Beautiful Day

Let fresh air inside as I sat in my easy chair falling asleep.  The french doors were opened.  Woke to the sound of children playing outside.  I enjoyed this nap so much.  I stretched.  Walked into the Kitchen and fixed myself a PERO with cream.

Sat and sipped.  Listened to the birds.  SPRING like weather.  So needed.  I have made great headway going through the old papers and pictures.  Felt like I needed some time off from this task so I headed into Manhattan to have LUNCH with Hubby.  We ate a large salad from McDonalds at the park.  

Peaceful and pleasant.  After he returned to work I went to GOODWILL and bought a dish with a Senior Citizen discount.  Depression glass plate.    

Went over to TUESDAY MORNING to look at children's toys for Grandchildren's Birthday gifts.  It was overwhelming so I decided to just give them cash to where they pick something out themselves.

Returned HOME admiring the beautiful day.  Blue skies with a few clouds.  Had the window down on the car.  This Spring day was so needed.  Tomorrow it is suppose to rain.  Whaah.  Last day of the month.  Yahhhhhh.  March is in the air.  

Small steps to getting where I need to be.  Little baby steps.  Teeny tiny steps.  Slow and steady.  Still have a mess around the feet of my easy chair.  In a few days it should be cleared all up.  Laundry needs attention.  Spring cleaning will start with the real Spring as I have deep cleaning to do.  One room at a time then move onto the next room.  

In disbelief that I am still dealing with putting things away after we have moved.  Disbelief.  Press in and continue on.  I'm ahead of where I was a couple of months ago.  Stay the course.

Tomorrow I hope to get a load of bedding washed and dried.  Remake the bed.  Wash my hair, curl it and let it air dry.  More pictures and a small pile of papers to go through.  Will be Wednesday and I need to watch some videos about weight loss for Hubby's insurance discount.  A trip to the dollar store to get some cards for children. 

Not world shaking, but necessary in my life. 

https://www.sonicdrivein.com/-/pretzeltwist

My dear sweet Hubby brought me HOME a SONIC pretzel twist with cheese dip.  One word to say, "GOOD!"

I am looking forward to having a day where I have no schedule and have down time.  I'm still on the mend of being ill.  I'm beginning to wonder if this cough of mine will stop.  It's day 20 for me. 

Sleep has been a real help.  
Naps,
d  

This Is Getting Exciting!

GRANDSON TURNS 11

We were not able to go to our Grandson's week-end Birthday party as we were still run down and coughing from flu.  Today is his birthday.  HUGS.  Air hug.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  and many more.  

We are on the last stretch of FEBRUARY.  MARCH is inching her way on the calendar and I just about can't stand it.  I didn't think January would ever get over for February to take her place, but it happened.  February was horribly cold and full of sadness.  A death and a long running flu.

TODAY, I didn't cough as much.  That helped.  Took a nap.  Still run down.  THIS has been a long drawn out flu.  Gathered some family pictures.  Took it really easy.  Made some business calls.  Sorted through some papers.  Very easy day.  Opened the french doors to let fresh air in for about an hour.  We had left-overs for Supper.  

About 6 PM tonight we kept hearing an airplane circling our neighborhood.  Later we would learn that a shooting took place across Town.  My Husband was craving ice-tea.  We were out of ice so he went to McDonalds for their fresh brewed tea.  When he got home, he told me that he had never seen so many police cars.   

Not all of the details are known, but it appears that there was a car jacking which ended in a shoot out in small town america.  Perhaps there will be more details in a day or so.  A car jacking gone bad.

Too much excitement in a bad way.

MARCH may come in like a lion and go out like a lamb.  We're suppose to have rain tomorrow with lightning which means thunder cannot be far behind.  I hope to get caught back up with the laundry...more paperwork gone through.  Doll room tidied.  Then Lord willing, I will take a serious look at my wardrobe.  Freshen it up with SPRING GOODNESS.

