TWENTY DAYS TIL SPRING and A PATHWAY TO BETTER HEALTH!

IT'S NOT WORKING OUT.  A year ago or so, we purchased a fridge to sit in the utility room to hold only the fruits and veggies.  A fridge just for this.  Used it in this fashion for about 6 months then decided to do a switch-er-roo and switch this fridge to use as a full freezer returning the fruit and veggies to the Kitchen fridge.

As many veggies as I store in the fridge, this wasn't working as there was no room for leftovers, etc.  I'll be switching the fridges around to where the fruits and veggies return to the utility room and the frozen goods in the bottom of the Kitchen fridge freezer and in the cellar freezer.  In the next few weeks there will be an exodus going on in my COTTAGE.  again.  No surprise.  I change my mind often not for entertainment either, but for efficiency.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  

I gave it a good try.  Think I like having an only fruit and veggie fridge better.  Next WEEK the switch will happen.

ON THE HOME FRONT.  I'm gathering up the greenery that has been out for Christmas decor and also WINTER WARMTH.  I was not ready to tell the greenery adious right after Christmas, but today is a new day and I'm ready.  I am now as we inch into the month of MARCH.  Time to swap out this WINTER decor with EASTER/early SPRING decor.  

🐇🐇🐇Ready for some SPRING to blossom.  Take a deep breath and let it happen.  20 days until SPRING.  That's 3 glorious weeks.  

At Michaels they had easter egg garlands.  🐰🐰🐰Think I'll return and get some to hang on a rod in between the living room and the dining room.  That would be sweet to see.  Then I can locate my BUNNIES and place them about the house.  Seems like I just put these away from last Spring. 🪺

The front porch urns have been cleaned out and are ready for Spring flowers to come forth.  I have some large faux daffodils that I will place in the urns next week.  The Winter Wreaths on the front doors need taken down and replaced with SPRING ones.  I will add Easter eggs and faux daffodils to the SPRING wreaths I have in the cellar that need spruced up.  The wreaths that Michaels had were gorgeous, but I didn't want to pay as much as they were asking even at 40% off.  While I looked at them in the store my old wreaths in the cellar came to mind that I could add some faux eggs to them and ribbons to spring-a-fy to freshen them up and they will look just as good for now.

LEADING UP TO SPRING.  I have the clothing thinned out to where I know what we have for Spring and Summer clothing.  The closet hangers have been swapped out and the closet organized.  Now the Christmas greenery will be put away and hopefully the FOOD PANTRY cleaned out and organized just in time for SPRING.  It'll take me three weeks to do the pantry. Truthfully. 

When Spring arrives we will have the Bathroom Linen Closet built and painted filled with toiletries and towels.  Plans for the front porch to be rebuilt are in the works.  AND we have to get serious about replacing the carpet in the house.

I have no way of knowing how old the carpet and padding are in the COTTAGE.  I know that vacuuming the top of the carpet does not suck out the dirt on the underlying padding and wood floor underneath.  The carpet is seriously stained in some areas.  With guessing the age, I'd have to say it is a good 45 years or so when shag carpeting went out of vogue and beige colored level looped carpeting was all the rage.  Getting new carpeting will help clean our HOME up and maybe alleviate our present day asthma.

Not only will new carpeting improve the looks of this HOME, it will also IMPROVE OUR HEALTH as we both have asthma.  If I know what my triggers are I can avoid what triggers my asthma, I will be healthier and feel better and so will my sweetie.  DUST, POLLEN and PET DANDER are triggers and I must avoid them as best I can.  The dust also includes DIRT. Truthfully we should have had the entire COTTAGE ready before moving in, but this wasn't in our cards.

So we remodel and live amongst the dirty carpeting.  Hubby took care of an icky bathroom floor that was seriously water damaged when we remodeled the bathroom.  He did a beautiful job getting the uck out of the house.  It had a bad odor and now that's gone.  

SPRING HAIR CUT.  When getting ready for SPRING, I decided I need a good cut for SPRING. A little early, but I was ready to trim me hair.  Shampooed my long hair and then trimmed about 2 inches off with a homemade butterfly cut.  A day later I clipped straight across an additional 4 inches or more roughly taking off 6 inches all together.  After the next shampoo I'll check to see if I need to trim some odd ball stray hairs dangling.

SPRING 2025 will hopefully start out with a clean closet, an organized food pantry and a fresh haircut.  I am chomping at the bit for milder temps and time in the out of doors.  This week-end I will deliberately spend time out of doors before next week's colder weather moves in.  

The cleaner the house, the healthier we will be.  Being ill isn't easy or wanted.  With much effort I have studied about health issues and the simplest thing I can do to help with better health is to DEEP CLEAN our HOME environment.  A pathway to better health begins at HOME with a cleaner place to live and eating healthier foods.  AMEN.  

God bless,

~d

3 TIMES A CHARM, WINTER RUBBISH GONE AND TRUMP GAZA

WITH THE WEATHER BEING SO BEAUTIFUL, we thought it would be a good time to wash the car which was covered with salt residue from salt on the roads. Didn't want to hand wash the car.  Wanted a ROBOT to do the dirty work.

The first attempt to wash the car didn't go well as the carwash pay station was whonky and would only take cash with correct change.  No change returned.  No bank card accepted.  We decided to wait until the next day and try a different car wash.  

