TOOK A SUNDAY DRIVE

SUNDAY.  I am watching the clock tick until we get in the car and go for a short drive to deliver the beautiful white with gold trim pots and pans set to go to their new HOME.  They look brand new, but have been packed away for over 30 years.  I said GOOD-BYE to them as I wrapped the 9 pieces with new paper and placed in a cardboard box to hold them as I wave bye-bye to them.   Nine more things out of our house/garage.  NINE.  Whoopie coyote.  Something like that.

We'll be taking a Sunday drive, dropping off some mail at the Post Office, fill the car with fuel, deliver the pots 'n pans to new owner, stop by the storage unit and pick up a few things to get rid of.  The weather was rather HOT for the last day of the month, but we managed to stay cool. 

This week, I'll walk about the cottage and put items in boxes so I can get these things off the property.  We will spend some time taking things out of storage and the garage to let go.  In the month of June, I hope the garage is rearranged and orderly with one of the storage units empty. We're getting psyched up for this.  I need huge amounts of prayer for the right attitude and strength to endure.

Yesterday, I put my work clothes on and went out to work on the contents of the garage and physically cried.  How on earth did this happen?  Too messy to even walk through the building. Stunned and left the place saying that I was not going to do this time.  Too many times messes have been created and I was left to clean the messes up.  More thought has to be put into this disaster.  There doesn't need to be such chaos...ever.  Things can be placed in a garage with thought.

This is way too difficult for my ole self.  I cannot stomach how awful it is.  Everything was crammed inside.  It looks like a tornado hit the place and demolished everything.  Horrendously awful.  If I take tiny steps in grabbing a couple of items and then walk away I might survive.  This messy nightmare is more than I can handle.  Too many times I have had to clean-up after a move, yet this move has been ridiculously MESSY.  I cringe at the mess.  GRINGE.

Out of the car, we grabbed a few things to clean up that came out of storage.  A 1980s Vintage Tudor Fischer Price Doll House was placed in the bath tub and I sprayed it off then took it to my chair to wipe the inside and outside of this precious doll house from days gone by with baby wipes.  Tis clean now and ready to be played with.  I found a PRINCE CHARMING inside.  He was the first to be sanitized.  There are no peeps or original furniture left.  I know a shop in Wamego that might have some peeps available that I'd add to this house.  Hope.  Hope.

Funny thing happened to me as I was watching a reel of the Osmond Family sing a song, I BELIEVE.  I was listening to it with my reading glasses on and as they sang, "Every time I hear a new born baby cry, I believe."  My glasses frame snapped and broke.  Got my attention.  The lens fell out.  grins.  Tomorrow, I'll go to Marshalls and SEE about getting a new pair of reading glasses.

I forgot to prepare the pot roast yesterday so I fixed some coffee to pour over the chunk of meat to marinade in over night.  Early in the morning I'll start the crock pot with the pot roast and while it cooks for the first hour, I'll peel the carrots and potatoes.  The slow cooked meat should be ready in 5 to 6 hours where it falls a part when slicing.  All the best.

~d    

SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP

SITTING AND SIPPING HOT TEA AS I BLOG. The tea is from a MOTHER'S DAY gift my Oklahoma children blessed me with.  Planning out the day as I want to stop by the grocery store to purchase a POT ROAST for the week-end.  I'll need more organic carrots.  We have the potatoes and onions in the pantry.  After we get HOME later today, I will prepare the roast marinating it in the fridge soaking it in coffee with some garlic.  I'll marinate it for a day or so then bake it on Sunday for a wonderful Sunday DINNER.  I can taste it now.

Before I head out, I need to see what veggies are still in the fridge for the next few days for meals. Need to not waste these.  If by chance they are beyond use, I'll gather them and give to my daughter for her chickens.  🐔🐔🐔🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓

Hubby has a medical appointment this afternoon and he asked me to be there with him.  Last AUTUMN, when he was working on the front porch, he rolled over on a hard rock and it has injured his body.  He needs an x-ray then I think he'll go to our Chiropractor to check this hip out.  Mercy.  We have had a HIP YEAR.  His knee needs looked at as well.

I'm on my way to get groomed for the day.  We'll have to travel to Manhattan and get a salad for lunch then attend his medical appointment.  Afterwards is when I will go to the grocery store. What else should we incorporate into this afternoon before returning HOME across the vast FLINT HILLS?

Hubby ordered a movie from the Library from a different community and we can check on it to see if it is in their possession yet.  Around here you can lend a movie from one Library to another. It is taking longer than I thought it would.  I called our local Library to ask if they do this and they do.

I might buzz by the KSU GARDENS to see what they have in bloom.  Each year I visit their GARDENS to see the IRISES.  No different this year except it was a very poor year for the Irises. The late freeze did a number on their blooms.  They canceled their Mother's Day Event because the Irises were not in abundance. 

With the week-end here, I MUST WORK OUT IN THE GARAGE.  Suck it up BUTTERCUP.

Blessings,

~d 

BACK TO RAINING ON A THURSDAY AND WALKING THROUGH A WALL OF MOLASSES

THE RAIN HAS GIVEN CAUSE TO STOP CLEARING FURNITURE OUT OF A STORAGE UNIT.  ONE OF THE BEAUTIFUL Curio cabinets we owned was cleared out of the unit a few weeks ago going to a new owner and the second one was scheduled to go yesterday or today.  The rain put a pause on the activity.  