ONE STEP AT A TIME.  I have hopes of shuffling some boxes over at the cottage.  Our tread mill will be set up and I will begin to walk the walk as I talk the talk.  I think I had better have one day a week where I work on FIRE RECOVERY PAPERWORK.  

This is a season of continued downsizing.  Thinning out.  Getting better organized and know what we have.  This may be really boring to many, but it has to be done.  That's that.

God Bless,
d  



 

Had To Get Out

A lot of people must have been feeling the same way as the stores were busy.  I ran out of energy early as I am still not up to spiff.  I had the energy to drive to TOPEKA straight to the Italian RESTaurante.

https://paisanoskansas.com/ 

Ordered a side of stuffed mushrooms.  Hubby actually ate some.  grins.  A salad came next.  I didn't eat much of it.  Then the spaghetti with meata-balls and bread sticks.

Ate about a third of the spaghetti.  Drank water.  Boxed the rest.  Will be my Sunday Dinner.  Salad, spaghetti and breadsticks.

It was misting and the temps were at 37 degrees.  No ice or snow.  Felt great to be out of the house.  The FLINT HILL landscape reminded me of late November around THANKSGIVING time with the wet grounds of yellow stubble, grey skies, rolling hills, but it's February and I am so happy it is.  Almost March and counting the days till SPRING.  Can you tell?

Then onto a Antique Mall that I have seen pictures of.  Made a quick walk about.  The thing that caught my eye was purple kerosene lamps up high on a shelf.  So purdee.  I haven't notice this purple glass before.

I've never seen "SUN PURPLE" glassware.  10% off.  Showed my dear hubby and he said HAPPY VALENTINE's DAY!!!  We didn't purchase it and left talking about it.  Went to God's Storehouse.  Still talking about this unusual lamp.

Returned.  Purchased the beautiful lamp.  

Onto the lumber yard and Arby's for fresh brewed tea.  Drove HOME.  I don't like being so run down.  

Dear Hubby unwrapped our new purchase.  She is sitting in the GARDEN WINDOW in the Kitchen.  Looked up info about "SUN PURPLE" glass.  Will study more about it.

Then to our displeasure....the toilet backed up.  Icky water in basement.  Plumber in the morning.
Went to bed early.

Today, I stayed in my housecoat.  Not well.  Running fever.  Took a nap.  Woke up...still weak.  Sat and went through a large plastic tub full of old papers.  It's a bit much.  BUT I did get through it.  More filing will take place later.

This week, Lord willing,  I will tidy up the Parlour so there are not piles of paper, magazines, odds 'n ins about my easy chair...catch up on laundry once again, shuffle the doll room in hopes of making some headway.  Rest of course.  At the pace I'm going, this may be too ambitious.

I will have to get out again.  
Spring FEVERRRRRRRRRRRRR,
d

     

On The Rebound

Bill Day came and went.  Soon another one will come.
I wrote out so many checks my hand hurt.  One big swoop and I paid off most of the medical bills and a bunch of other bills.  The majority of the medical expenses were paid in full.  A VERY GOOD FEELING.  This didn't come without sacrifice.  For now, we have two balances left.  Unfortunately it's going to take longer to zero out.  SO be it.

It has been tough balancing the budget with the medical bills hanging over my head and requiring monthly payments.  Even with good insurance, the charges are outlandish.  A little here and a little there I have paid until paid in full.  I think it funny when the medical statement has this message within the statement, "The rest is your responsibility to pay."

It's ALL our responsibility to pay in the first place.  The insurance was engaged by us paying our insurance premiums.  WHO do the medical facilities think paid for the premiums in first place so the insurance was activated?  Tadaaah.  OUI.  MOI.  

Balances are what they are.  Facility charge what they do and turn amount into the insurance company applying what is allowed toward medical facility, then the medical facility forwards the unpaid balance to the patient.  This medical machine is a well greased piece of machinery.  The grease they use is made up of hard working people and then some.    

