUSEWIFE and Stay-At-Home woman.  I am fortunate that I can do what I do.  Worship the way I do.  Come and go as I will.  

I need to go to the store and get a new plastic storage box to put my small plush toys in for safe keeping.  For now they will go to the Guest room where I'll have to decide what I want to do with all of this.  I don't see me keeping so much of anything as I continue to downsize for retirement.  Letting go isn't as easy as one would think.  Letting go....perhaps I ought to put a 'FROZEN' wig on and start singing, LET IT GO.  Dancing around like a little girl....dancing like no one is watching.  'CAUSE no one is.  grins.  

The delights of being HOME ALONE is cherished.  I can just be me and no one else.

Welp....if you'll excuse me I will put some music on and dump the clean towels on my bed to start folding.  

AND away I go,
d

Kitchen Research

TODAY I took time to research Kitchen design as I surfed the net.  My little Kitchen here at RETIREMENT COTTAGE is not large, but larger than our previous one.  We have hopes of making our new Kitchen more modern than what it is now.  My dear Husband has already drawn up Kitchen designs for our Kitchen here.  

We had planned on having WHITE cabinets until I saw grey.
After seeing soft grey Kitchen cabinets and white subway tile along with stainless steel appliances, I stared for the longest time.  Do I like this?  Yes....I think I do.

So, I may have some more THINKING to do.  Do I want white cabinets or grey?  

Thinking is good,
d  

FLOYD's GRACE

Very relaxing week-end I endured.  As this week progresses I hope to as well.  Made headway on inspecting the textiles that were returned from fire recovery.  The metal racks on wheels have been a godsend.  VERY HELPFUL.  

Almost finished with the inspection of textiles returned to us.  Today I have been washing items that I plan to keep that have that chemical smell to them.  So my helpful utility appliances are working over time as I do laundry.  I am so very thankful for working appliances.  THANKFUL.  THANKFUL.  THANKFUL.  

If I can muster up the courage to unbox my wedding dress, I will take the gown out to see if it shrunk from the chemicals that are used to clean clothing after a fire.  I wish I had just taken my gown with me when I showed the people that were picking textiles up for fire recovery.  I wish.  It was returned to me in a beautiful wedding dress box.  Very nice for a KEEPSAKE.  Hope she is in good shape.  If she has shrunk I will still have the garment.  Will be saddened in a way, but thankful in another.  

~A BEAR NAMED GRACE~

Today I will continue to go through some of the boxes that were returned.  There are a few plush toys that survived.  I have them sitting on the table beside me giving them a glance from time to time.  A bear named GRACE was saved.  

~FLOYD~

How appropriate... a bear named GRACE.  She survived.  No smoke stains on her.  Floyd sits beside her.  They're a couple now.  Floyd's Grace is beautiful.  THANKFUL these characters don't smell of SMOKE or CHEMICALS.

MY TEDDY BEAR GRACE WAS SAVED FROM THE FIRE.  I'M GLAD TO HAVE HER.  THIS GRACE CANNOT SAVE ANYONES SOUL, BUT I LOVE HER NAME.  WE CAN BE SAVED BY GOD's GRACE THROUGH GOD's ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, JESUS, WHEN WE RECEIVE HIM AS OUR PERSONAL SAVIOR.  I LOVE THE LORD AND AS IT SOAKS INTO MY SOUL THAT GOD LOVES ME AND SAVED ME THROUGH HIS GRACE, I AM DEEPLY APPRECIATIVE.  FOR IT IS BY NO OTHER THAT WE ARE SAVED THAN BY THE LORD JESUS.  A BLESSING TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT THROUGH THIS SPIRITUAL REBIRTH.  LET THE WIND BLOW INTO YOUR LIFE.


It's going to be a long haul recovering from so much loss.  I am very BLESSED to be able to rest through-out the day at HOME.  My dear Husband had to return to work right after our fire and it has taken a toll on him.  PRAYING for strength.  My Father's illness and death along with his Mother's death are difficult enough. 

A QUILT SQUARE that my Mother had pieced together was not saved.  We still received it as this is the practice the company does.  They'll clean it if possible and return it to us cleaned.  If it cannot be cleaned, they return it to us as well and it is up to us to pitch it or keep it.