As I stood on our covered porch this afternoon, the gentle rain that is falling is making a peaceful sound to listen to.  It's these gentle rains that make the environment a nice place to be living amongst.

Hubby is off to the Court House to pay for our auto tags and taxes then to visit the local newspaper office to pay for the renewal of our newspaper subscription.  

BACK HOME.  Each day things related to downsizing or getting better settled into our retirement cottage needs to take place in order for me to know that we are making progress on lightening the load around here. Everyday.  If I only get one thing moved, I have to pat myself on the back and whisper that something was done.  Amen.  We need to make progress because when days on end pass and nothing gets done, I get bewildered.  The show must go on and then some.  I have to have something take place.  If not, it is like walking through a wall of molasses.  

What a mess.

Each day I set out a plan of what needs to be done.  I'm not always successful in getting it done and then I have to get creative on an excuse as to why it didn't.  If the only ounce of exercise I get done takes place in the brain alone then it is not a complete failure.  Right?  Because I had the thinking going on like playing a mind game.

Getting the small cottage livable is a task that I am still working on.  I am beside myself and have to be a cheerleader of sorts to pave a way to get through this overwhelming work.  My mind is full of thoughts about what needs to be done.  Tis burning up my adrenals when I have all these thoughts on the back burner and nothing physically happens in 3D.  sigh.  It's more than being mindful of the events.  My mind is on overdrive.

I took a peek in the garage and stood still surveying the damage.  It will be a major JOB to clear this out.  For now, I think I should pull a few items out each day to make a way through the disaster.  I brought indoors a plastic back pack full of children's dry marker books.  Sanitized it.  

Wiped the exterior of the bag and placed it with other children's toys.  I have to wash down a Fischer Price Doll House that I want to keep that belongs to my 46 year old daughter.  I want to keep it and a FP Play TRAIN that my children played with decades ago.  Then in a large green plastic storage tub holds a beautiful set of white with gold trim cookware.  I took the tub indoors.

I purchased this cookware back in 1993ish when we were renting a small house in Marion, KS.  I gave myself permission to buy these at SAMS to encourage me to not get discouraged having left my gorgeous Texas house and now living in a run down rental.  I told myself I'd use these when we got into our own house again.  After we left Marion, we rented an apartment in Tulsa and then a dump in Jenks, Oklahoma.  From here we went to a small house in Manhattan, KS., left it to live in an old farmhouse and then ended up in an old stone house where the blogging adventure took place.  House fire and relocated in a different community and stayed for 6 and half years just to turn around to settle down in a small Folk Victorian COTTAGE where we are right now.  

I have never used these gorgeous pots and pans.  They have been in storage all these years.  33 years and they look brand new.  Do I use these, sell them, or give them away?  They have been in storage for so long, I forgot I had them.  This is something else.  8 moves later, I found them all over again.  sigh.  

🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳

ON THE HOME FRONT.  Yesterday, the lawn boy arrived and mowed our yard.  It looks so much better I could cry tears of joy.  He did a super good job.  You have no idea how uplifting this makes me feel.  Let me tell you, it lifted my worn down expression of reality to a higher vibration.  grins.  A BUZZ took place.  Something so simple goes a long ways these days.

🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝

The flowerbeds will get attention this SUMMER.  They have to be overworked and completely de-weeded.  Presently the beds are thick with overgrown Bermuda grass.  The tops of Irises are poking out from the deep grass.  Last March, I had planned to work on this, but my hip pain took over my life where I could not walk well little else pull weeds.  This is when I should have hired a young person to do this task before NATURE TOOK OVER and did a number on my beautiful flowers.  We had a horrible freeze last WINTER and the overgrowth of grass may have been the saving grace for preserving the Irises all together so I shouldn't complain.  Count yo' blessings one by one.

🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞

The SUMMER will provide a heat wave to where working in the yard will have to take place in the early hours of the day.  I'll have to make a date with myself and set the alarm clock to where I treat it like a hired job.  If I can get these flowerbeds cleared out, I will have accomplished a huge task for an old woman like me.  👵

TODAY IS THURSDAY and I have to figure out what to do next.  How do I get things done when my energy level is way low?  I'll do my best to do some laundry.  I want to place a EASTLAKE TABLE in the utility room to get it out of my dining room.  I don't want to get rid of it just relocate it.  A major shuffle has to happen first, so I will slowly work on this project.  Hubby said he'd help me.

TODAY'S TASK WILL BE TO SHUFFLE THINGS IN THE SMALL UTILITY ROOM.  It is a cramped room with too much in there, but it is the way it is because of the size of the Utility room with an overload of belongings.  There's a metal rack in there to hold the overflow of small kitchen appliances that have no where to go in the Kitchen.  My old treadle sewing machine is in there with a computer printer on top of it.  A small upright freezer takes up space.  The washer and drier of course.  A clothing rack.  I sometimes feel like I am stuck between a rock and a hard place.   I have to take control of this mess and make a difference.  I think I'm stuck in the mud.

Lord help me be successful in this endeavor.

~d

 

https://youtu.be/JnccBC_1qys?si=konc6CMvphmnHLrz

 https://youtu.be/JnccBC_1qys?si=konc6CMvphmnHLrz

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER.