A cramp in my hand from holding a pen and writing.  CRAMP.  Shake my hand and be comfortable again.  Shake, shake, shake.

One check to our family physician paying the balance.  PAID IN FULL. 
One check to a Topeka Hospital paying the balance.  PAID IN FULL.
Another check to our Endocrinologist paying the balance.  PAID IN FULL.
Check to a Radiologist paying the balance.  PAID IN FULL.
Check to OBGYN paying the balance.  PAID IN FULL.
Check to another hospital.  Not all paid.  Ongoing.
Check to dentist.  Ongoing.
Phone bill.
City Bill.
Are you with me?

It takes a while to pay the entire amount due.  Not to get discouraged, but this is an ongoing saga.  Seems like I get the medical bills paid in full then another round of expenses takes place.  It's a good feeling to be owing nothing.  Doesn't last long, but when it is paid...it is paid.  NEXT... 

Thankful to be alive and living at HOME,
d 

Dealing with Passive Aggressive People

Dealing with Malicious People

Can Somebody Say SPRING

Last night we went to check on the COTTAGE across the county line.  As we drove back to our Prairie HOME, moisture was spitting and the windshield began to freeze.  A little here and a little there.  I was tense.  THANKFUL to be HOME.  Situations like this make me appreciate having a warm place to stay called HOME.

Late evening at HOME was a welcomed place to be.  A fire going in a fireplace would have been pleasant while sipping HOT CHOCOLATE.  Picture perfect image.

This morning once again the ground was frozen and covered with icy snow.  Grey skies and chilled.  STAY HOME.  Once again the Public Library is closed due to inclement weather.  Yesterday I did phone to see if I could order a book to borrow instead of buying it.  Is on order.

If I love it and just have to have it on my shelf then I'll purchase one to keep.  I've been wanting to read this book for a few years and just hadn't gotten around to it.  

Victorian Secrets: What a Corset Taught Me about the Past, the Present, and Myself

Book by Sarah A. Chrisman

Also asked the Librarian if they'd get Sarah's other book 

about Victorian Life.  Maybe later.

Beautiful Corset

~ON THE HOME FRONT~

I finished this round of sorting through my in-laws pictures.

ROUND ONE.

More pictures to come.

I'll need to get some envelopes and boxes

for mailing pictures to my brother-in-laws.

My childrens' will be hand delivered.

It's sobering to see all the pictures of my Husband's Parents when they were so young and progressing into mature elderly people.

There's a sting to it.

I decided to go through the pile of magazines that I have kept and thin them down some more.  This truly is a time to downsize and clear out much clutter.  More to do.

A large plastic tub with paperwork has been waiting for me for nine months.  I just moved the box to the side of my easy chair so when the tele is on I'll be going through more papers.

Multi-tasking galore.

When I get this Living room tidied,

then HOPEFULLY the Office/Doll room will get a make over.

It's waiting for me.

March Project and beyond.

Striped the guest bedding.

Laundry in the works.

Waiting for better weather to trudge through.

WE ARE ONE DAY CLOSER TO SPRING.

Counting the days.

What do you do during the months where you are not able to be outside everyday?

Right now, it's paperwork.

Be blessed,

d  

Marching On

WOKE THIS MORNING with snowy white colored ice covering the likes of everything.  Staying HOME.   Hubby is working from HOME.  Roads too dangerous to travel on.  What a nice change of pace.  He's feeling much better.  FLU had him down as well.

Last night we both went through old photos.  About two years ago my Father-in-law had begun to remove pics out of old photo albums with the black sheets of paper and corner holders.  Came across an old image of my Husband's Grandpa and we think his Grandma.  These are rare.  There are no pictures of them when they were young.  Can't say that now, because we know the one is for sure of his Grandpa and pretty sure the other one is of his wife.