We tried a brand new wash in Manhattan.  The facility was extremely nice, but the pay station wasn't working well.  It wouldn't allow us to purchase the lowest priced carwash so we had to pay $16.  Which is pretty high priced in this area.

We finally got the kinks out and drove into the wash.  It wasn't spraying enough water doing a terrible job on getting the car clean. 

When expecting the car afterwards, it was still quite dirty.  SO we returned to a $7 car wash in a different town to got the job done.  It took 3 attempts to get the job done.  The car finally looks nice and clean.  Going from a few pennies for a car wash to $23 reminded me why we seldom use the auto car wash, but handwash it instead.

3 TIMES A CHARM.  This week the car is clean.  Not expecting snow so we should be good to go for awhile with a cleaner car inside and out.  Hubby vacuumed the interior of the car which always perks me up that the winter rubbish is gone.

THE WEATHER WAS SO NICE we drove to a lake for supper featuring fried chicken buffet.  I have waited a year to go there.  Hubby LOVES fried chicken and mine NEVER turns out.  NEVAH.  We ate a delicious meal of fried chicken, real mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, dinner roll with butter and apple cobbler.  Sipped on water.  Enjoyed the ride HOME.  Roads were hilly and winding.  I covet living in the Flint Hills where the buffalo roam where the deer and the antelope play.  The sunsets are full of gorgeous colors to excite one's mind pallet.

Serious NOTE.
TRUMP GAZA?  Not to be too sarcastic, I really am concerned about what is taking place with a mind set that's all about making money over the well being of the human race having to take a back seat to no compassion.

TRUMP GAZA will create jobs in which so many of the employees will not be able to afford a residence because they have to rent.  Have to rent and that would be excruciatingly expensive. Wouldn't Trump be the landlord of TRUMP GAZA?

I've got to take a break from the media concerning our President.  The AI video HE posted earlier is disheartening to me where he wants to turn Gaza into a resort for the wealthy.  Resort TRUMP GAZA would be a play ground for the wealthy.  Mister Trump had to have approved what is in the AI video as he was the one to post the video.  

The video plays a song where there will be light. 

This GOLD statue image of him made my eyes bug out.  Just how tall is this statue?  The MAGA man wants a gold statue of himself over looking the little people.  

I find this sickening.  God help us not worship a MAGA man.  Where is the gold calf?  

This reminded me of the Israelites having an orgy around a golden calf that's their god while Moses was on the mountain top receiving a message from the real God, Almighty GOD.  

THEN there's the Female Belly Dancers WITH full beards and curvy bodies.  Are these women with serious hormone imbalances or transgender creatures created with the help of hormones? Perhaps it's propaganda intended to anger Palestinians who dislike transgenders. At any rate, the image is in his approved video.

Then there's the image of him standing very close to another Belly Dancer wearing no bottoms.  He's smiling.  unhuh.  So much for wholesomeness going out the window.  A expensive resort where it all hangs out.  Anything goes?  As long as it makes money for the King. 

I get the idea that if you are an average looking woman then you have no value to him.  One must look like a Play Boy Bunny in order to have worth to be on the planet Earth and be in the presence of the King as he calls himself.  If you are average looking you probably are considered an eater putting out too many carbon foot prints.  Off with their heads.  

GOLD.  Then he wants to make available GOLD CARD VISA PROGRAMS for the uber wealthy to purchase for $5 million each so they INVEST in businesses.  This money being used to pay toward the National deficit?  Supposedly.  The uber wealthy will buy up ground making it impossible for the everyday person to buy property.  Forcing out Mom and Pop citizens to have nothing.  

In a recent announcement, Trump described the "Trump Gold Card" as "somewhat like a green card, 

but at a higher level of sophistication," aiming to attract those "of wealth or people of great talent."

Lutnick elaborated, stating that the program would replace the existing EB-5 visa, which he 

criticized as "ridiculous," and emphasized that applicants would undergo vetting to ensure they 

are "wonderful world-class global citizens."

Feb 26 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday suggested the possibility of substituting a current visa program for foreign investors with a "gold card" that could be purchased for $5 million, offering a pathway to American citizenship.

Trump intends to replace the current "EB-5" immigrant investor program, which mandates a minimum investment of $800,000 for obtaining permanent residency in the U.S.

For the rich to invest in companies for a pathway to American citizenship and have permanent residency?  So now U.S. residency is up for grabs if you have millions of dollars to invest in a business which supposedly makes you a world class global citizen when you have the money.  It takes a village, right? 

Has the land of opportunity disappeared except for the ultra wealthy where they get to increase their wealth?  I know he says this money from a gold card purchase will go towards the national deficit, but people like Trump who already have businesses that the ultra wealthy can invest in will surely increase his own wealth. 

How much did Trump profit from being President the first time?

He suggested that the "brand value" of the U.S. presidency had been worth to him "maybe $10 billion or something." During his presidency, Trump reported over $1.6 billion of outside revenue and income from his companies, including the Trump Organization.

How wonderful is $5 million dollars verses someone who has nothing?  God says we have 
value even when penniless.  Does not the devil come as an angel of light?

I'm surprised he agreed to have this in his AI video.  He looks like he weighs more than 215 pounds.

As that old saying goes, something stinks in Denmark.  I think it's best for me to take a break from the KING.  He's taking up too much real estate in my head.