Remember Erma Bombeck?
I do and then some.

~d

HAPPY 'BOUT DAT ON THE LAST MONDAY OF THE MONTH

AS I SIT INSIDE MY COTTAGE WITH THE WINDOW OPEN, I can easily hear the birds chirping a melody.  Tis music to my ears.  So peaceful.  I feel like it ought to be a Sunday morning, but tis Monday, the last Monday of the month.  Memorial Day is upon us as we can gratefully remember those who died serving our country.  

somber pause

OVER THE WEEK-END.  We had such a nice day going to Marion over the week-end to clean around the tombstones and wipe the stones down to decorate them.  

I crave more days like the one we had.  It was a great day considering what we were up to. Traveled to Marion, ate and had hot tea in a beautiful Victorian house, went to the cemetery to clean tombstones and decorate some graves.  Drove about the cemetery viewing the burial sights of family members.  Toured the town and remembered.  Drove to a different community to view my favorite cousins burial sight.  Ate a delicious hamburger at a small Mexican Restaurant in Hillsboro.  Shopped at Walmart before returning HOME.  

We cannot take any of our earthly possessions with us when we pass on into eternity so I am again reminded to live the best LIFE I can right now.  Simplify.  The decluttering our property seems more important than ever.

SUNDAY came and I received a phone call from my Mom telling me that my 67 year old sister-in-law had a stroke.  Stunned.  She's not heavy in any way.  Rather petite.  I phoned my brother and visited with him and then telephoned him again in the evening to get the details.  She's HOME now.  She'll have to do speech therapy.  Other than this, I'm not sure what lies ahead of her recovery.  She was still employed and working as a nursing instructor.  That may be on hold for now.  The path she is on now has changed directions.  pause.

In a split second all can change.  Praying for them.  My family is getting older and there is no time for grudges or having hard feelings.  It may take a life time to get to where I am a better and quicker at changing feelings about having no hard feelings about this 'n that.  Processing emotions. 

HUBBY IS PLANTING HOSTAS ALONG THE SHADY SIDE OF OUR SWEET LITTLE COTTAGE this afternoon.  In the last few days, he removed left over lumber from the porch rebuild and worked over the soil preparing it for the plants.

He successfully completed the soil prep and today he plans to get the Hostas in the ground. Happy 'bout dat.  Another sweet victory.

I'll be going to the track to walk that one lap after a OATMEAL BREAKFAST.  A medium sized bowl of oatmeal with sliced almonds, blueberries, cinnamon, cocoa, maple syrup, almond milk. Yummers.

If you're going to have a berry, blueberries it will be.  I'm actually getting excited about going to the track for my short walk.  I'm back at baby steps and working toward a mile.  My hip episode did a number on me.  LIFE does this, huh?

After the walk, I'll cool off and return HOME to take a peek inside the garage to see what has got to go to empty the place so boxes of our precious cargo can rest neatly there for the time being. Hubby suggested that the muscle racks we have be placed along the wall of the garage for the things we want to keep.  Getting to the place where we know what we're doing with the stuff is a VICTORY.

It has been a slow time in coming.  What a difficult move this was and still has been.  DIFFICULT.  

Plans for the week are in the making.  Today is our time for MEMORIAL DAY.  Will do.  Our special remembrance meal is planned for this afternoon.  

MEAL AND DESSERT ALLOWED.  All meat Hot Dogs on buns, potato chips, baked beans, potato salad.  Lemonade.  Dessert later in the day of chocolate cake and vanilla ice-cream.  

TO-DO LIST for the week.  
Memorial Day.  
Hostas planted.
Garage inventory investigated.
Clearing out the garage.
Decluttering/Downsizing.
Walking.
Exercising.
Eating greens throughout the week.
Paying for the cars tags at the Court House.
Working on the BUDGET on Wednesday.
Praying.

God bless you and your family,

~d

MEMORIAL DAY

Memorial Day is a time for mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.  A time to appreciate them all.  Everyone of them.  

For our freedom, we have had so many give their lives for our country.  Wars and battles have killed so many and injured our people.  Even in times of peace, we have had many serve this country and gave it their all.  Honoring and remembering our soldiers and warriors who died during service.  

~d

THE SIT DOWN, THE MEMORIAL DAY CLEAN-UP and DECIDING HOW TO LIVE EACH DAY TO THE FULLEST

BUSY DAY IF YOU ASK ME.  Up early.  Did a few chores.  Laundry.  Snipped price tags off of baby clothes I purchased.  Shampooed my hair and trimmed it about two inches shorter. Bathed, Groomed, Got dressed.  Figured the day.  Did my arm exercises with weights.  I have got to be faithful in doing this.  I can walk, lift light hand weights and walk through the Jack LaLane videos.  Eat my salads and drink me water.

Loaded up the car and drove over to Marion, KS to decorate my Dad and Brother's graves, but first we had time to stop at a new CAFE called THE SIT DOWN for some hot tea and ended up eating a Klobasneks in one of their Victorian House's sitting room.  Cute place, but I'm not sure how long they will stay open in Marion as I know this community to be rather tight on their spending.

This is GABE.