Made progress.  Understand that there are more photos in a cedar chest when we return to OKLAHOMA to gather up what needs taken out of Father-in-law's house.  Hurrying going through the pics I have to make more room for the rest.  Not sure what that even means.  MORE.  When I get my hands on them, I will sort through and grouped all the pics, box them in individual boxes and give away to the right person.

TODAY IS THE DAY!  My hair WILL BE WASHED!  Then curl in rollers.  Yes.  I can do this thing.  Sounds so simple, but when you are too weak to stand, washing hair isn't easy.  My hair needs a good shampoo.  

Laundry will have to come later in the week.  Bedding has to be laundered.  Has to.  Will use Laundromat's big machines to wash bed coverings, mattress pad covers and SHEETS.  Fresh like Spring.  Wonderful.    

I'll work on bills later in the day and continue going through photos.   No basketball game tonight.  If I were caught up on pictures, this day would be a great day to sew, draw, write on book, etc.  SPRING, I need you.   

When I was out and about yesterday, I went to the Pharmacy where for a penny I can weigh myself.  I knew the Pharmacy had this machine by the front door and I planned on making a quick trip of weighing self and off I go.  I thought it cost a quarter, but the slot was too short.  The clerk said it took PENNIES.  Pennies...that's even better.

I was mortified that I hadn't lost any weight after the week I had with little food, and the running out from both ends.  Just isn't fair.

Perhaps I will weigh my bod every Monday in HOPES a pound or two disappears.  A pound or two.  A pound.  An ounce.  I could even walk to the Pharmacy.  When the weather is warmer.  Right now it's too cold.

MY PRAIRIE JOURNEY CONTINUES.  This has been a year of replacing our physical losses from the fire.   We continue working on this.  It's not done until it's done.  I believe that SPRING will lift my spirits and I need this.

FEBRUARY is nearly over.  It's been a difficult month.  We headed out to see my Father-in-law Feb. 1st.  Went to a Hospice meeting.  Visited with DAD.  Hubby fed DAD strawberry yogurt and water.  Said our good-byes for the evening.  Went to the motel and rested.  Next morning, Ralph had passed.

Hospice nurses were there.  Minister came by.  Spent some time with Dad.  Mourned.  Some friends came by.  Funeral Director came by to remove Dad's body to Funeral Home.  We gathered up burial clothing.  

Next day we visited with the Funeral Director.  Worked on the obituary.  Gathered up pictures.  Wrapped some glassware.  Made the long trip HOME to Kansas to take care of personal business, get our clothing, run some necessary errands.  Made some arrangements for the funeral.  Rested and returned to the Oklahoma Panhandle.

Visited with the Minister about the funeral services.  Flowers.  Etc.  Gathered more pictures.  Visitation.  Rested.  Meal at church.  Funeral at 2.  With respect I said good-bye.  Drove to cemetery an hour away for burial with Military Rites.  Snowed all day and was bitter cold.

Spent the night and Husband got very sick.  Said more good-byes and headed HOME.  We stopped off at the cemetery on the way home.  Together my In-laws are buried.  It is a sobering sight to see a freshly dug grave with a loved one's body there in the ground.  The tombstone has their names on it.

When we got ready to go, the tears began to flow and I cried so much of the way on the road.  It isn't just that my Father-in-law died, but this time in life is where my Husband's Parents are gone.  Now I will look forward to the future.  This time era of our childhoods are over.  We are the old ones now.    

Trip HOME I came down with cough which led to flu.  7 hour trip HOME and straight to bed to rest for a week.

It's the 20th of February.  Going through more pictures, letters, cards.  I am in hopes that by MARCH 1st, this go round of pictures will be boxed and ready to give to the new owners.  

Looking at these pictures of my two in-laws through the years is with mixed emotions.  To see them when they were children themselves, just starting out as Husband and Wife, babies born, places they visited, with relatives, at their children's graduations, weddings, grand babies being born and growing up, their weddings, etc.  Tis with mixed emotions.  

