IS THE DEVIL TRYING TO TAKE YOU OUT?

HEART MURMUR for me.  BOTH OF US HAVE HAD THYROID CANCER. BOTH OF US HAVE TYPE 2 DIABETES.  SPINAL STENOSIS for me. OBESITY FOR ME.  HE HAS non-Hodgkins lymphoma.  GANGRENOUS GALL BLADDER FOR ME. UTERINE CANCER and A HYSTERECTOMY FOR ME. A FOOT INJURY FOR HIM. HIP ISSUES FOR ME. KNEE ISSUES for him. ANKLE DIFFICULTIES FOR ME.  SKIN CANCER FOR HIM.  There's more.    

Do you ever get the idea that the DEVIL is trying to take you out???  I do.

He comes to kill, steal and destroy.  He is the molester of our souls.  God is the one who loves us and shows us a better way to live life.  I choose HIM over the demonic.

I am an imperfect human and so is my HUBBY living in a fallen world, but we are children of GOD so we have HOPE and a FUTURE.  Up until a few years ago, we were pretty healthy and then WHAM, we were not.  If we are children of GOD, why so many health issues?  

ALL THESE HEALTH ISSUES mustn't stop us from being productive and living a joyful LIFE. We pray and heal.  We pray and heal.  We grow in ways that we didn't know existed.  We are to lean on the LORD when we are healthy and when we aren't.  Amen.

We are working hard and heavy to get a storage unit emptied so we have one less bill and are better organized/downsized.  It's a long, hard road, but we are crawling on it to a better way of LIVING even in old age.  Presently, we are eating more wholesome foods for better health. Better informed about what we eat has become a mission in my LIFE turning into a MINISTRY. Being well informed is eye opening that we are being attacked from every angle in our world from food, water, air, clothing fibers, petrochemicals, medicines, pesticides, hormone disrupters, etc.  Just how are we to live? 

I have got to be downsized and living a simpler, healthier LIFE.  ORGANIZED.  Praying as I go.  

AT TIMES, I feel defeated and forlorn.  I mustn't stay in this place.

FRIDAY.  In the middle of the night, a very loud thunder storm hit hard with wild, flashing lightning.  It woke me up long enough to acknowledge we were in the middle of a storm then fell back asleep and stayed asleep until 7.  I was not fearful.  Just sleepy.

My body is a tiny bit sore today as yesterday we were incredibly active for two old peeps taking apart and hauling the bedroom set to RESTORE.  We made two trips from the storage unit to RESTORE.  The headboard went on top of our lil cruiser while the rest of the bed and dresser mirror traveled inside the back of the car.

It did rain while we were traveling down the road to RESTORE.  After this batch was delivered we turned right around and headed to the unit to load the body of the dresser into the car.  For such a tiny car, we have really used her like a truck.  Back to RESTORE.  I felt like I had a weight lifted off my shoulders after we donated the Bedroom Set to them and we were free of it.

On our way HOME, we celebrated with STARBUCKS TEA and went back to the unit to load a small buffet in the back of our car.  All that is left in the storage unit is a ETHAN ALLEN SOFA that I want to keep for now.  Hubby will shuffle the SHE SHED to make room for the sofa.  We have to rent a truck to load the sofa and haul HOME.  I will SWEEP UP the inside of the unit and be done with this one.  May it be today.

We started out with three storage units, a packed full COTTAGE, a crowded garage, stuffed cellar and crammed full SHE SHED after our 2023 exodus from the bigger house in a different community.  I was recovering from a hysterectomy due to cancer.  Hubby was battling non-Hodgkins lymphoma and the both of us have type 2 Diabetes.  Slowly and I do mean slowly we are shuffling our way to being organized and working to make our place a HOME.  

We are down to the wire on freeing ourselves from another storage unit.  The first unit we emptied was in August 2024.  That felt awesome to see an empty unit after we worked on her. AWESOME. We managed to make some sense out of the cellar and inside the 

COTTAGE.  After we sold our lovely house in 2023, I fell on my knee and hip causing tailbone issues then within days Hubby injured his foot dancing on a bean can in the snow in January 2024.  He was working on remodeling our bathroom when this took place.  Next to impossible to do everything.  I had cataract surgeries in March and Hubby continued to hurt for a complete year. Tests were ran, special shoes made, x-rays, MRI, visits to doctors and surgeons.  He chose to not do surgery as the surgeon said he did not know what was wrong with the foot!  The doctor. I came up with tarsal tunnel on my own.  His foot healed.  Praise God.  

