HAPPY NEW YEAR 'ALL

WHAT SHALL THE NEW YEAR BRING?
We shall see.

ON SUNDAY around 3:20pm, I headed out the door to walk to the football field, walking 4 labs around then walked HOME.  Took me an hour and 10 minutes to complete my walk.  There was a bench at the field that I sat on a few times to catch my breath.  It helped.  I was ready to sit in my living room chair to cool off.  After I sat a spell, my legs felt like rubber and I knew I was finished for the day.  

You know you're old when walking a mile and a half to two miles takes so much out of one making it difficult to get about.  I managed today.  I pray I can continue a walking program.  The thought of walking more doesn't excite me.  I have no way of knowing if I will ever like walking to get fit, but I can purpose it in my heart to walk for good reasons.  Mark this off my WALKING CHART that I have not started yet.  I have high HOPES to walk a great deal in 2025.  Eat better and declutter our messes.  

Ate supper then retired to our TV room to watch PBS's jAmesTowN.

When this series first broadcasted, I started to watch it about JAMESTOWN of the 1600s.  Didn't finish at the time.  For some reason it has appealed to me for now.  I understand that there are three seasons of it.  

NEW YEAR's EVE is here and I think we will take it easy instead of going somewhere to celebrate the start of a new year.  I needed to have some labs done earlier in the day to see where my TSH is for thyroid health which meant a trip to TOPEKA.  It's been exactly 6 weeks since I started a different thyroid medicine dose.  We got up early, did some chores, went to the post office and gas station for fuel.  Traveled over to the lab and had blood drawn.  Went to Breakfast and I ate about half of my meal.  Boxed the leftovers for my daughter's dog to chow down on.  Being resourceful.

Since the grocery store was near, we went to get a STARBUCK's unsweetened Iced green Tea, some V8 and pineapple juice.  I was feeling a bit off after I ate and thought a V8 would help straighten out how my body deals with food.

Then we went to GOD'S STOREHOUSE where my dear Husband found a very nice 19th century American Empire Eastlake dresser with a huge attached mirror and a slab of marble.  What a find he came across for $45.oo!!!  After it is worked over I'll share a pic of it.

It had a broken piece off of the top of the mirror's wood work so I ignored looking at it closer until he mentioned it.  Believing he could repair it, I opened a drawer where the piece that was broken off of the dresser was inside.  Then I opened the bottom drawer and a beautiful crown piece was in it.  He hadn't bothered to open the drawers so having the missing pieces in hand was exciting.    

The entire piece can be polished up with the missing pieces added to make the piece worth buying.  A beautiful piece for sure.  So we did, but we'd have to return home to get the other car so we could haul the piece home.

Before we headed home we stopped off at Natural Grocers for groceries.  Drove HOME and picked up the other car.  I'd still drive our larger car over along with my Husband driving the smaller car.  The large mirror went into the car I was driving and the base of the dresser fit into the car my hubby was driving.  He loaded up the dresser.

I needed a few more groceries from SAMs.  I ran into my good friend Eileen and we chatted an hour.  Good to see her then we journeyed Home to unload the American Empire Eastlake dresser into the house where it will be repaired then placed in the SHE SHED along with my Victorian Bedroom Suite.

The weather has turned off flat cold and I was chilled to the bone when we got home.  It's taken the entire evening to warm up.  Supper was corn bread and black eyed peas.  Watched some tele and will welcome the new year in with a quiet evening at HOME.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I'm alright with staying HOME.  Red Hots and peanuts to snack on before the new year has stricter guidelines to honor.

2025 will be with expectations.  I plan on using January 1st as a start date to walk as often as I can.      
Eat more veggies and fruit.
Eat less meat, dairy and grains.
Take my supplements.
Continue to drink lots of spring water.
Clean out from under the Kitchen sink.
Completely clean out the closet.
Tidy the utility room.
Organize the Master Bedroom that's being used for storage.
Write a book and get it published.
Sew.
Decorate a doll house.
Read scripture each day.
Clean out a storage unit.
Thin out Christmas decor.
Paint some rooms in the COTTAGE.
Etc.  Etc.  Etc.
Lord willing.