Our Guest Bedroom houses my Husband's Grandparents bedroom suite.  It seems only fitting to hang on the walls of the guest room framed pictures of his Grandparents.  

HOME is where my heart is.  I'm looking forward to a burst of energy so I can get the SPRING cleaning done.  MARCH will be here soon.  I placed three ceramic bunnies from GOODWILL on the hutch in the entryway.    

Out comes the pastel colors.  March will be a transitional month of ridding the winter blahs with Spring freshness.  Flowers will start popping through the ground.  We will be surprised what shows up.  It will be APRIL before the Irises begin their growth spurt.  Blossoms in April and May.  One of the highlights of SPRING for me.  

The new community we are living in has a Tulip Festival each year.  Never know when the Tulips will bloom at the right time for their festival, but I am looking forward to when they do bloom.    

I am so ready for March,  
d    

   

Picture Perfect

As I picked up the snowmen about the house and the Valentine's Day nic-nacs I had thoughts about what needs to go out next.  EASTER BUNNIES.  I'm hanging onto the hopes of SPRING appearing in the trees with the green splashes.  A hint of green will make for a great day.  It hasn't started yet, but I know it will.

Today, I took a drive to get out of the house.  Inside for a solid 8 days with the flu.  Still coughing.  Wish it would stop.  The day was dedicated to going through my In-laws pictures.  I'm dividing the pictures up into piles for my children, my Husband and his three brothers.  Then I'll figure which pics from their pile will go to their children.

My nephew experienced the early death of his Mom when he was a young boy and I don't know if his Dad saved anything of his Wife's including pictures.  So after I divide up pictures, I'll go back through and make a special stash for him.  He's 30 now with a baby of his own.  His Dad told my Husband before he returned to Arizona that he didn't want anything.  I'll be putting a box together for him anyways.

I made great progress going through the old pictures.  Mixed emotions as I went through my In-laws photos.  Hard to believe they are both gone.  

Thankful I am at HOME.  Time to go through photographs.  Time to rest. 

Time to think,
d    

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

ON OUR WAY TO GUYMON, OKLAHOMA we saw alpaca, real reindeers, lots of cows, feedlots, some roosters and chickens roaming freely next to the highway.  Trains.  Elevators.  Cotton gleanings in the fields.  Blue skies.  Open fields.  Trucks.  The radio stations were few and far between.

Modern windmills.  Cowboys in Dodge City.  Buffalos.

 

The drive was long, but decent.  Auto travelled well with no issues.  This is the closest thing to being on a vacation as to being on a vacation.  I took my chances to see the sights around us as we drove.  It wasn't a HOLIDAY, but I was trying to make the most of it as we seldom drive long distances.

Returning to my stomping grounds in southwest Kansas with the wide open fields full of memories still in tact.  We didn't make it to my HOME TOWN of LIBERAL, Kansas, but did drive around HUGOTON to see the little rental we lived in for three years and the first house we bought when we had two young children.  

Both houses were in terrible shape.  Time hadn't been so good to these places.  Made me sigh a tad.  In my mind they are still in great shape.  I can visit the interiors of these places in a blink.  Just like being there.

We were young married couple with a month old baby when we went to live in Hugoton.  My Husband was hired on as a sanitation worker and we lived in a small rental house on a corner lot.  Huge yard.  Wild roses.  Nice enough place with two bedrooms.  Dinky Kitchen where the fridge was kept in the utility room.  We'd change that and place it just outside the Kitchen door in the Dining room. 

We bought the fridge for $400.  Had to borrow the money from the bank.  grins.  Also bought a dishwasher on wheels to roll up to the sink to run, a new stove, a Kirby vacuum.  In debt over our heads.  We had monthly medical bills for baby delivery and hospital expenses as well.

This was in the day where there were no large garage sales to help stretch the budget.  I lived a long distance from family so no hand me downs.  Besides, I was of the mind set to have brand new and call it my own.  

With time we paid everything off.  Time marched on and so did we. 