Cataract surgeries left me with more visual problems than I had.  sigh.  The adjustments have continued.  2024 turned into 2025.  2025 into 2026.  In 2026 difficulties started with my hip where I couldn't WALK.  X-rays and MRI.  A visit to a surgeon who suggested an injection.  I chose chiropractic adjustments first and healed!  I can walk with little pain.  Nothing like before. I learned I have a rotated hip with one leg shorter than the other.  

I started walking again and then my left ankle flared up.  Working at getting this healed.  

SO as you can tell, we are physically challenged and we have to work with it in order to get things done.  Praise the LORD, we are getting things done.  Slow, but steady.  My attitude has to be adjusted from time to time as I am struggling with how long it takes to get results on and for our estate.

Is the devil trying to take us out?  Yes, but I know someone who is more majestic than the little guy in a red suit with a pitch fork and tail.  I know the devil doesn't dress up for Halloween.  He can be very attractive and sly at the same time.  He is a deceiver for sure.

Here's to a GOD BLESSED DAY and life,

~d 

TOO EARLY FOR AUTUMN

STILL IS SUMMER, but the trees here on the prairie are telling me that AUTUMN is kissing the tips of the branches. Signs of the times are beginning to reveal themselves as the leaves start to change colors.  

Tis SUMMER folks not AUTUMN.  AT night, the tree frogs loudly crock.  They are rather loud, but it is a sound that gets lost in the background and fits into nature's lullaby as we sit inside and watch a movie.  

Can I just sit outside in the dark on the porch swing that we do not have and praise GOD that HE created this magnificent sound?

THURSDAY.  Another opportunity to make things around here a little more comfortable in our HOME.  A beautiful day in the making.  It rained this morning so our lovely daughter will not be coming over to mow the lawn.  She is helping us out by taking on the job.  She has so much going on in her life and now she has offered to mow our lawn.  GOD BLESS HER.  

With their son coming HOME from the Hospital after being hit by a car, he will be recouping at their HOME.  They picked up the mattress and box springs from our storage unit to use for him. Tis theirs now.  We were glad that they can use the mattress/springs.  It's out of the unit now.  

Hubby has plans to work in the garage this afternoon with the outside temps cooler.  We've visited about making trips to RESTORE today to donate the bedroom suite.  It will take approximately 3 trips in our lil Cruiser to deliver the suite.  A day of driving and getting rid of STUFF occupying our storage unit is a blessing.  I usually am the designated driver.  Tadaah.  I know at RESTORE that someone will get some good use out of the furniture at a discounted price.  When we have delivered the set, I can say goodbye to it and be alright.  MOVING ON.  An ice tea will be in order TODAY!

We just might make the end of the month deadline on being finished with the storage unit which surprises me.  Shall see.  That would be awesome.  

🩺 TIME FOR MY COLONOSCOPY.  Every five years I am to have one due to having polyps.  I know I have them.  With all this excitement going on, I am doing a weekly prep for a colonoscopy.  Isn't that a hoot?  My body runs slow at emptying waste products so I cannot just prep for one day.  sigh.  Okay, I'm going to look at this as having a heads up on spa dieting and getting back to clean eating.  I can do  t h i s.

I will be taking Miralax for a week.  A WEEK.  The foods allowed are called LOW RESIDUE for EATING.  The things I will be eating this week are pretty much what I try to avoid as it is full of white food like white bread, potatoes, white rice, pasta, etc.  okay okay.

💉My monthly B12 injection was yesterday.  Quicker than imagined.  In and out of the doctor's office like that.  I THINK I am feeling more energetic.  Now to get my Vitamin D levels up I will be like a teenager again!  