The square was not cleaned and we threw it away, but after I thought about trying to clean it myself, it had to be found in the trash bag we had thrown it away in.

Now my DEAR HUSBAND went searching for the quilt square after I said I wish I had tried to SAVE the square first.  HE FOUND IT.  HUGS to him.  HUGS.  I believe it will wash up alright and then I can still have something my Mother had given me.  So much of what Mom gave me was destroyed in the fire.

When sentimental things are destroyed it's harder to rejoice.  More difficult.

I think recovering from our fire will take a full year with emotional residue to deal with as time passes.

My dear friend Sherry told me that after one of her Uncles went through a fire that he went insane.  The dear man went insane.  Another cousin told me that after her Father-in-law went through a tornado, he never got over it and died.

I am in hopes that we will recover as best we can and continue on in this journey called LIFE.  Things fall apart and age right along with people.  This fire has been devastating.  I am working at willing a attitude that doesn't defeat me, but makes me see LIFE through different eyes.  Get involved with making NEW things to fill the void made by loss.  It won't be the same, but it might be even better.  PRAISE GOD we are not burn victims, there were no deaths.  PRAISE GOD we have an opportunity to LIVE awhile longer on earth. 

WHAT WILL I DO WITH THIS TIME?  I continue to age as we all do.  There are issues with fatigue and strength.  Health challenges, etc.  LIFE goes on and I must as well.

BLESSINGS,
d 

Purse, Compact and POWER

Hi.
I had a really nice week.  IMAX was in the forecast.  This was my first time to experience the jumbo movie screen and sound that caused me to jump.  SOUND can do that.  INFRASONIC sound transducers are sometimes used by Churches and at conferences.

This is the kind of SOUND you feel, but cannot hear.  Read that Joyce Meyer and Benny Hinn use these.  Should this cause alarm?  I think so.  Infrasonic sound can cause one to cry when you are not expecting to or creating emotions that make you feel really great.  Mistaking the ministry to make you in the audience feel something you wouldn't normally feel.  Creating emotions of what ever the ministry desires for you to feel.  SOUNDS dishonest to me.  I sense this is the truth. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrasound

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/brp/elephant/cyclotis/language/infrasound.html

CRANK 'EM UP just in time to assist the audience to want to buy the ministries materials that make life better, but especially better for the one selling the items.  What else can they do?  Mark Twain experienced Tesla's infrasonic sound to where it caused him to pass body waste without trying.  Didn't Twain wear white suits?  Oops.  He soiled his white suit. 

http://historybuff.com/mark-twain-and-nikola-tesla-were-buds-y65xDmZNq2XJ

I do recall hearing Joyce Meyer tell her audience first hand that she always prayed that angels would help DIRECT people to the books they should buy.  I heard her say this in person.  ANGELs, huh.  In my opinion they would be infrasonic aided angels.  Not to be sarcastic, but.....

Can infrasonic sound come across radio frequencies to where when you're listening to oh, I don't know...maybe Joel Osteen...to where you start feeling happy while listening to Joel give words of encouragement?  Can the happy vibes come across the television as well?  Anywhere there is sound???  Do I SOUND like a conspiracy theorist???  I do.  BUT I know I'm onto something that makes sense.  

Not to go off on a rabbit trail here as I sometimes just go with the flow and may end up saying things that don't pertain to how I started out.  Forgive me.  I iz human.  All girl.

Back to IMAX.  I sat in the middle of the theatre and felt like I was transported to another world watching BEAUTY and THE BEAST.  Overall I liked the show, the songs, the scenery, the story.

IMAX's screen is in the neighborhood of 40' tall.  I don't know what sound system they're
using, but it was loud.  Okay.  I heard that SOUND.  I am old and getting older by the minute.

THIS WEEK I found myself going through the fire recovery items on the racks.  I remove a plastic dry cleaner bag off of the items on hangers, SNIFF the item, remove from hanger, take the green numbered tag off the item that's attached by plastic stubs then place item in a laundry pile.

If the item doesn't stink with smoke, it smells of chemicals.

I'm not as far along as I thought I'd, but it's not midnight yet either.  Tomorrow it will have been a week since this load of textile items were returned.  I managed to open the gold wedding gown box to look at my dress, but haven't taken it out of the box yet to see if it shrunk.  This week I will.  I decided that I was going to take care of the hanging items first.  There are some cardboard boxes to go through as well.

