HAPPY ANNI !!!

I slept in today of all days.  Hubby let me.  When I did wake up I had plans for the day.  A country drive, a drive through a historical housing area, a day of shopping, Starbucks and medical encounter.  Isn't it romantic to go have lab work done TOGETHER?  Well we did.  

We exchanged well wishes to one another.  Got ready to go to TOPEKA.  Drove straight to the medical facility wearing masks and gloves as we checked in.  A young masked woman asked us questions at the check-in which we answered with all NOs.  

We both had lab work done on the fourth floor.  Left with a band-aid wrapped around my left arm.  I was hungry by this time.   On the way to Starbucks, I drove through the Potwin Place neighborhood to look at the lovely old houses on this cloudy day.  Temps were around 77 degrees.  Pleasant place on a pleasant day. 

Off to Starbucks to get a protein box and a iced green tea.  They only had one egg and cheese protein box so I gave this to my hubby and I ate the chicken and hummus one.

Before we found a place to eat our box meal, I stopped at the bank via drive way then found a shady spot to sit and eat.  Chicken pieces, hummus, baby carrots, snap peas and flat bread.  Very good.  I was so hungry I ate way too fast but enjoyed every bite.  Hummus is my newest best friend.  Maybe I should try to make some.  Got my husband to sample it.  Surprise surprise...he liked it.

BIG LOTS was next.  Ginger Snaps for Hubby.  Then we shopped at Sam's.  By this time, my back was aching so I rode one of their electric carts.  Sped about getting organic coffee pods, cups and lids.  Hearing aid batteries.  Miniature cookie sheets caught my eye.  Battery operated candles did as well.  I have been wanting more of these candles to decorate our haven with.  

Veggies, ground beef, mixed nuts and a few other items were picked up by my husband.  We checked out and headed HOME.  Hubby promised to make Spaghetti for supper.  He did and I have no complaints.  All was good.  Eating smaller portions.  With September starting tomorrow, I will take a short walk, climb the stairs three times and try to do some floor stretches.

September is the month to stay strong with food changes and more water.  DAY 21 without coffee.  21.  Praise the Lord.   21.  I've heard before that it takes 21 days to break a habit. I'm not sure this is true, but I have hit day 21.  No coffee.  Now to add something different to my LIFE.  Cutting sugar completely out will be something I don't think I can do.  I think I can cut way back though.  I will give it a try.  First comes the exercising.   My blood sugar is still too high.  It wasn't the coffee spiking it.  BUT I will continue to not drink coffee and ADD more veggies to my menu. Carbs will be cut back.  I believe I can take the leap and begin changing a little here and a little there.  After all I am a 65 year old Grandma married 46 years today.  It has soaked in.

The candles I bought today were put to use right away.  Added candles to our entry way and also in the Dining room.  Adding some warmth to our HOME.

AUTUMN is showing up early as the trees along the interstate are starting to change.  I will welcome AUTUMN with adding candles about the house and finding FALL decorations for IT's FALL YOU ALL.  

I will be just fine with temps in the 70s.  Open the windows and let some fresh air inside.  

Our screened-in porch is coming along.  Slow, but steady.  Soon the work will be finished and we will celebrate some more. 

Here's to a wonderful month and a very blessed LIFE,

d      

SUNDAY PRAYER

MARRIAGE CAN BE VERY CHALLENGING AT TIMES. 

 
Prayer can certainly help us in times of need.  Call upon the LORD. Perhaps it's not your marriage, but someone you know that needs help.  Stay calm and pray on.    

God bless you,
d

 

'Life Just Got A Little Easier' Kool-Aid Pie

ENCORE POST

'Life Just Got A Little Easier' Kool-Aid Pie

~SWEET LAVENDER BLESSINGS~

Kool-Aid Pie

 The HOT Dog Days Of Summer 

are easier to handle when there's something 
cool to drink and cold to eat.

 Quick and easy is this recipe for Kool-Aid Pie.

Select the flavor and away you go.