This beautiful Sunday I hope to freshen up.  Still coughing and not up to spiff.  Praying this week be better and no longer have a cough.  With asthma it seems that when I get sick it takes longer to stop coughing.  Vitamin C time and fluids.  Cover the cough and puff on an inhaler.


I am stronger in my body today.  I can stand and walk now.  Not as weak.  Hot chicken noodle soup sounds good just about now.  Would I have been better off if I had sipped soup all week long, drank orange water and taken NyQuil?  Wonder.....




This week, if I can pull it off, think I'll try to make HOMEMADE Chicken Noodle Soup in the 'ole crockpot.  

WIND ADVISORY today in my corner of the world somewhere over the rainbow,
d

Tammi Flew Away

ACTUALLY I did smile 

when I read  S P  L E N D I D   S P R I N G   on the front cover of the new Bliss Victoria magazine that came in the mail...'cause I am so ready for Spring it hurts.

  

AND I have the flu.  Thankful we are HOME.  Spring is on her way as the ground hog saw his shadow and the Red Robins have been chirping in the yard.  What a sight to see here on the prairie.  ROBINS.

The red, red robin keeps bob bob bobbin' along.....a welcomed sight after this bitter cold winter that seems to never quit. 

THOUGH I ACHE FROM HEAD TO TOE,  there's comfort to being able to stretch out and rest in my own bed.  My Husband and I both have the flu.  We had a sickly Valentine's day at home.  My mind has been racing the last few days as we returned from my Father-in-law's funeral coming back with the flu as we drove the 7 hours through Oklahoma into Kansas.  First coughing and hacking then hubby got the chills.

He actually got ill Saturday night with a throat tightening EPISODE where I thought we were hospital bound.  Got him through the night with an inhaler and on the road home the next day.  Like a faithful assistant, I chimed in with a hacking cough.  More than ready to be back HOME.

OFF to the Doctor's and Tamiflu.  TYPE A FLU.  As the day progressed, the sicker we got.  ROUGH NIGHT.  Rough 5 nights and long days.  Finally napping off and on throughout the day.  I didn't know the difference between type A and type B.  Had to look that one up.

Not sure it has helped me with this flu.  Wondered where the name Tamiflu came from.  Who makes Tamiflu?  Where'd the name come from?  Tammi flew away with the flu.  


Every time I venture to the bathroom  (and that's quite often) I'm doing my best to wipe down the fixtures with disinfectant wipes.  It's an act of love as I have next to zero energy.  Every trip, I wipe a little more...fixtures that is.  Well.  Using WATKINS.  Another great product.  Smells like citrus.  Wonderful scent.  Got these at Menard's.  Need more!

Am so weak, it's hard to stand.  Get queasy when moving about.  Hopefully tomorrow I can stand in the shower and freshen up.  My hair looks like a mop-top.

AS THIS WEEK PASSES, I'm better.  It's been rough.  Upset stomach.  Bowels doing their thing.  Ache.  Fatigue.  Skin aches.  Still coughing with light headedness, but BREATHING!!!  Too tired to walk, stand and stay awake.  

HAVE SPENT THE MAJORITY OF MY TIME sleeping or lying on the bed.  A little time each day is spent sitting upright.  May this week-end be better.  LAUNDRY to do.  The bedding will need washed for sure.  If I can, I will go for a drive and breathe some fresh air.

It's been years since my Husband and I have had the flu at the same time.  THINK my kids were babies the last time.

Getting through this episode of FLU.   
More then ready for SPRING,
d

It's That Time!

My Newest Best Friend

MORNIN' Folks....
Hit the jackpot!  Took my chances.  I walked in as  WALK-IN to the Beauty Salon and the Receptionist said she could do my hair as she was not with a client.  She was young, energetic and worked her magic with my hair that was in need of HeLp.

Within 30 minutes she had washed my hair, dried it and flat ironed it.  I left with a changed looked and when I run my fingers through it, it feels like silk.  Long once again.

