Time Out

Working at the COTTAGE this evening as the birds are chirping so loud it reminds me that NATURE IS ALIVE AND WELL in this little corner of the world.  We worked like crazy to clear out our storage unit and relocate boxes into our HOME.SWEET.HOME across the county line.

We didn't have it in us to unload the truck all on the same day so we didn't.  The next day all the strength was gone in my hands and my body gave out.  The next day my Husband told me to rest, so I slowed my pace way down.  As boxes were brought into the screen-in porch, Lil Miss took over and carried boxes into the house.  She worked like an adult.  I started going through boxes.

All the boxes were in the house when we returned to the COTTAGE to pick up more boxes that were in the house, lawn furniture, and some heavy urns with ferns.  A miracle happened.  Daughter and her new Husband with a stepson started loading the boxes, etc. onto the moving van.  Then unloaded items at the new location.  We had our mattress and boxsprings to sleep on at the new bedroom.

I am so very thankful that this took place.  We are closer to being moved in.  HAVING FAMILY to help was a huge blessing.  HUGE BLESSING.  God bless them real good.

This morning I went through more boxes.  Each box contains surprises as I don't know what's in them.  SURPRISE!!!

It's time to rest and regain my strength.  I don't know how my Husband does what he does.  We're not in a race to see how much we can out-do one another, but he wins hands down.  I have to sit and catch my breath so much.  My back starts to go out and I HAVE TO REST.

Pacing myself is necessary.  Amen.
If I give us an opportunity to be realistic in saying it will take an entire year before we are back to somewhat normal....then I think that it will take a whole year to be somewhat normal.  I am certain that we cannot get there any sooner.
  

A great gift is allowing TIME,
d

HOME.SWEET.HOME LIVING ROOM

The Living room.

We will probably paint the Living room a different color 

as the furniture we will be getting will not coordinate with red.  I am in disbelief that we are moving from a community that we have lived in for almost 10 and a half years, but think I will like the new location as we make our HOME across the county line.

Recently saw pictures of this house dated 1931.

I was surprised at how modern the interior design was.

Off we go into the year 2017.

It is going to take some time to create our HOME.

Some time and muscle.

Continuing to pack and make plans to move in.

Thanks for stopping by,

d

HOME SWEET HOME

Hit me with a wet noodle.  I don't think I would flinch.  After today, I think having babies was less tiresome than how I FEEL at the moment.  I still have strength to type so I'm not completely gone, but my muscles are weak, sore, feet tired and I know the meaning of TIRED.

This evening I will soak my weary feet.

THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEK-END we rented a U-Haul, got a McDonalds Breakfast then stopped in at a THRIFT SHOP.  I purchased a few small items then drove back to small-town america where we had our FIRE RECOVERY boxes stored in a storage unit.  ROLLED MY SLEEVES UP and got to work.

Husband and I went full steam ahead and unloaded the storage unit into a moving van.  It took four hours.  The boxes were light and easy to carry, but after umpteen trips from unit to van I felt old and worn out.  My dear Husband and I were THE CREW. 

We finished up and drove the van over the county line....drum roll please......to a different house.  Not RETIREMENT COTTAGE.  My Dear Sweet Husband admitted to me that after living at RETIREMENT COTTAGE for 6 months he is not ready for this kind of SMALL.

On the day that our belongings were returned to us   to a storage unit, we went for lunch across the county line.  After we ate, we took a drive about a different small-town america.  There are some houses that I enjoy looking at from the curb appeal angle.  

As we came over a hill, I commented at this one house that I have admired for years, "AND you know I just love this house..."  Noticing that there was a FOR SALE sign in the lawn, I BLINKED and hollered, "AND IT'S FOR SALE!!!!"

"Can we go see it?"  He agreed and we went to the Real Estate Office that the house is listed with.  Just so happened the realtor was in saying we can tour the house right now.   FELL madly in love with it.  

Said a prayer.

We talked about it.  
We both like the house more than chocolate.  
Made an offer.  
The sellers accepted.  
Had inspections.  
We bought the house.  
Closed on the house.  

Decided to take our storage boxes to the DREAM house and unpack there.

IT'S OUR DREAM HOUSE.  DREAM.

We had been loading the car up with boxes from storage, taking them to RETIREMENT COTTAGE, unloading the treasures, documenting, etc.  Our small cottage has quickly filled up with boxes.  Having to decide where to stack the things until our furniture returns to us has crowded our space.  LIVING in a warehouse takes nerves of steel.

We hope to finish unloading the boxes this week-end...turn around and reload the truck with another storage units keepsakes, make the trip over the county line and unload.  

