SPRING ON THE PRAIRIE and WHAT'S FOR DINNER?

IN A SMALL COMMUNITY NEAR BY, they have a TULIP FESTIVAL.  Each year tulip bulbs are planted in their City Park and in their downtown sidewalk containers.  Usually in the month of APRIL, the community celebrates by having venders in the park with other activities to usher in the SPRING.  I'm looking forward to seeing the colorful tulips in bloom.  

This image was found on the internet and isn't from a previous festival.  Still the white, pink and purple blossoms are beautiful together.  Nice selection of colors.  

Spring, where are you?  Just around the bend.  I remember one year where it hit 100 degrees on April Fool's Day.  Jump right into SUMMER for the day.  I suppose it could happen once again. Today's forecast says it will hit 83 degrees.  I'm saying whattttt?  Scattered thunder storms and rain later today.

SPRING:  Looking forward to Spring's milder weather.  Warmer days and cool breezes.  Time to be outside and see nature.  Admiring Nature's flowers and plants in a world full of chaos is a blessing to my soul.  Yard work continues.  

HEALTH JOURNEY:  I won't be having a personal garden this year, but I will strive to eat better by purchasing organic and non-GMO foods while deliberately eating more veggies and fruit. Five servings of vegetables a day and four fruit servings a day is protocol for nutrition.  I have missed the mark when following this advice.  When evaluating what I do eat, I overdo the protein, don't eat enough fruits and vegetables, have done well with lowering dairy intake and grains.  Sugars have not been completely taken out of diet.  

I am more cautious about what I do stuff in my mouth though.  I pay more attention to the added chemicals in highly processed foods then do my best to avoid eating them.  Smaller portion sizes and eating slower do not always take place though.  I'm trying.  Using extra virgin olive oil and avocado oil instead of crisco, sunflower oil, etc.  Grain oils are a no-no.

Drinking spring water, eating soy-free eggs, grass-fed beef, variety of nuts.  Need to add seeds. No coffee and no soda.  Some green teas.      

I will continue taking supplements for a healthier me.  Working hard to lower blood pressure in a natural way.  Same with lowering bad cholesterol and dealing with high blood glucose/diabetes. Lowering weight is a very slow process for me.  Sigh.  Knowing what I am eating will be a conscious decision from here until I eat no more.  Old age should not be a time to downsize the nutrition.  Eating nutritionally dense foods throughout life should be the norm, not the exception.  

Life isn't all about food, but I don't see how I can ignore it when I know that eating poorly adds to health decline.  Poor nutrition, poor choices, poor morals all add up to poor health, poverty, heartache and pain.  

PLANS TODAY:  After a good breakfast, I plan to take a short walk.  Thinning out good 'ole paperwork.  Hubby plans to switch out a switch in one of our cars so when driving the blinkers and brake lights work.  Important to have.    

This week, I will continue going through papers, tidy some on the Junk/TV room and gather items to purge from our home.  Lord, HELP ME get this completed.  No trip to Topeka today as I believe we will stay close to home. 

MEALS ON THE PRAIRIE:  I am so very blessed to have never starved.  Yes, a blessing.  To purchase healthier and better quality food is necessary.  A different variety of foods is educational.  There's an adjustment when switching the types of food I eat that has been ongoing.  Retraining my habits is doable.  It may not be a walk in the park, but doable.

When being informed about how to lose weight, I have been told to eat less and exercise more. Personally, I now know that one should eat MORE, not less of nutritionally dense foods AND stay in motion, rest well, stay well hydrated and stress less.  Hormonal imbalances can be part of the reason weight gain happens.  When one is malnourished, weight gain can happen.  Eating too much protein CAN cause weight gain as the body cannot process it which causes the protein to turn to sugar which turns to fat going to be stored.  

I can eat LESS of the wrong foods.  Portion control.  Eat slower.  Savor the flavor.  For a woman, it is recommended to eat 4 oz. of protein per meal.  Men, 4 to 6 oz.  5 vegetable servings and 4 fruit servings per day.  8 to 10 cups of water a day.  Little dairy.  Little grain.  The food pyramid has changed from what it was in the 1950s.  The food pyramid was deliberately designed to put weight on people so we weren't so skinny.  Things have changed and now peeps are to eat to slim down hopefully be healthier.  Many people that are slim still have health issues.  This isn't right and that isn't right.  The truth of the matter is that in order to be a healthier person we must take action being a healthier person.  Make sense? 

Life isn't all about food.  Healthy lifestyles are important and that involves healthy relationships and choices as well.  Too much stress is never good.  The Holy Spirit will help us in making healthier choices and being better informed.  We must ask for help.  God will see us through.  Our earthly lives do eventually come to an end.  The after life should not be ignored.  There is LIFE in the Lord Jesus when HE is our savior.  Amen. 

MEALS ON THE PRAIRIE:  

Meatloaf with Baby Carrots and Green Beans.  

Used grass-fed beef for the meatloaf topped with organic ketch-up.   Organic veggies.  The portion sizes is good.  No fruit though and there should have been.  Maybe I should think of fruit as the dessert and eat more dessert.  Sorry, but ketch-up/catsup is one condiment I over dose on.  My favorite. 

Meatloaf, Boiled Potatoes and Broccoli.

Pita Bread with Cheese, Red Peppers and Onions.

Popcorn with Seasoning for snacks.

Beef, Rainbow Carrots and Asparagus.

Baked Potato, Cottage Cheese and Side Salad.

Turkey Patties topped with Ketch-up, Boiled Potatoes, 
and Green Beans.

Chicken Breast with Salad.

3 Egg and Vegetable Omelette with Bacon.

The soy-free eggs have been a nice addition to have in our food plan when subtracting other eggs.  I am striving to NOT eat bacon and other pork products, but so far I have only cut way back.  Complete absence from pork hasn't happened yet.  Seldom do I have ham, pork chops or bacon.  Seldom.