Some of my plush toys have returned just fine.  I have to go through some of the dolls this week.  Take a deep breath and perhaps these will be just fine.

Birds are chirping outside.  The ceiling fan is running and Husband is taking a nap.  This is my time to escape to the tub to soak.  Reviving relaxation.  A load of laundry is running on this beautiful Sunday.  The start of washing the articles that have returned has begun.  

I made a pile of knitted items, a pile of aprons, a pile of shirts and skirts.  Neckties went into a tub where Husband will pick out the ties he'll keep.  The others will go into the sunset.  I need to find my scissors so I can snip the tags off the items.  This would speed this task up.  I'd like to be finished with this challenge.

I did purchase a set of white Simply Shabby Chic sheets like the ones that were destroyed in the house fire.  I like them so much that I wanted to replace these before they stop making this particular style.

I'll need to launder these this week.  I may hang these on the clothes line to dry taking in fresh air to where the wind irons out the wrinkles.  Putting nature to work for me is very economical.  PRACTICAL. 

Found a lavender colored purse at the THRIFT SHOP for SPRING weather.  Like her a lot.  Downsizing my handbag once again.  It's a mystery to me how the purses I carry start out light then as the days pass they gain weight.  Must be hypothyroidism in the purse department.  NOT FUN.

Way to go!
d

Sugar Creek Country Store | St. Marys, Kansas

d HERE.  

Hope your day is going well.

SUCH A TREAT.

WONDERFUL STORE TO VISIT AND SHOP.  

SAINT MARYS, KANSAS.

Little Black Dress, Bewildered and Zonked

YESTERDAY was a beautiful SPRING DAY for FIRE RECOVERY textile items to be delivered around 4.  No rain in the forecast.  Comfortable temperature.  We were waiting sipping diet root beer.  The two metal clothing racks on wheels were in our small living room waiting to be used for the hanging items that would be returned.  

Clothing articles, neck ties, cloth napkins, etc. that were recovered were neatly hanging on wire hangers and covered with dry cleaner bags.  I had cleared the Dining room floor space for the boxes.  Just guessing I think there might be a hundred items on the two racks.  Only 9 cardboard boxes and a few bags of things were returned in good condition.  Small amount.  We weren't sure what would be returned or how many boxes there would be.

The SMOKIES were unloaded in the backyard on the sidewalk.  More damaged returned than things in good shape.  Somewhat stunned and taken a back.  We are living.  We are physically unharmed, but my emotional side is smoked as well.  

Bewildered.  Bewildered is about as good of a word as I can describe this feeling I am having.  

Husband and I opened boxes and bags of the damaged items outside, took pictures and jotted descriptions down for Insurance purposes.  THIS was more emotionally difficult than I had anticipated.  We worked close to three hours outside on this before ordering PIZZA to eat a late supper.  ZONKED might be a good word to describe the pain.  

We will have to continue on this during the week as we ran out of daylight.  Today I am looking through the articles that hang, are boxed or bagged in the house to see what we still have.  My little black dress is the only dress hanging on the racks.  There are jackets, shirts, slacks, a coat, children's clothing, fabric, some jeans and a skirt.  ONE DRESS.  One dress that doesn't fit me anymore, but was saved.

A CHEMICAL SMELL is present on every item.  If some of the items still smell like smoke, we are to let the company know and it will be recorded.  Right away as the things were being unloaded we noticed some smell.  A nice hat my Husband had was definitely still smoky, a leather coat and a dress jacket.

Today, if I can bring myself to do this, I will open the big box that my wedding dress is in to see how it looks and smells.  I haven't found my wedding veil yet.  Found my wedding shoes still in the original box.  They don't smell.  Now, if I were wearing them that would be a different story.  grins. 

I am doing a lot of thinking about how to do things in the future pertaining to keeping an ongoing record of items.  Pictures are a must.  A must.  

I will keep a handful of articles for keepsakes.  I've been looking over images on the internet for decorating ideas.  In a way this has to be freeing.  Lighten the load and be more care free in the rooms.  Color themes and items.  

I shake my head and rub my eyes.  This is a bit much, but doable.  Onward.

MY good green and white quilt was not spared.  She has serious smoke stains on her that will not wash out.  I'm going to try to save this anyhow....for picnics if I can get the smell out.  Shall see.  Sigh.  