We will be busy in JUNE going through BOXES.

This will be a different kind of relocating than ever before.  After we order the Living room furniture, it will take about two months to get it delivered.  Others will be moving these heavy pieces of furniture into our HOME.  While we wait for time to pass, I'll be going through the boxes, taking inventory, washing the dishes and placing in the room where items will live.

Our wood furniture is being refinished and when it is ready to be returned to us, others will bring it to our new location in a few months.  

Eventually, we will order two more mattresses and box springs.  that will be delivered by others.  When the time comes we'll find a bedroom suite to replace the one we lost in the fire.

We'll pack up our RETIREMENT COTTAGE belongings that we have been living with since the house fire.   SO I best be packing.

I have felt almost like a newly wed living in RETIREMENT COTTAGE the last 7 months.  There has been little furniture.   As we have been thinking about what to replace, my brain has been tired.  Our little cottage has been crowded.  TINY.  I really thought we could fit in here if we had little earthly possessions.  I thought we could do it.  

This place in LIFE has helped me think about what is important in LIFE.  The house fire,  two parents dying, a third parent with stage four lung cancer, turning loose of HOMEHAVEN in the rock house, rummaging through sentimental items that were ruined....we decided we were not ready to downsize to the place we would have to in order to fit in RETIREMENT COTTAGE.  

We've worked long hours on the non-restorable items that were returned to us.  It has been sad at times but also happy as we have gone through some items that were saved.

Going through belongings that are still in good condition makes my heart sing.

We will LIVE in our new location and go from there.
Pics to follow.
HOPE YOU'LL JOIN ME.     

So glad you stopped by,
d

Cucumbers and Lemons

It's LATE.  Midnight... as I hear distant thunder rumbling in the countryside.  I really want to retire to the bed chamber, but am concerned about the storm that doesn't sound so far off.  Need to check weather.gov.  I had my evening dose of 'CALL THE MIDWIFE' and have just about caught up to where I started watching a few years ago.

Perhaps, I have babies on my mind.  The actresses that pretend they are in labor are doing a supreme job of acting.  The babies will have nice resumes with their first acting job as an infant on a PBS series.  As the wee ones come into the world it is with mixed emotions as the story line unfolds.  Brings back memories when I gave birth.    I don't remember my feet swelling when I was pregnant.  They started when I was in my 40s.  Now....they are swelling once again.  sigh.

There's the rain outside my door with flashes of lightning.  Closer thunder with amplified rumbles.  Not sure if it will blow on by or cause us a restless night.  I got up early and would like to sleep with ease tonight.  I need my rest.  Shall see how this pans out.

This day was very busy for me.  Wasn't HOME much and I did a lot of driving then standing on my feet.  My ankles are swollen so I spent time reading about how to reduce swollen ankles.

Everything from elevating my legs to taking Vitamin B6, soaking in epsom salts, to cold water to taking magnesium with calcium.  I will drink more water during the day and see about magnesium with calcium and Vitamin B6.  Read that Vitamin B1 helps with swollen tissue. Placing cucumber slices on ankles also drinking water with lemon and cucumber.  

It's been awhile since my ankles swelled up.  

This week-end shall be a busy one.  We will move a ton of boxes and start going through them over the week-end.  LORD WILLING.  It will be helpful to go through all the boxes taking note what we still have and making headway placing the items in the appropriate room.

Still waiting for our wood furniture to be returned to us to where items are stored in the correct place.  When this is all said and done....it will be a good work.  HOME.

Right now the pieces are coming together.  I pray that we have success. 

Thank you for visiting today,
d

BEAUTIFUL VIEW

A CALLING

When I started watching 'Call The Midwife' 
I caught the bug.  I started watching well into the series and missed many episodes.  Thinking I would catch up at a later date....that day came.  

The way the characters come to life is a plus.  
I like the show.

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

HOOKED,
d  



ANOTHER POST ABOUT MIDWIFE:
http://homehavenministry.blogspot.com/2014/05/call-midwife.html

Television

Is television a thing of the past?  I DON'T THINK SO... JUST THE WAY IT'S USED HAS CHANGED.  With so many ways to gather information in this Information Age, the television is used for other things besides what's being broadcasted from television stations.  When tv is fired up, it might be for a video from the Library, a teaching tape from a personal stash or tuning into a different wave link from a satellite.


ROKU invaded our television a few years ago and it has been AWESOME to watch PBS and occasionally NETFLIX.  

We didn't get into the REDBOX movie vendor where renting a movie was made possible.  

NOR do I like renting movies on the tele.