Today I'm fixing Cool GRAPE  
which turned out to be a soft lavender color.

Kool-Aid, 
Sweetened Condensed Milk, 
Whipped Topping 
and Graham Cracker Pie Shell. 

Combine Sweetened Condensed Milk and choice of Kool-Aid.

Whip till blended well.

Add Whipped Topping and Mix well.

Spoon into a Graham Cracker Pie Shell.

Chill in fridge at least one hour before serving.

ingredients

1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 tub of Cool Whip

Choice of Kool-Aid

(optional 1 tsp of fruit juice)

instructions

Shake choice of Kool-Aid onto sweetened condensed milk in mixing bowl and mix till blended.

Add tub of Cool Whip and mix.

Spoon mixture into pie crust and swirl the top.

Chill at least 1 hour.

Chilled pie has a nice consistency 

and truly is a  s w e e t  treat.  

Life just got a little easier with Lavender in mind! 
Glad you stopped by....sweet blessings,
d 

This Pie would look ATTRACTIVE 
with real edible Lavender sprinkled on top 
along with the Graham Cracker Sprinkles. 

WE ARE THE STEPFORD WIVES

WE SOCIAL DISTANCED IN THE PARK HAVING A PICNIC.  My Mom and Sis came over to sit under the shade trees where we could picnic and visit.  Daughter joined us for LUNCH bringing Oatmeal Raisin COOKIES.

LATER, we became the Stepford Wives in an instant when we put our masks on to shop.  AND just like that we were equally beautiful, well dressed and groomed. 



I packed Ham Sandwiches for all, a baggie with a Red Delicious Apple, Celery and Green Grapes.  Bag of Potato Chips. A can of Sprite and a Fruit Drink. 

Covering the wood picnic table with a tablecloth helped prepare for our LUNCH under the trees.  A blessing to see my Family.  This social distancing has been unusual.  We chatted and ate LUNCH.  We could hear the noon day bells chime as we ate. 

There was a group of elderly Ladies already picnicking.  I've seen more of this kind of thing going on with elderly women during the Pandemic.  So people are doing what they can.  Creative ways to socialize.

A Lady was walking her darling puppy that had such a sweet face it made my face smile.  This cutie was extremely sweet.  We asked what breed, she said MI-KI.  This is a new one to me.  

My Husband came over to the Park to pick up some gloves from the car and as he walked over to our table, this puppy lit up and started wagging her tail like nobody's business.  She liked my Husband.  I would like to have a puppy... just can't do it right now. Am thinking about a breed.  

AREN'T WE CUTE?  MI-KIs

The weather was hot, but not too hot.  Met up at 11 and chatted until 1:30.  Finished up.  Drove over to St. Mary's and quietly shopped at Florence Adams.  I'd heard they were having a 50% off sale.  They have changed the inventory and didn't have hardly any jewelry also stopped handling so many handbags.  I lost count how many handbags I have purchased over the years from them.  

We didn't stay long.  My back was acting up.  Wearing mask when so many aren't is challenging. The clerk wore none, but I purchased 2 homemade mask for $6 a piece.  Needed some spares.   I wore my hair down wishing it were tied up so I looked for hair bands purchasing a small package.  Put my hair up and went on my way.

We drove over to Wamego's tiny thrift shop on Main Street.  Lucky us.  They were having a BAG SALE.  All that you can get into your bag cost $2.00.  

 

BAG  L A D Y  DELIGHT.  I picked up some pretty crystal dessert cups, a miniature glass dish, salad service utensils, a couple of hard back books, some dishes with fruit design on them, a couple of tops, measuring cup, glass creamer, sugar bowl, doily and some tops!  Just like old times.  

I haven't been to this thrift shop since March...I think it was March.  That's a half of a year not thrifting...have mercy...I missed it like missing a family member that sailed away.  It was a different thrift shopping experience wearing a mask.  The shoppe does not circulate air, so of course I overheated and my back ached beyond words.  