Here's to be a blessed year ahead of us. 

Praying.

~d

BLUEBERRIES IN MY POCKET

OFF I GO WALKING TODAY AS THE WEATHER IS ALMOST SPRING LIKE with temps near 60.  I'm going to spice this walk up some as I will walk to the football field, walk around the track 4 times then return HOME on foot.  This should add up to a mile and a half. Should be challenging.

After all the CHRISTMAS SWEETS I know full well I have to return to MINDFUL EATING with healthier food choices.  Since returning HOME, I have done well.  This morning, I had cottage cheese with cinnamon sprinkle and a handful of delicious blueberries.  Breakfast was close enough to the LUNCH hour that I will call this meal BRUNCH and have an early SUPPER.  We're having asparagus, baked potato with salsa and probably some turkey slices.  Water throughout the day along with my supplements.

I seldom ate blueberries when I was growing up.  In fact I seldom ate them period until a few years ago.  Now, I desire to have some each day at breakfast and I am focusing on eating more of GOD's food each day loaded with a large selection of vegetables and a variety of fruit.  Cutting back on the meats, grains and dairy.  Adding some nuts, seeds and legumes.  LOTS of SPRING WATER.  That about sums it up.

OOPS...I forgot my morning HOT TEA with cayenne pepper and a bottle of homemade LEMON WATER.

Concentrating on BLUEBERRIES for the food of the day.  I believe that when we eat what is called SUPERFOODS that we are blessing our health in so many ways.  Perhaps, I should create a meal consisting of what is called SUPERFOODS.  I'll do that in 2025.

 

Blueberries are often called a “superfood.” This small but mighty berry is loaded with nutrients. They may help lower blood pressure, improve memory, aid in exercise recovery, and more.

1. Blueberries are low in calories but high in nutrients.

2. Blueberries are one of the top antioxidant foods.

3. Blueberries reduce DNA damage, which may help protect against aging and cancer.

4. Blueberries may lower blood pressure.

5. Blueberries can help maintain brain function and improve memory.

6. Anthocyanins in blueberries may have anti-diabetes effects.

7. Blueberries may reduce muscle damage after strenuous exercise.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-blueberries

A WONDERFUL BREAKFAST, SNACK or MEAL COULD BE A KALE BLUEBERRY SMOOTHIE.   A cup of frozen blueberries, one medium size banana, one large kale leak and a cup of unsweetened almond milk. Blend well and enjoy a nutritious smoothie.

IT'll BE WORTH IT to eat and drink more of what is called SUPERFOODS.  

Here's to a healthier life with BLUEBERRIES in my pocket,

~d

BATHROOM. AS 2024 WINDS DOWN THE REMODELED COTTAGE BATHROOM HAS MADE A DAZZLING DIFFERENCE TO US

AS 2024 winds down and the awakening of 2025 takes place, our BIG PROJECT for the year was the COTTAGE BATHROOM REMODEL.  The brunt of the remodel all took place in 2024.  A linen closet will be created in 2025.  

IT ALL STARTED IN 2022.  We purchased a large vanity and it sat in the KITCHEN boxed up for a year before it was installed in the Bathroom.  We weren't living in the COTTAGE yet.  Thank goodness, but as I look over the progress we have made, the slow remodel started with the gutting of the entire room.  

We inched along.

Take a look at the difference.

BEFORE

AFTER

Before and After

Over on the other side of the room stands the vanity.

Looking at the difference, gives me HOPE that the rest of the COTTAGE projects will make a huge difference also.  If I can just  B E L I E V E  and have faith, the wait will not seem so long and drawn out. 

In 2025, LORD WILLING will be a successful year for painting rooms, possibly carpeting, and rebuilding a beautiful Victorian porch.

Put on my HAPPY FACE and dancing feet 

and away we shall go.

God bless our lil HOME,

~d

MORNIN' LOVELIES

 MORNIN'.  Blessings to you.  Did you have a good Christmas?  What have you got planned today?

I watched the 1994 version of LITTLE WOMEN on the tele last night because I was craving visiting that time era with the lovely clothing, hair styles, interior decorating and subject matters. I love the greenery that is placed inside the March's home for Christmas time.  I believe it is something I can imitate.  With Christmas behind us, Epiphany is before us, then Valentines. There are other televised version of LITTLE WOMEN, but I am fond of this one for so many reasons.