Here's to a healthier LIFE.

Blessings On The Prairie,
~d

 

Please join me.     

I'm running behind, but am joining the party over at

Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

https://familycorner.blogspot.com/2022/03/happy-homemaker-monday-03282022.html

Weather will be nice today and turning off cooler 

with rain this week.

The skies are grey overcast.

I am blogging and doing paperwork.

I'm thinking about all that needs done to completely be decluttered and organized.

HOME MAKING TIP: Have fun when cleaning the house.  The work is there because it is our HOME being lived in.

I am tired, but have hopes of going for a walk to take in some fresh air while exercising.

No Breakfast this morning.  Fasting.

My reading pile consist of books about health.

TV TIME: movies such as Robinson Crusoe (2011)

 

Call The Midwife (2022)

American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story (2021)

Menu this week:  Once again it will be lots of veggies, fruit, protein drinks, egg omelettes.

Camera shots and looking around the house:

TO DO LIST:

Stay sane 

Stay simplistic

Purge items to free up space

Prepare for mom's 90th birthday

Start on Grandchildren's Easter Baskets

Thin out paperwork

Visit my elderly mom in the Hospital

DEVOTIONAL: memory verse.

THAT JOYOUS WORD: DECLUTTERING

THREE GENERATIONS

HUBBY, SON AND GRANDSON were busy yesterday carrying some things out of the basement and carriage house loading them into a moving van.  We have housed some of our Son's belongings for a few years and it was time to take them to his territory.  Bye Bye.  More things were removed from this old house contributing to decluttering.  

Twas good to see them.  The grandson is on his phone quite a bit watching videos.  I was teasing him that this has caused him to not be able to hear as well and his phone is attached to him at the hip.  He's 12, tall and ornery.  We ate well, visited, watched some movies and I enjoyed their company.

Hubby will need some down time after the week he has had.

~d  

DEAR LORD, WILL IT EVER END?

THE ANSWER IS YES.  Will going through old papers, receipts, statements, etc. come to an end? I have been dealing with old receipts and statements while shaking my head with fatigue.  My eyes are bugging out.  I have been a stickler for having my receipts and statements in order.  I don't know how it has come to being such a huge mess.  Papers running out my ears.

Perhaps with my husband being retired and having to get into a different routine with the bookkeeping, I have allowed too much to slide when dealing with the paperwork.  It is coming together, but I cannot BELIEVE how much needs dealt with.  I'll get over it...I have to.  I feel like I am drowning in a sea of paper.  Mustn't give up.  Just keep plowing ahead.  A day closer to having the order back on track.

Is it as bad as it seems?  Yes.  THIS SEASON I am on overload.  I could cry.  Whaaaah.

I know there's an easier way, but I also know that there are times that certain areas of running a HOME ESTATE may be more challenging than others due to ....you name it....things get in the way of being completely in order.  Enjoy the ride.  

Gotta get back to it.

~d👵

  

D O N E !!!

THERE'S TIME TO HANG PICTURES, A MIRROR AND A CLOCK UP if we so desire.  The DINING ROOM is painted!  Wow!  So pleased of how it turned out. Ceiling, crown molding, walls, wainscoting, baseboard and some caulking done. 

D O N E.  Hallelujah.  It was a long time in the making, but she's HISTORY NOW.  Praise the LORD.  I started last Summer on clearing out two curio cabinets full of Blue Willow China.  Then clearing out an antique china cabinet full of crystal.  I boxed up the crystal and took it over to the COTTAGE.  I filled the antique china cabinet with the Blue Willow.  The curio cabinets have been moved completely out of the house.  

We had to shuffle the rest of the furniture about the room to paint it. One side of the room got painted and when it was done the furniture was moved to the other side.  Now each piece of furniture is in position.  

L O V E  IT. 👴 💋 👵 

💑  Hubs and I love it.  It's prettier in person than the pictures show. Maybe my Dining room isn't photogenic, but I'm the one smiling showing off my teeth.  While hubby completed the finishing touches, I shredded paper.  I'm closer to being done than the day before, but still have a long ways to gooooooooo.

NOW, I will spend some quiet time in the Dining room sitting at the table having a nice HOT cup of tea, enjoying the room. 

Some tea will do nicely,
🥤~d 👵 

HOWLING WIND

THE WIND IS  H O W L I N G  as I type.  This has been one very windy WINTER and now early SPRING.  It makes driving on the interstate a tad bit more challenging.  Hold tight to the steering wheel while driving across the prairie.  Throughout the day, the temps seemed much colder than they ought to as it was a wet day.  Showers fell from heaven and I had to carry an old umbrella when I walked to the car and when shopping.  

I slept so good last night.  PTL.  No sleep aids for close to 14 days.  This is amazing to me as I hope to stay on course and get off of OTC SLEEP AIDS altogether.  I think I have!  Long term use of these has shown to be bad for people's health.  I truly cannot remember the I started taking these.  It's been years.  Probably for about 15 years. 

When I woke this morning I wanted to make a quick trip to TOPEKA to get a few supplies and of course drop in at GOD'S STOREHOUSE.  The day went something like this...Saint Marys for lunch and a Almond Milk Steamer.  Then to Topeka for God's Storehouse, Natural Grocers, Sams and Menards.  Drive HOME, unload groceries, put away, eat supper and rest for the night.

No Breakfast this morning and I could tell I didn't have a protein drink as I was out of gas by 2 in the afternoon.  The drags hit and I fade away.  
Lunch was a Rachel Salad with a small serving of potato salad.  A steamer to sip on as I drove to Topeka.  Snack...Hot Matcha Tea.  
We had omelets stuffed with spinach.  Bacon on the side for supper.  Water to drink. 