AS FOR REGULAR TELEVISION I seldom watch daytime programming.  The first time I heard a lady friend tell the Bible Study group I was in that she did not watch television, I thought her odd.  In my close minded way I questioned 'Who doesn't watch television?'  This was so many years ago I cannot recall the year, but I couldn't believe people like her existed.  I feel differently about this now days.  The quiet is soothing to my soul.  I can hear myself think.

Now I'm the one who doesn't watch daytime tele.  

With my computer broken down, I don't have access to a computer unless I go to the Public Library.  It is a welcomed thing to not be on the computer during the daylight hours as I am busying myself by going through fire recovery boxes.  My time is needed in this task.

I don't have a smart phone, nor a kindle, nook, iPad, iPod, etc.  I'm staying away from this technology and that's that.  I went to the Hardware store earlier and the dear Lady told me that she doesn't use a computer.  Her son does the work for her, but her phone service was down and she couldn't place a order for her store.  She's 91 years old and still works her Hardware store.  Spunky and witty she is.  Walks everyday Home for her Lunch.  

She still mows her lawn.  91.  Can you imagine being 91 and looking like you're 71?  She does.  God has been good to her and she has been good to God.  

As for a television and not watching it during the daytime, I cut back on SOAP OPERAS when I lived in Texas.  Gave them up and never took them up again.  I left Texas back in January 1992.  Gosh can it be 25 years ago?  Mercy sakes alive.  This is proving to be a time warp.

I was an addict.  Been delivered.  Praise God.  When I think about it, God has delivered me from so much, I can't thank Him enough.

I see so many people stuck on their phones, it bothers me that they are missing out on what is going on about them.  Flipping through messages, pictures, etc.  so much of this is a sign of the times.  It's easy enough to get hooked.

Time passes so quickly.
May you have a blessed day,
d

Gone Junkin'

JUNKIN FOR THRIFT.  One of the things I look for when I go JUNKIN' is crystal and Blue Willow dishes.  If the items are bargain basement prices, I perk up knowing I got a great price for a great item.  I spent a few days with my Mom this past week.  We went JUNKIN'...We stopped to see what a couple of THRIFT STORES had.

BLUE WILLOW heard me calling out when I showed up finding 4 BLUE WILLOW dishes in plate hangers.  From Japan.  Gawking at the 50 cent stickers on the plates, I didn't hesitate to put them in my shopping cart.  If I had walked away with just these 4 items it would have been a successful shopping trip.

Naturally I had to look around.  Mrs. Albee, the AVON figurine caught my eye as she jumped into my cart...well with some help.  She's lovely and will be a nice addition to my figurines that I hope return to me in good condition.  She's porcelain and in excellent shape.  Excellent.

I found some small pressed and cut crystal bowls that I will use as Berry Bowls.  THEY are not the exact same pattern at HOME, but I have a larger glass bowl that can be used along with the smaller berry bowls.  I will place them in my curio cabinet when it is returned to me after being refinished from the house fire.


All and all, I was a happy shopper. 
So HAPPY.

May you have a delightful day.
God bless,
d

Simple Squares Of Colorful Cotton

As I finished going through the last box that has been in the shed for several months....a sigh of relief came out of me.  Sunday evening was so pleasant that it made the time outside even better.  I worked at a picnic table going through damaged items, jotted down tag numbers and description of things, plus photographing the things.

Antique Opera Cape Didn't Survive

I now have to type up all the non-restorable items, print out pictures and continue on this journey recovering from fire damage.  

I had no idea it would take as long as it has and still there's much to do.  

If I detour some of the time with other activities then LIFE goes on and I must as well.

Today, a step Grandson graduated from High School.  We were able to witness this event.  I hope it was a happy time for him.  It made for a enjoyable afternoon.  Seeing these students receive their diplomas was what it was.  They have completed their High School Career and are moving into a different arena of LIFE.  Where they go and what they do will manifest.  

As an older woman, I have come to think that it's alright to do well in school, but it's not all there is to living.  LIFE is a opportunity to make decisions, especially which God one will worship and how we will live our lives.  Decisions are made about how our character will be and how to use our god-given talents.  Wise decisions and wise actions verses bad ones.  How will it go? 

FIRE RECOVERY continues.  It truly is a long going issue.
I'll forge ahead going through hundreds of boxes that hopefully hold things that are in good shape.  I'd rather go through good things then have sad emotions over the non-restorable things.  It was a tad bit sad to go through the sentimental things that I had kept for years that are now in the trash.  I'll live, but am changed.