When we lived in Marion back in 1992-1995, this old house was being remodeled by an elderly couple from California and as the years passed it was ignored and left for someone else to complete this task.  Eventually the house took on a new persona and it became a Coffee Shop that exchanged owners several times before becoming THE SIT DOWN.

It was a great stop before we drove about town.

Next we went to the Cemetery to clean up around the tombstones, wipe down the tombstones and hang some geraniums.  I have some wreaths for the graves, but with all the shuffling we have done, we could not find the wreaths.  Oops.  To simplify this Memorial Day, we bought a couple of hanging white geraniums and called it good.

We drove the Cemetery roads and located my Grandparents, 

Aunts and Uncles and a few cousins.  This is a stage in life that seems odd.  SO many are gone.  I know more deceased people than alive.  I miss everyone of these family members.

By this time, it started to sprinkle and we drove over to where one of my favorite cousins is buried in a different community.  We stopped off in Hillsboro to eat at a small Restaurant.  Back on the road again to head HOME.  In Junction City, I needed to pick up our Memorial Day MEAL for MONDAY.  We arrived safely HOME to put things away and watch a movie.  

YESTERDAY, AFTER MONTHS OF NOT WALKING A MILE when possible, I headed out the door with specific instructions from my Husband that I was not to walk a mile, but only walk around the track ONE TIME.  I obeyed.  This would be a quarter of a mile.  My hip is feeling so much better than last February when I could not apply pressure on the hip at all.

HIP Journey.  I visited my Primary Physician for an X-RAY and ordered a MRI with a referral to Orthopedic Surgeon. Visited with Surgeon where he suggested a corticosteroid shot.  This whole problem of extreme hip pain came after I took FLUOROMETHOLONE, a corticosteroid.  Years ago I had a horrible reaction to Fluoroquinolone, a corticosteroid, where my calf decided to almost rupture.  I have no business taking corticosteroids.  No business.  When I heard that the surgeon suggested this for me, I decided that I would go to my Chiropractor instead.  SO I did and I had excellent results.   

5 treatments later, I am walking well with little pain.  Praise the Lord. 

I will have to treat exercise and food like medicine.  Be faithful doing it and that's that.

So many times, I feel like I am not doing LIFE right.  If I look at it from the wrong angle then I may be looking at it from the angle that isn't meant to be looked from.  Wrong angle.  Wrong thoughts.  If I need to speak to myself to clarify wrong thoughts then I had best do that.  

How does one live each day to the fullest?

All the best to you this sweet day,

~d

THREE PICTURES

AS I SCOURED THE INTERNET TODAY, I came across these images.  The first one is of my GREAT GRAND BABY turning 3 months.  When I look at this pic, I smile, say a prayer and proceed.  The second image is of a country road near me in Kansas.  The third one is an image of food that is mentioned in the Bible.

The only thread between them is that they caught my eye as I surfed the net.  Tadaah.

Have a blessed day,

~d

MEMORIAL DAY PLANS ON THE PRAIRIE

WHILE DOING SOME GROCERY SHOPPING AT WALMART, I remembered that MEMORIAL DAY is fast approaching and I have nothing planned for food.  I just want a 100% beef hot dog, some beans and chips.  Maybe some vanilla ice-cream and a brownie.  Flavored water to drink like lemonade!  An all American Picnic.

I think we're going to go decorate my Dad and Brother's graves over the week-end.  Hopefully we can take a few lawn tools and clean up around the graves.  Their wreaths are in the cellar.  Need to dig these out to take with us.

Dad and David are buried in Marion, Kansas and I get HOMESICK from time to time for the little town.  It's about an hour and a half drive from where I live now.  I know that we are to remember the soldiers, but we always decorate the graves of loved ones on Memorial Day.  I can drive around the small town and the cemetery and think of days gone by.  I sometimes get lonely for those that once walked this earth.   

THRIFT.  When I was at the thrift shop last Tuesday, I purchased some summer clothing for my grandson and great granddaughter.  Dropped grandson's clothing off on the way out of town today.  I think he will get some use out of these clothing.  I'll have to mail my great granddaughter's clothes to her.  I picked up a nice steam punk clock for the TV room.  Placed a battery in her and she is keeping time well.  Wasn't sure the clock would tick.  Luckily they had a pair of denim capri pants that I can fit into.  Wonderful.  A package of drawing pencils. I left the store holding a peanut butter cookie pleased with our purchases.  

TODAY, I needed to go pick up some meds in a different town, drive on over to MANHATTAN for some tea and some groceries.  I purchased a small picture frame for a picture of my Mom and a small frame for a picture of my children when they were little.  I made out a grocery list before leaving HOME.  Lemons and limes, cottage cheese, chips, cherries, cucumbers, mini bell peppers, grass-fed ground beef and turkey, milk, white vinegar in a glass bottle, baking soda, spaghetti sauce, English muffins, SMASH KITCHEN ketch-up, SK mayo.

I haven't been to WALMART for awhile and when I saw SMASH KITCHEN products I knew I hadn't seen this brand before.  hummm.  Thought I'd try it.

SHALL SEE.  Might be a winner.

My week has been different.  Sunday, we were in a tornado warning.  We went over to our daughter and sil's, had supper and then hit the closet in their basement for shelter.  The weather was wicked.  High winds, small hail and rain.  The TORNADO SIREN was heard and we took cover.