The quilt that my Grandma made me that was stored in the cedar chest was in sad shape in the first place, but the Fire Recovery company saved her.  She's tattered and torn, but there are memories attached to this old quilt and I want to keep her.  If nothing else I could cut a piece of her and have it framed to hang on the wall.  Something to think about or cut this quilt into a smaller quilt for a table covering.  Maybe both.  This could be interesting and fun.  I could hang a section of this KEEPSAKE QUILT in the Utility room, Bedroom or Bath.  

If items can be cleaned, the Fire Recovery company cleans it then returns it to the rightful owner.  If the item cannot be cleaned, then it is returned uncleaned, but still returned to rightful owner.

Something that I learned during this trauma is the Insurance company will first see if the item can be cleaned, repaired, if not then replaced.  CLEAN.  REPAIRED.  REPLACED.

Everything is depreciated in value.  This is where the REPLACEMENT attachment to the Insurance policy comes in handy.  Insurance company depreciates everything and prices the damaged item as such.  With the replacement policy they are to allow you to replace the item with like kind and value.  I'll let you all know how this pans out when all is said and done.  

In a few days it will be 5 months since the fire.  Almost a half of a year.

Tis true.  I am sitting, looking at recovered items on the racks, breathing and wondering what to do next.  Think I will group the items together like hang all the children's clothing together, all napkins together, ladies clothing together, men's clothing together, etc.  Decide what to keep and what to give away.  I see a coat that I hope to keep.  I'll have to sniff everything and try on articles to see if they still fit or not.  I don't believe I will be hanging onto very many pieces that don't fit.  Just not gonna do this.

SNIFF.  SNIFF.  Compose yourself and carry on.
This is a slow process.  SLOW.
d  

SPRING Has Arrived

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY for being the first day of SPRING and in 3-D LIVING.  It's like SPRING should be.  Gorgeous powder blue sky, mild temperatures, little wind, birds chirping and I AM AT HOME.  

HOME LIFE is for me.  Yes, it is.  THANKING GOD and praising my Husband for allowing me to be a KEEPER of the HOME.

One can work at employment at home or at another location and still be a KEEPER.  This is the way of life for many.  Some remain in their HOMES and manage nicely.  I am best suited to be a homemaker and stay-at-home-keeper.  I LOVE this life.    

With the children grown and not baby sitting, the mornings are quiet.  So quiet at times you can hear a pin drop.  In my world it's more like hearing a pen drop. 

This year the main project will to get back on our feet and work on recovering from the HOME FIRE.  I'm not sure how long it will take to fully recover.  We continue to make plans on how to doll up the COTTAGE and fit into her.

Today, I am shuffling the Dining room to make room for boxes that will be arriving this week.  FIRE RECOVERY in action.

I'll be relieved when the boxes are here and I can see first hand what TEXTILE items were saved.  It may be somewhat overwhelming?  Shall see.  Take a deep breathe and be thankful some things were saved.  THANKFUL.

My dear, sweet Husband set up our grey painted table in the Kitchen.  We have two old wooden chairs with leather enforced seats that we are using in RETIREMENT COTTAGE.  Later the other dining table will be returned that I think we will use in the Dining room, but will need to get some upholstered chairs this SPRING/SUMMER.  Probably more like SUMMER.  Morphing along like a newly wed.

At times I feel like we are newly weds getting started.  Reminding myself that the Lord will do a new thing here in the COTTAGE as oldly-weds.  With SPRING ARRIVING, I feel brand new in some ways.  Refreshed that the season has changed.

IT CAN BE DEVASTATING to say I AM STARTING OVER...instead think of it as I am continuing on and/or I am advancing even if it doesn't look like it in the natural.

I AM ADVANCING.  It is fortunate that SPRING has arrived.  I am continuing to learn much about LIFE, LIBERTY and the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.

I am advancing.

Advancing for the better.  I have to look at this time as an opportunity to do somethings differently.  As I surf the internet seeing other styles of decorating, I'm picking up on some ideas as how to continue on in our new HOME.  

Sweetly, I think this is a new day and a season to continue on in LIFE.  Laying down some bad habits and picking up some better ones.