Before we headed out for the day, I cleared the top of Grandma's Hutch off.  Hubby and I shuffled this piece of furniture to the center of the room.  He plans on finishing painting the area where the hutch was up against the wainscoting and wall.  He is so close to having the room completely painted that I will need to clear off the Dining room table and make plans to rearrange the room so it is once again THE DINING ROOM.  That will be a relief to have the room back in shape.  

At least one room will be in order as I continue going through every drawer, closet, storage box, room downsizing.  I looked at some of the Nic wacky stuff I have and I know I can turn loose of much.  Things that I don't use at all have to be considered a goner.  

I wish I could just click my heels and all the junk be gone.  Then I would have missed the dance and that isn't right, is it?  I will not have been given the satisfaction of having dealt with it all.  Some days, I'm alright with that. 

Blessings and all the best,

~d     

MONDAY MONDAY

WONDERFUL MONDAY!  The early morning started with watching a lil one for a few hours.  Newest Grandson is so sweet and when he is hungry, he is hangry.  He fell asleep for an hour or so.  Peaceful.  ~Granny Nanny~

The week-end came to a end and now I am ready for this first full week of SPRING.  I am pleased with what we got done over the week-end.  Hubby is wrapping up the paint job in the Dining room.  I LOVE THE COLOR with the shutters and the new chandelier.  The high ceilings caused extra labor using extra caution as my husband is up on a tall ladder in his 67 year old body.  No falls or accidents allowed.  

He likes the color as well and we think we may carry it over to the COTTAGE Dining room when we paint over there.  I like having wainscoting in a Dining room so we will hopefully add some to the COTTAGE walls.  A different chandy will be hung and we're thinking that one like the one we have here would be nice.  Then we may add additional wood trim to the COTTAGE'S flat window trim.  Doll it up with shutters as well.  

The COTTAGE Dining room only has one set of windows to be concerned about for window treatments.  I have liked the way our main house shutters look and function that I am strongly considering having shutters installed at the COTTAGE.  Our main house has shutters in the Living room and Dining room with a total of 7 large shutters altogether.  Not only will we be downsizing our personal belongings, but the COTTAGE will be considerably smaller in size from the main house.  

Mental gymnastics takes place when thinking about where things will go when moving into the COTTAGE.  So much furniture to let go, books, dishes, clothing, bedding, etc.  I believe that much of what I already have will be kept yet I think purchasing new or different style would be appreciated as I morph into someone that is older and wanting to change some decorating themes.

SO I exercise my mental muscle and spend considerable time dreaming about this adventure that has not taken flight yet. 

 

AFTER the main house Dining room is painted from top to bottom, the furniture will return just so so and the room should be comfortable.  I will sit at the table with a cup of hot tea admiring the new color and go ahhhhhh...tis finished.  

All is good in the world for just about 2 minutes then reality will come to visit.

Filled 6 boxes of Blue Garland China.  Together that's 15 boxes that have Dining room china and porcelain in them.  Seems like quite a lot.  Last May I think it was, I boxed up crystal from the 2 curio cabinets that were in here.  The cabinets were moved out of the house last Summer.  I have to sell them or put them into storage.  I'm alright with that.

I figure the furniture that will not fit into the COTTAGE can be stored for awhile until we definitely let them go.  There's a couple of bedroom suites I don't want to let go just yet so one option is to store them in storage.  

Finishing the main house Dining room will allow us to move forward on with remodeling the COTTAGE's Bathroom.  Going back and forth between the two houses has been challenging for me with health issues, time and cash.  To some, it would be no big deal.  To me, it is.  

THOUGHTS ABOUT REMODELING AND DOWNSIZING. 
MAIN HOUSE DINING ROOM: Crystal pieces boxed up and relocated to COTTAGE. 
Empty Corner Cabinet and Grandma's Hutch.
Furniture shuffled from one side of the room to the other.
Paint color finalized and purchased.
Dining room walls repaired.  Plaster work on old cracks.
Ceiling, crown molding, walls, trim and wainscoting all primed and painted.  
New chandelier hunted for, purchased and installed.

ORGANIZING:  Continue to shred old papers, receipts and checks.  Pitching old magazines and donating books, toys, clothing, dishes, etc.
Gathering odds 'n ins to donate.
Deciding what to keep or get rid of.
Continue to go through cardboard boxes full of things.

COTTAGE BATHROOM and CLOSET:  Cottage Bathroom and closet worked on.
While bathroom is being worked on by Husband, I'll work on the Kitchen Pantry.
When the Bathroom is completed then the closet will get a face lift.

COTTAGE KITCHEN:  Kitchen walk-in Pantry.  Wash shelves, walls and ceiling then paint.  
Maybe install wood on the Pantry ceiling.  Either beaded board or wood planks.

FRONT PORCH:  The front porch will need rebuilt and as this is done, I'll paint the Kitchen and Utility room walls.  
By the time the new porch is finished, the next project will be the Kitchen and Utility. 

KITCHEN and UTILITY room:  Different ceilings to Kitchen and Utility rooms plus new floors.
Have grey tile purchased for floors.  
Different Kitchen cabinets.  Either make or use pre-made, purchase and install, primed and painted.  Hardware installed.  Already purchased hardware.  
Backsplash tile. purchased and installed.  
Trim added to windows, primed and painted.

UTILITY ROOM:  The plumbing and electrical outlet in the Utility room will need work by an Electrician.  Going to move the washer and dryer.  
I'd like to add rosette blocks and belly band to the trim around the two Utility room windows.

AFTER ALL THIS IS DONE...The front Bedroom overhaul.  This Bedroom will become the TV room/Family room.  
New ceiling, pull up the ancient carpet, new wood floors laid.  
Next comes building floor to ceiling bookshelves, priming and painting it.  
Paint the room, wood window trim and baseboard.