Slept in their basement and woke to the smell of bacon.

We were blessed that no major damage was done to our property.
Said a lot of prayers and gave words of THANKSGIVING.
Monday, needless to say, was a tired one.
Tuesday we went shopping in TOPEKA.
Wednesday, Hubby was clearing out along the side of the house making preparations for the Hostas that will be planted.  I can't remember what I did.
Thursday was another day of shopping.

May you have a blessed Memorial Day...

I think I need to pause and get on with LIFE.
God bless,
~d

BEING A SO-CALLED CANCER SURVIVOR, CLEANING OUT STORAGE and BEING POSITIVE

THE BEING POSITIVE PART OF THIS TITLE OF THIS POST is challenging to me, because the last month I have struggled to be so.  I sunk into a depression that I struggled to get out of.  Positive TALK wasn't working.  Praying seemed to fail.  I cannot seem to be ill and look at what needs done and stay in a sweet spot.  I floundered.  This living in a mess as we remodel and shuffle has ran its course and I crashed.  Disappointed.  I suppose I have to admit that I am human and not a superwoman.  I can pray, but what is going on in the world isn't in my power to change.  The territory that's mine to maintain has ate my lunch.  Hubby and I have too much to do and we're not getting it done with these health issues and I'm sad about it. I don't want to hide the truth.  I am weepy and admit it.  There can be no excuse that I need my Vitamin B12, Vitamin D at optimal levels.  My electrolytes must be monitored.  I have to go to war with this and fight the good fight.  💪

We hired a LAWN BOY that will mow our lawn throughout the summer.  Looking forward to his help.  I had sticker shock when he quoted what he was going to charge.  Now I know I'm OLD when I start sounding like my Parents when disturbed about inflation.  We need the HELP with the chores.  Just the way it is.

TRAVELED TO KANSAS CITY ON TUESDAY FOR MEDICAL APPOINTMENT ON WEDNESDAY.   On our way, we stopped off in Topeka to get the car washed and vacuumed.  We ate at FIRST WATCH so I could get my salad.

We drove our small PT CRUISER to save gas and spent the night in a nice motel.  I was hoping we could do some shopping, but we really didn't get into KC early enough.  Instead, we treated ourselves to a HOT KRISPY KREME DONUT.  We caught their gold hour where you buy one and get one free.  This was the best donut I have ever eaten in my entire LIFE.  It melt in my mouth.

Even with dieting, I have to treat myself to something sweet like this occasionally.  I did and I will remember that this donut was one to remember.  

We went to their large TARGET then watched tv from our room, ate some tacos and tried resting for the night.  Indigestion like never before during the night hit me.  I was ill.  It's been years since I had indigestion this awful.  Chewy TUMS worked.  In the morning I took a very long shower and shampooed my hair.  Standing under the water spraying on my back was therapy. Got dressed and went to Breakfast at Home Grown.  SALAD.  I boxed up half of it and took it went me.

Went to my yearly follow-up CANCER appointment.  Supposedly alright.  See me next year.  I asked about LABS and was told to have my primary doc do these.  I'm just not with the program. I have it in my head that when seeing the Cancer doc that there should be some labs to review to make sure everything is going well and these docs at UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS HEALTH SYSTEM refer you back to your primary doc for the test.  The great pass around.  I'm perplexed. Same thing happens when going to the Endocrinologist.  Labs are suggested to be done by my primary doc to do.  Like what should be checked?  I'm too stupid to ask the Cancer doc and the Endo.  I'm like a deer caught in the headlights, I freeze up and cannot ask important questions that I should.  After I leave the office and relax then the questions come to mind that I should have asked.  I know I am not the only one that behaves this way or why is there a white coat syndrome?  Blood pressure surges.  I will go to my health portals and ask them which labs should be followed up on by my Primary Doc.  Shall see what they say.

Left KC to go HOME so I could go out with my daughter and granddaughter to watch a movie together.  GIRLS NIGHT OUT.  Arrived in time to be picked up and go to Manhattan for the show.  Daughter provided the ticket and I treated them to the popcorn, drink and mints.  I'm ashamed of myself, but I dozed off during the last part of the film.  The dark room put me to sleep.  I tried to stay awake, but couldn't.  Shameful?  Just terribly tired.  

Afterwards we dropped my Granddaughter off at her apartment and journeyed HOME.  Nice Girls Night Out.  On Thursday, I was beyond tired.  I cannot believe how tired I get these days. Flustered that I cannot get to the bottom of this and feel better.  Truthfully, I know that I have no thyroid, no gall bladder, no uterus and don't forget no tonsils.  Taking organs out can only go so far.  My health journey is a trying one.  Thyroid Cancer and Uterine Cancer.  I tried to change our eating habits over the last 5 years.  Much has changed, but more needs to.  Going more natural seems to be the way to do this. 

ON THE HOME FRONT.  The old faux Christmas tree we hauled HOME from the storage unit, went bye bye as it was placed by the trash can.  It was in a large, beat up box and I was glad to see it go away.

We purchased the tree back in the day.  I think we had her for nearly 30 years.  Got the best use out of her.  Saying good-bye didn't hurt one bit.  Now to get to where I'd like to be with CHRISTMAS DECOR and storage.  Like a whirlwind, I need to go through the decorations and clean house.  I wish.  🌪🌪🌪🌪🌪 Where's Dorothy and ToTo when needed?