Which daughter is the most like yourself?  A little of each, I think.  I definitely was a TOMBOY growing up that would enjoy writing, doing art and playing a piano.  Later, I desired the finer things in life and became a HOMEMAKER with children encouraging my Husband's career. Nowadays, I still enjoy the finer things in LIFE, decorating, writing, art, music and family ties.  I am in no means a little woman.    

Our COTTAGE greenery will remain up for a few weeks as I am not ready to put it away for the year.  We did not decorate the porch except for wreaths on the doors due to being occupied with decluttering the COTTAGE which was a priority.  After visiting the Sapulpa Route 66 CHUTE, I have lots of decorating ideas to keep on the back burner for next year. 

Cloudy outside with temps in the 30s hopefully rising to the 50s this afternoon.  This will encourage walking for exercise.  AND AWAY I SHALL GO.

Stepping backwards.  There was no Christmas music available on the radio stations when we were traveling HOME from our Oklahoma CHRISTMAS the day after.  I was hungry for it and none was to be found.  The CD player in our car isn't working so I depend on the radio.  The day after Christmas things returned to regular programming which I wasn't ready for.  Still in a Christmas mood.

I met my Husband when I was 18 years old and he was 18 turning 19.  We are now elderly and getting into our 70s.  We're now elderly.  That's old.

A BLAST FROM CHRISTMAS PAST.  We decorated some, I went to a theatre production with some friends, went to the Festival of Lights in Manhattan, drove around looking at the Christmas decorations in Manhattan, looked at lights in Topeka at Potwin Place, toured the Sapulpa Route 66 Chutes, admired the well decorated Jenks, Oklahoma house, celebrated Hubby's 70th birthday twice, Christmas Eve service and watched our grandchildren open their presents Christmas morning.  VERY BLESSED to eat too well.  Now to return to a more modest calorie intake. grins.

The Chutes

House in Jenks

FUTURE PLANS.  About October next year, I will check out the contents for the porch decor, then in the later part of November while the weather is still somewhat mild, I think we ought to wrap the tree bases in the yard with lights and put up the porch lights with garland.  The day after THANKSGIVING put out the Nativity Scene.  Closer to Christmas, deck out the porch Christmas garland with individual items to brighten up the garland such as faux snowflakes, oversized bulbs, giant jingle bells.  The Christmas tree will be set up right after Thanksgiving along with the greenery all over again.  A good plan for now.

This WINTER, I really should go to the cellar and thin out the Christmas decor.  When we hit a nice day, I will need to work on the storage unit getting it thinned out as well and ready to completely empty it.  The $85 it cost each month can be used in a better way such as savings for everyday living, toward a new car, a much needed vacation, Home repairs for when appliances need worked on or replaced.  

A new BUDGET will be looked at over the HOLIDAYS.  It's a simple BUDGET which cannot be ignored.  I have plans on how to operate our HOME FINANCES in a different way.  Day after PAY DAY, I believe I should write out all the checks for expected bills and have them ready to go for the month instead of writing them out as we go during the month.  I tend to fret on did I pay that bill...I can't remember...oh yes, I did pay that bill.  My mind would be at ease knowing it was already done instead of fretting over it.

In January, I'd like to go see my MOM in Iowa.  With it being wintertime, I will have to really watch the weather forecast to make sure the traveling weather is good.  https://www.almanac.com/winter-extended-forecast-farmers-almanac. May be a mild WINTER. 

CALORIE COUNT.  Yesterday, I had celery with peanut butter for breakfast with water.  Lunch was a modest salad of sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, a handful of blueberries, cup of cottage cheese sprinkled with cinnamon, small amount of feta cheese. 

 

Supper was small amount of roast beef, noodles and green beans.  Snack was Chaos popcorn with some thin ginger snaps.  Water throughout the day.  I made a lemon water at one point. Trying to remember to do this.  I was FAITHFUL taking ALL my vitamins and minerals.  First time in a long time.