LIVINGROOM:  Paint the ceiling, walls and trim.  
Rip up the carpet and lay new wood floor.

DINING ROOM:  Paint ceiling, wood trim and walls.  Rip up old carpet and lay new wood floor.  Build wainscoting, prime and paint. 

SECOND BEDROOM:  Paint ceiling.
Paint walls.
Paint trim.
Pull up old carpet and lay new wood floors.
Electrician install light switches.  

EXODUS TO COTTAGE.
Things that will not fit in COTTAGE will have to be moved to storage.
Donate of sell leftovers.

INTERIOR OF MAIN HOUSE:
Complete clean out.
Tile entryway.
Paint Entryway.
Paint Kitchen walls.
Paint stairs.
Paint hallways.
Paint Master Bedroom.
Install better Ceiling Lights.
Clean out Basement.
Misc. touch ups.

GROUNDS:  Clean out Carriage House/Garage.
Yardwork.

COTTAGE PATIO:  Create brick patio.  

BY THE TIME ALL OF THIS IS DONE.....what will we think of next.  Need the LORD's help in getting all of this done.   

Time for a nap.  All of this has made me very tired.

Yawn,

~d  

  

MARCH 20th !!!!!

 I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER...tis Spring!!!

This long awaited season is here.

I am so very happy that Spring has sprung.

Beautiful weather so the French doors are opened 

letting fresh Spring air indoors.  

Deep breathes and light hearted thoughts.  

Yesterday, a granddaughter came over to do some yard work.  So much to do around here and she helped.  I packed and boxed up some antique dishes to take over to the COTTAGE to get them out of our main house so the Dining room can be painted.  Getting these off the premisses is needed.  They will not be resting here at the main house any longer.  Neither will the Corner Cabinet. 

These I wish to keep as I thin out everything about our house.  This is the time to truly downsize everything.  This season will be a growing time as well as a time to think about what must go and what must stay.  It's a continuing saga.  

As I looked around the COTTAGE, I was able to see things that will go to charity.  I actually smiled thinking that much will go away and I will not be the overseer of certain things anymore. I enjoy shopping at thrift stores as it's like a treasure hunt never knowing what I will come across. I don't need much these days and that's a blessing.

2022.  Spring is gorgeous here on the prairie.  I am delighted to see flowers beginning to bloom. A row of daffodils in someone else yard were spied. I did a double take...was that daffodils I see? I love the first flowers of SPRING after a cold and drawn out WINTER.

Trees along the prairie landscape are dusted with green coloring as the tiny buds are showing their new growth.  Splashes are here.  I am so HAPPY to see these beauties.  Now to figure out what to hang on the front doors for wreaths.  Where's my faux Forsythia wreaths?  In the basement of this lovely place.  They need to go out today. 

As I walked up the COTTAGE's porch steps, I noticed in the small flowerbed that there were a few beautiful yellow colored crocus popping their heads through the soil.  Twas a beautiful sight.

First flowers of SPRING.  Hallelujah.  I am so ready.  

I filled 9 boxes of various sizes to hold glassware.  Hubby put some muscle to it and carried the boxes from the kitchen to the car to the porch.  I took it from there carrying them and stacking them in the cluttered Dining room where they will wait for future attention from me after we get a few more things done around here.

I shredded some papers as I sat waiting for Hubby to return with some tacos for Supper.  After we ate, I drove HOME before dark,  rested and visited with my Mom who is in the Hospital recovering from hip surgery.

This glorious day, I will pack up my Blue Garland dishes, that are resting in my Grandma's Hutch/Buffet.  Many pieces to bubble wrap.  Tadaah...will be done soon.  

THIS WEEK, I hope to get all the dishes boxed up and transferred to COTTAGE.  More papers shredded.  Two of our bedrooms tidied for company.  Shuffle some plastic storage units into a spare bedroom to get them out of the hallway.  Keeping encouraged is a must with all this going on.  

With it actually being Spring...I will be walking on a regular basis even if I am tired.  Walking through Jack LaLanne's videos begins this week.  More things will be donated to thrift and charities.  The main house Dining room will be completely painted and the room put back in place.  Week one of Spring and I will be having very low calorie days.

Today, Breakfast was a Protein drink made with almond milk plus added collagen.  280 calories.

Snack is hot Matcha Green Tea.

Lunch was 2 cups of Butternut Squash Soup (180 cal. and 26 carbs) sprinkled with a few croutons (46 calories). 

 

Supper will be a large bowl of 5 Bean Salad.

Evening Snack will be fresh fruit.

Blessings to you and may you shine bright 

in this ole world,

~d

WHAT'S UP DOC?

THANKFUL FOR HOSPITALS, DOCTORS, NURSES, STAFF, ETC.  Also so very thankful for those who are up to snuff about NUTRIENTS, minerals, vitamins and above all else NUTRITION!

Mom fell on Monday breaking her hip.  Surgery on Tuesday.  Good news was her ball in the hip stayed in tack.  Break is below that ball.  A rod and 2 skews were inserted into her right thigh area.  She will begin physical therapy on Monday.

Back and forth we went to Newton to be with her.  By Friday night I was exhausted.  I do not have ease when driving in the dark so I have to try really hard to drive in the daylight.  Not always possible.  Thursday night, it was raining and I drove in it.  Makes me uptight and cranky.

HOME now and packing pretty antique glassware to get it moved out of the corner cabinet and Grandma's hutch so the painting of the Dining room can be completed.  I will go ahead and relocate the dishes to the COTTAGE and there they will be until we relocate later in the year.

I continue to shred paperwork!  Whoopie.  It is a exercise of skill and patience.  Haha and more haha.  Today a granddaughter will be coming over to rake leaves and do some yard work.  Looking forward to seeing her.