As we proceed in clearing out the storage units, we have a goal of having another unit emptied by the end of AUGUST.  3 months?  I pray we can succeed.  This has been a slow step in getting where we need to be.  

Knowing what needs to get done, boggs my mind down.  Relaxing and having a realistic mind set about it seems to be beyond my reach.

When aging, having serious health issues...it causes other issues when dealing with storage objects.  I sometimes think I'm beyond help.  I think we waited too long to get our act together.

Lord, make me more loving and kind,

~d 

MENTAL BLOCK TO DISSOLVE

HOPE THAT MOTHER'S DAY WAS A BLESSING.  Onto a new day.

HUBBY BROUGHT UP LABS THAT THE DOCTOR SHOULD HAVE REQUESTED FOR CANCER FOLLOW-UP PHYSICAL in Kansas City this coming week.  I was kind of stupefied that none have been requested so when I see the doc this week, I'll need to ask why labs have not been done if they do not do this at this physical for long term care.

Back to the drawing board as to why my Endocrinologist APRN does not follow-up with labs for yearly physicals for the long term care.  Other than the TSH and maybe FT3 or 4.  This appointment comes in October, so I have some tough questions to gently ask.  For 16 years I have been a patient at this facility and I am just now SMART ENOUGH to know more test should be done for long term care.  The docs at this facility have never informed me about tests needed for long term care.  I've asked before about vitamin supplements and it fell on deaf ears.  I'll go loaded for bear this time from reputable sources like the American Thyroid Association?

I printed out the list of test that should be done and I will be taking this print out with me for the radical hysterectomy cancer follow-up.

I'd like to do something fun when we go to Kansas City for this follow-up.   

When I can put more time into it, I'll work on listing the tests that should be ran.  Today, I don't have the time to do this for the blog.  Working on other things.

Before you go for FOLLOW-UP PHYSICALS do you have a list of questions to ask?  I need to do this each time I go see the docs.  I try to have a list of questions printed out to take with me, but seldom ask all the questions listed.  I need to change this.  I am one of those peeps that kind of freezes up when in the exam room with the doctor.  Don't know why I have this mental block take place, but I do.

I pray that I can begin AGAIN to walk the track for exercise and relaxation.  This week, I will work some time in to walk and have mercy on my soul.  I haven't walked since February and how quickly the months got away.  This morning I was saying that Hubby and I ought to do morning stretches.  Forming this new habit can be done. A one and a two and a three and a four.

We planted some geraniums in the front yard urns.  Next, the Hostas that we bought will be planted in the ground along the house.  The flowerbeds will be plucked.  A Lawn boy was contacted about mowing our little yard.  Left a message and waiting to hear back from him.  We need assistance for getting the lawn mowed.  Help.

Bless you and may you have a sweet LIFE,

~d

HMD

 Let it be so,
~d

FREEING MYSELF UP IS LONG OVERDUE

WITH THE WEATHER BEING BEAUTIFUL, I got the idea that we needed to take the opportunity to work on rearranging one of the storage units making it easier to get the curio cabinets out when the time comes.  We worked about 4 and a half hours achieving this and left tired for the evening, but satisfied that we should be able to whisk the cabinets out with little effort when we need to.  Perhaps next week.

As we worked, a gentle breeze made herself known making it very comfortable to be in motion in the storage unit.  We wore gloves to handle the boxes and shuffled the pieces of furniture. Taking sitting breaks as we went.  I looked at the inventory and I think we can downsize quickly this Summer.  So much of the glassware is boxed in nice plastic storage boxes already for stacking.  I found our THANKSGIVING DISHES.  There they were.  I could have no more told you where they were last THANKSGIVING.  Notta.  grins.  Here a half year has passed.  These need to be taken HOME and placed neatly in the cellar.  This means I have to make room for them by removing Christmas decor.  Heavens another shuffle would be in order.  If we're going to fit here then we have to do something about storing MY DISHES.  I have too many sets.  Blessed.    

Hubby suggested that we use this present unit as our basement so he can remodel the small garage on our property into a ART STUDIO.  I believe we should.  We have a plan and need to get on with it.

As Hubby scooted the large desk that was in the unit,  the side broke like a twig.  Well, that changes things.  I wasn't upset and said we need to haul this piece to the dump.  Someone might be able to fix it?  I think we need to try to work some of the pieces back into the house and let the rest go.  When you're paying for storage, pretty soon you've spent more than the things are worth.  

If we use one of the curio cabinets from the SHE SHED to hold dolls in it then I have worked the piece of furniture back into the residence.  There is a small dinette set with table and two chairs that I wanted to use in the Kitchen.  I'd like to have these pieces stripped and painted black.  For now the set is usable and it would be nice to have seating in the Kitchen.  

We loaded a few items into the car to haul home.  I believe I have morphed into the person that needs to turn loose of much and be alright with that.  I seem to be like the DEPRESSION ERA GENERATION that stores more than they can possibly use.  I want to be more minimalistic. This way of living is in the making.  Freeing myself up is long overdue.  There is no shortage of THINGS.  I don't have to be afraid that I will not have anything and if it gets to not having anything, I can create.