🚗🚗🚗 Afterwards we went to the car wash to vacuum the little cruiser.  She was rather dirty. Looking at her now feels so much better as she actually looks like we care about her.  She was vacuumed then the interior dash and door panels were wiped down.  

We shopped at Target and then Walmart to pick up the things needed for the colonoscopy prep and some new floor mats for our PT Cruiser.  The ones she had were worn completely out.  It had been a day where we had not eaten LUNCH so it was store-bought fried chicken, potato salad and beans for SUPPER. 🐔 Kind of like a late 4th of July meal.

We headed HOME on the back roads and stopped by the storage unit to pick up the drawing table.  She fit in the back of PETE really well.  Another thing out of storage.  Another thing OUT. PTL.  A month ago when I looked inside the unit my brain went numb due to the STUFF we would need to deal with.  So much STUFF.  Tis so much better to be where we presently are. Down to a few items.  Maybe I will relax after this unit is empty.  We have been trying to fit into a tiny COTTAGE and it's not a fit.  When it is, I know I will feel better.  My blood pressure will for sure go down.  When I am not at peace, I suffer.  

🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳 The prairie scenery is so pretty this time of year even with the heat.  The trees are so green and beautiful.  The skies are powder blue with wispy white clouds with a gentle breeze. Kansas pleasant.  The landscape on the prairie is so gorgeous.  When AUTUMN does finally get here, I will be traveling to Wichita's COW TOWN to spend a slow day.  I'll pack a picnic lunch and sit a spell.  I LOVE HISTORIC COW TOWN.  Love it.  I think I could live there.  ha.

EARLY SIGNS OF AUTUMN ARE SHOWING IN THE TOPS OF THE TREES as the leaves are starting to turn early.  This can't be.  Some reds, yellows and lime greens are popping up.  Tis SUMMER not AUTUMN.  Hubby says he thinks the chem-trails are the cause.  Conspiracy says so.  The way my government functions, they are allowing chem-trails.  Condensation from aircraft doesn't exactly coordinate with what we know.  

CHANGING OF SEASONS.  It is too early for FALL even if HOBBY LOBBY and SAMS are putting pumpkins and witches out to sell.  Just like that, it's CHRISTMAS. 🎄 As I walked about the stores seeing the merch they are selling, I shake my head and think it's only July.  It's still July, right?  Not for long as time marches on.

I believe I need to make the best of it out of a bad situation.  I have always tried to make the best out of where ever we have lived.  This go round it has been the worst move evah.  Very drawn out and we are the oldest we have ever been.  Age and challenging health does not make it easy.  That saying that old age isn't for sissies is true to the core.   

Now to get ready for the day.  Laundry is in and dishes have been washed and put away.  I took a few pictures to send to my sister so she can see how it looks around here while we are downsizing and organizing.  grins.  📸 Tis a mess.  A really BIG MESS.  I know if I can stay focused, I can get through this interim period of going from settled to unsettled back to being settled.  I get the Living room looking like a living room just to destroy the order as we clean out a storage unit bringing things HOME.  It gets orderly again and then it's not.  Such a stage of life to be in.  

Love,
~d

MID-WEEK ZOOM and HALLUCINATING WITH CHEMO

ALREADY MID-WEEK.  Zoom.  Right on by.  Working at making the best of the time we have as we put our storage unit clean-out on pause due to a brother-in-law being in very poor health.  Over the week-end, we traveled to Des Moines for a visit knowing that the end of the month is this Friday.  TEMPS were extremely HOT.  Almost a 100 degrees while traveling, then on Sunday it was a good 104.  Don't know the heat index.

Knowing we would not be working the week-end before our deadline plus a few days into the new week, I laid down the idea that we would be done with clearing out the storage unit before August 1st.  

Visiting our B.I.L. was presently more important than having the storage unit cleaned out by this coming Friday.  If we hunker down, we still wouldn't meet the deadline so we will allow ourselves another month of paying for the unit and getting it cleared out in a few extra days.  We have a bedroom suite to dispose of, a sofa to be moved into our she shed that needs serious rearranging, a drawing table needed moved into our garage, a small buffet to the garage...then we are finished.  Sweep it up and call it done.  Praise the Lord.  Praise GOD. 