Instead of just having TRUMP GAZA where millions of people are going to be kicked out of GAZA so there's a resort which he will make loads of money, why not jump to the next level and have TRUMP GALAXY?  

We're headed in this direction, baby.

May we not sell our souls for money.

May the spirit of GOD rule and reign.  May the peoples of this Earth bow down to ALMIGHTY GOD and not a GOLD statue in GAZA.

~d

HIS GREAT GRANDFATHER'S HAT and THRIFTING

A VERY FULL AND PRODUCTIVE DAY we had on Tuesday.   It was like a SPRING DAY.  So beautiful.  We did our morning chores before loading up the car to drive to TOPEKA, but first company.  

I finished exchanging all the hangers in the closet this morning on our clothing.  I had overlooked the hanging bluejeans on a lower rack still hanging on gray plastics hangers.  Switched them out with the new velvet hangers.  Whaalah...done.  So glad to have this behind me.  SO VERY GLAD!!!

That felt great to be able to say, I'm done with this project. 

G R E A T.  It took me a while, but I got 'er done.  Hubby went to clean the car out, vacuum it and pick up the mail while finishing my chores and get dressed for the day.

There was knock on the door.  Wearing his Great Grandfather's hat was our 3 year old grandson.  If his Great Grandfather had seen him wearing his hat, he'd been all smiles.

Lil Dude came over to show us how he can ride his bike.

My husband told him he wanted a picture of him.  

He started working the camera.

Watched him ride his bike.  He did well.

We had a sweet visit.

GOOD NEWS.  A few weeks ago I took one of my son's drawings and had a tee-shirt made with the design on it.  After I received the finished tee, I mailed it to him.  He was pleased with it.  I thought it turned out nice.  Think we'll do some more.  He loves tee-shirts.  Makes me smile knowing he was pleased with the shirt.

Needing some good news.

🎨🎨🎨🎨🎨

Heading to TOPEKA for business.  We ate lunch at FIRST WATCH.  I had a flavored drink with a Cobb Salad.  Hubby and I had a DATE.  Great conversation.

🐣🐥🐤🐣🐤🐥🐤🐣🐔

Next we went to a business that makes art prints.  Hubby is working at getting some prints made of his recent drawing.  This is the start of making a dream come true.

We had the best visit with the owner and not only learned about making prints, but we learned about her chickens.🐔

Off we went to GOD's STOREHOUSE for thrifting.  

A Depression glass dinner plate, an antique bowl from Germany,
2 Shamrock miniature Teddys, a large coffee cup, 2 pair of earrings, a 👛small purse, pewter bowl, copper scooper.  Felt accomplished with the purchases.  Gifted with a free winter scarf.

Shopped Natural Grocers.  Avocado Oil, organic ketchup, lemon, Kalamata Olives, grass fed beef liver supplements, Eternal Water, Willow & Sage magazine.

Off to SAMS for Wild Caught Salmon, tuna, canned chicken,
orange juice, bread, paper plates, yogurt, welcome mat.

THEN TO MICHAELS.  A wonderful surprise.  It's been a very long time since shopping at Michael's.  Gosh it was fun.  40% off all Easter things.  Topeka's store is supper nice. 

I picked up some faux eggs, material bunnies, faux daffodils to decorate a couple of wreaths I have.  Michaels decorated wreaths were still quite expensive even after 40% was taken off the price.

HEADED HOME.  SINCE IT WAS A DATE, Hubby wanted to get chili for supper so we went to a quaint restaurant to eat.  I checked Facebook to find out my cousin passed away at 6:30.  A few tears.  I feel for her children and especially her Husband.  LIFE IS SHORT. A vapor.  Eternity longer.  She is in heaven with no more suffering and at peace.  She will be seriously missed by many.  
Blessed to have her as a cousin.  Truly blessed.

After supper we went HOME unloaded our spoils and rested.

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

THINKING ABOUT TODAY. 

Hair needs a good shampoo and trim.  I'll do the Butterfly cut and the hair will have some layers to it.  Quick and easy.
We'll have lunch time company for Toasted Tuna sandwiches, 
🍎🍏apple and chips.  Water.
Laundry.  A walk.  The usual.  A sweet day.  Planning on having fun with the day.  It's up to me to make it sweet.

God bless and may you have peace,
~d

A WORKABLE SOLUTION

WALKED A MILE AT THE FOOTBALL FIELD on Sunday's gorgeous February day.  I did it.  I walked a mile within 30 minutes.  I haven't walked a mile since February 1st, but today was different.  If I can, I'll walk each day outside while temps are in the 50s and 60s.  This week is suppose to be this way.

Plans for the week includes another Vitamin B12 shot.  Walking at the park.  Celebrating two grandsons' birthdays.  A night of baby sitting.  Laundry and the start of organizing the fridge. Take it a little at a time.  This is all I can do with health issues.  Chores as I go.  Being gone from HOME sometimes is a priority which means my energy must go toward activities away from HOME.  When I am HOME, I have to rest.

JUST THE WAY IT TIS.  Accepting this lack of energy and still having to get simple task completed is difficult for me.  There has to be a workable solution.  Pacing myself and extending myself GRACE doesn't come easy.  I have to surrender to the truth and that is, I am human with limited energy.  I never was designed to do everything.  Without labeling myself as being LAZY, I have to be reasonable and realistic.  I cannot keep up with anyone else.  I am to dance to the tune I hear.