After we shopped, we said our goodbyes and I went HOME.  Sat beside a fan to cool off and rest my old back.  I fell asleep in my recliner and have so much to do.  I just think I will take it easy and continue on tomorrow.  The week has flown by and it will be a FRIDAY NIGHT SPECIAL night with a movie and a PIZZA.

I left my picnic basket in the car and will go collect it after the evening cools off.  It hit 93 degrees this afternoon, but felt hotter as the day went on.

Hubby mowed the lawn early this morning.  He's my hero.  I had fixed him a ham sandwich for his lunch with chips, apple and grapes before heading out for the day.  He appreciated this.  He's a good guy.

I'm tired now and will just slow on down 

this evening.

We've been watching lots of movies during this pandemic.  Last Night was the 2004 remake of The Stepford Wives.  This version was more of a comedy than a Sci-Fi Horror Film like the 1995 version.  I remember going to the Theatre to see this one with Nichole Kidman and Bette Midler.

Nichole plays the character Joanna Eberhart who is a highly paid Executive that gets let go from her job causing her a significant mental breakdown.  Her Husband, Walter relocates the family to the Stepford Community and the rest plays out.  It was entertaining and light hearted enough.

Bette Midler plays Bobbie in this film as a writer who is a handful and a mess. She turns into a Stepford Wife and Joanna is shocked by the transition.

BEFORE

AFTER

LET'S EXERCISE

So with that said, The Stepford Wives was watched.  It is rare these days to see women dressed this nicely unless going to a special event.  Not to an exercise class.  grins.

Everyday attire is more into casual wear like yoga pants, t-shirts, holey distressed blue jeans.  Even when going to Church and especially grocery shopping.

Women today are stepford wives in a different way.  Extreme physical fitness by running, dancing, yoga.  Essential oils and all natural everything.  More into no sugar, no gmo's, organic foods.  Sloppier dispositions.  Laid laid laid laid back.  Sloppy hair buns and casual clothing.  Minimalist when it comes to decorating their homes.  Stream lining by carrying a smart phone everywhere they go clicking selfies.  Not into clutter and not into keeping keepsakes.  Next.  Still there are the down to earth ones that wear long skirts and have large families.  To each their own and then some.  Not criticizing.  Just observing.  Depending in which part of the country you live will determine the outcome of which subdivision or branch of the Stepford Community you live in.    

Welp, that's that.
Blessings,
d

DINING ON THE PRAIRIE: Hawaiian Pork Chops with Pineapple and Green Peppers, Green Beans and Rice

DINING ON THE PRAIRIE went Hawaiian Style

and it was delicious while filling the belly.

Hawaiian Pork Chops with chunks of pineapple, 

green peppers and onions,

Green Beans and Rice.

Eating slower than usual, 

the meal was a feast that lasted.

Blessings to you and yours,

d

DINING ON THE PRAIRIE: Pork Chops, Baby Potatoes, Green Beans and Coleslaw

EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE I GET A HANKERING FOR COLESLAW! Usually ate some with LONG JOHN SILVER's meal.  No Long Johns for months.  Closer to a year.  Using their malt vinegar on fish was a favorite.
I had switched from their regular fish to baked and enjoyed this, but still eating the slaw, green beans and hush puppies.  

Because of this hankering, cole slaw made its debut to our kitchen.  A way to eat raw cabbage. HOMEMADE dressing as well.

Instead of fish, we had pork chops because that was in the freezer.  So it was pork chops, green beans, baby potatoes and slaw.  Trying to have what I call a skinny veggie along with starchy veggie.  Very good combination.  Cole Slaw is added veggies.  The ingredients for the dressing was what we had on hand.  No run to the store.  

HOMEMADE COLE SLAW DRESSING RECIPE:  Whisk mayonnaise, sugar, lemon juice, vinegar, pepper, and salt together in a bowl until smooth and creamy.  Add to Cole Slaw mixture.  Can chill before serving or eat right away.  

½ cup mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Turned out well for a Dining On The Prairie meal. 