When my Husband telephoned RESTORE, their person that picks up donations had broken his leg and wasn't working.  Short on staff.  Other thrift shops won't travel to the storage unit where it is located such as God's Storehouse, Goodwill and Salvation Army.  We'd have to haul it ourselves and we think we have this figured out.  

I felt compelled to see my bro-in-law before he receives more chemo.  He will be one difficult case with the chemo as the prednisone prescribed in the chemo-cocktail caused him to hallucinate.  He is prescribed 6 rounds of chemo ending in December.  If he gets violent during these treatments it will be cause to pause.  

🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥

I didn't know people could hallucinate while taking chemo.  Now I know.  The medical field doesn't advertise this side effect as it would probably discourage potential patients from following through with this medical route?

Back in 2017, a Topeka Pastor did dialysis leading to violent changes in his personality. Generally he was friendly and kind.  In one week he was arrested twice as he attacked people in places of business.  Completely out of character for him.  He went insane.  He would commit suicide.  What happened?  With kidney disease, psychosis can develop as it did in this case.  I had no clue.  

With chemo, anxiety, depression, mood swings, nausea, and not being able to sleep can take place.  I basically thought that with chemo you sit for a few hours receiving chemo and go home. My Brother-in-law has a slow 5 day drip where he stays in the hospital.  He went home after round one and returned due to being dehydrated.  Had to get IVs.  What would the staff do if he went out of control?  Strap him down?  Sedate him?

We arrived in Des Moines early evening on Saturday.  We surprised my Sister as she was sitting on a sofa in her husband's hospital room.  He was hooked up to an IV and she was on the phone with me when I stood at the door unannounced.  Her jaw dropped when she saw me at the door.

She came across the room to hug me and I said hello to my brother-in-law.  Our visit began.  My Brother-in-law was surprised as well as he had written a letter to us in the morning not knowing we were coming to see him.  I handed him a toy Dachshund and he named it GiGi like one that they had years ago as a pet.  I figured a dog would be better than flowers or a pet.  

😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷

🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑🚑

We stayed with my 94 year old Mom.  She does not eat much and doesn't stay hydrated as one should.  No amount of talking to her causes her to change.  Same response to drinking water.  I know I don't drink enough.  What are you doing about it?  Nothing.  Tis frustrating.  What's a person to do besides pray?  I cannot move her in with me.  Our housing arrangement is not up to speed and at this point in life, my back cannot lift her.  If she falls and injures herself, she will be headed for a Nursing Home.  This is on the back of my mind.  

Left on Tuesday.  We're HOME now.  I have a medical appointment this afternoon then I can return to resting or what not.  What not.  Laundry?

Being away from this mess of a COTTAGE was refreshing even though I know we are far from being finished.  I came HOME tired, but refreshed with a fresh idea of what steps to take to get from point A to point Z.  With what we have gone through with this move, I have had huge changes of heart concerning what keepsakes to keep and which to get rid of.  It may be very freeing when we finally are in order.

It is not the end of the world living like HOARDERS, but we are not hoarders. We are in the middle of still downsizing and fitting into a tiny COTTAGE.  This has been a wild ride.  The hardest move of my life.  Since being married, I believe I have made 22 moves.  22.  That averages to a move every 2 and a half years.  Makes my head spin.

This week to come, I am looking over the BUDGET.  Heavens, it cost a great deal to live.  Back to reading books and articles about living on a dime.  Living hardly anything.  LIVING.  Reclaiming this and that.  Taking dominion over little and calling it living BIG.

God BLESS,

~d on the prairie

SCRIPTURE TO SPEAK OVER THE ROOMS IN YOUR HOME

AFTER SEEING THIS REEL,

I thought it would be good

to freeze frame and capture the scripture they suggested

for reading and speaking over the rooms.

I will be doing this exercise.

God bless,
~d

 Amen.

PIZZA TO THE RESCUE

JUST FINISHED MY LAST SLICE OF ALDI'S PIZZA FOR SUPPER.  I went shopping at Aldi's this afternoon and picked up a pizza.  It's been years since I purchased a pizza from them.  Years.  I figured a Friday night Pizza was in order.  Actually it wasn't too bad. The crust was super thin and baked up rather nice.  