It is true that we are just passing through this world and cannot take material objects with us.  Because we are passing through does not excuse us from making good decisions or bad.  Our luggage will be our souls blended with our spirits as we enter into eternity.  The way we have lived our lives will be addressed by our creator.  I am a flawed human that isn't perfect, but being perfected through the Lord Jesus.

My covering is the LORD Jesus.  

STILL I have things that God wants me to do and I believe that He has given me some more time to do so.  I know I want to thin out a great many things that we have in our HOME.  I know that I need to visit more with God about everything.  I need to be the Wife that God wants me to be to my Husband and a Keeper of the HOME as I have been given this position.  Stay in touch with my Children and Grands plus family members.  Pray more and rest more in the Lord.  Be honest, hard working, active and sincere.  

No matter what size estate I have, I hope to be diligent.  It will be my responsibility to be responsible.  Amen.

LORD WILLING, my wardrobe will be added to with nice articles that I will slowly add to the closet.  I will forever bargain shop as that's how I am.  I will continue stream-lining our belongings and have the things grouped together in an orderly fashion.  That's my hope.

I hope to sew some things.  Maybe sew a quilt or two.  Simple squares of colorful cottons.

Tonight I came across a doll quilt my Grandma sewed me when I was a child that was in the non-restorable items.  I couldn't throw this away....and will try to get the smell out of it.  If I have to I will frame this to hang on the wall.  The large quilt that Grandma made me was returned as well, but in shabby shape.  I hope to cut out the good portions of this quilt and frame.  

Maybe there will be a couple of these framed pieces of quilts with colorful cotton squares.  Simple.  

Maybe,
d

PARTY TIME:
http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please_22.html

Nothing Like It

It's not HOT outside.  Yet.  The Kansas breeze is blowing as the windows of RETIREMENT COTTAGE are opened letting fresh air indoors.  Here I sit by the window that the bush's branches scrape the screen.  Late at night this scraping gives me the e e b i e-j e e b i e s, but this isn't late at night.  It's morning and I'm wide awake.  

Clearly, I can see outside that no one is raking their fingernails across the screen to scare me witless.  Just nature letting her presence be known.

The wind almost sounds like sea waves crashing against the rocks.  Seagulls singing as they soar above our heads.  Sometimes the open fields of Kansas filled with tall grasses or crops sway in the wind resembling ocean waves in motion.  You can see for miles.

In town it's different, because of the houses and buildings that are there.  Just sounds are similar.  As a child, I loved to let the wind breeze blow across my face messing my hair.  This was home grown freedom.  

Birds are chirping a melodious tune.  

The day has begun.  

Between the birds chirping and the wind rushing,

it's harmony at her best.

All seems well in this ole world.

I haven't bothered to turn the television or radio on 

to find out what's going on in the world.

My computer is on the fritz, so I have no way to check the bullet points that the news likes to send our way across the internet.

The delicate lace window panel swirls into the Living room 
as the wind blows about.  So quiet here at this moment that it's relaxing and helps me to breathe deeper with ease.  

Pause.    

This wind will eventually blow the tall irises over breaking their majestic stance that waves to all that pass by.  WE DO LOVE OUR IRISES.  For several weeks in the SPRING, I admire their blossoms.  It may sound dull to some how I go on and on about Irises, but at my age I just can't help it anymore.  I was needing something in my life that was a positive feed.  Along came the IRISES to fill that void.

Which makes LIFE  more enjoyable.  I LOVE FLOWER GARDENS.  Out amongst the beauty is heavenly. 

Over the years I came to understand that so many varieties are out there.  Colorful.  The fuzzy part of the Iris is called the beard and this alone comes in different colors.  You might have white petals with white beard or white petals with purple beard, yellow beard, orange, blue, purple, etc. Then the petals vary with such vibrant colors.  The height and size of blossom vary as well.  It's never ending.

I made my weekly pilgrimage to the KSU Gardens on a sunshiny day.  The BLOOMS were gorgeous and more were out to show off their glory. 

 Beautiful to visit 
and one of my favorite places on Earth.

Thank you for joining me today.

You are LOVED,

d

Glazed Oranges

GLAZED ORANGE

A beautiful place to walk and gawk at the flowers...Kansas State University Gardens in Manhattan, Kansas. 

ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES ON PLANET EARTH 
IS KSU GARDENS.  

You don't have to be a student or staff to walk the grounds.  

They're public.  Awesome Blossom!

Quick tour.

Love,

d

AZTEC SUN

BRIDAL WREATH

DEVIL'S LAKE

Decorating On The Prairie: Taking My Time Because FURNITURE Matters

DECORATING ON THE PRAIRIE

This should be a fun packed thing to do, but for so many reasons I cannot relax about decorating.  Tense.  Purchasing new furniture isn't something I do every day.  I hope the furniture I finally get will last as long as the upholstered furniture I had that was thrown away due to house fire.  Perhaps longer.