Blessings to you,

d

• 
  

TAKE SOME TIME

TUESDAY IS HERE.  I will be taking a shower in a few minutes deliberately shampooing my hair so I can pin curl it later.  Hoping this technique will add some bounce to my thyroid hair. It's as if I have no control anymore over my own head of hair.  An ongoing drama.

I need to phone my sister as she is visiting my Mom.  She wanted to show Mom what it looks like to visit over the computer.  So I have to at least have some make-up on.  grins.

Also I will take some time to read out of a children's book about Bible Stories.  The simplicity is a teaching tool to me.  My memory slips some and I need some simplicity to assist refreshing my thoughts about Biblical people and their stories.  I know it's not the same as reading the WORD, but it will assist.

The Old Testament characters interest me as they seem more human than today's word of faith creatures that spout off militant commands.  Can't stand it anymore.  Religious robots are fooling themselves.  The prayers where they are screaming to God and commanding HIM is wrong.  God isn't deaf nor does He need commanded.  The command ye ME is taken out of context.  

I am a changed person because of God.  He tenderizes the very souls of people where they can begin to understand the things of God.  His character becomes real.  The ways of God are real.

I have stayed busy cleaning our HOME and whittling down paperwork.  This week, I will make headway...I will it.  I will it.  I have hopes of getting to the bottom of this.  Like an indentured servant working for x amount of years before being set free.  Lord, please help me get this done. The paperwork, the creating of a media room, the clearing out of the storage room, the art studio, the.....pause.  Please.  

My dear Hubby is working mornings on the screened in porch.  Making huge progress, he has to work in the cool of the day and evening.  The heat of the day is a time for him to rest and do other things.  Being concerned about heat stroke this is the plan he is using.  After this project is completed...he hopes to work at creating a art studio.  Until then he draws while sitting in his recliner.

The Library provided the movies.  We watched ROCKY BALBOA, CREED and CREED 2.  Completing the ROCKY series.  I would say the Rocky series is a decent series. Leave Creed out.  The Italian Stallion is decent.   

Creed and Creed 2 were not written by Stallone.  I did like the ROCKY movies with a touch of Christianity in them.  Liking the Rocky character as being a gentile soul except in the boxing ring.  Dedicated athlete, faithful Husband, loving Father and decent Friend to the few friends he had.  The aging process happens and if you live long enough you will see loved ones and friends die.  The things that were familiar disappear with what is supposedly progress.  Anywho...I liked the story line and seeing into this world for a few hours amongst this present day pandemic.    

I did not watch last weeks Democratic Convention nor am I watching the Republic Convention this week.  Staying away from the speeches.  I've heard enough.  I still read a multitude of articles though.  

National Security is a concern.  If we lose our country, we lose our rights.  Being in bed with the enemy isn't a secure place to be.  

Not paying into payroll tax will deplete Social Security.
You will not receive your Social Security benefits if the funds are not there.  A holiday from paying the payroll tax will become a vacation from hell.

Pro-life is not the only thing I am interested in concerning the political parties. Children being taken away from their Parents at the border hurts my heart.  What must the people be thinking that are involved in this?  I wondered where are these children today?  What is the immigrant policies today?  How is the present day administration taking care of this?  Scriptures comes to mind.  I can see Jesus extending a hand saying, "Let the little children come."  

Those that hurt children would be better off with a millstone around their necks.

Luke 17: 2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.  

Praying for others,
d

CUTIE PIE IN A BOX

TRYING HARD TO REMEMBER WHERE THIS CUTIE CAME FROM as she was hiding in a box  with papers.  I do not remember when I got her.  She was placed in a box of papers that I was needing to thin through probably from 3 years ago when we moved into our present HOME.

Our HOUSE FIRE was October 2016.  We stayed in a retirement cottage for 8 months and then relocated into our present house.  The time in the Cottage allowed my Husband time to come to the realization that he was not ready to downsize to what we'd have to in order to fit in the Cottage.

SO we decided to buy a house instead.  