There was plenty for my Husband and I.  It was really nice not having to prepare it or clean-up afterwards.  I have been on the GO and I needed a break.

Yesterday was the BIG DAY at the Doctor's for our yearly physicals.  Passed, but there were some red marks on the lab work which I knew there would be.  Back to taking supplements and etc.  I was dreading the appointment.  Absolutely dreading it.  Got through it just fine, but hey, between hair cuts, physical therapy sessions, shopping, working on clearing out the storage unit, etc. I have been on the go way too much.  

Afterwards, we managed to make a trip to the nearest DUMP to get rid of a broken desk.  It cost us $10 to dump it.  Journeyed back to the storage unit and loaded the dinette set.  I was so excited.  We talked about having the set stripped and refinished.  Still talking about it.  Hubby touched base with the refinisher that did our 2016 fire damaged furniture for a quote.

I cannot in good conscience have this dinette set worked over after hearing what the refinisher is asking to do the work.  We will need to get some other quotes.  Too rich for my blood.  For now, we will live with a very marked up table and two chairs, but they will be in the Kitchen instead of STORAGE!  That's better all the way around. 

PERHAPS ONE DAY OUR KITCHEN WILL RESEMBLE THIS SWEET ONE!

Two days ago, the Dinette Set was in storage.  Tonight, she is sitting in our Kitchen.  Whahooooo. You should have seen us carrying the table through the maze that is presently our Living room and Dining room full of storage boxes.  We carried her part of the way on our heads.  NO JOKE. I suppose we'll feel it tomorrow.  I wish we'd been filmed.  Go to the left, go to the right, right, left, right, straight back, right, left, straight back.  I was walking backwards while carrying the table above our heads so my Husband was my eyes for which way to go.  Touch down and we were in the Kitchen.  Sat the two chairs on top of the table until we can put some more time into getting the Kitchen cleared out so the table and chairs will be used like real, civilized humans.

I know this about me...I can go for a long time under stress and then I can't go anymore.  I am there.  That's why I needed the PIZZA. 

I know the PIZZA is loaded full of NO GOOD STUFF that I should be avoiding, but I decided I'd make it up tomorrow.  I bought Pink Lady Apples, peaches, miniature bell peppers, almond milk, eggs, bottled water.  Eating fruit isn't one of my favorite things to do.  I have to remind myself to eat it.  Doing better on the veggies.  Pacing myself on meats.  Going easier on the breads. Pushing more water.  Occasionally have highly process foods.  Watch out for the seed oils.  No soy, no GMO if I can help it.

BUT FOR TONITE...I will overlook the chemicals in the pizza.

  🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕

🍕PIZZA PLEASE,

~d🍕 

PRANCING ON THE PRAIRIE

DIDN'T SLEEP THE BEST.  Some tenderness with a tooth kept me restless.  If it's not one thing it's bunches more.  Figure I'd best make an appointment to have my teeth cleaned. When I telephoned the Dentist Office, I felt like I just about had to sell a kidney to make a cleaning appointment for Hubby and me.

Shaking my head.  Hubby hasn't been to the Dentist since 2020 and he is being considered a NEW PATIENT with them.  We've been going to this business since 2000.  New Patient.  I don't think so.  I can see going in for x-rays, but for them to call him a NEW PATIENT is being dishonest.  

I had dental work done in April 2025, so I am in their data system.  I am wondering if we need to find a new Dentist or go with it.  Wonder some more.  I will be brushing my teeth with baking soda in preparing for a cleaning.

While I talked to them, I did my part for foot care.  I soaked my feet in tubs of water as I talked to the Dental Receptionist.  No epsom salts, just water.  I thought I could do this for about 20 minutes while I made dental appointments and ended up soaking them nearly for an hour as I was talking to the receptionist about appointments for teeth cleaning.  She got on her computer to check our accounts and that's where we stayed for awhile as she did thus and so making arrangements for x-rays, visits with the doctor on one appointment and a additional teeth cleaning appointments in September.  When I got off the phone, a good 15 minutes had passed on top of already soaking my feet beforehand.