SHALL SEE how the day goes.  HAPPY SPRING!
So glad you have stopped by for a visit.  
Blessings,
d

So Beautiful

Today I will walk over to the rock house and snap some pictures of the flowers that have already bloomed.  This SPRING I will not be living in this house  as we have moved into RETIREMENT COTTAGE.

THE COTTAGE is where we are recovering from the devastating HOME fire.  My heart aches some as I think about having moved away.  An adjustment.  Today, I will take some pictures and get ready for clothing and textile items that will be returned to us from fire recovery.

It will be a mess around the COTTAGE as we sort through items that are in good shape and those that aren't.  What is called 'smokies' will not enter the house, but be reviewed and photographed outside.

We will have a full day preparing for this endeavor.  A full day.

For a few minutes I will sit and sip my coffee with thoughts on what we hope to get accomplished TODAY.  Tis a gorgeous SPRING-LIKE day here in my part of Kansas.

We did the shuffling in the Living room and Dining room over the week-end.  I think we will be comfortable in the cottage after we finally get settled over the SPRING.  We will have time to prepare further for retiring and moving forward.  A journey we haven't taken yet.

May you have a blessed and pleasant LIFE.
God bless,
d

Green With Envy

SAINT PATTY'S DAY and all is green.  Do you know why you are suppose to wear GREEN on this special day?  I looked it up on good 'ole google and read that the green color of Ireland's flag was to represent the Catholic population of Ireland and the orange was to represent the Protestant population of the country as the white in their flag is to represent the peace between the two religions....should I read elsewhere to help me understand why we are to wear GREEN on Saint Patrick's Day???

THEN I READ The proportions of the flag are 1:2 (that is to say, flown horizontally, the flag is half as high as it is wide). The Irish government has described the symbolism behind each colour as being that "green represents the older Gaelic tradition while the orange represents the supporters of William of Orange. The white in the centre signifies a lasting truce between the 'Orange' and the 'Green'." 

WHICH DOESN'T GIVE A CLUE ABOUT WHY I SHOULD WEAR GREEN ON ST.  PATTY'S DAY.

Please let me know if you know about the BIG GREEN.


I'm not wearing green today partly because I don't have green clothing anymore due to our HOME FIRE.  The articles I am replacing into my NEW WARDROBE hasn't been green.  No longer GREEN WITH ENVY.  grins.

Received a phone call today making an appointment for time to return the clothing and textile articles that were salvaged.  
HOPEFULLY next week-end we'll know what we have and don't have anymore.  SO this week-end we will be making preparations to receive what will be returned to us.  gulp.  The house will be a real maize to get around in.  Okay.  Bring her on.  We have to get through this.  

DRAT:  Meaning a furniture shuffle. happens. again. here at RETIREMENT COTTAGE.  I will have to move my Victorian Parlour furniture into the Dining room making our Parlour a Living room with our modern furniture and devices.  The room we have been using as a TV room will be turned into a warehouse for boxes and room for two clothing racks on wheels.  Not sure how this will pan out since the room is small to begin with.  Am praying.  After we go through the salvaged items and decide where all will go as we live here THEN our Dining room will become a DINING room once again and HOPEFULLY NO LONGER a staging room.

EXCITED in one way as our THINGS begin to migrate back to our homeland AND scared in another as I will have some closure what was saved...what wasn't.  

SHOULD BE INTERESTING as I have wondered what will be returned in good shape.  My wedding dress was to be saved and placed in a special box.  Several of my quilts were not able to be saved...this I already know and sigh.  

VERY THANKFUL we are not burned victims, dead or injured.  So very THANKFUL for more time on planet earth.  A house can be rebuilt or another one purchased, dishes can be replaced, etc.  Things that my children made me that were damaged cannot be replaced.  What little I did collect from my Grandparents was damaged.  I cried on this one.  What little I did have in my possession was damaged.

Proverbs 24:3-6New King James Version (NKJV)

³ Through wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
⁴ By knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.

⁵ A wise man is strong,
Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;
⁶ For by wise counsel you will wage your own war,
And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.

We are not to live only for earth forever.  Heaven is our final HOME.  Still, while I am here there are a few things that I like having around me.  As the Bible says to fill your rooms with beautiful things, I am trying.  Had a huge set back, but am getting back up to forge ahead until the race is ran and I cross the finish line.

Perhaps I will be wearing green on that day,
d