Out comes this lil darling holding a heart.  I'll place in the garden window for now and smile at her when I see her looking back at me.

The good news is that I emptied the box of papers.  One less box to go through.  SO many more to go.  Wipe the sweat from my brow and forge ahead on a MONDAY.

Blessings to you and all smiles,
d 

SUNDAY PRAYER

AFTER FINDING A VERY OLD BOOK ABOUT PRAYER during unpacking boxes, I came across one to share on Sunday.  This is a beginning of printed prayers to read and share.
d

IT's 1975 ALL OVER AGAIN

The 1975 movie, THE STEPFORD WIVES was considered a Sci-Fi horror thriller back in the day.  We watched it last night in the year 2020.  It was still interesting, but far from being a horror movie compared to today's standards.

It was interesting, but seemed far from being a horror film.  The thriller lost its edge.  This film came out when women libbers were making a statement that homemakers were in bondage to their husbands with homes and heaven forbid if you didn't have a career outside that home. Throw the bra away and declare your freedom.  Looking down upon homemakers, wives and mothers.  Riving up with using a babysitter to tend to the children while working jobs.

It wasn't uncommon to think if a woman you were in bondage if married and having children. Working for a Boss man at a job was freedom.  Being told at work what to do somehow made you more valuable then running your own home.  

This version of THE STEPFORD WIVES allures you into thinking you were weird if your conversation were about floor cleaners, baking and ironing.  Dressing in frilly outfits was looked down upon by Joanna and her new best friend Bobbie both new to the community.  They were out of the loop with the ladies in the new community they had moved to, but not for long as they were going to soon be turned into robots that dressed feminine, had immaculately tidy and cleaned homes, healthy children and happy husbands.  

It seems that if you're happy being a homemaker in today's society that you are missing out. Why is it that if we are HAPPY, it isn't accepted?  You've never attained your destiny.  I want nothing more than to be that energized homemaker that has a clean and orderly home with happy husband.  It's a crime if you're HAPPY?

Is it a crime if you are a HOMEMAKER alone with no additional career?  No, not a crime yet. The STEPFORD WIVES were mostly homemakers with a husband and children.  Joanna and Bobbie weren't content.  The 1975 movie has a twist on making robots out of the women tending to their families and homes as if it would take this to make the husband happy.  Removing human wives  turning them into Disney robots had to take place for this film to be a thriller.

Figuring what made the Stepford Community Wives the way they were was suppose to be the mystery in this film.

I watched the movie back in the 70s, but didn't recall much about the film except the ending where Joanna goes grocery shopping wearing a floppy hat and long dress just like her fellow neighbors that do the same.

Floppy hats were fashionable as my 1974 Bridesmaids wore them in our wedding.  The clothing styles in this movie are spot on.  The attitude...isn't? 

1975 in my mind can erupt all over again.  Things continue to change constantly in today's world.  If I could quietly revisit 1975 would I?

Blessings,
d
   

ALMOST INSTANTLY

FRIDAY ARRIVED.  At first when I woke from slumber, I wondered what day is it?  Friday.  Pizza night.  Late night movie and popcorn.  Feet up.  

So many enjoy the relaxed atmosphere they have at HOME while watching a movie. I do. If a bathroom break is needed, the movie can be paused until getting back to watching the film.  If you miss a line or want to see a scene again, you can.  Almost instantly.  

Last year we watched DOWNTON ABBEY and Ford Vs. Ferrari on the theatre screen featuring larger than life images.  Thinking back... this was a special date for us.  Downton Abbey was watched on a huge screen with a hamburger meal brought to us by the staff as we sat in comfortable seats that reclined.  I still can see it in my thoughts that while we relaxed in reclining theatre seats we also had an expensive hamburger with huge French fries and root beer in take-home plastic cups that we still use for our drinks at home.  

I am reminded that we seldom purchase movie tickets.  Too expensive for us on a tight budget... unless of course it's Downton Abbey that I had waited to see for over half a year. 

The other day we drove past the movie theatre who's parking lot was completely empty. Bankrupt.  It saddens me that so many businesses have folded up.  