I break the day up into units.  Every daylight hour I attempt to get something done from waking until bedtime.  In the mornings, after I groom, I put a load of laundry in the machine then put the clean dishes away that are in the drying rack.  At present we do not have a dish washer.  Let me take that back.  We have two dishwashers, my husband and myself.  grins.  We do not have a mechanical one in the COTTAGE.  Until we redo the KITCHEN, we probably won't.  

Bedding taken care of.  Then I sit, take my morning meds.  While I'm waiting for the 30 minutes before eating and drinking Breakfast, I do paperwork and read.  Looking over the calendar is a must.  Filling out cards, writing letters or writing checks for bills, blogging, reading takes place. Then I make a HOT LEMON WATER to sip on while I continue to do paperwork or read and study.  Check on laundry.  Figure my day out and what I'd like to get done or need to get done. When the weather turns off nicer, I'll work a morning walk in.  I think walking to the Post Office would be included in the walk so I would need to walk downtown and HOME meaning I would have walked a mile altogether.  

After walking, I have to cool off and rest a bit.  Brunch/Lunch happens and then clean-up.  More laundry.  Chore of some kind.  Decide on Supper menu.  If I'm not out and about running errands, then I take some time in the afternoon to rest.  More laundry.  Supper prep and clean-up.  Time for TV.  Prayers and bedtime.

This is not in concrete so I must be flexible.  I'd like to walk in the mornings and again in the late afternoon after the weather warms up.  Later when the temps are too hot, I'll have to switch out the times I walk in the Summertime.  Early mornings and early evenings.  If I have a small garden this Summer, I'll have to take into consideration when I can tend to it.  A Priority is the walking for health reasons.

Not having much energy dictates what gets done.  Pacing myself must be part of a workable solution.  Eating nutritionally dense foods must be a part of my workable solution.  Getting out of the house and getting fresh air must be a part of this solution.  Stress mustn't rule the roost. Trusting God that all will work out must be a part of having less stress and more contentment. Amen.  

A workable solution may morph as I go through LIFE.  

Keeping things simple.

~d

~Continuation~

Before leaving for the medical appointment in Manhattan on Monday, I walked a mile downtown.  It took me close to 25 minutes and by the time I got HOME we needed to drive the distance to the appointment.  I cooled off in the car.

I pray that I can continue to walk a mile each day while the temps are springlike.  When these days return to winter, I'll need to push myself and walk on the treadmill.  I must continue to walk and get exercise.  It's necessary.  pause.

We went shopping after the appointments, so I got some more exercise in.  I'm a little sore.  I kept going even though I wanted to sit.  Needed some more storage boxes for more hangers, box for swimsuits and towels, and a smaller box for eyeglasses to be held in.  The number of reading glasses and sunglasses increased.  Just neater this way.  

We shouldn't ever take LIFE for granted.  Another one of my cousins is in the ICU in the Hospital ailing.  She is wanting the ventilator to be turned off.  She will more than likely pass into eternity this week.  
Praying for her and family.  She knows the Lord and is ready to go to heaven. 

One day I will die.  How should I live?           

What will the day bring?  Shall see.  
Shall see.

                                                                                                                                                                                                 ~d                                                                                               

Walking 🔥 Workout at Home - 20 Minute Walk at Home

Walking is the choice of exercise for me these days.  

~d

FAMILY TIME BY SURPRISE

SATURDAY.  We slept in as we stayed up late last night with health issues.  Hubby's heart started acting up.  It took awhile to unwind and fall asleep.  We finally did and no alarm clock was set.

I was still in my pink housecoat when we heard a knock on the door.  Twas my granddaughter with her lil brother and standing behind them was their mom, my daughter.   Very nice surprise.  Lil Dude had water colored a painting for us.  😊It'll go on the fridge. 

We chatted for awhile.  Their plans were changed when the weather changed and they wouldn't be getting any girl time as they had planned.  I knew lil Miss was so looking to her special time with her mom since this is her Senior year of High School.  I suggested that the lil guy could stay with us for a couple of hours while the girls had some mother-daughter time.  Off they went. 

He had been wanting time at PaPA GG's (as he calls us) house.  It all worked out great.  The day before we bought a miniature black truck from Dollar Tree and a small toy car with trailer from MENARD'S.  He's contented playing with these as he watches CURIOUS GEORGE.  He calls it the MONKEY SHOW.  Good thing I like CURIOUS GEORGE as well.  grins.

We splurged for lunch as it had been a loooong time since we treated ourselves to PIZZA.  We ate at HOME.  Pat myself on the back as I ate two pieces.  A salad should have been in here somewhere, but not today.  Supper time we'll have that salad?  Usually we have a huge SALAD on SUNDAY being the main meal for SUNDAY's.  

Salad it will be and I will walk.  I'll push myself and say this is it as a lead up to walking at least 3 times a week.  I'd like to walk in the mornings and in the afternoon if possible.  I think I have to decide to do this fitness thing.

Nice day inside.  Daughter and lil Miss came back from their date and grandson watched Curious George and ate some pizza.  We watched TV for about an hour then returned to the Living room to play with toys.  The girls came back and we chatted.  Our grandson fell asleep by his sister so our daughter visited with us.  Later Lil Miss went for a run and Grandson continued to sleep waking a little grumpy.  He quickly cheered up and Hubby fixed Nachos for supper.  No salad.  oops.  Tomorrow for sure.