I don't know why I can't seem to stick with taking these everyday.  Back to it.  This is what I will concentrate on for improved health. 

I'm monitoring my blood pressure and edema more thorough.  The edema in my feet has virtually disappeared since I stopped taking the HCTZ and blood pressure meds.  When ever one has a potassium deficiency, the blood pressure rises and edema happens.  Water pills cause electrolyte deficiencies.  It seems like a horrible cycle taking water pills.  What is suppose to help with the edema causes deficiencies with electrolytes which causes HBP issues. Vicious circle.

It's been about a month since I stopped taking the water pills with Olmesartan.  A MONTH.  The swelling in my feet is nearly gone.  My blood pressure is in a pretty good range.  After reading about Olmesartan, I understand that diabetics are not suppose to take it.  duh.  Why was I?  

Some of the meds I have been taking I think are deliberately designed to cause a rise in one's glucose, lipids and encourage weight gain.  Disgusting.  I am now OFF of the meds I was taking that encouraged weight gain, diabetes, high cholesterol and edema.  Can you believe this?  I can.  

With a NEW YEAR coming, will I be doing things differently?  Yes.  I have purposed in my heart to simplify, disregard weight, exercise, write a book, work on a doll house, sew, garden, paint rooms in the COTTAGE, get more organized, yes.

SELF CARE will be a huge priority with mindful eating.  I watched a wonderful video of Annette Reeders and she shared about how the food industry wants you addicted to their foods which have chemicals that shuts off natural indicators to when you are full to where you keep eating.  I agree.  The pharmaceutical companies want you addicted to their drugs to where you are a cash cow to the system.  I agree.  I think that the meds are designed to cause other health issues that you will willingly take additional meds.    

When one has their eyes opened to the truth, it should become one's responsibility to decide what to do with this information?  I have done a horrible job of changing for the better.  I vow to do BETTER.

I will be mindful of what I am eating and drinking.
~d 

CHRISTMAS CLOSURE AND ONTO NEW YEAR's EVE

I'LL HAVE TO REST BEFORE I DO A PROPER POST with pics.  We just rolled in after traveling all afternoon in the thick, soupy FOG with misty rain.  I know I need my rest and will relax this evening and hopefully sleep soundly into the abyss.

Driving HOME through Topeka, we stopped off at ALDI as I wanted to get some celery to help lower my high blood pressure, but unfortunately they were sold out so we went to WALMART. They had some.  Two stalks of the deliciously crunchy CELERY came HOME with me.  

OUR QUIET COTTAGE greeted us being clean as we weren't HOME to dirty it up after we did intense cleaning for the Sunday birthday party.  Awesome way to be greeted after spending three days away.  

I will post some pics later, but for now I am so glad to be SAFELY HOME.

SINCE SUNDAY, we celebrated HUBBY's 70th BIRTHDAY, traveled to Oklahoma, celebrated his birthday again, listened to a very uplifting Christmas Eve sermon, woke to a misty rainy CHRISTMAS to watch the children open CHRISTMAS gifts from Santa and family, had a huge meal as a family, went to the very colorful Sapulpa's Route 66 Christmas CHUTE and viewed a heavily decorated house in Jenks decked out with lights galore which was featured as a previous LIGHT FIGHT winner, watched a multitude of CHRISTMAS movies, rested and drove the distance HOME.

Saw a real life reindeer at the Sapulpa Chute that was beautiful.

NEWS FLASH:  Returning HOME to a cleaned up COTTAGE rested well with me.  Contented. Oh so nice to be HOME where it was tidy.  I fell asleep before getting this posted on Thursday. May have more than one post on Friday.  Alrighty then.

That's the news,

~d

COLD WEATHER DROVE ME TO CHECK THE ARCHIVES. HUBBY'S 70TH BIRTHDAY, CHRISTMAS MORNING AND THE CHUTES

With the weather so cold here, I went to the archives and found more pics that I wanted to post.  So here they be.

AT CHRISTMAS WE CELEBRATED HUBBY'S 70th Birthday on Christmas Eve, woke to the grand kids opening presents and went to see the CHUTES in Sapulpa.  Christmas was extra special.  Lots to do.  

~d