Later I will learn to flat iron my own HAIR and do this at HOME when I have HOME SPA TIME.  

With weight....will that's a different animal.  I know of no one that can wash, dry and flatiron me bod to make it look like maybe I wished it did.  Sigh.  With NO THYROID a person is still suppose to be able to lose weight.  My meds added weight on me.  The things some people say is what it is.  I know I am heavier than ever.  I know.  This month I will concentrate on reading more about HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT WITH NO THYROID.

Walking will take place with swinging of my arms.  Treadmill will become one of my closest friends this month.  I'm not use to walking all over friends or anyone or thing.  I don't want to be another's door mat, but HEY...a treadmill will be mine.  I have a plan and it had better work. 

As I stared at my arms this morning in the mirror, it hit me...I have a job to do.  How did it ever get so bad???  Will it just did.  ONE DAY AT A TIME SWEET JESUS.  When you feel half dead it becomes difficult to move, lift weights, DIEt, everything becomes more difficult.  Even breathing.

I have returned from the valley of death.  Bible says in Psalm 23, I will fear no evil.  
Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: 
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

With Hubby's Insurance we have to earn points to get discount each year.  This year we have both signed up to be active with their weight loss program.  I am learning how to break peanuts in half, taking the half and breaking it in half then savor the moment before the peanut morsel goes in my mouth by sniffing it, licking it, and rubbing it on my lips before popping it in my mouth to suck it THEN roll it in my mouth before chewing on both sides of my mouth.   

Doesn't that sound just wonderful?  Imagine eating this way with family in the room or strangers in a restaurant...please and thank you.  May I have a different table way over there in the corner behind the tree.  Time to go.

Ummmmmm...I seldom eat peanuts.  Now what?  So this is going to be a challenge.  

I'll see what I can learn as I walk on the treadmill, research how to lose weight without a thyroid and age gracefully because I need to.

I will concentrate on walking, stretching and drinking filtered water.  More vegetables.  That's about it for today Folks.  May you have a good one.

HOME is where the heart is and I have to make room in that heart for my treadmill,
d

Change Is In The Air

THERE'S A FEW THINGS IN MY LIFE ABOUT HOW I REACT THAT HAS TO BE TWEAKED.  Time to adjust a flaw.  Should be possible since I am getting quicker at changing some attitudes.

I am about to have more time to think on some things and pray.  How I react to others.  Not talking so much.  Like changing the color of my hair.  Buying a new dress.  Some different make-up.  Change my skin care.  Pop a new vitamin.  Bite my tongue when I really want to say whatever.....

It might be my age,

but I believe I can change.

Let you know how that goes.

I can change a tad bit more,

d

Woman In Apron ~ Man In Suit

WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE THESE TWO 

ARE TALKING ABOUT?

HOME Is Where The Dirty Laundry Is

HOME today with a Winter Advisory.  12 degrees out there on the Prairie.  Wind chill 0.  Brrr, tis cold.  Watched gentle flakes fall.  Quietly.  Warm inside with the heater blowing into the rooms of our HOME.  Dishwasher is running.  Still in my plaid flannel housecoat.  Need to get around.

I'd like to freshen up and then go to a beauty shop a couple blocks away and see if as a walk-in someone would wash my hair and style it.  Think I would feel a whole lot better having it washed by another and flat ironing it.  Let you know how that goes.

This morning we have been working on Dad's OBITUARY.  Think we have it covered as well as the music that will be sung at funeral.  This week will be what it is.  Praying that next week will be a slower pace.  This week originally I was going to be working in the COTTAGE going through storage tubs and shuffling about more items.  Put on hold and that's fine.  Plans were meant to be flexible...

Yesterday, we ventured out to a couple of Banks to do what I call BANKING BUSINESS.  Drove on to the Pharmacy to copy some photos for the funeral and pick up some meds.