I believe we had a great time.  Now to rest for the evening and take a break from a chaotic world.

~d

~Continuation~

SUNDAY.  Beautiful day outside.  Getting ready to take a long afternoon walk in 60 degree weather!!!  Like SPRING.  Awesome.  Topped out at 60.  Did I say AWESOME?  

Hubby worked on the furnace in the cellar and came back exhausted.  He switched out another part.  So THANKFUL he can do such things.  Prayerfully, the heater/furnace will last a while longer.  

I had some Bibb Lettuce with a small amount of Catalina Dressing in a bowl FOR A SNACK.  Instead of popping cookies in my pie hole, I ate lettuce!!!  That's an accomplishment for sure in my changing attitude about snacks.

Bibb lettuce is a small, round, tender, light green butterhead lettuce with a mild flavor. It's named after John Bibb, a Kentucky lawyer and amateur horticulturist who developed the variety in the 1860s. 

I fidgeted in the fridge some.  It seems that the veggies go bad so quickly.
I finally got the paper towels in the boxes of lettuce and spinach.  Turned the boxes
upside down.  Later I tweaked the inside of the fridge some more.  A little here
and there, then I make progress.

Table is almost cleared.  I haven't been able to work on it steady.  My hangers are
on the articles in the closet.  The grey plastic hangers that I am not ready to part 
with are neatly stacked in a nice plastic storage box.  The ones I was going
to donate to GOODWILL came HOME with me as the worker taking the
donations told me they would just throw them away.  So I kept them and asked my 
Granddaughter if perhaps she'd like them.  Yep.  So I will get a nice storage tub 
to save them for her when she leaves for college.

Welp, the day is getting away from me and I want to get my walk in so I need to 
close for now and take the sunlight in.

Before I forget...25 days until SPRING!!!  
Glory to God in the most high.

Blessings to you.  
Here's to a healthier lifestyle,
~d

PLAIN 'OLE DAY

RETURNED THE HOLTER MONITOR THAT HUBBY WORE FOR 48 HOURS.  Shall hear back in a few days just what it means.  After avoiding caffeine, Hubby is feeling much better.  After a couple of days without caffeine, he should be over caffeine withdrawal.  I believe he'll get to feeling lots better.

Visited with my Mom.  She had two medical appointments this past week and I wanted to find out how they went.  More test for her next week.  Not so good what she shared with me.  Praying.   

Had some things I needed done.  It was nice to get out of the house for a few hours.  Temps were about 22 degrees.  Warmer weather please hurry.  Drove to the Hospital to return the monitor. Made an important bank stop to purchase a money order to pay the roofers for the work they did on our COTTAGE.  As Hubby was in the Bank, I parked the car several times and circled the block in an attempt to get a parking space out front of the Post Office to mail a package.  

Twenty minutes passed before a parking spot opened up in front of the Post Office.  Hubby went inside to the Post Office and I graciously stayed in the car.  Twice the handicap space to the left of me was taken by people who did not have handicaps.  Disgusting. One lady jumped out of her truck and RAN inside to drop her mail.  RAN.  Humpf. 

Had a cheap lunch of soft shell chicken tacos.  Stopped off at Dollar tree for ETERNITY WATER. Drove over to Manhattan to do a Goodwill drop.  Finally went to MENARDS for storage boxes and bottled water. 

Went to Dollar General for cherries so I could make Cherry Limeades.  POST OFFICE to pick up mail.  New magazine and a bill for house insurance.  I feel like we just paid that.  HOME.

Lil Miss came over to walk on the treadmill.  Had some popcorn while she was here and cherry limeades. Wonderful to visit with her.

Tired so we had an early TV night.  Feel asleep at the wheel. 

The week-end is here and with it warmer weather.  PTL.  26 days til SPRING.  26!  

That's more like it. 

~d   

 

COLD WEATHER SHUT-IN, DIETS AND A SINGING HEART

 

Yesterday wore me out with the weather and Hubby's health.  I napped today already.  Nodded off and snoozed for two hours.  Early enough in the day that I don't believe it will affect tonight's sleep.  Aiming to shut down by midnight.  

He's taking it serious about NO CAFFEINE which is heart warming to me.  He has an addictive personality.  It use to be PEPSI switched to COFFEE then TEA.  NEVER alcohol.  He said his next addiction will be WATER.  Pray so.  As for eating for health, he has done super well.  

PLANS.  Normal chores.  Laundry, dishes, meals to prepare, clean up.  Sweeping the Kitchen and bathroom floors.  Still thinning out clothing and switching out more hangers.  HOPEFULLY this will be completed by this week-end.  

Walking this week-end.  

With time spent researching medical conditions and diets, I came across this one which I may use as a pattern to follow.  I never thought I'd say I've tried them all when it comes to diets, but as time passes with the thyroid issues, I'm beginning to sound like one of these precious peeps that says that they tried them all.

I believe I can do this diet as of the last two years or so I have incorporated intermittent fasting where I don't eat breakfast, but brunch or late lunch.  It has gotten easier for me like I was in training to do it.  The Hot Lemon Water started a while ago, so I know I can do this.  I usually eat a large salad when we eat out and have tried to have more salads at HOME.  I love chicken so no prob.  Baked salmon will be something I will work at.  I could always interchange this with turkey and occasionally beef.