SO much to do in the house my head spins.  Even with being a day closer to Spring, it cannot be soon enough.  This has been a very long WINTER SEASON to me.  It rained and snowed while I was busy being a good daughter to my mom.  We needed the moisture for sure, but the rains will come in April and May and I will be grateful.

So Lord willing the rest of Winter and Spring will be dedicated to down sizing, thinning out papers and other belongings, remodeling and preparing for a significant move.  I'll miss this lovely old 1883 house, but will have great memories to keep me warm at night.

I plan on changing some and switching up on the decorating themes.  Having far less clutter. This will be fun.  I plan to simplify LIFE as much as possible and be more free spirited as an old Lady getting older as she goes.  Nutrition will be playing as important roll as a 66/67 year old peep.  Health related matters are before me and I hope to be on top of all of it through prayer, food and nutrients.

Being PRO-ACTIVE is a must.  I continue to take supplements to help nourish our bodies and minds.  Emotional HEALTH support is a must.  Somewhere in here, I will get better at stretching, walking and staying physically active.  I am very happy and excited to say, I have not taken a OTC sleep aid in 9 days!  A few months ago, I stopped taking the Omeprazole and am weaning off of the diuretics. 

I'm focusing on nutrients to help with lowering my Blood Pressure, Blood Sugars and unhealthy Cholesterols.  Having some challenges at lowering my weight.  More nutrients and exercising to the rescue I'm sure.

To God be the glory, great things He hath done.

So what's up Doc? 

~d   

HEALTH HELP

WEDNESDAY IT IS!  Earlier this week, we decided to stay away from TOPEKA this week.  Stay HOME.  Okay with that, but other things happened to change our plans.  We'd go to Manhattan instead.  BEAUTIFUL WEATHER made the shopping day on Monday so enjoyable.  Needed a few things like almond milk.  Stopped by the grocery store which is under remodeling.  Interesting changes they have made through-out the store.

I was checking out their ORGANIC SECTION also their Health Market where their vitamins are stocked. Had to make a trip to MENARDs as well.  Delightful day, but on our way HOME, hubby's cell phone rings with a hysterical sister on the other line.  My MOM fell earlier in the day breaking her hip and was being transferred to Newton's Hospital for surgery.  

We went HOME making a multitude of telephone calls to the Hospital, back and forth to siblings and messages to family.  After Mom was settled in her hospital room, I phoned and chatted with her telling her that I'd be over on Tuesday.  

When I arrived at the Hospital, she was in some pain.  Stayed with her throughout the day.  When I was told that she'd have surgery at 4, there was talk that they'd see how she was doing as her blood oxygen wasn't as high as needed.  The time slot for surgery was moved to 7pm.  She was wheeled into surgery at 7:30 and out by 5 after 9.  Visited with the surgeon, went back to her room and waited for her.  By 10 she was in her room.  Stayed a little while then we said our good-byes and will return later.  

My brother and SIL will stay with her on Wednesday.  Her blood pressure dropped this morning and she collapsed when going to a recliner.  I will be checking up on her throughout the day.  I am exhausted.

Hubby has a medical appointment this week which he has waited her 6 months.  So we do not want to miss this as it is very important to visit about his NHL.  Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma isn't a picnic.  I continue to read up on it as to what to do.

Next thing will be to increase physical activity for the both of us.  Continue to eat better and take nutrients, vitamins, minerals, etc.

When it comes to health, I have had to relearn much especially about the American way of eating.  I was brought up in it and have had health issues that developed that I believe can be eased with a different way of eating and THINKING.  As I clear out JUNK in this house, I believe that clearing out junk in my thought life needs to go hand in hand with memorizing some scripture, thinking on good things, eating good things, wearing good things.  

OTC stands for Over The Counter.  I am weaning myself off of OTC sleep aids.  A week now I have not taken them and am getting sleepy in the evenings and sleeping through the night!!!  Hallelujah.  

Last Spring, The doctor asked me to go off Metoprolol that I had been on for years.  

About a month ago I went off of OTC Omeprazole for indigestion.  Since changing my diet and losing weight, I am doing well without this med.  

That's three meds within the last 11 months.  That's fantastic for me.  

I continue to work at improving my health.  SO many meds have bad side effects.  After I read that long term use of OTC Sleep Aids contributes to dementia and memory loss, I decided...I need to stop using these as I have used them for years.  Occasional use is alright to take, but a daily basis for umpteen years is a NO NO.  Many drugs contribute to blood sugars rising, elevated cholesterol and obesity.  I'm guilty of all three.  Blood sugars are up, bad cholesterol present, obesity needs to say bye-bye.      

AS FOR EXERCISING... I walked about 20 minutes yesterday in the out of doors.  I confess, I have not exercised to my JACK LALANNE VIDEOS this past year.  I was reading up on his wife Elaine who turns 96 this month.  I wanted to see how she's doing and what she continues to do in her health journey.  

I am still so impressed with JACK.  He died in 2011, I think at the age of 96.  He truly did some magnificent things during his life.  I will return to checking out his nutrition aspect of things and exercise.

I'll walk through the videos to start out with.  THIS WEEK, video number 1!!!  Elaine can be checked out on facebook.  Elaine LaLanne. 

AFTER SEEING SOME PICS OF JACK...I thought who needs a gym when you have a sturdy chair and ottoman.  grins.  Jack was the KING of practical exercise.

Welp, I had best get after the chores.  I continue shredding old papers, going through boxes and shuffling furniture when I have the time and energy.  

LIFE IS SHORT.  Live wisely.

~d

   

18 Inexpensive Ways To Make Your Kitchen Prettier & More Organized | Hom...

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION...

I TRIED THREE TIMES TO TALK MYSELF OUT OF IT.  After reading a email about my time slot to audition I decided I'd go ahead and audition for the THEATRE AT THE RUIN Sunday morning for a part.  No alarm clock was set and with the time change this morning, I woke late.  When I checked emails, there was one from the Director to remind me that I had an audition.  