My feet feel absolutely awesome.  Now I can go prancing on the prairie.  

Monday was the hottest day recorded in Northeast Kansas so far this year!  Terribly HOT.  We stayed cool inside the house.  Praise GOD for air conditioning.  Praise GOD.  

I am so satisfied that we got those two large pieces of furniture in place.  So pleased.  I oiled down the Victorian Dresser.  Now I can begin to fill it with family pics.  Hubs is working on putting his art supplies in the High Boy.  Together we are busy. 

As we figured our day and week, he mentioned we need to work on emptying the out-of-town storage unit as we want to be out of it by the end of July.  We have 10 days.  We're in our 7th week of working off and on at cleaning the unit.  I had so hoped we'd not be working on this in the heat of the SUMMER, but it didn't work out that way.  Forging ahead when we can get to it.  

Our day looks like we will be in the neighborhood of the storage unit so we will stop by and pick up a couple of chairs to load in the cruiser to bring back to the COTTAGE.  Tomorrow, Hubby will phone RESTORE and make arrangements with them to come and pick up the bedroom suite.  I can turn loose of it without heartache.  sigh.

That will leave a sofa and mattress with box springs, the dinette set with two chairs, a drawing table and a small buffet to get out of the unit before we can say it is empty.  

When this unit is completely empty and swept clean, I will do a little jig and prance some more on the Prairie as my goal will have been hit.  Praise GOD.  

~d👵

SHUFFLING ALONG

Antique Victorian Dresser with Mirror

SUCCESS!  Hunny and I did it.  Two large pieces of furniture have been shuffled into new locations in our small COTTAGE.  There was huffing and puffing a plenty, but overall we managed pretty well for two peeps in their 70s.  I look at this as exercise for the day.  There was weight lifting for sure.   

The High Boy is sitting in the Tv room polished.  After three years in storage, this piece is finally in our HOME.  It took us three trips to the storage unit to get all the pieces of the furniture. That's 3 hours of traveling altogether and about 15 minutes to load up the pieces and 30 minutes to unload plus a whole lot of effort to shuffle the pieces into place.  Each trip was in the heat of Summer.  

Hubs said he'll fill the drawers with his art supplies on Tuesday and I can fill the antique Victorian Dresser drawers full of our family pics as well.  What a thrill it is to be as far along as we are.  For an old woman struggling to get settled in this tiny COTTAGE, we've made progress.

Our High Boy that's been in storage for three years is HOME.

I feel like we really made a dent in our downsizing and organizing. Even with so much more to do, my attitude is better.  Feeling happier as an individual about being here in this location.  I have been overwhelmed at times when thinking about what all needs to be done to bring us up to speed on the property.

Storage is at a premium.  We have made serious progress which puts a smile on my face.  So pleased this got done.  Sooooo pleased.

After the Victorian Dresser with a Mirror was slid into place, the old lamp was placed on the marble top becoming a mood lamp with a flicker bulb.  Love it.  It looks so nice to me.  I stepped back in time for a moment and I know my blood pressure lowered. 

I'll polish up the piece later.  Better to wait until I am more energized.

~d

SHOULD I COPY THIS COTTAGE?

VISITED A VERY COZY COTTAGE 

VIA INTERNET.

~Vintage Cottage Dreams~

Just something about this COTTAGE 

that was very comforting to me as a tired old woman.

Gathered some sweet ideas to aim for in my world.

Light colors, greenery, candles, lamps, pictures.

What do you think about it?

Blessings to you,
~d

 

STAYING YOUTHFUL SHUFFLING FURNITURE

SUNDAY.  I woke early for me.  5 is early for me.  I did a few chores then went back to sleep. So in a sense I slept in.  No physical church today.  We had a rather emotional day yesterday concerning a love one which I will not go into at the moment.  Prayers filled the heavens.  

I woke refreshed.

This afternoon we continued to empty the Victorian Dresser drawers full of art supplies so it can be moved from the Tv room to the Living room.  Have mercy...paper is heavy.  