Shall give it a whirl.

BREAKFAST  8 AM - 11 AM
Skip
Drink Hot Lemon Water

LUNCH/SNACKS  11 AM - 3 PM
Mixed salad and grilled chicken

SUPPER  5 PM - 7 PM
Baked salmon and baked potato with mixed vegetables

BEVERAGE OF CHOICE
WATER

AND AWAY I GO.

THIS MORNING IT WAS  NEGATIVE 7.  My plans are to stay HOME today if possible.  Warmer temps coming tomorrow and especially this week-end where I plan to get out.  SO looking for warmer temperatures.  28 Days til SPRING.  That doesn't sound so bad does it?  Nope.  28 days!!!!  This makes my heart 💜 sing.

I can get excited about this.  This WINTER has been a very difficult one for me.  We have had the snow.  Enough my child. 

Here's to a healthier LIFE as I continue the journey.  God bless and help us one and all.

~d 

LEAVE IT IN THE LORD'S HANDS

🙏

HUSBAND GENTLY WOKE ME THIS MORNING AND ASKED FOR HELP.  He was having serious heart arrhythmias.  I took him to a small Hospital where they did a EKG, chest x-ray, labs.  Checked out good and went home wearing a monitor that he'll return in 48 hours.  Looks like a trip to a Cardiologist in the near future to be on the safe side.

It appears for the time being that he overdosed on caffeine.  He drinks way too much Iced Tea and did.  6 large glasses of iced tea plus triple chocolate brownies did a number on him.  It doesn't do me any good to tell him anything.  Stubborn.

It was probably a month ago that I said he was drinking too much tea.  What does he do, but increases it.  A stubborn streak holding hands with rebellion will harm him.  Well it did.  He thinks I'm scolding him when I say anything when I'm concerned about him.  If a doctor says something like you need to skip the tea, he listens.

Dealing with him takes more talent than I have.

This episode scared him and he was telling me that he was going to give up Iced Tea as he sat in his chair concerned about the arrhythmias.  It can be frightening to have an episode like what he had.  

Without sounding like a nag, I'm not sure how to express concerns about his health except to say something.  Over the years, he has not always respected my opinion and it has caused rough waters in our home.  Harmony is gone.  Leave him alone.  He'll have to learn the hard way, as some say.  If there's not going to be an understanding then what?  Bitterness can creep in.  If I say nothing then I don't seem to care enough.  If I say anything, I'm scolding him.  It's not a win-win situation.

Leave it in the Lord's hands,

~d

SNOWED IN

SNOWED IN.  I needed a day of rest so it was wonderful to be snowed in.  WONDERFUL.  I did very little today except research on health issues ALL DAY.  The things I learned were helpful in my health journey.

High Blood Pressure will be what I focus on.  Fighting to lower it naturally.

Our long awaited phone call came in about the swab test.  For now they showed nothing.  I'll get a paper copy of the results next Monday.  Doc believes I'm dealing with asthma issues and Hubby needs some more meds for his cough.

ALLERGIES and Asthma can be triggered by so many issues.

I researched about inactive ingredients in our thyroid medicines.  Very interesting and the whole idea of using Armour Thyroid for natural desiccated thyroid meds has me scratching my head.  Some of the inactive ingredients are not natural at all and have been farmed out in China.  I question where the pig glands have come from that are used in Armour Thyroid not to mention what the pigs are fed.

Keeping it interesting.

Tuesday came and went. 

More to say on Wednesday.

~d 

PLAYING IT COOL WITH SALT

WITH GOING TO THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE THIS AFTERNOON, I decided that I would simply sip on HOT LEMON WATER instead of eating Breakfast and Lunch.  🍋I'll go to McAlister's for a late lunch where I can get a delicious salad about 3:00.  The temps are suppose to be in the high teens so I must take caution to not have car trouble or stay away from HOME too long. 

Bundling up in my heavier coat, wearing warm socks and gloves will help keep me comfortable in this frigid weather.  Looking forward to the temps predicted for next week.  In the 50s!!!  That's something to welcome.  

TODAY, we will go to receive a Vitamin B12 shot and have our noses swabbed for lab work.  I'll probably be weighed and BP taken.  On Friday, I was heavier than anticipated which caused my BP to shoot up.  Back to eating more plant based foods.  

When one has an infection, BP can rise and white coat syndrome can take place as well.  I believe that both happened to me on Friday.  It was way too high that at one point the blood pressure cuff err.  BUT IT WAS the weight gain that made me cry.  I had been weighed the week before at the clinic and over a 8 day period I had put on 8 pounds.  A pound a day.  Water retention, maybe from over dosing on cheese balls.  

I was craving cheese balls which I have not had in 4 years and had overdosed on them plus we had our Valentine's meal just before being weighed.  The perfect storm for weight gain showing up on the scales.

Soooo today, I am playing it cool with the food and salt.

Why does one crave salt?  WHAT I FOUND OUT...Salt cravings often occur due to dehydration, where your body signals a need for sodium to balance fluid levels, but can also be caused by stress, hormonal fluctuations (like PMS), electrolyte imbalances, medical conditions like Addison's disease, excessive sweating, or simply boredom; essentially, your body might be trying to replenish lost sodium through salty foods. hummmm.