What's popular in colors changes ever so often.  At this point in life I need to select colors that I want to be around so much of the time in our HOME.  A GOOD FIT.  I need to select a color theme that I find pleasant and inviting.  A furniture style that is durable, but comfortable.  FURNITURE in our price bracket.  

I want a look that is more on the lines 

of traditional and not sloppy cozy.  

We traveled to Kansas City to check out fabric samples for furniture.  It's been about 5 months since visiting a Ethan Allen Gallery and I was saddened that they no longer make the style of camel back sofas and wing chairs like I had.  I took a catalog home at the time and studied up on what they had to offer.  We returned with an idea in hand.

IN THE MEAN TIME, I checked other furniture stores and online websites.  I had to cool my jets about selecting living room furniture.  I know times change and styles morph into something different.  Doesn't mean I have to like it.  I was perfectly happy with my traditional look that I had in my Parlour/Living room.  I was so happy with it that I wanted to repeat the pieces of furniture in my HOME just with a different color.  

I LOVED the formal look I had for 16 years.  I wasn't ready for what I heard when we went to Kansas City and were told WE DON'T MAKE CAMEL BACK SOFAS ANYMORE AND THE STEWART WING CHAIRS ARE A NO GO AS WELL.  

I left the Gallery sad.  Months later, I was ready to try again with a different style.  Here I be thinking about what I want.  

For Mother's Day appreciation field trip, we returned to Kansas City to look at fabrics.  Decided that after we select new furniture style and know what colors we are going with, that this would be the way to go to decide on a coordinating wall color.

Closer to declaring what I want.  I went into the Ethan Allen Gallery with color on my mind.  Wanted to see fabrics/patterns in color themes made-up for a sofa and wing chairs in dark blues, powder blues, champaign, dusty rose, and garnets.  

Wanted to see their fabric samples in person.  No greens this go round as I had greens for 16 years.  Still LOVE green, but ready for a change.

AFTER the house fire my beautiful Parlour furniture was thrown in a dumpster.  The legs were sawed off the camel back sofa.  My husband did the honors as the movers were trying to break the legs off.  He had some compassion and decided to do the sawing himself.  sigh.  We had saved up for 12 years to buy these fine pieces of furniture and to see someone trying to break the legs off wasn't what he wanted to see.  Even with the pieces going to the dump...it was a challenge.  I wasn't present when this took place, but heard all about it and didn't like visualizing this in my head.

Sigh, but... I saw my pink sofa that had been in mint condition before the fire being thrown off the roof after it came out of the Master Bedroom window.  That HURT.  Wasn't much I could do, but watch.  That's that.  I sure liked that pretty sofa that I barely sat on.

If I hadn't been in shock at the time I would have told them that I wanted the furniture frames.  I would have cut the fabric away and had them OZONE the frames.  Then had a talented upholsterer upholster the frames with new fabric.  I had no idea how challenging it was going to be to get the same style that I had.  No idea.

Too late now.  Insurance allows us new upholstered furniture of like kind and quality so this is what I am working on deciding now.  After the order is turned in, it will be 6 to 8 weeks until order is delivered.

PARIS SOFA WITH BENCH CUSHION AND KICKPLEAT SKIRT

Interested in their PARIS SOFA with bench cushion and kick- pleat skirt.  Interested in their Giles Wing Chairs.  Found out that there are three stores in the United States that has the Paris Sofa in their Gallery.  I could travel to Florida, Georgia and New York to see first hand a Paris Sofa.  I didn't really want to order one without actually sitting on one.  The E. A. Designer showed us one that they did have on the Show Floor that was similar to the Paris.  It sat nicely.

GILES CHAIR

We sat in the Giles Wing Chair when we first visited their Gallery so we kind of remembered what it felt like.  Their Giles was now sitting in the Symphony Show House elsewhere in the city.  Forging ahead we could look at the fabric samples.

I told the Designer that I need to sleep on the decision which means I will be cautious as to what I go with.  A nice problem to have.
We made up a navy blue colored theme, a coral one and a light blue one.  No garnet, pink or champaign ones.

I'll sleep on it for a few days and then decide.  With it taking 6 to 8 weeks to get a order delivered to your HOME, I will have time to go through all of our boxes of what has returned to us in good condition after being cleaned.  Our wood furniture that is being refinished will be done in a few months.  SO by the end of AUGUST I believe we will have a furniture filled house once again.

This will be a hal.le.lu.jah moment.  
Hallelujah,
d