Got groomed, dressed, put a little make-up on and drove to Volland.  I was early and sat in the car for a little bit then got out of my car and walked across soggy ground onto the sidewalk along side the Volland Store building.  

I thought the sidewalk would be better to walk on than walking through the snow.  As my right foot reached the snow on the walk, there was ice and I began to fall.  I'm falling...really?  I fell and thought my head was going to hit a bench, but I managed to sway my weight landing on my big backside.  Down I went.  Lord, Are you trying to tell me something?  Should I just get up and go HOME? 

I sat there for a few seconds and then wondered how am I going to get up?  hah.  I managed and went indoors with a wet backside.  I told the Ladies I had a wet bottom because I fell.  Both Ladies were very nice to me.  Seemed concerned.  I was handed a piece of paper to fill out in the Kitchen as an audition was going on.

I auditioned by reading a couple of stories.  I confess I wasn't the best...lacked animated enthusiasm.  Could have hammed it up some I suppose,  Just about as quickly as I started I was done.

When talking myself out of auditioning, I managed to remind myself that I have so much going on.  I told my husband before I had opened my email that I wasn't going to go audition because I had way too much to do at HOME and the COTTAGE.  THEN I read the email.  What should I do?  I had signed up for an audition a couple of months ago.  Auditioning doesn't mean that I'll get a part, so I changed my mind and went.

The VICTORY in this is...1) that I showed up with soggy britches. 
2) I stood in front of a couple women from Babson College and 3) I read out loud a few stories for them.  A) I didn't pass out and B) I didn't shake to death.  C) I read... meaning I tried out, and D) audition over.  It's been years since I have auditioned for anything.  Years.

I lived to tell about this.  Drove HOME in wet pants and that's that. 

As a youth, I loved being involved with PLAYS/THEATRE.  Living Art.  In a few days, I'll hear yay or nay.  Either way, I did it.  Now back to cleaning up the JUNK ROOM.  

This is one place that I can be completely myself and not be concerned about hair, make-up, posture or how loud I project my voice.  No acting necessary.  No parts to remember.  T-shirt and blue jeans on.  Barefoot.  I'll put my best foot forward and press on.  The JUNK ROOM awaits me.

Dear Lord, Thank you for your help.  Together, 

I believe this project will be a success.

You're the best Director of all,

~d  

In the latter half of 2021, Beth and Mary collected stories, past and present, from Wabaunsee County residents. These stories will be woven into a completely new, unique script for Theatre at the Ruin, a community based theatre production in June 2022. While the Babson College professors adapted these stories and adventures into a script, Mike Lillich and his crew revitalized the limestone foundation of Otto Kratzer’s home in Volland. Dubbed the Ruin, the new space will host Theatre at the Ruin, and more events in future.

I HAVE A DREAM...ACTUALLY, I HAVE A MESS.

LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE DREAMS of what they hope to have manifest in their lives.  Some have visions.  Sometimes dreams are prophetic.  They also can help when dealing with anxieties.  I have a dream, maybe two or three?  SOMETIMES more.  GRINS.  Wishful thinking can be in the lines of so-called desires.  

I desire to have one lil 'ole room become a TV room so our television can be moved out of the Parlour.  

I have to say that one of my dreams/HOPES is to be extremely organized and have a completely decluttered and seriously clean estate.  It has become a mammoth undertaking.  

It seems like I'm wanting the moon at the present time as I am struggling to get just ONE room...just one room completely cleared out so as to create a TV room that has of course a television, a piece of furniture to hold the television on, a television controller, a lamp, a computer printer with printer table, a file cabinet, a desk, a desk chair, a waste can, a radio, a telephone, two recliners, a end table between the two chairs and a area rug on a nice, new wood floor.  

Seems easy enough to arrange until I have to deal with the reality that there are so many items needed dealt with.  Also there are boxes packed full of stuff still in this room that have to be dealt with.  It seems so easy in my thought life until I stand at the door of the room looking in at the mess.  

Enter at your own risk comes to mind.  You may fall down and never get back up.

One of those HELP ME I'VE FALLEN AND I CAN'T GET UP necklaces is not available.  There's no button that I can push to make this suddenly be like it is suppose to be. 

 

I DREAM OF JEANNIE isn't here to cross her arms as she boinks her head nor is BEWITCHED wiggling her nose to magically change the situation.

More realistically, I need a crew...except a crew cannot deal delicately with all the emotional stuff attached to so much.  

When I utter...it is done.  That will be heavenly.

I have to become THE CREW all rolled up into one person.  I have to be the one that calls the shots.  Hey you, that goes there and this goes here and on and on and on until it's completely finished.  

There's that dream.  I can see it in my mind's eye that this is a possibility to have a very nice television room.  I cannot tell you how many times I have created and arranged rooms over the last 47 years of marriage and previous years as a young College student also a young person still at HOME.  Rooms, rooms, rooms and more rooms.  

Shouldn't it be easier than this with what I am going through?  Yes.  It's just that so much was left unattended due to what was going on in LIFE.  A person can run, but eventually it all has to be dealt with and my time has come.

The designer in me cannot help but look at a room and the wheels start turning how I'd arrange it.  It's a cheap form of entertainment which is at times frustrating.  

For so many reasons, creating this one particular room seems like I'm a blindfolded hiker walking backwards while climbing up a mountain.  It's a labor that seems to have no end to it.  I keep plugging away at it.  It is taking way too long to get to the top so I can plant my flag of victory.

Steady as I go.  I may not be steady enough.  Never before have I had so many boxes that need gone through where I have to personally handle hundreds of pieces of paper, small items holding sentimental attachments to my heart, pictures, cards, letters, and papers that need filed or shredded.  Perhaps my age is getting in the way where I reminisce way too much.  Perhaps can be changed into a yes, that's it. 