When I was weighed today, my BP was way too high, but I lost 4 pounds.  

The nurse took my BP twice before getting their machine on wheels 
where the pressure is taken 3 times and then averaged.  I was still
too high.  

Our noses were swabbed and the q-tip will be sent into a company to
identify what viruses, etc. we have.  Close to two years ago, we did this
and we both had MRSA in the lungs. Back to paying attention to health
issues.

LUNCH at McAlister's  Deli.  500 calories.
Grocery Store stop for spinach, Mac 'n cheese and milk, drive HOME,
unload and rest, blog and watch OFF GRID WITH DOUG AND STACY
on YouTube tonight.

Bitter cold weather headed this way,

~d

SHIVERING ON SUNDAY

HERE IT IS SUNDAY.  This week, severely cold weather is in the forecast.  Not excited about this, but I'll keep busy.  Planning on working indoors with the closet drama until it is concluded.  Then contents of the fridge will be dealt with.  

We went grocery shopping a few days ago and I need to open up the containers that the greens and fruit items are in to place a paper towel in the container then store the box upside down in the fridge.  THEN, I'll tend to the FOOD PANTRY that will be cleared out and organized looking like an old fashioned pantry with lots of glass jars filled with spices, beans, rice, etc.  I like this look and I'll go with it.  Not only will it look good, it'll be functional as well.

EGGS are at an elevated price, but 55 cents an egg is still doable.  It is shocking how expensive they are compared to two years ago.  Seriously, we live in perilous times.  Once eggs were extremely cheap and affordable.  Where this Avian Bird Flu will go, not sure.  More vaccines are going to be pushed?    

Paperwork.  Seems like I always have some to deal with.

Correspondences.  As far as I know the Valentines were on time.  I so appreciate it when the ones I mail the cards to let me know they received them.   
I have a couple of birthday cards I need to get in the mail so they arrive on time for their special occasion.  

Back to Manhattan for a Vitamin B12 shot and a nose swab.  On Friday, we went to the doctors for sinus infections.  I asked about getting a Tens Resp Swab, but it was suggested that a different company be used for the swab since it was so late in the day.  We'll do the swab on Monday to where it is picked up and dealt with early on.  The test will inform us about what germs or viruses are active in our bodies so if we can fight the infections we will.  

I want to get to the bottom of this.  

32 days until SPRING!  Close to a month away.  Praise the Lord.  I am beyond ready for milder weather where I can go walking at the Football Track and downtown.  

PLANS FOR THE WEEK.  Paper towel the food boxes and rearrange the fridge so the food last longer.  Finish this round of dealing with the closet.  Shall see if I can sort on the food pantry.  Shall see.  

Planning to eat like I did on the Daniel Diet except with some meat and some dairy.  Easy on the grains.  I will concentrate on vegetable dishes.  

Breakfast. Breakfast plans:  Hot Lemon Water.  2 eggs, plus dry toast and fruit.  Snack:  Hot Herbal Tea.  Lunch:  Larger meal with half a plate of vegetables and some protein.  Snack: Yogurt with fruit or nuts and cottage cheese.  Supper:  Salad or smoothie.  Snack:  Popcorn or apple.

My weight isn't staying down.  So frustrated.  

Our heater has held up.  Thankful for that.  

~d 

VALENTINE'S DAY FOR THE 51ST TIME

🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

MAY YOU HAVE A SWEET 
Valentine's Day.  

HAPPY Valentine's Day THIS FRIDAY.  Hubby gave me a sweet card and chocolates.  We'll fix a steak dinner at HOME with salad and baked potato. Chocolates for dessert.  This is our 51st Valentines.  I am in disbelief.  It seems like it was yesterday that we were two young kids in love and wanting to celebrate the holiday.  PAUSE.  

It is a beautiful HOLIDAY filled with memories to embrace and making NEW ones.  

A quiet evening at HOME to enjoy as 
Husband and Wife.  

We have to go to the doctors again as we are fighting sinus infections.  So when we're out and about we'll buy some steaks for our supper.  

MORE HANGERS NEEDED.  As I switch out the closet hangers I've run low again.  No prob Bob. Back to TARGET to get maybe two or three more packages of them.  The closet is looking uniformed and I like this a lot.  It's a temporary fix until we rebuild the closet.  

With this bitter cold weather, snow and my fatigue, the projects don't move fast enough.  It's beginning to get to me.  Makes me sadder than I'm comfortable with.

I will feel better when my dresses are back in the closet and not across the dining room chairs and table.  I HAVE DOWNSIZED.  As I pulled a cardboard box out of the closet, I discovered sweaters that I could be using in this chilly weather.  That felt good.  They were already folded so neatly I just had to place them on a shelf.  Another box was full of purses that I'll have to figure where to place them as the closet space is lacking.  Underneath the purses was some of my jewelry that I hung up.  Had to untangle some necklaces  AND I discovered some half dollars that we had been wondering where they were.  My memory is fading some and I questioned why I had forgotten that I had the half dollars in a box.

It'll be a good day to get out while the temps are in the 40s.  

Praying our heater keeps running as it is showing signs of wear.  Making some odd sounds.  