We removed out of the storage unit the largest faux Christmas tree we still have in the original cardboard box.  We've had this tree over umpteen years.  Get this, we hauled it on top of the little PT Cruiser and brought it to our community in hopes of dumping it the city dumpster.  The dumpster that we thought would be available was gone so we have to have a different game plan. Hubby said he'd call the waste company and let them know we will have a larger than normal trash load to take care of next week.  This Christmas tree will be costing us money to get rid of. More than it is worth.  We've had it so many years I lost track.  Off to the dump you go.  

CHRISTMAS came early.  Instead of CHRISTMAS in July, it came in MAY. 

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄 

I remember my Mom working in a storage unit in Marion, Kansas.  She was storing my brother's earthly belongings.  I helped a couple of times to shuffle STUFF that was needing to be turned loose of.  She eventually sold all the contends to a business.  She was too old to be managing his stuff.  Too old.  I'm now 70 and this is too old to be doing what I am doing concerning our downsizing.  It's been two and half years since we sold our big house across the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go. 🎵♪🎵♪

We are still not settled into our COTTAGE, but made incredible progress from where we have been.  It may take another year?  I HOPE NOT.  Heavens, this is no way to live.  Over this SUMMER, the front porch will receive another coat of paint and the backyard flowerbeds cleaned out.  One of the beds will be moved along the fence.  This area will need the overgrowth that is on the fence cut off.  This SUMMER the back yard will be cleaned completely out.  Lord willing.

Today is a new day.  I will repot the geraniums, clean up on the container garden we nursed last growing season, do some laundry and shuffle some furniture in the utility room.  Run off to a College Track Race.  A BABY SHOWER is coming up over the week-end and I pray we can have a slow-paced Sunday.  Things sound easier than they are as I move so slow.  

I will walk through the house this next week and start purging small things.  This week to come, I will gather boxes of items that we can turn loose of.  Throughout the month of May, I need to downsize big time.  A back up plan will be over the SUMMER.

Tis way overdue.
~d

BROOKVILLE RECIPES, THRIFTING PURPLE and A HOBBY WITH A PURPOSE

THE ABILENE, KANSAS BROOKVILLE HOTEL CLOSED.  Not good.  It started out in Brookville, Kansas and later set up in Abilene in a new structure.  It was magnificently decorated and upscaled.  The last time we ate there, burned out light bulbs had not been replaced leaving a warning that it wasn't being kept-up.

NEWS ABOUT THE BROOKVILLE HOTEL CLOSING had me gathering their awesome recipes for corn, ice cream, biscuits and coleslaw.  Not sure if it will reopen by some other name.  Their corn IS THE BEST I have ever eaten.  THE BEST.  I could drink it and be contented.

ONLY MEMORIES NOW.  After 150 years of service, it's a wrap.

ON THE PRAIRIE......

THURSDAY.  THE TRASH TRUCK WAS RUNNING THIS MORNING LATER THAN USUAL. Thursday mornings are greeted with the low rumbling sound of a trash truck being mechanically operated.  The trash can is lifted to the body of the truck and the week's worth of trash we placed in black trash bags goes away.  We then have an empty container left at the curb.

Rolling the container to the back yard takes some effort as we are aging and the body is slowing down.

Tuesday and Wednesday, we made the most of being in Manhattan.  Because of not being able to do as much as we could 20 years ago, we had to make two trips to Manhattan to get all that we needed done.  TODAY, my plans are at a minimum.  Laundry is cleaning my blue jeans so I have to wait to get dressed in work clothes for the day then I hope to walk to the Post Office to mail a couple of small yellow envelopes to family containing photos of my Mom's 94th Birthday Party we had for her a few weeks ago.

A few days ago we mailed Mom's Mother's Day card filled with these photos.  Hopefully she'll get this before Saturday.  My Sister and Brother will get theirs probably after the week-end.  Sis has a wedding anniversary and Brother has a birthday so their pics are included with their cards. Postage has gone up like everything else.  

The postage required to mail the little bathing suit I mailed to my Great Granddaughter made my eyes bug out.  WoW.  You can tell I'm getting old, because I gawk at today's prices being so high.  It seems we are moving backwards when it comes to the mail being more like the PONY EXPRESS DAYS.  I must be spoiled. 🐎

Tuesday and Wednesday required a lot of traveling here and there.  Back and forth across the town.  There was no method to our madness.  We got everything accomplished that we had planned including my 5th chiropractic treatment.  I was released.  5 treatments and I feel so much better.  I still have challenges, but I am walking so much better.  One of my legs was shorter than the other when we began.  When shopping, I had absolutely no pain.  It was like it should be.  PRAISE THE LORD.

As the week progresses, we hope to go see one of our grandchildren race at the KSU Track and Field Meet.  I had to go get a purple T-shirt and cap for the big event.  Hit the THRIFT SHOP first as I knew they had LOTS of KSU t-shirts and tops.  Found a couple.  Went ahead and purchased a t-shirt from Academy as GOODWILL didn't have any that Hubby could use and then when we were at WAL-MART, we purchased a couple of caps.

I picked up a couple of geraniums at MENARDS.  Went back for potting soil the next day as what we had wasn't enough.  The beauties will get potted today.

HOSTAS as well.  These will go along the side of the house.  