The room right now became a catch-all for storing things that needed further attention on a rainy day.  This is my rainy day experience that seems more like standing in the path of a hurricane holding hands with a tsunami.  I need to get out of the rain.  Okay...this is a gross exaggeration.  Still it's taking so much effort.  Perhaps I need to not be so emotionally attached and just do it.  Like cleaning the toilet.  Just do it and be done.

As I was leaving the room late last night, I noticed a laundry basket over against the wall.  When I took a few things off the top there staring me in the eye were more receipts.  I said, "What?  You have got to be kidding me."  I sighed, turned off the light and walked away.  I know I will go through this basket later, but good grief,   more receipts.  Sigh.  

I can either work faster taking frequent breaks or accept that this chore is bigger than me and I need to give up.  Then there's just roll up your sleeves working at a steady pace not worrying about this long drawn out exercise that I cannot wait to be done with.  The day will come when I will curtsy and bow out.  The play is over.    

This seems silly to not be able to master this particular room.  Lord, Please help me.  I'm drowning in the mess.  I have a dream.  It's not to make a million dollars, travel the world or become famous.  It's a dream that I will get through this, have a neat room not full of junk and seeing order restored to my HOME.  Clean and tidy rooms throughout the house.  I don't want to be down for the count.

You took chaos and created ORDER.  It is godly to have order.

TAKE THIS MESS AND TURN IT INTO A FINISHED PROJECT.  The process is overwhelming.   

I am so thankful to have a place to call my HOME.  

Let it be orderly once again.  I pray.

Amen,

~d

SKINCARE, THE DAILY GRIND and A MENAGERIE OF JUNQUE

WAKING EARLY, I decided to go ahead and work in the JUNK ROOM going through piles of paper, boxes, looking inside big yellow envelopes and pictures.  Shuffling some items, I still can't tell that I made a dent.  The room is full of sunshine.  It is really pleasant for me to look out the Windows as I work.  I work awhile, sit awhile, work some more, sit some more and think what in the room is next to get man handled.  Another trip down MEMORY LANE.

Another run to Goodwill for a donation drop.  More that can go.

I have HOPE that I will get through this as I pray a great deal for enthusiasm and strength.  So many loose papers and receipts, it is a frightful sight.  Pitching so many pieces of paper and having such disarray in a room makes me wonder how on earth did this mess come to be? 

A house fire, two moves, ill health, not being able to walk because of aching feet and debilitating back pain, then co v id, might be why.  I have personally experienced being so far behind it seems like I will never come up for air again.  I give THANX that God has allowed us some time to be able to work at this.  

I just wish it were behind me.  Keep plunking away.   It has gotten easier to toss and pitch so much.  The trash bags are morphing into large plastic objects that have to be dragged to the trashcan outside.  They're too heavy for me to do alone.  Need help.  

I came across papers that I had been thinking about a week or so ago  concerning my older brother's guardianship.  There they be.  Relief.  I can now file them away knowing exactly where they are.  PTL.  Progress.  My dear brother passed away last October and I wasn't his guardian, but his guardian mentioned something to my husband which didn't go over very well with me.  I needed the papers to add to my peace of mind.  Thankful I know where they are.  

It's challenging to walk about the room as things are piled here, there and everywhere.  I have to dodge and dart around the boxes making it somewhat awkward for this old woman that isn't flexible.  

GROUPING LIKE OBJECTS is a start.  I gathered all the art supplies placing them on and about a desk.  There.  Now we know where the hundred pencils are.  Some sketch pads came out of boxes.  Together again.  

Computer papers went inside some drawers nice and neat along with office supplies that were bunched up in a box needing some order.  Frames, pictures and paintings have been grouped together in the hallway.  It looks like I could open a arts 'n craft store.  

Sewing items like portable sewing machines are grouped on and about the treadle sewing machine.  I plan to relocate these machines over to the COTTAGE one day soon when hubby can help me relocate the sewing supplies to the COTTAGE Utility room where I have a special place saved for them.  Clothing and stuffed toys will disappear.  

I came across a large box of my childhood dolls.  I forgot where they were.  I can relocate this to a different room where I have most of my other dolls.  More items of my children has surfaced.  I came across some snapshots that I need to mail to some relatives.  Personal letters and cards will need to find a special place in a different room elsewhere.  SO much more.  Lord, please give me strength.  I look at the mess and a sinking feeling comes over me.  I can imagine a day when I no longer have so much disorder.    

THIS MORNING it was really quiet in the house as my hubby was still asleep.  I sat in my housecoat going through things.  Decided I would stay in my housecoat until after LUNCH.  I have my hair up in a clip as I plan on shampooing it later as I massaged DESERT ESSENCE ORGANIC JOJOBA OIL into my hair.  

Will leave this TREATMENT on for a few hours before taking a shower.  I've used olive oil before and my hair turned out so soft.  Jojoba Oil smells better.

No Breakfast this morning.  Had leftovers for lunch...Mexican Meatloaf, Baby Potatoes and Broccoli.  Not sure about Supper.  Maybe Organic Vegetable Soup as I am aiming for a low cal day.  I haven't been able to hit 1000 calories a day during this week.  Maybe I will by the end of the day.  For some reason, I have not been able to accomplish the magic number 1000.  1200 is the suggested number for woman.  If I were 4 foot tall, this number would be alright, but at almost 6 foot, it's almost starvation.  Keeping my energy level up is difficult.  I have to talk to myself and cheer myself on.  Raw raw raw...bah humbug.  Keeping a cheery attitude comes to mind.  

As Mary Colbert suggested, she walked 3 miles a day early in the mornings, ate 1000 calories a day of a KETO DIET and didn't eat past 6pm, took FIBER ZONE when having the munchies.  She said her weight melted off and she slimmed down.  Tadaah!  I hope to be as successful.  Tadaah hasn't happened yet.