After the Victorian Dresser is moved to her new location, we'll make a trip to the out-of-town storage unit later today and then turn around and do it again.  The High Boy is coming HOME and assembled today.  SO pleased.  Thank you GOD.

Hubby hung a painting of mine as I worked on the bills and correspondences.  I brown wrapped a box going to Iowa for my ill Brother-in-law.  I had a small brown bag that I was able to slip the box in.  Worked really neat instead of using brown craft paper.  This bag form fitted the box like it was designed for it.  I like it when tasks are made easy.  Brown wrapping boxes for the mail isn't one of my favorite things to do.  Tis done and will go to the Post Office in the morning.

Started taking Magnesium Glycinate 200mg supplements this noon.  Studied up on this type and was informed that this is the best type to take when not having a THYROID. 

• Magnesium Glycinate: Gentle on the stomach and well-absorbed, suitable for those with sensitive digestive systems.  

  Dietary Sources of Magnesium

  Incorporating magnesium-rich foods into your diet can also be beneficial. Foods high in magnesium include:

  • Leafy green vegetables (e.g., spinach, kale)
  • Nuts and seeds (e.g., almonds, pumpkin seeds)
  • Whole grains (e.g., brown rice, quinoa)
  • Legumes (e.g., black beans, lentils) medicalhealthauthority.com.

  Considerations

  Before starting any magnesium supplement, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate dosage and form based on individual health needs. While magnesium is generally safe, some individuals may experience digestive issues, so starting with a lower dosage is advisable statcarewalkin.com.
  In summary, magnesium can be a valuable addition to the diet of individuals without a gallbladder, supporting digestive health and potentially preventing complications related to gallbladder removal.

  
  

  Researching.

  Things I have been researching on the computer are as follows:  What does spending too much time on the computer do to the brain?

  
  

  Which magnesium is best for people without a thyroid?  Magnesium Glycinate.

  
  

  Long term use of Hydrochlorothiazide raises blood glucose, raises cholesterol, causes electrolyte imbalances, strong link to skin cancer, interacts with how the thyroid levels are doing.  

  Hydrochlorothiazide can indirectly affect thyroid function by lowering magnesium and potassium, which may reduce T3 levels and interfere with thyroid hormone activity.

  Hydrochlorothiazide can cause electrolyte imbalances, hypokalemia, high blood sugar, kidney strain, and increased sensitivity to sunlight.

  Electrolyte Imbalances

  Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic that increases urine output, which can lead to the loss of essential electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and magnesium. This can result in muscle weakness, cramps, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, and confusion. Severe potassium depletion, known as hypokalemia, is particularly concerning because it can increase the risk of heart arrhythmias and muscle dysfunction GoodRx+3.

  Metabolic Effects

  The medication may also raise blood sugar levels, potentially increasing the risk of hyperglycemia or new-onset diabetes, especially in individuals with preexisting metabolic conditions GoodRx+1. Monitoring blood glucose is recommended for patients on long-term therapy.

  Should have labs done every 3 to 6 months to check blood.

  
  

  PAUSE.  Late afternoon came and we unloaded the car that was holding the HIGH BOY DRAWERS.  Found a spot to stack them inside the house.  Drove over to Wamego to find out the restaurant we were planning on eating supper was CLOSED.  Drove over to RAISING CANES in Manhattan.  Got a bottled water and off we went to the out-of-town storage unit to get the bottom half of the High Boy. 

  
  

  It slid right into the back of the cruiser and we drove HOME.  It takes longer to drive than it does to load the pieces into the car.  All of about 5 minutes to load.  30 minutes to drive one way HOME.

  
  

  Unloaded our baby onto the porch and drove over again to the unit.  I laughed that it only took 5 minutes to load.  When we got HOME, we unloaded the top part of the piece onto the porch. After we get the Victorian Dresser mirror off of the dresser, we'll move the piece into the Living room and vac the carpet where she sat.

  
  

  The High Boy will then come into the house's front bedroom where she'll proudly sit.  Hubby can load the drawers full of art supplies.  The piece will need a polishing which I'll do on Monday. Being stored in the storage unit for 3 years has been hard on the furniture.  Pieces start to crack where you don't want them to.  They are dried out and thirsty for moisture.  So I will oblige.  