I've got to run to the storage unit and take a peek at how things wintered and shuffle some items to get a curio cabinet out and the dinette table with two chairs.  We're getting rid of one of the curio cabinets and the table set-up will go into our tiny Kitchen.  One of my goals is to have the dinette set HoME by the end of the month!  Let it happen.  Let it be.

Getting our small COTTAGE in order is an on going adventure.  I do believe it is my HOBBY.

Time to get outside and get my hands dirty.
~d

MY DEAR FRIEND

I FOUND OUT THAT MY GOOD FRIEND PASSED AWAY.  I am saddened beyond words.  So sad.  I did not get to attend her funeral so I did not have closure the way I needed to.  Blessed to have known her when I lived in OKLAHOMA.

I'm stunned.
~d  

HOW TO MAKE ENDS MEET

 

Normalizing LIVING below your means can stretch the cash for you and benefit one financially.  It's a mind set that I know I need to put into action and not have a second thought about it.

I'm looking for ways to save money and this piece of advice came to mind from one of my Husband's BOSSES many years ago when our children were still in Grade School.

I wish I had took the advice and socked more money away than I did.

My Mother-in-Law said one time to NOT SPEND MONEY period.  
Good advice if one is in a position to do so.

Updating our BUDGET and working at practicing what we preach.

I decided to play a game and work at living as CHEAP as we could.  It isn't in full force yet, but has partially started.  We cut all the television paid channels last week.  This was a big step for us being in our 70s.  My eyes bugged out as it was more than I imagined.

I have looked for bargains for years.  Maybe I should not look for them so often and keep it at that.  No spending.  When we do spend, we should do our HOMEWORK and get the best deal.

We're gathering up and marking items for a yard sale this SUMMER.  Marking them low so the items move out.

There's always the Public Library for books, movies and artwork.  If we go to the Movie Theatre, we will catch a matinee or go on the discounted day for Seniors.

Bake and cook at HoME.  Pack snacks and meals picnic style for road trips.

Check out others TIP SAVING IDEAS.  They are out there for sure.

Don't leave lights on when not in the room unless they are on a specific timer.  Utilities add up, so go easy on the temps guarding the heater and cooler.  Blankets and sweaters help out with keeping comfortable in chilly weather.  Do maintenance on appliances and cars.  Wash your laundry in cold water.  Air dry clothing.   

Scale back on the meat purchases.  Eat more beans, eggs, and left-overs.  Push the veggies, fruits, seeds and nuts and unprocessed foods.  Buy fresh and organic when you can.  Stock up when the canned goods go on special.

Buy 2nd HAND clothing.  Share with friends and family clothing. Sew your own with bargain basement priced material if you can find it.

Take care of what you have, lend and borrow from friends and family.

ALWAYS pay into a savings account first for your HoME BUDGET before paying OTHER bills.  

Walk more if you can and stay HoME.  Make your trips count.  Be diligent and have purpose when out and about.

Have affordable HoBBIES that bring you joy and entertainment instead of splurging on expensive outings.  Sometimes a HoBBY makes money.  

Gather with community groups, family and friends to do pot-luck meals.  Not only do you get fed, you can have fellowship.

Help one another out when possible.  Stay as healthy as you can and keep the peace.

I know others have many tips and ideas, so respect one another's opinions and have a great LIFE,

~d

   

O LORD...

WHEN I WORK AT MEMORIZING SCRIPTURE, I find short ones as my 70 year old mind is challenged these days.  This one is a great one for me.  O Lord my God...

~d 

MAY DAY WISHES

WELCOME FRIDAY!  It's the first day of MAY!  HaPPY MAY DAY. 🌹 I should gather up some flowers and bring them inside to add some nature inside of my COTTAGE.  I have a pretty crystal vase waiting to be filled.  I can place the vase to admire on the Dining room table.

The week-end is here.  I need to prepare for a Grandson who is coming over to spend the night with us.  Hubby is going to look for some miniature trains and tracks to set up so he can see the Choo-choo in action running on the living room, dining room and kitchen floors.  Making memories.  He'll be thrilled.

FINALLY got the catch-all items OFF the Dining room table.  I've been going through things deciding what to keep, pitch, sell or donate.  It's something I need to get faster at so I am not bogged down with decluttering.  A full box will be taken to GOODWILL this afternoon.  

On my outing, I will treat myself to my favorite unsweetened Iced GREEN Tea drink.  Zero calories and refreshing.  I look forward to this treat instead of gooey desserts with a sugar and fat load.  Pat my 'ole self on the back and be pleased that I received a blessing.  Green tea is suppose to be GOOD for ya in many, many ways.

TODAY, I started another round of the Daniel Diet/FAST.  In the back of my mind, I know I will have LABS in 2 and a half months for my yearly physical.  It gives me a goal to aim for to lower my cholesterol, blood pressure, A1c and hopefully thin down some because I will lose a few pounds.  I need to go weigh myself and start a weight-loss journal.  Better get this done.  I'll do a little walking today.

This month, with the detailed housekeeping I plan to clean the ceiling fans and paint the living room ceiling.  I hope I can get this done.  The flowerbeds need cleaned out and the garage gone through pitching unnecessary junk.  Shall see how far I get.

Wishing you all the best this MAY DAY!

~d