On the other hand I have seen first hand that we can stay home and not spend money.  We have not had a restaurant meal since March.  This is a milestone for us.  We had been dining out at least twice a week the year before my Husband retired.  

Having had some huge expenses in 2020 on top of existing expenses from years ago which we are still paying on, we need to stay home and save mula.  We have made headway paying off the debt, but not instantly as I wish it were.  Snap and it's gone.  I have to slow down my thoughts when getting worked up and trust that it will be paid off  e v e n t u a l l y.  

Have some faith.  
Have faith.  
Have a lot of faith.  Patience. 

Life is full of expenses where we live in a world that knows people have need of things and before one thing is taken care of, many other things come to surface that need taken care of.  When services are extremely expensive, the person that has little or no money is on a different time schedule of paying for it.  If you use a credit card then there's interest that you pay.    

Almost instantly is not always a reality when paying bills.  When it comes to speaking to God, it can be instant.  No appointment needed.  No ritual required.  Almost isn't in the vocabulary. Instant is also a place.

I might get frustrated with the bills that I cannot instantly pay off, but I don't have to be frustrated with a waiting line to get in the office to have a chat with my boss.  That's instant. 

Child of God, you can do the same. 

No patience required,

d   

  

NEVER ENDING HOUSEWORK!!!

Oh my.  I just finished washing the Powder room floor while crawling around the toilet.  The room is quite small so it shouldn't take very long to clean this room.  The awful amount of fuzzy grey dust that I wiped off the floor made an impression on me as to how grungy the floor gets. Scrubbed the toilet.  There is much grey uck on the toilet body.  Where does this dust come from that settles on everything in a closed off Powder room?  

I start to question the air quality that we are breathing for the residue on the floor and toilet body to be so fuzzy and grey.  Will visit with my Husband as to what we can do to purify the air so it's better to breathe and not have such grey fuzz settling on everything.  I don't think it's just that we are in Kansas that the dust is so abundant.  I'd be a MILLIONAIRE if dust were currency.

The central air's filter is changed monthly.  Had to make sure we were using the correct type and size of filter pad.  We had the duct work professionally cleaned as well not so long ago.  Perhaps we need to get some more air purifiers that run constantly to keep the air cleaner.  I think there is a great deal to do when tending to a HOME.  A lot.  Keeps me busy.  There are enough hours in the day.  You know how I know?  Because God created the number of hours in a day and night.  If we can't get everything done that's a personal problem that needs adjusted.  I have to pace myself and have a working plan.  There ARE enough hours in the day.  

There's is a Power Plant not too far out of town and I wonder if this is part of our problem or if it's just dusty here in my corner of the world.    

Remembering the commercials when the Mother-in-law wore white gloves and would run her finger across surfaces when visiting to see if the surfaces were dust free.  I'd get an "F-" if someone did that to my HOME right now.  

Here in a minute or so I will scrub in a circular motion with a scrub brush the Powder room floor for a second round.  Again, I will scrub the toilet.  I have to do the cleaning in phases as I have gotten too fragile to do it all at once.  I can wear pearls as I clean, but it's best not to wear high heels like what the lovely Lady is wearing when I clean my HAVEN.  The dress can be overlooked as well.  Somedays I'm doing well to have my hair styled and wear perfume.  I love lipstick, so this is an easy trade off.

Back to sorting and thinning through PAPERWORK this Thursday afternoon.  Keeping a cheery disposition is necessary.  Just get 'er done.  Whistle while I work.

The HOUSE WORK is never ending, but this is the way it has to be when having a HOME.   I've learned some short cuts along the way.  Lots of energy is needed to complete it all.  I'm not to wear too many hats, but a multitude are needed when being the KeepER OF THE HOME.

Housework is glamorous when done by one of God's chillen.  Would LIFE be boring if we never did HOUSEWORK?  Probably not.  We'd either have a filthy house or somebody else doing the work.

Blessings and lots of energy to you,
d