I need to go to the doctor's, grocery store, Target, Pharmacy, Post Office, Smoothie Store, Menards...will figure out as we go.  I'll need to get HOME early enough to fix a nice meal and watch a new movie.  A quiet evening will be nice.  

I hope it is quiet.  

💕💕💕💕💕
~d

TRAVELING AND THRIFTING ON A BITTER COLD DAY

EXPECTING SNOW MEANT WE NEEDED TO MAKE OUR DAY IN TOPEKA SHORT so we'd be safe and sound at HOME before the snow flew.  The temps were BITTER COLD which made walking outside unpleasant even with being bundled up when the wind blew.

Traveling in this kind of weather isn't the smartest thing to do incase of car troubles.  Better to play it safe. Traveling with my Husband helps ease the tension when it comes to traveling in cold weather and if we have car trouble, I am not alone.  He's good at dealing with car issues.  Me, not so much.  He gives a boost of comfort when traveling together.

We worked hard at being FAST.  grins.  Taking into account that the weather wasn't pleasant, we hustled to get around quickly and not spend much time at the locations.

NUT SHELL NEWS:  Drive to TOPEKA.
1) Early morning Lab Appointments. 
2) Breakfast for nutrition.
3) Target for bright room non-slip gray velvet hangers.
4) God's Storehouse THRIFTING.
5) SAMS disposable coffee cups, grass fed beef, grass fed butter, toys, cheese balls.
6) Drive across the prairie to our community.
7) Post Office to pick up mail.
8) HOME.
9) Unload groceries
10) Rest 

Both of us had early morning labs.  With this excessive fatigue I wanted to know if my iron is low. I know about Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D deficiencies already and I'm working on improving it. Was curious about Husband's Vitamin B12 if it was low because he uses METFORMIN for diabetes.  Metformin causes Vitamin B12 deficiencies.  Also checked his Vitamin D, Folate and TSH.

His tests results have come in already and I'm waiting for mine.  Yes, indeed he is extremely LOW with Vitamin B12.  Lower than my low.  Hum.  If I hadn't been reading about Vit. B12 we would not know about METFORMIN causing deficiencies because our docs had not mentioned this nor did the pharmacy.  Hubby takes this med for diabetes and should be monitored.    

I was a bit miffed that this has not been watched since his taking METFORMIN.  Miffed.

I said I was miffed about this and falling through the cracks again.  Hubby reminded me and mentioned because Vitamin B12 is a vitamin, allopathy docs may not be concerned because it's a vitamin.  Yet, Vitamin D is a hormone and watched more closely.  Frustrating to me, but since I now know better about allopathy docs' not focusing on nutrition, I can keep a closer outlook on where the vitamin levels are.  I can be the one to mention checking on these.  ME, MYSELF and I. 🌞🌤🌥🌦 

It snowed last evening and through the night.  Woke to pretty snow cover.   The predicted temps for the day are in the teens.  Staying indoors.  Will work on paperwork, good 'ole laundry and switching the hangers for clothing.  Doing indoor chores will suffice.  Aren't we blessed to have washing machines and dryers to do daily laundry indoors instead of on the river banks with scrub boards outdoors?  VERY BLESSED.   

🥗🥗🥗🥗🥗🥗🥗🥗🥗🥗🥗🥗🥗🥗

One FUN thing that we experienced yesterday in TOPEKA was going to a new Restaurant on Wanamaker Street called FIRST WATCH.  A great addition to TOPEKA cutely decorated.  The food was very good with hints of eating HEALTHIER INGREDIENTS.  

I drank a colorful juice called Morning Meditation.  The ingredients in First Watch's Morning Meditation juice are orange, lemon, turmeric, organic ginger, agave nectar, and beet.  

First Watch juices are made with all-natural ingredients. 

Benefits of the ingredients   

• Orange juice: Provides a natural boost of energy and vitamin C
• Beet lemon juice: Promotes detoxification and liver health
• Ginger: Has anti-inflammatory properties
• Turmeric: Has anti-inflammatory properties

You can make a similar juice at home with these ingredients.   

My first meal was a wrap, fresh fruit with HOT HERBAL TEA.  Next time it'll be a veggie burger.

This DATE made time to visit with one another 

and forge ahead with TOPEKA shopping.

When the wind blew, it was bitter cold at 20 degrees.  

Coats didn't help much.

$6.4o plus tax.  Bargain galore.

THRIFTING ON TUESDAY is one of the fun things I enjoy as an old woman.  We stopped at GOD'S STOREHOUSE and received our 20% discount on our purchases.

I collect antique casserole dishes with lids and they just so happened to have one sitting pretty on their rack.  Whalaah, I was pleased to buy it at a low price.  Always a treat.

A LONGABERGER BASKET 

with liner that I will use 

for a FRUIT BASKET was noticed.  Buy.

Some earrings with turquoise.  Buy.

Small bracelet with turquoise.  Buy.

Sweet small Avon Doll.  Buy.  She'll be used as a doll for a larger doll.  I looked her up on the internet after I got HOME.  She's from 1990 and is missing her basket of flowers that she holds in her right hand.  That's alright as it won't be missed as a companion to the larger doll.  For 80 cents, she's a catch.

We had a pleasant day even with the weather not being pleasant.

As evening settled in, so did some snow.

SO quiet outside.  Love this part about WINTER, 

but I am SOOOO ready for SPRING in 35 days.

Beautiful,
~d