Went to the Health Food Store to see if they carry a certain product.  They don't but we went ahead and got a bite to eat at their deli.  Was hot and tasted good.  Hot ham and cheese sandwich with a white tea.  Just a hint of mint in the beverage.

Off to the laundromat to do some laundry.  One nice thing about using the mat is we walk away with all the laundry completed hanging or folded ready to be put away.

HOME and rested.

A woman's hair is her crown of glory!  I found this old pic of Jane Russell with one of those hairdos that has two sides to it.

If you cover the left side of this image you see what she looks like with a full head of hair.  Imagine if both sides of her head were with full body locks.  Visa versa.  What say you?  Which side do you like the best?  That is correct!!!

DO you suppose Jane did her own laundry or someone else?  I do mine and someone elses.  

Bless you.
Back to the real world,
d

Proverbs 16:31 King James Version (KJV)  31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

At Peace

We will be burying my FATHER-IN-LAW in a few days.  43 and a half years he was my other Dad.  Almost a year to the date of my Mother-In-Law's death, he passed away.  I am so tired I cannot see straight.  

I have been going through photos trying to find pictures of him with his Wife, Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren to show at the service.  Pictures of him flying planes he made, model trains, fishing, etc.  A bit overwhelmed. 

This alone is emotional.

Since December 2016, three of our Parents have died.  Three.  
Grieving.  What can I say... I'm grieving.  

My Dad passed in December 2016.  
My Mother-In-Law in January 2017.
My Father-In-Law in February 2018.

The 7 hour drive to Oklahoma was long.  We were able to visit with him the afternoon before he died then attend a Hospice meeting.  He had been fighting Stage 4 Lung Cancer in both lungs.  Visited him the evening before he passed as well.  

My Husband's brother called us the next morning at the Motel to tell us that he thought Dad was dying.  He passed as we were driving to his Home. 

My Brother-In-Law said that when he walked into Dad's bedroom to ask him if he were awake, he said Dad was looking around the room, he gasped and was gone.  Peacefully he went to be with The LORD.

The entire time he was suffering, he never seemed angry, afraid or complained.  After his wife died, he missed her terribly and wanted to die on the anniversary of her death.  This is when he truly wanted to die.  2 days later he departed from this world and entered into Heaven.  He received Christ as a 60 year old man.  He was 87.   

The Hospice Nurses were there before us.  The oxygen tubes had been removed as he was laying in his bed covered with a quilt.  He was gone.  Made his entrance into Heaven.  

There's much to think about.  Much to do. 
Appreciate prayers,
d

Day at a Time

Mission Accomplished

Achieved a goal!!!  A deep sense of accomplishment....not sure I can say that as I have only touched the tip of the iceberg when it comes to downsizing.  For now I have to have a sense of something to keep on going.  Along the way, I have to have time allowed getting every day chores done as well.   

I made it to the bottom of my pile of magazines.  I just about cannot believe it as this project has been going on for a long, long time.  An ongoing step in downsizing to lighten the load.

THE MAGAZINES have been thinned out. 
The books have been thinned out. 
Clothing has been thinned out. 
Dishes have been thinned out. 
Nic-nacs have been thinned out.
Movies have been thinned out.
Make-up.
Glassware.

By going through the magazines, I'm over stimulated with ideas about decorating, cooking, baking, etc.  I tore out some pages to keep then placed in a file box.  The leftover mags were placed in cardboard boxes and carried out to the trash which was hauled away by the sanitation service.  Good feeling. 

Staring at the file box on the table.  It seems strange that over 20 years of Martha Stewart LIVING articles have morphed into one file box.  DOWNSIZED DELUXE. 

Over the last few years I have slowly parted with my magazines, but today was the finale.  Finally. 

NEXT PROJECT will be to tidy the office/doll room upstairs.  I eyeballed the room making sketches of where things will need to go.  Perhaps by the end of February it will actually look like a real room and not just a junky room.

MAKING HOME A PRIORITY,
d