I knew that taking fiber would help with feeling full and help with cholesterol, but I didn't know about it helping with high blood sugar.  The Metamucil I had in the cabinet has aspartame in it and I won't touch it.  Out you go.  So, I am going to use Natural Berry Flavor FIBER ZONE by Divine Health.  A Dr. Don Colbert product.

Okay, my FIBER ZONE came in the mail.  I'm working at increasing my walking and I will try to eat the KETO way for awhile.  I'm struggling with that 1000 magic number.

I need to eat an apple for my snack today, take some fiber and some collagen.  I've got to increase eating 5 servings of fruit a day plus 5 servings of vegetables as well.  These days, it's easier for me to reach the veggies vs. the fruit.  Which surprises me that I cannot achieve this.  

Counting calories I can do.  Not use to counting carbs.  I just try to go easy on these.  Another hurdle to jump.  

Eating smaller portions of food in general is extremely difficult for me.  Trying to eat my first meal of the day at 11.  Have an afternoon snack and then eat supper before 6.  I haven't gotten to the place where I don't eat an evening snack.  I'll have to take fiber in cold water in the evening if I get a hankering for late night snacking.  Can I do this thing if I assert myself?  

It takes a huge effort on my part to skip the munchies.  I can have a full belly and still want to munch on chips or popcorn.  It's not the healthy kind of stuff I crave either.  I need to brainwash myself to accomplish a healthier outcome.  Here I go again talking to myself.

The weather isn't cooperating with me as it snowed and is bitter cold.  I can't go over to the COTTAGE today to walk on the treadmill.  Perhaps I could just walk in place.  Stay in motion.

I just about cannot believe it is FRIDAY.  Seems like the time is flying.  

WEEK-END PLANS...not sure.  Probably continue working in the JUNK ROOM.  It is already the 11th day of the month.  Spring is about 9 days.  This week-end is the time change.  This seems to always mess my sleep up.  I do better when the time falls back.  Fall back...Spring forward.  I will take it as an opportunity to begin walking daily, drink more water, get better organize, glam-up my skincare routine and not feel sorry for myself.  

I have a special book that I enjoy thumbing through from time to time.  Judy Lindberg McFarland's book AGING WITHOUT GROWING OLD.  She shares her special formula for skincare and I will return to doing this.  The first time I tried it, I was in my 40s and thought it was too oily for me.  Now that I am 66, I will give it a go again.  I'll share what she says about this special skincare treatment.

JUDY LINDBERG MCFARLAND’S

SPECIAL FORMULA

INTO A SMALL CREAM PITCHER, 

I POUR 1 OUNCE OF “JASON’S COSMETICS” 32,000 IU VITAMIN E OIL 

INTO 4 OZ. OF “DESERT ESSENCE,” 100% PURE COLD-PRESSED JOJOBA OIL.

THEN I SQUEEZE 30 OR MORE 10,000 IU VITAMIN A CAPSULES INTO MIXTURE.

I STIR IT UP AND POUR IT BACK INTO THE ORIGINAL BOTTLES.

THERE ARE MANY BRANDS IN YOUR NUTRITION STORE, BUT THESE ARE THE ONES I HAVE BEEN USING.

IN THE EVENING I CLEANSE MY FACE WITH THIS OIL, USING A WARM, WET WASHCLOTH TO WIPE OFF THE OIL AND MY MAKE-UP.  THEN I SPREAD THIS OIL COMBINATION AGAIN OVER MY ENTIRE FACE, NECK, AND ARMS.  IT WILL ABSORB QUICKLY.  IF YOU USE THIS AGAIN IN THE MORNING, YOUR FACE WILL BE SOFT AND MOIST.  LADIES, APPLY THIS MIXTURE TO YOUR LEGS AFTER YOU HAVE SHAVED.  MY HUSBAND USES THIS INSTEAD OF AFTERSHAVE LOTION.  THIS IS ALSO A GREAT MASSAGE OIL.

VITAMINS A AND E:  ONE OF MOTHER’S BEAUTY SECRETS

NATURAL VITAMIN A FROM FISH OIL IS THE FORM I USE WITH THE MIXTURE ABOVE.  VITAMIN A IS THE KEY VITAMIN RELATED TO SKIN HEALTH AND IS A POTENT FREE RADICAL SCAVENGER.  I DON'T USE COD LIVER OIL AS IT SMELLS TOO FISHY.

VITAMINS A AND E WERE ONE OF MOTHER’S BEAUTY SECRETS, ALTHOUGH SHE FREELY TOLD EVERYONE ABOUT THEM.  SHE ALWAYS SQUEEZED 10 - 20 VITAMIN A SOFTGELS (25,000  IU EACH - AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME) INTO HER NIGHT-TIME MOISTURIZING CREAM, ALONG WITH 10 - 20 SOFTGELS OF VITAMIN E (400 IU) TO REALLY FEED HER SKIN.  SHE KNEW THE MOISTURIZING CREAM HELPED HER SKIN ASSIMILATE THE OIL VITAMINS.  YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE HOW GREAT YOUR SKIN WILL LOOK AND FEEL!

 

Praise the Lord, this is the day that the Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Last night we watched a 2007 Demi Moore and Michael Caine movie, FLAWLESS.  I actually liked it.  It's about a 1960s diamond heist out of London.  It was relatively clean, hardly any foul language and no nudity.  It actually had a plot.  May watch it again.  The fashions were neat to see.  Red lipstick, pearls lots of pearls and diamonds of course.

  

 I feel a nap coming on.

I'll have to shake it off as I want to get back at sorting through the JUNK ROOM.

May you all have a super week-end.  

I'm so glad it's here,

~d👵