  
  

  After this piece is in place, then the Victorian piece will get her mirror attached and slid into place.  A polishing will take place.  Family pictures will be placed into the drawers and I will REJOICE!  This will be a huge accomplishment for us lil 'ole peeps.  Not bad for a SUNDAY. We're getting our exercise.  Stretch and lift.  Lift and stretch.  Some grunting noises are always made.  What a thrill to be making progress.

  
  

  Next trip to the Storage Unit will come this week where we bring HOME a Dinette table with two chairs.  I will rejoice when it is sitting in the Kitchen excited that it finally made it HOME.  I'd like to have it stripped and painted black.

  
  

  Pieces will be in place and settled in.

  Sigh. We did it!  

  ~d

  
  

HAPPY THOUGHTS AND PRAISE

TAKING PIECE OUT OF STORAGE AND BRINGING IT HOME

THE WEEK-END COMETH.  Praise the LORD.  I slept in this morning.  It's been a while.  Stayed up for a couple of hours and took a NAP.  Woke refreshed!  Planning my day.

I'v got some serious shuffling to do as we are going to make room for our HIGH BOY piece of furniture in the TV room which means the Antique Victorian Walnut Dresser with Mirror: Renaissance Revival  will have to go into the little Living room/Parlor so we have room for the High Boy.  I'm excited about this as the Victorian piece is rather pretty and I think it will look proper in the Living room where an antique chest is.  What to do with the chest?  Not sure at the moment.  grins.  Here we go a shuffling, a shuffling we shall go.  

The chest is filled with pictures so the Victorian piece will inherit the pictures.  The High Boy will house art supplies beside my Husband's recliner.  This shuffle-roo will take time and muscle.

We brought the High Boy's drawers that were in storage, home yesterday on our way HOME from the medical appointments.  It took us about 15 minutes to load the back end of the car with the drawers then we left the drawers in the car overnight.  We'll bring them inside when the indoor shuffling is complete.  This week-end, we'll have time to move the rest of the piece in two trips.  The High Boy comes apart making it easier to transport in the Cruiser.  

We bought the High Boy over 8 years ago from a Thrift Store where her legs and feet were in rough shape.  Hubby worked her over and we had a lovely piece.  She went into storage over 3 years ago when we started moving large pieces out of the house that we were going to sell.  I've missed the piece and now we have figured out where she can go in the COTTAGE.  Praise the Lord.

When it is set up...we can concentrate on bringing HOME the next pieces of furniture which will be our Dinette Set and placing her in the Kitchen.  This will have a great sense of satisfaction that we are further along on our adventure of settling into our small COTTAGE.  PRAISE GOD.

Hubby showed me a picture of our porch from one year ago.  I was mortified at how awful it looked.  The front steps made of concrete were severely cracked and crumbling.  The actual porch floor was collapsing.  If I do say so myself, today our porch that was rebuilt looks a million times better than it did.  

Later this Summer, the porch will receive another coat of thick paint.  The next step in the porch remodel is to scrape the ceiling paint off and repaint it with a haunt Blue color and install a beautiful hanging lamp.  The front of the house will get painted a fresh coat of paint and the doors will be painted.  

I was in the picture holding 2 balloons in the shape of a 7 and 0 for 70.  I was getting ready to release the balloons into the air as I had celebrated with the balloons for a couple of weeks.  They were deflating.  We watched as the balloons floated upwards into the heavens after I released them.  They stayed a float for a very long time.  

I hated the way I looked in this picture.  I was overweight and seriously fatigued.  It showed.  It's not wrong to want to be HEALTHY.  I do desire health.  Getting there will be another area in my LIFE that needs worked on.  Am I lazy or do I not feel well?  Both. 🤼 

I'm still obese and fatigued.  This is the year I will see if I can reduce my weight by 100 pounds in a healthy way.  Journaling with pictures.  Exercises and balanced diet.  Vitamin B12 shots and supplements.  Spring water and rest.  Prayer and decluttering.  Organizing and downsizing. Happy thoughts and praise.  

HAPPY THOUGHTS and PRAISE on the way,

~d🌹